t4_emm

Unfortunately during our meeting on 9/26 my internet connection was not strong and I had to drop out of the meeting. Before that happened we discussed soft starts.  I have used soft starts briefly a few years back.  I did it with playdough, paints, legos, stationary, and a few other things I scared up.  It went well but I always feel pushed for time, now more than ever.  Trying to get my iReady minutes, my interventions, my writing conferences etc... done I feel like I can't do soft starts.  I do realize that the benefits could provide me with more time later but I am not ready to  implement this in my room this year.  However another member or our mastermind group is giving it a try so I will await her evaluation.  If you use soft starts, can you share your experience with it. We also discussed what to do with students well below grade level who are EC but have a chunk of time in the regular classroom other than stick them on the computer. Websites were suggested other than iRea

This is a great podcast. Cult of Pedagogy.  5 teaching practices I am kicking to the curb.

Look at the cool sticker.

Our 2nd meeting was epic.  Everyone was there.  We didn't really talk over each other that much.  After a bit of catching up Allie asked for some technology suggestions to use in her 2nd grade class.  Several of us immediately suggested Seesaw.  Seesaw was recommended for its versatility and ease of use. I used Seesaw when renewing my National Board Certification.  Students were observing force and motion principles while playing a marble game.  They would have their shots videoed.  Then they reviewed their videos and selected ones they could use to illustrate force and motion ideas being discussed in class.  It worked great and it's fun.  Last year we used Seesaw to write and respond to book reviews.  Flipgrid was mentioned.  I have no experience with this one.  We were all in agreement that Google slides is another resource for the creation of student projects in any grade level.  Students can use the features to their comfort and ability level.  Teachers can send out temp

    Cult of Pedagogy is one of my favorite podcasts. Thank you Jennifer Gonzalez for all of your hard work ! There's a lot of episodes. They are not too long and they are full of good ideas, and resources.  I've implemented many ideas in my classroom I learned about in the podcast, from notetaking to TQE (thoughts, questions, ephianies) strategy during read aloud. In fact the inspiration for creating a mastermind group came from this podcast.      Tonight, after saying I was not going to work anymore, I decided to listen to a episode while in the shower. It was episode #124 which sent me down the rabbit whole of OER. I didn't even know what that stood for before I listened.  So OER are open educational resources. I learned about Amazon Inspire, EdReports, Core Knowledge etc...      I looked up EdReports on some of the curricula I am familiar with and found some interesting information. According to the podcast some of the highest rated curricula are free for anyone to use

After trying out Google Hangouts a couple of times. Our first meeting was set for August 29.  So far I've only convinced four other teachers to join.  All of which I trust and know are good teachers with great ideas.  Some have been teaching a long time like me and some just a few years.  I think it is important to feel like the members of the group are on the same page.  Only two of the four teachers were able to make our meeting.  I was disappointed but understood.  The first week of school is a hectic time to add one more thing to your list. We caught up for a few minutes and then I put myself in the "hot seat." I asked two questions.  One was simply about their feeling on using our personal cell phones to communicate with parents, take pictures of the class etc.. Our principal had given us a warning of sorts at the staff meeting about it.  I removed Remind from my phone and decided not to use my school email or to take photos of the students.  Apparently the warning

From what I've read an Educator Mastermind is a group of teachers getting together to catch up and to help each other accomplish goals in the classroom.  An Educator Mastermind is a support system.  A positive support system.  I heard about this idea on the podcast "The Cult of Pedagogy." Then I read some articles about it and thought how simple but how powerful.  I honestly got excited about this idea.  Not so long ago I moved to a new school after being at the same school for over ten years.  I felt like I had lost my support system.  It takes time to build trust and camaraderie with other teachers.  So starting a Mastermind group seemed to be the solution.