Wednesday, July 13, 2016

#SummerGoals



Before I begin I would like to thank @SabrinaTyrer for sharing her impressive list of summer goals and for challenging me to share some of my own. There is something about putting your goals in writing and sharing them with the world that really keep you motivated towards achieving them! So, challenge accepted!

Over the course of the summer I am hoping to accomplish the following:

1. PLAY! EV3, Arduino and Pocketlab are all tools that I have to explore at home this summer.

I have already been able to build a colouring sorting robot and a Kinder Egg launcher with the EV3. I am hoping to find and create more building challenges that students and teachers will be able to use in the classroom. These kits are full of endless possibilities.




I have briefly experimented with my pocketlab but see great uses for data collection/interpretation through physical activity. The amount of data the unit produces can be a little overwhelming but with some more play time I am hoping to see how this amazing tool can be used in the elementary level classroom.

As for the Arduino, I am currently working on a special summer project but will need to consult with @lisaannefloyd again soon before making any progress. Haha!

2. READ: The 20time Project, Grading from the Inside Out and the Unwanted Series (for fun!)

I am halfway through The 20time Project and really love the ideas suggested. Some that stick out are: the Bad Idea Factory (start by listing all bad ideas when brainstorming), Moon Shot Thinking (aim BIG, REALLY BIG) and starting everything by asking students a simple yet powerful question, "What do you want to learn?"

I will start Grading from the Inside Out soon, as it is a borrowed copy and I know the owner will want to dig into it ASAP!

3. CERTIFIED: Google Certification Level 2

Google has SO much to offer us and our students. I thought I had a pretty good handle on it all. HAHAHA, wrong! Through this FREE training (exam excluded) I have learned about items like Google Tour Builder, Google Lit Trips, Blogger and other small tricks and shortcuts. All things that can and will offer students a better and deeper learning experience in the classroom. Google is amazing.





And of course on top of all of this is the endless list of home goals like fence building, deck staining, backsplash tiling, shelf building... On second thought, maybe I'll leave some of these out so I'm not held accountable for their completion...

How about you? What are your #SummerGoals?