TeachMeetNJ GoodNotes Presentation Slides

Sneak Peak

Here's what's happening in my English classroom this week:

More pictures to be posted later as the transformation continues.

PBL: an Example from Fiction

My daughter and I read a book together this summer as part of her summer reading requirements. Dancing on the Inside is the story of a twelve year old girl who is afraid to start her first class, but feels a passion for dance inside her heart.

Jenny bravely sticks with the ballet class - not as a dancer, but as an observer. She watches the classes and then practices what she sees at home and with her dancer friend, Ara. Jenny discovers a love of choreography while trying to help Ara control her energetic dance style.

This is where light bulbs started going off in my head. Here we have Jenny, a girl suffering from social phobia who is able to follow her passion and learn while working on a project. Jenny and Ara work together to craft a beautiful story ballet, eventually convincing their dance studio to stage the performance. Jenny throws herself wholeheartedly into the choreography, learning a lot about dance and herself in the process. She learns that the process is long and hard, but the work is rewarding.

The end product: Jenny's ballet is received with much praise by her audience, including the local media. Tie in to PBL: Jenny's project was shared with the world. It was REAL. It wasn't a practice project stuck in a binder.

I don't want to spoil more of the book - so please look it up for yourself. In fact, I would recommend this book to all new teachers and those who are interested in PBL. It's a short, quick read, but it maps out PBL in such a natural way that I found it quite inspirational. My daughter put the book down 3/4 of the way in to grab paper and pencils. Her mind was already at work with ideas of her own. Jenny inspired her to follow her passions.

Classroom Design Plans

Two years ago, my classroom was full of desks in straight rows, like this:

 I knew it wasn't what I wanted, but I had to make the best of it. So, every period I moved desks into this formation:

 Last year, I knew it was time to leave the desks behind. I wanted space for my students to spread out. I wanted to encourage collaboration. I found 7 tables on Craigslist for $50 - not too shabby. I loved having tables - it was everything I wanted, except... the tables were standard long rectangular tables and they took up a lot of classroom space.

My tables ended up in rows. It was the only way to allow space to move between the tables. It worked... but it still wasn't what I really wanted to do.

This year is special. I am inspired, encouraged, and energetic. I have high hopes. I went back to Craigslist last week to see what I could do to change up my table situation.

I found round tables! Two beautiful tables were given to me for free, I dug one up from our storage, and another three I bought on the cheap from a local restaurant that went out of business.

I got rid of a lot of classroom storage - I really don't need it as almost everything is digital. I don't have any files. 

I promise I will post pictures next week as my classroom comes together. I've already taken the before pictures... and I can't wait for the transformation. I have big plans for my classroom walls.

**All room plans were created using the Living Spaces room planner.

Padcamp 2012

I presented today at Padcamp in New Jersey. It was a packed day full of networking and collaborating. Padcamp is an unconference where the participants create the schedule. We learn best from each other. I presented on using the Nearpod app and Ignite Presentations in the classroom.

If you would like to check out some of my slides, I posted them on the Padcamp Wiki here.

Thank you to all the organizers, volunteers, and attendees. It was a productive, inspiring day.

Advice for New Teachers

1. Take Risks

So what if no one in your building has a classroom website? Be the first. Be brave and be bold. A new teacher is expected to not immediately fit into the norm, so this is a wonderful opportunity to carve your own path.

2. Take Time

Not just for spa treatments, but to connect with other educators at your school. You are not in this alone. Find a mix of teachers to surround yourself. I suggest the following:

• An older teacher who is wise to the ways of classroom management and is an expert in understanding your school's particular culture
• A younger teacher who has fresh ideas
• A crazy history teacher who will have you in stitches during your lunch break
• A coffee-friend - someone who will listen to your success and frustrations

 3. Take Yourself Online

As important as face-to-face interactions are with your school colleagues, it's also in your best interest to network online.

• Use Twitter to share and find resources, participate in weekly chats, and follow interesting educators. I suggest following #ntchat if you are new to the classroom.
• Use Facebook to share important info with parents and students. If you are uncomfortable friending, then create a Page on Facebook. (Here's mine)
• Use Google+ in a similar way to Twitter, but with the added features of: extended conversations, picture and video viewing, and Google Hangouts. I strongly suggest finding Google Certified Teachers on Google+ and watching their Hangouts on Air.

4. Take Yourself Offline

I'm a fan of educational technology (obviously), but some of my best ideas come from times when I step away from my laptop. Take a walk, go for a bike ride, watch a ballet performance, snuggle with your kids, or reread a favorite novel. These breaks allow us to take a step back and get excited about our profession all over again.

Barefoot Shoes

Bare (haha) with me today, as I take a break from posting on edtech subjects to relate my experiences researching footware.

On a typical day in the classroom, I spend 75% of my time on my feet. I do not have normal feet. Ha! Instead I was gifted with wide feet and a Morton's toe.

This summer I started running for fitness and joy. I've been using my six-year-old pair of New Balance running shoes that have definitely seen better days. This week, I've spent a fair amount of time researching shoes to find the shoe for me.

I keep coming back to the concept of barefoot running. When I am home, I'm barefoot. As soon as I come in the door, I lose the shoes. Shoes tend to make my feet feel cramped and often lead to painful blisters. However, barefoot running is not for the feint of heart - it's a commitment that takes time and practice to perfect.

To build up to barefoot running, I've been researching barefoot or minimalistic shoes. Barefoot shoes are a bit of a misnomer. These shoes provide a small amount of protection while allowing the foot to feel the ground surface so the runner can adjust as needed.

These are some of the shoes I've looked at:

Huaraches by Invisible Shoes

Barefoot Run Pace Glove Wide by Merrell

TrekSport by Vibram FiveFingers

To bring this back around to the classroom, I've been thinking today about the best classroom shoe options for me. Extra cushioning and support tend to make my feet feel worse not better. Another session of internet browsing brought me to the Roo by Soft Star.

 

Unfortunately, the Roo currently is not offered in my size, but I'm also interested in the Dash line. While these shoes might look like slippers, they are durable and made to be used like normal footwear. 

Aesthetically, these shoes may make me look like I belong in a Kindergarten class, but if my toes can breathe and splay, I'm happy.

Everything comes down to price. Most barefoot or minimalistic shoes run in the $80-$130 range, with a few sales here and there (except for Invisible Shoe's huaraches, which are $25-$40ish). So for now, I'm limited to researching and dreaming. Some day!