3/29 Coordinator Meeting, Clark, Edgar Road

Started the day at the Coordinator Meeting at Central Office

After went over to Clark to meet with a few people

• met with Principal
• Met with 1st grade teacher
• Stopped by 2nd grade

Then went over the Edgar Road:

• Finalized SS Vertical Team notes
• Changed Science Vertical Team meeting
• Finalized Evaluation for year: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/document/d/1Vxk1RLNX2AuB1Klk0cnPtS-Obe9M2J0uHCoUq2yOUPo/edit
• Sent emails for meetings next week

3/28 Hudson Arcade, Edgar Road

Started the day over at Hixson.  We loaded up projects in the Box truck, loaded students in the buses and took 8th graders from Hixson to Hudson.

The projects they took over were arcade projects.

The students were inspired by the video Caine's arcade:



Caine's Arcade from Nirvan Mullick on Vimeo.


The project highlighted their learning in Electricity but more importantly they were able to demonstrate how fun learning can be in Science.

Here are some images and videos from the day!

What the photos/videos don't capture:

• Older kids caring for younger kids
• kids advertising their game
• pride in their work
• older kids helping younger students
• desire for the older kids to want their game to be the coolest
• When a project breaks the frantic nature for which the older kids were trying to fix it so it worked like it was suppose to.

Afterwords went back to Hixson to clean up.  I then went back to Edgar Road.

I worked on a presentation on Next Generation Assessments: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PX5O-R6pLAYfZMv6xgRLV2zq-3P7YSALjxd3lselcfU/edit#slide=id.p

I finalized notes from the Vertical Team meeting: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/document/d/1mdOSL8xxQ1hel5nmjcQKRW59YNg65DOs92kUP401L_A/edit#heading=h.gy2cnbuh97ew

3/27 Steger/Computer School, Avery, SS Vertical Team

Started the day at Steger Elementary

Started the day swinging pendulums in Kindergarten:

I then helped students with their East Asia Projects in World Studies:

I watched and helped students research South Africa:

Hung out with some 5th graders as they were working on their Science and Social studies through literacy.  This one team learned about stars so I showed them a cool app call Sky Map:

Also shared the TOP iOs apps for Astronomy: http://www.iphoneness.com/iphone-apps/top-astronomy-applications-for-iphone/

I then had lunch with the Computer school where we discussed tech tips, google resources and ways to use collaboration in the classroom.

I then went up to have lunch with some of the Steger teachers.

Finally I wrapped up the day in a 6th grade science class.  We looked at:

• Ways to organize student work
• ways to organize student assessments
• Ways to organize student notebooks
• Conversations to be had with parents about grades and Standards-based grading

Afterwords, went over to Avery to drop off transition materials for a teacher moving from Kindergarten to 3rd grade. Items included:
This form:

and

• List of facilitators for Science and Social studies
• Science GLEs
• Social Studies GLEs
• January Draft of the NGSS for 3rd grade
• How to read the NGSS

I then went over the the Board room to set up for the Vertical Team Meeting for Social Studies.

We completed a sheet like this for every grade level:

Notes from that meeting found here: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/document/d/1mdOSL8xxQ1hel5nmjcQKRW59YNg65DOs92kUP401L_A/edit

3/26 Edgar Road

Attended Faculty meeting at Edgar Road

Confirmed buses for Arcade

Prepped for meeting with 2nd grade teachers

• Pebbles, Sand, Silt: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/document/d/172oHmt8ut9B0QAJw0rrVOfBe3qbSgfmj5WqvBku2n84/edit
• Sound Unit: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/document/d/1cExN1dvVX2TOYxIDq9VXh49drlmQMieCJcVvFWZ2l54/edit

Met with 2nd grade teachers

Prepped for vertical team

• Made posters
• Made copies
• Finalized GLEs

finalized budgets for science and social studies

answered tons of emails

Assisted 3rd grade teacher so their students can skype with another student in Belgium

Focus question for Skype: How does where I live affect how I live...

Call Krissy V re: non profit

3/14 Bristol, Edgar Road, Tour of the district, Central Office

Happy Pi Day!

