Reed's Reflections

I loved getting a chance to look at everyone’s Eportfolio. We’ve spent so much time in discussions in the classes throughout this program that it was great to put a “feel” to each others’ personalities through the layout and designs of Eportfolios. When I first started building mine in Google Sites, I was a little disappointed because I felt like there weren’t very many options for themes. But as I started picking and choosing my own pictures and layout, I felt like I put my own stamp on it. After looking at some of my classmates, each one had a completely different personality to it. It really showcased the COVA approach and how we all seem to find our voice through the blogs and posts. Even though we had the same assignments, none of ours look remotely the same. They are not any copies of each other, which inspires me to want to do the same for my students in my classroom. I feel like students can use this as a creative outlet as well as a place to show their growth as well as contin...

Since my husband (former coach) and I have changed schools several times, I’ve built my own little network of teachers from all over the state. We may not share ideas on social media or through networking sites, but we do share through conversations, emails, and planning collaboration. I hope to gain some more “team members” on my network though this DLL program. I am already texting and emailing with new colleagues from the administration classes. I am a member of TCEA and I am constantly either saving their suggestions. I feel that this particular organization provides the information and the how about programs or apps that I need in order to use them in my classroom.  I also follow many teachers or tech “gurus” as I call them on twitter. I may not be a member of their particular community, but I follow and learn about new programs, apps and approaches from the work they are doing and sharing. This has been beneficial for me when I’m looking for something new or if I’m looki...

Every school has dress-up days to celebrate or promote something. I've tried to tone it down some this year because my son is in my class and I work with my husband. But I just couldn't help it for Neon Day! I told my hubby I was the, "highlight of his life." I got an eye-roll in response. Ha! 

Even when my son started barely walking, he carried a ball of some kind of ball. He loves all sports, but has a deep passion for basketball. He has said for several years that he will one day play basketball at Texas Tech or at Duke University. Over the past couple of years, we have been blessed to give him the opportunity to meet the coaches he looks up to so much. I love making memories with my boys that help support their dreams! 

I loved getting a chance to look at everyone’s Eportfolio. We’ve spent so much time in discussions in the classes throughout this program that it was great to put a “feel” to each others’ personalities through the layout and designs of Eportfolios. When I first started building mine in Google Sites, I was a little disappointed because I felt like there weren’t very many options for themes. But as I started picking and choosing my own pictures and layout, I felt like I put my own stamp on it. After looking at some of my classmates, each one had a completely different personality to it. It really showcased the COVA approach and how we all seem to find our voice through the blogs and posts. Even though we had the same assignments, none of ours look remotely the same. They are not any copies of each other, which inspires me to want to do the same for my students in my classroom. I feel like students can use this as a creative outlet as well as a place to show their growth as well as conti...

Of course my first reaction to “Who Owns the Eportfolio” was simple, me. I own it. I created it. I picked my colors (from what was available) and my photos (from what I was willing to use or willing to cite) and I picked what was posted (based off of the requirements of my class), but I still chose not to fail, right? But the beauty of our Eportfolios for this program is that we do own it because we are encouraged to complete these assignments through meaningful, authentic learning. The basic start was not my idea because I’m pretty sure that I would’ve never written or created some of the content I was asked to complete if it wasn’t for a class. But I chose how to present it and I put my thoughts and reflections into the content. This made my learning and my reflections relevant. In the article, “Who Owns the Eportfolio,” Harapnuik mentions that the power of reflecting is lost unless we are reflecting on our own ideas. I feel that each part of my Eportfolio is a direct reflection of...

           I used to teach middle school students. Whenever my students would type essays or build a presentation, I was fortunate enough that my students had basic keyboarding and formatting skills. This made is so the bulk of my time was spent on the content of the assignment. Then I moved up and taught high school. This meant I was teaching the same students I had in middle school. Of course this made some parts of my daily life easier. When implementing technology, most high school students mainly had questions about what my expectations were, not so much about how to use the technology. Now my career has taken me to a place that I never thought I would go--elementary school.           I've taken for granted that although my current students have grown up with game consoles, tablets, and smart phones at their fingertips, it doesn't mean that using technology for my assignments is easy for them. For example, I had my fifth grade...

COLLAPSE I already touched on this in a previous post, but as teachers, we are so much more than a one day formal evaluation or the answers to the handful of questions we are asked during an interview. I love how the ePortfolio can give some insight into who we all are as teachers, show personality, and show how we are all in this journey. This can be a great asset when applying for future positions, but I see it as so much more, too. Now that I have started to establish relationships with my classmates, I am excited to learn from their blogs and ePortfolios just as if I've walked into their classroom during my conference or after school to chat about the day. I plan to use this to show snippets into my classroom for others to learn from, but also, I hope to gain suggestions and tips from those who comment. My classroom is no where near where I want it to be as far as integrating technology consistently. I feel these ePortfolios will provide another place I can draw ideas from...

                 Just like the article, “Why Use and Eportfolio?” explains that “grades simply do not reveal skills,” the same can be said of a teacher’s skills in the classroom. I love the idea of an ePortfolio as a place that can showcase my work, my thoughts, and provide some insight into who I am as a teacher. If we believe that our students are more than just a standardized test score, then aren’t we as teachers more than the sum of standardized test scores? The ePortfolio provides a more in-depth look at who I am and what I value in the classroom. The COVA approach doesn’t just sound good in theory, but an ePortfolio allows us to show what the COVA approach looks like in practice.              As I read through these articles, I gained a clearer understanding of the different aspects that the ePortfolio offers for me to showcase to others, but also I can visually see my own transformation. Through the ...

5302 Blog Post This program has really changed my mindset as a teacher. After completing my Growth Mindset Plan , I reevaluated how I want to teach my students.  I want my students to be able to take risks in my classroom without fear of failure or consequences. Students already see so many consequences as they grow up and learn to make better decisions in their behavior. The last thing I want for them to feel this same way when they are just trying to follow my directions on an assignment. I teach writing for upper elementary students. I’ve started mentioning the power of the eraser to my students. The eraser can help revise or edit any mistakes students make on their paper. Misspelled word? Erase it and fix it. Run-on sentence? Erase and squeeze in a conjunction. Found a better idea after thinking through the paper? Yep, Mr. Jumbo-Pink eraser to the rescue. All of this is possible by following through Carol Dweck’s four steps to change a fixed mindset to a growth mindset in ou...

Flipgrid in the Classroom I was so excited to use Flipgrid for the first time in my classroom. It was very user friendly for my upper elementary students. First my student created Blackout poems from various articles. After completing their poems and framing them with construction paper, students videoed themselves on Flipgrid reading their poems. This gave my students to opportunity to read their poems in their own voice, without the stress of standing in front of their peers. This was a simple way to introduce Filpgrid to my students so that in the future, we can continue to use these videos in our learning. To check out Flipgrid, visit https://info.flipgrid.com/