What did you learn over the Holiday Break that you would like to share? We all learn so much from each other! Let's see what we will learn this week!
This week, we will continue with thoughts on moving students from Surface to Deep Learning (pages 34-39). Let’s discuss the challenges and the tools or resources we could use to overcome those challenges: 1-Post a high-impact teaching strategy you know your class needs, but you're struggling to implement effectively. Tell us about the specific challenges that are getting in your way; and 2-try to respond to others’ challenges with ideas, tools, or resources to help them.
Over the holidays, I found a post on X from a friend that shared about Napkin AI. Napkin AI is a tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to turn text into visual content. I checked it out--it was pretty cool. I didn't play with it a lot, but I plan to now that we are back. It is perfect for finding visuals that go along with notes that you may give. As we know, students probably don't have access to it just yet, but I see this as a very useful tool in order to help our visual learners! So...try out Napkin.ai! Since it is in BETA you can get the pro version. There are a few videos on YouTube on how to use it, but it's pretty basic and I'm sure they will be adding more since it is in the beginning stages. https://www.napkin.ai/
ReplyDeleteI signed up for Napkin AI and loved it! I placed a Science topic, "Weather Tools", in the AI portion and "ta-da" it created an abundant amount of information about this topic, and there was a sidebar that allowed me to insert a picture to go along with the text. This definitely provides helpful information with pictures at your fingertips, whenever you don't have the time to search for it.
DeleteThat sounds like a really useful tool! I will definitely check it out. Often, I spend a lot of time trying to find a good visual to go along with what we are learning so this sounds like exactly what I need.
DeleteThought I'd check it out and it actually helped me immediately! I was stuck on how to address a 3rd grade SS standard...and voila...it created a diagram for my student to complete with details! :) Thank you!
DeleteI've seen some good things about Napkin AI and of course my SM accounts are showing how it is super helpful with Science!
DeleteMy "learnings" over the holidays have been socio/emotional:
ReplyDeleteSince Thanksgiving, I watched an Amazon 5-episode series called "Social Studies". It was a documentary about high school students and social media just after the pandemic. While most of it is still VERY germain, the series more confirmed my insight than gave new perspectives or perceptions. But give it a try! :) Here is the trailer:
https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/social-studies/video-extras/video/66ce4d104cedfd00019b2c9b
For the new year, George Couros emailed the following New Year's Resolution:
You need 3 daily wins:
A physical win (lifting, running, walking...);
A mental win (reading, writing, creating...);
A spiritual win (praying, meditating, studying...).
Of course, he went into more detail (but not pages...) and I found it inspiring...let me know if you're interested...I'll forward the email to you! :)
Yes, forward the email to me about the 3 daily wins. It sounds very inspirational! Maybe, the more that will, that'll push me to do it! :-)
DeleteI read the three daily wins from George Couros also! I love how he simplified everything so it doesn't seem impossible or overwhelming. It is totally doable and I have been incorporating it into my daily routines.
DeleteYay, Elizabeth! Me, too! :)
DeleteI love the use of the word "win", how wonderfully positive!
DeleteDuring the holidays, as I was looking for the Cox Campus "Assessment" module, which I didn't find :-); I was reviewing some of the information and tools that were available to implement in the classroom. Some were pre/post lessons and summary overviews that reminded me of continuing to provide support and build relationships, as I continue to implement rigor by using the HMH program. My belief is that the more we know our kids, the better we can serve them; and then it will be easier to incorporate so many of the tasks in core content areas that we need. Cox Campus was a "beast", but it has a lot of helpful tools that coincides with HMH that can serve as great resource in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteMy takeaway from reading your post is to always go back to a site/article/conference notes because it is a great way to refresh on things you may have put aside for later and/or it reminds you of techniques/lessons that can be useful for you at the time. I tend to do this with my Google Drive.
DeleteDuring the winter break I have been exploring HMH and trying to become more familiar with the resources. I discovered in the Teacher's Corner section there are many videos, materials, articles, and other information that is helpful. Also, in the Teacher's Corner I discovered a resource called "Seasonal Bundle" which has themed materials to go along with the HMH resources.
ReplyDeleteI really like the Teacher's Corner! I want to look at more resources in that section.
DeleteI love the idea of seasonal materials! HMH for the win again!
DeleteOver winter break, I reflected on the importance of work-life balance. I enjoyed slowing down, getting to spend time with family, and surpassing my reading goal by getting to a total of 105 books for the year. When planning for this week before the break, I decided to try and incorporate more opportunities for students to draw or doodle their thoughts or connections to the content we are learning, in hopes that they will be able to remember and make deeper connections.
