Flip Grid!!

So I learned about the coolest thing today!  Flip Grid!  I am going to create one for the 5th grade parents because I am testing it with the 5th grade first.  Once we are comfortable with it, I will try it with the 4th grade and 4th grade parents.  It's almost like a video email, except the videos only go from me and back to me.  There is no class share yet, or at least I don't think so.  If you want to explore it, go to flipgrid.com  It took me a while to figure it out once I created an account, but that's part of the fun of trying new technology.
flipgrid.com

What a crazy week!

I didn't post last night because honestly, I was shocked at the news.  I never thought we would get news to move completely to online learning this soon.  I still haven't processed it.   The 4th and 5th grades are in a good position to move to this kind of learning.    They have learned many online platforms this year that will help them adapt to this change. Two of the most important skills your child can learn are practical problem solving and adapting to change. The students are getting this in real time.  If you want your child's chromebook at home please contact your child's homeroom teacher and we will work to get it to you.  It will be easier for your child to have it at home. 

Have a great weekend and try to relax.  We are all feeling anxious.   We will enter this new world slowly and provide all of the support you need.  At the end of the day what really matters is that the students are safe and happy.

Universal Design for Learning UDL

So, for some crazy reason,  I decided to take an online workshop this week!  Because I'm bored? No! Because I'm crazy? YES!   Here are some pics from today's module that gives some insight to what it is all about.  I'm happy to see that I already use UDL, but it's always nice to get a refresher and validation that what you are doing is best practice. 

Engagement

Personalized education is important, but very hard to manage.

Examples of what it looks like.

Reminders and such...

Today was a bit better until I messed my 4th graders up by posting 2 different times for the same meeting. Message that I need to slow down!!!  The meeting for 4th grade on Zoom is Wednesday 3/25 at 9:00 am.  When I was in the room yesterday, I took some pics.  We need to remember our HR3 expectations at home.  When we are online, we need to remember that we are in the classroom.  When online, you are on your school account and the technology expectations we have in school are the same at home.   I'll see the 4th graders tomorrow! 5th graders, I'll send you an email tomorrow letting you know about our next meeting!

Tell your parents what THINK means!

Henrietta says hello!

Jackie O is still fabulous but is lonely!

Hard Day!!

Today was a hard day.  I started it by trying to do a Zoom workout session at 5:15 a.m. only to have it not connect!  I quickly moved to Facebook live and let my friends who were joining me know. We made it work.  I will be doing Facebook live workout sessions from now on because I can't deal with tech issues at 5:15 in the morning!

I went up to school around 8:00 a.m. to get any materials I would need to teach from home.  We are not allowed to stay in the building anymore.  It was hard.  I had planned to go to school every day and teach from there and work in my room.  I ran to the store after, since I was out, and got a text saying, "Your students are waiting for you..."!  OH NO!  I cancelled the google meet on the google calendar and thought it would email all the kids too.

So, Tuesday we will try a Zoom meeting for 5th and Wednesday a Zoom meeting for 4th.  I was going to use google meet but other teachers were using Zoom and I wanted it to be consistent for families.

Here are a few pics from today's visit to our classroom.  I took more, but will save them for other posts!  I miss you all!

Our book nook!  Zero level!!!!

Fish Tank

My "at home" teacher desk!

At home teacher area!

Trout and such...

The trout continue to grow! I will put a picture and video at the end of this post.
Today was the first day experiencing video conferencing. The first attempt found only a few able to connect, but then we worked it out and it seems as if everyone can connect with the Chromebooks now.  We will try again tomorrow morning.  I am getting so many resources sent to me about online learning that it is overwhelming.  I use online learning already, so will pretty much keep with what we use.  If I find anything that I think we could use then I will share that with you.  I am going to try to post every day, Monday through Friday!

Feeding

The Trout are Swimming Up!

The trout are swimming up! We fed them today and a few of them ate the food.  At this stage, they are called fry.

I will send home a letter Thursday about Run Like A Girl.  The Run for Jim is Sunday May 3rd. We will start practicing on Thursday March 19th.