SCES

We discussed how to find angles in the real world while working on Yvonne's unit during redelivery today (actually we are still discussing it right now!) I used this activity Angle Art in my 5th grade class the other day and the kids could apply the concept, finding angles in artwork, to their own drawings after we finished the lesson. I think this activity really helped them "get it."

Click here to find out about an AUGEND. Another one of our thought provoking occurrences in our eMath sessions with Jeff!

During our second redelivery, the fourth grade teachers did some reflecting. We decided that we would . . .

Start doing . . . .

- identify the concepts worthy of understanding

- be confident

- teach students to be responsible for their learning

- teach students to self evaluate

Stop doing . . . .

- relying fully on the textbook

Do less of . . . .

- correcting for the kids (they need to learn how to find their own errors) familyeducation.com

- rote memorization

- expecting perfection (allow real-life mistakes)

Do more of . . . .

- Sharing of resources that we create (through

e-mail and the “S” drive)

- across grade levels sharing

- brag on ourselves (show what we have learned!)

- allow the kids to use the technology tools – to enable them to make 20^th century products

- insist that kids make their thinking visible (show what they know!)

Since our visit to GaETC I have been able to use my Promethean board much more effectively in my classroom! My kids love all of the new "tricks!" I have also started making flipcarts for my lessons and they really hold the kids attention better than my just writing on the board. I will be willing to share my flipcharts (I hope to make several over the break) so just let me know what you need and I will see if I have something you can use.

I think that all of us who went to the GaETC conference would agree that the knowledge we gained was well worth the drive - especially the Promethean class! Those of us who sat in on the Google class were also amazed with all that Google could do. The presenter, Patrick Crispen, has a website that will allow you to download his powerpoint presentation. Also, keep an eye on the SEGATECH blog - Jeff frequently posts tidbits about Google.

I was very grateful for all the training i received at the workshops in Atalnta this week, but I really needed help with a Windows Movie Maker Project I started last year. I'm still not an expert, but I know I will be able to refer to the handouts Nisa Peek gave out and to the super website she has created. I look forward to trying this with my students.

On Thursday, I worked with the kind ladies of SCES in their training session. During my portion of the training, I spoke at length about the BAMs portion of the Georgia DOE ’s eMath grant. The state wants teachers involved in the grant to use Concord BAM content to help students become adept at demonstrating developing critical thinking and mathematical reasoning (specifically, conceptualizing or modeling problems, doing necessary mathematical calculations, and communicating their solutions and their understanding of math concepts. Using the BAM content will also give teachers a valuable working model of what good assessment looks like in a math classroom, as well as how it can be used effectively to augment instruction. One of the first BAM scenarios SCES teachers will use involves questions involving a bus route. I’ve put together a simple PowerPoint presentation (or, if they prefer, ACTIVStudio flipchart) that’ll help them introduce this activity to their students.

Hot Potato is a great download to use in your classroom.

Remember you need to turn in your reflection on the one techno-instructional strategy you have used in your classroom by December 8.

Thanks for a great first collaborative!