Skip to main content

solsc: #eduwin 15/31



March Slice of Life Story Challenge
hosted at the Two Writing Teachers
Join us for a month of writing!


Friday afternoon I had the laptops checked out for my intermediate small groups.  The students know when they walk into my room, see the laptops on the table, that we will be blogging.  My fourth graders walked in excited to see the laptops waiting. 

Recently we read Love Monster by Rachel Bright An cute story about a monster looking for someone who will love him just the way he is.  That same day, Jocelyn went home and created her own little version of the book.  It was adorable and I wanted her to be able to share it on her blog.  

I  took pictures of each page, but I thought there had to be a better way to share her creativity.  I debated using the Vine app, but there was the thirty second time constraint.  Then I remembered learning about the Educreations app from a teacher at my building.  I grabbed my iPad and started to think out loud while my fourth grade group gathered around.

"I've been thinking about how to share your book, Jocelyn," I said and explained the other options I had already rejected.  "I think I have an idea.  I learned about this app, Educreations."

"Hey, I learned about that with Mrs. T. She just came into our class and showed us," Chris politely interrupted.

"That's great!  Will you be able to help us out?"  I asked.  He smiled, but I wasn't sure if he was just happy to know what I was talking about, or if he was going to be able to help.

I opened the app on the iPad and let the kids take over.  The four students worked together and started to take a picture of the cover of the book.  Jocelyn's finger continued to cover up the camera.  Chris carefully rotated the iPad in her hands.  I looked at him questioningly and looked at the back of the iPad.

"Ah, I see what you did," I said with a smile.  He turned the iPad so that the camera was in the opposite corner, away from any lingering fingers.  Simple, thoughtful solution.  He smiled again.

"Let's take a picture of each page individually," I said to the group.

"Have you thought of taking a picture of the two pages together?  It might fill the page," Chris suggested. 

I stopped, looked right at him, and said, "I love how you worded that question  'Have you thought about ...'  You are doing some great thinking!"  His smile was still there.  (I also LOVE when the students are doing the thinking and sharing of ideas!)

Chris continued on.  He jumped in to show us how to add a new page.  He reminded us about adding a text box and the variety of color choices.  He explained additional options, like while recording, you can write on the screen.

He guided us every step of the way, even though his only "training" came thirty minutes prior.  I was so proud of Chris for being a leader.  This is not a role he would hold in his classroom with his peers.  He's a developing reader, new to our school this year, and started the year more than two years below grade level.  

"OK, now we have to save it.  Click here," Chris directed.  

Chris has made tremendous growth this year and today he truly shined.  We celebrated our completed project with high fives and watched the video again and again.  

Our time was up.  Blogging was put to the side, but the learning, growing, sharing, and engagement was at a high level.

Chris stood up and boldly stated with a huge smile, "My job is done here."

We all laughed.  And this is what you would say is an #eduwin (education win)! 

_______________________________________________________________


The finished project:

_______________________________________________________________

As this was quite a celebration, I'm also linking up to 
Celebrate This Week with Ruth Ayres!



Comments

  1. I love how technology spurs learning in this post and every day! You captured the excitement of your group!

    ReplyDelete
  2. How special you made Chris & Jocelyn feel! Even though it wasn't in your plan for the day, your group worked together and learned. I'm sure this will help Chris continue to thrive in his new environment. Now you know who to go to for help with some of your technology problems! Love ya, Mom

    ReplyDelete
  3. Adorable . . .perhaps you could also have used the Story Creator app! I used it with first grade!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I'll need to check that app out with you! Thanks!

      Delete
  4. Kids always amaze me when we give them the chance...I am so happy for Chris and Jocelyn. The story was so cute and knowing the background of how he helped made it even more special. Thanks for sharing this celebration!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I need so much help with technology - I should be in your classroom! Thanks for sharing this, it gives me inspiration to try something new!

    ReplyDelete
  6. So nice that this student was able to shine and to help out so much! I had not thought of this use for educreations before. I like the idea of having students create something that can be shared on their blogs. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love this story and his growth mindset! Thanks for sharing.
    Clare and Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love that your student was able to step up to lead-wonderful for him. And thanks for the Educreation app-I don't know it, & will try it out! Have a good weekend, Michelle!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great story! I love his self confidence at the end - well earned. And thanks for the app, too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What validation for Chris to be a guide in the learning process. There is so much that technology can do, we have to get out of the way and let the students discover the how of it. Then they will need to teach me. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love when the students that struggle surprise you the most! I treasure these moments!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I feel so inadequate when it comes to technology. All of you collaborating and problem solving is what true learning is all about.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think that Chris won't forget this technical expert moment! What a great day for your fourth graders!

    ReplyDelete
  14. What an awesome story! Kudos to Chris!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm glad that you shared the links to accompany the story. The slice on its own was great, but I enjoyed seeing glimpses into the blogging you are doing with your students, seeing the scaffolding you are doing such as talking about quality comments. It was fun to see the finished product with the student voice as well.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Popular posts from this blog

{40 reasons} #sol15

Slice of Life  hosted  at the Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life. _____________________________________________________ Today my husband celebrates a big, BIG birthday -- and I'm so lucky and thankful to have spent  the last sixteen years learning about everything that he loves the last (almost) twelve years learning about everything that I love about him the last (almost) five years learning with my daughters why we love our Daddy. Created at canva.com _____________________________________________________ Happy, happy 40th birthday Jon!

An Interview with Educator/Momma/Writer Ruth Ayres Celebrating #EnticingWriters + Giveaway!

I love sharing book titles with close friends, so I'm happy you are here! I want to share a book that you must add to your to-be-read list. Ruth Ayres has a brand new book titled  Enticing Hard-To-Reach Writers   published by Stenhouse Publishers. It's another must read from Ruth. There are many professional development books available to learn about mastering our craft of teaching.   However, there are only a few that make a true impact -- and this is one book that weaves raw truth, research, practical ideas, and story all in one {cute} little package.  In  Enticing Hard-To-Reach Writers , Ruth allows her worlds to collide during the creation:  "In this book, I entwine my three story lines as educator, momma, and writer." (p. 6) And she does this in an amazing way through sharing stories of her family, adoption, children living in hard places -- and doing their best  -- and healing. She shares how we can use research to understand how to

{#sol15} 10 Tips for the Challenge

Slice of Life  hosted  at the Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life. Last Saturday morning, I didn't need to wake up early.  I wanted to go back to sleep.  But instead my brain was awake and thinking.  Creating this list.  Writing this post.   Many of us are embarking on an adventure - the Slice of Life Story Challenge.  Writing, sharing, and commenting for thirty-one days in March. Want to learn more about the SOLSC?  Check out Stacey's post {HERE} about the challenge hosted by the "Fab Six" over at the Two Writing Teachers ' blog.   I hope you find these tips for the challenge helpful whether you are a first-time slicer (cue confetti!) or a year five slicer like me. 1. Before the challenge