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!

Prezi - Flipping the Classroom

Flip - Take 2!

Before I go any further, I need to recognize and say "Thank You" SDE for all their help, ideas, manipulative ideas!  Because of their expertise, we are able to receive training to become better educators in the world of Singapore Math!  Being introduced to it several years ago - it has changed the way I like to look at solving problems.

Today we had a much better day at making video tapes.  It was obvious by how many lessons we really were able to record.  I think on the first day, we recorded 3 videos.  That, obviously was not a lot - but more so a time to use "trial and error" while we stumbled through lessons & videotaping.

Today, we created 15 videos that students will have the opportunity to watch, re-watch and possibly gain great on ideas for future recording.

"Behind the Scenes"

I know this might be on your mind... but what in the world did our workspace look like? Well, fortunately, I am able to crop that out of my movies so I don't have a "background" to contend with.  Also, we have not officially returned back to class.  On Tuesday, I set up my computer, document camera, a few chairs, a tripod & video recorder.  That is it... nothing else!  I have not even begun to unload from summer!  In fact, if my principal entered my room, she would totally be disgusted at how thinks are literally falling out of my closet...  I should take a picture to post next time.  :)

Today, we tried to:

• Remind kids that they can pause and re-watch
• Teach kids & parents how to make Bean Sticks for counting
• Give them challenges
• Create a video on our own - without help from an expert mathematician - a.k.a. Ricky Mikelman  (she doesn't know yet - I am going to surprise her)
• Remember to turn off the AC unit during taping and we needed a break - turn it back on and talk about what we were going to do next.  

Other issues to deal with:

• We noticed that it was hard to see our numbers that we were writing because our hand was in the way.
• Write down the name of the lesson before you tape it.. Makes it easier (and saves a lot of time) to remember without having to watch the lessons over.  
• Ask the district for a space on the server to house the videos so that other schools can have access to them too. 
• Suggested that I look into SkyDrive / VBrick for storing videos.
• PLN - You will need one!   I joined Flipped Learning Network.  There they have groups formed for your specific need.  You do have to ask to join, but after you do, you will be prompted to select groups to follow...  We also decided to collaborate in Pinterest.  I learned at the ISTE 2013 conference that you can easily dialog with others on a board.  So, I created on called Flipped!  Thank you Theresa Cullen for that idea!
• Remember to silence your cell phone and turn off any "instant notifications" so it wouldn't pop up on the monitor during recording.  
• Discovered that the document camera showed a huge delay from the sound to the motion.... might be better record over the shoulder rather than a monitor.  

Flip

Flip!

What does that word actually mean? This year, I am going to learn what a Flipped Classroom looks, sounds and feels like.  I'm a little nervous / scared only because I'm self - contentious when it comes to recording... I literally HATE the way I sound!!!  I know it's silly, but I'm sure there are a lot of other people that feel the same.  

So... join in on the journey if you'd like...  It's going to be like a roller-coaster!!!

At the ISTE 2013 Conference, I learned from many people the wonderful impact that a Flipped Classrooms offers.  The idea that captured me on this strategy was the way it allowed for some kids to continue to the next lesson,  and for others to grab extra help in small groups as needed for finer tuning. So, I elected to read the book:  Flip Your Classroom: Reach Every Student in Every Class Every Day, by Jonathan Bergmann & Aaron Sams.  Some of my teammates have also agreed to read and discuss the chapters.

So, today, I met up with some people and we began our journey and created 3 videos that we are going to use the first week / two of school.  If you should think about doing this... consider a few things:

• Unpacking early from the summer;
• Have a back-up plan;
• Have access to a FLIP / Video Camera / Tripod;
• 32 GB Scan Disk (If your equipment needs it!);
• Document Camera - "Hooked Up" and ready to go;
• High Speed Internet Connection (makes uploading much more pleasant!)