Books in Sixth

How cool is it to uncover clues and solve puzzles that would lead you to hidden books throughout your city?   After reading this book, I’m wondering why we don’t have a game like this, because I would be the first to join. Book Scavenger is an online game where players hide books in different cities in different places throughout the US.  The book scavenger must complete puzzles/ciphers to reveal clues to find the books.  I was immediately drawn to this Pokémon Go for Book Nerds and thought how cool it would be to actually play and participate in this game.  Of course, there are a bunch of other rules and such, but I’ll leave that for you, the reader to discover. This is not a book I usually pick up when I’m browsing through the library or bookstore, but what a pleasant surprise. The whole premise of this story was just…. well…..AWESOME! The Creator of Book Scavenger, Garrison Griswold, has been seriously injured and at a time that he was to release ...

My big question is... WHERE has this book been hiding all these years?!  What a GEM!  The futuristic world in this book is so unique and different from anything I have ever read, yet made so familiar through masterfully crafted, vivid descriptions.  In other words, this author can WRITE!! My mind is swimming with pod-fighters, Ghengis borgs, The Golden Turrets, Fit Mix, plastic flowers, Awen the Dog?, The Shadows, Mutants, and giant Hawks. What a wild ride!  Mika lives in futuristic London behind a concrete wall designed to protect this overcrowded population from rabid animals; apparently animals carry a deadly Plague.  Mika has a twin sister who disappeared, presumed dead to most, but not to him.  A mysterious organization infiltrates Mika's school and begins recruiting kids for virtual reality pod-fighting games offering huge rewards to the winners.  Maybe this is Mika's opportunity to finally find his sister or at least uncover the truth of wha...

As in the all things education, the tides are constantly shifting and changing.  So my blog is taking a new direction; one that will uncover my passion and hopefully ignite yours... to read! So what does this have to do with Michael Vey? This is THE book that has inspired this new direction my blog is taking.  I absolutely loved this book, it's summertime, school's out, and I have no one to tell.  I have recommended this book so many times simply because other students devour it and tear through the series.  I finally see why! Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 is about a young man who has superhuman powers, as in electric powers.  Of course he hides it so no one will know; in fear of hurting another or what might happen if he is found out.  But one day, he meets another... kind of like him.  And then the world around him starts falling apart.  There are people after him, for his powers of course, and they will do anything, even harming ...

Last school year, I delved deep into personalized learning with self-paced Canvas sets and standard driven maps for students.  It was a glorious time in my creative, educational pedagogy, because I found great success with intentional, meaningful, and engaging units of study. Then came ARC. The trainings I received this summer were all about the personalized component of ARC; getting kids to read on their level, making personalized goals for each student, a valid assessment that could actually tell me something about my students' reading levels.  All of which sounded reasonable and needed, and I was behind this.  We received little information about the specific content of the day by day elements and did not see any manual/lesson plans until less than a week before school started. And I am here to tell you; the "Dark Side"....... is pretty dark. The structure of each lesson follows strict direct instruction with modeling from a grade level...

It's been an interesting journey upon first hearing about ARC at the beginning of this calendar year.  Teachers throughout the county were in a twist over this new reading program that we had never heard of but were required to implement the following school year.  What was it?  Where did it come from?  Who made the decision?  Why were we being forced to accept it?    This was our county's most infamous secret.  ARC ended up being raked over the coals and harshly criticized by administrators, teachers, and community members.  And I was one of those! But I have learned a most valuable life lesson from this experience and I hope our county leaders have as well.  The problem is not the program.  After attending a few GOOD, really informational sessions about what ARC is all about, I have to say, it's actually really incredible.  I could see the vision of how this would work in my classroom, more specifically, how this progr...

Lots has happened since January... WOW.....LOTS!  But let's talk the next step in this journey.  I am now writing this blog entry on our new GCS device - the Lenovo Yoga 11e and I have got to say.. I love this thing!  The quality and durability is incredible.  With its mini notebook design, no need to worry about plugging in a keyboard.  Want a tablet, just flip the screen around for tablet mode.  I can now access all my documents pre and post OneDrive.  And all I have to say about it is.... It just makes since. Our county is swarming with training this summer.  One in particular I attended was the Microsoft Innovative Educators Training.  Lead by Microsoft Trainers, each session was full of incredible ideas and resources on how to implement Microsoft tools into the classroom.  One of the best PD opportunities I have been to!  Get involved and connected to Microsoft Education at the link below. https://education...

In this new year, it is time to close the door on an inspiring journey with Amplify and begin a new chapter on our Personalized Learning journey.  And in the process... I have decided to redefine my blog to open the door of conversation to, not only just tablet talk, but also the world that is the life of a teacher. But first....What went wrong?  To make this short and sweet....It was just too much, too soon.  With the amount of issues that shrouded us through the first year with the tablets, it seemed impossible to capture the same excitement, motivation, and zeal when redistributing the new tablets.  As a teacher, we were hammered with way too many changes and not enough direction; in other words, we were building the plane while flying it and metaphorically, you know what that ultimately leads to.  The worst of the debris was the awesome company tech. support people we lost in the process.  Incredibly talented, innovative people who became not only col...

