Exceeding Expectations

     This year I gave my students a boat project with the hopes that it would be an interactive way for the students to learn about the various ships used during exploration.  My students by far went over and above my expectations.  The research plan started simple... I gave them a list of ships that were famous during the period of Exploration.  I attempted to tie in information from multiple countries and then gave a basic assignment.  Find out information about what the boat is made out of, what the purpose of the boat was used for, benefits of the ships, and drawbacks of the ship.  They created a poster and a model of the ship (which had to float).  Each group member made their own poster and tied in their information on the board to present to their classmates.  We also sailed them in my "ocean" (huge plastic container filled with water).  The fastest boat won bonus points, and the physical boats were graded based on details and flotation capability.  The Galleon group earned bonus points based on how much weight the ship could carry.  Here are some of my students marvy creations...

 

 

       The projects exceeded my expectations.  My classes did very well and while some students did not do well in the overall presentation of their information I was overall very impressed both with my Honors and my Regular classes.  Most of them also retained lots of information about their boats because they spent time researching it and had a more vested interest than a basic lecture.  

Chromebook (and slight comparisons to the iPad)

     A few weeks ago at EdCamp I had some luck on my side and won a Google Chromebook to use in my classroom and with my students.  I also have 10 iPads for student use in my classroom.  So choosing a select group of students (I have groups of three for projects, etc.) I had students using the Chromebook in each class.  I also used it in the evenings to create my google slides presentations.  Here are some of the things we've learned and things my students pointed out.

For Teachers:
Likes: 

• LIGHT WEIGHT - the Chromebook is uber light and really easy to transport home compared to a traditional lap top.  
• GOOGLE - it allows me to access my google account for drive, website, e-mail, etc. and allows for each navigation on the web for web quests, etc.
• Easy to Use and can add Apps (Quizlet) really easily 
• USB Port!!! It has it (which the iPads do not) 

Dislikes:

• No matter whether you want it to be a laptop or not - it is not and you can not access your grade book on it
• No CD drive or Ethernet slot - I go to an office during my planning with no wireless connection and it has a port on the wall, but with no matching port on the Chromebook there's no internet while in the office (you can however work online as long as you didn't close it before entering the office)

For Students:

Likes:

• Keyboard - My students loved that there was a keyboard - even when they were doing assignments where you didn't need a keyboard more than typing in a login they still liked the keyboard
• Angles - My students like that you could adjust the screen to multiple angles (on my iPads they use the case to support them so they have three options - flat, slight or more slanted)
• Speed - some felt the Chromebook was faster (I don't think that was really a difference, just certain periods the network seems to work faster)
• Weight - Light weight

Dislikes:

• Weight - some of my students felt it was too light and would be too easy for them to break it
• Projects - when asked if they'd like it for everything in class they said they'd want the iPad for projects like iMovie and Voicethread (But they'd like the Chromebook for Quizlet and Web Quests)
• Google Sign In - some didn't remember their sign in, some had never signed into their google account at all so another sign in (it is somewhat long for students) and a password; the iPads don't have a sign in unless they're using a specific program

Overall:

My students were split and for multiple reasons whether they'd want to give up the iPads for Chromebooks or vice versa (not that they have the choice or option to do so - we have what we have). A couple things that surprised me - 1) Status symbol - some of the students considered the iPads to be a status symbol and would simply want the iPads because they're iPads;  they felt the Chromebook wasn't to the same level of status as an iPad; 2) Want Both - they said they'd want both for their group so they could bounce between the two and utilize each for their benefits (Chromebook - Keyboard and Research; iPad - iMovie and projects)  I pointed out that that seemed a little greedy/expensive, but that didn't seem to change their opinions.

Getting Back in the Groove...

     Being out of school since the beginning of February and coming back at the end of a six weeks has been a little hectic, but is also a period of re-energizing.  I don't know if my students missed me or if they loved doing the same thing day in and day out, but I need a break from my graphic organizers.  So I'm taking one.  

    Yesterday, we watched a documentary on WWII and then students were split into groups for iPads to use them for writing their vocabulary words and reviewing on the Quizlet app.

     Today, Students are completing an appeasement worksheet that has them creating a timeline on a step system.  Each letter of appeasement is a different event leading up to World War II.  They have to put the dates in order and then place the events that match the dates.  This is having them not only work on their timeline skills, but then also making sure they understand how to do basic research (they're googling it today).  I have them doing one for the Future Axis Powers and the Future Allied Powers actions.  Since the Allied Powers didn't do much (thus the appeasement) I have also included quotes from Haile Selassie and Winston Churchill.  Hopefully they're enjoying it and the fact that I'm not just lecturing while they take notes.

    Tomorrow, we are doing a web quest to cover the Holocaust.  They are using websites primarily from the Holocaust Museum's website (if you've never been it is located in Washington D.C. and worth the visit), but they have many articles online discussing the Holocaust as reference for students.  They are also comparing and contrasting - I have Niermoller Quote and the Hangman's Poem.  I also have them researching Stalin and the Great Purge (and subsequent purges) as well to compare and contrast the actions of multiple countries.

