The 4th grade class designed a genetics themed science exhibit for a local competition. They could win $50,000 for our school if their exhibit wins! Visit http://www.battleofthebrainskc.com for competition details. Stay tuned to see if we make it into the top 20! These kids did a great job!
Summer… So you only work 9 months out of the year?
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Gandhi
When I tell people what I do for a living they usually respond with… “Lucky, you get the whole summer off, and multiple breaks in the middle of the year. You do not know how easy you have it!”.
While some teachers take the well deserved summer off to relax and unwind I found myself learning, innovating, dreaming, collaborating, experiencing, and reflecting this summer. Now that we have begun the new school year I am truly seeing the amazing connections and ideas that spawned from my summer adventures. One of the most exciting is a project I will be working on with my students connecting to other classrooms around the globe.
At the ADE Global Institute in San Diego in July I was able to collaborate with a group of great educators from around the world to crate an iTunes U course to connect our students, sharing experiences and learning. Through this project my students, grades 2-5 will be running a flipped classroom. They will be the ones creating projects and assignments for Kindergarten students in South Carolina, Maine, Italy, England, and Ireland. We are starting with a project called, International Dot Day, based off a book “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds. See the video below to gain perspective of what we are doing.
This project we will be focusing on individualism and creativity. We are now challenging our global classmates to express their creativity. We are all so excited to begin this adventure. Stay tuned for updates!
To sum it all up… My summer was anything but slow. I had the opportunity to connect with crazy, inspiring, and motivational educators from around the globe both in Atlanta, Georgia at the ISTE 2014 conference (International Society for Technology in Education) and at the ADE Global Institute (Apple Distinguished Educators) in San Diego. the opportunity to expand my PLN (Professional Learning Network), and challenge my own ideas and pedagogy continue to push me to be a better educator, leader, and professional.
Now, I challenge you… Think differently about your job, your day, your dreams. What will you become, and who will help you get there? I will leave you with one of my favorite mantras. One that keeps you dreaming, brainstorming, thinking big.
Someday….
Some great photos from my ADE Global Institute experience in San Diego. What a great opportunity to become a learner and connect with fabulous educators. We definitely are the “Crazy Ones”! Step into any one of our classrooms and you will see we do things a little differently, outside the norm, push limits, all for the better of our students and learning.
JoCo Library MakerSpace!
The JoCo library has introduced an amazing new opportunity. They have created a MAkerSpace for innovative learning and problem solving. Thanks to Mrs. Kranz for informing me about this great resource. They will be offering classes in programming, 3D printing, and other innovative technologies. These classes are for all ages! Check out http://www.jocolibrary.org/MakerSpace for more details.
Newscasters in The Making!
The Gear Geeks had an amazing time at Fox 4 Studios. Mike Thompson, lead meteorologist was our guide for the day. We got to see the weather forecasting studio, investigate the set, and see a live broadcast. It was a great day. The students learned some of what a career in TV broadcast would be, and some of the technology they use. We got our feet wet with information about severe weather prediction as well. Enjoy some photos of our visit!
Adventures at Science City
4ht grade got to partake in an adventure this Monday. We got to go to Science City to investigate some of the spaces available for Battle of The Brains, current exhibits, and the winning exhibit from 2011. The students had a blast. We got some great ideas for our exhibit, and the students have made some amazing progress on their project. Due to the fact of the project being a competition, I will not post anything in great detail about it here until we submit it for final judging. Stay tuned! Below you will find some of the photos journaling our day!
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- Doing some research before our field trip!
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- Time to sketch out our first draft!
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- We are happy to say, he made it out alive!
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- We have some big ideas for this place!
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- Fearless!
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- The winning exhibit from 2011…
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- The crime lab, mug shot!
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- Digging up dinos!
