Tech Like a Pirate: Book Study - Day 2

Dear Teacher, 

For many year we have been told that we need to integrate technology better. Once a week, I would pull out the Chromebooks and we would (check to see if they still turn-on) use an app to assess review skills. Our curriculum really did not lend itself to technology use so I didn't.

Fast forward to Pandemic Teaching and I have no alternative. I am learning quickly but there is still so much to learn!

Chapter 3

Welcome to the era of video! This chapter seemed a bit out dated to me but perhaps a year ago it would have not. During pandemic teaching, videos have been my lifeline to get needed information into my students hands in an engaging manner. 

I try to include a video that is 5 minutes or less into every lesson I teach. This has helped tremendously but I do need to get better at (1) not being camera shy, (2) creating my own videos, and (3) letting my students create videos. 

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Chapter 4

One of the favorite topics of discussion in my classroom is games. Students are always playing something and it is what gets them excited. Currently, Among Us is a hit. My students can't get enough of this. 

This chapter talks about how we can take the games that students love and turn them into things that teach them standards. I first did this with Angry birds and math but it was an in-person challenge. Now I have to take this and make it digital.  Plus I no longer teach math. 

My students and I were recently working with the reading strategy 'Synthesizing.' If you have ever had to teach this you know how hard it is. Using Among Us, I set out clues to the "imposter" and each clue was new information that changed who they thought the imposter was. In this game, the imposter was everyone but the right answer. It was a huge hit but it did work. 

What games are you planning in your classroom? What apps are you using to make this happen? 

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Chapter 5

Oh my! This is the chapter I have been needing. Seriously, how do you get 60 students in a Google Meet to collaborate? I need help!

This chapter gave me some great ideas not only to try with my own students (like everyone working on one Google Doc together) but it also gave me ideas for working with other classes. My students are really enjoying these new techniques but its not like being in person. 

We did run into the problem of students deleting others work on the collaborative document either on purpose or on accident. I will have to set up procedures in the future to try and prevent this. We also did a reading challenge with 2nd grade that was a huge success. 

How are you collaborating in this remote or hybrid learning environment? 

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​Join the Book Study

There is still plenty of time to join or book study. With Passionate Teaching, we study on our time not someone else.

​Grab your copy of the book using the Amazon affiliate code and then join us at #daisiesandchalkreads on Instagram. It is that simple!

See you next week for Day 3, 
​Misty