Let's Hear It For Learning!

For the past four years, I have made music videos with my class. They are all rooted in some part of our curriculum. They are fun, but they are a good amount of work. After 4 of them, I can honestly say that they are worth it.
When students now come to me, they know that I like to do them. They are excited about what lies ahead, but I am sure to tell them that they must 'earn' it and that it won't be easy, but it will be worth it. This year, I asked my students what they would like to 'sing and dance' about. Before I tell what what they chose, let's take a look at what previous classes have done...

1) Class of 2007-2008
June 2008
It is based off of the song "Crank Dat" by Soulja Boy, but we used what we were exploring in multiplication.



2) Class of 2008-2009
January 2009
It is based off of the song "YMCA" by the Village People, but we used what we were exploring in long division. This time we added the lyrics to the video.



3) Class of 2009-2010
January 2010
It is based off of the song "Empire State Of Mind" by jay-Z and Alicia Keys, but we used what we were learning through our Social Studies exploration of New York State. Once again we added the lyrics to the video.



That brings us to good old number 4. As I said before, I asked the class what they wanted to do a music video about, and they chose almost unanimously "crayfish". The study of crayfish is our fourth grade life science unit. So there I was... faced with the incredibly daunting task of figuring out how to sing and dance to a crustacean them.

First, we brainstormed vocabulary that we could use for the song. We had a digital word wall on the Smartboard, and we would update it whenever we found something. We chose the song "Tik Tok" by Ke$ha. At 5 am one morning, the chorus came to me. (I know we shouldn't think about work but teachers know this can't be done!) I told my class those lyrics, and they loved it. Later that night, it all just came together. The song was done.

I gave the lyrics to the class, and they loved it. They practiced during snack and recess. They practiced so much at home that I embedded the instrumental version of the song on our class blog to make it easier for them.

Next were the scenes. I experimented with some stop motion photography using a model crayfish I had made our of paper towel rolls and construction paper. They liked that. We shot the singing a few times along with some scenes they came up with. Ultimately, a few hours with Windows Movie Maker and Audacity and it was all together. I am very proud of this song and our class.

4) Class of 2010-2011
December 2010
It is based off of the song "Tok Tok" by Ke$ha, but it is based off of our knowledge of crayfish. The lyics are again there for the viewer.



Will I do one again next year? Only time will tell.. but I am pretty sure that I will. Why? I had fun, and the class had fun. On a side note, the grades on this year's crayfish unit test were MUCH better that past years. Does singing a concept work? Does memorizing lyrics really help? I don't know.. but I can tell you that I remember every word of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution because of SchoolHouse Rock.

I wonder if I can sing the Common Core Standards...

Teaching = Dis-Covered Knowledge

Humor me for a moment. Think back to your childhood. Let's say that in a time of great innocence, you spilled or dropped something on the floor. Now, that could have been carpeting, tile, or a wood floor. It matters not what spilled or what you spilled it on, just the fact that you spilled or dropped something. The resulting mess would no doubt get you in a ton of trouble with mom/dad/grandma/grandpa/aunt/uncle, etc.... whoever... Now you faced a moral dilemma.. what to do?

You could:
1) Don't face the problem. Don't address it. Run away and hide from it...
2) Quickly grab a rug, book, chair, or something else big enough and cover it up. If they can't see it, it is no longer a problem.
3) Take responsibility for the mess, learn how to eat food without spilling it.. all part of growing up.

OK.. enough with the fond memories...
The technology available to us as people is unbelievably immense and is changing every second. I just saw that Microsoft is developing something that enables you to use your palm or arm as a touch screen to dial a number or text... is this unbelievable??? Yes... it sure is. Technology doesn't slow down for anyone. It is up to you whether you choose to (or are able to) keep up.

One resource that I have really embraced and used as a resource for learning is Youtube (which has been bought by Google btw). I upload our class's music videos to it. I favorite videos that I then use in my instruction. I can search on a moment's notice in attempt to find content that I can use.

At this year's ASSET conference, I presented Youtube as one of the resources that educators can embrace. The participants at the workshop were excited to start working with it. I spoke about how my co-teacher and I were teaching a lesson on nutrition, and a student asked what the difference was between the various types of milks.... a search and I found this:



The discussion then went to how we make sure that milk is free from bacteria. Enter a video on Pasteurization:



In last week's blog assignment, my students were asked to identify which character or characters they most connected with, and them list character traits that support their choice(s). I found a great video by the Author of this book discussing challenges and triumphs of writing. I put it on the blog for the class to see.



In science, our class is creating Public Service Announcements for other kids about electrical safety. The project is anchored in our unit of electricity. Students are using our collaborative wikispace as a place to store the information and facts that they have gathered through their research. I won't list them here, but I have sample PSAs that my students refer back to as they create their own. Here is a PSA on nutrition by our very dear friend "Cookie Monster".



