Personalities Shining Through

The kids loved Photo Booth. They could have spent hours on it! It was fun to see the personalities shine through as they had a moment to record themselves. Students who are typically quiet in a classroom of 28 were goofy as they took pictures and videos of themselves.

It was simply refreshing to laugh as I saw my silly first graders be themselves in front of a camera.

It seems as though there is less and less time to allow these personalities to fully shine through as we continue to be very test driven and score orientated even in the younger grades. There is so much curriculum to cover in a year to get these students ready for the next grade level. I think I sometimes forget these children are only 6 years-old.

Tomorrow my goal is to remember and enjoy the fact that I work with silly, goofy first graders!

The Potential of a New Classroom

Day 1: complete. The kids were so excited to get to use the computers. I couldn't help but to smile as I saw their faces light up when they opened their new laptops.

The first day was a time for the kids to explore. In the afternoon the kids changed their dashboard to set the weather and time for Chicago. As we looked at the 5 day forecast we had a discussion about the weather. This very short discussion gave me a glimpse of at the possibilities in our new 1:1 classroom.

In first grade we talk about the weather every day at calendar. I simply ask one student to tell the class about the weather (how was it during recess, look out the window, ect) and flip over a card on our graph. This usually ends our discussion.

Today, as students were looking at the five day forecast for Chicago, we discussed the weather for the week. I told the children that I want to go for a run outside this week and asked which days would be best for my run. Many eager hands went up in the air as students suggested the "sunny days." One little girl kept her hand raised and eventually told me that the "best day" to go for a run outside was today because it was not only sunny but also had the high temperature for the week.

This short discussion was enough for me to be able to see the potential of my classroom. Teaching children through real-life situations and seeing students apply their knowledge to daily situations and problems.

I know that I have a long way before I am able to become that teacher but the tools are there and I am excited for the journey.

A New Way of Teaching

This is my 4th year teaching in a school district outside of Chicago. I was lucky to get a job as soon as I graduated college. Although I have been teaching first grade these past four year I am not yet an expert. Sometimes I wonder if any educator ever truly masters a grade level when change is so prevalent in the education system.

Things are changing drastically in our classrooms. Teachers are told that kids are learning differently than they did growing up. Children's brains are actually thought to be wired in a new way due to the technology and modern things they are exposed to. As the children change, we as teachers are expected to change as well.

Tomorrow, I will be starting a new adventure. I will be teaching a classroom with 28 computers and 28 students. I will be teaching in a 1:1 classroom. Join me on my journey with my first graders as we learn how to integrate this wonderful technology into our classroom.