Beginning of the Year Looking at Curriculum

 Vacation is officially OVER..

The first week back what a journey. I thought I had everything together little did I know. New curriculum, a new LMS the journey of a lifetime. 

NEW CURRICULUM

HMH Into Literature

Looks good on paper but it has a lot of components. It has everything you would want in an ELA curriculum: Reading, Writing, Grammar, Video resources, Assessments, Workbook (digital and hard copy). No immersive reader but they do give the option of read to me and some translation options. They are based off Notice and Notes by Beers and Probst so all annotations guide them using that protocol, which is wonderful. Throughout the reading they are prompted using notice and notes question protocol guides. 

Notice and Note

Writing uses the text read in reading as mentor text. Video supports for strategies are throughout the program reading, writing, grammar. Assessments are included at the end of each text but also at the end of units. You can edit the assessments or create your own. Editable lesson plans are included in the curriculum. Overall, so far it looks good. 

Lightsail 

Library of books for students to read. You can assign or they can choose their own. When the students start the "program" they are forced to complete a power challenge assessment to determine Lexile level. Then books are "recommended" to them based on their levels but they have access to all levels. Based on their reading their lexile is "updated" regularly so change in Lexile will be determined. During reading cloze reading questions are automatically prompted for students to respond to during reading. Additionally, during reading multiple choice and short response questions are prompted. As a teacher you can create assignments, assessments, and set weekly time on reading goal. The program keeps track of pages and minutes read. 

Neither of these programs integrate into my schools LMS iLearn (Brightspace) but HMH Into Literature does integrate into Google Classroom. 

Overall the staff is very pleased with the new curriculum but lots of concerns over implementation. 

Beginning of the Year Tips

Before You Meet the Students

• Set up your classroom - Make it inviting!! Let them know about you and what to expect this year!! Let your personality shine, whether it is through bitmoji's or personal anecdotes. 
• If possible send welcome emails to students directing them to your website and/or classroom
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• Design interactive get to know you activities 
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First Week

• Community building - Flipgrid "Meet the Teacher", Buncee - "All About Me", Adobe Spark digital storytelling Share creations on Wakelet for all to view (family and community builders) use Jamboard to create collaborative class norms
• Welcome to ELA Class - BUNCEE
  

• Digital Citizenship 
• https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en_us/educators includes badges for students upon completing, has a game that the students can play to learn digital citizenship
• https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship

Finding My WHY Again!!!!

 This has been a whirlwind spring and summer. I have been on the edtech rollercoaster learning and growing and stretching myself BUT the most important thing I realized this summer was my WHY.

I came into education from a career in social service and law enforcement. As a Family Shelter worker, Child Protective Service worker and Juvenile Probation Officer I saw families at their worst. I saw the devastating effects of life on families. Through all of this I was wondering what was the one most important thing to bring about generational change to families. 

Then I entered a Forensic Psychology Program at John Jay College, CUNY and I learned. For my thesis I did a longitudinal study of probationers in Bronx Family Court. What I found was earth shattering for me they were much more likely to have immediate and distant family members involved in the court system. Most had interaction with Child Protective Services. Most family members had not finished high school. I know we say it but to see the numbers that I saw woke me up. When I worked in these systems I knew we were dealing with the same family members over and over again but to see it through this 20 year longitudinal study was jaw dropping. Also, at the time I had a 13 year old who I knew couldn't read a picture book who was in the 5th grade. I tried to get "services" to him tutoring etc. but there was no family involvement. When he came to me so proud because he was graduating 5th grade tears came to me. What message were we giving this child that we knew couldn't read. He knew he couldn't read. His exact words were, "I'm better now." He was so proud!! 

That was my moment I only lasted another few months before I resigned and joined an alternative certification program to become an educator. I believe education "TRUE EDUCATION" is the path out of criminal justice systems, social service systems, and poverty. I wanted to be a part of THAT!!!

When I entered that is what I dd, but as time when on year after year I found  myself settling for good enough. That is not what is going to bring about generational change. Excellence is what brings about generational change. 

I'm not saying that every student has to be excellent at everything but an attitude of excellence. Going above and beyond. I was doing it in my classroom but when I saw things happening in other classrooms I did not speak up. When I became involved as a Teacher Leader I did not speak up. I did not speak my truth. It wasn't only my class I should be worried about it is all students. Being a part of educating educators on best practices to strive for excellence in all our students. Giving them the tools they need to make learning accessible to ALL!! That is my passion, that is my calling and I am reaching for it. I was not brought into education to impact one class of students. I came into education to impact STUDENTS!!! Using my voice so I give them permission to use their voice. My favorite poem.... It speaks to my spirit

Buncee, Flipgrid, and Waklet Oh MY!!!!

What a whirlwind week it has been.. 

Buncee - Community Building - See the slide deck

I was happy to present and share ideas about building community with students and families from the beginning. Family and student engagement is going to be critical this year like never before. The students and families have been traumatized by COVID and the resulting after effects in our communities. It is crucial that all teachers plan for SEL every day and every lesson. 

It sounds like a cliche but it is so true "Maslow before Bloom" They can't retain information if they do not feel emotionally safe. There were a lot of questions but once I got over my fear I was able to step out and speak my truth about this very important topic. They need to know they matter and the parents need to feel like you care about them.

Opening with collaborative getting to know activities is crucial. Building connections and building relationships. 

The next was Giving Voice to Wakelet with Flipgrid 

Again ways to connect with others be they colleagues or students. Wakelet is an awesome tool BOOKMARK, CURATE/ORGANIZE, and SHARE all within one app. The uses are really only limited by your imagination. When you add FLIPGRID to it now it adds that authentic voice where you can have a discussion with the other collaborators. 

