Students Teaching Students Part 2!

In this edition of "Students Teaching Students", my class connected with a third grade class in Enterprise, Alabama!  We had previously met them during Edcamp Global.  Since meeting, we have stayed in contact on Twitter.  She reached out to me about our classes reconnecting to talk about fractions.  My students were experts in regards to equivalent fractions, and her students were just starting on this topic!  My students were going to work with her kids on equivalent fractions!  So exciting!  We set up a small white board with large magnetic fraction strips, and my kids guided them through a variety of problems.  We also introduced them to a strategy that we use called "The Big One"! Please view the video below to learn more about "The Big One"!  

It was one of those experiences that I know my kids, as well as myself, will not forget.  Her students did wonderful!! It gave them ownership of that knowledge, and they were able to deliver that message through a Google Hangout.  And sharing that knowledge didn't require a worksheet!!

Let's Take a Trip to Mars PBL Project Completion!

This was a fun PBL Project!  After gathering feedback from Farmer Brent and our local farmer, Mrs. Carey Poole from P-6 Farms (local farm), the students began to work on their 1-3 minute video to NASA.  Our plan was to post these videos on Twitter and ro tag NASA in the post.  We also wanted to include our new friend from the Cosmosphere Museum on Kansas.

In a previous blog post, I spoke of getting connected with this space museum, Cosmosphere, in Kansas.  We were able to organize a Skype call with one of the employees, Tracey Tomme, the Vice President of Education for the company! She visited with my kids about Mars, martian soil, and the future of gardening on Mars.  We learned so much!  After her visit, the students got to work on their videos.  They were expected to include details about how they would construct a self-sustaining garden on Mars that would allow them to survive for 5 years.  It was through this entire process that they learned all about soil!  Love what PBL does for my kids!  It allows the teacher to step back and give the students room to have voice and choice in their learning.  All of this without the use of a worksheet or test!!  It is such a beautiful thing!

Life Happens....

It has been a bit since I worked on a new blog post.  My goal, when I started this blog, was to blog each week about all of the wonderful things that are happening in my class each week.  I wanted my class to be more global, and a blog was a great way to do that!  It has also been very cathartic for me to reflect as a teacher.  So what have I been up to?

A few weeks ago, I started my last class in my masters program!  Exciting, right!? One of the first things due was my Action Research Project Report.  We worked on this throughout the program, but I still needed to add the final touches.  Between losing part of the document between home and school, and completing the reference list, I was more behind than I thought!  But I got it done!  It was submitted this past Sunday, and I have one more major assignment to turn in...my Practicum Plan!  This plan has over 300 clocked intern hours, as well as reflections!  Whew!  I have a few more weeks left, and I cannot wait to graduate!  I will be graduated with honors at the end of May!

Have you been thinking about going back to get your masters?  Although this program had some flaws (don't they all), it wasn't that bad!  I met some wonderful teachers and administrators that I am looking forward to meeting in May when we walk across that stage.  Check out Lamar University for their online programs!  Contact me if you have any questions, and if you decide to obtain your Ed Tech Leadership masters, I am here to help you!!

We are on Spring Break right now, but I will be back next week!  Stay tuned!