6 Apps and Tools to Flip Your Classroom

Flipping the classroom is an amazing way to engage students in learning. Students in my elementary school have been part of the flipped classroom and have taken an active role by providing the video lessons themselves. There are many iPad apps and tools that have supported our flipping efforts. Here are some apps and tools that we have used that can help you flip your class.

1. EDpuzzle

Our new favorite tool to flip the classroom at Weston School.  EDpuzzle offers teachers an easy platform to create and manage video lessons.Teachers can even create individualized video lessons for students to foster differentiated instruction. 

2. Edmodo

A great way for students to collaborate on assignments, share resources, and much more!

3. Explain Everything

Explain Everything is an interactive tool that allows students to and teachers to create slides, draw in any color, add shapes, add text, and use a laser pointer. Slides created can be shared/exported.

4. Show Me

ShowMe allows users to create voice-over whiteboard tutorials and share them online.Very simple to use.

5. Educreations

Students/teachers can record their voice and iPad screen to create video lessons. There are many platforms that the lessons can be shared through. 

6. Screen Chomp

ScreenChomp allows students/teachers to provide a running narrative. ScreenChomp records your voice and drawing and then allows you to upload your creation to ScreenChomp.com and share via different platforms.ScreenChomp also allows you to make annotations on an image or photo in much the same way you will on the whiteboard.

5 Videos That Can Help Make A Teacher A Star!

Lead Learners are always striving to first and foremost learn and grow in their craft.  When we are actively doing this we can help others improve in their craft.  As a big proponent of flipped instruction, one way we can support teachers' growth is through video.  Below are five videos  that I have found helpful in my education journey. What other videos have helped you or your staff?

1. New Teacher Survival Guide- Classroom Management

2. Student-Centered Discussions

3. Managing Transitions

4. Rick's Readers Workshop- First part of series on Readers Workshop

5. Guided Reading with Jenna- First part of a series on Guided Reading

New Teachers: 7 Tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences

November marks the month traditionally dedicated to parent (or guardian) conferences.  For new teachers, the thought of giving parents feedback on their child’s progress can be intimidating.  Here are some tips to help new teachers ensure that their parent conferences are successful.

1. Preparation: Have a goal for each conference that you have. Have that goal handy before you meet to refresh your memory. Organize yourself ahead of time. Have specific student work handy that highlights the good and where their child needs more support in.

2.  Partnership: Put all of your pre-conceived notions or judgments about a child’s family aside.  After all, if they have taken the time to come to your conference then they have done a lot.  Parents can be your biggest ally. Both of you want the same thing: the success of their child.

3. Be Specific: When giving feedback, be specific.  Explain what exactly the child is doing well with, or struggling with.  If it’s a problem, tell the parent what you have done to try to address the problem.   Ask the parent if they see that specific behavior/or problem at home.  Then work together for a solution.

4.  History: Ask the parent to tell you about the child’s past learning experiences, successes, and struggles in prior grades.

5. Caring: Show the parent that you care. They need to leave the conference feeling that their child truly matters to you.  Convey that to all of your parents.

6. Sandwich- Use the sandwich approach.  Start with something positive, continue with what their child needs support in/with, and end with something positive.

7. Sustainability- Parent partnerships cannot be limited to two meetings a year.  Develop a system that works for you that will enable you to have continuous and consistent communication throughout the year.

Hope these tips were helpful. Check out a great video on conferences created by the Teaching Channel below. Have a great school year!

Best! Year! Ever!

This year is going to be the best one yet. A new year with new students, parents, and collegues. It’s a new opportunity to start fresh, to get excited, to get rid of the habits that bog you down as a teacher. It’s an opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life.  The opportunity is here. Don’t waste it.  Be authentic. Be who you really are. You have gifts that no one else has.  Share those gifts.  Let your light shine!  Be positive this year.  Do not let negativity enter your thought process or your classroom. As Angela Maiers reminds us, You Matter! Your students matter! Make your students feel as if they are the only one in the world each time you talk to them. How about where to focus? Focus on the things you can control:

This year, choose one new “thing” to do and stick with it.

Suggestions: Start a class blog, flip a lesson a month, get on Twitter, try Voxer or Remind. Create a YouTube channel on your class achievements. Have students create a Prezi. Participate in the Hour of Code. Implement Genius Hour. The possibilities are endless and can be overwhelming. Rather than taking on 10 different initiatives that you do halfheartedly. Do one new initiative extremely well.  So choose one and be amazing with it!

Get inspired!  There are tons of inspiring videos to get you psyched for the new school year!  Here are a few.

It is my hope that every day this year is like Rapunzel’s Best! Day! Ever. 180 or so of those will equal the BEST! YEAR! EVER!

