First Week Debrief

My Co-Workers in My Classroom After-school!

We did it!  We had our first full week of a "Flipped" classroom.  I really wasn't sure what I was going to expect at first.  I had to put some sort of trust into the process - which looks and feels so differently than that of the traditional learning.
A few years ago - I changed the way I managed / ran my Language Arts block of time... So, knowing that placing all the trust into a process - was something I'd have to do knowing that research supports it!

So, Monday night's homework was to watch a video.  It wasn't that long - under  10 minutes for sure!  Some of my kids did not watch it.  When it came to math time, they went into the hallway and were given time to watch it before joining the class.  That helped me to take the kids that had watched it, through a practice session while I worked with the rest trying to get them caught up to speed.

I find it interesting to know that their excuses for not doing homework where:

• I had soccer practice tonight!
• I had football practice tonight!
• I didn't know what you wanted me to do!
• I couldn't watch the video on my computer!

Then, my answer to that was: "Oh!  I hear that you really enjoy playing _____!  Well, I want you to know that professional soccer / football players are educated.  So, maybe you need to prioritize your time better, knowing that you are going to have to work hard to play sports..." and then, "Let me help you with that computer situation... You are always welcome to come to class early to watch a video. Just let me know!"
The next night went better - at least with my class.  I had 2 kids that came in early for help - but that was from the week prior.  (This next week, I'll have them take a working lunch in order to help them get caught up.)
Everyday, kids are excused from the cafeteria at 7:45 and head towards our rooms.
In addition to all this, I've given my students some morning work (from the prior day) to help create a "snapshot" of who understands and who doesn't.  From a quick glance - I can really tell!  That is where I think about small groups.  I jot down antidotal records and input them into their Pensieve.  This process is AWESOME!  (The kids are really understanding  a lot - considering that there are SO many learning gaps.)  That will be used later on in parent / teacher conferences.
So, if anyone missed at least three of the practice problems, then they are to meet me at my table.  They are having to be honest with themselves - and with me!  That is the self-determined learning in action!
On some days - I do model again what it is that I'm asking the kids to do.  At least they are able to decipher if they are "on target" or not.
I then have them try a few with a partner!

Tomorrow, I am going to have a "Jam Session" with a colleague.  I plan / hope to post more about the other encounters that happened, such as:  loading the wrong video, video taping issues, upset teachers who are being asked to attend more training, upset parents, etc...
Stay tuned.... it is only going to get better!
Major thanks though - to my team!  They are all contributing and "going along" with this - maybe it is to humor me, or maybe its's a challenge - but I love them!  So glad we have taken the "Road Less Traveled!" We have bonded more this year, than any other!

Underdogs Take Over!

Ok - so today was one of those days where everything happened that wasn't supposed to!  If the fact that I am still up at 8:45 PM doesn't strike a concern - it SHOULD!  I have been so upset at all the obstacles that came our way - that I'm ready to possibly throw in a towel. Not really - but I do feel better after saying that!
We had first tried using one of our classrooms to do the video tapings.  However, the people around me were not quiet and since I had to "redo" many of those tapings because you could hear them talking to their "loved ones" and whomever else on speaker phone,  we decided to pick a room that wasn't being used.
Oh - but wait - it gets worse!  Apparently, the extra room that is not being used, gets farmed out to Brownies, Girl Scouts, After School Tutorials, Reading Readiness and much more. No one ever told us that that was going to happen - otherwise, we would not have left our materials out - only to get moved and misplaced!
ARGH!
So, I'm really upset - only because we were not notified!  You see, our school is going to be demolished in June.  We will move to temporary buildings.  (AKA T-Shacks - please pray for us!) We have several empty classrooms right now - but not many.  The ones we do have are for "surplus" or "storage" that will have district people in and out moving and removing  items.  We would never want our stuff (video camera, tripod, manipulatives, etc.) housed in a room that might be "cleaned". 
We dealt with it.  Went back to recording in my room - which turns out better in the long run because I know where things are... and I have CONTROL!  I can keep a better eye on things and know that they are in my possession during the day.  That matters when a lot of time, energy and sweat goes into it!
But wait - there were other things that happened - it was like we were being tested the entire time.  First, one of my co-workers (not on my grade level) was being paged over the intercom.  Never responded...because shocker... she wasn't there!   So then, they decided to call my room and ask me if I knew where she was... REALLY people?  So CUT! (Our 3rd time to record one video)  Can't have that in the background of our videos... That wasn't the last... Then, our boss was continually being paged (with giggles in the background - not from us) and then the you know what hit the fan... We are exhausted!  The A/C had turned off at 4.  It was going on 5pm on a Monday afternoon!  Scorcher!  What should have taken us about 45 minutes, took 1 1/2 hours.  All because of people NOT making great choices.
I don't have an answer to this - but I'm going to propose NOT using an intercom to broadcast that you are searching for someone.  I'm also taking my phone off the hook so they cannot call me during filming.  I'm going to also suggest that we (staff) are notified if they are going to use/share the room with someone else... that really was upsetting!
Tomorrow will be better!  My team will create videos without me and I can't wait to see how they do!  I know they will be AWESOME!
Thank God I have such COOL people to work with - because of them, we made it through - even with a few "bleeps and bloopers" to save for later!

Flipped Learning - Debriefing Session w/ Co Workers!

Flipping Out

We have survived the first 3 weeks of school!  It has been a definite whirl-wind with the Flip Learning concept!

Kids Re-watching a Video for Clarification

As a team, we decided that it would be best if we video-taped every lesson for our mathematics instruction.  We did this because our kids are 7 and 8 years old.  To tell them that they need to go home and watch a video and take notes would be unreasonable.  Point is - kids need things modeled - over and over again! So here was our schema:

• We taught them how they could use a QR Code to take them to the videos.  
• We taught them that they could pause the video and rewind to hear the lesson again.
• We taught them that they could have manipulatives at home to help them visualize Place Value.
• We taught them how to take notes in their journal - drawing things out and making sure they get down the important vocabulary.

Manipulative Bag

So, by the time that back to school night came along, kids would be better able to show their parents what our expectations were.  In fact, our very first video that we had them do for homework was "How to Make Beansticks".  This would become an essential tool that they will use for the rest of the year.  I got pencil - zipper bags from a grant through Donor's Choose.   In there, I placed a laminated QR Code (which I had to redo because of Copyright Laws - I suggest using just a regular one without a cute graphic...), 15 Tongue Depressors,  4 oz. Bag of  large Kidney Beans, and 2 die. The parents took them home - where they will remain for the rest of the year.  We also passed out a wonderful explanation that Crystal Kirch had placed on her blog.  (We had permission to use some of it, of course!)

Next week - the world of mathematics instruction will look very different.  I'm nervous, but also excited!  I'm hoping that all goes well!

Happy Secrets to Better Work

I really enjoyed what Shawn Anchor had to say in his "TED" Talk session.  It makes a lot of sense.  I can tell you that from my personal life, adding exercise DID change the way I work!  Over a year ago, I joined a local gym. I started working out with 2 co-workers every morning - hardly being able to complete 1 sit-up. I had never ran either...  That summer, I accomplished my goal.  I was able to survive the treadmill for 15 enduring minutes as I ran my first mile EVER!  For the past year, I have been participating in a 5:00 am boot camp class that meets 3 times a week.   I've ran 10 5K Races, 2 10K Races, and am scheduled to run the Houston Half Marathon in January.  I believe that all the "endorphins" that come from exercise have made me a happier person!