    This is allowing the students to work on skills they need to know for their final exam, skills that will assist them after high school, and allowing me to go group by group to help, but also get a chance to reacquaint myself with my students since I haven't seen them in so long.  (On a positive side note: I remember LOTS of names!!!) 

Look Ma No Words!

I missed a post in December due to medical complications so I need to make up a post to make my posts line back up.  

So this post is about what my students are starting as soon as they are back from their snow/inclement weather delays.  One of the skills needed in today's professional arena is the ability to speak in public and if you listen to my student's they hate the concept.  Every semester we've been doing at least one presentation.  Sometimes they go really well, sometimes we have to talk about ways they could be made better and one major issue that is always faced.... THE COPY AND PASTE PARAGRAPH on a slide.... Enough to drive me buggy.  

I even sell my self out with students and let them know that my classroom presentations are not good examples of really great presentations because I have all the words from their graphic organizer on the board to fill in so it is easier for them and not actually great presentation wise.  That is a non-education presentation there should be very minimal words.  So what better way to insure that I don't get a copy and paste paragraph anymore?  There's no words on the content slides!  *evil cackle*

So here's the break down of my project:

Groups were randomly assigned a person relevant to the Gilded Age.  They have a research paper to fill out, in which they need 5 acceptable sources (while I'm willing to take a sourced Wikipedia page, I do not accept wikianswers or any other answer websites with no sourcing). 

After they've filled out the research page, they need to break down who is going to talk about what.  Group Communication is one class in college that I understood the point of, but it still caused stress because you had to be interdependent on someone else as well, but life skill wise the majority of jobs you'd be doing a team presentation and not an individual presentation.  Each group member needs to have something to say in each section and they need to work on their flow with each other so it isn't choppy.  

Presentation wise, they are making a Keynote.  The first slide and last slide are the only slides with words on them.  The first will have the person's name and the group members' names; the last slide will have the sourcing.  All the other slides will have images that pertain to what the student is talking about, but no words are allowed.

To be fair, I am allowing them to have one note card each for the presentation so they can have a reference point.  There are NOT allowed to be sentences on their note card, just key items to make sure they talk about (and numbers if they need to remember what order they're supposed to talk for each slide).  

Hopefully this goes wonderful... Time will tell...  

Blog Challenge

I was given this challenge by Teresa Thomassen.  So here goes...

Random Facts About Myself:

1. I'm 36 weeks and 1 day pregnant and about to have another procedure done tomorrow and I'm slightly terrified.
2. I currently crave burgers or anything on a bun in general will do if a burger is out of the question.
3. I sold my motorcycle and it breaks my heart, but Abbie will be worth not riding for multiple years...

4. I have the BEST husband in the world - no seriously - I go bed ridden when I get home in the evenings (movement = irritation/bleeding = early Abbie) so he has been doing everything from cooking to cleaning to laps up and down the stairs for more water, medicine, food, etc.  he's been AMAZING
5. I was taught to cook by my grandma (who is about to be 94) and like to make my pasta from scratch rather than buying store bought (although I haven't done that since I got pregnant)
6. I love to play the devils advocate - I see and try to point out both sides of an issue when I'm teaching so when students all pick one side, even if I agree with them on a personal level, I'll point out things opposite to get the  to think about it further
7. I'm the baby of the family and we all ended up in public service roles.  I'm a teacher, my older brother is a cop, and my eldest brother is a soldier in the U.S. army

8. I have OCD tendencies because I like to do things to the best of my ability and failure is typically not an option if I can control it (case and point)

9. I really don't like the color pink a whole lot so having lots of pink things for my daughter makes me jittery lol

10. I never realized how many facts 11 facts  are until I started typing this... My favorite number is three

11. I like to be liked and while I know not everyone is not going to like me there are still moments it gets in my head and I need to work to get over it.

Teresa's Questions:

1. How are you really?

I am tired, emotional, stressed, excited, nervous, overwhelmed, and in pain.

2. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I'm most proud of the little one in my tummy.  She may be causing me lots of pain and complications that may make it so I don't want to do this again, but she's going to be a blending of my husband and I and I can't think of anything more worthwhile that I've accomplished at the moment.  After her, probably something job related - Pinnacle, getting my masters, etc.

3. How did you meet your significant other?

Our moms lol.  Both of our mothers worked for the same hospital and were talking one day about how our friends had moved away and were still in the area and decided to have us meet to hang out and be friends, except rather than meeting for a hang out Dave asked me out on a date instead.