I woke up this morning with the Post - PLC2015 blues.  Have you ever felt that way about a 3-day conference?  I seriously doubt it.  These past three days have been the most purposeful, the most useful, and the most meaningful use of my time as an educator.  And I woke up this morning missing the people, missing the excitement, and missing the joy of discovery surrounding this event. So what made this conference so different? #1 - Energy When you fill a place with leaders who truly believe in what they are doing, you begin to infect all with the same beliefs and excitement; energy spreads.  I will credit this to the awesome PLEFS and their leaders.  The minute I walked in the door, I saw their smiles, their energy, their excitement, and this continued throughout the opening sessions, during and between our breakout sessions, and through to the closing sessions.  They created this environment that motivated and energized the masses.  Great Jo...

While visiting my first Edcamp in Charlotte, NC this past February, I realized there were a lot more school districts out there with 1:1 initiatives.  In fact, the Edcamp itself was held in a Personalized Learning Model School.  The physical space was amazing and every classroom had working group spaces for students using all variety of materials from tables and chairs to bean bags and stools.  I never figured out what tablet/device their students use, but I knew immediately what they didn't have; The Amplify Tablet. While there, I created a new word called "APPHAUSTED".  This is how I felt as local and visiting educators rattled off app after app after app after app after, throw in a web-based tool, app after app......that they use in their classroom, some for the simplest of things.  I remember thinking over and over again.....Well, I wont write that one down, because our tablets already do that.  Well, I wont write that one down, because our tablets al...

So here are a few ways we are doing it.  How are you? Reading Fluency:  I use AIMS Web data (student lexile levels) to pair students into leveled partners.  Then I select coordinating grade level selections for students to practice reading fluency 4 days a week.  Right now I have about 4 different grade level texts going on in my room at once.  Students read for one minute with partners, taking turns practicing their awesome fluency skills. I teach the students how to listen to each other, track for their partner, and graph their WPM.  The students read the same selection 4 days in a row, then after reading on the 4th day, they write a summary.  After 4 times, they know what it is about, and those difficult words on day 1 are no longer difficult. We make goals based on their data and work towards those goals until the next assessment.  I have found a lot of success with this and it provides for some great individualized data for each student. ...

I must apologize for neglecting my blog now for so long, but this year has been one of change, challenge, and struggle for us at NWMS; so many professional and personal struggles have overwhelmed our staff this year.  We continue to hold on and stay strong.  That's the good news! Here is what's up with the tablets.  We are now about 4 months into tablet deployment and I have to say, it has been seamless.  The tablets are working great!  Gone are the days........ right, you remember those.  Connectivity is a dream as we no longer have to worry about the dreaded grey fans.  The only time we lose it is when the whole system goes down for all computers, but that is super rare.The quality of the device itself is just awesome;  strong glass, innovative protective cases, high quality chargers, keyboards,etc.  No issues there. It has been extremely beneficial that the concept behind the "personalized learning"  initiative has been rede...

Tablet roll out is right around the corner.  So where is all the excitement?? This time around things are different and I can't quite put into words the sense of cautious anticipation we are all feeling. When the tablets left us last year, I will have to say, there was a great sense of relief from students and teachers; relieved to be released of the pressure to use something that was often unreliable and for an initiative that was misunderstood.  We went on "doing school" as we always had and the year ended just like every other year. But, through the rest of last school year, as I sat on the PACE teacher advisory committee, I had the privilege to see the careful planning and preparation month after month; the many hours spent turning this bus around; the collaboration with Amplify and how they listened to the teachers and modified their programming to incorporate teacher feedback and improve classroom functionality; the ingenuity of our PACE leaders in creating a...

So I'm sure you have heard the tablets are coming back.   We all knew this was in the works and an agreement has been made. So what's gonna be different this time around. The Device Itself:  Check out the link below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0VhDJ4QdSo&feature=c4-overview&list=UUENu7hY4RTjh_fIayi3zJnw Connectivity: Our mobiles have been rewired and a WAP has been installed in each mobile.  Plus, the problems downtown with our "Internet Traffic" have been resolved. Teacher Involvement:  This and the next four are part of a redesign to include stakeholders that will help "shepherd the process" of tablet role out.  PACE Task Teams have been formed and include staff and teacher representatives from a number of schools.  These teams have begun meeting to define and prioritize the issues and take action steps to resolve them.  I serve on the PACE Teacher Project Team and at our first meeting we brainstormed and recorded all the issu...

