Time for an update on life in Cafe Gillmore!
Greatest Hit
This may sound strange...but the lamp lighting in my room has been one of the biggest hits of my classroom redesign. As part of the decor, I purchased several lamps and use them often, nearly daily, at the request of the students.
Great Frustration
My greatest frustration at this point is students digitally wandering. I long for SynchronEyes. On this site, a 30-day trial may be downloaded...going to check on this!
According to peer Carla James, one of the greatest features of such a program is being able to freeze the screens, not to act as Big Brother, but to ensure their attention...and their respect. Listening to a teacher is a sign of respect. Yes, you got it...I am tired of the disrespect.
Sure I can multi-task, and so can my students. I can walk, talk, and chew bubble gum...but the smacking that goes along with that is very annoying!
While an important skill, listening respectively to an adult is also an important life-long skill each needs also. That might help them retain the job of their choice as much as anything!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
While Reading...
While reading through my Google Reader, I discovered a link (on Karl Fisch's blog The Fischbowl) to this blog...Learning and Laptops. Blogger Anne Smith has been named "named one of the National School Board Association's "20 to Watch" for 2009."
Smith is an English teacher in a 1:1 classroom...ah, interesting!
I like her energy. I appreciate her PLN. I respect her opinions.
Please check her out!
Smith is an English teacher in a 1:1 classroom...ah, interesting!
I like her energy. I appreciate her PLN. I respect her opinions.
Please check her out!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Opposition
In class last Friday, I heard the first real negative comments about our using the mini's. It actually hurt...really. I spend hours getting ready for class; then I often am not as ready as I want to be.
So, yes, I took those comments very personally.
Then, I took a moment to breath. In. Out. (Did not count to a hundred...just started in on my spiel.) First, these comments came from two students (not all). Two students who are behind. Really. Imagine that!
I ended the above session with a reminder (repeated several times) that our text book is our class blog and our Info Page.
Just to check if they can remember the names of our textbooks, I have created a quiz in Google Docs to check this retention of information, with hints embedded and the answers written on the White Board. Surely, they will pass!
Okay...in case you did not notice, yes, I am more than a little disappointed! Maybe I am even a little disappointed in myself. Have I not worked hard enough? I have even slowed the pace down from previous years...even more. Then I attended an End-of-Level Committee meeting...that philosphy just will not work anymore, but that is another blog post on another blog!
Okay, enough of those kind of thoughts. Have to remember all the other kids who were not in agreement with the above two.
Honestly? After our little chat, which included a visualization of what life in English would be like without the mini's, those two maybe, must maybe, might have been persuaded to see the error of their ways: stay caught up, for life in English class does not, will not stop for their lackadaisical ways.
So, yes, I took those comments very personally.
Then, I took a moment to breath. In. Out. (Did not count to a hundred...just started in on my spiel.) First, these comments came from two students (not all). Two students who are behind. Really. Imagine that!
I ended the above session with a reminder (repeated several times) that our text book is our class blog and our Info Page.
Just to check if they can remember the names of our textbooks, I have created a quiz in Google Docs to check this retention of information, with hints embedded and the answers written on the White Board. Surely, they will pass!
Okay...in case you did not notice, yes, I am more than a little disappointed! Maybe I am even a little disappointed in myself. Have I not worked hard enough? I have even slowed the pace down from previous years...even more. Then I attended an End-of-Level Committee meeting...that philosphy just will not work anymore, but that is another blog post on another blog!
Okay, enough of those kind of thoughts. Have to remember all the other kids who were not in agreement with the above two.
Honestly? After our little chat, which included a visualization of what life in English would be like without the mini's, those two maybe, must maybe, might have been persuaded to see the error of their ways: stay caught up, for life in English class does not, will not stop for their lackadaisical ways.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Built-in Progress
Today, the guys brought the counter top for the work area for the built-in journalism desks. So pretty! I had actually lost sleep trying to remember the exact color of the counter top. Must say...I did okay, especially considering I selected it based on a 1x2 inch sample!
Tonight the glue drying. Tomorrow, the journalism computers go to work! (Right after my friend Casey and I run the Internet cable through ceiling.)
Yesterday, I purchased upholstery and dropped it for the gentleman to make me two 2x4 foot cushions for my benches. Pretty material...not what I had originally planned, but I really like it!
Progress...oh, 'tis music to my ears!
Tonight the glue drying. Tomorrow, the journalism computers go to work! (Right after my friend Casey and I run the Internet cable through ceiling.)
Yesterday, I purchased upholstery and dropped it for the gentleman to make me two 2x4 foot cushions for my benches. Pretty material...not what I had originally planned, but I really like it!
Progress...oh, 'tis music to my ears!
Monday, September 7, 2009
More progress!
My student desks and a one of my bookcases arrived on Friday...yes, progress!
The students are excited about the changes and were glad to see the desks arrive. I now have have 16 desks (instead of 12), so that is more floor space gone.