Started the day at Bristol Elementary for their BIO breakfast

Students did an amazing job!  Students researched a famous historical figure.  They dressed up as them and presented their famous historical figure to their class mates and parents.  So proud of our teachers and their work with this.

Here's an example of student work:

I met with a 4th grade teacher to prepare future iPad trainings for the staff.

I went over to Edgar Road to:

• Answer emails
• Finalize emails to Hudson and Edgar Road
• Sent emails

Toured the district checking out Science kits: (forgot to take a picture at Bristol and Computer School)

Went over to Central Office to plan Social Studies Vertical Team meeting and to turn in my contract.

3/13 Office Day

Hixson dropped off UbD book, walked around and said happy break to those I might not see

Finalized Hixson Arcade arrangements

• Confirmed dates
• reserved buses
• sent emails
• Got word I'll have to reschedule
• Rescheduled for April 5th

Watched this video:

Reviewed a Gifted Ed Grant

Met and had lunch with Kirkwood Social Studies curriculum coordinator

Testing SKYPE with teacher in building to see if it works for skyping student in Belgium.

Named number 22 in Edtech: http://bestcollegerankings.org/elearning-edtech/
The vatican puffed white smoke in my honor.

I created this form for people to sign up for Summer Science work: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDNGYkZEcUVtRml6b2drYUIwMkFyYkE6MQ#gid=0

Wrote this blog post: http://coachinandout.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-importance-of-blogging.html

Made sign up sheets for Avery and Hudson: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/document/d/1OU5yuZLn46C1pUHgOBjM_KANJRvfsFvSXPOigYGVMiw/edit#

Downloaded course description and CLEs for Vertical team

Pulled out CLEs for each course (took FOREVER)

3/12 Office day, lots of planning

Met with Fine Arts Coordinator to transfer images from ipad to PC.  Tried:
email, simple transfer, box and dropbox.  Email worked best.

Scheduled Computer school/Steger day on 3/27: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/document/d/1W4Eq0GpMLoqrJ4WIxnqs-qn_XpduvyfmIKgwFvdn62U/edit

Wrote document for Arcade day at the elementary school:
https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/document/d/1OU5yuZLn46C1pUHgOBjM_KANJRvfsFvSXPOigYGVMiw/edit

Met with District Tech Director

Searched for 5th grade materials for replenishment of Bristol Social Studies Kit

Tweeted out some resources for using and finding primary source documents in social studies:


Was published in Daily Edventures: http://dailyedventures.com/index.php/2013/03/12/mcgee/

Sent proposals to PDC regarding possible future presentations:

• 1.  Monthly SMACKDOWN (or appy hour) - Learn, share, listen, connect with WG and surrounding BEST edtech integrators 4-5pm once a month.  Resources shared documented.
• 2.  Standards to assessments - Retooling assessments to reach targets and higher order thinking skills (3-4 day workshop)
• 3.  The Power of evidence.  CSI themed look at student assessment and non-traditional ways to formatively assess student learning (quarterly after school)
• 4. Google tools in the classroom - Monthly after school meetings with built in tasks and assignments for educators to fully integrate WGCLOUD into their workflow.
• 5.  The Gift of the Orator. Skills tips and tricks to giveaway successful (in class or out) presentation every time. (in collaboration with Jason Heisserer, he doesn't know this) provide resources for teachers to improve and make interesting their direct instruction.  (quarterly after school)
• 6.  The flipped classroom:  Using digital tools to rethink classroom procedures. (4 day workshop) to include complete integration
• 7.  The 21st century textbook:  A look into the new role textbooks play in student learning.  (3 day workshop) include adobe indesign and google tools to curate resources to create students own digital text.
• 8.  Finding new levels of student acheivement through standards-based grading (4 day workshop)  Learning about standards based grading, getting sample work from students and walking through how to grade using SBG model.  Invovles workdays to collect evidence, converse LG and PfS 

Crafted email for Vertical Team meeting:

You are invited to a Vertical Team meeting of educators committed to the improvement of Science and Social Studies education in the Webster Groves School District.

Who:

All interested parties that teach or support learning from preschool to graduation.  A desirable “quorum” would be educators from Pre-K, Primary, Intermediate, Middle and High School, as well as coordinators, teacher assistants, coaches, administrators and others that support instruction.

