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It’s time to “BE THERE” for each other

8/5/2020

Pandemic preparation for school has been very weird, to say the least. During my teaching career, July/August represents the time to reflect on what I learned from the previous school year and apply this new knowledge to the next 9 months. Goodness, there has been a huge batch of learning since March. Yes, as challenging as the end of the school year was, there were methods, lessons, and procedures that will make future instruction better.
The science side of our pandemic has played out much as I have read about, thus anticipated some of our new reality. In a conversation with my brother, I predicted it would hit hard and we would come together for a rebound late summer or early fall. The public has been “Hit Hard”, socially and economically. The sad surprise is I didn’t see the political divide during a human time of crisis, rather than coming together. I truly don’t understand how a pandemic is a platform for any party or elected person to use for leverage, but I’m a middle school STEM teacher, not a political science major.
I still believe that “Most People” in our country want what is best for themselves, their families, and neighbors. Since Washington is choosing not to lead with that mindset, we “Most People”, have to take ownership of a better today and tomorrow. This view is far from political and meant to be exactly that. It is time for the FISH Philosophy approach!
My first exposure to FISH Philosophy was the spring of 1999. Let me tell you what they are:

“Choose Your Attitude” - It all starts here, every morning, and the beginning of our day. It isn’t easy to “Choose Your Attitude” in trying times, but we owe it to ourselves and those around us to attempt to pick a path of good each day.
“Be There” - This is so simple and important. Just “Be There” can be as direct as truly listening to someone with their thoughts. This act is not fixing a situation or giving advice, but just “Be There”.
“Make Their Day” - My grandpa always said; “Give a smile and you will always get a smile”. “Make Their Day” can be that easy, like opening a door for someone, buying a beverage for the person behind you in line, or giving a smile, with empathy.
“Play” - Middle school students are really good at this one, but we all need some “Play”. Find that light hearting activity that makes one smile inside and by the way, it can be fun too.

I have used these four philosophies in my classrooms ever since and in my daily life. My family has heard me say often, it's time to choose your attitude. I would like to add one more to my list and that is “RESPECT”. As we go through our day via FISH Philosophy, it means very little if we don’t respect ourselves and the people around us.
We all have been given today. There are challenges on most days, but especially during a pandemic. We will all need a boost at times. Be the person to give a boost via FISH Philosophy or your own giving means. We need to let the good in all of us have a chance to come out, showing respect to others, as we are all in this fishbowl of life.

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5 W’s FOR EFFECTIVE EMAILS

7/14/2020

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Digital communication ebbs and flows for most adults. Many people go through waves of efficiencies or their lack of when it comes to their email inbox. We all have had the feeling of being overwhelmed, time to clean it up, inbox zero, and then falling back to where we started. The cycle can be so defeating. Just think about how our students feel.
We must create a new habit for our students when it comes to their email communication practice. This may be one of the most important skills we can teach. Online communication and directions are the means to which they, the students, will get their information for the foreseeable future. It is time to make it better and available for ALL learners, regardless of their reading comprehension level.
Set the FORMAT for your organization for efficiency and consistency. There are many learner management systems that use their tools of communication. Email is the one consistent means that can reach almost everyone. The goal is for students/staff to be more productive and separate important must-read emails from a lot of digital noise.

MY 5 W’s FOR EFFECTIVE EMAILS

WHO are you sending the email to? Make sure you have the right person and the correct email address. Seems simple, but we all have gotten one of those OOPS emails.
WHAT is your message? Write the WHAT in the Subject of your email. Have enough words to catch the recipient’s eye, while not making it too long. If possible, have the topic flow directly into the body of your email.
WHY are you crafting and sending this email? This is the body of your message. Always begin with the appropriate greeting and then get to the point. Be clear, direct, but not too wordy.
WHEN do you want a reply? After stating your point of the email, be sure to include the timeframe(s) you are working in or towards to complete the process. Whatever the email, address your time expectations.
WHERE are the emails saved or archived in my email tool? This is so important for follow-up actions, to find sent or reply emails. Setup your labels and where applicable, filters for efficiency.

These 5 W’s will help everyone to be more effective in their email communications. Seems simple, but young and old craft some horribly confusing emails. The inbox shouldn’t be a burden, but another means to share ideas, ask questions, and give direction. Email is still the most powerful, cross-platform machine in our technology toolbox.

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DISTANCE LEARNING - POSITIVES

6/30/2020

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We just finished making history in our classrooms, wherever that learning site is. On March 17th we were all thrust into a distance learning mode. The next 10 weeks were filled with many lessons that went well and those that were horrible. We were all forced to actually look at all learning through the students’ eyes. Educators improved their teaching craft due to more realtime reflections and modifications.
Many students thrived in the academic side of distance learning. I’m not saying those students liked it, just that they found their learning path that was effective on their own. The path was theirs, not the way I feel students should learn or a friend does. That is probably the most powerful learning, in one’s self and style. Here is my list of positives from distance learning.

