Collaboration Assignment

For an example of a collaboration assignment I would include in my classroom I've created the following Padlet:

 Learning Target: I can retell events in order.

Students will visit this Padlet and read the instructions as stated on the description bar. "After reading to page 30 of Porpoises in Peril, Retell Kate's actions using a sequence of events.  Be sure to outline the events in order and use specific text details (words from the text) to describe the event. 
Name your post with your group members' names."

This is one of the first assignments we complete as a class after reading together a text during whole group ELA time. 

By encouraging group work and through the use of Padlet, students can see ideas of their classmates which helps with their confidence working with technology within the first week or so of school. 

Introducing...Mrs. Sarah Wells

My name is Sarah Wells and I'm a 4th grade teacher at Troy Hofer Elementary School in Shorewood, IL.

I've wanted to be a teacher since as early as I can remember and I simply love each and every day with my students. As I end my 11th year in the Troy School District, I'm excited, but also in disbelief that this was actually my 17th year of teaching! I've taught 5th grade, multi-age accelerated 3rd and 4th graders, and for the last 4 years, 4th grade. Teaching is my favorite thing to do besides camping and spending time with my family.

I'm also a mom of two strong, young men, Dyson(8) and Deyton(5). We use technology at home as a tool for learning. I try out my technology lessons with them when I can, and look for their latest favorite tech tools to use in my classroom. My husband, Derek is also a "tech guy", but more so in the business - world. He is the director of IT and manages over 300 companies' networks. We collaborate with ideas for tech in our daily lives, but more importantly share thoughts on what works for kids, and what might be useful for kids to learn so when they become career ready they are set or even ahead of the "tech game."

I'm happy to say I'm balancing my students' time with technology for learning in my classroom. I see the focus and purpose of teaching with technology in ways I hope will support my students in their future careers and professional lives. It is with pride that I grow leaders in my classroom!

The humorous addition to this blog? Well, that last paragraph was written before our forced Remote E - Learning began in March of 2020. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, I'd say that balance I boasted about in balancing learning with technology was turned on its head. I, as well as my students, were forced into technology teaching and guiding our day to day interactions and conversations. I learned more about technology during the last 3 months of teaching remotely, than I probably have in my last 5 years of teaching.

Fortunately my comfort with jumping into new technology, helped propel the new adventure of online teaching. However, I'm not done. I seek ways to find ideas that work and are great foundational platforms and applications that I can continue to build on throughout the school year. I'm excited to learn all sorts of tricks and tips with technology and how to be better engaging with my students and using technology collaboratively in the classroom.

I hope you will join me on this educational technology journey and share your favorite ideas with me as well!