Reflecting on my GAME face...

I have learned a LOT through this course! The Cennamo book stays with me, not just for quick class review, but solid, usable teaching. I found the simple steps of the GAME plan to be nothing but a new name for the same old trick, but this acronym works because it is easy to follow. I have found new ideas and different applications to use in achieving goals I have set for years. Using the GAME plan has put me on a time-line for completion, and for my 2 NETS-T goals for involving parents and community members with online collaboration, I am set. (Now, let's hope they are as excited to use and communicate with me through such easy means!)

Upon learning of my unrequested transfer from teaching 8th grade earth science to 5th grade self-contained, I have had my world turned around. I find I am now hopeful and entertained by the new minds I will be meeting, rather than boo-hoo'ing over those I am "losing". I have a very small classroom with little storage for this year which means cleaning out all those unused "rainy day" supplies I've held for so long. I will have Mac wireless notebooks in my classroom which will free me from keeping up with all the paperwork that "must be" submitted. I am eager to get their little fingers and minds working through the wonderful technology tools I am bringing to the classroom.

By far away the best tech tool I've acquired this term is the Digital Storytelling. I am so excited to use it, that I have lessons planned for the first week of school! Maybe catching the kids early will let them see the wonderful educational prospects that come with learning online...I know I have!

GAME plan for students

Using the GAME plan to work through and continually monitor and update goals is a simple process. Students also love to take the simplest possible means to completing tasks and are usually willing to work if those means are fast and easy to follow. Keeping that in mind, I believe it will be easy to use the GAME plan procedures with my 5th graders, IF I establish the process early on in the year.

Review of the NETS-S confirmed the work I have been doing on my content area plan and other assignments I have been constructing for the beginning of the year. My own GAME plan relates to the students' NETS for Communication and Collaboration. They will be using a blog page very early in the year and I plan to insert digital storytelling at the beginning of the year, also. The stories will work with the Creativity and Innovation. The other 4 NETS-S are integrated throughout my lessons. I believe I will be able to have my students modeling the NETS-S quite thoroughly without them even knowing what they are accomplishing. Of course, I will introduce them to the reasons behind the work we are completing, but I think I'll let them get comfortable first.

GAME on!

Revising the GAME plan

I just read back over my original goals and found I am moving forward rapidly towards success! This is surprising to me, since I thought I would be working much harder (and longer) to accomplish such short successes. My week is winding down now and I have a clearer mind to focus on my objectives. The goals for my focus, so you don't have to look back like I did, are the #3 goals of the NETS-T: online collaboration tools and digital formats for parents and students.

First off, I FINALLY retrieved the Mac (but it's wireless and my house is not) and look forward to using it for the next month. Thanks to some suggestions, I will be playing with GarageBand first.
I already mentioned setting up the communication links with parents and students (and if you read my initial discussion post for this week, you'll understand) which puts me in the right place for returning to school. I will now advance my focus to online-digital tools for students in the classroom. The blocks and filters in my district are very discouraging, but I have found some success when requesting released links through my principal. We will see...

on a side note...anyone else realize that in just 4 short weeks we will begin our FINAL semester????? WOO HOO!