One of my goals is to not have the "clutter" I have had in the previous years. By the way, that was not the easiest admission on my part, for I enjoy having my "stuff" that I just "might use one day." Unfortunately, that "one day" has not gotten here, and I have become too blessed! So File 13 is growing! Yes, I am actually recycling a lot! Emptied three more boxes this week! Only have one to go...that one has journalism computer keyboards, cords, and scanners in it.
Mr. Kevin and Mr. Mark hope to return on Tuesday to install the journalism built-in. I hope so, for the yearbook staff will be in class on Wednesday. Time to go to work creating this year's history book of Batesville High!
Had we not had to give the Targit Test this week, we would have gotten all our "start-up" accounts created, including Google (email, blog, Reader, iGoogle), Penzu, Delicious, and Good Reads.
SIDENOTE ABOUT STUDENT BLOGS: The writing process metaphor papers the students wrote did seem to help in creating blog titles and thematic elements. Good thing!
Thus, we will have to complete the creation of our techie accounts, and then I will introduce each to his/her new "quackie" friend. Yes, we will begin our Ducks Galore Project this week.
The students are excited about the changes and were glad to see the desks arrive. I now have have 16 desks (instead of 12), so that is more floor space gone.
One of my goals is to not have the "clutter" I have had in the previous years. By the way, that was not the easiest admission on my part, for I enjoy having my "stuff" that I just "might use one day." Unfortunately, that "one day" has not gotten here, and I have become too blessed! So File 13 is growing! Yes, I am actually recycling a lot! Emptied three more boxes this week! Only have one to go...that one has journalism computer keyboards, cords, and scanners in it.
Mr. Kevin and Mr. Mark hope to return on Tuesday to install the journalism built-in. I hope so, for the yearbook staff will be in class on Wednesday. Time to go to work creating this year's history book of Batesville High!
Had we not had to give the Targit Test this week, we would have gotten all our "start-up" accounts created, including Google (email, blog, Reader, iGoogle), Penzu, Delicious, and Good Reads.
SIDENOTE ABOUT STUDENT BLOGS: The writing process metaphor papers the students wrote did seem to help in creating blog titles and thematic elements. Good thing!
Thus, we will have to complete the creation of our techie accounts, and then I will introduce each to his/her new "quackie" friend. Yes, we will begin our Ducks Galore Project this week.
TO-DO List:
- Lit Circles: tolerance activity and lit circle names/groups. I have not formed these yet. Needed to get to know the students before forming the small groups. I have decided on an over-all title: Three+Me. I am going to have groups of three, with the fourth seat in the pod being reserved for myself, thus further insuring even more conference time, more 1:1 time.
- Writing/Reading Workshop: This will happen on a more structured basis than what I have right now...once the students create their techie accounts, for they need these for much of what we will be working on in class. Then we can work on routines and procedures, with one of those being daily mini-lessons. I am ready for the routine!
It was a good week...am now getting ready for another one!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Already...eight days down!
Wow! Time really should slow down! Since it will not, then I am estactic to be participant in a digital classroom.
I posted here at Treasure Chest of Thoughts my summary thus far of living in a nearly paperless world.
My immediate concern right now is my air conditioner: need to learn how to reset the default from seventy degrees, for with these new units, this temperature feels much closer to sixty! Plus, this is just a waste of monetary resources.
The built-in's for my journalism computers are partially here. These should be completed this week, which is working out fine since the yearbook staff is selling business ads for one more week and the newspaper staff is using the mini's to draft articles for the online newspaper.
Speaking of newspaper: I need to chat with the tech persons to determine if posting our online newspaper on the school website is an option or maybe we should just link to the one we have created via a Wordpress account? Right now while so many changes are occurring? Think I will opt for current situation.
A final thought: I am spending less time in class "teaching" because I am spending more time out of class creating blog posts and links for the students to access to meet our daily goals via online access. To be repetitive...time does fly in class. Wow! Please don't tell that May is just around the corner!
I posted here at Treasure Chest of Thoughts my summary thus far of living in a nearly paperless world.
My immediate concern right now is my air conditioner: need to learn how to reset the default from seventy degrees, for with these new units, this temperature feels much closer to sixty! Plus, this is just a waste of monetary resources.
The built-in's for my journalism computers are partially here. These should be completed this week, which is working out fine since the yearbook staff is selling business ads for one more week and the newspaper staff is using the mini's to draft articles for the online newspaper.
Speaking of newspaper: I need to chat with the tech persons to determine if posting our online newspaper on the school website is an option or maybe we should just link to the one we have created via a Wordpress account? Right now while so many changes are occurring? Think I will opt for current situation.
A final thought: I am spending less time in class "teaching" because I am spending more time out of class creating blog posts and links for the students to access to meet our daily goals via online access. To be repetitive...time does fly in class. Wow! Please don't tell that May is just around the corner!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
School Is So Cool OR Time Flies
Both of the above post headings fit this commentary…we are three days into school, and we (my students and myself) are both noting how fast the class periods go. Why? School is just cooler this year in room 16!
