Technology Tuesday: Seesaw App

And so the adventure begins, as I try to figure out how to work technology into my class and curriculum. I want my focus to continue to be production, not consumption. Wish me luck and send me feedback. ;)

 This past year, I was introduced to an app that was described as "Facebook for the Classroom." Seesaw is an app that allows students to respond and post within their own "journals", but also to a classroom feed. Students can comment on each other's work and receive immediate feedback for their own work. When I first heard of it, I took it back to my classroom that afternoon, and with the five grade level iPads I had access to, I sent my students out to discover and learn.

Long story short, my students LOVED it...they love it so much in fact, that they are still using it THIS SUMMER. I attended iPadpalooza last week at Noblesville High School, and I took away some neat ideas that I thought I could "guinea pig" on my students from last year. They are rocking it.

As I post a challenge or assignment, they can post and I will be able to either approve it (if appropriate) or deny it. I can also comment and give feedback immediately, without "approving" it to the class feed. Parents are also able to connect to the class Seesaw account and see only their student's journals, as well as the "class posts" that I send to everyone. Although I haven't played with it to this extent, you are able to assign questions, tasks to selected students when posting, as well. Easy to differentiate within my classroom now!

My favorite assignment that I did give this year was actually a reading assignment...students took pictures of the text they were reading (so I didn't have to go back and find it when checking their work), they underlined the text they made they connection with, and they were able to record their voice explaining their connection (text, self, world, media). NOW...my traditional mind is thinking I just took away an opportunity for students to practice their writing...my "trying to adjust to new assessing" mind is thinking I LOVE the fact that it just took me 30 minutes to assess students and see if they understand making connections that quickly.

SO...this may be a keeper for next year. I'll update as I use it and learn more. Anyone else using Seesaw in their classroom frequently and successfully? Would love to know if the blog piece of the app is worth it!

The Starfish Story

In one of my Facebook groups right now, we're working together as a team to help each other in the marketing of our product (essential oils) and figure out how we are to reach our customers, not only as clients, but as people - building those relationships is KEY...

Obviously this applied and hit home with me as a teacher, and really started thinking about it more in terms of my classroom, than my "side hustle." Read on...

The Starfish Story

(You may have heard this one before, but it is always a good reminder!)

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said,

"It made a difference for that one.”
- Loren Eiseley

Who are you in this story? Are you the man…the one that feels hopeless and less than optimistic?  Or are you the boy…filled with hope and wonder and dreams? Are you even at a point that you feel you are the starfish? Hoping to have someone take the moment an make a difference, in what seems like a hopeless situation?

Now, who do you want to be? What can you do to switch your position in this story, if that is what you want?

Education is a tough business. Where do you want to go with it? Where do you want to take your students? What relationships have you formed, to "make a difference for that one?"

Starting in Reggio...Ending in an iPad

I posed this question to my Facebook audience awhile back: Teacher Friends...what is the number one reason you still stay in teaching?

Interestingly enough, more NONteachers responded than teachers. This tells me two things: A) The relationships we form and the impact we make is HUGE when it comes to our families and B) Many teachers may not know why they're still in it. (Ok...or I'll give you C) No one was really in the mood to post on Facebook or respond to thoughts...TOTALLY possible.)

My colleagues and I had a really cool opportunity this past semester - we were able to go to a neighboring school district and observe in their Reggio inspired early education center. Never heard of Reggio? Me neither (at first)...it's a little place in Italy. You can read about it here. They developed their own educational philosophy, or rather, CHILDHOOD philosophy. You can read about that here. The experience was completely CHILD-CENTERED. You'd think more schools would be that way, right? WRONG. But at no fault of teachers or even administration...

Did I mention KINDERGARTENERS did this???

If you talk to any teacher that went on our "field trip", we all completely agree with the philosophy of inquiry and exploration - but as I walked from class to class and observed all of the  amazingness going on in the back of my mind I'm haunted by "What standard are they assessing?" and "How are they being held accountable as students walk seamlessly from one classroom to the next or even out into the hall for activities while they're not being told what to do step by step?" or "How are the teachers being evaluated as students walk seamlessly from one classroom to another or choose to participate in activities out in the hallway?" or (Heaven help us!) "How do I prove to administration and parents that I'm actually teaching and my students are learning even thought it looks like they are *gasp* PLAYING?"

