With yet another school year winding down, it is important to reflect on what made the school year memorable. As I mentioned on an earlier blog, my goal this year was to run a more engaging, technology driven, global classroom; a classroom where the kids didn't just shuffle in every morning but a place where such greatness happens that they can't stop talking about their learning at home and with friends. You need to ask them if I achieved my goal, but with my goal in mind I think it has been a pretty fantastic, innovative year!
Here are my "Big 6" - Six ways to make your next years class your best ever!
Here are my "Big 6" - Six ways to make your next years class your best ever!
The Global Read Aloud Project.
What better way to start a year than to connect a class to the world via an amazing project. We read "Out of My Mind" by Sharon Draper. The students read the novel and then connected to their global peers by blogging, Skyping, creating a local buddy classroom (setting up fun field trips) and using Edmodo to chat with students from 21 different classrooms. My students then created movie trailers for the novel using iMovie (click here to see an iMovie project). If you are interested in joining this great project go to their webpage here, or contact @pernilleripp on Twitter.
What better way to start a year than to connect a class to the world via an amazing project. We read "Out of My Mind" by Sharon Draper. The students read the novel and then connected to their global peers by blogging, Skyping, creating a local buddy classroom (setting up fun field trips) and using Edmodo to chat with students from 21 different classrooms. My students then created movie trailers for the novel using iMovie (click here to see an iMovie project). If you are interested in joining this great project go to their webpage here, or contact @pernilleripp on Twitter.
Put this on the top of your summer reading list. Author @DanielPink novel will change the way you run the classroom. Daniel uses studies to back the notion that the 'carrot on a stick' extrinsic method of motivation falls short in reaching optimal results, and that building one's intrinsic motivation is best. The book will guide you towards running a classroom where kids want to learn, with the learning itself being the principle method of motivation. Both on a management and academic level, this book has had a huge positive influence in my classroom.
I have used Edmodo for two years and love it! Nothing is better than seeing peers help peers on assignments, homework, class messages, etc. Edmodo allows you to build groups, create assignments, upload work and much more. Edmodo also allows you to connect to other students around the world. This year my students connected to discuss the Global Read Aloud, and relished the chance to comment on their global peers' work. Edmodo also allows teachers to join professional development groups. Edmodo keeps getting better and better, and is a must in the 21st century classroom. If you are interested in learning about @edmodo visit their website www.edmodo.com.
If you are a teacher, and you are not using Twitter, make it your number one priority. I use Twitter for both personal and educational reasons. Twitter is professional development at your fingertips. It is a place to share ideas, learn, connect, build a PLN, etc...(list can go on forever). It is also a fantastic way to connect classes! Wanna Skype? Go through Twitter. Wanna have a poetry slam? Go through Twitter. Gotta teach an algebra lesson but don't have resources? Go through Twitter. Nothing you can do over the summer, for your practice, is as important than delving into Twitter. Here is where I will finish my Twitter talk by asking you to read my first line on Twitter over again. My Twitter accounts are @rondorland @mrdorlandsclass and @7thchat - Please give them a follow! :)
Genius Hour is giving your students an opportunity to explore their own passions, to be creative, to allow students to pursue whatever sparks their interest as long as they document their learning and share it with the world. In my room this was a total success! From beginning to end I gave 40 minutes, four days a week, for a month. Students created songs, websites, bikes, dresses, cakes, boats, dog houses and more. If you want to see one project click here. If you want to learn more about @geniushour visit their website at http://www.geniushour.com.
Last of all, it is a must to give your students autonomy, creativity and pride. What better way to do that than giving your students their own website - a place to document their learning journey in an e-portfolio that they can share with the world. Our classroom uses Weebly. It is an easy to navigate, click and drag, style website that my students found extremely easy to use. A website allows students autonomy and purpose while they "show-off" their learning with their global peers. It is a platform that allows students to express their creativity to their global classmates. To see my students webpages click here. Over the year I have run workshops on Weebly, and would welcome any questions you might have.
Please let me know what you think of my "Big 6"! If you have any additions to what makes your class great, please share as a comment so other teachers can learn from it. And remember... it is never too early to prepare for next year! Have a great, productive summer prep, oops I mean break!
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