Mrs. McAlister and her Sunsational Sixth Graders
  • Mrs. McAlister's Blog
  • Mrs. McAlister's Blog
  Mrs. McAlister and her Sunsational Sixth Graders

Join us on our journey through sixth grade

#ECESD Technology Conference . . . #Digi

1/31/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
Professional development can really be exciting!  On January 25, 2016, over 250 El Centro Elementary School District teachers, instructional assistants, coaches, and principals converged to participate in ECESD’s first annual technology conference. Led by our very own, Antonio Romayor, the day was a huge success.  Let’s take a peek . . .

#Inception
I asked Tony how the conference came to be.  He said that it was an outcome of a Clarity Survey conducted back in November of 2015.  While analyzing the data, he began considering how the district could provide technology  training.   Specifically, if the district would be interested in utilizing one of the annual professional development days to focus solely on technology and the utilization of it in the classroom. The district agreed.  Along with Marco Arellano, our math and science coach, and Rauna Fox, our curriculum coordinator, they began creating the PD menu of session topics, schedule, registration and evaluation methods.


#SessionsandPresenters
The PD menu offered 15 choices, ranging from GAFE, Synergy Grade Book, math apps, and multimedia skills to my own presentation: Google Classroom. The presenters were tech coaches, school leaders and, most importantly, teachers that were implementing technology in their classrooms.  He wanted teachers to be able to connect with their presenters.  And what better way, than to have the teachers teach their peers.


#GoogleClassroom
My sixth grade teacher partner, Jordy Tollefson, and I presented Google Classroom for Beginners.  Jordy is an extremely patient and knowledgeable teacher.  I’m a bit excitable and thrive on personal connections.  But we have one thing in common, we are passionate about our profession.  After starting with an introductory video, we assisted teachers in creating accounts, navigated through the basics of GC, provided a first lesson, and shared how we’re implementing GC ourselves.  Each session had it’s own personality, much like each of our classrooms.  
 




#Collaboration
I’ve been living by the 4Cs this year.  And boy, did this experience incorporate them all, especially collaboration.  The district provided a planning day for presenters prior to the seminar to design their sessions, food services teamed up and arranged for healthy snacks for both breakfast and between sessions, presenters enjoyed lunch together on the conference day catered by a local establishment, Junior’s Cafe, Wilson Junior High teachers graciously opened their doors for both presenters and participants, and the team gathered one more time to debrief the conference.


#EvaluationData
I went to Tony one last time to discuss the evaluation data.  He said that of the 190 submitted evaluations, 100% of the attendees considered the event to be of value. As evidence, look at the chart below.

Also, the session evaluations were rated higher as the day progressed, possibly due to the participant’s technology issues being solved. For example, login issues, problems with Google services, etc.  Most importantly, attendees liked that they were able to chose the topics that interested them.

#TeachersPerspective
Some survey responses. . .
* “I walked away from today, realizing I know so very little and desiring to learn more.”
* “I really enjoyed my day. I am so excited about going back into my classroom and using my Lenovo with confidence.”
* “I appreciated the fact that the district used our input to put the technology conference together.”
* “I am very happy to have participated in the FIRST ANNUAL technology conference today.  Way to ECESD for hosting this.

Some suggestions . . .
* “Smaller classes”
* “Grade specific”
* “Session descriptions prior to registering”
* “Presenter info prior to registering”

#ThankYou
I’d personally like to thank our Superintendent, Jon LeDoux, and Assistant Superintendent, Reuben Castro, for honoring the  21st Century educational system that our students are a part of.  This “Net Generation” is embarking on a future of careers that aren’t even in existence. Ones that rely on collaboration, innovation, and multi-disciplinary skills.  By preparing teachers with the skills and resources to teach the citizens of tomorrow, we’re on a path towards success.

Proud to be part of the ECESD tech team,
Mrs. McAlister      

Picture
1 Comment

#PhiKappaphi . . . Overcomingadversity

1/21/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture

​What an experience! The Phi Kappa Phi young scholars really shined at our second academic gathering.  Continuing with the theme, "Overcoming Adversity," 4th, 5th, and 6th graders delved into the topic once again.  The day was truly a team effort with three teachers and the principal interacting with almost 70 engaged students.  Let's take a look at the day.
​
#Grit
To start the day off, I introduced students to Angela Lee Duckworth's Ted Talk, "The Key to Success: Grit." Angela shared her experience of teaching 7th grade math in New York City.  She shared how IQ may not be the primary indicator of success.  She discovered that motivational factors played a major role in student success, in particular, grit.  Grit . . . the ability to show courage and resolve in the face of adversity. Watch and see what Angela has to say.  Notice the connection between grit, the growth mindset, and resilience.

