Week+2+Journal

 =__Week 2 Journal __=

This has been quite a week. I have been very busy both at school, and at home. I have found working in other classrooms to be a lot of fun. I have really enjoyed coming into the classroom and feeling like I am part of the class right away. My team members have been very accepting of me in their rooms, and I truly appreciate that. I feel like I am a member of the class, and like I belong there. I was a little afraid that me coming into these classrooms would be awkward in some way, but it has not been.

One classroom I visit has gone through somewhat of a transformation since I took on the role of "coach." The teacher originally was a bit reluctant to change how she did things, but to my surprise, she has made many positive changes to the setup of her room. I have worked closely with this teacher for many years, and to be honest, I was most concerned about how she would take to change. She amazes me every day! She has such wonderful, creative ideas, I feel like she is helping me more than I am helping her! I have ideas for her science students to create some podcasts over the next few weeks.

The second classroom I visit belongs to a young teacher so much enthusiasm, I feel like I smile the whole time I am in there! Her classroom feels positive, and her students are happy. The project we are working on in this class, is based on a lesson I got from the [|ORC website]. The students are creating a tourist guide to our town. They have been very excited about using digital cameras, and learning how to create a movie, or presentation, of the location in town that they are compiling information about. I'm not sure how this will all shake out, but we are doing it! We have local members of the [|Chamber of Commerce] coming to school on Monday to address the students, and answer questions for them. I can't wait to see what the kids come up with. they have really great ideas.

I am working with our technology coordinator to bring in PD possibly from [|SOITA] on podcasting. I really want our teachers to learn how to use the handhelds in the classroom. All I can say is, whenever I take my iPod out in front of the kids, they get very focused. They want to see what I have on it, and they want to tell me how they use theirs! Kids know everything about iPods. (I had to ask my son to help me the other day with something I didn"t understand.) I felt good at our inservice on Friday. One of my friends had his iPod out, and I was able to show him something he didn't know. Even he was impressed with me! About 3 weeks ago in my social studies class, we were reading about earthquakes in our Weekly Reader, and while the kids were reading the article, I was able to download a seismograph app. When they finished the article, I placed the iPod on the floor, and let them stomp around it.(I can see you cringing!), They were very careful and respectful of it. They thought it was awesome! (So did I, I felt really smart!)

More next week.