3 Day Weekend! Wahoo!

Well, I should be excited for a 3 day weekend, but I am reminded that I won't have another for several months.  And I think I would rather have a 3 day weekend stuck somewhere amid the next several months, instead of immediately at the start of school.  I am at least thankful for the extra day :)

This week wasn't exactly my greatest week.  First, I caught the little germs that run crazy when so many kids show up in one place.  My husband said if I wasn't a 'child recluse' during the summer, I would never get sick.  Whatever.  By Thursday, I know I had glittering eyes and a less than fantastic day of teaching.  The area rug looked comforting, if you know what I mean. 

Yet, we did get some learning in this week!  My students were super-amped when we rolled out the iPads.  A few minor glitches--and only one student hasn't been able to enroll hers, but I am sure it will be taken care of soon.  A few things we did with the iPads.  First, a 'get to know your iPad' tour.  Students practiced and poked buttons.  We did several basic walk-thrus of email and notes. 

Then, I sent the students an 'iPad Obstacle'.  An email was sent to each student with directions on what to do.  It was a boys vs. girls event.  Instructions were listed, along with reminders on how to send and forward emails.  There were hints, too.  I instructed (via email) for the teams to go to PHOTO BOOTH.  They had to each take a picture of their group using a different photo mode (xray, thermal, swirly, etc.)  All modes had to be used by the team.  Then, each student had to send me his/her picture.  After doing that, each student had to forward his/her picture to a member of the opposite team.  Once each team member had completed all tasks, they had to shout 'Done!' and they were the winners.  It was a learning experience, as the students would ask me questions on what/how to do such-and-such.  My reply would be (and extremely hard for me), "It's in the email."  Ultimately, some students were much more quick to pick up the skills required and would teach the others, or several would scroll through the email and read to the others the tasks (and they in turn would follow the directions being read).  It was a team effort and it was a teaching tool for working together, following directions, and comprehending text. 

The next day during our writing workshop, I asked students to write down three animals they found interesting.  Then students used their iPads to find three facts about each animal.  They were then instructed to find another student who had the same animal.  They were to compare facts with that student.  Those that had chosen more interesting creatures (lizards, butterflies, etc.) were to share with another student their facts, and vice versa.  The conversation I heard often contained, "Which site did you find that on?" The facts they listed will be used as a resource in another writing lesson.

When students entered the classroom on Friday morning (I felt a smidge better), the SmartBoard had a message to follow morning routines, get their iPads out and open their email.  We generally do math journal work first thing in the morning and I either have it on a slip of paper for each student, or their work is on the board.  What I had done was deliver their morning work via email.  I didn't see eyeballs for a good 15 minutes, as the students were SO focused on their work!  I couldn't believe how 'into it' they were.  As of this point, I am uncertain if I will do this every day, or use it a couple of times throughout the week.  I certainly want it to be just as interesting as that first time!  (In case you are wondering, students completed the work in their math journals and turned them in so that I could look over them.)  In the future, there may be days I have them complete the work in their 'notes' and send it via email.  In any case, it was definitely a great way to incorporate technology that morning. 

Yesterday, I embarked on professional reading, with a little search on finer points of teaching for deeper understanding.  I love blogs, I love TeachersPayTeachers, I love Pinterest, and I love the INTERNET!  What did we ever do without them?

This week I am crossing fingers and hoping all my testing will be completed.  The students are anxious to start 'Grand Conversations' (similar to Lit circles) and I am, too! Here's a link that explains Grand Conversations, if you are interested.  Scholastic-Grand Conversations

In closing, I hope your week is filled with joy and a glimpse of normalcy.  And if you like reading my blog (even a teeny tiny bit), be sure to add me.  Comments are always welcome!