Reading Reflections - #Connections #elachat

When I travel, I always take books with me.

Lately, I haven't been taking physical books - I have my Kindle Fire and my Moto X for access to books.

I love the Overdrive program for access to free reading books - and one I've recently gotten from there is Tony Danza's I'd like to Apologize to Every Teacher I've Ever Had this book is amazing, especially paired with @jmattmiller Ditch That Textbook. 

What I've been doing is reading a bit from each and reflecting on my own teaching journey while reading these chapters. 

Simply, I've concluded every one of us must feel lost at times and reading books on other's experiences doesn't just give us a "Hey, I remember that issue..." it also helps us (me) realize that how we (I) have grown as (a teacher) teachers. 

I still remember my first year - tons of worksheets and memorizing. Now, not so much, as I read and connect on Twitter and Google+, I'm finding more ways to customize learning in my own classrooms. I can shoot a message out, and get a response within seconds - that response can lead to projects with other teachers and schools. Plus, it leads my students into learning that the world is much larger than our four walls. 

I still get a kick out of that first day: the jitters are as real as the first time walking into a classroom. The reality, if I wasn't nervous, I know it would be time to get out of teaching. 

It's not even June! I'm already reworking curriculum plans and reforming projects. Who said learning ends?!?

Summer expectations

The school year is gone.
The room is packed.
The planning begins!

For Geography:

I know that I liked my "Living Large on $2500" project. It was a last minute project, and I want to start it earlier in the year. I also think this could easily be expanded into a cost of living for different countries / capitols of the world.

I also found fantastygeopolitics.com this year. Instead of textbooks, I've requested this site. Between this and CNN Student News, I can honestly say my students were well informed about the world around them.

I also want to do even more #mysteryskypes, along with charting them on a Google My Maps!

For Reading

I've got plans to re-read Donalyn Miller's books this summer. I've met with the incoming seventh and eighth grade: we have established the expectations for reading for next year. Our school doesn't do a summer required reading, but students can work on reading for next year! 

I've got to also work on coming up with new ways to have students show their learning. I was planning on using Google Forms for most of it, but I have found Recap and REALLY want to turn some of these planned forms into student videos where they can work on their speaking skills while showing their learning! 

For US History

I also want to use the Recap program with my students, this year we have done questions in Google Classroom. I know that some students struggled with the typing out their thoughts, but they can verbally tell me what they are thinking. I really want to try this out and give students the option. 

For English

I use Giggles in the Middle. I need to make some corrections to my format for next year, plus I want to augment it with some new materials. I have used Hot Fudge Monday  and Down Write Funny a couple of years ago, I want to bring these back in.

I want to try Grammar for Middle School and I know I want students to focus more on writing. I'm thinking this can be done in explaining projects and working with their #GeniusHour projects next year. 

I know I will find more ideas and rethink others as this summer progresses. That's the power of my Personal Learning Network - I'm always able to find new information and bounce ideas off other professionals!