Before we even started using the wiki, I used this excellent video by Common Craft to reinforce the concept of a wiki after I introduced it:



Look.. I could go on and on about how I have been finding value in it.. but we all know that technology is a two sided sword. As Peter Parker's Uncle Ben said: "With great power comes great responsibility!" There is a ton of valuable 'stuff' on youtube, but there is also a lot of junk. Youtube is a stage where the whole world can be an actor on. 10 or 20 years ago it would have taken A BUNCH of money and connections for your video to be seen around the world. Not all of us are named Spielberg, Lucas, or Coppola, but nearly anyone can record a quick video (flip camera, digital camcorder or even a cheap web cam if your laptop doesn't have one) and upload it for the planet to see.

What do we do? We monitor our kids while they are in the lab or the classroom. We embed videos on our blogs and wikis so that they don't have to be in the "Youtube" site and see things like comments and related videos. We screen videos BEFORE we use them to ensure that they are appropriate for our classroom. We try our best to teach them how to use technology responsibly and to respect each other's views and opinions.

So what can you do about this resources, its values, and its dangers?

Well.. remember that spill?

You could:
1) Don't face the problem. Don't address it. Run away and hide from it...
2) Quickly get an Internet filtering program big enough and cover it up. If they can't see it, it is no longer a problem.
3) Take responsibility for the mess, learn how to use online video correctly and show our students how to do the same.. all part of growing up.

Now where did I put that Bounty roll? Comments welcome.

Is the Grass Really Greener or is it Artificial Turf?

Oh.. the joy of being a classroom teacher.

We are generalists in out duties, but we immerse ourselves in every subject in an effort to become specialists in all that we explore with our students. We are told that something is a top priority, along with 100 other things that are as well. We explore new educational strategies and instructional models in an effort to give our students the best learning environment in a sincere effort to reach all learning styles and both engage and challenge every student at all times through all subject areas.

To be honest, I sometimes feel like a professional juggler. Having said that, I wouldn't want it any other way. I love the rush and the unpredictability of the classroom, BUT.....

The technology projects that I also love to do are getting tougher and tougher to tackle with my students. The pace of the day and the limited time I can work and devote to them can suck the life out of many things. I have started to blog with my students as of last week, and they are really loving it. As a matter of fact, I am anxious to see their articles this week. My mind has been racing with music video ideas and how I can tie one to a curriculum area that we are currently exploring. (My last 2 classes have made such videos, and they were incredibly motivating and fun reteaching opportunities. They also help me to gauge what other projects my students would like to tackle.)

Lately I have been looking at the role of a technology teacher, and to be quite honest there is much that interests me. A technology teacher has more freedom to interpret the curriculum and create projects that leap "off the page" so to speak. They also must collaborate with the classroom teacher to ensure that it is anchored in curriculum. I am sure that it is not all smiles and bubble gum though, as there are some tasks in the role that might not be as rewarding. My main concern is the connection that I wrote about in my last entry. When you are a 'specials area' teacher, is there less 'ownership' of a class? I hate to definitively say "no", but from my point of view there would have to be. You are seeing almost the entire student population and not just those 23-26 kids that you are the primary person responsible for. That connection (for me) is one of the biggest rewards of teaching. I wonder how things would feel different if I was not their classroom teacher.

I'm not going anywhere, but it doesn't hurt to wonder. I'm just wondering aloud I guess.

New Year, New Challenges, New Opportunities

Here I sit three weeks into the new school year. I am just a few days from introducing the concept of blogging to them, and still I am reviewing and approving entries that are still being created by the students that I had last year. If that isn't encouragement to keep blogging, I don't know what is.

As I get to know my class both as learners, as a team and as individuals, the ideas flow like a waterfall around me. What will we be able to do? How will we be able to grow? What strengths and interests do they possess that will steer us in some new direction? How will I keep things moving and interesting/fun for them?

For back to school night, I used my Flip camera to have the students tell their families the curriculum instead of hearing it from me. I went with a Star Wars theme for the movie, called "Grade Four", and it came out really nice. It also told me that filming in the second week of school might be too soon for these kids. They were not used to such projects, and they weren't even used to me yet. Last year's kids... well they were ready but we were doing videos later in the year.

Call me insane, but now I sit here taking a break from making a new music video detailing the scientific method, which is what we have been exploring lately. As I rummage through song after song looking for that perfect beat that can be used, I still wonder if my timing is too aggressive.

Yesterday, I told my class that we might be doing a music video. They have all no doubt seen or heard about the videos that my last two classes have made, and they seemed very excited. As I did with the DMSB video, I asked them to brainstorm vocabulary and concepts pertaining to the scientific method. They went through their notes and worked in collaborative groups for about 10 minutes, and you could feel the energy in the room. We collected our words and created a class wordle that now sits poster sized in the front of the room.