7 Tips for New Teachers

1) Connect with your students- Set aside time for each of your students early on, interview them.  Find out what there interests are and capitalize on it.  When you talk to them be in the moment. People who knew St. Mother Theresa would say that whenever she spoke to you you felt as if you were the only person in the world that mattered.  Why not make your students feel that way?

2) Learn from everyone- Seek out and listen to advice from your mentor, colleagues, and administrators. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable.  You don't know everything. You know it and so do they. It's ok!  Build your teaching skills by pirating ideas from everyone you can.  If you are on Twitter, try some of the chats dedicated to new teachers such as #ntchat.

3) Plan but don't over plan- Planning ahead is key.  Discipline yourself to set aside time to plan for the coming week. Some teachers like Friday before they leave for the weekend. Others prefer Sunday night at the comfort of their home. See what works for you. Keep it simple. These two questions should guide your planning; 1.What do I want for my students? 2. How will I know if they are getting it?

4)  Communicate with parents- There are many ways to communicate with parents. You can go with the traditional route of weekly newsletters or updating your website (which are good). You can also use innovative tools such as Twitter, Facebook, etc. (check your districts social media policy). Remind (formerly Remind101) is a great and safe way to communicate with parents and students. Classroom blogs are also a good way to communicate. Whatever you choose keep it simple and be consistent.

5) Don't get discouraged- Teaching is an amazing profession and is very rewarding. However, you are going to have many tough days.You are going to make mistakes. You are going to have epic fails with lessons. You are going to feel like quitting. Don't!  You were called to this noble profession! This vocation will allow you the privilege of shaping young minds and hearts.  You can do it!  Be gentle with yourself and persevere.

6) Read Teach Like A Pirate- This book is chock-full of wisdom from an experienced educator, Dave Burgess.  I have learned much from it as an administrator.  This is one of the books I give to all my staff (veteran or new). Here is a link to the book: #tlap

7) Be yourself- You have a unique skill set and personality.  A school full of robot teachers where everyone teaches the same way is not going to happen (and shouldn't). Learn from others but be yourself!  You have a lot to offer!  Good luck and enjoy the journey!

How to Avoid the Summer Slide! A Guide for Parents

As an elementary school principal, every fall I witness many bright students fall victim to the "summer slide".  Research shows that children who do not read over the summer will lose two or more months of reading gains. But the good news is research also shows that students who read at least six developmentally appropriate books over the summer will stop that regression. Here are some tips to help your child start off the 2014-15 school year on the right foot.

1. Be a reading role-model!  Children are quicker to do what their parents do rather than what they say.  Set aside time where your child sees you reading.  If it's important for mom or dad then it will be important to them.
2. Read! Read! Read!  Have your child read a developmentally appropriate book for twenty minutes per day.
3. Visit your local library!  Need I say more?
4. Word of the week!  Post a new word on the fridge every week. Challenge your kids to use it as much as possible!
5. Audio books! Driving to your vacation destination? Listen to a book in the car. Visit audible.com for books. Better yet local libraries have wonderful selections of audio books for free! 
6. Book or Device? Who cares as long as they are reading!

If you child needs a little motivation visit the Scholastic Summer Reading Program by clicking here. Barnes and Noble is also offering a free book for every eight books your child reads.  Click here for more information. Have a great summer of fun and learning!

Common Core Lessons

What do The Common Core State Standards mean for teachers? This blog will offer suggestions on how to implement CCCS into your lesson plans.

Cross Curriculum Connections

• When planning a lesson that reflects CCCS the first goal should be student achievement. Ask yourself, “how is my lesson going to ensure that my students are getting better today?”

  Keep in mind that the standards are intended to have real world applications and reflect the 21st century skills our students need in order to be successful in college and in future careers. Making connections across the curriculum makes learning more meaningful for students. Students who are able to “see” the connections between individual subject areas have had their learning become relevant (which is exactly what CCCS is aiming for). Plan ahead to make those connections across the subject areas. For example:

  Language Arts & Social Studies

  A class might read Blizzard of the Blue Moon by Mary Osborn (a fictional story set in NYC in the late 1930s) in English class, while during social studies students learn about the “Great Depression”.

• Student-Centered Planning

  In order to successfully implement CCSS, traditional lessons involving teachers lecturing and modeling for students cannot be the end all. Students must be empowered to take responsibility for their own learning. Plan lessons that will offer students frequent and purposeful opportunities to work in pairs or groups. Your student groups should be performing tasks that force them to analyze and synthesize information.

