On October 28th, my class began a blended learning adventure complete with daily bus rides and a new classroom at Ridge Middle School! The observation classroom, #Catalyst, will be our second home until December 18th. We are temporarily moving out of Room 125 at Hopkins Elementary (Mondays-Thursdays). The transition has been rather smooth due to the tremendous amount of support my class has received from district administrators, fellow teachers, instructional coaches and parents. Thank you everyone!
Mr. Jeremy Shorr (@JeremyShorr), Director of Educational Technology for Mentor Schools, set the journey in motion by arranging a few observations at blended learning schools. The teachers in these classrooms engaged students with a mix of teacher instruction and technology resources.
I spent many hours planning what #Catalyst would become for my students. Luckily, I was able to do so with the help of Mrs. Chelsey Eminger (@EmingerITC), a great friend and colleague. Mrs. Eminger and I began teaching together in 2009 and now she serves as my school's Instructional Technology Coach. Mrs. Eminger and I brainstormed how to structure the days at #Catalyst as well as how to implement a blended learning model of instruction. Our model of blended learning combines small group direct instruction with independent work stations.
We selected a four station rotation model. My students have mastered the rotation between stations which includes a quiet bubble-no talking :-) and folded hands.
Currently my students are working in the following Language Arts and Math stations:
1. Guided teacher instruction- My instruction varies based upon the needs of the group. Example activities: guided reading, mini lessons with new material, introducing new Apps
2. Independent peer practice- Students work independently or in pairs/groups to reinforce learning. Example activities: learning games
4. Writing wall (plexiglass)- Example activities: reinforce writing skills (letters, numbers, sight words, number words/sets, sentence copying/writing)
Our station activities will change as we progress through the second quarter of the school year. I am excited for the rest of our blended learning adventure. Thank you to all those who made this possible for my class! Teamwork makes the dream work!
#Catalyst
Room 319 @ Ridge Middle School
Mr. Jeremy Shorr (@JeremyShorr), Director of Educational Technology for Mentor Schools, set the journey in motion by arranging a few observations at blended learning schools. The teachers in these classrooms engaged students with a mix of teacher instruction and technology resources.
I spent many hours planning what #Catalyst would become for my students. Luckily, I was able to do so with the help of Mrs. Chelsey Eminger (@EmingerITC), a great friend and colleague. Mrs. Eminger and I began teaching together in 2009 and now she serves as my school's Instructional Technology Coach. Mrs. Eminger and I brainstormed how to structure the days at #Catalyst as well as how to implement a blended learning model of instruction. Our model of blended learning combines small group direct instruction with independent work stations.
We selected a four station rotation model. My students have mastered the rotation between stations which includes a quiet bubble-no talking :-) and folded hands.
Currently my students are working in the following Language Arts and Math stations:
1. Guided teacher instruction- My instruction varies based upon the needs of the group. Example activities: guided reading, mini lessons with new material, introducing new Apps
2. Independent peer practice- Students work independently or in pairs/groups to reinforce learning. Example activities: learning games
3. iPads- Example activities: Lexia, MobyMax, Raz-Kids, QR code scanning, Educational Apps
4. Writing wall (plexiglass)- Example activities: reinforce writing skills (letters, numbers, sight words, number words/sets, sentence copying/writing)
Our station activities will change as we progress through the second quarter of the school year. I am excited for the rest of our blended learning adventure. Thank you to all those who made this possible for my class! Teamwork makes the dream work!