Scientific method is an important part of our curriculum. It is used throughout the year embedded in the units that we explore. I know this will be fun for them, and of course I know that I will be busting my butt to get it done. I do worry that they still might not be ready, but hey.. this is the fourth week already. Let's get moving!

Happy school year to all of my fellow educators.. less than 10 months to go! :)

Promise Not To Tell?

I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I really like my class. I like how they respect each other, listen to each other, work with each other and communicate with each other. They communicate mostly in person and also through their blogs. They have tackled projects that I had never done before, and they have done a beautiful job. They have embraced what we have explored and created in a way that makes me proud as their teacher and hopeful as a person. I cannot believe that summer is here already.

Don't get me wrong. This year has been a lot of work (just don't ask the non-teachers that think we have it made for some!). We work our 'butts' off for 10 months and then spend the better half of the other 2 months either planning for, thinking about or trying not to think about the 10 that are coming next. I have a summer full of my own learning, family vacation and maybe even some sleeping late (if my kids can accommodate Dad's wishes). I am also finishing my graduate studies in Educational Technology (yay me!)

I just gave my class their digital yearbooks today. I have been doing them for every class for each of my 5 years of teaching. They are multimedia movies of our experiences in fourth grade. As a result of my own explorations and technical growth, each successive year has a "better" yearbook. They also tend to get longer. This year's video contains images and video with audio that I created by myself. I played with mixing and changing the speed. I am proud of it, and my kids absolutely loved it. Giving the yearbooks away is bittersweet for me. On one hand, they enjoy it and they cheer as they watch and relive our fourth grade memories. On the other hand, it means that the school year is really coming to a close and we must say farewell.

We all know 'those kids' that drive you totally nuts sometimes, but you would never trade them away. I have had quite a few, and I have a few this year. Today, I recieved something from a student that just totally blew me away. It was a note. It was a note in which this student expressed gratitude and happiness for the fourth grade experience that they had. It was so deeply anchored; it wasn't a "Hey Mr. D You Rock!" note. I read it a few times to myself, and I even shared it with a colleague. It wasn't to brag; lord knows I despise bragging... it was to share the fundamental joy that it brings to see a child appreciate what they were a part of. I am not a rarity in my school either. There are so many wonderful teachers in my school that go so far beyond the call of duty that perhaps students don't stop and think "Wow. My classroom really is a special place!" Not all of my teachers were so wonderful, but I will never forget those teachers that really played a role in my life. Thank you Mrs. Josell, my first grade teacher. Thank you Mrs. Rumore, my high school Spanish teacher. Thank you Professor Mandel, my college marketing teacher. This student wrote "I have another spot in my heart for you!". Wow... is there any accolade higher than that? Who knows... maybe one day this student will be blogging a similar article writing "Thank you Mr. Dugger, my fourth grade teacher."

I can only hope. Have a great summer everyone.

Can 21st Century Skills Replace 19th Century Skills?

I am very fortunate as an educator. I work in a school where the individual passions and strengths of a teacher are respected and utilized in such a way to benefit the students that we serve. We don't have a cookie-cutter system of teaching that we must conform to. We are not only allowed, but urged to develop our craft and become the best we can be. We all do things differently, but we achieve the same goals, meet the same standards, and all of that.

I aws speaking to my Library Media Specialist the other day about 21st century learning. We spoke about how the skills that will be necessary for the world of tomorrow will soon drive the learning in our classrooms. This begs the question... "What are the skills they need?"

While we don't know for sure what they are, we do have ideas and a general direction. Students need to be active learners. They need to be critical thinkers. They need to think "outside of the box". I believe that they need to be taught HOW TO, not taught WHAT.

A simpler analogy that I can refer to is the dreaded choral clap. Many teachers use this method to get student attention. This is especially useful in the lower grades (I guess, or at least that's how it appears). To me, that is more akin to training monkeys or seals than children. Are we Pavlovian training them to react to a sound or are we trying to help them to gauge the appropriateness of their actions and self-correct? The world doesn't clap when you do something wrong. It hits hard. Having students more autonomous and accountable to themselves without constant reminders and redirection from others.. that's what I hope for my students.

Back to the 21st century. There are things that many teachers do that I don't. They simply don't lend themselves to my style and my passions. If I had to assign weekly book reports to my kids, I think I'd jump out of a window (even thought I'm on the first floor). While book reports make me cringe, I have no problems asking my students to blog their thoughts. I would not want to read through pages upon pages of structured responses, but I gladly look through 25-50 blogs each week online and quite a few comments. I don't want to create scrapbooks and dioramas, but I love for my students to put on plays, create movies, and digitally tell stories.