It was a whirlwind week and I was living in my purpose building up educators giving them edtech tools to build up our students and give them voice. My mission is to make education more inclusive making sure that educators are aware of the tools out there to enhance instruction. Modeling, coaching, encouraging them to be their best self. 

My last entry was on being rejected for MIEExpert. This gave me the push to resubmit. Whether or not I get in the program is not going to stop my mission or me training, guiding, leading other educators into the digital age where they have access to tools for OUR students. Even if I don't teach them they are still mine. We can't teach them until we know they're ok so first make sure they are ok and then get it with instruction using these same tools. 

Let's Get It!!! Each one teach one!!!

Rejected for MIEExpert NOW WHAT!!

I am feeling all kinds of emotions right now. I thought that one was the lock but I looked at what they included:

Have your posted ed tech helpful tips and tricks on social media to share your expertise with others?

If I am honest with myself I have not. I am still in the learner phase and too scared to share my stuff out there. I am not discouraged but I feel like I have the information I need to be ready for the next cohort. I still have work to do. I congratulated sincerely the people that were accepted but when I look at their profile and what they are doing they are innovators and not afraid to let people know it.

I didn't want to blog this but when I searched rejected by MIEExpert nothing came up maybe this will come up for someone else. I am documenting my journey and this is part of the journey. It doesn't mean no it means not yet. I am working on it. 

I presented for the first time about Google Forms and differentiated instruction in the GEG Virtual on Youtube so I have started. 

I am presenting next week for BUNCEE (Community Building) and for TeachMeetNJ (Using Wakelet with Flipgrid to Build Community) so I am getting my voice out there. I was selected to present for ISTE - Adobe Sparks Digital Storytelling in October so I am still in baby stops. I have a small group that I am training for Google Certified Educator Level 1 and Microsoft tools so again baby steps. 

Now it is my turn to create and I started this blog saying that our students and teachers were consumers not creators now it is my time to create, but first I had to get the knowledge. I'm not done learning that is life long but it definitely time to put some of this into visible evidence of learning. 

I celebrate where I am in my progress. This is not a race to the finish line because there is no end. I have to remember this is not for me it is for the students that I teach and the educators that I encounter to help them be the best that they can be. 

When I post now I want to include artifacts:

6th Grade ELA 2020-2021

Google for Educator Certified Innovator???

Well I did it, I applied and was DENIED!! What a let down but in my heart it wasn't my time. I just recently entered this EdTech world and I need to learn so much more. I was too scared my "How might we" how would I prepared to present it to the world. 

Now that it is over I will share my "HMW" How might we get urban teachers in Title 1 schools into the digital age to address a component of the digital divide?  This is related to my experience and other Title 1 educators experience exposed during the pandemic. We thought we were up to date. We were Tech gurus in our schools but we were not exposed to the digital tools that could be used to give our students an opportunity to have an equitable education. Even in my home district it is interesting that schools within the same district had access to different resources and it was not only the students it was the teachers. Staff in different schools within the same district given access to different professional development. In Title 1 schools we spend money on consultants from scripted programs and train us how to use scripted programs. It is like they don't trust teachers or is this a systemic method to keep quality education out of Title 1 schools. Then when the scores come out they blame the teachers but the curriculum is scripted with little deviation. How are we blamed but these scripted programs continue to make millions. With edtech training now teachers are exposed to  to tools to help make content accessible for ALL. Teachers can then use their pedagogical knowledge and tech knowledge to design curriculum that will fit the needs of the students in the classes that they teach. My project was one where I would be examining ways to bring Title 1 urban educators into the digital age. 

I am now reflecting on what I can do on my end to work with these educators to bring about radical change in how our Title 1 students are taught content. Not getting Innovator was a set back but not a STOP it was a not now in that arena but now I have to look at other ways I can get this important message out there. 

NOW for information on the process

APPLYING FOR GOOGLE FOR EDUCATION CERTIFIED INNOVATOR - WHAT WAS IT LIKE?

STEP 1: Make a decision that this is what you want and know your WHY?

STEP 2: Look for a challenge in education that you would like to tackle? Create a HOW MIGHT WE statement.

STEP 3: Be able to articulate the challenge

STEP 4: Interview another educator - you will write about this interview

STEP 5: Be able to show your digital EdTech journey

STEP 6: Create a video 2 minutes

The application process was stressful. I second guessed myself every step of the way. I redid my video a thousand times. BUT what I didn't do was put it out there. I did not get feedback from others. 

SUGGESTIONS I RECEIVED

1. Digital footprint - BLOG, WEBSITE, YOUTUBE I need to put my voice out there

Going forward these are the things that I will be doing. Whether or not I was selected does not change the need. I want to be an advocate for my fellow Title 1 urban educators. I did not write this blog post immediately afterwards I needed time to reflect. The denial does not stop me only I can stop me. My students need me to be an advocate for Title 1 urban educators so they can give them the quality education that they deserve!!!

 

EdTech Burnout

I know what this is now... This new world that I have entered has brought with it some amount of stress keeping up with everything it consumes your life. Today I missed the very first Google Educator Coach Book Study group. How did I do that??? Running around making sure my Microsoft Innovator Educator Expert application was right. Making sure my Google Innovator application was right. Was I passionate enough? Was I split between the two icons? I don't know but I do know they are both done. 

This made me reflect was I in it for the badges? Was I going left again? 

This I went to a book club for ... WOW!!! Is all I can say the universe redirected me back to my purpose. It ALL mattered. I must push through radically to get my message out there and to be a positive conduit for students who look like me to get what they deserve. This is the time. I have to be like my ancestors put on my big girl pants and push through. This is the season to finally address systemic racism in institutions of learning and to do that we need the tools. I need this platform to speak for them. I need this platform to train others so that we are not "left behind".