What? Minecraft at School?  

     So you might ask yourself, "Why is there an X-Box with Minecraft in a classroom?"  Before this summer, I probably would have asked this question in the past too.  All last year I heard a lot of conversations among my students about Minecraft, Minecraft, and Minecraft.  It seemed to be all that they were talking about.  So I started asking questions.  I talked to my students, my son, and started reading a book I bought from a Scholastic book order.  This then lead to more conversations with my son who knows, what I would consider, a lot about Minecraft.  He then started getting excited that I might consider using it in my classroom.  He showed me YouTube videos of other teachers using Minecraft, videos about how it allows students to collaborate and be creative.   My concern was many of these teachers were middle school and high school teachers.  However after lots of consideration and discussion with others, I have decided to use Minecraft as a teaching tool.  So let the journey begin and see where it takes us, the students and myself.  I know the students will teach me in the process!

A New Adventure in Learning: 1:1 Technology

     So far I have worked approximately 26 hours in my classroom getting things organized and ready for the first day of school.  Since our school is going to be 1:1 technology with iPads, I decided to have my theme in my classroom be technology based.  I wanted to not only get the students excited about our new adventure in learning, but also myself!  I feel like I'm about 75% done, with 50% more to go.  I know, I know 75%+50%= more than 100% .  That's because all you teachers out there know that we give more than 100% when it comes to our students.  We strive to set the tone and best learning environment for our students to be successful!  I found so many great ideas from other teachers and from Pinterest that it was hard to choose.  Thank goodness for teacher collaboration.  We can all learn so much from each other.

Here is a few before and after pictures:

Now for a few after the 26 hours:

     Now for my big question, what type of facebook page do I create for my students and myself to post on daily to keep parents in the loop and up to date about what is going on in our classroom.  I know some teachers create a profile similar to that of a personal page and give it a first and last name.  Then parents can become your friend and post or comment to it.  I also know teachers who have created a community page. Now to decide which one?

Worked today in my classroom.  Since we are going 1:1 with technology this year, I decided to make technology my theme for the year.  I can't take credit for the ideas though.  I found all of them on Pinterest, and tweaked them a little.  The originals can be found at the link under each picture.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/191754896608869364/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/191754896608869441/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/191754896609032851/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/191754896608869550/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/191754896608869351/

Symbaloo

One of the topics/websites I learned about in a 1:1 workshop today was Symbaloo.  If you haven't seen it yet, check it out at http://www.symbaloo.com/
It is a visual bookmarking tool that makes it simple and easy for your students to locate favorite websites.  With a free account you can access your bookmarks from any device and share with others.

If you own an IPAD, check this out!
https://www.playosmo.com/?r=4704047361687552 
I ordered one!
I love technology.

Technology Today June 12, 2014

First Internet Class to help prepare me for 1:1 completed!

I began a self paced online class through Virtual School Leadership Alliance called Introduction to Blended Learning on June 9. I was so interested that I finished it tonight! I learned so much so fast!   Now I am dreaming of the perfect classroom to use the technology to it's fullest potential with maximum student growth at their level.  The picture below is from a power point created by Niki Walker, Idaho Digital Learning
Blended Learning Program Manager /Chat Expert: Theresa Carter

The question is how can I use this information to design the layout of my classroom.

The 2nd exciting thing I did today was pre-order the PlayOsmo

@PlayOsmo.  

Watch it for yourself @ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbwIJMz9PAQ

It has been an exciting day in my technology journey! 

Summer Vacation/Preparation for New School Year

We will be going 1:1 with Technology for the upcoming 2014-2015 school, so even though this is summer break I am trying to learn as much more about technology as I can.  I've signed up for a few workshops and have been reading and researching the use of IPADs in the classroom.  So far I have:

• created a twitter account
• started this blog
• watched a lot of youtube videos of teachers teaching with Ipads