A half day of Edmodocon and all I can say is . . . WHEW! So many ideas and so much information.
So far my biggest take away is understanding what I am trying to do with my classroom this year and learning that is has a word.
In other words, I want to give control of students' learning over to them, and I'm just there as their captain.
Putting together ideas from Dave's Pirate book and using Edmodo to create more of a blended learning environment is going to put me on a HUGE learning curve. Hopefully I will be able to keep myself afloat.
While Edmodocon is on their lunch break, I've worked on tweaking a video I made for my class while thinking about the reality TV hook from the Pirate book.
"Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan has a fabulous array of foods that many of my middle schoolers, who don't like the wheat pizza in the cafeteria, would deem as "gross": prawns, rock cod, tofu, dried fungus (mushrooms), squid. My thinking is what better way to create excitement about the story then to have a Fear Factor competition to see who would eat all of this food. Of course I plan to pick those who have never ate any of these before.
You can check out the video here: Fish Cheeks I used Animoto to create it. You can get an upgrade account if you apply as a teacher. I find it very easy to use. Go to the freebies page for Fear Factor sign up cards to use if you make a video yourself.
Also I realized I haven't told you what PIRATE stands for.
Passion
Immersion
Rapport
Ask and analyze
Transformation
Enthusiasm
Stephanie at Third Grade Thoughts did an excellent write up about the sections of the How to Teach Like a Pirate book along with some freebies. Check out her blog here PIRATE techniques
Heading back to Edmodocon!
Hi! I found your blog via Megan at A Bird in Hand Designs. She just did my blog makeover too! I love your pirate theme. I teach 5th, but it seems like everything you're excited about this year, I'm excited about too! I'm nominating y ou for a Leibster award! You can get the details about how to accept the nomination here!
ReplyDelete~Kristen
Chalk & Apples
Oh my goodness! Thanks so much. I've seen many people writing about Leibster award, but I never imagined getting one after only one week in the blogging world. I truly appreciate the nomination!
DeleteMegan did a fabulous job with my pirate theme. I can't wait to read about your adventures for the year.
Toya
I love the Fear Factor idea! What a great way to invest your students in the story!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked the idea.
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