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!