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Post by shannoots on Aug 2, 2016 22:50:03 GMT
I'm doing flexible seating this year. I have gotten rid of all my tables/chairs except 1. I have replaced them with ball chairs, cushions, low tables, standing tables, wobble stools, etc. I want to make it work! I love the idea of flexible seating but I teach sewing and need my tables. I wanted different chairs, couches, etc... But can't do it
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Post by shannoots on Aug 2, 2016 22:52:52 GMT
This is my 2nd year as a teacher. I want to tweak many of my lessons and add onto them. I would also like to organize my lessons and everything that goes with them in one spot so I can just grab the info for a particular day and I'm set.
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SabrinaP
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Post by SabrinaP on Aug 3, 2016 0:08:25 GMT
I want to focus on intervention and enrichment this year. We have a dedicated time in the day to these two things and I want to really focus on them and make the time the best part of the day.
Also, I won a grant and got new furniture for flexible seating classroom. All my furniture is on casters, so I want to take advantage of the furniture and utilize it's moveabity!
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Post by theboydbunch on Aug 3, 2016 0:44:08 GMT
What is 1:1 device rollout?? What do you teach? I'm an instructional tech specialist/library media. We are going 1:1 with iPads, and we have to get all the devices into the hands of our incoming freshmen (and this year, our seniors) before the first day of school so teachers don't have to use class time to get them the devices, get apps installed, get them signed into our learning management system, Google Drive, etc. I teach kids and teachers. My district is 1:1 also with HP tablets, but at the other end of the spectrum...we started with 1st-3rd graders!! LOL SaveSave
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Post by SockMonkey on Aug 3, 2016 0:45:25 GMT
I'm an instructional tech specialist/library media. We are going 1:1 with iPads, and we have to get all the devices into the hands of our incoming freshmen (and this year, our seniors) before the first day of school so teachers don't have to use class time to get them the devices, get apps installed, get them signed into our learning management system, Google Drive, etc. I teach kids and teachers. My district is 1:1 also with HP tablets, but at the other end of the spectrum...we started with 1st-3rd graders!! LOL SaveSaveBless! I'm glad we are 1:1, because I think it's good, but damn it's a lot of work!!!
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Post by Merge on Aug 3, 2016 0:55:48 GMT
I have to admit the thought of flexible seating in my classroom makes my throat clench. I'm just imagining refereeing endless fights about who "always" takes the favorite seats, or having to spend time devising and overseeing a rotation system to prevent meltdowns.
I really hope it's successful for y'all, though. I think it would be more challenging in my classroom because I only see them for 45 minutes once a week - they tend to feel like if they don't get a chance to play X instrument today, they will never get to play it. I'm projecting that onto seating issues. LOL I'm sure it's better when they're in that room all day every day.
I'm excited because my new room is large enough to accommodate a large floor seating/movement area with a rug for whole group instruction/performance/movement, AND four circular tables for small group work. And more storage cabinets than I could ever fill in a million years, plus a huge closet that I think I'm going to turn into a recording studio because I truly don't need it for storage.
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Post by SockMonkey on Aug 3, 2016 0:57:45 GMT
I have to admit the thought of flexible seating in my classroom makes my throat clench. I'm just imagining refereeing endless fights about who "always" takes the favorite seats, or having to spend time devising and overseeing a rotation system to prevent meltdowns. I really hope it's successful for y'all, though. I think it would be more challenging in my classroom because I only see them for 45 minutes once a week - they tend to feel like if they don't get a chance to play X instrument today, they will never get to play it. I'm projecting that onto seating issues. LOL I'm sure it's better when they're in that room all day every day. I'm excited because my new room is large enough to accommodate a large floor seating/movement area with a rug for whole group instruction/performance/movement, AND four circular tables for small group work. And more storage cabinets than I could ever fill in a million years, plus a huge closet that I think I'm going to turn into a recording studio because I truly don't need it for storage. Oooo! A recording/green screen room! They could make music videos!!!
