Reflections on Our First 6 Weeks

It has been a seriously busy, but amazing first month of school.  As with any new school year, there is a lot to get done and it seems like there is never enough time.  However, I'm proud to say that I work at a school where everyone is willing to try new things.  Since school started we have:

• rolled out 87 netbooks to 6th and 7th graders
• rolled out a netbook cart of 19 for grades K-2
• added netbooks to grades 4 and 5 so that grades 3-5 are 2:1 with netbooks
• taught 3 lunch and learns for teachers on Socrative (me) and our SmartTable (Christelle)
• taught all students in grades 1-5 to use Typing Pal
• taught middle schoolers how to get started and stay organized using OneNote
• met with every teacher to discuss their goals for tech integration and teaching using Understanding by Design
• started wikis with 5th grade (http://thefiftyunitedstates.wikispaces.com/), 3rd grade (http://multiplemeaningwords.wikispaces.com/) and 2nd grade (http://villa-planets.wikispaces.com/)
• created Wordles with 1st and 2nd grade
• taught 8th graders about the importance as well as the logistics of desktop publishing
• presented to parents on our philosophy around 21st century teaching and learning and our netbook initiative
• supported teachers in taking risks by teaching in new and different ways (this has been BY FAR the most rewarding on the list)

Phew! No wonder we're exhausted! But we wouldn't have it any other way.

Missy