tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46534153589519856602024-03-13T16:50:37.436-07:00Teach for the WinAmanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-66392797381445821102020-04-25T18:21:00.000-07:002020-04-25T18:21:08.122-07:005 Tips for Supporting Caregivers During Remote Learning <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-YopAYo-8l3vbmXsovJMkPSKpPWBYcOv_4MuEp6YfAULNvDLPebb1SCUglLAIhK9ut5NCv5GenHtdzihjwgklxDLzGyAcgz_MaK7Fl2AczLGfuLCMlAX6pLva8JwxExMygvbgx6JbUs/s1600/photo-of-woman-and-boy-leaning-on-wooden-table-4145353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-YopAYo-8l3vbmXsovJMkPSKpPWBYcOv_4MuEp6YfAULNvDLPebb1SCUglLAIhK9ut5NCv5GenHtdzihjwgklxDLzGyAcgz_MaK7Fl2AczLGfuLCMlAX6pLva8JwxExMygvbgx6JbUs/s400/photo-of-woman-and-boy-leaning-on-wooden-table-4145353.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I’ve always considered my students’ parents as my best allies and teammates when teaching my students. Now that we are teaching remotely, that’s more true than ever.<br />
<br />
Our students have a new learning environment and different support than they are used to. There are new expectations for both students and their parents.<br />
<br />
Suddenly caregivers have been given the role of co-teacher, tutor, and interventionist. I can understand how overwhelming that must feel, especially because families have so many other factors to consider including work schedules or the recent loss of employment, device availability, English proficiency, and the trauma we are all experiencing through this pandemic.<br />
<br />
What can we do to support our students’ caregivers during this tough time?<br />
<br />
<h3>
Encourage Caregivers </h3>
I’m sure many parents are feeling frustrated and unsure of how to support their children when learning at home. A quick post or email telling parents you appreciate all they are doing can go a long way in encouraging parents.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Give Grace</h3>
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>This isn’t the time to crack down on due dates and essay length. Everyone is trying to navigate this new situation and we should give grace, both to parents and to ourselves. When there is a situation, start with, “How are you doing?” or “What can I do to make learning at home better for you?” I have found these questions helps to remind parents that I’m part of their team and I care more about my students and their families than on-time assignments.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Share Resources </h3>
Providing teaching videos for students is critical right now. We can also support parents by providing a resource now and then just for them. Why not make or share a video with a few tips for reading comprehension or a refresher for long division? This can help to build confidence for parents and also make their life just a little easier as they support learning from home. <br />
<br />
<h3>
Consider Time</h3>
Consider the amount of caregiver support required for lessons you create and be kind. Parents may be helping multiple children learn at home, and we all know how challenging that can be.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Consider Resources</h3>
Consider the amount of screen-time needed to complete lessons. Many families are sharing devices for multiple children and parents working from home. When possible, provide work for your students that they can complete offline.<br />
<br />Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-82768718395423371822020-04-17T05:51:00.000-07:002020-04-17T05:51:32.838-07:00Balancing Consistency and Choice<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">About two years ago I set a personal goal to improve my blended learning teaching by </span><a class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink" href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/02/designing-online-learning-experiences.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">designing online learning experiences that empower students</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">. I wanted to help my students own their learning and make decisions for themselves. It resulted in offering students choices in: </span></div>
<ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">which materials to learn from</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">how much scaffolding they need</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">pacing their lessons to ensure growth</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">self-assessment and reflection </span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">final project format, audience, and topic </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I’ve been reflecting on promoting student agency this way in the classroom and considering how to continue to foster independence while my students are learning from home. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I’ve had numerous conversations around the topic of balancing consistency and choice as I’ve been working with educators in my building to plan remote lessons. Consistency for students and parents helps to prevent confusion and frustration, but creating lessons that follow the same learning path with the same tools can cause students to lose motivation and interest. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">So, how can we balance consistency and student choice in order to create engaging learning opportunities? </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Consider <b>consistency </b>when making choices involving:</span></div>
<ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Platform for delivering content and turning in work</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Schedule for posting work each day</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Means of communication to students and parents</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Clear directions</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Central location for troubleshooting resources</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">When designing learning opportunities to promote student choice, it’s all about firm goals and flexible means. Set goals with and for your students, and then give them <b>choices</b>:</span></div>
<ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">multiple formats to access the learning </span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">continual opportunities and support for self-assessment</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">options for demonstrating their learning </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">While I enjoy designing ways for students to creatively demonstrate their learning, I don’t think this is the time for introducing a ton of new tools that they have no prior experience with. This will lead to confusion and frustration for both students and parents. Instead, consider how you can use familiar tools in different ways so that students can have choice. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Earlier this year, I created choice boards for my students to use in response to our reading lessons. Most of the choices use common Google tools in different ways. To foster independence, I also created animated gifs reminding students how to do tasks like inserting an image, highlighting text, creating a text box, etc. I plan to re-purpose some of these choice boards during our distance learning. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBPj9TmzHGpVQokItLWpDJjZFcQ1QHRdU0Qa6_uTadp-a6kUd7-QWQr-_qtEZp-_n6DQypTxr6ci1pNmepkDuviTkTaEO0M5Bh3vCngGcvI8lSY-7sH8fAyY_-r1G4Nl62dSFdTdwBEY/s1600/Pick+Two.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1055" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBPj9TmzHGpVQokItLWpDJjZFcQ1QHRdU0Qa6_uTadp-a6kUd7-QWQr-_qtEZp-_n6DQypTxr6ci1pNmepkDuviTkTaEO0M5Bh3vCngGcvI8lSY-7sH8fAyY_-r1G4Nl62dSFdTdwBEY/s400/Pick+Two.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
You can access, copy, and use the choice boards, templates, and my gif library using the links below. For each activity template, click the link for each choice for an additional template. Zoom out on each slide to see directions and tips. </div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/163zydKlxO6M5llRmRq1IvxnynP98gl5emxaBDrhXljE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Gif Library</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q00iy2anRgc&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Make Your Own Gif Tutorial</a></li>
<li><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WiDRCkuvINyc8Qlo9QZ9Oz8JYdhUShCEmRNsIf21iZ4/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Templates: Character, Theme, and Vocabulary</a></li>
</ul>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-60707514962203101682020-04-08T16:05:00.001-07:002020-04-08T16:05:27.364-07:00How to Prevent Hours of Tech Support During eLearning<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">As I prepare to create digital lessons for my students to learn at home, I am thinking back to all the small lessons I taught in class on problem-solving technical issues. From the beginning of the school year, I taught and reinforced a few basic problem-solving tips when working on their Chromebooks so that students were comfortable working independently. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">But what happens when students are asked to do tasks at home...even if they are the same types of tasks that you have done a hundred times at school? They forget how, and then I have LOTS of messages from students and parents. That leads to providing remote tech support for my students...for hours. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">3 tips to cut down your time providing remote tech support:</span></h4>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
1. Stick to what they know</h3>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">It’s been encouraging to see many companies and individuals providing their resources for free. In this time of uncertainty, it’s great to see everyone chipping in to make learning meaningful for our students! There are lots of great resources like read alouds and doodle time with authors. Those activities that simply link to Youtube are great if you want to incorporate them into the lessons you are creating. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">When considering all the free apps and resources, though, I want to caution you: look before you leap!</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Premade “everything you need for online learning” packets and digital lessons seem easy, but your students may not be familiar with the format, content, or tech tools used in those resources. That can lead to frustration for students and more tech support for you. If you choose to use something like this, consider how you can structure your learning activities to be familiar for your students.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">If you are requiring students to use new apps or create accounts, those programs may not protect student privacy. From data collection to recording student meetings, check privacy settings carefully, and use district-approved applications if possible. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
2. Use Gif directions</h3>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">How many times do you show your students how to access a website or resource in your classroom before they begin working? If you are like me, it’s often. A few months ago I began creating gif directions for my students to follow, and it helped my students work independently. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Here is my <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/163zydKlxO6M5llRmRq1IvxnynP98gl5emxaBDrhXljE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">full collection of Gifs</a>. Feel free to use whatever is helpful to you! </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i.gyazo.com/e274e998fd5b545c2ac96913ffa6181e.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="800" height="187" src="https://i.gyazo.com/e274e998fd5b545c2ac96913ffa6181e.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I’ve also created a quick <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q00iy2anRgc&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">screencast video</a> showing you how I make these. It’s super quick and simple! </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q00iy2anRgc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q00iy2anRgc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
3. Screencast! </h3>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">For longer directions or a daily briefing, consider making a short screencast video. Don’t worry too much about having a script and making no mistakes. It doesn’t have to be a Hollywood production, just be you! Your students will like hearing your voice! <a href="https://www.screencastify.com/" target="_blank">Screencastify </a>and <a href="https://screencast-o-matic.com/" target="_blank">Screencast-O-Matic</a> are both great tools to use. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Providing familiar work and tools to support at-home troubleshooting can not only save you time, but it can also help to make eLearning a positive experience for students and parents too. </div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-21419385481697383962020-04-05T19:35:00.000-07:002020-04-05T19:50:04.390-07:00Passion Projects and Basic Animation<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Last school year I was amazed by my students as we learned together using passion projects. Here is what I wrote reflecting on the power of learning this way:</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">One of the reasons I love passion projects is because my students love them. There is real purpose behind reading, freedom for creativity, and students have the opportunity to publish their work for a large audience. They have so much to offer the world, not just later as adults but right now. Passion projects show students what they are capable of, and sometimes the greatest change we can make is inside of ourselves.</em></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">This year we began our first passion project together in November (long before Coronavirus was a concern). My students chose the topic: what causes people to get sick? Like last year, we used the <a href="http://thelaunchcycle.com/" target="_blank">LAUNCH design process</a> to guide our research and project planning. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Once our research was done, my students decided they wanted to make an informational video for others focused around health and sickness. Specifically, they wanted to create an animated video using their own artwork. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I had never tried this type of project before, so I touched base with Manuel Herrera (@manuelherrera33), innovation coordinator and all-around great educator. He shared so many great ideas about transferring sketches to digital formats and creating basic animations. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Here is how we accomplished our task:</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Planning</strong></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">We made a storyboard to map out our video. Students worked in pairs to draw, animate, and write a script for their part of our video. Student groups presented their plans to the class and received feedback to make our message clear. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Creating digital art:</strong></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Students started with a sketch of the basic elements they wanted in their part of the video. I took a picture of each sketch and uploaded it to a Google folder. Student groups accessed their photo, inserted it into Google Drawings, and then used the tools there to trace over the objects. My students had not used Google Drawings before, so I created a couple of screencast videos (<a href="https://youtu.be/KMLaeaVaa0w" target="_blank">shape tool</a>, <a href="https://youtu.be/k6Zmes53Vdw" target="_blank">polyline tool</a>) they could refer back to. I've found supporting my students this way helps them build confidence in working independently. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GU5dNfBWuXoTrUJHWHvrxGNNJmRTvFm7bnCMGJbbVshxyjN2Ove2XZE5PyC0XjrTQvewFJM1cIamt9yHYVZGr0oI-HT86Jnhpwekek3LguZR7tk_ZT6ej1dAe1mabwUgMV0saN0gLbs/s1600/IMG_1310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GU5dNfBWuXoTrUJHWHvrxGNNJmRTvFm7bnCMGJbbVshxyjN2Ove2XZE5PyC0XjrTQvewFJM1cIamt9yHYVZGr0oI-HT86Jnhpwekek3LguZR7tk_ZT6ej1dAe1mabwUgMV0saN0gLbs/s400/IMG_1310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSxiJu1gj7OoJLxG3hnk_9TXf9c0poVSloc2vdxkiecUSNgazQIMOWjL1cIQaXH9bnT9irxnfzGnh7r5nqZ8nWlaHc_1aVpN0vI6IGSKE-TkNxufI1Z9wyQlRc3JGL3fv6rgX5JYXTS4/s1600/IMG_1299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSxiJu1gj7OoJLxG3hnk_9TXf9c0poVSloc2vdxkiecUSNgazQIMOWjL1cIQaXH9bnT9irxnfzGnh7r5nqZ8nWlaHc_1aVpN0vI6IGSKE-TkNxufI1Z9wyQlRc3JGL3fv6rgX5JYXTS4/s400/IMG_1299.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Animating art</strong></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Once students had their digital art, they followed this process:</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Save the image as a PNG</span></li>
<li><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Move the art a tiny bit</span></li>
<li><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Save the image as a PNG</span></li>
<li><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Move the art a tiny bit</span></li>
<li><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Repeat</span></li>
<li><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Upload all the screenshots to a shared Google folder</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">The general idea is similar to a paper flip book, so when all the screenshots are put together it creates a type of basic animation. I also created a <a href="https://youtu.be/1kzre2LL2NA" target="_blank">screencast example</a> for this part of our project for students to refer back to. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjSGqkyW7PMJxUYXp98c57PdJhPoIN4Z-P4V6wmq_JoU3rUKdTg8FKiKuM3pttitbgVZN383GxdOXimH5kcIofy-CZY6WpEsSGVMGjBPVikYRS20VG2_3D8kPz6WHA0ENOBAOOIUil7M/s1600/IMG_1296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjSGqkyW7PMJxUYXp98c57PdJhPoIN4Z-P4V6wmq_JoU3rUKdTg8FKiKuM3pttitbgVZN383GxdOXimH5kcIofy-CZY6WpEsSGVMGjBPVikYRS20VG2_3D8kPz6WHA0ENOBAOOIUil7M/s400/IMG_1296.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4QQK3HANpDTSjxQJp-f1K0NlMs1n3einGLT2BpO2xu9OQVlgtPgs9Ne4nIfwA0ZeA0Ixis9TUKLz5480srlnZiLFJ8TGMYMucgklGIMM6Ej9ycVewDqRKpeQ-AHVVVKXSasFYNNbz8Y/s1600/IMG_1311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4QQK3HANpDTSjxQJp-f1K0NlMs1n3einGLT2BpO2xu9OQVlgtPgs9Ne4nIfwA0ZeA0Ixis9TUKLz5480srlnZiLFJ8TGMYMucgklGIMM6Ej9ycVewDqRKpeQ-AHVVVKXSasFYNNbz8Y/s400/IMG_1311.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Creating our video</strong></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I used Adobe Spark to compile all student screenshots into one project. Unfortunately, Adobe Spark only allows you to narrate slide by slide and each slide was only a second long. We needed another way to record our narration, so we used Screencast-o-Matic to create one fluid reading.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/y4PrdbT6WTY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y4PrdbT6WTY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></strong>