When:

SOCIAL STUDIES - March 27th from 3:45 - 5:00

SCIENCE - April 3rd from 3:45 - 5:00

Where:

Central Office Board Room

Why:

• To have a team of people charged with the desire to define what it looks like for students to learn Science and Social Studies through both content and process.
• To vision what the future of education will be for statesmen and stateswomen.
• To continue to align the learning of concepts, skills, and outcomes preschool through graduation.
• To continue to define our expectations at each grade level PreK-12.
• To develop mentorship model across specialities.
• To build community.
• To build a cohesive team of educators.
• To increase communication and eliminate isolation.

What:

SOCIAL STUDIES topic for conversation:

From GLEs (Grade Level Expectations) to CLEs (Course Level Expectations): 

Focussing on the "WHAT" in "What" we teach

SCIENCE topic for conversation: 

Investigate the new NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)

 How to read them, where to find them, what do they mean for us in Missouri...

Interested:

Please RSVP here: http://wgsdsciss.blogspot.com/2012/11/register-for-vertical-team.html

Read/Proofed Gifted Grant application for WGSD Foundation

3/11 Office day

• Worked on Kindergarten Weather and Climate unit from the draft of the Next generation science standards
• Sent that on for review
• Sent emails
• Pulled out GLEs for Social studies K-8
• Confirmed Arcade day for one school
• Sent email to coordinators about connection to arcade
• Cleared out my notes app
• Called school about collaborating on garden project
• Read Early Years and Enrollment subcommittee data
• Participated in #flipclass
• Attended Board meeting

3/8 Coordinator meeting, Edgar Road

Started the day at the coordinator meeting.  We played with BIG RED balls.  Well, not really.

We learned about Kevin Carroll.

We watched his video:

We read and discussed the book: The Red Rubber Ball at Work

I then went back over to Edgar Road to check in at the office and get some work done!

• Finalized Techbook purchase for 4th grade
• Organized Meet-up for Icarus Session
• Started Google Plus Event for Icarus Session
• Added tasks to the to do list for next week
• Revised 3rd grade Government Assessment
• Revised and gave feedback on 2nd grade learning goals
• Created 2nd grade GLE document for science and social studies
• Went through a huge pile of paperwork

• Budget updates:
• Science:  $2,777.16
• Social Studies: $6,465.17
• Ordered Graphic Novels for 8th grade social studies
• Went through Avery's materials list
• Made the final material request form here: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHpZS3o2LUJqZHRkclZwams4dnBpTnc6MQ#gid=0
•  Met with 3rd grade to discuss forces and magnetism resources
• Spoke with Garden Director at Clay Elementary about cooperative gardening program with Avery Elementary

3/7 Central Office

Started the day at Central office for a Gradebook meeting.  This meeting actually ended up happening at Steger.

• We reviewed results of a survey
• we made actionable items for this year, next year and the future

I attended the 2nd/3rd year teacher meeting.  We discussed the direction of the meetings.

I then went over to Central office.  I finished prep for the SCI/SS facilitator meeting.  Made copies and organized folders. Here are the resources for our meeting: 

http://goo.gl/TLDrd

3/6 Hudson

Started the day at a planning meeting for a future vertical teaming workshop with Hudson teachers.

Here are the notes form our meeting: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/document/d/19DGPsBKnZ9HRBIjCvF0IPQIihGH_j6LHz7LrmZwV320/edit#heading=h.7mxn5qmhssjt

I then went into first grade where they were drawing pictures and labeling emotions for social studies time.

Discussed what to do with FAST plants that don't grow...

http://www.carolina.com/living-organisms/wisconsin-fast-plants/10647.ct

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5406331_do-fast-plants-grow-best_.html

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SJmLm4_F0Kbu8482_NtcwIB8K-FRapgIKn_bWspvPYc/edit?hl=en_US

I then became Meriwether Lewis for the 4th grade TIME TRAVELER.  Don't I look good!?!

I watched some science in 5th grade and played a Math game.

I had lunch with the principal for principal's day! YES!

I called to get numbers on a bus from First Student.  I called bob at 965.6130

Each bus is $39.53 per hour.

