Techie Tuesday

After writing my post last week on the importance of sharing, I kept thinking of my current situation and what I choose not to share.

Currently, I have been struggling with a new English Language Arts adoption. I have been trying to figure out how to make it work in my combination class without going insane bouncing around. It seemed like each week I was trying something new, based off of new feedback I was given. Then there was finally a light when we received some grade level time with a trainer from the company. Let me tell you, that room was bright with all the "light bulb" moments going on. Does that mean I'm set now? Nope, not even close but I at least have a better idea of how to implement the new adoption.

Did anyone online know I was struggling? No way. I was not going to share all of this craziness that was going on with the new curriculum. I posted in a Facebook group asking if anyone was familiar with it then was referred to another group that had more experience with the curriculum, but I NEVER shared I was struggling. You know what's sad? I wish I had shared my struggles because it would have reached a lot of other teachers and we could have formed a great support group for each other.

So many times we want people to only see the happy, rainbow, light bulb moments in our classrooms, that we forget teachers are people too and we make mistakes, get confused and struggle. We have a tendency to hide that from others and to stay on our "Island of Isolation" when it comes to struggling. By doing this, hiding our struggles, we make others feel like it should be sunshine and rainbows in their room too!

We need to share our struggles and our failures. Throw it out there on Twitter, talk about a lesson that flopped, or ask for help with something you are struggling with. IT'S OKAY TO STRUGGLE!

If we are expecting our students to believe that struggling is learning, we, as teachers, need to accept that as well. We need to practice what we preach.

You are not alone. We are all struggling with something in our classroom.

~Sarah Camp

It's that time of year again where the kids are anxious for break with the holidays coming up quickly. They can barely sit in their seats or stay focused during class, which leads us to showing "Educational Films". Admit it, we've all done it. Begging for that few minutes of piece and quiet while they watch a Bill Nye video.

Well this blog post has amazing suggestions on things your students can do to stay engaged instead of watching an "educational film". It's a fabulous list, with resources, and all the information you need to get one of these activities going.

You can view the BLOG POST by John Spencer along with all the activities and directions.

From the website:
The Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit is a nine-day, FREE virtual event. It brings together some of the brightest minds in education to discuss technology, pedagogy and more.

You’ll get one new inspiring, practical presentation each day. Take your own notes, or download a one-page “key takeaways sheet” from each video. Plus, you can get a certificate for professional development credits for each video you watch.

Register HERE

**Register today and get access to last year's amazing videos which include Alice Keeler, Lisa Highfill (Hyperdocs), Dave Burgess (Teach Like A Pirate), and more!!! **

Let me know if you sign up so we can discuss the different presentations. :)

If you have anything you want to see here or have something to share please email me at scamp@pbvusd.k12.ca.us

Be sure to share all the great things you are doing in your classroom using our school hashtag: #BerkEagles

Join CUE (Computer Using Educators) for free until January. You will get discounts on conferences and other professional development, plus a subscription to "On CUE" their magazine. When you sign up mark Kern CUE as your affiliate to receive notifications of upcoming events and meetups here in Kern County. Register below.

Email: scamp@pbvusd.k12.ca.us
Website: shuttersandscribbles.blogspot.com
Twitter: @CampsCrusaders