STUDENT VIEW OF LEARNING - As stated earlier, being able to see the lessons and learning through the student lens. This process was constantly evolving into a better product, as I took feedback from students as to what went well and what could be better. I was truly able to better see my lesson from their perspective, as I learned about their distance learning style and home environment.
REALLY LISTENING TO STUDENTS - I had a whole different approach to listening and responding to student emails. I learned quickly to ask context questions for what the learner is really asking. Then reinforce the power of a good academic email format, for effective communication for everyone involved.
LEARNED HOW STUDENTS USE MY SITE - For the last month of the school year, I would reach out to students for additional input. In small groups, students would share their screens and explain how they use my learning site. Super insightful for me and those in the small group. If the group consisted of 5 students, there would be 3 different pathways to use the same site. Usually, a couple of methods were totally new for me. Then I could take what I learned to better tailor my instruction videos.
INSTRUCTION VIDEO CREATION - This was deep learning for me. Initially, I was too wordy, over-explaining my expectations, much like a primary teacher needs to do. However, I am working with middle schoolers. Then I learned to be more effective, by getting to the point of our learning target and keeping a video short where applicable. Then creating my screen sharing video on where content can be found on my learning site. I would occasionally change the site format, for it made perfect sense to me. Forgetting to explain to the stakeholders what, where, and why of my site modifications.
GENIUS VIDEO BAR - This was such a cool discovery that I wish I would have used much earlier in distance learning. Initially, I would set up Google Meet office hours for students to drop-in for questions and support. Then expanded for students to share their deeper dig and exploratory learner. The sharing and discussions were priceless. Students want their work validated at the level they are at. In addition. There was “Share the Learning” peer-to-peer conversations. Pretty cool.
TIME - This one is totally me, for my commute is over 2 hours to/from school every day. I literally gained over 10 hours of prep-time each week. On most days, I felt more prepared than any given week of regular school and I consider myself a plan/prepared teacher. In addition, I didn't have any children in the house will teaching.

This was a fun list to reflect on. There is often so much negative reflection of distance learning and many of the points are valid. As I stepped back, taking an objective look at the previous 3 months, I was surprised how many positives there were. We as educators can get stuck in looking at what gives us energy and joy, missing what sparks the same in our learners. There were many positives to take into a new school year. Regardless of the model or method the pandemic determines, our instruction has been improved.

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v1 - Video in the Classroom & Beyond - INTRODUCTION

2/5/2020

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My blog has been an attempt to "Share the Learning" and give something back to those who the message has value. I have gained much from my favorite blogs, podcasts, and vloggers. The sharing intentions are good, but this educator doesn’t like to write and the process gets pushed to the back burner. The gap between blog entries goes from weeks to months. Then I get frustrated and disappointed in myself. This process shouldn’t be that challenging, but it ends up being that way.
Here comes a new direction in my “Share the Learning” spirit. When reading, listening or watching people I respect and enjoy, they have energy beyond the content. It is clear that these influencers truly enjoy what they are doing. I searched within my head and heart for that passion of what I enjoy sharing. I landed on video, which I use regularly in my classroom and for family life events. So here we go and thanks in advance for watching!

I have created an introduction video. The content is focused on laying the foundation of where I hope to take you and most important, “Share the Learning” along the way. My website and blog will partner with my YouTube channel, for resources. The landing page will house links to the tools, tips, and tricks, I use on a regular basis. I love to “Share the Learning”, for we can all grow together and it is pretty fun.

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Rocketbook - Shared Student Assignment Folder

10/28/2019

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Rocketbook is so slick and easy to use. The design just makes sense to use and syncs with my Google Drive world seamlessly. Well, I have stumbled onto another great use case in the classroom.

QUICK LIST

Create an assignment folder on Google Drive.
Share with your students.
Select the shared folder in “Destinations” in the Rocketbook App.
Select .pdf file format.
Use the FREE Rocketbook pages online library.
Fill the appropriate destination charm circle on the Rocketbook page.
The student scans assignments and replaces the generic file name with their name before they send it.
Submit their assignment via Schoology or Google Classroom, from the shared Google Drive folder.

To give some background, I have a few Nexus 7 tablets that I use for student Rocketbook submission. The tablets are connected to our school network, safely linked to my school Google Apps for Education account and still work perfectly. The students think the device is just cool, pretending it is a phablet.
As mentioned in earlier blog entries, I have a library of FREE Rocketbook pages. For our multi-view drawing assignment, I enlarged the Rocketbook A4 Graph blank sheet to 11” x 17”. I like this sheet for a place to write their name on the top and larger format to fit the drawing assignment, with grid lines to reinforce the alignment expectation.
I then create a “Summative Assignment” folder on Google Drive. I share that folder via Google Classroom for all of my classes. The one extra step is that students must add that shared folder to their Google Drive account. However, once there all assignment submission flow to that spot.
After completing the assignment students fill in the appropriate destination charm on the bottom. Then using the tablet, scan the assignment and review for accuracy in the app. If acceptable, change the generic file name to the student and send it.
Google Classroom is the easiest tool for students. Click on the assignment > add > Google Drive> shared assignment folder > student file > turn in.
Schoology adds a few steps. Click on assignment > submit assignment > resources > apps > Google Drive > shared assignment folder > student file > import.
Beyond the authentic means to submit handwritten assignments digitally, a student can view all files in the folder. I love the share the learning approach with peer-to-peer community viewing and conversation. In addition, I really like the clean copy, vs. trying to have the student take a legible image with their device. Rocketbook is such a great tool for my classroom.

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It’s time to “BE THERE” for each other

5 W’s FOR EFFECTIVE EMAILS

DISTANCE LEARNING - POSITIVES

v1 - Video in the Classroom & Beyond - INTRODUCTION

Rocketbook - Shared Student Assignment Folder

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