180 Days of Learning- Day 5

Today's learning component is short and a follow up from Friday.

Today I had a teacher complete the morning announcements for tomorrow.  Previously I used a pretty straight forward google app called Screencastify.  Today I switched it up and decided to try Flipgrid, another straight forward recording tool.  The big difference between the two is frequency of use, more people use Flipgrid.  The only problem is I have Flipgrid set to limit recordings to 1:30 and on most days the announcements go 2:30.

The learning came on two parts.  The teachers who recorded the announcements realized they had been cut off and just started a second recording.  My learning came when one of the teachers, Mrs. Pontius, told me I could just combine them on WeVideo, another web-based recording tool.   WeVideo is a little more complicated because it has bells and whistles.  While I did not use the bells and whistles, I did figure out how to stitch two separate recordings together.  Just this simple act has encouraged me to try to be more adventurous with this and try the bells and whistles, now I just need to find the right project for it.

On another topic.  Something I, and many educators, struggle with is work/life balance.  Tonight I took some time and went for a jog with my son.  I run regularly, but he has been under orders to limit physical activity as a result of an injury.  Today we started easing back into this.  We ran 1 mile, in 10 minutes, and he was ready to quite at half a mile but he pushed through.  I am proud of the ffort he put in on this.  Perseverance is an important skill, and one that is only learned through experience.  This was a good opportunity to develop some grit through perseverance.

What are some learnings happening in your home?  Do you have stories of perseverance to share?

Day 4- Teamwork

Today I got the pleasure to see confidence in action.

This year we have changed or adapted a few of our practices.  The biggest visible one is our morning announcements.  Historically the announcements have been a voice from overhead (usually me or the AP) reading a scripted messaged and covering some requirements.

This year we have turned it into a recorded miniseries that will develop over the year.  We still include the required portions, such as the pledge of allegiance and the moment of silence, as well as the birthdays and school pledge while also including our social emotional learning reminder.  The biggest difference is that these messages are now recorded as a video production and shared via the google classroom with teachers.

When I was in school, recording something like this would take heavy equipment and a closed circuit TV system to share.  Now, it takes a connected device and a distribution network.  I use my laptop to record it with an app called Screencastify.  This is not the simplest tool to use, nor does it have any bells an whistles.  It is probably one of the most basic tools available right now, but that is the point.  Once we are comfortable with this, we switch tools that offer more options.  But this is not my point.

Every day this week we have had a different group handle the recording.  First it was just me, then me and my AP, followed by two kindergarten teams, with two third grade teachers handling this morning.

Today I had to prepare Monday's announcements and did so with the help of a student.  While it remained largely scripted it is an intimidating prospect to be in front of a camera knowing 670 students and 70 adults are watching and listening to you.  The student who did it approached it with confidence.  We practiced one time and I talked through the technology side of things.  He said he was comfortable so I hit record (with about 15 minutes until dismissal) and we started.

What did I expect?  A few attempts, a need for motivational talk.

What I got?  A confident speaker, nailing the script even though I didn't say my pieces exactly as practiced.

The student was cool as a cucumber throughout the whole thing, even my unscripted parts.  I was impressed.  My big takeaway?  If we prepare students enough, they can rise to the unexpected.

#Dogoodbegood  #crenshawcards

Day 3- Social Emotional Learning

Over the summer we had 16 staff members attend a training to implement a program called Social Emotional Learning.  The gist of Social Emotional Learning is that as educators, our job is to teach many academic skills but most importantly, we need to teach social emotional skills so that students can grow and communicate effectively.  Over the past three days I have started to see the skills from this program being put to use. and so far I have been amazed by the early implementation and results.

This program is not your standard teaching approach, the teacher does not tell you and explain what it looks like.  The process involves a lot of open ended questions where students answer with their experiences and thoughts.  These are not yes and no questions but questions that encourage thinking and the answers require explanations.

Each month we focus on a different skill.  For September we are focusing on Self Awareness.  Self awareness involves several pieces including recognizing your strengths and using them to better the class, knowing what makes you happy/sad/angry/excited, and understanding how your emotions can impact you and your classmates.

Beyond the structured skills lessons there are a number of class activities designed to create a team environment and get students talking productively.  These are the most common lessons I have seen this week as teachers are focusing on developing individual and group relationships.  This sense of team is helpful in many aspects but most of all, students who work together are better prepared to learn.

