Hour of Code: My Kids WILL CODE!

We missed the first 2 days of Computer Science Education Week because we had Snow Days. As much as I enjoyed those two days off , I was kinda bummed about not being able to have my class participate in the Hour of Code.

Wednesday, I had to leave early to attend a meeting, so we couldn't do it then.

Thursday, I made sure it was part of our day.

I began by discussing Computer Science Education Week (ho hum), and then segued into coding, (bodies fidgeted, eyes lit up, "Can we do that?"). I put  the Youtube video up on the Smartboard, lights went out, and 20 bodies grabbed carpet squares, bean bags, and video chairs and plopped themselves in front of the board. Amidst shouts of "Shakira", "Ashton", "President Obama!", and other assorted celebrities, I think they got the gist of what this coding thing is all about.

At the end of the video I yelled, "Is everyone ready to code?!" and a thunderous "Yeah!" rolled over me. Bodies flew to Chromes, desktops, and laptops to sign up for Tynker. I was prepared, I had placed the code for our class on Edmodo. (easy-peasy, lemon squeezy).

When I tell you they were excited!!!! Two or three were able to log in,("Mrs.M, I'm in, I got on!"), the rest were disappointed. I explained to them that people all over the world were trying to do the same thing they were, at the same time. The ones who got on went from "What do I do?" to "Hey, look what I did!" in the blink of an eye. My babies never cease to amaze me. Watching them sit and actually watch the tutorial was pleasure enough.

The ones who were not able to log in  were understandably frustrated, but that was good. They were frustrated that they couldn't get on and CODE.They were frustrated because they could not get on and do the work.  I told them not to worry, they could try it at home, and we will try again in school.

This is not a one week event for me. My kids WILL CODE!

Next week is S.M.A.R.T Kids Day at our school. The 5th grade team set up rotations, my rotation is coding. I want to give all the kids on our grade a taste, leaving them wanting more.

I love this idea! I love who thought of this idea! We have to challenge our students. We have to make sure they have the skills for the jobs that are now, not then. We have to teach them to code!

November's Popular Posts!

Is it really December already? :)

November was a very exciting month for our class because we had a visit from the governor. He observed, and participated, in a Mystery Skype to kick off American Education week! The kids and I loved that he was there to see us do what we do!

Think about trying at least one Mystery Skype this year, you 
won't regret it!

Here are the top three popular posts for November:

Help!: I Cannot Do This "Education Thing" By Myself!

Write 50 Times:"I Will Turn in My Progress Report":Why is This Still Happening?

Creating a Caring Community in the Classroom: Morning Meeting!

10 "Gifts of the Heart" Teachers Can Give Their Students!

Of course, there are more than 10 things that we could give our darlings, but these are the ones that stood out in my mind. They're not in any particular order, just the way I thought of them.  Feel free to add your own! :)

1.     A smile. If you are miserable, they usually are too.

2.    Get rid of all those worksheets. Granted, if a student can't figure out 5 problems, they probably can't do 25 - 30 of the same thing.

3.    Talk to them about events  in their life. And maybe, share something from yours. Morning Meeting is a great place to practice this!

4.    Give them a fresh start. Every. Single. Day.

5.   Challenge them.  Don't view the students as part of  "the population." View them as individuals, each bringing their own gift to the table. Challenge them! They might surprise you!

6.    Provide consequences. Whether you believe it or not, they will thank you. 

7.    Remember they are only children. Oh boy, that's a hard one to do sometimes, I know. :)

8.   Try something new.  They don't learn the same way we used to teach. Let's teach the way they learn. Enhance a lesson with at least one new tech tool.

9.   Get off task.  Isn't it great to veer away from the planned topic for a bit?

10. Teach!   Let them learn at least one new thing per day.

photo credit: PetitPlat - Stephanie Kilgast via photopin cc

Just Follow the Script:Teaching by Textbook!

I tried.
I really tried.
Maybe there is something wrong with me.

I mean who wouldn't want a nice, new, clean book with every word you should say written out in nice, clean, bold text?

Who wouldn't want each lesson guided?

Each lesson telling you what to do, how to do it, and when to do it?

I tried.
I couldn't do it.

When it told me to say certain words, I found myself saying other words.
When it told me how to write something on the board, I was adding things, making comments.

No, that's not what I am supposed to do.
I am supposed to follow the script.
Why can't I realize that it makes me a better teacher? My life easier? The kids better learners?

Why, oh why, can't I follow the script?

photo credit: woodleywonderworks via photopin cc

Productive Parent - Teacher Conferences: A P/T Form That Helps!

Year after year, I have tried to find a way to make my conferences more productive. I had attempted to find a way to share information with my parents so they had a clear understanding of where their child is. I had always felt frustrated, when after a parent had gone , and I would think, “Oh, I forgot to tell her/him….”  


A few years ago I created a form based on  some of the questions from a worksheet that my  Phi Delta Kappa sorer shared with me. There have been some revisions over the last two years, and I am sure there will be more.  The  first question I asked  is ” What are your concerns or comments?” This allowed my parents a chance to voice their concerns first.

We completed the form, using the questions to guide the conference and open discussion between myself and the parent. I felt that the form  answered questions parents have, but  forget or don’t think to ask. 

The following marking period, I reviewed  the first form with the parent, to see how it compared to the current marking period. 

After the form was completed, the parent signed it, providing not only a written document of what we discussed, but a guide for the parent.

When I used the form,  the conference moved along smoothly.  It is important to remember that it is a guide, not the end all and be all of the conference. I tried typing this year, but I gave up after the first parent. I didn't feel as if I was giving them my full attention. I kept the original, and sent a signed copy home to the parent. 


As a parent, I know conferences are not always easy, especially if the child is not doing well. Hopefully, my form made it easier to focus on  the purpose of the conference. Bringing together the parent and the teacher, in a productive atmosphere, to do whats best for their child and my student!

 Parent/Teacher Conference Form