• Informational Texts

  CCSS place a great emphasis on informational reading and writing. Students need to be given the opportunity to study the world and lesson plans need to reflect this. Students should be given primary and secondary sources to analyze, such as The Diary of Anne Frank and Plato’s Republic. If you think that might be too difficult don’t forget that CCSS is suggesting higher level reading to younger age groups. Yes, your freshman class will be reading The Scarlet Letter. Get your students to think about the texts critically, include questions and tasks in your lesson plans that encourage critical thinking skills.

• You are Not Alone

  CCSS greatly encourages collaboration among students and educators. 21st Century teachers should take advantage of the tools that we have in place that make collaboration faster and simpler than ever. Don’t waste these opportunities to grow and to gain ideas that will help you plan lessons for the future.

  Twitter

  If you haven’t tweeted yet you need to. There are countless educators on Twitter who are ready and willing to share resources, ideas, successes and failures that will assist you in not only integrating CCSS into your lesson plans, but in other areas you may need help with as well.

  Helpful App

  If you are an iPad/iPhone lover like me MasteryConnect offers a helpful app that places that CCSS at your fingertips.Very helpful when planning those lessons!

  Easily Viewable Version of the Standards

  You can also easily download a PDF version of the standards in one document.

  Remember, you are not alone. In order for the CCSS to transform our students’ future it will take the collaborative efforts of many. For more information on the CCSS or to view the standards, click here.

The Bammy Awards: A Great Way to Pay it Forward!

It's no secret that educators everywhere are under the microscope. You can't turn on the 5 o'clock news or listen to a politician for five minutes without hearing something negative about educators.  It's easy to get sucked into the negativity.  Enter the Bammys!  A countercultural movement that celebrates the best of education...its people!  My spirits were recently lifted and my passion rekindled as I was nominated for a Bammy Award in the Elementary School Principal category.  Feeling inspired, I am now nominating several deserving educators to spread the amazing Bammy movement.  Take a moment out of your busy schedule and nominate an educator today! You would be amazed to know what a difference your positive feedback can do! So what are you waiting for? Pay it forward!

Click here to learn more about the Bammys and to submit a nomination.

The Common Core: An Introduction For Parents

The Common Core Standards are meant to assist our students in meeting college and work expectations while preparing them to succeed in our global economy and society. But will they?

• According to a report on college and career readiness from the ACT only 1 in 4 students qualify as prepared for college in all four subject areas: English, reading, math and science.

  Enter the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). These standards are intended to prepare young people for success in college and work. The CCSS place students, parents, and teachers on the same page and collaborate to reach shared goals. Many wonder if these new standards will deliver: Can the CCSS ensure that students graduate from school prepared to succeed and build a strong future for themselves and our nation? And, how will the CCSS do that?
• Can the new Standards Deliver?

  Let’s begin with the “can”. When students acquire the skills and knowledge needed for today’s jobs, their communities/nations are able to successfully compete in the global economy (just look at China, Finland, Singapore, and Hong Kong). Focusing on skills that our students need to be successful in the future (college and career) deserves an “It’s about time!” The CCSS provide appropriate learning goals for all students, and are relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills our students need for success in both college and work.

  First, take a look at who informed the standards: Teams of content experts, teachers, researchers and leading thinkers in education. Business leaders and the general public also were able to offer their input.

  There is something to be said for apprenticeships; how do teachers learn to be teachers? How do carpenters learn to be carpenters? The CCSS takes the skills necessary to compete and be successful in the 21st century by creating 21stcentury learners. The CCSS: Digital Apprentices?

  The CCSS takes the 21st-century learning model by encouraging learners who take intellectual risks and school communities where everyone is a learner. The CCSS addresses adaptability, complex communication skills, non-routine problem solving, self-management, and critical-thinking. All of which are essential skills in the 21st-century workforce.

  The new global classroom (without walls and a roof) that the CCSS will hopefully create answers the “how” of the hope for the Common Core State Standards. Here’s to our future!

What Everyone Needs to Know About the Common Core State Standards infographic

21st Century Classroom Management

How do you effectively manage the busy, dynamic atmosphere of a classroom in the 21st century? Common Core Standards promote collaboration and increased use of technology. With all that discussion and distractions, how do you keep your class organized and make sure all students are being reached?

• The Common Core State Standards have given educators (myself included) much to think about. Where does classroom management fit in with our 21st Century Classrooms? Growing class sizes and other external challenges certainly do not make matters easier. Without effective classroom management strategies the CCSS will only be a lifeless set of documents on your laptop. Here are some ways to incorporate the standards smoothly and get all your students involved.