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Reflecting on our project</strong></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Overall, this passion project left my students excited about the project they had created. They shared the video with their parents, and some students even began making paper flip books at home. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">After each round of passion projects, I like to debrief with my class. We talk about what we learned, what we would do differently next time, and what we feel proud of. One student made a comment that sums up my excitement behind this type of work. He said, “I didn’t know I could do that!” I love helping students realize their potential and greatness! </span></div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-27143423956960982442020-04-01T08:18:00.004-07:002020-04-01T08:18:53.257-07:00Empathy Drives Design<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
One reason I love supporting my students through the design process, both with our new morning procedure and through passion projects, is because my students learn to think and care so far beyond themselves.<br />
<br />
When I think about providing design opportunities in my classroom, I think about those moments when my students realize there is a problem they want to address or an opportunity to improve the current situation. When we design for other people, empathy is key to a good design. We recognize that another person or group has a need and we are moved to understand the issue and help in some way. <br />
<br />
Two of our latest design projects connected directly to our reading unit focused around diversity. My students grew in empathy after reading a selection from Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper, a story about a young girl with cerebral palsy and her struggle to communicate with her teacher. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuR6etFGcpMgmoMd2cYqrpct02_EyzIIheIdnpOeVfLVjRJdhgqW2_6gQCfBgK57FeX_vyNZjv2lIA6ZQ8ggLVUIoGjnxPpxgEv9IS_L_Uhc9_gbXkKevlP7BFnCG8IH60xCOv_YC2Yro/s1600/IMG_1386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuR6etFGcpMgmoMd2cYqrpct02_EyzIIheIdnpOeVfLVjRJdhgqW2_6gQCfBgK57FeX_vyNZjv2lIA6ZQ8ggLVUIoGjnxPpxgEv9IS_L_Uhc9_gbXkKevlP7BFnCG8IH60xCOv_YC2Yro/s320/IMG_1386.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
A group of students from the high school came to teach us more about the diverse ways they communicate. Upon seeing my students’ genuine curiosity and care about this topic, our high school cadet teacher told us about his brother who is also a fourth-grader. He explained how his brother is very much like each student in my class, except for his inability to communicate through speech. </div>
<div>
<br />
I waited quietly, hoping someone would suggest a design, and of course, my students didn’t disappoint. “Mrs. Moore, why don’t we design something so that he can communicate better, like the character in the story?” Her idea was met with excitement and so many initial ideas. My students were motivated by this project because it had the potential to immediately make a positive impact on someone else’s life. I loved watching the process as my students continually came back to considering the specific wants and needs of their new friend. <br />
<br />
Eventually, we were able to create a communication board, and my students were so excited. They had created real work for a real-world problem for a real audience...all started by empathy.<br />
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcI0yrWkpD_Zu1vgvVHbSFfLr6A4eMkDS5WHoXaPmyHeiPOx0I_YJwU72GpYBl2tvEjbQ_US3IfM0_GW6bo0xMbjs_pLCLh-fchyecbrhCPlQ8ehYhuN04eKFZbNY4ASpBA6wDnLibVSc/s1600/speech+tool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="740" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcI0yrWkpD_Zu1vgvVHbSFfLr6A4eMkDS5WHoXaPmyHeiPOx0I_YJwU72GpYBl2tvEjbQ_US3IfM0_GW6bo0xMbjs_pLCLh-fchyecbrhCPlQ8ehYhuN04eKFZbNY4ASpBA6wDnLibVSc/s400/speech+tool.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
A week later, my students began a project focused around researching inclusive playgrounds. When they realized that students with some physical disabilities would not be able to play on parts of our playground, they began designing. From their empathy, they created designs for various playground equipment and wrote letters to convince our principal that we need an inclusive playground. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RrrvOEADOzsNMNkIdju5JYZ7hzBPCUzeqv27FSm4QBJX-TIJt4w5-ZiHWdanRSJGbfap7gcRNTsmZF-gcyyttBGmPgBr6VXaokFH0hayny_YP4IwD33S7b7JmYbC5MRW4AagpTsWD8g/s1600/IMG_1830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RrrvOEADOzsNMNkIdju5JYZ7hzBPCUzeqv27FSm4QBJX-TIJt4w5-ZiHWdanRSJGbfap7gcRNTsmZF-gcyyttBGmPgBr6VXaokFH0hayny_YP4IwD33S7b7JmYbC5MRW4AagpTsWD8g/s400/IMG_1830.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjun-oxdSgtf0NmKgbby-iNbWwR3VozZZDZlC2L-__D39K5ps-7effQLghlU2GtmyjjMI0vM_k9pEVi7cw387F5aOrQHCjSEyjEq5RqpNH7TPMohGUmzMVKUMlPN7gbKW2BJ8DGrgpCn-o/s1600/IMG_1834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjun-oxdSgtf0NmKgbby-iNbWwR3VozZZDZlC2L-__D39K5ps-7effQLghlU2GtmyjjMI0vM_k9pEVi7cw387F5aOrQHCjSEyjEq5RqpNH7TPMohGUmzMVKUMlPN7gbKW2BJ8DGrgpCn-o/s400/IMG_1834.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tpsTF2_hpWQ59nPFUk2cCHwGNn3UYKLPHJYHsSo5Mry4ESlh8VXIB6lX0ZWgHksvpmNbetQsbAePfI7nabCC7akrqOqFXQRETcPtn1tFTYHHKermDMgVrz-4eMgEM63ijCTAhfqDNyM/s1600/IMG_1829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tpsTF2_hpWQ59nPFUk2cCHwGNn3UYKLPHJYHsSo5Mry4ESlh8VXIB6lX0ZWgHksvpmNbetQsbAePfI7nabCC7akrqOqFXQRETcPtn1tFTYHHKermDMgVrz-4eMgEM63ijCTAhfqDNyM/s400/IMG_1829.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My students have taught me so much this year as we have incorporated design into our daily schedule. I’ve learned the importance of offering opportunities to create and express new ideas. I’ve also been reminded that our students can solve real problems when given time and resources to do so.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-15332583054751260192020-03-30T19:16:00.001-07:002020-03-30T20:11:32.654-07:00Incorporating Daily DesignAt the beginning of this school year, I reflected on this question posed in George Couros’s book, The Innovator’s Mindset. Would you want to be a student in your own classroom? <br />
<br />
One part of our daily routine that I would dislike as a student is our morning procedure. So I changed it. A lot. <br />
<br />
In past years, my students would quietly enter the classroom, unpack, get materials ready for the day, and start on the day’s morning work review while quietly eating breakfast. <br />
<br />
It was quiet, calm, and all about compliance. That bothered me. I expected my students to enter and start work immediately. As an adult, my morning routine includes greeting my coworkers and thinking through my day. <br />
<br />
Why were my expectations for my students so different?<br />
<br />
So I completely threw out our morning work. I wanted to use our morning routine to set the pace for the day, so I needed something collaborative and creative. I also wanted to create a way to help my students transition from home to school, so our new routine needed to be motivating and exciting. <br />
<br />
I decided to create morning design challenges. Now instead of compliance, it’s all about innovation, collaboration, and creative thinking. It’s not quiet or calm, and my students and I love it! <br />
<br />
In an ideal week, student teams follow this pattern:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Monday: Discuss the needs of the intended audience. Independently sketch ideas.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Tuesday: Share ideas and sketch a final plan.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Wednesday: Create a prototype.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Thursday: Consider the needs of the intended audience, make improvements.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Friday: Share the prototype with the class.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3>
Here are a few of the challenges I’ve given my students recently:</h3>
<br />
<b>Create art to improve our playground or learning garden</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkT_H1_mmO99Q1XRIpT3mJWcbazCi_I5kJG9jNv7fdPuIVj_kAElwWLKySGXFxedOi7AW4LKuS-67Da6UBt2B42JA5Zv1FMiWsIWIr9CHtsliQtt8zjy7YfsxIP4b5lMdlAeUFglEOd4/s1600/IMG_0948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkT_H1_mmO99Q1XRIpT3mJWcbazCi_I5kJG9jNv7fdPuIVj_kAElwWLKySGXFxedOi7AW4LKuS-67Da6UBt2B42JA5Zv1FMiWsIWIr9CHtsliQtt8zjy7YfsxIP4b5lMdlAeUFglEOd4/s400/IMG_0948.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGZUoK2-mPV8ZNxSgtM72lNEdPsIriFF4MGWcI1mDi4HrUjmp6cwe3sGn6Va5tKZY9rO60VWkebvnBZIFIx_y8pijYGjEF3de-xIA0PymBaJj_UJUlcf39rNpv3hqem4MHHoqnwiydak/s1600/IMG_0944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGZUoK2-mPV8ZNxSgtM72lNEdPsIriFF4MGWcI1mDi4HrUjmp6cwe3sGn6Va5tKZY9rO60VWkebvnBZIFIx_y8pijYGjEF3de-xIA0PymBaJj_UJUlcf39rNpv3hqem4MHHoqnwiydak/s400/IMG_0944.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLEMsAjJikE7tRGUNYhQxDTaX6pOgR_k9xDuk-VWxaHsavQ9DXwueHj177IlDkiWnrQNrsKhNSxHtibeC57iX_Mql-XJDv72rHYEE4XjiuCTrVUWjtujlKm2x4XjqlVWM7IXIHONRunU/s1600/IMG_0912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLEMsAjJikE7tRGUNYhQxDTaX6pOgR_k9xDuk-VWxaHsavQ9DXwueHj177IlDkiWnrQNrsKhNSxHtibeC57iX_Mql-XJDv72rHYEE4XjiuCTrVUWjtujlKm2x4XjqlVWM7IXIHONRunU/s400/IMG_0912.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Create a game for a child in a hospital</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxa9pR8yCar-TLeY4zlfmgSV8PszKeu3buAERmpuvEMqIYcV97OWkX7ev3rpD-ERFOY38aW16vp0W6d0BtoKUHqRi7CJtqro9Jo07hdvwcYWqBe0a3CQJzoDac7ZGsnQ1eTa2dsojywg/s1600/IMG_0709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxa9pR8yCar-TLeY4zlfmgSV8PszKeu3buAERmpuvEMqIYcV97OWkX7ev3rpD-ERFOY38aW16vp0W6d0BtoKUHqRi7CJtqro9Jo07hdvwcYWqBe0a3CQJzoDac7ZGsnQ1eTa2dsojywg/s400/IMG_0709.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkxwC2O8ZTth9y-NQqTxn9VfzOg9cwSC1tK1ZXioLTeum41x9o2vnOqCzwHTT-nTO7EoZnlW6Qx2iG9yhDh6pWVfpwRf3O4e7L1wiYshD8JS2MczH5WXMNvXb5Js9lti7UcM1qE8mNiE/s1600/IMG_0704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkxwC2O8ZTth9y-NQqTxn9VfzOg9cwSC1tK1ZXioLTeum41x9o2vnOqCzwHTT-nTO7EoZnlW6Qx2iG9yhDh6pWVfpwRf3O4e7L1wiYshD8JS2MczH5WXMNvXb5Js9lti7UcM1qE8mNiE/s400/IMG_0704.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGZpT1FQoeQ8Uxp5Wv20_F-BkWqYZPja2-cEugD0yGbDXBSn4Bk43SMdm7Zo9YPscQ32XtU7t_tRSeMH5NES732SGkH6X8OcAk2EySG5Ocg_ld638MlfY77wFQNb-gmUz4z8ou4TtN7Y/s1600/IMG_0703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGZpT1FQoeQ8Uxp5Wv20_F-BkWqYZPja2-cEugD0yGbDXBSn4Bk43SMdm7Zo9YPscQ32XtU7t_tRSeMH5NES732SGkH6X8OcAk2EySG5Ocg_ld638MlfY77wFQNb-gmUz4z8ou4TtN7Y/s400/IMG_0703.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Design something to make watering crops easier</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_SxBSWUKH9oncGC1IeVEq_KpAayn9ktwwra0fmlTCj9gxX0t7GhH61ALEn5UTe3ErpfImyuz_u2Bgjow9f-RS92-Ss4RD5PbVQqAi7BwoonCP5tr5RE40eKlq3vgYPN03Gxn8Jed7o4/s1600/IMG_1012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_SxBSWUKH9oncGC1IeVEq_KpAayn9ktwwra0fmlTCj9gxX0t7GhH61ALEn5UTe3ErpfImyuz_u2Bgjow9f-RS92-Ss4RD5PbVQqAi7BwoonCP5tr5RE40eKlq3vgYPN03Gxn8Jed7o4/s400/IMG_1012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0xQK2F9hIXC51alHhgb7ZA9DPPmcmkEND9XQdOWMwR94aCFoGyE-anjl00fomtOK7bGDPZTtCEqHp4H1NowyFM89pVRKcMubuHwmfaOhIwMyKxkb7KL-him9FQ5imyurBv8EWg8u9gI/s1600/IMG_1017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0xQK2F9hIXC51alHhgb7ZA9DPPmcmkEND9XQdOWMwR94aCFoGyE-anjl00fomtOK7bGDPZTtCEqHp4H1NowyFM89pVRKcMubuHwmfaOhIwMyKxkb7KL-him9FQ5imyurBv8EWg8u9gI/s400/IMG_1017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Improve a paper airplane design</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtcHeBDYnSxyajs3LqeJnvcn4UReB4s5HnacWV7xTR7hyDJnFJrougEpwd3LqJje1sTcf4ezF0uLowL1JFZZ_6uGvjxkpfdZkG5PkvaYW_kAIcmLX38Qv9JmEb1gOpzwe6UHn3R5zYyY/s1600/IMG_0917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtcHeBDYnSxyajs3LqeJnvcn4UReB4s5HnacWV7xTR7hyDJnFJrougEpwd3LqJje1sTcf4ezF0uLowL1JFZZ_6uGvjxkpfdZkG5PkvaYW_kAIcmLX38Qv9JmEb1gOpzwe6UHn3R5zYyY/s400/IMG_0917.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_ubtBLm5Gp4Dsl_agoA9yDfYrUFKjR1sgZ5WICzVTMY4xsjC7o0crZGQqRVfmgIiEDAwRM3bjMpzDh7pc7DXwdtYo4DjGHKr9pRnH45932UOuT9e8iJzQLF2FZ0GVF3vFnPYOoKZXJs/s1600/IMG_0918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_ubtBLm5Gp4Dsl_agoA9yDfYrUFKjR1sgZ5WICzVTMY4xsjC7o0crZGQqRVfmgIiEDAwRM3bjMpzDh7pc7DXwdtYo4DjGHKr9pRnH45932UOuT9e8iJzQLF2FZ0GVF3vFnPYOoKZXJs/s400/IMG_0918.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzatFvOtpWpWHWhzMiZxJZAuAceqopwwpbuA53OXMYyw6eoTwZrzJgJXOMviZtEVVxEKPCw65_MQlwewkIlhe8iVqTTJrPGhvQM_nQ_Yf09THklB_bl_HIt5vZ0UagcFBmyos0-8BfdA/s1600/IMG_0919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzatFvOtpWpWHWhzMiZxJZAuAceqopwwpbuA53OXMYyw6eoTwZrzJgJXOMviZtEVVxEKPCw65_MQlwewkIlhe8iVqTTJrPGhvQM_nQ_Yf09THklB_bl_HIt5vZ0UagcFBmyos0-8BfdA/s400/IMG_0919.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our classroom is much more lively in the morning, and my students enter with excitement about their tasks. We have had many opportunities to build communication and cooperation while learning about compromise and the value of out-of-the-box ideas. The tone in our classroom is positive and creative, allowing my students time to mentally shift into a great mindset to learn with. I can’t wait to see what they design next! </div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-87756056274537317842019-08-07T17:44:00.000-07:002019-08-07T17:44:27.993-07:00Would you want to be a learner in your classroom?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This summer I had the pleasure of reading George Couros’s book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3MCZKL8N1CJP8&keywords=innovators+mindset&qid=1565224211&s=gateway&sprefix=innovator%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Innovator’s Mindset</a>, and it was wonderful! It was as if the author took my heart and passion for teaching and wrapped it up in his book. It left me inspired and reflective of my teaching practices. As the new school year is beginning, I’m continuing to consider a key question posed in the book:</div>
<br />
<b>Would you want to be a learner in your classroom?</b><br />
<br />
This question made me pause to consider my own needs as a learner. Sure, I could sit in just about any classroom and comply by taking notes, completing assignments, and taking tests... but is that what I want for my learning experience? Not really.<br />
<br />
As a learner, I value choice, inspiration, laughter, community, tasks with true purpose, and opportunities to express my creativity. I believe that our classrooms should be full of the curiosity and wonder that comes so naturally to children.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, we have lost that somewhere along the way- valuing compliance over curiosity and individuality. Perhaps we hold expectations for our students that we ourselves would dislike and find difficult to meet.<br />
<br />
During our very first day of school, I asked my students about their ideal classroom. Their responses are captured in this word art.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dKSKSK3TPuDfwq05Ma2Jz_EPIAI-_6VAv_13uA0m4abWBxRTvF8bnOXq27BwnKj1mUSVISbJl_g2ArnMSwz86n8Hnx0B7IY5oZBqx26piTu-mhjcKDatvZS50yPJy6u-5sTFptcERik/s1600/Word+Art+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="717" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dKSKSK3TPuDfwq05Ma2Jz_EPIAI-_6VAv_13uA0m4abWBxRTvF8bnOXq27BwnKj1mUSVISbJl_g2ArnMSwz86n8Hnx0B7IY5oZBqx26piTu-mhjcKDatvZS50yPJy6u-5sTFptcERik/s400/Word+Art+%25282%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Over the past three years I’ve made many changes to my classroom that I would love as a student. I plan to continue implementing these changes and expanding these aspects of my classroom: <br />
<br />
<b>Gamification with Classcraft</b></div>
<div>
Avatars, point scoring, leveling up, collaboration, community building, and so much more. Classcraft has helped to transform my classroom community....and it’s so much fun!</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/01/beginning-gamification-with-classcraft.html" target="_blank">Beginning gamification with Classcraft</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2019/04/i-gamified-my-classroom-and-students.html" target="_blank">I gamified my classroom and students are soaring</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Passion Projects</b></div>
<div>
Students explore their interests and help to direct their own learning while creating some pretty amazing projects. </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/10/developing-passion-for-learning-with.html" target="_blank">Developing a passion for learning with passion projects </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/10/helping-students-realize-their.html" target="_blank">Helping students realize their potential</a> </li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Blended Learning</b></div>
<div>
Students spend independent time learning online in connection with small group instruction. </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2017/03/implementing-blended-learning.html" target="_blank">Implementing blended learning </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/05/5-essential-instructional-design-tips.html" target="_blank">5 instructional design tips for blended learning </a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Student Agency</b></div>
<div>
Students take on quite a bit of responsibility to self-assess and direct their own learning.</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2017/12/encouraging-student-agency-and-ownership.html" target="_blank">Encouraging student ownership and agency</a> </li>
</ul>
<br />
As the school year starts, what changes do I need to make in my classroom to ensure the learning experience I value so highly is also available for my learners? From implementing a new curriculum to seating charts and classroom procedures, I’m beginning to consider these decisions from a student’s perspective more than ever to ensure a student-centered classroom.</div>
<div>
<br />
One area of my classroom that I would dislike as a student is our morning procedure. Of course, procedures help things run more smoothly, but my previous expectation of entering the classroom quietly and starting work right away with little social interaction is something I want to get away from. As an adult, I enjoy greeting my colleagues in the morning and catching up with them briefly. I’m currently searching for new ideas for this part of our day, and I welcome your suggestions! </div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-80330910831377926542019-07-18T19:03:00.002-07:002019-07-18T19:03:52.326-07:00Encouraging Change<br />I have been so encouraged to make so many new friends and grow my professional learning network at technology conferences in the last year. While attending these conferences, I usually ask to join someone for lunch who is sitting alone. I enjoy getting to know other teachers, and I always welcome new perspectives. One teacher I sat with reminded me of the struggle we often face when attempting to implement change. She was feeling both excited about what she had learned so far at the conference, and also concerned about how new teaching practices would be perceived by her colleagues and administrators. <br /><br />For those of you reading and who feel the same way, I’d like to share a bit of encouragement from our conversation that day. <div>