Robin Britt has been BUSY!!!!  Check out this great video he put together on the way I approach personalized learning through flexing the environment. This model has evolved in my EC Inclusion class through the years and was inspired by Guided Reading Group experience I had teaching at the elementary level.  When I moved into the middle school, I was unsure how to structure my Language Arts Classes. I quickly learned that whole group was not the answer and I needed to do something else to meet the individual needs of my students. Hence, the Instructional Support Group. Check it out! (Click play or click the link below.)   http://youtu.be/XJDxM2KFv-g Disclaimer:  When I first watched this, I was like "Who is that person on the screen?"... so serious....and professional.....But then I thought....You know what?...... I am passionate about this model........ and it not only produces academic gains, but it also helps me really get to know my students....that...

It's a New Year and with that comes a time to renew, refocus, and regroup.  Although I am over a month late..... So the tablets are on their way back; as it looks now, next school year.  We have received numerous requests from the county to fill out questionnaires and reflections about the PACE initiative, giving teacher's a voice and opinion.  Our in house Technology guy has also sent out his own call for feedback and opened discussions about how it will look and run in our school; what worked and what didn't.  And tomorrow I attend the first county PACE meeting as the teacher representative from my school. (I should get all the updates on the initiative there.)  Post soon to follow. Meanwhile, the wifi fairies have been diligently been rewiring and placing WAPS in every mobile.  Yay! I just completed a really cool video; actually Robin Britt (AKA:  TECH. GUY) just completed a really cool video about "Personalizing by flexing the environment". ...

Today it has been one month since I have posted a blog entry;  the tablets are but a memory, the news stories have died down, and I have run my cycle of emotions with this whole situation.  I will have to admit.  I have been living in the land of disappointment and uncertainty; watching the news articles come out day after day with their pointy finger subtleties and their patronizing whispers of blame.  It's enough to crush your inspiration and creativity to death. I have been back and forth on what to do with my blog now; abandon it, change the title and focus, or continue to write it with the same focus of personalized learning minus the tablets.  There is the sure fact that the tablets are coming back so in the meantime it is imperative that I continue to explore personalized learning for my students, with or without 1:1 technology.  Last year we toyed with the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) concept with our students.  My team designed a contract ...

Last week was one crazy week! We took our annual overnight camping trip to the Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H center where students focused on leadership and teamwork skills.  This was a time to disconnect; no cell phones, tablets, laptops, or computers.  Just nature and its beauty, some mosquitoes and spiders,a beaver pond and fall leaves, campfire songs and great weather.  And let us not forget the horrible skunk smell in my cabin, which I kind of got used to by the second day; No, not really! It was a wonderful experience for our students and a great way to stay connected to the natural world. And we were back to school on Friday when the email came. We received the email Friday morning around 8:30.  The email stated that due to quality issues, the tablets, covers, and chargers were to be collected from the students throughout the county until further notice. I knew there had been problems with the tablet glass breaking easily; even 2 of our own teachers expe...

What middle school student doesn't like to talk??...Even the ones you think are quiet. The absolute best way for them to learn how to use their tablet, involves just some honest to goodness "play".  There must be time to explore and this helps students become independent learners in the process.  So which feature did they zero in on first..... the class discussion feature that allows the students to talk to one another, as well as with the classroom teacher. If you are a middle school teacher and you are in tune with your students, you would already have a feeling about how this would go down.  First of all, they love to talk. Second of all, they have no idea what to say to one another.  We just kind of sat back to see what they would do with this feature. And I have to say; not surprised, somewhat impressed, and highly amused. Conversations went a little like this..... hey..... hello......wuz up......hey..........hi.........hiya.....what's for homework......ba...

Instruction and Practice: On day 2, I pushed out some vocabulary practice on the tablet.  This was so exciting, because I was able to scan the pages of their vocabulary book, which they cannot take home, and create a playlist where they can keep these vocabulary pages as practice and reference.  So here is me, doing the typical teacher thing, where I start the activity by having them open the document and everyone at the same time begins completing the exercises.  Problem #1:  Some students were moving very quickly through this process and some were moving very slowly through this process.  Problem #2:  I wasted some valuable instructional time waiting for all to finish so we could check their answers.  Problem #3:  We did not have time to go over it before class ended, and now everyone is in a different spot. Reflection: So here was my paradigm shift: I have come to the realization that releasing control will be the obstacle for me and well a...

How many times am I going to hear this??? "The kids will break them, lose them, and they will get stolen." "In 2 years the tablets will be irrelevant and useless." "The tablets will not solve our educational problems." By the way, educational problems will never be solved.  (That should be in that quote with death and taxes.) Is is not just human nature to resist change?  Absolutely!  But, hey, is all this negativity really necessary?   History speaks amazing success of many innovations and ideas that were doubted and predicted to fail. What I see is a general lack of knowledge, written by a whole bunch of people that went to school, but yet, have never spent one day teaching school.  FYI:  It's real different now. I would like to hear from an actual student;   talking about how the tablets are not going to help them, or how the tablets are useless, or how the tablets will be irrelevant in their education in 2 years, then, I think I would...