ReplyDeleteAnna, you are so wise to realize that those things we need are also the things that our students need.
DeleteThe importance of work-life balance cannot be overstated! I LOVE what I do and who I get to do it with- but there are times I need to shut the computer down or take a step back to rest my brain before tackling the next project! I love using doodles for kids to make connections. Its always odd at first (kids want to copy paste and not doodle)- but once the kiddos get the hang of it- it helps them so much!!
DeleteI also tried to decompress and not stress over school! We all know it can be difficult!
DeleteDuring the winter break, really during any break, I tend to reflect about what is working well and what one thing would I like to change. I enjoy sharing this time with my family as we all choose a guiding word for the New Year. This year my word is balance...there are things I want to do more of, and things I want to do less of. I had students do the same on the Friday that we returned to school. I asked them to reflect on the past, dream of the future, and decide what one thing could they do in the present to connect the two. So for me, reflection is part of any break.
ReplyDelete1-balance seems to be the word of the year for a lot of us!
Delete2-how did the students respond? were they thoughtful? intentional?
In addition to balance and reflection, I think the word 'intentionality' is also important. Whether it is work-life balance, planning, etc., being intentional is important for us and benefits our students too.
DeleteI do this too but I love the idea of doing it with our students! My word is"joy" I aim to find joy in all that I do. If it doesn't bring me joy then I have to revisit what and why I am doing something.
DeleteMost of their guiding words were very intentional, and I found their explanations to be heartwarming.
ReplyDeleteDuring our first day back, I tried something new with my students. We used the emoji kitchen tool for reflection. Students combined different emojis to show their thoughts about 2024 and hopes for 2025. It was interesting to see how they used these emoji combinations to express their experiences and goals. This digital approach worked well to get students thinking and sharing while easing back into our classroom routine. I'm excited to keep finding new ways to help students express themselves. https://emojikitchen.dev/
ReplyDeleteLove that! :)
DeleteI LOVE emoji kitchen and use it to jazz up my presentations from time to time!
DeleteI might add some emojis or get students to draw some emojis when they are drawing or doodling!
DeleteOOOOO! I'm going to save this for the end of the year. Maybe, at the end of the 9 weeks, I could do it and then at the end of the year. Then have them reflect on the changes and/or growth they have made.
DeleteOver break, I indulged in peace over planning. However, I came in with a plan for my asynchronous videos that I give each week. I am now giving a weekly youtube video for students to watch to help with acquisition and understanding of material. With this video I use Magic School to help create 5 comprehension questions and Twee ai to create a fill in the blank summary. Students are asked to add the summary to their notebook as a record of learning. The video I place directly in a Google Classroom assignment and am able to embed the questions developed by myself and Magic School as a present grade. I also make sure to send each video to our IT person to make sure Go Guardian is not blocking them as entertainment and gaming. Students have said they help them remember and retain information.
ReplyDeleteI want to try Twee ai. I have heard lots about it!
DeleteI had no idea that sending videos to our IT person to make sure Go Guardian is not blocking them was an option! I'm going around circles for videos...or is that also cumbersome?
ReplyDeleteOver the Christmas break, one thing I learned is that my family and I thrive from daily schedules. While it's incredibly freeing to have that flexibility and "no alarm clock" of the holiday breaks, we do survive best when we are in the daily grind. There is no doubt we all certainly need a break from the grind, but after a few days, we are all ready to get back to ! So, here's to 2025, school, and schedules!
ReplyDeleteI eat much healthier on schedule, too! :)
DeleteThe importance of rest for the body and the mind. I focused on my family over the break and ultimately made a little time to read several books-which is something I don't always have time for during the work week. This was really beneficial to my well being and my outlook when I returned on the first day!
ReplyDeleteThat is great to take time for yourself!
DeleteI tried to focus on my family over break. As a parent of adult children, found this difficult for I was longing for the days of little kids, presents, Santa, etc. I had to rethink how Christmas or any holiday now looks like for me. My word for the year is joy and I realized it wasn't bringing me joy to be sad about how the past was. Rob and I looked to create our own new traditions and enjoy the time we do have with our kids and family.
ReplyDeleteI also focused on my family over the break. I often get so exhausted rushing through a schedule and the to-do list that I lose sight of the most important things. Taking the time to unwind and investing in quality family time is very important! Also, things looks much different for us than they use to with having to do more and more for my mother as she gets older. That's definitely an adjustment too. It was nice to have the time to slow down and focus on the family.
ReplyDelete