<br /><br /><h3>
Don’t Give Up</h3>
<br />The possibility of what education could be excites me! I love dreaming up new ideas and applying them in my classroom. You don’t have to change everything all at once, just take a few steps and eventually you’ll get there. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not easy. It takes time. I can’t use all the same lessons and projects from year to year. But you know what? It’s worth it...so don’t give up. <div>
<br /><br /><h3>
Find Your Tribe</h3>
<br />There is something to be said about having a group of teachers that have a similar mindset as you. Being part of a community of teachers interested in using technology in new ways inspires me to continue my efforts to redefine what education looks like in my classroom, school, and community. <br /><br />If you don’t have teachers in your building, find some online. In fact, let’s be friends! I’m serious- be my tribe! You may feel like you are one of only a few teachers with this mindset, but there are more of us than you might think. In his book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=innovators+mindset&qid=1563499888&s=gateway&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Innovator's Mindset</a>, George Couros writes, "Sometimes, the most valuable thing you get from the network isn’t an idea, but the inspiration or courage to try something new." Connect. Life is a bit easier and a whole lot more fun with a tribe.<br /><br /><h3>
Bring Someone with You</h3>
<br />If you are willing to take risks in your classroom, you are a leader. Use your sphere of influence. Share your ideas with a trusted colleague at school. Ask for their advice, share a favorite web tool, include them in your planning, share a favorite blog post or book. By inviting others along with you, you will initiate change in your building. </div>
</div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-13915489719558342412019-03-11T06:44:00.000-07:002019-04-05T06:45:06.098-07:00How I empowered my students to love learning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YuTj5upGVZMAZy7Y2meBIEt7zREVt21M_zfZxG05NlugskpZjoUyv1thPQkPR01Q8GOwxGmLHXS_-ZtrVsTjWbdAcMG01yKxpoXeHUCBWXtJxrCRxKcC-gm2NPx2Yw10zpWn95qk4yo/s1600/IMG_6386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YuTj5upGVZMAZy7Y2meBIEt7zREVt21M_zfZxG05NlugskpZjoUyv1thPQkPR01Q8GOwxGmLHXS_-ZtrVsTjWbdAcMG01yKxpoXeHUCBWXtJxrCRxKcC-gm2NPx2Yw10zpWn95qk4yo/s400/IMG_6386.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Metal detectors, panic alarms, and active school shooter drills are often what comes to mind when the education community first thinks of school safety. However, addressing this issue reaches far beyond the secure doors of our schools, taking into consideration factors such as school and classroom climate, positive discipline measures, and wellness promotion, according to <a href="https://www.naesp.org/sites/default/files/Framework%20for%20Safe%20and%20Successful%20School%20Environments_FINAL_0.pdf">A Framework for Safe and Successful Schools</a>. <br />
<br />
When we consider the studies showing the relationship between bullying, personal failure, and anger to school violence, we must pause and reflect on our own schools and classrooms. How can we make education a positive experience for all of our students? So many students who have acted out in violence were angry or bullied. And after violent acts occur, we hear stories about students who didn’t belong and missed that feeling of acceptance, making their school experience more than a little tough. <br />
<br />
But what if...<br />
<br />
<h3>
What if they loved learning?</h3>
<br />
When was the last time you felt excited when you were learning something new? As adults, I think we take for granted this spark for learning. How many of our students feel excited to learn in our schools today? Most days, students walk through our doors and read the texts we have selected, participate in the activities we have planned, and complete the projects we have thought up. They comply and learn, but do they love it? Probably not. <br />
<br />
In an effort to ignite a passion for learning, I took inspiration from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Empower-Happens-Students-Their-Learning/dp/194644443X">John Spencer and AJ Juliani</a> and implemented <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/10/developing-passion-for-learning-with.html">passion projects</a>. Passion projects are akin to genius hour or Google’s 20% time. Essentially, students pursue topics they are interested in and develop their own projects to demonstrate their learning. As a teacher, I facilitate learning and provide just-in-time instruction for my students. <br />
<br />
This year, my students chose to research topics including homelessness, modern slavery, home construction, and video game design. Projects ranged from writing songs and developing websites to creating artwork with poetry and coding video games. During these projects, I taught students nonfiction reading comprehension skills like summarizing, synthesizing across texts, and drawing conclusions. <br />
<br />
Passion projects allow for a real purpose for learning, freedom for creativity, and opportunities to publish work for a large audience. My students showed a genuine interest in their research, they were invested in their own learning, and they made comments like, “Do we get to read more for our project today?” Toward the end of our unit, more than a few students came to school with huge smiles saying, “I can’t wait to do our project today!”<br />
<br />
When students are excited to learn, a positive environment and culture forms. Learning doesn’t have to be boring, and challenges don’t have to lead to anger and frustration. If we can help students to realize their interests and develop their passions, they will want to learn. Empowered students have confidence and believe they can contribute to the school community in positive ways. <br />
<br />
<h3>
What if they loved their classroom community?</h3>
<br />
Building a positive classroom community where all children are accepted and included can be one of the most challenging aspects of teaching, yet it is essential for students to feel safe. Winning over students who feel compelled to pick on others for control and power is a critical first step. This kind of antisocial behavior hurts the individuals who are harassed and creates an environment where no one feels safe. All students need a sense of belonging, and they want to be accepted by teachers and, even more so, peers.<br />
<br />
I initially gamified my classroom with Classcraft to increase engagement and motivation. What I didn’t expect was the impact it would have on our classroom community. <a href="https://www.classcraft.com/">Classcraft </a>is a gamification platform that allows me to promote social-emotional learning skills by reinforcing positive and pro-social behaviors like teamwork, communication, kindness, and respecting others. The collaborative nature of Classcraft requires students to work together, thereby fostering relationships that might not have otherwise formed. Students are eager to help teammates with learning tasks, and friends celebrate together as they level up. <br />
<br />
Just the other day I saw a student finish her independent learning task and immediately check in with a teammate who struggles with reading. I watched as they sat together, one student reading directions to the other and explaining the task. When they finished they gave one another a high five and then went about the rest of the day. Later on, I asked the early-finisher why she took the initiative to help her teammate and this is what she said, “Well, I know reading is hard for her. She’s really smart, and I want to help her level up. Soon we will be the same level and we can have matching outfits!” Talk about a positive class culture! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.eschoolnews.com/2019/01/09/i-gamified-my-classroom-and-students-are-soaring/?all">Gamifying my classroom</a> has also helped me to build better relationships with my students. I have found that playing together breaks down barriers and builds trust. That trust goes a long way in helping my students to feel that they belong. Our classroom community is thriving, and students know they play a critical role in our success. <br />
<br />
<h3>
What if they loved themselves?</h3>
<br />
More and more students today are exhibiting signs of stress, anxiety, and depression. As teachers, we know that students often have underlying issues we don’t know about, and emotional outbursts or anger can be a response to multiple contributing factors. Worry about relationships, grades, fitting in, and too much homework are just a few stressors students face at school. Coupled with family expectations, lack of sleep, and even trauma, many of today’s students are struggling to cope with difficult situations and manage their thoughts and emotions.<br />
<br />
Mental health is becoming a popular topic for discussion in the education community. It’s not uncommon for some schools to practice mindfulness as part of their morning routine. This <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/04/health/meditation-in-schools-baltimore/index.html">Boston school</a> has replaced detention with meditation, and <a href="https://jezebel.com/schools-in-england-will-now-teach-kids-how-to-practice-1832440377">England</a> is moving to include mindfulness as part of students’ regular instruction. <br />
<br />
Students in my school have access to a student support room, where they can go to calm down and refocus before returning to class. They can do physical activity, sit calmly, talk to an adult, and even swing for sensory purposes. Some of my colleagues are taking a more direct approach by teaching their whole class mindfulness techniques using resources like <a href="https://www.mindyeti.com/v2/s/">Mind Yeti</a> and <a href="https://www.smilingmind.com.au/">Smiling Mind</a> to guide meditations and support students’ mental health. <a href="https://alittlepeaceofmind.co.uk/lighthearted/">Spark </a>also has great resources for teachers and parents as they help their children navigate tough situations and build resilience. <br />
<br />
Students can experience so many benefits from practicing mindfulness techniques including increasing attention, reducing worries, and regulating emotions. Less stress and better attention lead to more engaged learning, better grades, and confident students. When students learn to accept themselves for who they are, they are left feeling in control of their minds and bodies and are able to make positive choices.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Reimagining the Student Experience</h3>
<br />
We can empower students to take an active role in their learning, building confidence and ownership. Finding their passions and belonging to a supportive and positive community is a great first step in helping students to have a positive school experience, where bullying and antisocial behaviors are minimized and students are proud of their learning. When we teach students how to manage their emotions and deal with day-to-day stress, we are not only helping them build skills for life, but we are also working to create a safer school environment. The skills they learn related to personal care, collaboration, and taking part in a community will stay with them long after they leave our schools.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Note: This article was also <a href="https://www.eschoolnews.com/2019/03/11/empowered-students-love-learning/" target="_blank">published on eSchool News</a>. </i></div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-22900283994346077162019-01-16T17:36:00.002-08:002019-01-16T17:40:40.003-08:00Failure Isn't FinalAt the beginning of the school year, I identified four ways to <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/08/personalizing-learning-in-elementary.html" target="_blank">increase personalized learning</a> in my classroom. My overall goal this year is to empower students to take an active role in their learning. <br />
<br />
I planned to increase personal learning through:<br />
<ol>
<li>Geek out blogs</li>
<li>Personalized learning paths</li>
<li>Passion projects</li>
<li>Wonder day</li>
</ol>
The school year is halfway done, and I’m so excited to celebrate some success. At the same time, some of my plans haven’t worked out so well. I hesitate to call those moments failure because that seems so final, doesn’t it? And if I’ve learned anything in the last few years of my professional growth, it’s the value of continually learning from both positive risks and unfortunate mistakes. Failure doesn't have to be final.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Last Year’s Successes Are Not Guaranteed...</h3>
Perhaps my biggest failure so far this year has been expecting my students to excel in the same ways as my class did last year. As teachers, we comment all the time on the stark differences from one class of learners to another, but for some reason I naively expected my students to display the same maturity and skills as my students last year. <br />
<br />
This year we have struggled with remaining on-task and displaying a willingness to try to solve one’s own problems. I’ve been disappointed, and sometimes discouraged. My students have also had the tendency to rush through work to be done rather than focusing on producing their best work. For this reason, I put our blogs on hold. I started using a few new accountability measures to encourage on-task behaviors and hard work for this next quarter, and I plan to use student blogs as a place to publish bigger projects so that students realize published work should be a reflection of our best efforts. <br />
<br />
<h3>
...This Year's Successes Are More Than I Anticipated</h3>
If I only measured success based on last year's experience, we would have missed out on some amazing learning. Success this year looks different, but it's still great! My students have amazed me with their deep empathy during our <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/10/developing-passion-for-learning-with.html" target="_blank">passion projects.</a> They chose to research topics including homelessness, animal cruelty, modern slavery, girls' education, PTSD, and brain injuries. Later they created websites, video games, presentations, care packages, videos, websites, and original art to demonstrate their learning. Their work moves me! They see problems in the world and show genuine concern. I've taught them that their voice matters, and they have what it takes to change our world; they have taught me to stop underestimating their possibilities!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKCy7LnqZgmdTKGYhJKUahG8PzyUSjTZSeVit5ETG4RdtP1gcGDXQeYK0FHaFuUNDIHMvkMMyYNNANA19WYF3RrqBAEzgB4wZC7TVbaqcyBaIK4RUzuhrwISoy2sBk3NhWvhROCKPrFY/s1600/Passion+Project+College.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="891" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKCy7LnqZgmdTKGYhJKUahG8PzyUSjTZSeVit5ETG4RdtP1gcGDXQeYK0FHaFuUNDIHMvkMMyYNNANA19WYF3RrqBAEzgB4wZC7TVbaqcyBaIK4RUzuhrwISoy2sBk3NhWvhROCKPrFY/s400/Passion+Project+College.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
Looking Forward</h3>
I will begin implementing personalized learning paths for our <a href="https://www.eschoolnews.com/2019/01/09/i-gamified-my-classroom-and-students-are-soaring/?all" target="_blank">gamified blended learning</a> in the next few weeks. I’m fairly confident my students will do well with choosing which resources they will need because during the first half of the year, I provided many opportunities for my students to self-assess their learning progress and choose how much/what kind of support they needed to move forward. I’m anticipating that my students will need help tracking their paths, so I will create a paper path tracker so that my students can easily visualize their learning route. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3rSDbB5WZkI08sW3oAGYW5738TykwBMBmpoHUohI6Oi1cAUme8wVOI1y4OJKQhriVnsZon4axE6vyBXF_w0pfgnPRlaNkQvmS6zN7eD4nzMTc8JWUhpIlMP6HLCWWnbg_8tBuD3r_S4/s1600/Classcraft+Map+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="754" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3rSDbB5WZkI08sW3oAGYW5738TykwBMBmpoHUohI6Oi1cAUme8wVOI1y4OJKQhriVnsZon4axE6vyBXF_w0pfgnPRlaNkQvmS6zN7eD4nzMTc8JWUhpIlMP6HLCWWnbg_8tBuD3r_S4/s400/Classcraft+Map+%25282%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I’ve planned our Wonder Day for the end of this quarter. I’m looking forward to this experience because my students have had such great success with passion projects! I’d like is to have my students help me plan this day. I think allowing student leadership and voice during the planning stage will increase buy-in and motivation.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Larger Lessons</h3>
As an educator, I’ve come to realize the value in all types of lessons. I don’t want to miss the opportunity to teach my students how to embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. It’s what happens sometimes when we take risks. My own failures are great opportunities for me to learn; they are also a chance to model the mindset of perseverance. I took a few minutes at the start of the semester to talk with my students about my failures and what I was going to do about it. I guided them to reflect on their own progress so that they can make changes, set goals, and move forward. I want them to learn that failure isn’t final. Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-33348246298362295332019-01-09T06:31:00.000-08:002019-04-05T06:32:29.931-07:00I gamified my classroom and students are soaring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ET1663ZPj2LTGRp7Lj6j9nzLPdxf4WSJIM5QIs7oBU3M69LcBPLgyzWdPVPFvXMTV-aRJEyknoTzdX7kF1sGI7Ur9o1iMIhTqEQ0cu6zQop5Vzrr2j7ZI-X1TZT4s8FgZ1Mjxw-d7Jw/s1600/heroes2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="546" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ET1663ZPj2LTGRp7Lj6j9nzLPdxf4WSJIM5QIs7oBU3M69LcBPLgyzWdPVPFvXMTV-aRJEyknoTzdX7kF1sGI7Ur9o1iMIhTqEQ0cu6zQop5Vzrr2j7ZI-X1TZT4s8FgZ1Mjxw-d7Jw/s400/heroes2.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
An average child today will have played 10,000 hours of video games before the age of 21. If playing games is part of our culture, even part of our identities, then it stands to reason that students can be highly motivated by game-based learning opportunities. So what if we make classrooms the game? <br />
<br />
Gamification means using game design principles such as cooperation, competition, character development, and point scoring in a non-gaming context. In the classroom, it can be as straightforward as transforming learning activities into games or a more subtle application of game design principles to learning tasks. <br />
<br />
Gamifying your classroom can be as simple or as complex as you choose to make it. Some teachers choose to make their own game for their classroom in order to customize features including backstory, characters, rules, and objectives. At the same time, there are many user-friendly apps that teachers use to simplify those features. <br />
<br />