I think we will need four buses (2 for each team)

I am projecting 2 hours plus .5 travel = 2.5 hours 

2.5 hours x 4 buses x $39.53 = $395.30

I then watched 3rd grade rock some "FORCES"

I had some free time in Kindergarten where I almost got lice from a pair of headphones!  I then sang songs and had fun with the kiddos!

3/4 Clark, PDC

Spent the day at Clark Elementary, home of the Eagles!

Kindergarten

I watched Kindergarteners build some log cabins inspired by Abraham Lincoln.

 

Also saw kindergarten students planting seeds:

2nd grade

I saw 2nd grade making timelines and shared with teachers about some online tools for creating a timeline.

Timeline resources:

• Best resources: http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2008/08/06/the-best-tools-for-making-online-timelines/
• http://www.softschools.com/teacher_resources/timeline_maker/
• How to: http://dohistory.org/on_your_own/toolkit/timeline.html
• Cool resources: http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-make-a-timeline
• Create one on the web: http://www.timetoast.com
• Timeline resources: http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/materials/timelines/
• Interactive timeline: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/timeline/
• If you want to get fancy: http://www.tiki-toki.com
• 8 tools: http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/08/8-excellent-free-timeline-creation.html
• SS for kids: http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/timelines.htm

5th Grade

Integrating technology into the classroom

We discussed the SAMR (pronounced sam-er) model

Resources for SAMR model:

SAMR model: http://www.hippasus.com/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/rubenrp/mtype/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=1&search=SAMR+model

Examples: The SAMR Model: Background and Exemplars

Then discussed using Social networking with 5th graders.  Here is Edmodo!

• Edmodo in the classroom: http://inservice.ascd.org/technology/how-to-use-edmodo-in-the-classroom/
• Parent Edmodo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNBXYtCvcdI
• Teacher post on the first year using edmodo: http://idigedtech.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/feeling-like-an-ugly-duck-with-edmodo/
• Edmodo teacher stories: http://blog.edmodo.com/category/teacher-stories/
• Edmodo basics video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPqB8ewrYxQ

Wax Museum Prep

2nd grade was working on their Wax museum presentations

Students research, make poster or timeline, write speech, press button for timeline
 I saw posters from students on their famous people they researched.  This research was a part of the speeches they prepared for their wax museum they will be having over the next couple of days.

Teacher Meeting on How to use Youtube

Using Youtube

• Use it like a pro: http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-use-youtube-like-a-pro/
• How to use youtube video editor: http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20010127-285/how-to-use-youtubes-video-editor/
• Youtube editor http://www.youtube.com/editor
• Youtube for schools: http://www.youtube.com/schools
• Eliminate clutter: http://instructify.com/2010/06/21/shhhh-quiet-tube/
• CHOP your youtube videos: http://www.tubechop.com
• Advanced features: http://www.cnet.com.au/youtube-guide-to-advanced-features-339296349.htm
• To download youtube videos to keep for yourself use: http://keepvid.com 
• NOTE: I’m a fan of downloading the MP4 file for quality and size balance.

1st Grade

Discussed the economics Old Webster project/unit

• Discussed the terms: Good, service, consumer, producer
• How to conduct and interview
• Channel 4 connection
• In the community on the 28th to get to local businesses

Discussed how we could move the project into the 21st century and make something for an authentic audience

What are 21st Century skills?

Then discussed the ability for individual students or teams to make their own video to be displayed to an audience. Here's a tutorial:

More 2nd grade

Saw another 2nd grade class of student presentations for their "wax museum." It is so cool to "press the button" and watch the students come to life as their famous person. Here's an audio recording of one....

Science

Wrapped up the day in Science class they were working on ecosystems and habitats.

 

Afterwords Attended the PDC meeting.  Agenda included:

• Application to lead PD
• Opening Day
• Welcome to new Co-Chair
• Website Expectations
• Identification (grade level, name, class etc.)
• contact info
• Link to resources you use
• link to common resources for all students
• Homework and/or home learning
• Sharing of Google Apps for Education
• Chrome Browser
• Google Apps for Education
• Drive
• Google Plus