Do U C What I C

I am thinking of stirring up some trouble.  I don’t know if I will really do it, but I am thinking about it.  I have some issues with the amount of time we are expected to spend reviewing for the MAP test.  I have been prepping them for the MAP since August.  I know what they need to know, I know how they need to say it, I know how it will be scored.  I teach with that in the back of my head every day….and now I don’t want to be told that I have to drop all of my projects and routines and cram random facts down the throats of my students.  If they don’t have what they need to do well on the test by now, they won’t have any more of it after 3 weeks of cramming.  I know that I need to go over a few things so that it’s fresh in their minds.  I know that we are currently judged by these test scores.  I know that I may be called to the table if my kids don’t perform.  But I am not sure I care…..I mean, I care about my students doing their best on the test, but that’s as far as I can go with it.  So I think I’ll just keep going….teaching, facilitating, differentiating.  This time of year is always hard for me, but I think a couple things are causing me to take a stand this year.  One:  I have become more aware of the bigger picture this year, via my social network.  I could just sit back and swallow my beliefs as I always do and conform to the usual drill, but it seems more like a sell out now because of what I know, and the conversations I have had.  I feel like I need to make a little fuss in my own little corner of the world, for the greater good, you know?  Two:  I scored the MAP last summer, and it was the most enlightening look into the belly of the beast that I have ever had.  I think it has made me realize how random and unrepresentative the scores actually are- it made me mad really, as a teacher of children.  I think these two things have pushed me over the proverbial edge when it comes to high stakes testing.  The question is, will I cook my own goose?  We’ll see….here comes trouble:)

Whenever I read a great post, usually the first thing I do is put it directly in the context of my classroom.  I do that because, frankly, I want to see how I measure up.  I can post, comment and chat about this stuff all day long, but the reason I carve out hours of my day to be a part of this conversation is because I want to be a part of the change!  I want to be that place where students can collaborate, have conversations, and prepare for the future.  Some might say that Will’s post was perhaps talking about the bigger kids, but I think that he’s not.  I think that kids come with some of these skills, and school takes it out of them.  By the time they get to me in third grade, they think that collaborating=cheating, and conversation happens at lunch.  Maybe we just need to nurture those talents from Kindergarten on…..can you imagine how that would accelerate the process, if we didn’t have to “re-teach” them some of this stuff!   So, here is me thinking out loud- seeing how I measure up.

• Networked- Hmmm, have not done as much of this as I usually do.  I interpret this as not only knowing how to connect with others in the class, but also in other classrooms, other states, etc.  Sharing information.  We have done a couple things within the school, but nothing beyond that this year.  A few years ago I did e-pals with a class that lived on a reservation in New Mexico, and what started out as a way to practice friendly letters became a full-blown cultural exchange.  I would call that crude networking….am I right?  Give me more ideas on how I can help 3rd graders network.
• More collaborative–OK, I feel good about this one.  My students share a computer with another student, and they collaborate on almost everything.  They read and interpret web information to complete assignments and projects, they write and publish stories together, they become experts in particular math concepts and then peer tutor each other, they plan class parties, run our government system, solve their own relationship issues, and discuss any problems in our classroom at our community meetings each Friday.  What do your kids do to collaborate?  Please share!
• More globally aware–This is a tough one, because my students have a pretty small world around them.  Some of my kids don’t go more than 60 miles from here…ever.  The past two years, I have started using literature as a springboard for these kinds of connections.  I try to concentrate on awareness, respect, and empathy.  It is difficult to find ways to talk about global issues on a third grade level.  Even our conversations about war while reading “The People of Sparks” is sensitive and difficult, but important.  I don’t think anyone takes the time to listen to these kids, and hear their fears and misconceptions about our world.  I love the global connections voicethread project, and hope to incorporate something like that in my classroom next year.  What are your ideas?
• Less dependent on paper- I am good here- in fact, I have to remind myself to have them write on paper occasionally just so that they are ready for the state-mandated test.  Can’t they just type, print and glue it in the test booklet:)
• More active– I interpret this as being more active participants and decision-makers.  My kids run my classroom, have jobs, get paychecks, self govern, and manage social issues on their own for the most part.  I facilitate, and step in when needed to handle social issues. 
• Fluent in creating and consuming hypertext–This is a big part of our day, but I love to read great books, and that is a big part of our day as well.  I will say that consuming hypertext is difficult as a third grader because so much of the content out there is not leveled for this age.  I spend hours and hours searching for relevant, well done, age appropriate content for my students.   Anyone have good resources to share in that area? 
• More connected– I see this happening in my school through our character education program, and a program called watchdogs.  We also live in one of those towns that is actually quite large, but still feels small.  The people in this community have strong ties to our school, and I think this changes the climate of our building drastically.  The kids feel very connected and safe.  Connections to the world….need to work on that one.
• Editors of information-This is something I need to work on, and something my peers and I have discussed.  We don’t let kids “search” in our rooms- we filter the content for them, and put it on our websites for them to access.  I have never doubted that practice, but it is now apparent to me that I am not protecting them from anything, because they go home and search!  So do we teach them how to search and edit information here at school in a controlled environment where we can help them, or continue to pretend that we are protecting them by not letting them do it here at school?  What are your thoughts on this?  Keep in mind, they are third graders….

