5, 6, 7, 8, New year is starting great
Welcome back blog readers! 2017 for Cedar Ridge HS dance has gotten off to a great start and I am already excited by the possibilities to come!
It’s hard to believe the 1st 3 weeks have already flown by and yet as I write this blog I can’t believe everything we have already done. Let’s check it out!
WEEK 1
Sometimes when teachers are asked how they integrate technology into the classroom, they assume that the technology must enhancing the student experience. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Technology infusion can also support the teacher. You deserve the streamlining, workload lessening, ease of process magic that technology can give to you too!
This year we eased our department to an eye-catching 2 sided syllabus using the program called Canva. We inserted a QR code that lead to our department website which also displayed our older more extensive syllabus for parents to read. Parents were required to sign a syllabus page that could be signed either digitally (Google Forms) or by paper. Students were required to complete an online Student Information form that we can use to easily sort, copy, and organize student and parent emails and other data. And last but not least, there are various icebreaker apps that can be found in the app store to use on those very 1st days. (Icebreaker, Would You Rather, etc). Finally we got all students loaded into the correct Google Classrooms so that lessons could begin during week 2.
WEEK 2
As we give students a few more days to purchase/locate their required dance clothes, we begin our 1st units with a history lesson according to their unit of study. Jazz history for all Dance 1–4 and Jazz 1–4 and ballet history for ballet 1–4. Just because I may by certifiably crazy love innovative teaching, I had different activities happening in each class.
Jazz 1: As a level 1 course, this class took on a more traditional approach with a 21st century update of course. I led the students through an interactive Prezi presentation while students took notes on a Google Doc provided to the students through Google Classroom. If you have never tried making a Google Doc template that you can have GC make a copy for each student, this is a must do!
Dance 2–4: As a upper level courses, we are still required to cover history, which by definition does not change. However, how we present it can be! So I turned my classroom into a completely student-driven learning environment. Students were put into groups of 3. 1 iPad accessed and played the Prezi presentation, 1 iPad accessed the app Timeline, and 1 iPad collected images from Google for the app activity. The activity consisted of using the information of the Prezi and created an informational timeline on the app which they turned in on GC. It was the 1st time I used this app, and I absolutely LOVED the results! I sat back like a proud teacher/mom and watched the magic happen. Check it out:
Jazz 4: Jazz 4 completed the same activity as Dance 2–4 but in pairs. In this class, auditioned students are 9th-12th grade. That means some students have revisited history for 3 years and some are seeing it for the 1st time. I paired Freshman with Seniors and watched both friendships and learning bloom!
Ballet 1–4: This class is both multi-level AND multi-grade. So to wrap up the day, I took in a leap of faith and went with a 3-section lesson. Section 1, my mid-level students that have danced with me a few years completed the same activity as Jazz did above. Section 2, my upper level Seniors used the Prezi to create a fun Kahoot for the class to test their knowledge on the following day. And for Section 3, I sat down with my new Freshman and led them through the participation in the same manner as Jazz 1, with the added benefit as getting to know them!
Dance Educators: In this class we used Padlet on Chromebooks as a brainstorming chalkboard. working in groups students completing entries in various columns on topics to discuss in class. I used a Google extension as a time, my playlists for music, and let the students collaborate away!
Nobility Dance Team: Our new dance team created social media accounts as additional ways of communicating to the teams as well as promoting events. They also used Drive to turn in required materials. The director (Taryn Gregory) made some cute flyers on Canva and I made a member/family only (required sign-in) folder for our website so that families can access director updates and other team-only materials at any time. We also used workout apps to help the team condition while we rotated through some individual conferences.
My department and I took our class rosters and assigned devices to as many classes as possible this year. Last year we also had access to Chromebooks, and my entire department went paperless. Without the Chromebooks this year, my co-worker (Stevie Baldwin-Sutton) is bravely preparing some neglected Samsung Galaxy’s for hopes that all classes can be paperless again very soon. And all of us have included variations of technology use in our T-TESS goals. So proud!
From home I used Smore to send all of the students and parents a welcome email and Newsletter shock full of clickable links to to tons of information. Then I got all of my class playlists ready on my iPod touch for easy access next week!
WEEK 3
Along with all of the exciting activities last week, all classes began completing weekly journal entries as well as daily vocabulary via Google Classroom, Slides, and Sheets. I began full GC classroom integration last year and haven’t looked back. Students can find all of their materials, turn-in assignments, find incomplete work from absences all with the touch of a button.
Speaking of a touch of a button, our department finally purchased enough adapters to correctly connect Bluetooth capabilities to our large room sound systems instead of just our portable block rockers. It has been so amazing to use!
Students in Jazz 4 worked in different pairs (paired up using Name Selector) each day to add a few assigned vocab words to a Padlet to create a picture/video vocab wall.
WEEK 4
Classes are now so confident with class routines, building relationships, and sweating up a storm. Journals are continuing in full swing!
Dance Educators has had multiple assignments in CG that require them to watch videos and complete attached notes. It was so easy to share all of the materials with a student that was going to be absent for a week. We also created a board on Padlet that looks almost identical to a Pinterest board that we are beginning to load materials to of wish list items to purchase for class.
This week I have also used class timers for group work to keep kids on task. It helps them keep track of what time they have left while I can focus on enjoying their process!
So as you can see, 2017 is off to an amazing start! Next week technology will support us through various testing and evaluation techniques. Looking forward to a great year and sharing all about it!