Tucker Leadership Lab Field Trip
Our field trip to Tucker Leadership Lab was outstanding! Our adventure started in the car even. Due to some silly errors on behalf of Google, we took a small tour around the city of Liberty. Once we arrived at William Jewel we were told to meet up with “Maggie” our facilitator. Walking up the sidewalk we saw a facilitator sitting down by the front door, but the name “Maggie” did not fit this individual… Maggie was actually Mark! Silly people in the office.
After a short restroom, and water bottle filling break we were off to start our day…
We started with some small group activities to get acquainted with our facilitator and relieve ourselves of the cooties present at the time. The students were instructed that no matter what gender you are today, you all must help one another. That means you may need to actually TOUCH the other gender. Gasp! Students worked on this by holding hands and completing some challenging activities. For example, they had to get a rope loop around their circle, through each person, with their hands fully clasped together… We also got to throw around some water balloons. This was nice in the 96 degree heat.
After our warm-up activities we approached our first challenge, the rope. Students needed to work together to get each member across the “swamp” without touching the grass. The team first had to get the rope, which was 7 feet away. Once they got the rope they had to send one person at a time over to the platforms on the other side. The rule stated that once you touched a platform, you had to stay there… Only 2 people per platform were allowed. If a member touched the grass they would get a consequence: blindfold, tomato puppet, have to start over. Once each member got there, they all had to go back. This was a success after some problem solving and planning.
The next challenge was the “boat” students had to balance this apparatus for at least 1 minute with all team members on board. This was harder than it looks. Frank was our “Captain”, the only person allowed to start on the boat. He was to balance the boat before everyone got on, not easy! After some problem solving and planning the team was able to do it! This challenge was hard on our communication skills, we learned some great strategies!
Following the “boat” we moved to work on our circus skills. Students approached an apparatus where there were tight ropes strung from pole to pole, about a foot off the ground. Students split up into two groups, each group going to one end of the structure. The instructions were that each student needed to go across the apparatus from end to end. You can’t touch the woodchips, and you have a plank to stand on, but it must be in human contact at all times, else you lose it. The students needed to cross paths in the middle. Students had to get creative and flexible on this one.
The most physically challenging and scary challenge of the day was our last one. The 7′ tall beam that we had to hoist each team member up and over safely. Students had to put great trust in one another and their coaches to get them over safely. Each student was sucessfull on this challenge as well, no one even opted out of it! I am so proud of them for their hard work and challenging themselves. Even Miss Wilton made it over. That is some trust!
Below you will find a gallery of some pictures from our hot, fun, challenging day. There is also a video compiling some of our experiences. Enjoy!
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- Starting our teambuilding with some small group activities.
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- Stretching.
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- Cooling off in the shade.
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- Challenge #1: Get the whole team across the swamp without loosing anyone. Only 2 people can be on each platform on the other side, once you touch a platform you must stay there.
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- How in the world are we going to get that rope? It is 7 feet away…
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- Hmm… maybe we can throw our shoes at it.
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- Well the shoe rope worked a lot better!
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- Helping team members over.
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- We did it! All team members there, and all team members back!
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- Now, time to take the knots out of all of our shoes.
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- Challenge #2: Balance the “boat” with all team members on board.
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- Balancing for 1 minute is hard.
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- Good thing we have a gymnast on our team!
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- Challenge #4: Hoist each team member up and over the horozontal beam…even the coach!
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- Yes, 8 5th graders, with some adult help, even got Ms. Wilton over the aparatus!
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- Thanks Mr. “Maggie” (Mark)!
The Beauty of The Storm (Reflecting on Austin, TX. ADE 2013)
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi
The question we all faced when we got home after our 5 day adventure in Austin, TX… How was it? This question poses a perplexing situation. How do I describe this adventure that I went through in a way that someone else can understand. The best way I could come up with is a metaphor.
Residing in Kansas, I know tornadoes and severe weather well. Often these phenomena of nature are looked at as negative, but their beauty and power are something to be admired. This was my week.
