Formal Observation Overload

I had the best time working on my formal observation. I know that doesn't sound like what most teachers feel like when they are being evaluated, but I'm always motivated to create and try something new!

Like this lesson, I was so thrilled to be trying Nearpod with my third grade class! Of course I had updating issues with the iPad cart and had to add the free app. Never fails right? You are hopped up trying something new and you get slowed down because of technical issues!! That doesn't deter me! I'm crazy enough to come in over the weekend to update everything, because I won't be distracted at school by other more pressing needs. Guess what? I also had an issue with iTunes and couldn't get everything done until Tuesday when our computer tech could fix it! That guys works miracles! Thanks Dave!

Then when I was updating Tuesday, 2 of the iPads needed to be completely restored and by golly I had a hair appointment that couldn't be changed! Had to be ready for the observation, right? Anyway, did I mention that my "great ideas" always come later than sooner? Sooooo, yes, I was doing all of this the weekend before my observation and did the final restore this morning! All that and, no it didn't work the way I wanted, of course, it would have been beneficial to have practiced ahead of time, but I did tell you that I always seem to get the good ideas late in the process.

My Mission Impossible: Solid Figures went very well! I had the class divided into 8 groups of 4 working with one iPad. Mission - take pictures of 6 different solid figures, an edge, a face, and a vertex! All of the directions were on a QR  code, hence clues, mystery, secret agents... Great theme to motivate my class!!!! I'll share pictures tomorrow that my principal took during the lesson! The two greatest disappointments for me were the inability to load 32 iPad with a Nearpod presentation at the same time and running out of time for my students to create a project in StripDesign! It was in my lesson plan, but we just ran out of time! Can you guess what we're doing tomorrow for math?

Transformation of a Teacher: The Beginning

Just a normal, average, regular day. Like most, right? But something is different for me, I get to go to work, school, my school. This is not your average, regular school, this place is magical! For one thing, the buildings are new, the arrangement of classrooms is different, the "feel" of the campus is more. More expectations, more challenges, more eyes watching through the glass of the fish bowl.

Visitors from around the world have explored our rooms and spoken with our students! It isn't your average, everyday school, it's Robert C. Fisler School in Fullerton, CA! A school with a vision toward the future, where technology is seamlessly integrated into the day and students, teachers, administration, and the community embrace the 21st century model of learning!

The transformation of my teaching began eight and a half years ago when I decided to make a change and move to a new school. I thought I knew technology, but I had no idea what challenges I would face that first year Fisler was open. It was thrilling, exasperating, and motivating! I have never in all 23 years of teaching, have ever found such remarkable self awareness when I faced down 20 first graders with 20 white, brand new Mac iBooks!

I had no idea how I could get to all of them as they were all calling out, "Mrs. Bass, Mrs. Bass, it's not working!" "I can't find it!" "What do I do?" My first step was to call my friend who taught the  4th grade for help!! "Can you send me 4 or 5 fourth graders to help me? I'm dying here and I can't get to them all!"

Sure enough, five of the smartest fourth graders came to my rescue and taught me a thing or two, it was probably much more than that, but I got the message! This mission of ours required both team work and collaboration! I was not going to be able to carry my students on my own, we needed to work with buddies, partner up with other students to teach the basics and then work toward independent work. What I also learned was that those six year olds learn fast and wanted to learn more, so did I! We were on a roll!

Now, as I stand in my classroom of 32 third graders, I'm overwhelmed by what I have learned and how my teaching has changed! I worked hard to be a good teacher, now I work harder and smarter! I'm creating all the time, wondering what new tool I can use especially mobile devices!!! I loved having laptops in my class! Wonderful, powerful, individual creating machines, love those MacBooks! Then came the iPod touch devices, oooohh, what fun, to get 32 of them to explore and produce great recorded memos and build reading fluency, again my inspiration grew!

When the opportunity came to try the new iPad I was giddy! All I could think of was how I wanted to get a class set so we could start creating new projects! The excitement hasn't slowed one bit! I am always searching and thinking of new ways to develop as an educator and lucky for me, I have had the benefit of using Apple products! Bring it on!

Apple TV, check and now we are thinking about Apple Desktop Remote for our grade level! This is where I'm concerned about cost! If I can get my hands on more iPads I think I would rather spend the money that way!