New Year's Resolutions

Inspirational Video

I know there are whole websites out there, full of videos to inspire teachers and students.  This video was shared today on Terri Eicholoz' blog and it worked for me. I'd like to think that as teachers  we can all break out of our simple cogs in a wheel dynamic and make a difference as well as helping our students to do the same.

AIME Global's Launch Film: 'Cogs' from AIME Mentoring on Vimeo.

Reflections

I know, I know,  let's finish up this year, before we talk about next year, but my reality has always been that if I did not plan, get PD or just get my ideas in order over the summer, that when September rolls around, I am plumb out of time and need to be ready to go. I cannot take the time for reflection and planning once the school year starts. So, here goes...

One of the things I have heard from teachers is that "this year" they are going to start a blog, or begin to use student portfolios, or find better ways to communicate with parents.  There are many ways to do this, but you can't change your mind midstream and expect parents to follow along. Most parents have access to the internet, either via phone, laptop, or computer.  If you can "train" them to check your website, not the bottom of the backpack for the newsletter, you may find that they begin to look to your blog, or site for information and may even interact online. But, if you give them the paper newsletter, they may or may not read it and they will certainly not look in yet another place online for the same information.  No one has the time or energy to check your blog or site if the information comes home in what may be a more familiar format.  So, what are some options to explore?

Comparison of
​Parent Communication Tools

Jessica Meacham has created an excellent, up-to-date spreadsheet comparing the major parent communication apps.  You can access the spreadsheet here.  Although Jessica goes through more apps on her site, the ones I usually think of are Remind, Bloomz, Class Dojo and Class Messenger. I will also include SeeSaw here, since it can serve as a communication tool, and as a student portfolio.  What are your goals? What would you use an app/site like any of these to do? Here's some short videos and links to get you started in your investigation.

Class Messenger Introduction from Class Messenger on Vimeo.

Some of these tools have been featured on Classroom 2.0 live.  Here are the Livebinder links to explore further.  These livebinders are organized by month- so you may have to look on the navigation on the left side to find the appropriate tab to click on, but once there you will find a plethora of information to explore.

• Bloomz
• Remind
• Seesaw

New Google Sites

If you, like me, found the former version of Google Sites to be incredibly clunky and irritating- the wait is over... it is actually so much better.  You do not have all the options you may want, but the interface is easy to use, creates a clean, more modern looking site and is part of Google Suites. Students at HES and HA with google accounts can also create Google Sites. Below is a tutorial- long... if you want more info, but they are simple, easy to create and it's pretty intuitive.

Interested in Global Projects?

One simple way to get started in a global project is to join the annual Global Read Aloud.  It is a great way to meet other teachers and students around the world by sharing a book.  Check out this year's choices onPernille Ripp's site.  You can even fill that sign up form out while you're there.

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FlipGrid

Fourth grade used FlipGrid in the global project they did this spring, If You Learned Here.  I think that they can probably agree that FlipGrid was easy to use and can help you connect.  I also saw a couple great ideas posted on blogs and on Twitter about using FlipGrid for Math...check out Sean Fahey's math ideas here.  You can get a free FlipGrid account to test out over the summer.  ​(Want to try Flipgrid Classroom for FREE? Sign up and use promo code KARLYMOURA for free access until Sept. 30, when it will revert to a free Flipgrid One account.) Karly has caught FlipGrid Fever and shared some great ideas here.

Flipgrid. The Power of Student Voice. from Flipgrid on Vimeo.