Tech Integration in GVSD

There are so many fun poems out there to read, but honestly, I never really like poetry growing up.  I was never into the famous poets like Elizabeth Browning or Walt Whitman, although they are amazing writers.  It was hard for me to understand the meanings behind their words and understand their imagery.  I "wrote" off poetry and had no interest in it what so ever. And then I became a teacher in April...National Poetry Month!  Oh no!  What was I to do?  I couldn't hide, I wouldn't lie Oh no, what was I to do?!  Corny, I know, but the feeling was true!  It wasn't until I began teaching Dr. Seuss, Jack Prelutsky, and Shel Silverstein that I realized how funny it could be.  Then I began to enjoy poetry.  One of my favorites as a kid and even now is Shel Silverstein's "Sick" and my favorite line is the following: "What's that? What's that you say? You say today is...Saturday? G'bye, I'm going out to play!...

At GVMS, Mrs. Dean is challenging her students to post 15 blog entries by May 24th.  Here are the parameters: May either be on a topic of choice or a topic from a given list.  Must be done by May 24th. You can see that Mrs. Dean values student choice and voice in this assignment.  Students may write all 15 in one day or spread it out.  They can write about something they show passion or interested in writing. Furthermore, she is teaching the students life skills they will need as they enter post-secondary schools or employment.  Have a digital portfolio of writing that shows growth over time is a powerful tool that will help them stand out among other candidates.   As Tech Coaches, we want to help support the students and model this process for them as well.  Therefore, we are taking the challenge!  We will have 15 posts after this one. Some on topics of choice and others that we choose from the list. Also, you'll hear fr...

Aiim.org. (2017).   http://www.aiim.org/~/media/AIIM_Real_Images/600x400/Collaboration_lightbulb-illustration.jpg [Accessed 24 Oct. 2017]. The Collaboration Process: Part 1 Here is a story to help lay out how collaboration begins, develops and changes here in Garnet Valley.  It is student driven and facilitated, with the teachers providing the framework.   The Beginning One student question to rule the world! So we may not be Lord of the Rings, but a student did ask one question, which led to bigger things that are now ruling our teacher world.  Let’s take a peek into Miss Abes’ 6th Grade ATP classroom. Students are grouped at tables with Chromebooks open working on a Nearpod about Digital Citizenship.  The class discussion is about the internet and how we use it safely.  Talking points are as follows: Important to have a Positive Digital Footprint Be careful what you say, do and find online What you do online cannot be e...

So far this year, Garnet Valley classrooms have been connecting with many schools throughout the United States of America and Canada.  Students are learning geography, culture, and different ways to collaborate and learn. Here are a list of states that we have connected with via Mystery Skype. Geography: So how does it work?  Students from both classrooms take turns asking Yes or No type questions via Skype or other forms of video chat such as Facetime, or Google Hangouts.  Once a question gets answered, students cross off states on a map.  This is a phenomenal way for students to learn Geography.  They are scaffolded to use certain types of vocabulary: North, South, East, West, Border, Great Lakes, River, Longitude and Latitude, Landlocked, etc. GV students asked, "Does your state border the Pacific Ocean?"  Students on the other end answered, "NO!"  GV students are crossing off states that border the ocean! Culture:  Once both s...

What do footprints, citizenship and cereal all have to do with our students? They are all part of how students create a positive, online presence through Digital Citizenship and Digital Branding at Garnet Valley School District. As showcased last year , teachers are stepping it up and taking Digital Citizenship to a new level throughout the district. K-5 Footprins In the elementary schools, students begin to understand that each time they post or are posted online, they are leaving a digital “footprint”.  This footprint is never erased and what they do now matters. Students are encouraged to take control of their digital footprint and to leave as much positive content so that it drowns out any of the negative that may appear.  Students in 5th grade sign a pledge to be good digital citizens that is hung in the hallway all year long.  Students learn about positive guidelines to posting and commenting online and are taught to T.H.I.N.K. : Middle School-Citiz...

Feeding the homeless? Talking to NASA?  Improving health through napping? These are just a few of the topics that can be explored in Mrs. Crowther’s 9th Grade English classes at Garnet Valley High School. Mrs. Crowther is encouraging her students to become problem finders, critical thinkers and world changers by allowing them the opportunity to participate in Genius Hour, a project designed for the classroom by A.J. Juliani and John Spencer . See videos below for an explanation and how to start one in your own classroom.   This week the students began the project by “pitching their ideas” Shark Tank style.  Each student pitched the following to their peers: The question they wanted to answer Why they chose that question How they would research the answer What they would do with the answer when they found it We were blown away with the ideas and passions that came from the students.  They were passionate and showed an amazing amount of...

In the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to visit many classrooms across my district that were participating in Global Day of Design. (For those of you that aren't familiar with Global Day of Design,  click here ).  As I visited different classrooms there were three things that really stood out to me:  smiles on students' faces, perseverance as a common behavior and collaboration as a consistent theme. As I resonated on what I observed a question came to mind: What are we teaching our students through the opportunity of participating in a Global Day of Design?  The answer is simple, all the  right stuff . Just imagine if we provided our students with more than just a day. By providing students with an understanding and framework of design thinking and allowing them to identify problems and work to seek solutions, we are creating thinkers, problem-solvers, and individuals that can make real life changes. Students attitudes towards learning also ...