Be comfortable in your own skin and innocent like a child. (My baby, Leia, now 4 months.)In my career teaching 5th graders more so than not what is planned does not work out the way it is planned. I constantly need to re-evaluate and make adjustments. I have learned through my years of experience to be flexible and always allow for change. This has helped me tremendously to roll with the punches and make the most of every situation. For example we have a laptop mobile lab and some of the laptops were being worked on to correct flickering screens. This was a frustration for all the teachers and some teachers would not use them until there was one for each student. I chose to create a project where my students worked with a partner. I tried to encourage other teachers to do the same. Some did and some did not.
I believe I was holding back in the area of where I wanted to go with my teaching. I wanted to reach the 21st century learner with technology, but was overwhelmed with teaching all subject areas and having limited time to check out all the available technology resources. This past year has been a wonderful opportunity exposing and using some Web 2.0 tools within the classroom. I believe I now am allowing myself to participate wholly by using different technology tools in the classroom and if it works great I will perfect it and use it again and if it doesn’t work then lesson learned and I know to move towards a different avenue.
I encourage students to express themselves and to be confident with how they feel moved to present themselves. In my class we hold class elections every quarter and all candidates give a speech before our election process. Most students write out their speech and nervously read it. I distinctly remember this one young lady got up and sang her speech. I applauded her for her creativity and I will never forget her unique way of delivering her speech. I find it important in 5th grade to encourage students to be who they are and to be comfortable with themselves as middle school is a challenge for students to “find themselves.”
My Action Research Project is not a project only for this week but has been an on-going project over the past year. It has taken much time and energy to complete this research while living life and working full-time. I am very grateful for this opportunity as I have grown and stretched myself to in area that I’ve wanted to venture, but I’ve never quite gotten there.
My AR project is about students completing digital assignments opposed to traditional assignments in the hopes that my 5th graders will be excited and yearning to share their knowledge through assignments. I am amazed at how many students do not have experience with computer software like Power Point and Movie Maker. It surprises me because technology is surrounding us. I have learned that my 5th graders get on computers and play games or search for You Tube videos. They lack skill with utilizing technology to share their knowledge.
Through my journey this last year my students have been excited about learning how to use computer programs. It pleases me that each day the 5th graders inquire when is the next time they will be able to work on their project. The outcome at the end of my cycles was rewarding when students shared the value they had gained for understanding and knowing how to use technological means to share information they have gained.
Kelli,
Your summary is wonderful and I enjoy your personal connections that you have made with the reading. Your thoughts on chapter 4 stand out for me… inspiration and contributions can align together.
In regards to Monika’s post, I’m in the same boat as my husband took my 2 year old to a birthday party and I’m rocking my 4 month old with my foot as I type this blog. “Living life in the realm of possibilities.”
Chapter 4 Summary: How we look upon life and react is our contribution. It could be something small or something big but don’t waste time fretting over trivial matters instead take each moment that you are given and treasure it by making a difference for the greater good. You never know how this may affect others.
Chapter 5 Summary: As a leader if a mistake is made and blamed on an individual and come to find out the leader is the one making the mistake. The leader should apologize and correct the mistake and the leader will be appreciated for admitting his/her mistake. Also, utilize other’s intelligence and thoughts by listening and when it’s appropriate incorporate good ideas shared by others and give acknowledgement to the person behind the idea. Rely on those you are in charge of and allow them to take the lead and see where it takes them and their peers. This builds confidence and others may rise up and shine more than in the past.
Chapter 6 Summary: “Lighten up and don’t take yourself so seriously” pretty much sums up this chapter. Live each moment stress free and learn from experience. Those focused on order and systems don’t see the bigger picture or don’t allow themselves to see a different way to accomplish things. Chill out and learn through your experiences. You may even learn to appreciate your environment in a new way.