REASONS School is COOLER:
1.First, the rooms are literally cooler and quieter thanks to the new air conditioning units installed this summer. They are so quiet…very awesome. All of a sudden, we notice the room is getting almost cold (yes, need to ask them to reset the defaults by a few degrees, for the system itself is also digital…nice of them to select a system that, of course, blends in with our new classroom redesign!)
2.Blue. Mini. Laptops. YES! Got them in my room on Tuesday afternoon and managed to get enough of them imaged to use with my newspaper class on the first day of school…and then with all my English classes on Thursday and Friday. Way cool! Of course, the students love having a computer…literally…in their hands. I love being able to send them to Mrs. G’s Info Page…and going to work…or is it play?! Fewer papers to hand out…with just a click of a button (or two), the students and I were already at work…again! (I really am missing my LCD projector…my presentations would be much more effective with it.)
3.Comfy chairs. New colors. Yes, we call it classroom redesign. I found it a little humorous that the students looked at the “comfy” chairs but would not sit in them until I said, “Of course, you may…that’s what they are for!” What surprised me, though, was that many of them still chose the desks. Not sure about that reason for that choice yet…will observe (ah, action research) and write more about that later. If they like these desks now, just wait until our new ones finally get here in a week or so…yes, way cool!
4.Lighting. The new lights have a softer hue, which those of us who wear contacts really appreciate! I also have several lamps in my room (bought bulbs of too low a wattage yesterday…going back to Wal-Mart to invest in more so that we can switch to that type of lighting when viewing movies, videos, podcasts, and such.
In every class, either a student(s) or I would comment, after glancing at the clock (usually the one on the wall…not the one in the lower right corner ~ isn’t that interesting?) that “this class went by so fast.” I like it like that!
I. Love. My. Room. And so do my former students, many of whom commented as they stopped by to visit and check out the new design, “Why couldn’t this have happened last year?” That’s right, those of you reading this, already know the answer to that one: that’s just the nature of change.
ROOM 16 TO GET COOLER STILL! My room is about 70% completed. Hopefully, my built-in unit for the journalism computers will arrive on Monday (would look really cool for Open House on Monday night!). Bookcases, shelves, desks, more artwork…and more tech tools!…still all on the to-do list for Room 16.
Pictures to be posted soon…or within a few days, I will have our photo-a-day blog (CAFE: In Pictures) for our Classroom Redesign ready for your viewing pleasure…or just stop by and visit us!
Also posted at Treasure Chest of Thoughts.
REASONS School is COOLER:
1.First, the rooms are literally cooler and quieter thanks to the new air conditioning units installed this summer. They are so quiet…very awesome. All of a sudden, we notice the room is getting almost cold (yes, need to ask them to reset the defaults by a few degrees, for the system itself is also digital…nice of them to select a system that, of course, blends in with our new classroom redesign!)
2.Blue. Mini. Laptops. YES! Got them in my room on Tuesday afternoon and managed to get enough of them imaged to use with my newspaper class on the first day of school…and then with all my English classes on Thursday and Friday. Way cool! Of course, the students love having a computer…literally…in their hands. I love being able to send them to Mrs. G’s Info Page…and going to work…or is it play?! Fewer papers to hand out…with just a click of a button (or two), the students and I were already at work…again! (I really am missing my LCD projector…my presentations would be much more effective with it.)
3.Comfy chairs. New colors. Yes, we call it classroom redesign. I found it a little humorous that the students looked at the “comfy” chairs but would not sit in them until I said, “Of course, you may…that’s what they are for!” What surprised me, though, was that many of them still chose the desks. Not sure about that reason for that choice yet…will observe (ah, action research) and write more about that later. If they like these desks now, just wait until our new ones finally get here in a week or so…yes, way cool!
4.Lighting. The new lights have a softer hue, which those of us who wear contacts really appreciate! I also have several lamps in my room (bought bulbs of too low a wattage yesterday…going back to Wal-Mart to invest in more so that we can switch to that type of lighting when viewing movies, videos, podcasts, and such.
In every class, either a student(s) or I would comment, after glancing at the clock (usually the one on the wall…not the one in the lower right corner ~ isn’t that interesting?) that “this class went by so fast.” I like it like that!
I. Love. My. Room. And so do my former students, many of whom commented as they stopped by to visit and check out the new design, “Why couldn’t this have happened last year?” That’s right, those of you reading this, already know the answer to that one: that’s just the nature of change.
ROOM 16 TO GET COOLER STILL! My room is about 70% completed. Hopefully, my built-in unit for the journalism computers will arrive on Monday (would look really cool for Open House on Monday night!). Bookcases, shelves, desks, more artwork…and more tech tools!…still all on the to-do list for Room 16.
Pictures to be posted soon…or within a few days, I will have our photo-a-day blog (CAFE: In Pictures) for our Classroom Redesign ready for your viewing pleasure…or just stop by and visit us!
Also posted at Treasure Chest of Thoughts.
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