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Post by Merge on Aug 3, 2016 1:05:25 GMT
I have to admit the thought of flexible seating in my classroom makes my throat clench. I'm just imagining refereeing endless fights about who "always" takes the favorite seats, or having to spend time devising and overseeing a rotation system to prevent meltdowns. I really hope it's successful for y'all, though. I think it would be more challenging in my classroom because I only see them for 45 minutes once a week - they tend to feel like if they don't get a chance to play X instrument today, they will never get to play it. I'm projecting that onto seating issues. LOL I'm sure it's better when they're in that room all day every day. I'm excited because my new room is large enough to accommodate a large floor seating/movement area with a rug for whole group instruction/performance/movement, AND four circular tables for small group work. And more storage cabinets than I could ever fill in a million years, plus a huge closet that I think I'm going to turn into a recording studio because I truly don't need it for storage. Oooo! A recording/green screen room! They could make music videos!!! At my old school I did a music video with 5th grade every year, and plan to continue that at this school. ![](http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r481/2peasrefugees/Smilies/wiggle.gif) ![](http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r481/2peasrefugees/Smilies/wiggle.gif) ![](http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r481/2peasrefugees/Smilies/wiggle.gif)
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moodyblue
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Post by moodyblue on Aug 3, 2016 1:20:14 GMT
4th grade, kids come this Thursday, I start tomorrow......... I want to finally feel like I have had a year where I have inspired my kiddos to love reading. Every single one of them. I want them to read because they want to. Because it brings them joy and helps them to escape.
I have never felt like I have done a good job of this. Last year I had a student with a 1 to 1 aide. She was amazing at this. I was in awe. I have a lot of fun things planned that will help them see the joy in reading... 1. Our public library is in walking distance. I plan to take the kids there for book talks at least bi-monthly. 2. Incentives 3. No AR levels. I feel like if I allow them to read books that interest them rather than at an assigned level they will like it more, read more, and guide themselves to harder material. 4. Let them see me read for pleasure. 5. Brain break activities surrounding their reading. Example...taking a break to sketch a character, draw the setting, etc...not for a grade. Just for relaxation. 6. Read Ins: Stay late with the sole purpose of reading. Snacks, lay on the floor, read. Other ideas welcomed! Please share your #1 goal for the year. I'll be the third one to suggest The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. And if you haven't heard her speak, keep your eyes out for an opportunity. Her follow-up book, Reading in the Wild, gives more information about how to do this. She is also NOT a fan of incentives for reading, and might make you rethink that part.
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janeinbama
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Post by janeinbama on Aug 3, 2016 1:44:41 GMT
You teacherpeas are such wonderful women. I just hope my grandchildren have teachers this year with the same dedication and passion as ya'll.
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brandy327
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Post by brandy327 on Aug 3, 2016 2:00:55 GMT
As a mom, I just want to thank all of you for all the time, effort and passion you bring to your classrooms. I appreciate all the hard work you put in inside of the classroom and out of it. I wish all of you a wonderful school year and hope you all have great kids that are excited and ready to learn! ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/MNrJDkDuSwqIMVw33MdD.jpg)
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TankTop
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Post by TankTop on Aug 3, 2016 2:06:12 GMT
4th grade, kids come this Thursday, I start tomorrow......... I want to finally feel like I have had a year where I have inspired my kiddos to love reading. Every single one of them. I want them to read because they want to. Because it brings them joy and helps them to escape.