4. If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go? Why?

I would go to Italy because it is the part of my heritage I have the most attachment to.  I'd like to see the village my great grandfather left behind looking for his American Dream and just see the sites and culture

5. Who in your life has influenced you the most? How?

My parents - they shaped me through my formative years.  Even though I might not always do exactly what they want I know they're still proud of me and loving me and supporting me.  Plus I have found that when fussing at a student or even sometimes at home things I said I would never say suddenly come out and I think 'oh goodness I'm becoming my mom/dad' and in all honesty if I'm even half the person either of them are I couldn't be that bad

6. What embarrasses you? Why?

Physical appearance when caught off guard or sick.  For instance, I ended up in three different hospitals in three different states right after Thanksgiving for kidney issues.  I hadn't been shaving my legs because I'm pregnant and couldn't reach all the way down.  Going to the hospital, having to put on a hospital gown and having my hairy legs out was soo embarrassing for me.  I might not be a girly girl and I might not particularly care that I wear the same base clothes for years, but I. Do mind giving a negative image of myself, especially when I'm already not feeling great.  It's like when you know you don't look good because you don't feel good and then everyone you run into feels they need to solidify that fact for you.

7. What is something you wish everyone knew about you?

I'd rather be an introvert most days and not an extrovert.  I don't mind sitting on the side of the room and just observing things.  I want to belong and participate, but I don't need to be front and center or the loudest in the room.  Most days I'd rather be a home body than out and about.  Now if no one else is going to do something (like answer a question or do a presentation) I will typically step up to the plate not because I really want the attention, but because I would want someone to help out if the roles were reversed.

8. What is your favorite technology tool? Why?

Maybe this is old school, but I love a projector and laptop.  I taught with an overhead in PA when I first started teaching and I hated it because I'm left handed and overhead projectors and the markers for them are just not meant for left handed people.  When I went to my next school there was a projector and I brought in my own laptop.  First I could type my notes (I'm not a huge fan of my own writing - students always complain that it is too small), second it comes in so handy when you can move the projector and do art things around the room (art is also not my strong suit but I can trace with the best of them).  I was using the projector and colored chalk to do designs of the continents on my side boards so we praticed geography as a regular part of our day.  Plus my first year in NC I had my Wii board and later a Mimeo board which created smart board ish capabilities without the smart board.

9. What did you do on your 16th birthday?

I went to church, to practice my driving, and then probably had dinner and cake with my family (it was a Sunday - not that much to do).  I got to go to school late the next day though because my dad took me to do my driving test which I passed and got my license.  I was given permission to drive myself to school later that same week and had my first car accident when I was rear ended at a stop light.

10. What is your favorite clean joke?

I learned this one from one of my old coworkers.  Let me preface this by saying I was raised Catholic and some members of my family did NOT think this was funny (so if anyone is offended I apologize), but Father Summers had a good laugh with me when I told him it.

So two Baptist missionaries went to Africa and were trying to spread the word, but they came upon a tribe that was offended by them and they ended up dying.  St. Peter meets them at the pearly white gates and begins to give them a tour of heaven.  Here's the Lutherans and Episcopalians mansions, the mansions are loud and having huge parties and everyone is having a good time.  They walk further along and St. Peter is pointing out other denominations mansions and they're all having great parties.  St. Peter suddenly stops and says "I need you to not talk or make any noise for the next little while" they agree and begin walking again.  While walking they pass a large building that is not having a party, but seems to be very somber and quiet with only whisps of prayers coming outside.  When they get far enough away from the building, St. Peter tells the missionaries they can talk again and just a little further down the road, they're shown the Baptist mansion.  The one missionary runs to join the party, but the other hangs back and says "I'm sorry to bother you St. Peter, but whose building did we pass back there and why did we need to be so quiet while passing it?" St. Peter responded, "oh that's an easy question, that was the Catholic's mansion and they think they're up here alone."

11. What was your favorite subject in school?

Academic - Social Studies - I don't think this needs explaining; Non-Academic - Choir - I used to sing ALL the time so a class where you could sing and were able to see your friends at the same time... Totally Marvy.

Challenge Goes To: (for the last part of my list I don't know if you have a blog so challenge one might be to make one - challenge two is the rest of it)

1. Jesse Birnstihl

2. Tripp Griffin

3. Samantha Young

4. Shelly Gibson

5. Craig Smith

6. Chris Goodson

7. Dave Miller

8. Barbara Dean

9. Bianca Yavelek

10. Jeff Guzauskas 

11. Russ Paul

Questions to Answer:

1. If you could have any super power, what would you want? Why?

2. If you had to be a cartoon villain, which would you want to be? Why?

3. What is the best part of your job? Why?

4. When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

5. What subject did you like the least in school? Why?

6. If you could go back to being any age for 48 hours, which age would you want to flashback to? Why?

7. What is your favorite animal? Why?

8. What is the best meal you've ever had? What made it so great?

9. What is one thing you just can't live without? 

10. If you were told you'd be going off the grid (no technology of any kind) for three months I the next 24 hours, what are you going to do to prepare?

11. What's one application/program you think everyone should know about? Why?

The Guidelines of Your Challenge:
1. Acknowledge the nominating blogger.
2. Share 11 random facts about yourself.
3. Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
4. List 11 bloggers, excluding the blogger who nominated you.
5. Post 11 questions for the bloggers you have listed to answer.
6. Let the bloggers know you have nominated them.
7. Post back here in the comment section a link to your post.