As a classroom teacher, I gamified my classroom because I needed an engaging way to deliver the online lessons I created for students during reading and math workshop. I was able to turn my online lessons into an adventure with a storyline, obstacles, and learning challenges. I had read <a href="https://www.classcraft.com/research/" target="_blank">research </a>about the benefits of gamification, but I was still surprised to see such a remarkable transformation in my classroom. In just a few months I saw amazing benefits!<br />
<div>
<br />
<h3>
Social-Emotional Growth</h3>
I’ve spent that last few years implementing different vocabulary and integrating specific read alouds to help my students develop a growth mindset. In particular, I wanted my students to develop grit and perseverance- a mindset that welcomes challenges and does not give up easily. When I gamified my classroom I realized that the nature of gameplay promotes positive challenge and helps my students practice and apply a growth mindset. <br />
<br />
One of the most amazing shifts I noticed in my classroom was my students’ response to failure. Rather than feeling defeated when failing at a task in our game, my students have returned to the task with renewed determination, rising to the challenge with a positive attitude. In the past, a poor grade usually resulted in the negative feelings associated with failure. Within our game environment, however, mistakes are seen as an opportunity to try again and do better. Students are more willing to listen to and apply the feedback I give them because they are determined to master skills and level up. <br />
<br />
<h3>
Engagement and Motivation</h3>
Not of all students are motivated by the grades they earn, but most are willing to spend hours working to beat a challenging level in their favorite video game. Pairing student motivation related to game playing along with learning tasks has great potential to increase student engagement. My students are excited to work online every day, even asking me for extra work so that they can earn points to level up. With students asking for additional work and persevering through tough learning challenges, it’s no wonder that my learners have shown so much academic success.<br />
<br />
One of my students last year struggled to complete school work and would avoid working at home also. After we gamified our learning tasks, he eagerly showed his parents his work, asked for help at home, and showed new focus at school. I was so encouraged to see this young man become excited to learn.<br />
<div>
<br />
<h3>
Positive Relationships and Community</h3>
Playing with my students broke down social barriers that usually take a significant amount of time to overcome. I have been able to build trust with my students quickly, and that has allowed me to challenge my students in new ways. Building a positive community within a competitive gaming situation is critical. Friendly competition is great, but what’s even better is a collective community that is genuinely interested in the learning of everyone involved. One way that we build our community is through collaborative battles within our game. When the class is counting on every student to work hard and be prepared, students are motivated to invest in their peers.<br />
<div>
<br />
<h3>
My Tool of Choice</h3>
I began gamifying my classroom by using <a href="https://www.classcraft.com/" target="_blank">Classcraft</a>, a gamification platform in which students work both collaboratively and independently. Each player customizes their own avatar that they work to develop by earning points, and teams work together to support one another's learning and development. Students and teams can earn points a variety of ways that are fully customizable, allowing teachers to reinforce the learning and community behaviors their students need. <br />
<br />
There are so many different apps available to help teachers with gamification. Some have specific focuses like behavior management or academic progress. What I like about Classcraft is that it reinforces so many aspects of my classroom: positive social interaction, collaborative learning, behavior management, personalized academic lessons, and of course fun. Classcraft’s quest feature allows me to turn my online lessons into an adventure with a storyline, obstacles, and learning challenges. My class works together during formative review challenges to defeat a fictional character. As students earn points and level up, they unlock rewards such as choosing a new seat in class, obtaining extra time on an assignment, or upgrading armor and pets for their avatar. <br />
<br />
Other teachers in my school are beginning to use Classcraft as well, and the new Engagement Management System gives our teachers and administrators real-time feedback to track and improve academic success as well as social-emotional behavior. With this information, teachers like me are equipped to make informed decisions.<br />
<br />
In all, I’m so pleased with the impact gamification has had on my students, from building a positive class community to strengthening social skills and increasing engagement. My students are shining, and of course, we are having so much fun along the way! <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Note: This article was also <a href="https://www.eschoolnews.com/2019/01/09/i-gamified-my-classroom-and-students-are-soaring/?all" target="_blank">published on eSchool News</a>.</i></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-35250726865535765042018-11-28T19:08:00.000-08:002018-11-28T19:08:11.583-08:00Student Skills for Successful Blended Learning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OgqeCgWsuuIkN5HPbBhF4rHF_Sh767sIRtEm2eUnwRQsN4TbVnZO-h_dRztx3I5Ie8Je_c5TtJiwpEC7lRDIuJDpX1xSZTfRAit614Xu_oig65afq3kHk1JmMJQigTfqs5iSDGk0Kvw/s1600/BL+banner+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="1286" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OgqeCgWsuuIkN5HPbBhF4rHF_Sh767sIRtEm2eUnwRQsN4TbVnZO-h_dRztx3I5Ie8Je_c5TtJiwpEC7lRDIuJDpX1xSZTfRAit614Xu_oig65afq3kHk1JmMJQigTfqs5iSDGk0Kvw/s400/BL+banner+2.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
I’ve been using a <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2017/03/implementing-blended-learning.html" target="_blank">blended learning model in my classroom</a> for a while now. I’ve found that using this model is extremely effective in providing personalized learning for my students. Moreover, allowing students to learn online for part of our instructional day enables me to teach small groups of students, often forgoing whole-group instruction. I’ve essentially created my own digital co-teacher because my students who are working independently learn online with lessons that I’ve created for them. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My experiences last year helped me to realize that students need to be taught how to learn online. When beginning this school year, I had an outline of skills that I wanted to teach my students before they began learning online independently. <br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Media Interaction</h3>
<br />Watching a video to learn something at school is a whole lot different than watching Netflix at home. Watching at home is a passive activity with the purpose of entertainment. In fact, many people “watch” TV while also playing on a tablet or phone, dividing their attention. These are not behaviors that will aid learning. For this reason, I take time to model appropriate ways to interact with learning media. We practice these skills as a whole class anytime we use a video, infographic, or image for our whole group learning. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I encourage my students to pause videos to think and replay parts when needed. I also teach my students to take notes, draw diagrams, write questions, and solve problems while learning online. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B9GESyjV-RmlyBWziG9zWIO-ACN3fj0eN20C9U-0A8xWI0CHTCf1r5gQC9zL3d8GsJ7dsTkTPEFeyeA6WSUGzq8A1MLpdBNUUxwr3b5xq4g1OHLlongIUVSMNrm_bJ-p0YPBqV-OMg4/s1600/online+learning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B9GESyjV-RmlyBWziG9zWIO-ACN3fj0eN20C9U-0A8xWI0CHTCf1r5gQC9zL3d8GsJ7dsTkTPEFeyeA6WSUGzq8A1MLpdBNUUxwr3b5xq4g1OHLlongIUVSMNrm_bJ-p0YPBqV-OMg4/s400/online+learning.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /><div>
<h3>
Digital Citizenship</h3>
<br />A few of the most important digital citizenship lessons that I teach focus on creating a positive online community. Taking time to reinforce these skills early in the year goes a long way! <br /></div>
<div>
When learning online, my students have the opportunity to publish their work online, provide comments for their peers, participate in discussion boards, post video reflections, and topic discussions, and work collaboratively through the G suite. <br /><br />To make the most of these experiences, I explicitly teach my students how to create valuable comments and how to receive suggestions from their peers. I have found that using <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2017/11/student-blogging-for-self-reflection.html" target="_blank">student blogs</a> is a great way to teach and reinforce these skills throughout the year. My students use their blogs to publish class work, reflect on their learning, and communicate with their peers. Last year I used a series of hyperdocs to create a blogging network for my class, and this year we are trying Google Sites. So far, I’m happy with blogs being authentic websites because my students have the added opportunity this year to work on designing their website. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqlzOMmGx3LCrT8skZJeu4lKYyIKjfThf0fbAEmXnyTFk1gZHK-qHP_Lwkvp_L1Ohpis9ahmLUg7SSNiYvbwV1ukQM-BXUQ4r7cbc90JSb6-0eMT1d7DMhETspVfk1IWC3LmKAOsvLi0/s1600/positive+community.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqlzOMmGx3LCrT8skZJeu4lKYyIKjfThf0fbAEmXnyTFk1gZHK-qHP_Lwkvp_L1Ohpis9ahmLUg7SSNiYvbwV1ukQM-BXUQ4r7cbc90JSb6-0eMT1d7DMhETspVfk1IWC3LmKAOsvLi0/s400/positive+community.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Self Monitoring</h3>
<br />Learning online takes quite a bit of self-monitoring. It’s one thing to work through an online lesson and complete all the required tasks. What’s better though, is teaching students to reflect on their learning and make choices based on their needs. If students realize they need more help with a skill they have a few options: redo the online lesson, ask a neighbor for help, or request a meeting with me to practice the skill together. <br /><br />As much as possible, I want my students making decisions based on their learning needs. Of course, I still make most of the intervention decisions for my fourth graders, but they are capable of taking part too. <br /><br /><h3>
Troubleshooting</h3>
<br />It’s very important to me that my students troubleshoot technical issues with as little of my support as possible. I simply cannot teach a small group of students if I’m continually refreshing websites, helping students log in, and reminding them to read the directions.<br /><br />At the beginning of the year, I take a considerable amount of time waiting for students to troubleshoot their issues rather than rushing in and “fixing it” for them. To encourage student confidence, I make time for students to explore new apps before I model using them. I also ask students to demonstrate using apps for the class so that their peers know who to ask for help with certain apps if they are stuck.<br /><br />My students this year seem to be a bit impatient when they run into issues. I still have students approach me with their Chromebooks during my small group instruction. For this reason, I created this quick chart to remind students of different ways to problem solve. I usually just point to the chart when I see a student coming my way so that I can avoid disruptions. </div>
<div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PV36BR1NpbRVPEX6yJ2gbt_M3KumMoWptpKBo7oK_57AwDyDgDlRbzcuYFPgWT2X8V5hF53nJ0eIqVecW7Xf6nK1sPO_y5J9pphvLBIdYNDLJbX9nWOz9cPyxgUa3ix1IzJjBckfU_Y/s1600/Im+stuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PV36BR1NpbRVPEX6yJ2gbt_M3KumMoWptpKBo7oK_57AwDyDgDlRbzcuYFPgWT2X8V5hF53nJ0eIqVecW7Xf6nK1sPO_y5J9pphvLBIdYNDLJbX9nWOz9cPyxgUa3ix1IzJjBckfU_Y/s400/Im+stuck.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Finally, I also designate a few reliable students as “tech support.” These students are my last line of defense before my intervention is needed. If a student has tried multiple strategies to solve their problem and a tech support peer can’t help them, then they can ask for my help. <br /><br /><br />Eventually, some of my students slip back into bad habits. When that happens, I usually buddy them up with another student for a few online lessons to reinforce positive online learning behaviors. Pre-teaching these skills is great, but I still make time throughout the year to reteach and further develop these skills.</div>
</div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-45235268394712598092018-11-14T17:47:00.000-08:002018-11-14T17:47:33.724-08:00The Maker Movement: More than Cardboard and Duct Tape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I remember overhearing a teacher at a conference say, “What’s the deal with all the cardboard and duct tape? Are we really wanting to prepare students to make low-budget items? Where is the learning?” </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmmdF9mWRRQfPhSXijQOdcD6nlsa4emD53anfw28PBKJPD39CY-u17JHBsPPkAzKQZvrXq5vO3r5SAjXatf1RToJwujsTBlfXnwitW1GFPmP3S7mZ1sB1ohVQYLKI58Zepxr6YBIbikM/s1600/stefan-cosma-437779-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmmdF9mWRRQfPhSXijQOdcD6nlsa4emD53anfw28PBKJPD39CY-u17JHBsPPkAzKQZvrXq5vO3r5SAjXatf1RToJwujsTBlfXnwitW1GFPmP3S7mZ1sB1ohVQYLKI58Zepxr6YBIbikM/s400/stefan-cosma-437779-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Sometimes, as teachers, it’s easy to hear “makerspace” and “STEM” and simply associate those terms with bins of materials. We see the projects students make and wonder how on earth a teacher has connected a cardboard prototype with the everyday math and reading standards outlined in our curriculum maps. <br /><br />Consider this idea presented by Richard Riley, Former Secretary of Education, “The top 10 in-demand jobs in the future don’t exist today. We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist, using technologies that haven’t been invented, in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.”<br /><br />How can we possibly prepare students for a future like this? <div>
<br /><h3>
More than Making a Product</h3>
As educators, we must teach students more than content- we must teach them how to think and design. Between attending conferences and tackling my reading list, I’ve come to a better understanding of design thinking and the benefits it can afford our students. <br /><br />From my learning, the maker movement isn’t so much about the end product that students create, although that’s what we typically think of. Instead, it is about the thinking process they are applying. Students are learning how to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. They have meaningful tasks to collaborate on, and they practice the skills to become effective communicators. They also realize they have what it takes to solve real-world problems. <br /><br /><h3>
Children are Makers</h3>
Cardboard creations and rainy-day forts are part of so many of our childhood memories, and children today have the same natural drive to create in this way. Expressing creativity through building and making is such a great way for our students to learn by doing. <br /><br />Have you heard about Caine’s Arcade? Take a few minutes to watch his story and consider all the different thinking processes and content areas he used while making his creation. If you were his teacher, how could you have used his arcade with your content standards? <br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/faIFNkdq96U/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/faIFNkdq96U?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</h3>
<h3>
Where to Begin</h3>
I didn’t begin with a designated STEM curriculum, a fancy makerspace, pre-made lessons purchased online, or even a weekly time set aside for these activities. Instead, I began by looking for units in my district curriculum map that would lend themselves to this type of thinking. <br /><br />For example, each year we investigate the forces related to flight by creating a glider. This year, we created and flew gliders from a provided template. Then used what we learned to design our own gliders. We began with researching other aircraft, followed by a few rounds of rapid prototyping. Finally, we created our own models, tested them, and made revisions. Rather than just using a pre-made design, we critiqued it and tried to improve upon it. My students became the creators, not just procedure-followers. Isn't that what we want our students to be able to do in the workforce?<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6y5hcru9AIY_vXfrKji2sHhkZf0KNk3PNOGEeaG5HtnNphEad9cKAsuu6Dd-S5_0v9ibsLZhPYKsUwbqJMXercQNWSyuZHoS2pCP0iq9E3zW7VM_0g_DWLG48pHX97CtIlO_sQn-hjcg/s1600/IMG_6899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6y5hcru9AIY_vXfrKji2sHhkZf0KNk3PNOGEeaG5HtnNphEad9cKAsuu6Dd-S5_0v9ibsLZhPYKsUwbqJMXercQNWSyuZHoS2pCP0iq9E3zW7VM_0g_DWLG48pHX97CtIlO_sQn-hjcg/s400/IMG_6899.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This semester, my class is beginning to use the Launch Cycle to investigate issues they are passionate about. John Spencer and A.J. Juliani’s book, LAUNCH outlines a student-friendly approach to design thinking. In this process, students learn about a topic or process, ask questions, research to understand and navigate ideas, create a product, revise, and share with the world. Our first project focused on the topic of homelessness. After that, we studied animal cruelty, how deployment affects families, making video games, and how to build a house. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Curriculum Connection</h3>
Rather than thinking, “How can this connect to the curriculum?” I want to challenge you with this thought: STEM, Makerspace and design thinking are just a structure and approach for teaching- not the actual curriculum. <br /><br />Here is a practical example of teaching content standards while designing and creating:<br /><br />To begin, my students were able to choose the topic they researched while participating in the design thinking process. Through this process, I also taught my students critical reading skills including summarizing, drawing conclusions, and synthesizing information across tests. My reading lessons followed the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.teachingchannel.org/video/improving-teacher-practice&sa=D&ust=1542248611270000&usg=AFQjCNGrDifOhoRT3BfBgLE0C83Dn_iLOA" target="_blank">gradual-release of responsibility</a> model just like they have in years past, but our learning took on greater meaning. Final projects ranged from presentations and websites to video games and physical prototypes. My students worked with me to determine how they would demonstrate the reading skills they applied throughout their research. <br /><br /><h3>
My Next Steps</h3>