A day or two before leaving was the “calm before the storm”. This theory truly does exist. Before any big weather hits the plains the sky will get calm, sometimes even clear, and nature will give life a chance to prepare for what is about to hit. This happened upon packing and preparing everything I thought I would need physically and mentally for the week. Following the blogs, social networking sights, and my own type A inclinations I was ready. Traveling to Austin was the final tranquility. Not knowing what was to come, and how to prepare. I went into this full force with all my passion and dedication.
When storms build in the plains it is often sunny and humid. The heat of the day warms the earth, creating the perfect atmosphere for the activity to build. Stepping off the escalator I could tell the people I was about to encounter were like nobody I had experienced before. The energy and passion emerged more and more throughout the first two days. Charging the relationships and encounters among all of us. The many warm welcomes, energizing Hellos and instant bonds created an ambiance of enthusiasm and acceptance. We could all start to see within each other that we were in a special place, with special people. Understanding each other more than any other colleague had ever even come close. We could finally be ourselves, and share our passions, without ridicule or push-back. Something many of us had never experienced. I felt like I had finally found “my people”.
Right before a storm hits, the winds pick up. The force is strong and steady. A cool dry air can be felt across your face. The sudden onset can be alarming and brash, but leads to the marvel to come. Clouds build on the horizon, one out doing the next. This is where you get the first true beauty of a storm. The anticipation of what is to come can cause hesitation. The many people and experiences we went through in the early parts of the week were just getting us ready for what was to come. The amazing bonding experiences and teamwork activities pushed us to think in new ways. There was sometimes a content overload. The wind blew strong and furious. Especially within the presentation given by the Duarte Group on design and delivery. We knew something big was to come out of this, and how would we all keep up? We all came into this experience leaving our own realms as the “most knowledgeable and innovative” person on our team. Upon meeting and working with all the amazing people I met, I realized I have yet more to grow to achieve and prosper towards. An inspiring moment to build my own personal storm. Kicking into the body of the week the weather hit.
The first front of any storm starts out strong, and brings in a sense of urgency and alert. The wind will pick up, thrashing branches and leaves about. The noises around create panic. Rain can be petrifying and fierce, pelting all around with unrelenting force. Many times you do not know what to expect out of it next, will it get worse, or will it break. The whole time admiring it’s beauty, but proceeding with caution and angst. We turn to those we trust and relate to in these times, for strength and relief. The week built more and more upon finding our PLN teams. These people were passionate in the area of our drive and focus. We were able to connect and speak the same language. Many of us were not used to have this experience on such a level before. We were able to connect on our project with great depth and emotion. Providing each other with feedback and encouragement. The bonds in this group will forever drive my teaching and learning. The week would throw in fierce situations of exhaustion and feelings of humility, realizing how many great people were now in this team with each and every one of us, and how short of a time left we had to spend with them. We attended workshops lead by professionals and creatives on the front line of innovation and design. I was able to learn new ways to incorporate the programs and ideas I love in a meaningful way into my teaching. The tool set in Final Cut Pro X, Aperture, Keynote, photography on a budget, and publishing will be put into practice immediately. Alongside these sessions of authorship, collaboration, innovation, and discovery we also took time for relaxation and exploration. The beauty in the middle of turbulence.
Within the middle of a storm there are sometimes moments of quiet and peace. The sky can display some astonishing colors and views of the bulbous clouds and atmospheric formations, highlighted by lightning and power. This is the time we usually congregate and admire the beauty of the storm, together. Within the week we were able to bond and create lasting relationships. Heartfelt conversations table-side, adventures of bats and doughnuts, getting kicked out of a courtyard for playing a game of “Heads Up”, or taking the never ending trip for some Texas BBQ laughs and bonds were had to last a lifetime. I think I have made some of the best friends yet in this week experience. We were able to reflect back on the week, admire it’s beauty, and have people to confide in when the storm were to pick up again. This week I was able to meet the most true to life people around. The relationships I hold close to my heart. Thank you everyone for being my partner’s in the storm. You helped me marvel at the beauty of what you do, and push me to be better at what I do. I can’t wait to keep these relationships alive and growing. As the calm passes by the ferocity of the trailing edge of the storm approaches.