Picture
#ThesisStatementThrowdown
Sunflower School's principal, Mrs. Quiroz, followed by introducing thesis statements.  Using the Edutopia article, "Teaching Students the ABC's of Resilience," Mrs. Quiroz taught students how to effectively draft thesis statements with a three step process.  Start with a question, provide reasons, then draft statements. The article revolved around two students, Lisa and Jenny.  Each student took a different approach after doing poorly on a math test.  When faced with Adversity, each us of has Beliefs that lead to Consequences.  In the article, Albert Ellis, a psychologist in 1962, found that when people believe they have a choice in how they can react to situations, they can affect the consequences when adversity arises.

#BigIdeaPillars
Mrs. Millan, our 5th grade GATE teacher, continued by providing an experience incorporating the 4 Cs and STEAM. Using the depth and complexity concept of, The Big Idea, students, in groups of 6, collaboratively drafted thesis statements of what they can do when faced with adversity. Responses included relying on family members, keeping your chin up, using the growth mindset, and never giving up.  After writing their statements on a paper pillar, students stapled their pillar to a bulletin board to create a group "Temple of Grit."

#DetailsFlower

Fourth grade GATE teacher, Mrs. Segura, culminated the gathering by asking students to dig deep, self-reflect, and think about a time when they experienced adversity.  Students wrote details of their personal experiences on a large petal of a flower.  A range of situations were represented from losing a soccer game, fighting with a parent, doing poorly on a test, to the death of a grandparent.  The activity allowed students to take the abstract concept of adversity and make it concrete.  

#Fortunate
As a teacher, I am so fortunate to work with amazing, hard-working, resilient students. We continually strive to be better versions of ourselves.  This Phi Kappa Phi event also showcased how collaboration with colleagues can have profound effects on students.  Thank you, Mrs. Quiroz, Mrs. Millan, and Mrs. Segura for allowing me to be part of the Sunflower Suns team, growing students day by day.

As always, so proud of my sixth graders,
Mrs. McAlister

Picture
0 Comments

#oneword . . . for2016

1/10/2016

4 Comments

 
Picture
2016 is off to a great start! Upon returning from vacation, I challenged each student to find their #oneword.  Instead of making new year's resolutions or goals, students dug deep to find just one word to guide them through 2016.  A word to finish up sixth grade and lead them into junior high.  Self-reflection, collaboration, decision making, and creativity converged to start off our first week of 2016.

#LessonCycle
We started the challenge by watching the "One Word That Will Change Your Life" video. (To view, scroll down to #oneword . . . for365days blog post.)
 It was a powerful experience as students saw that most people do not succeed in goal setting or resolution making.  Then, students were introduced to the One Word cycle of "Look In, Look Up, and Look Out."  After this, students took time to self reflect using the One Word Action Plan, followed by contributing possible words to a collaborative Google doc.  For homework, students wrote on index cards three possible words to ponder.  The next day, students chose their one word and started creating a one word reminder.  For the next two days, students painted, decorated, and created boxes, paintings, slides, jars, and puzzles to use as reminders of their one word.  For a writing component, I shared Twitter blogs of contributor's one word.  Students then wrote their own blog posts.  As a teacher, I was very happy with the progression of student thinking and understanding from abstract to concrete.

#BlogPosts
Student blog posts were full of insights.  (To read entire blogs, go to our homepage.) Take a look at some of their thoughts.

*My one word for 2016 is Confident. The reason that I chose this word is because I want to feel good about myself and be confident no matter what changes I may go through this year.
*My one word is something that we do a lot at school . . . learn.  
I chose it because I know that if I learn, I will earn in the future.
*The word I chose for the one word challenge was “
Motivate”. I need to motivate people by helping them accomplish their goals.
*
I fear what others think of me, even though I never wanted to.  So, this year, I plan on having more faith in myself in many ways such as spiritually, physically, educationally, with friends, and family.      
*This year, I chose one word to complete my 2016 challenge, and that word was
courage.  I need to not be afraid to speak my mind and ask questions. I need a growth mindset and to never give up.

I have to say, our Sunsational Sixth Graders are ready for 2016.  They're off to a great start finishing up this school year and mentally preparing for the start of seventh grade.  With their word in hand, they're surely to find success.  Have you found your word?  Time to take the #oneword challenge​.


My one word . . . Intentional.

Ready to be intentional in all that I do in 2016,
​Mrs. McAlister

Picture
** For 2017, my friend @SusieWhipple106 and I created this hyperdoc. Feel free to make a copy and remix it to work with your class.
4 Comments

    AuthoR

    Welcome to my blog.  I'm an 80's girl embracing being a 21st century tech-girl with the help of my amazing sixth graders.  Join us as we journey through sixth grade.

    Archives

    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.