This is where I start to try to piece together that next year, my classroom will be a 1 to 1 environment for the first time in my 12 years of teaching, and I'm able to get inquiry into my curriculum in a whole new way...but still working on this "Reggio" kid created situation - yes, our students know a whole heck of a lot about technology...OR, is it the fact that they know a whole heck of a lot about how to GAME? Our conversations at school have been about the fact that the use of technology needs to be production based, not consumption based (meaning, they are creating with their technology, not just reading from the screen to get info). This makes 100% sense to me, since our concern about iPads in the classroom is centered around screen time and what the students will actually DO with their technology in the classroom. SO...those of you that are already 1 to 1, would love your feedback. Those of you who are Reggio inspired (yes, I know it is basically a preschool program, but we're trying to adapt apparently!), would like to hear how you are inspired in your classroom. Oh yah...and those of you that have lived the portable life, fill me in on how to do that, too...it will be my first time in a "Tiny House." LOL!

Let the summer of learning begin! And here we go with the New Adventures of Kel's Klass...

Book Banter: Percy Jackson

Book Banter: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

I've taught the same novels for a few years in class, but this year, our grade level is switching it up a little. We did a PBL (Project Based Learning Project) on Greek Mythology - Driving question: How does Greek Mythology (and Traditional Literature) impact society today? Our text was the ever famous Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Considering it's popularity, (there is a movie and such) I figured many of my students would have read it already...but very few had! I may have started a small following in my classroom, and now our book fair is sold out of any of Rick Riordan's books...it was just our luck that a traveling company was also putting on a stage performance of Percy...so we were able to add that to the range of multimedia presentations that went with it. (We are a fourth grade team, so we did not think the movie(s) would be appropriate for our kiddos - some may feel too scary. Others still figuring out their beliefs. Although some students chose to watch it on their own during the study, we didn't show as a whole class, to compare another medium.)

To help with the background information, our group used a lot of Nicole Shelby's unit that can be purchased here on TPT. Something we loved is that she has worded the myths in "kid friendly" lingo. Students understood the original myth, and were able to make connections and deepen comprehension, when we were reading our whole class text. With the variety of stories that are included, students can easily differentiate based on interest or a teacher could guide students to certain myths and still be able to break down the story elements and explain allusions that are mentioned. (I'm in no way being paid by Nicole Shelby to advertise, but I like a lot of her stuff, have purchased and used in my classroom, so I will happily send praise her way!)


I may or may not read an adult novel soon - I find that I like reading kid books. They make me laugh and cry just the same...ALTHOUGH...I am quite excited about one of my Christmas presents. Gregory Maguire is at it again with After Alice. My obsession with the Wizard of Oz and all things Wicked may meld into a love for Alice in Wonderland, too!

Book Banter: Maze Runner Series

Book Banter: Maze Runner Series

SO...it's been a day or two since I've written. The typical excuses...family...work...starting a new church...etc. Needless to say, I've been busy. BUT, as of today...only NINE days left of school. My summer bucket list includes blogging more than once a month. We'll see how that goes. :)

As far as reading, though, I've been able to complete a book or two...actually, I've just been working on the Maze Runner series. I finished both The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure and was quite pleased. I'm interested to see how they'll turn those into a movie - since I haven't seen the first movie made, it could already be completely obvious to some as to how it would carry through. Last in the chain of events is actually the PREQUEL, The Kill Order, which I'm intrigued to read. I have come to enjoy the characters and their relationship now - especially with Thomas and Theresa. To know they had a completely different interaction prior to the Maze, may throw me for a loop or convince me I didn't really like the series at all. Or, I could love it...similar to how the Star Wars prequels went. Ha!

I know some of my seventh graders are reading his other books, The Mortality Doctrine series. I'm actually a little a"maze"d that some of my fourth graders have picked up The Maze Runner series, but I believe that was stirred by the popularity of the movie. Although this post is short, but sweet, I highly recommend the series. James Dashner is a creative and vivid author who keeps you involved chapter to chapter!