In the near future, I don't have plans to create a designated Makerspace or accumulate bins of stem materials (although I really like the potential for using <a href="http://home.bloxelsbuilder.com/index.html" target="_blank">Bloxels </a>as it can connect to our gamified classroom). I like the way my students and I are making projects directly related to our coursework. My next step is simply continuing to integrate design thinking opportunities throughout our curriculum. After this school year, I will have a better grasp of designing and making as it relates to our fourth-grade curriculum. <br /><br />I'd love to hear about your take on Makerspace and STEM. Tell me about what it looks like in your classroom. <br /><br /></div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-69009524248083734072018-11-01T12:42:00.001-07:002018-11-01T12:42:02.872-07:00Tips for Managing Passion ProjectsBefore <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/10/developing-passion-for-learning-with.html" target="_blank">beginning passion projects</a> with my students, I had so many concerns about management. I loved the idea of student interest driving our learning, but I had so many questions:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>How do I manage students working on so many different topics?</li>
<li>How much time should be dedicated to passion projects?</li>
<li>What does a schedule look like for supporting each group? </li>
<li>Can I ensure rigor and application of skills?</li>
<li>Where is the balance between student-centered learning and chaos?</li>
</ul>
I can’t give a definite answer to a lot of those questions because passion project management depends a lot on the learners and the nature of their projects. I made a lot of in-the-moment decisions throughout the process. Here are a few tips I can offer from my experience.<br />
<div>
<br />
<h3>
The Process</h3>
I like organization, so the ambiguity of passion projects was daunting. I really liked the idea of using a design thinking process as guiding steps for our projects. I read about a design thinking process called the <a href="http://thelaunchcycle.com/">LAUNCH Cycle</a>, and I thought it was student friendly and just right for our needs. The process follows these steps:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>L</b> Look, listen, learn</li>
<li><b>A</b> Ask a ton of questions</li>
<li><b>U</b> Understand the topic</li>
<li><b>N</b> Navigate the ideas</li>
<li><b>C</b> Create a prototype</li>
<li><b>H</b> Highlight and fix</li>
<li><b>LAUNCH</b> the product to your audience</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3>
Beginning Together</h3>
We voted as a class and decided on our first topic that we would investigate together. Working on the same topic allowed me plenty of opportunity to model thinking and reading strategies- tying our work closely to reading standards. It also helped me to realize the amount of planning involved in supporting student groups during the research and creation phases of our process. Moreover, I was able to monitor student understanding and gradually release responsibility to students. <br />
<br />
Working together gave us a positive shared experience that we could refer back to. Students enjoyed our first project so much that they anticipated their next passion project with enthusiasm. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJ-rXUgtDTVFgqGqBw87sjTt7gdQPyatse-17uxHmWMPGMhh8euyCO94HVYg6Se4EciDCYsfMkLA0cpAj1kglkccpisziWgFxkLhwXYpaUeVqxIokILC-bRog_KG8xlL5u3rMZmBA_FA/s1600/IMG_7220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJ-rXUgtDTVFgqGqBw87sjTt7gdQPyatse-17uxHmWMPGMhh8euyCO94HVYg6Se4EciDCYsfMkLA0cpAj1kglkccpisziWgFxkLhwXYpaUeVqxIokILC-bRog_KG8xlL5u3rMZmBA_FA/s320/IMG_7220.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Goal Setting</h3>
Managing various groups of students researching different topics was a challenge during our <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/10/helping-students-realize-their.html" target="_blank">second passion project</a> cycle. I quickly realized the power of setting specific goals for each day of work. These goals gave my students direction and helped them to remain more focused when I wasn’t directly working with their group. For teams that struggled with remaining on task, it also helped to give each student a specific job for the day. Knowing that I would check the progress of their work was the accountability they needed to remain focused. <br />
<br />
<h3>
Communication</h3>
I also shared a Google Doc with students so that each group could communicate with me daily regarding their needs. I set up a simple table with a row for each team. Student groups typed me a few sentences letting me know what they needed from me to move forward the next day. When I noticed trends, I met with multiple groups all at once. Other times, I was able to have students who had mastered certain skills support other groups.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmJOZ6UhnXz8EXmExyaxZ1IxJk2b9vNPbWQOa1BQv5f1HJRDcjsQldO0CCqQYJrIp51SvB04V7rYKe8HrS9efYipRSKVutDDWO5a7c0oX6TBW8WwC8q0Nx_typPe36O2wAqRuj2SgCuM/s1600/Communicate+3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="531" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmJOZ6UhnXz8EXmExyaxZ1IxJk2b9vNPbWQOa1BQv5f1HJRDcjsQldO0CCqQYJrIp51SvB04V7rYKe8HrS9efYipRSKVutDDWO5a7c0oX6TBW8WwC8q0Nx_typPe36O2wAqRuj2SgCuM/s400/Communicate+3.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
Blended Learning Saves the Day</h3>
You know I love blended learning. Creating online lessons and resources essentially allows me to create my own digital co-teacher. When I had student groups wanting to create digital projects including websites, blogs, presentations, and video games, I knew just how to support them. <br />
<br />
I created short screencast videos on topics like finding images labeled for reuse, embedding videos, and designing projects that are easy for an audience to understand. I also provided links to tutorials for using Scratch, Google Sites, and Google Slides. Teaching these basic skills in a blended environment freed me up to support students as they created the content for their projects.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTrgEklb4PBCP_vkqO0TH87rL9E1lXYMsEwOA3pNc280VclUoAZ5WA9KtaZ_J53ZbX0AoSSv7wUzOsB7ntD1f9woGhIl2fBC1Jt3WsYqK1OCHlLIJ0wHtXAf6fN1QDY-TlKsLrSXXtf8/s1600/IMG_7275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTrgEklb4PBCP_vkqO0TH87rL9E1lXYMsEwOA3pNc280VclUoAZ5WA9KtaZ_J53ZbX0AoSSv7wUzOsB7ntD1f9woGhIl2fBC1Jt3WsYqK1OCHlLIJ0wHtXAf6fN1QDY-TlKsLrSXXtf8/s320/IMG_7275.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Prioritize Skills</h3>
I also learned how important it is to continually find relevant resources for students. As each group began researching their topic, they refined the focus of their project and they needed specific information to move forward. For our first two passion projects, I curated credible resources for my students. We will learn how to evaluate sources later in the year and I simply didn’t have time to pre-teach and monitor the progress of that skill yet. I had to continually help students find new resources as they moved through their research. <br />
<br />
<h3>
Ask for Help</h3>
Managing so many groups was made easier because I have a wonderful co-teacher. I also wasn’t shy asking for additional help. Our director of virtual and blended learning stopped by from time to time to see our progress and lend a hand, and our instructional coach popped in while we were working on our projects. Two former students chose to help out in my classroom as part of their reward for awesome behavior, and they provided excellent peer support for my students. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCTq-fDuiK2VEIwO-r_ud7Lz6qr3XKPE14zykT5Pi1yEIJfANfb9a83hRiZ0CZlucuUSoOyLlixWYe_3V904Zna_nsDtJQts9IZldoUJCz64e83w__1CSy9vQCTFxpSvCps8FWs6a7eU/s1600/IMG_7282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCTq-fDuiK2VEIwO-r_ud7Lz6qr3XKPE14zykT5Pi1yEIJfANfb9a83hRiZ0CZlucuUSoOyLlixWYe_3V904Zna_nsDtJQts9IZldoUJCz64e83w__1CSy9vQCTFxpSvCps8FWs6a7eU/s400/IMG_7282.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Take the Risk!</h3>
I learned that allowing students the freedom to direct their learning and own the process is messy. It’s not clear cut and I couldn’t plan far in advance. Those conditions are really about me, though. If I’m trying to create a student-centered classroom, then I need to let go of some of my planning preferences. In the end, I took the risk of trying and it was worth it!</div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-11862347323951080602018-10-19T11:20:00.001-07:002018-10-19T11:20:23.006-07:00Helping Students Realize their Potential with Passion Projects<br />
We began passion projects a little more than a month ago. Our <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/10/developing-passion-for-learning-with.html">first project</a> focused around the student-selected topic of homelessness. I quickly realized that I had underestimated my students- and they just continue to blow me away! <br />
<br />
To begin our next <a href="http://thelaunchcycle.com/" target="_blank">LAUNCH Cycle</a> for another passion project, we returned to our wall of wonders- a collection of student and teacher questions about topics we are interested in. Students shared the ideas they found the most interesting, and we settled on four topics of study for students to choose between:<br />
<ul>
<li>How do you make a house?</li>
<li>How are families affected by deployment?</li>
<li>How do you make a video game?</li>
<li>Why do bulls not like the color red?</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3>
Developing Topics</h3>
<br />
I was initially concerned with the topic of why bulls don’t like red. It seems like a pretty simple question to answer after a bit of reading. As my students found the answer to their question, they realized that bulls don’t dislike the color, they just dislike being teased and aggravated. Our discussion touched on animal mistreatment, abuse, captivity, and animal entertainment such as the circus and zoo. Rather than simply telling my students that their topic wouldn’t work, I encouraged them to learn what they could and then develop more questions to guide further research. <br />
<br />
<h3>
Student Projects</h3>
<br />
I’m thrilled with the projects my students created. Are they perfect? No. Are they amazing? YES! These projects are a great reflection of student learning. You wouldn’t believe how excited they were to share their projects during parent-teacher conferences. <br />
<br />
<h3>
How to Build a House</h3>
<br />
These students decided they would make a model to demonstrate their learning. They used their model to explain the process to the class. Their model included framing, drywall, electrical wiring, and roofing. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPv1O5f3K1bpT6_PNc4Ai1TbmCozJpL9yY3AhzMkynCgXc-sY8IvZGHPrymsUA5x1quDPsEbY657KKcgJqBx0oeR0Y3JSxqYJTsADxffPuMvMJkWVCieJkeNBKxFKcPacdN6hSP0banw/s1600/IMG_7313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPv1O5f3K1bpT6_PNc4Ai1TbmCozJpL9yY3AhzMkynCgXc-sY8IvZGHPrymsUA5x1quDPsEbY657KKcgJqBx0oeR0Y3JSxqYJTsADxffPuMvMJkWVCieJkeNBKxFKcPacdN6hSP0banw/s400/IMG_7313.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxLy94vQD3ywyZPkgxkjynqYlA3pW_t1VVAKzTG4RkUgSQn3pcT9uTOsNVq1j8iUoTbrEysy7AJ3YniyPzoMz6uLrJuUzttqpG8IZ1AsnNHokU9CLdHrR8LBzH-Nbxy_5W_JFcNicRSU/s1600/IMG_7280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxLy94vQD3ywyZPkgxkjynqYlA3pW_t1VVAKzTG4RkUgSQn3pcT9uTOsNVq1j8iUoTbrEysy7AJ3YniyPzoMz6uLrJuUzttqpG8IZ1AsnNHokU9CLdHrR8LBzH-Nbxy_5W_JFcNicRSU/s400/IMG_7280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
Deployment</h3>
<br />
These young ladies were very concerned when learning about the stress that families, service men, and service women face during and after deployment. After learning about PTSD, they decided to create a presentation and share their new understanding with the class. They also wrote letters to veterans and their families. See their presentations <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Q6LasifPluts-r1sBq2hURT3i3jl98Jp?usp=sharing">here</a>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSks05qLXQpNdpCfXvHrUpZiWNje2HoaKggVKPejIzKU19DhwG5Y81-GdaQsi6Tqs5FXvAQ_dkH1jAVpDmxSwpcN_JLc8y91nkRMcIVlXN99B8kiB_WVR_sCZfPfcvRa5F2lFMBgZCvk/s1600/IMG_7273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSks05qLXQpNdpCfXvHrUpZiWNje2HoaKggVKPejIzKU19DhwG5Y81-GdaQsi6Tqs5FXvAQ_dkH1jAVpDmxSwpcN_JLc8y91nkRMcIVlXN99B8kiB_WVR_sCZfPfcvRa5F2lFMBgZCvk/s400/IMG_7273.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO8rD01SUx05hrKOneWHVm0apstN39gcUmlG17rsUMrBWhj9VgCu7lKcR55n9lT-jvY9rPKJ3kJ18blnAYcayvPutm4uNBNI6bGWYqKvIB4l2MrsTowI-sfDa1tGL9R-Q9qLDRgkCLcQ/s1600/IMG_7311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO8rD01SUx05hrKOneWHVm0apstN39gcUmlG17rsUMrBWhj9VgCu7lKcR55n9lT-jvY9rPKJ3kJ18blnAYcayvPutm4uNBNI6bGWYqKvIB4l2MrsTowI-sfDa1tGL9R-Q9qLDRgkCLcQ/s400/IMG_7311.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
Video Games</h3>
<br />
A large number of my students chose this topic. Almost every student wanted to use what they learned about world building, conflict, and character development to write their own video game stories. Student teams used Scratch to create their games. Our class spent time asking questions about the game making process and exploring the games.<br />
<br />
One student decided he wanted to <a href="https://sites.google.com/wayne.k12.in.us/the-art-of-videogames/home?authuser=1">write a blog</a> about making video games. He spotlighted a particular group of students and outlined what made their game special. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunMAN3uI_NR-Mxw12jyOYxJHyVEnEFmV87DM5XDXMzQaHDiHXxbK_F9FpdqzTWJ3yxWN_k19LWEIkugDn3GwNpJrU2uVkIO5Be67MN3LxKSq_ihuADa5weXysmC1l0Dev2jyAi4ITg-g/s1600/IMG_7297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunMAN3uI_NR-Mxw12jyOYxJHyVEnEFmV87DM5XDXMzQaHDiHXxbK_F9FpdqzTWJ3yxWN_k19LWEIkugDn3GwNpJrU2uVkIO5Be67MN3LxKSq_ihuADa5weXysmC1l0Dev2jyAi4ITg-g/s400/IMG_7297.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Animal Cruelty</h3>
<br />
This group of students decided they wanted to <a href="https://sites.google.com/wayne.k12.in.us/harrisl21/home?authuser=1&read_current=1">develop a website</a> to inform their peers about the conditions under which animals in captivity live. The class was challenged to consider how they spend money at the circus and zoo. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuU3MVTFqPsCFOTA7azOf3Cixkrf_jBHxvioemT5Uhi_otknV8BDaMXNhxdPdoTADWs2vZI0f7Uxddd-Wa4cM7Y755GSdPQmvFyWxCynOH7ql3CJwK0s440a6ZqnTrBpk-iGD7BJhf-w4/s1600/IMG_7293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuU3MVTFqPsCFOTA7azOf3Cixkrf_jBHxvioemT5Uhi_otknV8BDaMXNhxdPdoTADWs2vZI0f7Uxddd-Wa4cM7Y755GSdPQmvFyWxCynOH7ql3CJwK0s440a6ZqnTrBpk-iGD7BJhf-w4/s400/IMG_7293.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
Standards-Based Instruction</h3>
<br />
Are you wondering how I “fit in” standards? I purposefully timed our passion projects to fall during our nonfiction reading unit. As we completed our first passion project together, I introduced a simple T-Chart. The left side said, “Text Says” and the right side said, “I Think.” This super simple organizer served to guide our reading. Students were summarizing, making connections, synthesizing, determining problems and solutions, and reading with real purpose. We practiced these skills together during our first passion project, and they worked more independently on the second. I also reinforced these reading skills during guided reading groups. <br />
<br />
<h3>
Student Empowerment</h3>
<br />
One of the reasons I love passions projects is because my students love them. There is real purpose behind reading, freedom for creativity, and students have the opportunity to publish their work for a large audience. I continue to remind myself to stop underestimating my students...but do you see why they amaze me? They have so much to offer the world, not just later as adults but right now. Passion projects show students what they are capable of. I love empowering my students! <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nYtrjKtNMgk_f3Sec_F8LRn_USNrlXxpyMNlkSaggR16-sFaaZPEjJtO1UhN_q-UGsdaW_B9Y46DqWU2hpNAHOV5txaE4X3GGwIuWm0Le4fJcnvnv2dQ5kaXJZJVjvTAhhCRbjIKW6Q/s1600/boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1600" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nYtrjKtNMgk_f3Sec_F8LRn_USNrlXxpyMNlkSaggR16-sFaaZPEjJtO1UhN_q-UGsdaW_B9Y46DqWU2hpNAHOV5txaE4X3GGwIuWm0Le4fJcnvnv2dQ5kaXJZJVjvTAhhCRbjIKW6Q/s400/boys.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-76186957295482947712018-10-03T18:58:00.000-07:002018-10-03T18:58:55.484-07:00Developing a Passion for Learning with Passion Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
One of my major goals for this year is <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/08/personalizing-learning-in-elementary.html">increasing personalized learning</a> in my classroom. At the beginning of the year, I set a few goals for implementation. One of these goals is using a design thinking process called the <a href="http://thelaunchcycle.com/">LAUNCH cycle</a>, for student-driven passion projects. Our nonfiction reading unit seemed to be a perfect fit for our first project. <br /><br />We began by reading the book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Giant-Steps-Change-World-Spike/dp/0689868154">Giant Steps to Change the World</a>. My students found inspiration from famous world-changers. We researched these heroes and realized that they are just people like us. If they changed the world, so can we!<br /><br /><h3>
Learning Process</h3>
<br />I was concerned about managing all 27 of my students studying a different topic, so we agreed to vote and choose one topic for our first passion project. My students took some time to brainstorm wonder statements, explore <a href="https://www.wonderopolis.org/">Wonderopolis</a>, and discuss ideas together. Many students found interest in the topic of homelessness. We decided on this essential question: how does a person become homeless?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrYsCOuTs1xAlQRTiV-9W9m6KMYWdOzJ6kQXHsgiOwo2nvpw3TEP_CpZYPqmJnNVRUJFi2fJk1xNMpE7q6ClID5kORVhUxtNAabLAyOcn7r5kOkZfMXNgiERUp_Teuns0VLZ5paPrpcw/s1600/IMG_7125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrYsCOuTs1xAlQRTiV-9W9m6KMYWdOzJ6kQXHsgiOwo2nvpw3TEP_CpZYPqmJnNVRUJFi2fJk1xNMpE7q6ClID5kORVhUxtNAabLAyOcn7r5kOkZfMXNgiERUp_Teuns0VLZ5paPrpcw/s400/IMG_7125.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
We generated as many questions about the topic as we could so that we could determine the direction for our research. Next, we spent days researching. Google Earth Voyager helped us explore what homes look like around the world, documentaries revealed the disadvantages homeless children face, and articles shed light on the relationship between poverty and homelessness. Our Parent Liaison also joined us and led a student activity to help my students understand the challenge of managing resources on a budget. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoXl5t63otnLj6dszSl2gJ5NW_r5Hp_bwWYt8AbJLwC6OspuQfAhZI_mh5kOV-wzBX96gDn2pv1BIQPnRMphJfPxyKH0xWX4j35qKdnX-pfzcifeHl7hIXbZeAHWhbs6FLN467VpWmIg/s1600/IMG_7157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoXl5t63otnLj6dszSl2gJ5NW_r5Hp_bwWYt8AbJLwC6OspuQfAhZI_mh5kOV-wzBX96gDn2pv1BIQPnRMphJfPxyKH0xWX4j35qKdnX-pfzcifeHl7hIXbZeAHWhbs6FLN467VpWmIg/s400/IMG_7157.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
Learning Outcomes </h3>
<br />Through all of our learning, I saw my students practicing the nonfiction reading skills outlined in our current reading unit. They summarized, determined the main idea, synthesized information across texts, drew conclusions, and identified cause and effect relationships. More importantly though, my students had a genuine interest in our topic, they were invested in their own learning, and they made comments like, “Do we get to read more for our project today?” Toward the end of our project more than a few students came to school with huge smiles because, “I can’t wait to do our project today!” <br /><br />The best part of this project was having the opportunity to help my students grow in understanding and compassion. We learned about extremely difficult situations and we experienced empathy. From that place, my students were inspired to take action and do something about the present problem. They were inspired to encourage others with kindness, and they were empowered to make a difference. I am so proud of them! <br /><br /><h3>
