Stop Motion

Over the past few years Jason has been watching Frank Howarth on YouTube.  He is a phenomenal woodworker who incorporates stop motion into his videos. So I decided that my goal was to incorporate stop motion video into my newest video resume, tweet at him and have him tweet back.  Here is what I have so far!  I can't wait for the final product to be finished. 

I am really over the moon right now!  Hope you enjoy.  Any suggestions I would love to hear them!

Class Dojo and my Classroom

This year I have started using Class Dojo with my classes.  I explain Class Dojo as a way to communicate, track and recognize non-academic behaviors in the classroom.  It is a FREE user friendly program that is web based.   I loaded all my classes on the computer but I primarily use the app on my iPad because it is even easier to use!  The premise behind what they call "Awards" is that positive awards give points, and needs work awards take away points.

I use Class Dojo to communicate with parents.  There is a messaging feature built into the program that will allow you to send whole class broadcasts or messages to individual students parents.   I use class broadcasts to keep parents informed about things in the classroom and other team reminders such as field trips, report cards, announcements, etc...  I also will message individual parents from time to time.   I send good notes home, when they happen, like a text message and same thing with student improvement concerns.   I have also heard from parents that they like using the Dojo because it less formal than an email and comfortable like a text message.

I use Class Dojo to track student homework completion, readiness to learn, behaviors that I value in students and many other things.  For example, at the beginning of class I go around and select the students who completed their homework and then 'Give Award' to those students.  It is also really helpful during group work.  I can look around and track which students are on task and off task.

 I give more positive awards than 'Needs Work' awards because I want the students to be recognized for good things.  With that being said, I have also identified 8 point take away behaviors.  When parents see negative behaviors awarded they ask questions and want to help correct the problem.  

I use Class Dojo to recognize students and reward them.  I have created a Class Dojo point cash out system.  Every 2 to 3 weeks, I record their cumulative point total and let them choose what they want to do with their points.  They can buy raffle tickets (currently for a Rubik's cube) , pencils/erasers or a free lunch period with their Dojo Points OR they can turn their points into PBIS Awards.  PBIS Awards can be used at the monthly school store for cool little things or out of uniform passes.   Along with 'cashing' each student out, I recognize the student in each class with the most points and the class with the highest average point total per student.  These students get a free raffle ticket for working hard!

Why do you love you Class Dojo? 

Connected Mathematics 3

My district this year adopted the Connected Mathematics 3 curriculum.  We had our official 'get to know you' session with the curriculum and a representative Monday after the students left for the day. Let's talk about overload!

So here are a few things that I found to be interesting and terrifying all at the same time. 

• Every lesson has a Launch, Explore and Summarize
• Scaffolding thought about
• You can assign students lessons
• The student can 'write' and save work in their digital book
• You can comment and message students
• Concepts are throughout the curriculum, not just seen once

I have not had much time since Monday to explore more but I am excited about implementing this curriculum this year.  It won't be easy but, if it were easy, everybody would be doing it!

Anybody have any tips or tricks to using CMP3?  All and everything is greatly appreciated. 

Bloom's Taxonomy

While planning a recent lesson, I once again started thinking about the SAMR model and how I can incorporate this more into my math classroom.  While doing a quick google search, I came across this picture and it intrigued me.  Thanks Neil!

Bloom's Taxonomy has also intrigued me more and more throughout my second year of teaching.  Teaching in a district that is 1:1 and constantly looking for better ways to teach, this absolutely intrigues me.  A few questions I have about the above are as follows.  Feel free to answer and of them in the comments!

- How can I use a wordle with concepts such as solving systems of equations? 

- Should I be using google sketchup (something I have always wanted to do) but where to I find the time to teach the basics of it to all students? 

-How can I use wikipedia for students to research a math concept without the language being too technical? 

How can I get these kids to go from 'Pete and Repeat' in math to actually living, breathing and loving math?  It's not easy but somehow I am making way.   

On a separate note, today when going through solving systems of equations with substitution, I told the students that ALL great mathematicians talk to themselves.  I got many looks of 'Yep, Ms. Wicklander has officially gone crazy.'  I challenged students to talk to themselves while solving.  Challenged them to question their every move AND answer themselves too!  It was tough for many but at the end of class, it was louder but not because they were talking to their table buddy but because they were talking to themselves!!!!!  Amazing I tell yah.  Days like today put a smile on my face and make all those 'non smile' days worth it.  

Technology in the classroom

Just recently at our "make up" institute day, we were educated about the SAMR model.  This model states that there are enhancements that can be done with technology and then there is transforming education with technology.

Image created by Dr. Ruben Puentedura, Ph.D. http://www.hippasus.com/rrpweblog/

This has me thinking how I use the 1:1 technology in my classroom.  Many of the activities I do enhance learning but how can i get to the coveted "transforming" level?  

This past week, I stepped into transformation for I believe the first time.  It was scary, it was frightening BUT i think that it worked.  We have been studying the Pythagorean Theorem and my goal was to increase students awareness of angles around us.  I created a pages file that each student downloaded.  I find that making a template for them works best for me so everyones work is organized!  

Below is a students work submission.  

This student loves sports so it was appropriate that he chose a goal post.  We talked about his picture because it wasn't square in the picture but he stated that he knew without a doubt that indeed, a goal post was a right angle.  As you can see, I had the student complete their work on a wipe board in class, take a photo using photo booth and insert it into the document.  

The second part of the assignment was the transformation part I was talking about.  I had each student post on eChalk their findings and then they had to leave constructive feedback for 4 other students work.  Looking at the responses,  the students really did well!  

If I had to do it again, I would think about the questions more and make them more meaningful.  I would also possibly make sentence starters for their responses to foster deeper reflection.   Overall, a good day math class!