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#GoogleClassroom

9/20/2015

Google Classroom was launched by Google in August of 2014. It has literally changed the pace in education. It is considered a "blended learning platform." It blends traditional teaching with the 21st Century. It's aim is to have a paperless classroom where assignments are posted and completed in an online community. The community is closed and only accessible by invitation or approved access.

#ourfirstweek
In our first week of implementation, we defined and uploaded photos during a close reading lesson about rock art, took an online assessment on the same student-generated vocabulary terms, and answered text dependent questions (TDQs) about the text. Students also viewed and discussed anchor charts on theme and text structures.

#easypeasy
Being a technophone, I wasn't sure if I was ready for Google Classroom. But by the end of the week, I am now a new convert. Creating the documents is no different than Word, uploading photos is much the same as social media, and monitoring turn in is as simple of watching a New Year's Eve countdown.

#stillmoretolearn
I still have A LOT to learn. For one thing, I ended up creating a paper rubric to grade the TDQs. I like the rubric but there must be a way to grade digitally as well. Also . . . well . . . my head is just spinning knowing there's so much more to learn.

#studentreadiness
For my students, they were so ready. I was much more timid than them. They logged on and got to work instantly. They didn't even blink at the new technology. If someone was stuck, a classmate was eager to lend a hand. They loved watching the "turn in" numbers go up. Talk about engagement, this is it. 100%!!! So proud of them!

#academicrigor
But most importantly, is the fact that Google Classroom will help ramp up the academic rigor in our class. Answering the TDQs in this online manner mirrors the way they will be accessed in Common Core. Students will be able to practice answering questions while citing evidence, manipulate multiple texts, and learn to expand their thinking. The possibilities for growth are endless.

Your Google Classroom teacher,
Mrs. McAlister

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#Skatepark

9/13/2015

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Last year, our class was invited to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Mr. Doug Evers was my teaching partner and his brother, Mr. Dan Evers (aka Mr. Dan), approached us with a proposal. As part of the Rainforest Project, he was charged with helping design the logo and come up with a name for the park. The skate park creator, Anatasia, wanted students to be an integral part of the process. Without hesitation we said, "Yes," along with Ms. Pineda's class.

#introducingtheproject
During the winter, Mr. Dan and Anastasia came to Sunflower and pitched the project to our sixth graders. At the time, there was no concept as to where the logo and name would go. Students were shown logos and names of various skate parks in California. Then, students were let loose with ipads, papers, colored pencils, and most importantly, their creativity. By the end of the session, ideas started revealing themselves. Logos included roadrunners, Mount Signal, sand dunes, cactus, and snakes. Titles started emerging as well along the same lines. At this point, Mr. Dan and Anastasia took the students concepts to the El Centro Parks and Recreation for review.

#nameandlogo
About a month later, Mr. Dan and Anastasia came back with a report. The rec department really liked one of the concepts. One of the boys had come up with a name, Copperhead Skate Park. But instead of copperhead, it was decided that the copperhead was not a native snake to the Imperial Valley. The sidewinder was a native snake, thus the name, Sidewinder Skate Park. With the name decided upon, several students had included snakes creating a half-pipe as a design logo. The students were ecstatic!

#meetingwithanartist
The next session included an artist. The artist took the "copperhead" student and 4 other students that had snakes in their designs to start working on a logo. Together, they combined elements to create a workable design. With the artists rendering of the students concepts, the rec department was presented with a logo. A few modifications were made but, all in all, the design was original by the students.

#laboroflove
We've all heard the phrase "labor of love." This project was truly just that. Eight years ago, Anastasia had a dream of a skate park for the Imperial Valley youth. Through years of grant writing, meeting with designers, and skate park architects her dream was finally realized. On Thursday, September 10, 2015, Sidewinder Skate Park was opened to the public. What a night! Hundreds of people showed up for the opening ceremony.

#congratulations
On behalf of the youth of the Imperial Valley, I'd like to say, "Thank you," to Anastasia for her dream of a youth skate park. It is sure to be a source of activity in El Centro now and for years to come. To the 2014-2015 Sunflower sixth graders, "Congratulations," for helping name and design the park and its' logo. To Mr. Dan and the Rainforest Project, "Job well-done," on the amazing mosaics that flank the entrance to the park.

In awe,
Mrs. McAlister

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#Goals

9/4/2015

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During the summer, I opened a Twitter account. I wasn't really sure what I would find. I started following educators, athletes, and (ok, I'll say it) reality TV participants. A theme started emerging . . . goals. Educators pontificated about the importance of goal setting, the reality TV stars talked about aiming for notoriety, and the athletes spelled out their detailed training regiments. One day I was taken aback. A runner stood holding a sign with the name of a marathon she wanted to complete. Her caption read something to the effect of letting the world know that this was her goal, in order to set the goal in stone. Wow! That was a powerful moment.

I started to reflect. What was my goal? What did I need to set in stone? I've been dabbling in tech for a couple of years now. My husband and son are true techies. They try to teach me but I'm always filled with anxiety. Our school received chromebooks last year and I really want honor the call to become a 21st century educator. So there it is. I want to be "Tech-Girl." I want to implement technology in my classroom to the best of my ability. I'm scared of the venture. I call myself a closet techno-phobe ready to be tech girl. With the help of my techies at home and my fearless technology oriented students, I think my goal will become a reality.

In class we set goals for the year. Man, these kids are amazing. Four things caught my eye. Their goals took definitive directions.

#Looktothefuture
Several of the students looked at their goals long-term. Brennan wants to be an electrical engineer. Isela wants to make music her life. And Gilbert wants to be a professional youtube gamer. They have their end game in mind. (Ha, ha.
That's literal, right Gilbert?)

#Lookatthepresent
Many of the students took a narrower approach. Letty wants to get straight As, Julissa wants to get really good at math and soccer, Fabian wants to be the MVP forward in soccer this year, and Aiden wants to develop his computer animation skills. A year long goal for these students will be perfect for self-reflection and redirection when necessary.

#Focusonothers
Some of the students created goals that focused not on themselves but of others. Nancy's goal is to help the needy and Susanna wants to spread awareness of animal testing. Sounds like we may have some social justice advocates on our hands.

#Focusonourselves
Intrinsic values also showed up in their goals. Kyle wants to be a great leader and Nathaniel wants to be a respected leader. By focusing on personal characteristics, these boys will not only help themselves but also those around them.

Can we do it? If the runner is right, we're heading towards success. We've written our goals and posted them for all to see. How about you? Will you set a goal? Post it in the comment section below. Make it known to us and we'll help you succeed!

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