• The Classroom Environment

  Layout

  The physical layout of your classroom can quickly become your best friend or your worst enemy! It is important to get this right. Organization is key, as it gives students a sense of predictability which usually leads to a sense of security (both good things). A classroom layout is certainly not one size fits all, it should match your students needs and the activities that occur in your classroom. For example, the elementary teacher will have their students in tables in order to encourage collaboration (big in the CCSS), but having a bean bag over on the carpet ready for a student who needs to escape from the group will help keep everyone on task and minimize interruption. You need to find the layout that will best fit your student’s needs!
  
  Being A Visible Presence
  
  As the body needs good circulation so does your classroom. Effective classroom “managers” do not stay put in one spot in the room! You will have better control and will be able to include all your students when you are walking through the classroom while teaching and learning is occurring. Do not underestimate the power of body language either. The next time you want your students (or even your children) to comply the first time your ask them to, slightly lean towards them, make strong eye contact, and in a confident and firm tone of voice make your request. The difference will be noticeable.
  
  Connections
  
  Making meaningful connections with your students can be extremely effective. Calling them by name and discussing their lives outside of school shows that you recognize them and value them as a person. Once your students know that you truly care for them as individuals your classroom management task will become easier.
  
  What about the class clown? Or the perpetual “trouble maker”? First of all, when correcting or addressing their behavior let them keep their dignity. You may feel as if you’ve won the battle by humiliating a student in front of his/her peers, but in that moment, you’ve lost the war.
  
  What about your shy student? How do you bring them into the action? First off, don’t let them off the hook by pitying them; you won’t be doing them any favors. As we already said, 21st Century Learners are collaborators! Emphasis must be made in class that in order to have productive discussions, everyone needs to make a contribution. Your class should be managed so that there are a variety of ways to contribute: actively listening, asking thought-provoking questions, challenging what someone has said appropriately, inviting others into the discussion, etc. These options may help the shy student find a role in discussions.
  
  Perhaps the best advice for 21st Century classroom management is to truly enjoy what you do and make sure it shows! If you are having fun so will the students! Win their hearts and the rest will fall into place.

Techspo 2014

Techspo 2014 was a fantastic event.  I was fortunate enough to meet up with many of the dynamic educators in my PLN such as Scott Rocco (@ScottRRocco) Jay Eitner (@iSuperEit), Brad Currie (@bcurrie5), Tim Charleston (@MrCSays), Glenn Robbins (@Glennr1809), and many more.  Keynote speaker Alan November, posed questions to challenge educators’ views on Edtech.  He asked questions such as, “How many of your classroom assignments are Googleable?” 

I was honored to present two sessions on flipped instruction during the conference entitled, “All Things Flip!” and “Create Your Own Khan Academy”. An amazing educator, Janine DaSilva (@jdasilva_mrs), was my co-presenter and offered a first-hand perspective of how the flipped classroom has changed learning in her classroom. To view “All Things Flip!” click here. To view “Create Your Own Khan Academy” click here. 

 

Jay Eitner, presented on EdCamps, a powerful professional development movement that is truly “game-changing”.  To learn more about the EdCamp movement click here.  

For those looking to promote their school/district, the founders of #SatChat, Scott Rocco and Brad Currie, offered their audience proven methods in “20 Ways to Promote Your School Through Social Media”.  To view their presentation click here. 

It was a great conference (despite the Wi-Fi issues) in which I learned much not only from the sessions, but from the informal conversations I was able to have throughout the days.  And yes, Señor Diaz even made an appearance in a couple of sessions.  Looking forward to next year!

Compliance v. Commitment

"Character is doing the right thing when no one is watching."...So is commitment.

Why is it important for leaders, teachers, parents, and students to be committed to education? Isn't compliance enough? Isn't doing your job, your task, fulfilling your role enough? I don't think it is. The difference between commitment and compliance is paramount. Compliance gives us the bare minimum. The mind is employed but the heart is left in the cold. Compliance gives us the superficial, it does not dig deep. Compliance does not contribute to the community. Compliance is selfish. Compliance does not last.

Commitment comes from the heart. It goes beyond the call of duty. Committed leaders, teachers, parents, and students strive to become the best version of themselves. Commitment leads to positive change. Commitment is contagious. Commitment is selfless. Commitment can have lasting affects.

What does commitment look like?

Commitment is learning the CCSS, PARCC, AchieveNJ (for NJ Educators) because you want what's best for your students. Commitment is becoming a connected educator and developing a personal learning network in order to grow and help others do the same. Commitment demands more. Commitment yields greater results.

How can we kindle an attitude of commitment?

• Find the passion of our students, families, and staff.

• Make sincere connections with them.

• Create a shared vision.

• Uncover what our students, families, and staff care most about.

• Recognize and celebrate effort/success.

What are your thoughts on compliance v. commitment?