Product</h3>
<br />As our final project, we assembled care bags for members of our community with materials provided by a grant written by my co-teacher. The care bags were distributed during a food pantry held at our school. My students felt so proud that they could make a difference for so many families at our school. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22kulI6dpKTWeOBcehNE7dSWe8sP5ogQSfkuHx2BCHc1Ne-jD2M3KivpgU8xGm8mJlmXIY1R2T1Q6NwYLfLQ2Ll0jInNShRWYnKHtKMoRUCXf-H3-f70YAY_DxGNdIj2aOAajgBArK4Y/s1600/IMG_7220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22kulI6dpKTWeOBcehNE7dSWe8sP5ogQSfkuHx2BCHc1Ne-jD2M3KivpgU8xGm8mJlmXIY1R2T1Q6NwYLfLQ2Ll0jInNShRWYnKHtKMoRUCXf-H3-f70YAY_DxGNdIj2aOAajgBArK4Y/s400/IMG_7220.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />We also created separate care bags so that each of my students could keep one in their car to share with someone in our city. We discussed the physical and emotional challenges of homelessness and decided to include toiletry items, snacks, and an encouraging note. Several of my students have already shared their care bag and were eager to encourage their peers to share theirs as well. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7_a0x2ZDEuC7ikKkxs5I-IXwBb04B0HlbrZtENfUgXCiwTFN3blOYsP9EPzdDL5Jdz4ZyQNjanstTRI9Ishwd8fgsR0KpP6Rrslc6r9vUPuT6j3002E_Be0yV71cECJ8ZO_l7HWXxYQ/s1600/IMG_7215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7_a0x2ZDEuC7ikKkxs5I-IXwBb04B0HlbrZtENfUgXCiwTFN3blOYsP9EPzdDL5Jdz4ZyQNjanstTRI9Ishwd8fgsR0KpP6Rrslc6r9vUPuT6j3002E_Be0yV71cECJ8ZO_l7HWXxYQ/s400/IMG_7215.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
Reflection</h3>
<br />Through this whole process, I realized a few important things. Logistically, I made the right choice in having my students agree on one topic to begin with. Working together with my students allowed me to really focus on reinforcing comprehension strategies for my students to apply as they read. For our next passion project, I plan to have my students study three or four different topics. I’ll continue to learn the best way to manage different groups, topics, and projects as the year goes on.<br /><br />I also learned the importance of pacing with my students. On days that my students seemed to lose steam part way through our reading time, we would participate in guided discussion, revisit our questions, and read to find out how others are already working to help the homeless. These activities provided variety so that my students weren’t expected to read and research for our entire reading block. <br /><br />Finally, I learned to stop underestimating my students. They are only nine years old, but they have amazing ideas, caring hearts, and eternal optimism! I’m so glad they chose such a serious topic because they showed me what they are truly capable of. One of the best parts of the LAUNCH Cycle is the idea that students create something and share it with the world. My goal was to empower my students to realize that they can have an impact on their world, and by the end of our project we did just that. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWVY2ML5OrKzWUlJoYnsxhanLb_Z-QZTf2IRPX1Pgw3YTbJ-BHkOCohmQMFRtcyXQm3RJjRpTRZlBeJZBbSEngev9P76sc09rAvR1mF_6SXl3CsEDlVG06dnDYX6E14PkYEwtD2PuQ7E/s1600/IMG_7094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWVY2ML5OrKzWUlJoYnsxhanLb_Z-QZTf2IRPX1Pgw3YTbJ-BHkOCohmQMFRtcyXQm3RJjRpTRZlBeJZBbSEngev9P76sc09rAvR1mF_6SXl3CsEDlVG06dnDYX6E14PkYEwtD2PuQ7E/s200/IMG_7094.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BT2x8Tm_pHEU4HEWlufynCV00QH4hNJRFXL8qh0vStpTkUZ1H_Gpw5Xh1LKzGAxptkH8LLP1htfQDWKx5RaUk8BGY20WziE4_FA8MPHozTwB6oYaf4qOz910edgQ4ji3C8IyDm2rX1Q/s1600/IMG_7096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BT2x8Tm_pHEU4HEWlufynCV00QH4hNJRFXL8qh0vStpTkUZ1H_Gpw5Xh1LKzGAxptkH8LLP1htfQDWKx5RaUk8BGY20WziE4_FA8MPHozTwB6oYaf4qOz910edgQ4ji3C8IyDm2rX1Q/s200/IMG_7096.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-23510977703032095572018-08-08T16:21:00.000-07:002018-08-08T16:21:11.454-07:00Personalizing Learning in the Elementary Classroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The beginning of the school year is always full of possibilities, and I’m so excited to start a new adventure with my students this year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N4LXolCf-pHrCG6QsnCDkZAgtckhLWtdOWpOL1AwbbPlRTBWy7a5QbLK4raFgbUu4MSvDHGRFiBzs7vVm7VYKWbW-en-gFP3qxBNgYkw_WXCJ0lFmMGuQWZkv6lHMeMpkLuFIqUoRGo/s1600/Adventure+begins+here.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N4LXolCf-pHrCG6QsnCDkZAgtckhLWtdOWpOL1AwbbPlRTBWy7a5QbLK4raFgbUu4MSvDHGRFiBzs7vVm7VYKWbW-en-gFP3qxBNgYkw_WXCJ0lFmMGuQWZkv6lHMeMpkLuFIqUoRGo/s400/Adventure+begins+here.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I intend to continue <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/01/leveling-up-gamifying-instruction-to.html" target="_blank">gamified blended learning</a> like last year, and one of my new goals is to take steps to further personalize learning for my students. I began <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/02/designing-online-learning-experiences.html">increasing student agency</a> in my classroom by offering more choices and then teaching students to self-assess and plan their own learning steps.<br />
<br />
I found new ideas for personalized learning through two sources this summer. <i>Empower </i>by John Spencer and A.J. Juliani is so incredibly inspiring! The book is focused around the idea of students owning their learning. I was also inspired this summer by hearing author Barbara Bray speak at ISTE 2018. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Personalize-Learning-Practical-Essentials/dp/1506338534/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533769622&sr=8-1&keywords=barbara+bray&dpID=51sfi7ouN4L&preST=_SY344_BO1,204,203,200_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">Her books</a> about personalized learning are a great resource for teachers! <br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
What is personalized learning?</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
Personalized learning is focused around the learner. If individualized learning is creating a specific learning plan for each student, and differentiated learning is focused around the teacher providing instruction for small groups, then personalized learning empowers the learner to make choices to drive their own learning. Barbara Bray’s website <a href="https://barbarabray.net/free-updated-resources/">Rethink Learning</a> offers a great chart that compares these three learning approaches. I plan to give the following ideas a try this year to further personalize learning.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Geek Out Blog</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
Last year I began <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2017/11/student-blogging-for-self-reflection.html">blogging with my students</a>. Each student used their personal blog to reflect on their learning, share triumphs, and publish classwork they felt proud of. Not only were students able to publish for an authentic audience, but our class also practiced the skills needed to be positive members of an online community by providing positive feedback and encouragement. <br />
<br />
In addition to the ways in which my students used their blogs last year, I’d like to add what Spencer and Juliani call “Geek Out Blogs.” This format allows students to select the topic, format, and information they publish. They are able to "geek out" about what they love while owning the entire writing process from brainstorming to researching and publishing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Personalized Learning Paths</h3>
<br />
I began using a blended learning model in my class about a year and a half ago. Over that time, I’ve learned to create online content, track student progress, connect online and face-to-face learning, and engage students through gamification. My next step is to create multiple learning paths for students. Multiple learning paths means that students have many paths and resources available to best meet their learning needs. This will empower students to reflect on their progress and make informed choices about what support they need to be successful. The map below shows three learning paths within <a href="https://www.classcraft.com/" target="_blank">Classcraft</a>, the gamified learning platform I use.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuUfL9qon0L0vEUI6-0VkBVpg-JR5ZNc3yb5dS-kxemZWsypW7MiGIc0FeqyT6Qhxl_BHuJbwcjfZAw22aaKvJaS603oe6Pi18uYd1vZyLW6dp4UnV97D-5aHqZbpENQ6teBV-nELiTs/s1600/Classcraft+Map+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="400" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuUfL9qon0L0vEUI6-0VkBVpg-JR5ZNc3yb5dS-kxemZWsypW7MiGIc0FeqyT6Qhxl_BHuJbwcjfZAw22aaKvJaS603oe6Pi18uYd1vZyLW6dp4UnV97D-5aHqZbpENQ6teBV-nELiTs/s400/Classcraft+Map+%25282%2529.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px;">This map shows multiple learning paths for success. The yellow path is the general <br />
content, red provides remediation, and purple includes more advanced applications of skills.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Passion Projects</h3>
<br />
I’ve been interested in trying passion projects, 20% time, or genius hour for a while now. Did you know that Google employees spend 20% of their work time pursuing projects of their own choosing? This concept has fascinated me. If we truly want students to be intrinsically motivated to learn and create, then I think this is a great place to start. This year, I’ve considered our district curriculum units and have chosen one unit where I can begin implementing a choice-driven project. <br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Wonder Week</h3>
<br />
Spencer and Juliani challenge teachers to choose one week, possibly right before a longer break or at the end of state testing, where students are given time to explore a topic or idea they are fascinated by. The idea here is to promote student curiosity and creativity. I am looking forward to exploring and creating with my students in this way!<br />
<br />
<br />
Have you had success personalizing learning with your elementary students? I’d love to hear about what you have tried or would like to try with your learners! Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-81870324874227154882018-05-10T16:46:00.000-07:002018-05-10T16:46:05.619-07:005 Essential Instructional Design Tips for Blended Learning<br />It’s hard to believe that I started implementing blended learning about a year ago. What began as an interest in learning about the subject quickly became the most effective way I have found to deliver meaningful and personalized instruction; and gamifying blended learning in my classroom has raised student engagement and motivation to new levels. <br /><br />The most important concept that I have learned during my journey is that there must be quality instruction at the core of every online lesson. Here are my top five instructional design tips that I take into consideration as I create online instruction for my students.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeh4Pz2xY9FqYaXLdXyved9Ir9bTTZYHPZzXL_yf0MGX3y5pfpbpWG-6J9lqm6eJqnpxrGyCyrMN1rU3FkBR6A16333zmXf-vieUYU_xfPFyhywzZDv1GJFoJVA4sPmlR0zDV43Rh2qA/s1600/chart+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="820" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeh4Pz2xY9FqYaXLdXyved9Ir9bTTZYHPZzXL_yf0MGX3y5pfpbpWG-6J9lqm6eJqnpxrGyCyrMN1rU3FkBR6A16333zmXf-vieUYU_xfPFyhywzZDv1GJFoJVA4sPmlR0zDV43Rh2qA/s400/chart+%25282%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
Creating a quality online lesson does not simply mean changing current lessons into an online format.</h3>
First, a boring worksheet or lecture in class is even more boring when students are working online, because they are not interacting with their teachers. Second, students learn differently online than they do in a classroom setting. Taking these differences into account while developing online content not only increases student engagement, but it also helps to increase retention of skills and content. <div>
<br /><h3>
Variety is crucial.</h3>
I want my students actively engaged in their learning, not simply going through the motions. I've learned that too much routine and predictability can lead to boredom. For this reason, I use a variety of modalities to deliver content, practice skills, and assess student learning. As much as possible, I provide students with this variety by using videos, infographics, audiobooks, songs, collaborative google docs, online games, and to engage with while learning. Visit my <a href="https://www.symbaloo.com/home/mix/13ePGbVcd7" target="_blank">Symbaloo Webmix</a> to see some of my favorite web tools that I use. </div>
<div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU13JWZgJ0rBipR_w61v4LCaVihn50lG-kTOSQr_JZ3-koSt28QOfQMl1z6wrdwKXkoWMMU9_sxXG5US28_gGae4tbX49AVIAoFsT1ZfS-sxpUob_1BA7qCgIwcQ26VeQLYf5ZuGjeSak/s1600/webmix.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="926" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU13JWZgJ0rBipR_w61v4LCaVihn50lG-kTOSQr_JZ3-koSt28QOfQMl1z6wrdwKXkoWMMU9_sxXG5US28_gGae4tbX49AVIAoFsT1ZfS-sxpUob_1BA7qCgIwcQ26VeQLYf5ZuGjeSak/s400/webmix.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<h3>
<br />It is important to present content in a visually inviting way.</h3>
Writing in paragraphs and sections gives the reader a visual break, chunking ideas into manageable parts. Organizing online content with the purpose of aiding student processing and comprehension is just as important. I try to avoid too much text on one page, otherwise my students tend to become easily overwhelmed and they do not fully engage in the lesson. </div>
<div>
<br /><h3>
Online learning must connect to face-to-face instruction.</h3>
It’s no secret that learning done in isolation with no opportunity to transfer skills leads to low retention of content. It’s crucial for my young learners to apply their online learning in face-to-face settings. Sometimes I use online data to drive face-face lessons, and other times my interactions with students affects the online lessons I plan for them. It just depends on the skills we are learning and the needs of my students. Either way though, my students have come to understand that the learning they do online will directly connect to the content and skills we are learning in the classroom. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhyphenhyphenm35Ha0WuuVToeFTtXSb0SPkRffSuBeZlm6VdiadfRZPwMKFYIwm3VcTU9xTrYENW9DvDlZzbZqV087k6Cq4yE_-vlwX_ADQfpE-wdDTidvMWiV_Sl_gSNxSOqkMJwoA-3X5jJUm_Q/s1600/IMG_5839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhyphenhyphenm35Ha0WuuVToeFTtXSb0SPkRffSuBeZlm6VdiadfRZPwMKFYIwm3VcTU9xTrYENW9DvDlZzbZqV087k6Cq4yE_-vlwX_ADQfpE-wdDTidvMWiV_Sl_gSNxSOqkMJwoA-3X5jJUm_Q/s400/IMG_5839.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These students and I are analyzing poetry after learning figurative <br />language techniques through their online lessons. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h3>
Consider pacing and feedback to build and sustain momentum.</h3>
I can’t stress enough the importance of timely feedback. If too much time passes, students can lose momentum and interest in their online learning. For this reason, I strategically plan self-assessment and peer-assessment opportunities within our online units so that my students do not always need my feedback to progress. This balance ensures that my students maintain their excitement for our learning together. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25cqmir3s-vmsyY04xB0hpBW1qzSJr6Xgy4_UH6vL0akbNhKkfzkXtYtG7U9tpw2PNLQnGTIcv4R_sT5AuKiz_v8-ukH6U7X4B1hLqH0zpMOlRvJ0_yi0YGgDOD_YuVmH6LD-7oUp8TA/s1600/IMG_6133.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1334" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25cqmir3s-vmsyY04xB0hpBW1qzSJr6Xgy4_UH6vL0akbNhKkfzkXtYtG7U9tpw2PNLQnGTIcv4R_sT5AuKiz_v8-ukH6U7X4B1hLqH0zpMOlRvJ0_yi0YGgDOD_YuVmH6LD-7oUp8TA/s400/IMG_6133.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-33104649437549293622018-04-18T19:12:00.000-07:002018-04-18T19:12:41.257-07:00Benefits of Flipped Assessments<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRKZCE8pZblrEQspf3rnxhmBqol7pTDrf8HQ-k1Am9Eu6FyRMfgdHw0tfwdn3Dq4v8ohZnOJSBqb1JDNeGLd2FEaROOCthdDr8M9L5rMlmtLUTzqxpUe_ZBCoG-nfdvIw5qRZogI17XY/s1600/IMG_5989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRKZCE8pZblrEQspf3rnxhmBqol7pTDrf8HQ-k1Am9Eu6FyRMfgdHw0tfwdn3Dq4v8ohZnOJSBqb1JDNeGLd2FEaROOCthdDr8M9L5rMlmtLUTzqxpUe_ZBCoG-nfdvIw5qRZogI17XY/s200/IMG_5989.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy has been a music<br />teacher for 23 years.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Imagine the teaching schedule of a special area teacher in an elementary school. They are responsible for teaching every student, but in most cases, they only see them one time per week for about 45 minutes. <br /><br />This time of year is exciting for my students because they are learning to read music and play the recorder. During a typical lesson for this unit, our wonderful music teacher, Amy Beasley, assesses each student individually. So with 32 students, she has very little time left for actual instruction. To complicate matters more, our students struggle to retain their learning in special area classes due to only seeing our specials teachers about once per week. <br /><br />I started thinking about the amount of time individual assessments take out of Amy’s teaching day and a solution came to mind. If we allow students to take their recorder tests at home using Flipgrid, then the entire class period can be used for instruction. As Amy and I discussed this idea we brainstormed a few more ideas and we found so many benefits to using this assessment model. <div>
<br /><h3>
Increased Instructional Time </h3>
Assessing students through video means that Amy does not have to spend class time individually assessing each student. Instead of having about 10 minutes of instructional time with students this week, Amy can spend more of her class period teaching. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmiQuMdEb-3AFzJq-JhnJIKDL3MnaonPP8Jmeb-MFF_ow6ycuFcyIzXyglFR2loh4lkO9T3XHDAyDtYWp0tzZ-eAnkD33W4VUXCgTmf_6VIMivSPKk1F2jkrOacABx4m4sTOWYMuteZA/s1600/IMG_5988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmiQuMdEb-3AFzJq-JhnJIKDL3MnaonPP8Jmeb-MFF_ow6ycuFcyIzXyglFR2loh4lkO9T3XHDAyDtYWp0tzZ-eAnkD33W4VUXCgTmf_6VIMivSPKk1F2jkrOacABx4m4sTOWYMuteZA/s400/IMG_5988.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /><h3>
Individualized Feedback</h3>
Before, Amy’s time with each student was very limited, meaning there was little time to provide feedback- but not anymore. Amy and I set up individual google docs for each student so that she can provide specific feedback. This also helps her to track the progress of her 132 fourth graders. <br /><h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
Increased Practice Time</h3>