I have never felt like I have done a good job of this. Last year I had a student with a 1 to 1 aide. She was amazing at this. I was in awe. I have a lot of fun things planned that will help them see the joy in reading... 1. Our public library is in walking distance. I plan to take the kids there for book talks at least bi-monthly. 2. Incentives 3. No AR levels. I feel like if I allow them to read books that interest them rather than at an assigned level they will like it more, read more, and guide themselves to harder material. 4. Let them see me read for pleasure. 5. Brain break activities surrounding their reading. Example...taking a break to sketch a character, draw the setting, etc...not for a grade. Just for relaxation. 6. Read Ins: Stay late with the sole purpose of reading. Snacks, lay on the floor, read. Other ideas welcomed! Please share your #1 goal for the year. Tank have you read the Book Whisperer By Donalyn Miller. It is filled with awesome ides about getting kids to love reading. Do you not have a school library? I am reading it now. We do have a school library, but we are a very poor school with little funding. Our school library is lacking. My personal library is really at a low point right now as well. I gave a lot of my books to my students so they had something to read over the summer. None of my students could afford scholastic books last year, so I did not have points to buy books. I have bought some new things this summer, but really need more.
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moodyblue
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Post by moodyblue on Aug 3, 2016 2:11:10 GMT
Tank have you read the Book Whisperer By Donalyn Miller. It is filled with awesome ides about getting kids to love reading. Do you not have a school library? I am reading it now. We do have a school library, but we are a very poor school with little funding. Our school library is lacking. My personal library is really at a low point right now as well. I gave a lot of my books to my students so they had something to read over the summer. None of my students could afford scholastic books last year, so I did not have points to buy books. I have bought some new things this summer, but really need more. Yay! So glad you are reading The Book Whisperer. I've been a reading specialist for 38 years now. This book speaks to the very heart of what I believe about kids and reading. I've got a ton of professional books and I've heard many many of the "big names" in reading speak - her book is one that had me wanting to run up and down the hall telling people they need to read it. (I actually did get more than one colleague to read it.)
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TankTop
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Post by TankTop on Aug 3, 2016 2:11:20 GMT
I am taking back my teaching. I've spent the last two years doing everything by the book, as I was told to do, and it didn't work. I was miserable and I didn't see the joy in my kids that I usually do. So I'll still do what's required but we are doing arts integration. CrossFit Kids. Flexible seating. Growth Mindset. And we will read what's good and lovely so much more than just what the blueprints tell us to. I have all the pieces. And a portable where no one comes to visit because we are in the back 40. Ha!!! #rebel My classroom is in what I call my "hidey hole." I am off the beaten path. I did the same thing with my teaching last year. When I got caught I made sure to have data to prove my methods were working. Actually, I had the highest data in our school corp for 4th grade on state testing. Hopefully that bought me a few more blind eyes. Lol!
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TankTop
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Post by TankTop on Aug 3, 2016 2:14:12 GMT
I also wanted to share how our school got a ton of new books a few years back.
Our beloved former school nurse passed away from cancer. She was an avid reader. Instead of flowers they requested people purchase books for our school library. We had books rolling in. It was amazing. We added a personalized stamp to the inside cover of all of her books. Now I get to tell kids about her whenever I see the stamp.
I have already told my husband I want the same thing done when I pass.
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AgnesDeux
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Post by AgnesDeux on Aug 3, 2016 2:15:12 GMT
I am an elementary media specialis who loves change. I have changed something every year. This year, we have new furniture and I am adding a maker space. My goal is to learn the new things before the kids all do, to read more of their books and to just have fun. I get bogged down in the stuff and forget that this is my dream job and I get to have it every day!
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Post by theboydbunch on Aug 3, 2016 2:15:56 GMT
Bless! I'm glad we are 1:1, because I think it's good, but damn it's a lot of work!!! I totally agree! I am a school-based Professional Development teacher (year 25/30 here!) and it sure is! We're going into our 2nd year with 1:1 and it's exhausting ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/MNrJDkDuSwqIMVw33MdD.jpg) The kiddos are helping me teach the teachers ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/MNrJDkDuSwqIMVw33MdD.jpg)
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Post by SockMonkey on Aug 3, 2016 2:17:08 GMT
Bless! I'm glad we are 1:1, because I think it's good, but damn it's a lot of work!!! I totally agree! I am a school-based Professional Development teacher (year 25/30 here!) and it sure is! We're going into our 2nd year with 1:1 and it's exhausting ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/MNrJDkDuSwqIMVw33MdD.jpg) The kiddos are helping me teach the teachers ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/MNrJDkDuSwqIMVw33MdD.jpg) Oh, someone who gets my PD world! Hey, go check out my Breakout EDU post! You might be interested. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/MNrJDkDuSwqIMVw33MdD.jpg)
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Post by theboydbunch on Aug 3, 2016 2:19:43 GMT
I am an elementary media specialis who loves change. I have changed something every year. This year, we have new furniture and I am adding a maker space. My goal is to learn the new things before the kids all do, to read more of their books and to just have fun. I get bogged down in the stuff and forget that this is my dream job and I get to have it every day! Hurrah for Maker Space!! This is one of my goals, also! I'm hoping to bring PD about Maker Space into my school and help teachers establish an area where students can come as a Maker Space lab. I'm still learning about this myself, but have seen great examples.
