Artifact #1: Energy Unit Design

For this assignment, I choose to do a unit in science.  Since I teach both 4th grade sections in science, I'm always looking for ways to spruce up our curriculum.  Our science program has an online component, but it is clunky and not student or teacher friendly in my opinion.  In this unit, I put together many resources that will help students learn about renewable vs. nonrenewable resources in a way that includes hands-on activities, videos, and a culminating debate.  Since this part of the unit doesn't have a lab or activity, it was the perfect unit to add a little pizazz to.

Here's the link to my Energy Unit.

Engaging E-Learning Reflection

This was one of my favorite classes.  It had a little bit of everything and was a great way to culminate the technology cohort.  I have learned so much in each of these classes, and this one was a combination of unit design where I was able to apply all that I had learned throughout these classes and new learning with Genius Hour.  I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to take these classes.  Coming back into the teaching world after being a stay-at-home mom was overwhelming, but taking classes in technology was the perfect way for me to gain back my confidence as an educator.  I now feel like I have the skills to utilize technology throughout my lessons in ways that engage and teach 21st century skills.

Genius Hour - Week 8

Post # 8 - Reflection

So this week is all about reflecting.  When we began this class and I was told we would be participating in "adult genius hour" I was skeptical.  I have tried Genius Hour in my class before and I didn't feel like it was very successful.  Now it is clear to my why.  By actually participating in it myself, I could see that I did so many things wrong.  So to my students - I apologize.  First, I didn't guide them at all in choosing their topic which is so key.  I didn't have a clear structure or even an end goal, and I also didn't have a way for them to share or really get help along the way.  In my defense however, this was before we had all the tech capabilities that we have in the classroom today.  Now, that I've actually done it myself, struggled through the process, and learned so much about myself and  my topic, I am so much better equipped to guide my students through this amazing process.  Here are my top five take-aways:

1. Guide students in choosing their topic/passion. Students shouldn't be expected to make this decision in 5 minutes.  Students need time to investigate, try out, reject, and settle into a passion.  Also, students may need help in focusing their topic or stretching themselves.
2. Let students know up front what the expectations are, but don't make them limiting. Give students a timeline of check-in's, blogging/journaling, and final deadline, but don't tell them how to present their learning or other limiting requirements.  Give students a chance to spread their wings.  There really isn't a topic that can't be pursued that won't lead to learning.  
3. Have a consistent way for students to follow, support, and be held accountable.  The blogging requirement did two things for me.  First, it made me do the work and keep to schedule.  Otherwise, I may have tried to do it at the final hour which would have not been an authentic experience at all.  Second, I truly enjoyed seeing what others were doing and getting their encouragement.  Students too, will have a dip, and others' encouragement can easily be the cure for wanting to keep going.
4. Split the time 50/50 between home and school.  When I attempted Genius Hour, I only had kids working on it at school.  To really be able to dig in, students may need to have access to materials and space not available at school.  For example, playing an instrument, building a bookshelf, learning how to play a sport, etc.
5. Require students to teach the class.  As I learned in this class, the final presentation shouldn't be about presenting as much as about teaching.  Students should be ready to tell what they learned and teach the class a little.  This will prevent "report" like presentations that lack passion which happens when students believe they need to turn in a typical school report or project.

Genius Hour - here we come!  Look for it in my 4th grade class this Spring!

Genius Hour - Week 7

Post # 7 - Getting Ready for Showtime

This last week I continued to work on cleaning out our basement, since this is the part of the project that is going to take awhile.  After meeting with our contractor, who appreciated my basement "blueprint," we were told that our basement remodel can start in July.  This has given me the final encouragement that I need to really work on the hardest part - cleaning out.  As I go through each section, it's a trip down memory lane.  My girls have enjoyed sorting through old toys like: Pretty Ponies, Barbies, American Girl Dolls, etc.  We're deciding together what can we donate and what can we put in our garage sale.  

As the girls were busy sorting through their old toys, I took the time to go through seasonal decorations, camping equipment, and other boxes.  My plan was to sort things into labeled bins and get them put on the shelves in an organized manner.  Here are the before and after pictures of our crawlspace:

Before

After

The other part of my Genius Hour project was using software to design the space.  I switched to a program called Cedreo.  I found this program to better is many ways.  One thing that was an improvement was the visibility of the dimensions and the ease of creating the rooms.  I also learned how to use another feature this week to take HD pictures of each room.  To do this, you move the "camera" to where you would take a picture from and then select the lighting option that works.  