In the past, not many students were motivated to practice at home. Now though, they naturally practice as they record themselves, trying over and over to get it just right. It’s not a perfect solution to promoting practice at home, but some students are practicing more than before.<br /><br /><h3>
Positive Music Experience</h3>
When using Flipgrid to take their recorder tests, students are able to perform without the pressure of their entire class watching them. Of course, students who play instruments will learn to perform in front of others, but at this young age, recording performance assessments is a great way for students to build their confidence and have a positive musical experience.<br /><br /><h3>
Online Instruction</h3>
In addition to having students practice and record their assessment at home, Amy and I also developed a way to provide instruction for students as they practice. A simple Padlet page now has a variety of short videos in which Amy plays each song for students so that they can hear each piece. <br /><br /><h3>
Challenges and Next Steps</h3>
Amy and I are so pleased with the potential benefits of flipping assessment. Not only can it address the issue of instructional time, but it also led to other ideas to improve the quality of at-home practice and feedback for individual students. <br /><br />The greatest challenge that Amy now faces is motivating the majority of her students to actually record their assessments at home. We initially thought that the benefit of not playing in front of the whole class would motivate most students, but that hasn’t been the case. The next step is finding the right incentive to encourage student follow through.</div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-64357881729530087022018-04-04T17:00:00.001-07:002018-04-04T17:00:12.299-07:00Creating A Global Classroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhMsmzss8WNwvWnsi-p-YR6Weo-JAjftRLH6xZGVCOAOsx8tkFZnmBxLgbqldRnvVR2k-A8aOEcpyl6hfh-G1l8wH_5rvSMMY6hj37hWpU6kkgDEoNOJhpZq0E521LMyuCu71QP42r50/s1600/blur-close-up-figure-346696++2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="1600" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhMsmzss8WNwvWnsi-p-YR6Weo-JAjftRLH6xZGVCOAOsx8tkFZnmBxLgbqldRnvVR2k-A8aOEcpyl6hfh-G1l8wH_5rvSMMY6hj37hWpU6kkgDEoNOJhpZq0E521LMyuCu71QP42r50/s400/blur-close-up-figure-346696++2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
Last year, my class had the opportunity to travel to the island of Borneo through <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2017/04/virtual-field-trips-with-google.html">Google Expeditions</a>. With the aid of smartphones and VR viewers, each student was able to explore the rainforest with me as their guide. While on our trip, we studied the ecological changes happening there as a result of deforestation. It was amazing!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br />
Integrating technology in this way allowed me to provide a learning opportunity that used to be impossible. I want to be able to plan lessons with rich experiences for my students- opening their minds to the world both near and far.<br />
<br />
I recently learned about <a href="https://education.microsoft.com/skype-in-the-classroom/overview">Skype Classroom</a> -a free community of teachers and experts working together to provide live virtual lessons, field trips, and collaborations around the world. Skype Classroom has learning opportunities appropriate for every grade level, and students do not need their own devices to participate. Your class can discuss a book with its author, collaborate on projects with classes around the world, and visit experts in their field. <br />
<br />
Since each Skype Classroom experience is a live event, you can interact closely with your collaborator, asking specific questions and making your lesson or field trip highly relevant for your students. Here are a few examples of the experiences I’ve scheduled for my class.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEx-VJY77wINT4XdvE2t-7No-lsCoX3UHuYEhr-Uo6VUOIRmD8lrIVMyoTrkCyhRiK8iK1t-O-O9thXkJHekiNpaDKAWyU93Oxcn8O56j4stcDh0X9ZWCJx17OeA1rpmkjxBR1BgXJ_4I/s1600/skype+classroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEx-VJY77wINT4XdvE2t-7No-lsCoX3UHuYEhr-Uo6VUOIRmD8lrIVMyoTrkCyhRiK8iK1t-O-O9thXkJHekiNpaDKAWyU93Oxcn8O56j4stcDh0X9ZWCJx17OeA1rpmkjxBR1BgXJ_4I/s200/skype+classroom.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<h3>
Civil War Museum</h3>
My class traveled all the way to the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond to learn about the life of a Civil War soldier. We were able to see artifacts, learn about primary sources, and gain a better understanding of life in the 1800s. <br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Indigenous People of the Amazon Rainforest</h3>
In a few weeks, we will have the opportunity to visit the Amazon Rainforest to learn about issues facing the indigenous people, study cultural similarities and differences, and explore the ecosystem there.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Writing Tips from an Author</h3>
To begin our poetry unit, we will visit with an author. She will share a lesson about writing with your senses and then guide us through practice. This will be a great way to make our writing come alive.<br />
<br />
<br />
Give it a try! All you need to begin cultivating your global classroom is a free Skype Classroom account and a webcam. If you have tried Skype Classroom, I'd love to hear your favorite lessons, field trips, and collaborations. Comment below!</div>
</div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-10817930397325899972018-02-28T08:34:00.001-08:002018-02-28T14:26:53.999-08:00Designing Online Learning Experiences That Empower StudentsEarlier this year, I was <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2017/12/encouraging-student-agency-and-ownership.html">inspired by a teacher</a> who required her students to assess their prior knowledge and then choose their learning path for each lesson. Soon after, my co-teacher and I made specific changes to our math workshop in order to increase student agency and ownership in our own classroom. Our goal was to provide ways for students to direct their own learning while also considering long-term projects as performance assessments. <br />
<br />
I’ve recently started learning more about empowering students from author <a href="http://www.spencerauthor.com/studentchoice/">John Spencer</a>. In this <a href="https://youtu.be/L08wNizulOY">short video</a>, he suggests 10 ways teachers can start offering choice for their learners.<br />
<br />
I considered each of these suggestions when designing my latest online math content, a learning quest through Classcraft. My students engaged with this quest during their independent work time in math workshop over the course of four weeks. Each task in our quest includes a part of our fictional story from our “realm,” lesson content, assessments, and game rewards for student players. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDijm2w1ikMQARZ6qWV8mfeDeNbsIyB8H0A88D6VX3biUs-fsU6iSfTp_dft9dVXqk2mC8qPxMBNSxWaD6sECvde66dfxDSdWVcrlwtK5RZSwEdhglMe0sVFyxWMNYoJ2R1MONUjXClZk/s1600/Map+Healer+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="1012" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDijm2w1ikMQARZ6qWV8mfeDeNbsIyB8H0A88D6VX3biUs-fsU6iSfTp_dft9dVXqk2mC8qPxMBNSxWaD6sECvde66dfxDSdWVcrlwtK5RZSwEdhglMe0sVFyxWMNYoJ2R1MONUjXClZk/s400/Map+Healer+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each location on the map contains lesson content and<br />
learning tasks<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> for students to complete. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Student Choice in Daily Learning</h3>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Materials</b><br />
Each learning task includes a variety of teaching materials such as charts, videos, songs, and examples. Students can choose how they want to learn and practice each skill. <br />
<br />
<b>Scaffolding</b><br />
My students are able to choose which topics they practice first. They can build their confidence with topics that were easy for them to understand during small group instruction or they can choose a more challenging task. <br />
<br />
<b>Pacing</b><br />
We provide students with ongoing instruction in each topic as they progress toward mastery, allowing them to spend more or less time on a topic based on their need. <br />
<br />
<b>Self-Assessment</b><br />
My students determine when they will take the formative assessments for each topic based on their personal progress.<br />
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwc2ltGKy_WtkNfWO33-Wd39F7qU2mRxNcQi20sZf4EsboqxFhIjef3cE6xSwmYENW-zlx9otnFMPdmc3X5SCDUhrh_uJbU8JJgJQkVnEC8ocNG97Fp1JJOPfM8aOW9Rb6qQFmpQBaZE0/s1600/choice-2692466_1920+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1600" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwc2ltGKy_WtkNfWO33-Wd39F7qU2mRxNcQi20sZf4EsboqxFhIjef3cE6xSwmYENW-zlx9otnFMPdmc3X5SCDUhrh_uJbU8JJgJQkVnEC8ocNG97Fp1JJOPfM8aOW9Rb6qQFmpQBaZE0/s400/choice-2692466_1920+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Student Choice in Final Performance Assessments</h3>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Project Format</b><br />
When many students have shown mastery of most of the topics, we give students choice about how they want to demonstrate their learning with final performance assessments. Students can choose the format, audience, and specific topic of their project. <br />
<br />
<b>Project Management</b><br />
While working on projects, students manage their own work. My role as the teacher is to help students stay on track and provide additional resources as the need arises. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1329Xm0QXcJu06yYxekj2du-FM69KK-7EYZ9SVMl-szzvPh0MYhhKYcVPjq_MElV2BT3wQIvkrJanQV3EzFGKf-DDLAF8oW0QCnE0vaIIVUfWyISm5Bx3MM3TwmjPaUdY2vhr6V07UB8/s1600/Performance+Assessment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="688" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1329Xm0QXcJu06yYxekj2du-FM69KK-7EYZ9SVMl-szzvPh0MYhhKYcVPjq_MElV2BT3wQIvkrJanQV3EzFGKf-DDLAF8oW0QCnE0vaIIVUfWyISm5Bx3MM3TwmjPaUdY2vhr6V07UB8/s400/Performance+Assessment.JPG" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students have chosen final project ranging from paper and pencil tasks<br />to creating teaching videos and using manipulatives to model a problem.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Evidence of Empowered Students</h3>
One of the benefits of teaching in small groups in a math workshop format is that my co-teacher and I have a clear picture of each student’s progress toward mastery. At the same time, we want our students advocating for their learning needs. Part of what makes this possible is the visual aspect of the quest map. It makes it very easy for students to track their own progress, plus they are motivated to complete tasks to gain points toward leveling up. We have found that students are advocating for their learning needs more often by expressing their need for additional face-to-face help with specific topics. This is empowered learning! Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-22315396383099218592018-02-16T03:36:00.001-08:002018-02-16T03:36:43.470-08:00Worldbuilding: Creating a Sustainable Classroom Environment for Gamification<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/01/leveling-up-gamifying-instruction-to.html">Gamification </a>has so many benefits including increased student engagement and willingness to take on new challenges without the fear of failure. We have been using <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/01/beginning-gamification-with-classcraft.html">Classcraft</a>, an online gamification platform that transforms our learning into a game, and we are off to an amazing start! Part of what has made us so successful is that my students had been practicing <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/01/setting-stage-preparing-students-for.html">necessary online learning skills</a> since August, and now they are able to apply these skills independently within a <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2017/03/blended-learning-explained.html">blended learning</a> environment.<br />
<br />
I think it’s normal for the newness of an experience to wear off after a while, and it’s easy to fall into a predictable pattern of learning and planning, so I’ve taken intentional steps to keep our learning experiences fresh and engaging.<br />
<br />
It’s my goal to create a classroom environment- our own gaming world- that makes our gamified blended learning sustainable. Community, story narrative, and engaging content are key aspects to consider when worldbuilding.<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHt4uEryRAk3vMINB6EeK5oMzrauSjXe5ZRbBO2bdS7xM2iJYQFrVncIqO0c3TB91zAQUtwK2_ewHSN7BN2MVyDtX7-AuzPnq8qRRUPnbrxmc0hZwzQFb9UqMWC7QnhwFOzQCihiLFGW4/s1600/IMG_5589+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1436" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHt4uEryRAk3vMINB6EeK5oMzrauSjXe5ZRbBO2bdS7xM2iJYQFrVncIqO0c3TB91zAQUtwK2_ewHSN7BN2MVyDtX7-AuzPnq8qRRUPnbrxmc0hZwzQFb9UqMWC7QnhwFOzQCihiLFGW4/s400/IMG_5589+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3>
Community</h3>
Online learning is not synonymous with isolated learning. The community aspect of a classroom should transcend the actual location of learning- whether that is online or face-to-face. Regardless of where and how students are learning, they should have opportunities to interact with the content and their learning community.<br />
<br />
Building a positive community within a competitive gaming situation is critical. Friendly competition is great, but what’s even better is a collective community that is genuinely interested in the learning of everyone involved. One way that we build our community is through collaborative battles within our game. Boss battles are formative review challenges within Classcraft where my class work together to defeat a fictional character. When the class is counting on every student to work hard and be prepared, students are motivated to invest in their peers. It’s powerful stuff!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbv0-bO7c91Nr4D4kr7UxkJV-YNye_2AkxV7bteEEWhbnx9T48v87pc9kpzeA6jZJfs0T5Hp_TX3prksaxJHp_VKVUnVLhuNEFzM-hm_xULWi55J24d98mAggoHkc9XOtiavNKr-h_KJU/s1600/IMG_5587+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1437" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbv0-bO7c91Nr4D4kr7UxkJV-YNye_2AkxV7bteEEWhbnx9T48v87pc9kpzeA6jZJfs0T5Hp_TX3prksaxJHp_VKVUnVLhuNEFzM-hm_xULWi55J24d98mAggoHkc9XOtiavNKr-h_KJU/s400/IMG_5587+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My student groups also compete throughout the day for extra XP. The red team created a goal without any prompting from me, showing me that they are interested in building up our community too. Classcraft also has random events that can award students points, deal damage, or provide a silly way to have fun together. Whatever the outcome, whether good or bad, we are in it together, and it reinforces our community.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSRl2E3jj35oAVW_tDkkPcvv5ITFwbb_3e7z3Qhajdqm5rkbrw5Zt-qCKmOSMKAOd8dQ5F1JSnzUnNrtvxXITrWMFu3eO_yk_n9LYAqJyMkM3RMqPggM79pVzRUi4TrVLDL4e5odAqB0/s1600/random+event.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1148" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSRl2E3jj35oAVW_tDkkPcvv5ITFwbb_3e7z3Qhajdqm5rkbrw5Zt-qCKmOSMKAOd8dQ5F1JSnzUnNrtvxXITrWMFu3eO_yk_n9LYAqJyMkM3RMqPggM79pVzRUi4TrVLDL4e5odAqB0/s400/random+event.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<h3>
Narrative</h3>
Each quest within our game includes a fictional story. This narrative follows us from one adventure to another. An interesting story goes a long way toward keeping students interested in completing online tasks. I realized that my struggling readers were sometimes missing the narrative of our game because it was difficult for them to understand.<br />
<br />
For that reason, I started creating short “quest trailers” that help students jump right into the story and understand the objective for the quest. It was a big hit with students, and after I started using these videos, my class as a whole was more interested in the story behind our game.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jVwEUkZ3OzU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jVwEUkZ3OzU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
Since the quest trailers are a bit time consuming to create, I’ve also been using <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Cobject%20classid='clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000'%20codebase='http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0' width='432' height='500' id='Blabberize.com_Player' align='middle'><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='sameDomain' /><param name='movie' value='https://blabberize.com/swf/blabberembedp.swf' /><param name='quality' value='high' /><param name='scale' value='noscale' /><param name='salign' value='lt' /><param name='bgcolor' value='#ccffff' /><param name='FlashVars' value='id=1695776' /><embed width='432' height='500' src='https://blabberize.com/swf/blabberembedp.swf' FlashVars='id=1695776' quality='high' scale='noscale' salign='lt' bgcolor='#ccffff' name='Blabberize.com_Player' align='middle' allowScriptAccess='sameDomain' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' /></embed></object>">Blabberize </a>to help students get excited about quests. It’s a quick and silly way to engage my learners, and they are excited to start making their own blabs in the near future.<br />
<br />
Secret missions are also a bit hit for my students. I let them know that I’ve “hidden” an extra task in our quest with a large reward. They can unlock the secret mission when they complete a certain task, but they don’t know what that task is, so they are extra motivated to complete their work.<br />
<div>
<br />
<h3>
Engaging Content</h3>
Let’s be honest. Boring content is boring content. If I want my students engaged, then I need to find and create resources that they are interested in. Our online lessons include a lot of various media- articles, infographics, visual charts, pictures, Youtube videos, book read alouds, songs, and teaching videos I’ve created.<br />
<br />
Here are a few of my favorite tools and sites for finding and creating engaging content. I'd love to hear your favorites too- add a comment below!<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.playposit.com/">Playposit </a>allows me to make any online video interactive for my students.</li>
<li><a href="https://info.flipgrid.com/">Flipgrid</a> is a great way to allow students to interact in online discussion or demonstrate their understanding for an assessment.</li>
<li><a href="https://wonderopolis.org/">Wonderopolis</a> is a fantastic site that provides students with interactive images and videos on a variety of topics. It’s a great way to encourage students to explore a topic.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.thinglink.com/edu">Thinglink</a> allows you to make any image interactive. There are lots of different pricing plans, but the basic version is enough for me.</li>
<li><a href="https://online.kidsdiscover.com/home">Kidsdiscover</a> has some great infographics for download.</li>
<li><a href="http://thekidshouldseethis.com/">TheKidShouldSeeThis</a> has short educational videos that are perfect for my learners.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3>
Every Game Needs a Gamemaster</h3>
In this journey into gamification, I’ve realized that my students take their cues from me. While my role is to prepare content, give feedback, and provide instruction so each student moves toward mastery, I also have the important role of Gamemaster.<br />