Textbooks tell a story, but I want my kids to experience the story. I want them to feel the fight for independence as if they were alongside the Patriots at the Boston Tea Party, not look at it as an isolated, disonnected and irrelevant part of history. I want them to empathize with the characters in a book, not look on as a casual observer. It's nice to tackle transformative projects, but at what point will 21st century skills actually replace those that are "outdated"? How can we figure out what has become outdated?

On a probability test I gave my class about a month ago, I asked the following question:

A box contains 6 red tiles and 4 blue tiles. Sammy chooses a tile without looking. She wins if the tile is red. Cara wins if the tile is blue. What can you change in order to make this game fair for both players?

What do you think? The standard answers....
1) Remove 2 red tiles
2) Add 2 blue tiles



I had a student write the following on that test...
"Take one red tile and paint it blue"

I will not take credit for that student's thinking. I will tell you that I did say "WOW!" when I was grading it. That's not outside the box.. that's blowing it up.

Blogging Breeds Web Developing Skills

As my students are using classblogmeister (created by David Warlick), I am noticing an additional side benefit. No... this has nothing to do with a digital voice that transcends the classroom. No, it is not technology as a positive force of communication. This is something new and unexpected. My students are becoming web developers! While they might not be creating html and server side scripts, they are learning about how to change the look of text on the web and the purposes of doing so.


It all started earlier this year, when one of my students started playing with the "graphical style" text editor that David rolled out this year. Instead of simple text input for their entries, students are greeted with a familiar MS Word-ish interface with font faces, styles, weight, sizes, alignments etc. I remember seeing the first student use a different color. It became the talk of the class. Soon thereafter texts became larger, smaller and brighter and duller. Smileys invaded blogs, but it was used in the interest of personalization. I told my kids that as long as it was 'readable', meaning bright yellow was out, I was okay with it.


About a month ago, a girl in my class changed the text face color, but this time it was in a specific way and for a specific reason. She made the text white. Why, you might ask? She did this because white text with a white background means invisible text. She left a note to the reader to "Scroll over with your cursor slowely to see the hidden message below." Genius!


Soon, news of this new feature spread. Who's side would I be on the French and Indian War? Scroll over to see! Matching text color to background color! I do the same thing in hiding things on my SMARTboard, but here 9 and 10 year olds are doing the same with excitement! Is this cool or what? Yes, it is! It sure is!


And then? One of my kids the other day, in a blog letter to King George, wrote the following:





By putting something as simple as a "strikethrough", one of my students was able to voice his opinion on King George without even writing it! I was very excited to see this kind of thinking. It wouldn't be possible without technology. I often hear that 'words on a screen' lack emotion without the physical traits of the speaker's voice and actions (emoticons aside), so is this a good way to overcome this alleged shortcoming?
What's next??? I don't know! ;-)

When Social Networking Becomes Social Studies...

In a moment of pure insanity, I decided to tackle a new project with my students this year. I found in "Instructor" magazine the idea of starting a social network for students using people that would be studied in history. How cool would it be to have Thomas Jefferson "befriend" John Hancock, post pictures of himself and some biographical info, just like Myspace and Facebook? So, with the idea, some motivation and a whole lot of optimism, I decided to embark on "MyHistorySpace".

My class studies the Golden Age of Exploration and the people that saught fame and fortune to find the new world. People like Christopher Columbus, Ponce DeLeon, and Ferdinand Magellan might have a lot to say if given the opportunity to be part of a social network.

My library media specialist provided the students with a myriad of web sites that they could start out with. We spoke about the suffixes at the end of web sites and what they mean (.com, .net, .gov, .edu, etc.). We spoke about how those suffixes have an impact on whether or not you should 'trust' the information that you find. It went very well, and we knew that we were ready to move on.

I started with our class wiki. It became a data warehouse or a knowledge base of sorts. Using questions that asked for various biographical information, students scoured the web. They saved images that they found on a network drive. Things were moving along, but what next?

I had played with animated avatars at www.gizmoz.com before. They were quick and relatively easy... so I had my kids write "status quote" type sentences with authentic information about their explorer. They then animated a head shot picture and recorded their voices saying their quote. Of course, I had them speak (or attempt to speak) in the accent of the country that the explorer was born in.

After searching and researching, I decided to use a ning. That's where we are now. Today I formally introduced "Social Networking", the Ning and how to use it. Today, they embedded their avatars, uploaded profile pictures (of their explorer, not themselves), and they have started to write their blog entries. This class is amazing. They take it and run, and their 'tech-savviness' is wonderful. They have managed to become bloggers, wiki collaborators, multimedia producers, social networker and digital researchers. I am so proud of them! Pity the school year is coming to a close very soon.

Is this the end of the traditional biography report? I doubt it, but perhaps it is "natural progression." I'll let you know how the rest of the project goes! Feel free to check us out at http://myhistoryspace.ning.com