As the beauty passes, and the storm builds once again it is often stronger and more intense. This is often where you will find tornadoes. Right after the lull. At this time we build off of the relationships we have to gain the power and strength to make it. The last two days were just that. We gathered more time in our PLN groups to focus and thrive off one another. Gain support and feedback, as well as celebrate successes. We got to celebrate as a community the work and emotions of the week in a true Apple “Fond Farewell”! The emotions and relief on this night put into light the week we had experienced. Spending time with about 400 people who think and have drive like you was infectious and spectacular. Never have I felt as alive and comfortable in one place, with a group of people as I did in Austin that week. I look forward to the years to come with the adventure of being a now graduated Apple Distinguished Educator (class of 2013).
After the storm is a time to reflect and clean up. This started on Friday morning, after two hours of sleep, at 4:00 AM on a bus to the airport. As we pulled away from the conference center not only did I have a feeling of exhaustion, but a feeling of sorrow and loss. I was having to leave the presence of this place, these people, and this energy. Mournful that I did not get to say all the goodbyes that I would have hoped for, and apprehensive of what was to come upon returning to my own district. I needed time to cumulate my thoughts and emotions of the week to then move forward with more passion and vision than before. The last instance of this adventure that truly left an impression on me was as follows, the story I will end this reflection on….
Upon arriving into my connection in Houston, the whole 27 minute flight, I was running short on time. My flight was leaving in 23 minutes, and I had to take the tram two terminals away. Fighting through the airport, luggage flailing behind I was able to run up to my gate just in time before boarding proceeded. Making my way up to the counter to get a gate check tag for my luggage the woman behind the desk took note of my shirt. “Do you work for Apple?” was the question at hand. I politely said no, not really (aside from retail), and described my new place in the wonderful world of being an ADE, in 2 minutes even! She then began to describe how she was so proud of the work that I had done for my students, and how educators do not get enough credit for the work that we do. Telling me I should be proud of myself for the lives I help my students lead. She ended this with a statement to me, quite loud… “Thank you for what you do, you’re what makes this world continue along the path of greatness”. The first time as an educator I have been thanked, and for that I thank all of you. The people who continually push me forward and ask me to think different, support me in my crazy ways, laugh with me, and are there in all facets of life. Thank you.
I will end with the quote that leads my classroom. “Crazy Ones” by Steve Jobs. It hangs 8’ tall in my classroom. Thank you for being the “Crazy Ones” that I got to meet all week, and that support me.
Summer Learning Opportunities
I will begin adding to this post as I learn about opportunities. Here are the summer opportunities that I have found for this coming summer. If you know of any extras let me know, and I will get them up here!
The LKE Gifted teacher is going to be hosting some camps this summer. I wanted to pass the information along just in case you were interested to sign your student up! I wanted to host some camps myself this year, but due to timing and classroom availability that was not an option. Stay tuned next year for some “Miss Wilton” camps!
The VPE Gifted teacher is going to be hosting the following camps… Let me know if you have any questions!
Geodesic Dome
We have finally completed our group project/geometry lesson with our geodesic dome. The students learned about teamwork, architecture with triangles, geometric structures, and problem solving. The entire structure is created out of newspaper and tape! Students worked hard first rolling the newspaper tubes as tight as possible. Then, they split up into two groups to cut the tubes to size. Once all tubes were the correct lengths they worked as a group to correctly assemble the structure. Here is the final product.
The students had some great talks about how the dome could be made stronger, the successes and difficulties they had as a group, and the predictions they made about what the final structure would be like.
Controlled Creative Chaos 