What's happening in 6th grade?
What a great day. Long day, but a great one. This was the first EdCamp I have attended where I knew I would be meeting some other educators from my PLN including Rachel Murat (@MrsMurat), Maureen Hayes (@mhayes611), Matt Larson (@mlarson_nj), and Rich Czyz (@RACzyz). After meeting these virtual friends and colleagues for the first time and others as well, I joked with my mom that perhaps this is what online dating is like! Ha! As I did with my EdCampNJ post, I'll just walk through my sessions and share my takeaways! Session 1: Your mindset your grading... who benefits?This session was actually an extension of a conversation that I had been part of on the #4ocf Voxer group throughout most of this week regarding grades, assessment, and shifting the current paradigm. While I'm not sure session went exactly as Matt had planned, I'd venture to point out that it was exactly the conversation that we were supposed to be having this morning. I did not necessarily leave with much new to consider, but I loved the continued reminder that learning happens throughout the process. The graphic below is inspired by Neel Desai. This is a dialogue that needs to continuing. Grades are not the be all, end all. Mastery learning is the objective. Keep spreading the truth, guys! Session 2: Breaking down the walls: teaching beyond the classroom (engagement/empowerment)I was actually surprised by this session. I went in not thinking I would gather too much, but as expected just because I considered myself pretty well informed with Mystery Skype and similar ideas, but I was proven wrong. Jeanne Muzi and Micheal Dunlea presented their experiences in breaking down the walls of the classroom to expose students to the real world around them. First of all, we were reminded it is required for most of by our standards to facilitate these connections with students with students in other communities in our country and around the world. Therefore, we should probably be doing something about it, and technology only maes this easier and more dynamic! Some tools to check out in the future include: Microsoft for Education Skype Community, National Geographic Explorers in the classroom, and Epatico (a new and and improving "match-making" service between classrooms for collaborative purposes. Check it out for more info!) Session 3: Innovator's Mindset. How do we get there?This session, led by the charismatic and engaging Chris Duane, required some real critical thinking and collaboration. I was privileged to work with Paul O'Neill, who I had met minutes before at our half-time collaborative break. Our challenge was to create a pyramid out of the following words: How can we, as a collective, arrive at the final stage of "Innovation and Divergent Thinking?" (Disclaimer: The requirements actually stated we could not have two elements at the bottom.) Paul and I went back and forth. He is a very wise guy! We came to the conclusion that there could be multiple paths to the final destination: having a student-centered mindset or having effective leadership fostering a community of teachers aimed at approaching the goal. Whether it be a fruit of your own student-centered and personal growth mindset or the leadership of building, the climate and culture of the building/classroom can lend to empowering professional/personal development that allows for teachers to stretch their thinking and become those "divergent thinkers." I shouldn't speak for Paul because there was definitely much more to our conversation than what is said here. We both agreed that these words could not really be placed in a pyramid, but rather a "feeder system" (as Paul suggested) or as part of a cycle. You really cannot reach the final destination without the other elements of the process. They're all part of a co-dependent system. Session 4: Hyperdocs and student voice This session was led by Rachel Murat. She is so forward thinking and student-centered in her philosophy. So inspiring! She has actually helped me before over Twitter and I was so fortunate to meet her in person today! There were many practical pointers and some answers to my "nitty gritty" questions - sorry to the newbies!! Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from this session is the question that Rachel asks her students during her Hyperdocs lesson: "Where are your gaps in understanding?" I guess I have strayed from this question in the past out of fear that it could be insulting, but why beat around the bush? Make it clear to the students that you are focused on mastery. Such a practical use of the time I am already spending conferencing. So much to learn from Rachel! I have already asked her to rejoin Voxer so that we can collaborate on this platform as well in the future! Thanks for sharing your gifts and talents with us, Mrs. Murat! ConclusionAnother great day! Many takeaways. So great to meet my virtual PLN in person! Looking forward to use these experiences in my classroom to continue fostering learning for my students.
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About MeLouie here! 5th Grade Teacher. Level 2 Google Educator. Love all things Google. 1:1 Chromebooks. Archives
June 2020
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