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Post by dualmaestra on Aug 3, 2016 3:49:29 GMT
My #1 goal is to spend less weekends up at school prepping. I went just about every Sunday afternoon. It was a beating!!! We do not have access to our school on the weekend. It is a good thing, otherwise there would be many of us there working.
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Post by dualmaestra on Aug 3, 2016 3:56:22 GMT
I am at a conference this week. Have jury next week and then back to school to set up my classroom. I officially start the 23rd.
My goal this year is to stay ahead of my planning and grading.
Question: I teach 1st grade. Would you still recommend the Book Whisperer? I read the description and it says she is a 6th grade teacher.
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Post by circusjohnson on Aug 3, 2016 4:19:16 GMT
I am an elementary media specialis who loves change. I have changed something every year. This year, we have new furniture and I am adding a maker space. My goal is to learn the new things before the kids all do, to read more of their books and to just have fun. I get bogged down in the stuff and forget that this is my dream job and I get to have it every day! what do you have for your makerspace? I am so excited for ours. We have strawbees, little bits, lots of legos, origami paper and other craft supplies, knex simple machines. I'm also collecting old electronics for the kids to tinker with and take apart. I'm excited but still nervous about it how it all will work. I'm also making a robot whose body is a book shelf where i'm going to put new books.
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tuesdaysgone
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Aug 3, 2016 10:22:20 GMT
It's fun to read these ideas and see our hopes and goals. Although we are in different areas, I see trends that are cropping up in my school as well (different seating options, 1:1 roll out and so forth)
I have two overall goals: 1) I hope to maintain my enthusiasm all year. Right now I'm all hyped up with new ideas, but all too often I lose my steam over the winter and enter survival mode. 2) I got a green screen in my news studio last winter and had a ton of fun learning to use it for our morning news broadcast. This year I want to get the students/teachers more involved and encourage the use of the green screen for class projects. I really enjoy learning and implementing new technology.
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Post by meridon on Aug 3, 2016 15:56:44 GMT
My goal is to hold a mock election and voter registration drive and get as many of our seniors registered as I can so they can vote in November. Many still won't be 18, but I'd like to get every student who will be eligible registered and have them vote! ( I teach AP Gov). I'd also like to do a lot more with my Canvas course and have my class be as close to paperless as possible. Teaching seniors, I really try to get them ready for college and just about everything is turned in online these days.
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SabrinaP
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Post by SabrinaP on Aug 3, 2016 16:17:23 GMT
I also wanted to share how our school got a ton of new books a few years back. Our beloved former school nurse passed away from cancer. She was an avid reader. Instead of flowers they requested people purchase books for our school library. We had books rolling in. It was amazing. We added a personalized stamp to the inside cover of all of her books. Now I get to tell kids about her whenever I see the stamp. I have already told my husband I want the same thing done when I pass. That's an amazing legacy! Love it!
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Aug 3, 2016 16:18:28 GMT
My goal is to hold a mock election and voter registration drive and get as many of our seniors registered as I can so they can vote in November. Many still won't be 18, but I'd like to get every student who will be eligible registered and have them vote! ( I teach AP Gov). I'd also like to do a lot more with my Canvas course and have my class be as close to paperless as possible. Teaching seniors, I really try to get them ready for college and just about everything is turned in online these days. I love Canvas! I jumped in with both feet last year and hope to do even more this year! I would also like to be pretty paperless. I teach math, so a little harder, but that's the goal.