<br />
It’s important that I show my excitement and willingness to be silly and play with my students while we learn. I’m both the teacher and the Gamemaster. I set the tone for a positive community and a positive game experience, which means my students need to know that I’m all in!<br />
<div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWyRszNo5HHGvVjF0IIh0nsgKtxZDhkB1alfKY7XFe-qSppqMyFDvoeabPFcF_QEsAaN2Y3gbu546Ke96GNw7NRSXOv0PwceQ_L_cESaB-5VbqN_dVJ804ZwSJTrnV4UOfbWU6OlrjX8/s1600/IMG_5662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="364" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWyRszNo5HHGvVjF0IIh0nsgKtxZDhkB1alfKY7XFe-qSppqMyFDvoeabPFcF_QEsAaN2Y3gbu546Ke96GNw7NRSXOv0PwceQ_L_cESaB-5VbqN_dVJ804ZwSJTrnV4UOfbWU6OlrjX8/s400/IMG_5662.jpg" width="385" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-51281604150739030492018-01-31T19:09:00.001-08:002018-02-07T07:27:16.022-08:00Setting the Stage: Preparing Students for Gamification<br />
My goal for this quarter is <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/01/leveling-up-gamifying-instruction-to.html">gamifying</a> our blended reading groups. Gamification is incredibly motivating for students, and I am already beginning to see the <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/01/beginning-gamification-with-classcraft.html">benefits of using Classcraft </a>with my learners. Before beginning though, there were a number of foundational skills and experiences that my students needed in order to find success while learning independently in a blended model.<br />
<div>
<br />
<h3>
Online Learning Skills</h3>
I remember learning last year that we read online text much differently than we read print text. It stands to reason that students need specific skills to learn independently online. I applied what I learned about <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2017/04/creating-online-content-advice-from-pro.html">creating online content</a> and then taught my students a few specific skills to prepare them for their online learning. <br />
<br />
First, I had to teach students the difference between watching videos for entertainment and engaging in video content for learning. It seems obvious, but students need practice engaging with media by pausing, taking notes, making sketches, asking questions, and finding connections. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIJ4BsStQg-XHplH0Dx1pyqPXZZButi_NQ8Ro6FWxt8OFa96mnl3U73vJtJYVx9vMytVboh7v7L9uZ4kMAMSyxs0e-Q0RTeCoAmq-5WaWtdNUJhAcNYXAaNRNxGXOm396jrCbgBrONj8/s1600/IMG_5523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIJ4BsStQg-XHplH0Dx1pyqPXZZButi_NQ8Ro6FWxt8OFa96mnl3U73vJtJYVx9vMytVboh7v7L9uZ4kMAMSyxs0e-Q0RTeCoAmq-5WaWtdNUJhAcNYXAaNRNxGXOm396jrCbgBrONj8/s400/IMG_5523.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Second, I’ve helped my students develop visual literacy skills through graphic novels so that they can effectively learn information from visual sources. Third, we have spent quite a bit of time self-assessing our work this year using rubrics and <a href="https://youtu.be/8grZFus5OCo?t=1m24s">learning progressions</a>. As a result, students have developed a self-awareness of their learning tendencies and self-monitoring skills needed to learn independently online. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsjLD0xwDfdc_76Ss3mPQ3v-XLRaRHzBx8Ht3-Bn-mW3huCUA-k_RW4aLbDkq2o4FMkGKGMPhkAjUraUWuxwpXGH0bTORHbCd6dDBdvdzrQN0g2xl_I3zqCFDK1A5pkEp5tgno9Y7oo8/s1600/IMG_4714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsjLD0xwDfdc_76Ss3mPQ3v-XLRaRHzBx8Ht3-Bn-mW3huCUA-k_RW4aLbDkq2o4FMkGKGMPhkAjUraUWuxwpXGH0bTORHbCd6dDBdvdzrQN0g2xl_I3zqCFDK1A5pkEp5tgno9Y7oo8/s400/IMG_4714.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
Experience with Tools</h3>
I have been intentionally been using a variety of technology tools in class this year. From our district learning hub, student blogs, Storybird, Pixton, Blabberize, Google Classroom and Flipgrid, we have been learning and demonstrating our understanding in a variety of different ways. When creating online learning tasks, I mostly use tools my students are familiar with so that they can successfully complete independent tasks. <br />
<br />
When introducing each new tool, I encouraged my students to explore a little bit before I modeled using the tool for our learning. I did this to allow students the opportunity to discover new tools, not just “use an app.” I want my students to know how to learn about a technology tool without me directly by their side. That way they have confidence in their tech skills when learning on their own. <br />
<br />
<h3>
Quest Support</h3>
I learned last year that it is critical to have students <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2017/04/planning-for-success.html">solving their own technical problems</a>. My goal is to teach small groups while students are learning independently online, so I can’t continually provide tech support. This year, I have identified four students who excel at problem solving. These kiddos are able to help their classmates when they run into problems. My quest support students are also available to explain learning tasks when students are struggling, freeing me up to teach guided reading groups.<br />
<br />
<h3>
A Note on Managing Personalized Blended Learning</h3>
Part of what makes using Classcraft so great is that students can work at their own pace to complete tasks and objectives. While this is great for my students, it poses a challenge in managing the learning of my 33 students. For that reason, I created our Classcraft board. It serves as our main form of communication for the tasks were are learning. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw35gt-Ko_-3EryUnfRF4O_AT7XumQ8ar7h7sTvp4hZCw-6weU1vr6UEnLJ0kzgKjuWOqfJTow8ccvrkYYDlC8oyJYlaQTPxthrlcqChlCNG1pFN2-n8W_bpTXyxM9NWXB2IurgqFkOGU/s1600/IMG_5402.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw35gt-Ko_-3EryUnfRF4O_AT7XumQ8ar7h7sTvp4hZCw-6weU1vr6UEnLJ0kzgKjuWOqfJTow8ccvrkYYDlC8oyJYlaQTPxthrlcqChlCNG1pFN2-n8W_bpTXyxM9NWXB2IurgqFkOGU/s400/IMG_5402.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Student have a magnets with their picture next to their team shield. When they finish a task that I need to check, they move their picture to the scroll. Once I check their work, I move their picture to the treasure chest or book to show that they have moved on to the next task or need to go back, review the feedback I left for them, and try again. This board also helps limit how many tasks students can finish in one week so that my learners are encouraged to complete work well rather than rushing to try to get ahead. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhQr4r5Ga_BjQytYj3LZ11XgjKUaSM10uXqZ5u6u5oRN0yzZUPLjGQZZgRTcmRHMiPmhUewUthhi9jE1VcKDq5D8f5C9gNeUvjTwJ2E-UE0Iakx-e00APu_9HV4k83qZbOBoOoHP2_PY/s1600/IMG_5525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhQr4r5Ga_BjQytYj3LZ11XgjKUaSM10uXqZ5u6u5oRN0yzZUPLjGQZZgRTcmRHMiPmhUewUthhi9jE1VcKDq5D8f5C9gNeUvjTwJ2E-UE0Iakx-e00APu_9HV4k83qZbOBoOoHP2_PY/s400/IMG_5525.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-42517916750961591472018-01-24T07:22:00.000-08:002018-01-24T15:39:22.918-08:00Beginning Gamification with Classcraft<span style="font-family: inherit;">My goal in <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2018/01/leveling-up-gamifying-instruction-to.html">gamifying </a>our blended learning rotation during reading groups is to increase motivation and engagement when students are working independently. Since students are working on their own, and not in a whole group setting, I was in need of a sophisticated gamification app to both deliver online content and assess student learning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">While I like the idea of being able to customize game settings to best meet the unique needs of my learners, I really needed an app that is easy to use for a complete novice in the gaming world (that’s me!). Classcraft is a perfect fit. It’s really great, guys! I can easily customize settings for my class, and it has online support via chat, community forums, and all kids of video tutorials. All those resources made it really simple to get things all set up for my class. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcfU2ILBzfBCmRG9KiHw425a42T_6l_oGDoiFA8ByfCx9CvssXeKlgbnOOPqbUk8FQD4zSL7PfZMsN_OpP2EP0g2QhnI9JeOmGN9x7Hs2X6kYn5geCdV_eqyrgrCWRkzslrvXEnr41NM/s1600/Classcraft+collage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="746" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcfU2ILBzfBCmRG9KiHw425a42T_6l_oGDoiFA8ByfCx9CvssXeKlgbnOOPqbUk8FQD4zSL7PfZMsN_OpP2EP0g2QhnI9JeOmGN9x7Hs2X6kYn5geCdV_eqyrgrCWRkzslrvXEnr41NM/s400/Classcraft+collage.JPG" width="398" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Basic Features</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I created accounts for my students and assigned teams in only about 10 minutes. Once that is done, individual students are able to create their own character. Student teams work together to gain points, protect one another from possible negative events, and ultimately, level up in the game. This collaborative aspect of the game provides an extra layer of motivation through peer accountability. As the gamemaster, I can assign students or teams points or damage based on their class behavior, very much like Class Dojo. All this is free for teachers! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvBVXJ7Q6fQ96gobK2NPVJYLg4TOZYdz4p7jA4gs8IdTC2QWl6s622rcjG3eJ-eM8LSX3xnVGVzE4WbW2kiD6ghdBUXnmY8uj2dI1WOsXTuXdC47yME9yQEpHUsMt0DKgu_ddmHFBmPA/s1600/Classcraft+Student.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="928" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvBVXJ7Q6fQ96gobK2NPVJYLg4TOZYdz4p7jA4gs8IdTC2QWl6s622rcjG3eJ-eM8LSX3xnVGVzE4WbW2kiD6ghdBUXnmY8uj2dI1WOsXTuXdC47yME9yQEpHUsMt0DKgu_ddmHFBmPA/s400/Classcraft+Student.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teachers can view student profiles and add points from<br />
a computer or smartphone. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Delivering Lessons and Assessments </span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It gets better! What I’m really excited about is quests. I decided to pay for a premium account so that I would have access to this feature. Quests are a series of lessons and tasks that I create for my students. This is how I deliver online lessons and assessments. Each task is accompanied with a story, where I write a narrative of what is happening in our fictional world of the game, and what characters must do to complete the quest and win. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1kJy-n-QSJF9jfGGyZyuprtdoK2eGo55yBPJBDktZIloCRJKRzEHSSICj9qMcOszH9cEnDuN3QmSLQlFpZYHbcJ3UYmbO6KR-ombKL5eoeVSfG4YtFF8aAY8qEXqLRd10JSUNa6CZ8M/s1600/Map.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="1173" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1kJy-n-QSJF9jfGGyZyuprtdoK2eGo55yBPJBDktZIloCRJKRzEHSSICj9qMcOszH9cEnDuN3QmSLQlFpZYHbcJ3UYmbO6KR-ombKL5eoeVSfG4YtFF8aAY8qEXqLRd10JSUNa6CZ8M/s400/Map.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This map outlines the seven tasks students must finish to complete the quest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As students work their way through each task, they reveal a new part of the map we are playing through and earn rewards for their character and team. When students earn enough points, they level up, making their character more powerful and acquiring new skills. Students can also use the gold pieces they have earned to get a pet for their character or buy new accessories to make their characters look extra awesome. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Personalized Learning </span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another great feature for quests is that I can personalize learning for my students. Within each quest, I can create multiple paths for students to reach success. If Student A is completing tasks well, she can continue on the normal path, or even choose a more challenging path. When Student B shows that he has not mastered a skill, I can set up the quest so that he automatically follows a separate path to receive reteaching and extra practice before progressing to new skills. How great is that!? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After a bit more practice, I plan to start creating quests with these more complex paths to personalize student learning. Here is my first attempt. The yellow path is the most direct route and requires basic mastery of skills. The red detour includes reteaching and remediation activities, while the purple detour challenges students to apply their learning in new ways. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QfarSmd517iXxNaV6SB7vl_SrWTOqwfWEYeZ3RcNA4jSYlSPMjr6_QZDWwMQljOeOvqyfYle9PPoCRCMZewZsIwGfFhMx_4eZorJfoFi1Mt_JlGcTplFha4V7EJuJM_3efMsJpvyC3Y/s1600/Classcraft+Map+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="754" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QfarSmd517iXxNaV6SB7vl_SrWTOqwfWEYeZ3RcNA4jSYlSPMjr6_QZDWwMQljOeOvqyfYle9PPoCRCMZewZsIwGfFhMx_4eZorJfoFi1Mt_JlGcTplFha4V7EJuJM_3efMsJpvyC3Y/s400/Classcraft+Map+%25282%2529.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This map shows multiple learning paths for success. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Initial Implementation</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We have been using Classcraft in our reading groups for about two weeks now and we LOVE it! My students are so engaged and motivated. When students have failed at a task, they have asked to try again so that they can further develop their character. They have even asked if they can "play" Classcraft at home. Wow!! This is winning!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My next goal is to maintain this motivation after the honeymoon phase wears off. I can’t wait to see how my students learn and grow using gamification! </span>Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653415358951985660.post-55188934899592296192018-01-15T17:28:00.003-08:002018-01-17T17:26:52.385-08:00Leveling Up: Gamifying Instruction to Increase Engagement<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told my students that my goal for 2018 is to have fun. I stopped straightening my hair, my husband and I set up a 15 foot trampoline in our family room for our kids (no really, we did that), and I committed to gamifying part of our instructional day. Let the fun begin!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cOCE5DmGN_TMnGi0itGsk0cJZsLwxghP4-fgJhzoX3s769TpoMpbL6_M-Oq3zuSRrL-qL-7ZlquBTV9Fy9aap8mcY0mp4R_i0hYZRNrAOZ97YrKFdlPcsogp4Uhgeabdz_LmXZ_Vhys/s1600/mario-luigi-yoschi-figures-163036.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cOCE5DmGN_TMnGi0itGsk0cJZsLwxghP4-fgJhzoX3s769TpoMpbL6_M-Oq3zuSRrL-qL-7ZlquBTV9Fy9aap8mcY0mp4R_i0hYZRNrAOZ97YrKFdlPcsogp4Uhgeabdz_LmXZ_Vhys/s400/mario-luigi-yoschi-figures-163036.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
Gamification Basics</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was introduced to the concept of gamification during my graduate course work last semester. Gamification is a fancy term that basically means using game design principles in a non-gaming context. It can be as straightforward as transforming learning activities into games or a more subtle application of game design principles to learning tasks. Game design principles include concepts like cooperation, competition, point scoring, genuine challenges, and character development. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gamifying your classroom can be as simple or as complex as you choose to make it. Some teachers choose to make their own game for their classroom in order to customize features including backstory, characters, rules, and objectives. At the same time there are many user-friendly apps that you may already use in your classroom:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://kahoot.com/">Kahoot</a> A quizzing app allowing students to compete against classmates when answering questions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://quizizz.com/">Quizizz</a> A quizzing app that can be teacher or student paced.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.classdojo.com/">Class Dojo</a> An app focused on building positive classroom community through teacher feedback.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
Student Benefits</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Playing games is part of our culture, and students can be highly motivated by game-based learning opportunities. Honestly, not of all my students are motivated by the grades they earn, but most are willing to spend hours working to beat a challenging level in their favorite video game. Pairing student motivation related to game playing along with learning tasks has the potential to increase student engagement. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2017/12/coding-developing-critical-thinking-and.html">Like with coding,</a> failure in gaming does not usually result in immediate frustration like we so often see when our students are given a challenging educational task. In gaming, failure is an opportunity to gain immediate feedback on a mistake and try again. This type of growth mindset goes a long way in helping students develop perseverance and problem solving skills. If incorporating game design into learning tasks helps my students view challenging academic tasks in this way, then I’m all for it!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
My Goal</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My goal for this grading period is gamifying the blended learning portion of my reading groups. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I use a <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2017/03/implementing-blended-learning.html">blended learning model</a> for my guided reading groups because I want to maximize student learning when they are working independently. Last year, I created online lessons for students to complete independently. When we met face to face, I would provide instruction to further their progress based on their achievement so far. We experienced so many <a href="http://www.teachforthewin.com/2017/03/the-student-experience-blended-learning.html">benefits of blended learning</a>, and I found that my students were highly motivated to complete their online lessons at first because it was something new for them. There were also excited to have the responsibility of working independently on their Chromebooks. Unfortunately, when the initial excitement wore off, some students tended to stall out, and they lost interest in making progress. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My answer to that problem is using gamification to prolong student motivation and engagement while working independently. I’m looking forward to trying this with my students, and I’ll be sharing our experience in the coming weeks!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you’re interested in learning more about gamification, watch this interview with gamification guru James Paul Gee. He makes some great points about teaching to meet the needs of today’s students. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/l-EbfteDBtg/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l-EbfteDBtg?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
<br />Amanda Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08514821895219760709noreply@blogger.com0