Now, I know that alot of what I talked about had nothing to do with technology, but I think that is part of my point here.  I think that a part of my vision has to include these emotional connections.  I do want my students to fully recognize the power of technology, and know how to use that in the future…..but I also want them to know that they are loved- that always has to be a part of my plan for the future:)  OK, so I have my “to do” list for the future as it relates to my classroom.  Thanks for making me think Will! 

Well, it’s over.  I am back home ready to finish out the year, and wait impatiently for NECC to get here.  I have to say that I saw this conference through different lenses this year.  I think for me it was more about making personal connections this year, and less about seeing something totally new to ooooh and aaaah over.  So I am barely back into my routine, and really trying to spend less time online, and more time with family this weekend.  You know how it is…the pendulum was way over on the tech/professional/teacher side last week, now I have to swing back the other way for a few days:)  But here it is…in a nutshell…my top 10 favorite moments of METC 2008…in no particular order…so as not to show favorites among my PLN:)

1.  8 hours in a suburban with four of my very favorite techie people, talking the whole time- no really- the WHOLE TIME! 

2.  Re-connecting with my first ever “teaching soulmate” Jules.  I can’t tell you how much I needed to see her again!  We got her all hooked up on skype and twitter so now we can STAY connected.

3.  Having the guts to introduce myself to Dembo-chickened out on Warlick….now I’ll have to wait until NECC- drat!

4.  Having Dembo actually know who I was!  What a great feeling to know that my twitter/SL virtual connections can so easily connect us in real life!

5.  Complimentary drinks and dry snacks every night from 5:30-7:30…nuf said.

6.  Watching Dembo present- what a great presence!  Thanks for showing me something new (LOL).

7.  Being heckled by my friends for being on “twitter/sl watch” at all times-  I managed to meet a few twitter buds just randomly…in the hallway…on the elevator…it was great, but apparently embarrassing and somewhat annoying to my friends:) Sorry guys!

8.  Presenting with my BFF to a small but enthusiastic crowd.  They had great questions, and I truly hope they will go straight home, get a reader, and read this post!  Go newbies!  Read this, then go read something important:)

9.  Have I mentioned the free drinks? 

10. Realizing that my place in education is changing, and I can now give back what I have been given for so many years…it’s less about me getting fed, and more about me feeding others.  I think I (we) can continue to make this conference better and better each year, and I am already planning what I want to do next year to help make that a reality.  Save the date:  METC 2009 ?? well, sometime in February I’m guessing:) 

Last year at this time, I climbed into my van with a couple of my tech buddies, and headed to St. Louis to attend and present at METC.  I was excited to be going, but truthfully did not expect to come away with anything that would impact my teaching in a huge way.  I don’t mean to be disrespectful about that, but I have been to many tech conferences, and each time I come away relatively empty.  Done it, seen it, had it, thanks.  Perhaps I have been tainted by the fact that I was trained by one of the most talented tech integration specialists in the country, and over the years she has left no stone unturned when it comes to inquiry, cool tools, and tech. tips.  BUT, last year at METC, I got really excited, because there were new ideas, new energy, phenomonal keynotes like David Warlick, Bernajean Porter, Hall Davidson…I left with a ton of questions spinning in my head.  I was renewed and re-energized.  I felt a new urgency for impacting education.  That was the beginning of this most amazing year of professional growth.  Second Life, SL virtual conference, twitter, skype, k12online, ustreams, blogs, connections with educators all over the world, and on and on.  What a year!

Now, I sit here writing this post with great anticipation for METC 2008 coming up in only 3 days!  Our group has grown to 5 this year, all presenting.  I look forward to every bit of it…the 4 hour drive- (time to re-connect with my tech buds), excellent keynotes, meeting some SL and twitter folks f2f for the first time, soaking in all the conversations and connections that I can possibly manage in 2 days.  If any of you reading this are attending, please come introduce yourself- I will be the one with the goofy smile of anticipation on my face!