Seeing this program being implemented has been a learning experience and one I am proud of.  Each day, during our announcements we have been highlighting some of this.  Ask your students about it over dinner tomorrow.

Thanks to all who have been reading.  If you would like to be a part of this and share something you have learned email me and we can set it up.  We have ad a great start tot he year and our educational adventure is moving along.

Day 2 from the computer Keyboard of Mrs. Wade,

"Day 2 was a busy day of learning. 

4th grade students learned how to work together during morning meeting.

2nd graders worked with in and out circles learning how to listen to the speaker.

TJ learned about Morning Meeting and "how we all need each other."

Elijah learned to never leave your book bag at the bus stop!

Adam learned how to organize his binder.

I learned several new things today:

I learned how to make a tower with masking tape, a piece of yarn, 20 spaghetti noodles, and a large marshmallow!

I also learned that dismissal during a rain storm is very WET!

Did you learn anything new today?"

Day 1: 180 Days of Learning

September 5, 2017

What a great first day of school.  Students got here, ate lunch, and got home safely.  We squeezed in some learning in between.  For me, there was a lot of reinforcement of things I already knew and a few things I forgot that needed refreshing.  But today isn't about me, it is about our students.  Here is what some of them learned today.

Matthew learned that you need to be respectful, even to teachers who are not your teacher.

Genna learned a lot about class rules.

Jaylen learned that being nice is important.

Kyla learned that you need to carry the cafeteria tray with two hands and you need to walk nicely when carrying it.

Christian learned about the first day jitters.  He heard a story about someone who had the first day jitters and didn't want to come to school.  It was the teacher!!!

Carson and Nia learned about a card system being used by their teacher.  All students have jobs and can earn rewards on their cards.  Carson also learned that he needs to be sure to keep up with his stuff for his job.  Nia added that they learned a lot about routines.

Anna learned about homework sheets and topics they could write about.

Jeremiah learned that it is his job to pay attention and that being respectful is important.

Liliana learned that she could make many things out of playdoh.  She made a snow man.

Sarah learned how to find shade on the blacktop at recess.

Mrs. Hess learned that Crenshaw is a great place to be and the students and staff are very welcoming.

Allie learned all about math.  It is her favorite part of the day.

Shauniya learned about all the things we do at school, like how to walk in a line.

Mrs. Ledbetter learned that the first day is hard if you are out of practice, and lunch goes by quickly.

Quincy learned all about the letter A and how to draw it.

Nathan learned that A says "Ah, Ah, Apple"

Jonathan learned about learning, but not to read yet.Christian learned what is expected of him this year.

Sevrin learned how to write his name.

Jeffrey learned that we are all important.

Antonio learned that his teacher is nice.

Ben learned that he likes me.  I am pretty fond of him too.

Leave me a comment about what you learned today.

Kicking off the 2017-18 School Year

As I sit here unwinding from the day, reflecting on the work done the past few months to get school ready as well as what lies ahead of us tomorrow, I am awed by the sense of pride I have in our community.  Our staff has worked tirelessly to get the school ready.  Classrooms are arranged, the building has been prepped, and lessons are designed to promote academic and social growth. Parents have communicated with the school.  Forms have been submitted, supplies purchased, and bus routes analyzed. Our students have grown over the summer.  Socially they have matured.  Academically they have read books and experienced new things that have helped develop ideas.  As a school, I am proud of where we are today and amazed by the growth we have covered over the last 365 days.

Our theme for the year is "Partners in our Educational Adventure".  The theme itself is wide open as far as how it applies but one thing is very clear, it is a partnership between home and school.  Parents working with students working with teachers all coming together to make the most of the opportunities in front of us this year.

One of the projects I am starting this year to support this idea of partnerships in learning is this blog.  Each school day, in the evening, I will post one entry of one thing someone has learned during the day.  I will seek out different authors each day including teachers, watchdogs, staff, parents, volunteers, bus drivers, students, and visitors to our school.  At times, depending on the author, the delivery may change.  We may include some video blogging opportunities or even some video interviews. The topic is what we make it and by inviting multiple authors, I am hoping the variety and voice will keep it interesting  With that said, if you would like to contribute to this blog, shoot me an email at Brian_Campos@ccpsnet.net or make a comment in the comments section.

Thanks for all your support over the last year.  I am eager to see what we learn this school year and where our educational adventure takes us.  Thanks for taking the time to read this.  Please give me some feedback as this develops.