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Country Ham
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Jun 25, 2014 19:32:08 GMT
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Post by Country Ham on Aug 3, 2016 16:32:54 GMT
Tank have you read the Book Whisperer By Donalyn Miller. It is filled with awesome ides about getting kids to love reading. Do you not have a school library? I am reading it now. We do have a school library, but we are a very poor school with little funding. Our school library is lacking. My personal library is really at a low point right now as well. I gave a lot of my books to my students so they had something to read over the summer. None of my students could afford scholastic books last year, so I did not have points to buy books. I have bought some new things this summer, but really need more. So is ours. I post a lot about the nonexistence of what so many take for granted. An Ipad for every student? Those are expensive things. Our school has 10 laptops that sit on a rolling cart and shared by everyone. Each classroom has a couple of old PCs in them mainly used for AR and the students take turn. Instruments? Sewing? Crossfit? in school? That just blows my mind that for some this is the norm. We do have a music teacher. Shared between 3 county schools and she is a highschool math teacher. That means kids in grades 1 to 5 get 45 mins of music every 2 weeks. 6-8 get none. Then the highschool gets some form of music. I hope you find a way to motivate the kids to read. I have 2 good readers. Save
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Post by SockMonkey on Aug 3, 2016 16:34:00 GMT
Tank have you read the Book Whisperer By Donalyn Miller. It is filled with awesome ides about getting kids to love reading. Do you not have a school library? I am reading it now. We do have a school library, but we are a very poor school with little funding. Our school library is lacking. My personal library is really at a low point right now as well. I gave a lot of my books to my students so they had something to read over the summer. None of my students could afford scholastic books last year, so I did not have points to buy books. I have bought some new things this summer, but really need more. I think it's wonderful to partner with your public library. I think they'll love it! You're teaching the kids how to be public library patrons. It's beautiful! ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) I wish your school library had more to offer. SaveSave
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Post by SockMonkey on Aug 3, 2016 16:36:01 GMT
I am an elementary media specialis who loves change. I have changed something every year. This year, we have new furniture and I am adding a maker space. My goal is to learn the new things before the kids all do, to read more of their books and to just have fun. I get bogged down in the stuff and forget that this is my dream job and I get to have it every day! what do you have for your makerspace? I am so excited for ours. We have strawbees, little bits, lots of legos, origami paper and other craft supplies, knex simple machines. I'm also collecting old electronics for the kids to tinker with and take apart. I'm excited but still nervous about it how it all will work. I'm also making a robot whose body is a book shelf where i'm going to put new books. We have some arduino stuff, Little Bits, legos, jewelry making supplies and some Sphero Sparks the kids can play with. And a Makerbot 3-D printer. I love the robot idea! Would love to see photos! SaveSave
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AgnesDeux
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Post by AgnesDeux on Aug 3, 2016 21:50:28 GMT
I am an elementary media specialis who loves change. I have changed something every year. This year, we have new furniture and I am adding a maker space. My goal is to learn the new things before the kids all do, to read more of their books and to just have fun. I get bogged down in the stuff and forget that this is my dream job and I get to have it every day! what do you have for your makerspace? I am so excited for ours. We have strawbees, little bits, lots of legos, origami paper and other craft supplies, knex simple machines. I'm also collecting old electronics for the kids to tinker with and take apart. I'm excited but still nervous about it how it all will work. I'm also making a robot whose body is a book shelf where i'm going to put new books. Tell me more about this robot bookshelf! I just saw strawbees for the first time the other day and have some old electronics too. I have raspberry pi, some offline coding stuff, makey makey, bee bots and origami. I weeded a lot last year and used my old books as origami paper. Excited, looking forward to it and scared it will flop.
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