These are HD pictures of the family room, that I learned to take using the Cedreo application.

For our class, I plan on sharing the different stages of my design process on a poster board with samples of paint colors, flooring, and a few of these HD photos along with a large printed blueprint. 

Genius Hour - Week 6

Post #6 - Working the Process

This week, I began the fun part of envisioning the different spaces and designing them.  I have found that sitting in a space that is quiet and free from distraction works best for me.  So in a busy house of 2 teenagers and a dog, that in itself can be challenging.  However, Saturday morning in my dining room before the kids wake up is my magic time.  When my husband brings home a Starbuck's Vanilla Chai Tea Latte and I'm in heaven.  Let the process begin. 

So I started to think about each room and the numerous conversations we've had at the dinner table about what everyone wants.  My husband really wants a space for his tools and woodworking hobby. My youngest daughter wants a space for dancing, and my freshman wants a space for gaming, sleep overs, and art.  Knowing our space isn't that big, I've tried to design each room to be multi-purpose. 

I've also started to look for inspiration online and in magazines.

Here is a look at my designs:

 As you can see, the space was divided into 3 zones: family room, workshop, and the music/dance studio.  In the dance space, we're planning on installing 2 large mirrors we've saved from bathroom remodels.

 We've hoping to get a pool table/ping pong table that will be a hit at all our teenage get togethers.  The family room includes a counter for art, homework, or it can serve as a buffet area.

Here is my husband's workshop space.  I really hope we can afford to get him a nice workbench and cabinet storage.

Here's my dip chart:

Genius Hour - Week 5

Post #5 - Keeping Motivated

This week I was struggling with the software program 5D Planner.  It was very limiting and not at all what I wanted.  I need a print out that I can give to my contractor that has measurements and correct scaling.  Although giving them the link to my plans is nice, when they're on the job they need the paper print out and this one did not print anything that was legible.  So my mission this week was to essentially start over and find a new software to use.  After reading some online reviews, I landed on Cedreo.  They offered a 14-day free trial period and so I gave it a try.  Here is my new blueprint:

As you can see, the room names and dimensions are much more legible.  

The other major accomplishment for this week, was the installation of shelving in our crawlspace.  Knowing that right now we use our entire basement as storage, the need to utilize our crawl to its maximum potential will be key in order to allow the rest of our basement to become usable entertainment space.  So my husband and I emptied everything out of the crawl and then reutilized our existing shelving by hanging them from the rafters.  This was actually my idea after realizing that the floor was covered with uneven stone.  Here are the before and after photos.  Warning - not for the faint of heart -lol!

Before - Our crawlspace full of luggage, coolers, boxes and a Christmas tree. 

After - Installed hanging shelving to organize all of our stuff that will have to be relocated in order to have the space we desire.  We also repurposed the floor mats and old area rug to cover the rocks and prevent the plastic from getting ripped.  

Getting cleaned out, really motivates me to keep going.  Plus it was fun to work on this project with my husband.  I just keeping think of how great our new space will be - that's what keeps me motivated.

Genius Hour - Week 4

Post #4 - Making a Plan

I've decided that Saturday and Sunday are the best days for me to devote to Genius Hour.  The weekdays get busy helping my kids with homework and running them to their activities, but the morning hours of the weekend, when they're sleeping in, allow me to be the most productive. So my plan is to devote Saturday morning to Genius Hour and Sunday afternoon to the rest of my class work.

This week was an interesting one. My husband and I met with a contractor to discuss our project.  I learned there are a lot of choices and decisions to make just to get an estimate.  Things I didn't considered were the size of the base, how to finish the stairs, and how we'll need access to certain utilities.  We did learn that our one clean-out drain could be moved so that it is not in the middle of the family room - so that's good news!

I have also been attempting to make some plans and have been fairly disappointed with the software.  The online version is okay but very limited.  My biggest problem has been the stairs.  I can't adjust the them to match our staircase or design a half-angled wall to meet the treads.  I might investigate different design software this week and see if there is anything better out there.

These are my designs so far and as you can see the labels and dimensions aren't readable.  I had to handwrite size information on the printout.  That is just one of the many disappointments of this 5D planner software.