Starting a New Chapter......

After over twenty-one years in the classroom this school year I will be stepping out of the role of classroom teacher and entering a new one.  I have chronicled my switch from elementary school teacher to that of technology teacher (and learner) with my grade 7 students over the past seven years on this blog.  In addition to my role as classroom teacher, I provided professional development and teacher training ( I really don't care for that term.)  These past four years I morphed into our school's iPad coordinator.  I think it goes without saying there has been a lot going on in my professional life since its inception.  I have enjoyed all facets of being a classroom teacher, but lately have been compelled to do more; to reach more students and teachers.
This year I have been given the opportunity to do just that.  I am thrilled to have been selected as our system's first digital coach.  What does this entail?  I am not 100% sure, but plan on having an amazing time figuring it all out.  I will be looking at teaching and learning through a bit of a different lens, one that it broader and more systems based than building or grade based.  This current school year my focus will be back with the "littles" as I will spend a majority of my time with our elementary teachers and students, specifically our third graders.  I will of course still support our grade 6 and 7 students and staff when I am able to do so.
Needless to say there will be many changes in my professional life this year.  I will no longer have a "home" school, and will be more of a gypsy.  It only makes sense to change my online life to match the changes in my career.  As you can see I have given my blog a bit of an overhaul.  I will be adding content to the new pages as the year progresses.
A big thanks to those of you who have been following my career via this blog.  I hope you will continue to do so as I document this next chapter.
   ~Kim White

Finishing Up Your Problem Solving

Welcome to full blown June.  The pollen is falling and so are the rain drops.  This has certainly been a rainy spring.  The forecast is for almost two more inches of rain at the beginning of this week. YIKES!!  I hope your weekend was great.  Did you know anyone who graduated this past weekend?  I know it's hard to imagine, but you will be donning the cap and gown before you know it.  I hope you remember all of the things I've been sharing with you this year about keeping the two sides of your digital life clean and separate.
This week you will complete your slideshows and your artifact reflection sheets.  I have created an assignment in Google Classroom where you will "turn in" your slideshows.  Please be sure you have turned in all of the components, both paper and digital, so you will receive all the credit you have earned.  You will also have some time to practice presenting your slideshows.  You may want to use your iPads for this so you can spread out in some "shared office space."

You have one more important piece of management to take care of in the next two weeks.  You will need to clean up your digital lives; your Google accounts and pdrives.  I will have a document for you to follow.  Please be sure you don't just delete everything.  You need to save some of your "artifacts" for your digital portfolio.  It will be your choice as to whether or not you want to save your teacher contacts in your email accounts.


Have a great week!

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Doing Your Best Today

Hello,
    I will not be with you for class today.  Please be sure to make good choices and work hard for your substitute.  I am not having you work on your slideshows today, but instead having you take some time to think about "creator's rights."   You are contributing more and more to the web and will want your rights protected.  You have an announcement in Google Classroom which contains a video.  You will watch this video and use the information to help you with the first two worksheets in your packet.  Have a great day and I will see you the next time.
Please make me proud!!
    ~Mrs. White  :)

Time Out for Copyright Review

Welcome back from our three day weekend.  I hope you had some fun.  Unfortunately the memorial services on Monday were a bit soggy.  Did you take a moment to think about the reason for this holiday?  I hope so.  I know I did.  This site gives some information about this holiday and others observed in this country.

This week you will have some time to work on your slide presentations.  You will also review some information about copyright and fair use.  We have worked on this throughout the year, but I felt we could all use the review.  If you only have one class this week, it will be used to address this topic.  You will have plenty of time next week to finish your slide presentations.  You will find all of the information you need for this review in Google Classroom.  Please be sure to do a good job.  I will expect you to apply what you've learned as you work on your slideshow projects.

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Solving Problems

Have you ever thought about problem solving; I mean really thought about it?  Almost any change has come from someone or a group of people sitting down and thinking.  Yes, I said thinking!  Sure there is discussion involved, and sometimes that discussion gets heated, but in the end problems are most often solved with thinking and communicating.  I'm sure during some of those discussions crazy ideas have been thrown around.  I am just as sure that some of those crazy ideas have become the solutions.  It's called, "thinking outside the box."   Some of this type of thinking is dependent upon your learning type.  Let's take a look at this video and have some fun.

The next couple of weeks will most definitely test your creative and problem solving skills.  They will also test your ability to work together and get a job done.  I will share some resources with you, but ultimately the job is up to you to get done.

Good Luck!

Spring Tech Project

What a great weekend!  It felt summer like on Saturday.  I hope you were able to get outside and enjoy the beautiful day.  Unfortunately it sounds like more rain is on the way this week.  If April showers bring May flowers; what do May showers bring????  I hope the forecast is a bit inaccurate.  I don't know about you, but I would like to see a bit more of the sun this week.  Take a look at what Wonderopolis has to say about the "April Showers" theory.
This week you will start your final "big" project of the year in technology class.  Most of you did not have class with me last week due to our MCAS schedule.  We did have classes on Monday, and those students helped me shape this project.  I have created a "hyper doc" to share the project resources with you.  This project will require you doing some research.  Before we get started let's review how to efficiently search for information on the web by watching this video.  This project will require management of time and best use of resources.  I have created some resources to guide you through this process.  It will be up to you to use them effectively.  Good luck!

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