Week 26: I Hit the Ground Running

Week 26 was a four day week for me. Monday was spent traveling home from our daughter's wedding, then at about six forty-five Tuesday morning, I hit the ground running...

I organized guest readers for World Read Aloud Day, and even read to two classes myself, I think I enjoyed it as much as the students did! I read my favorite book, "Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon" and a book that looked interesting, "Moustache Baby", they were both big hits! 

We couldn't have World Read Aloud day without an Author Skype! Author Monica Carnesi joined a third grade class via skype to answer questions and encourage them on their writing journey. 

This month's tech challenge reward was one day of duty free lunch and recess (courtesy of me), which began this week. Nine teachers completed the challenge so that is nine duties for me! So far I have watched a "Swing Contest", played in a "Four Squares"game, found the head of a dead animal (not sure if it was a mouse or a mole), observed several students using good manners in the cafe (some even receiving a special prize), AND I witnessed smiles on student's faces as they opened lunch bags with sweet notes inside...PRICELESS! 

I was also able to serve and assist many faculty members this week and play host in the Makerspace to two professors from Northwestern University.  March ELL Newsletter  was published this week as well as Week 26~Southwest Weekly Recap. 

Thank you for allowing me to share each week as I learn and grow, I am having the time of my life! 

Mrs. Hime

Week 25: Two Days and a Wedding

If you know me you know that when I set a goal for myself it pains me to have to venture off track.  At the beginning of the school year I made a commitment to myself to write a reflection blog each week so that I could keep track of everything I do in my new position, what works, what didn't work, what can I change, how can I make it better.  Week 25 was only a two day week me, Monday was a holiday, I worked Tuesday and Wednesday, then I was off the rest of the week for our daughter's wedding... but, because of my commitment to blog each week I am blogging anyway! 

I spent all day Tuesday completing all but two groups of my portion of the ELL Access tests. I completed the remaining groups Wednesday morning, assisted a fourth grade class with their first Mystery Skype , and produced the Weekly Recap. That  afternoon I hosted Wireless Wednesday for approximately 25 of our faculty and staff members. The theme this month was at the movies, I even served popcorn! 

My husband and I left for our daughter's wedding early Thursday morning, we were in CanCun by noon. It was an absolutely beautiful rooftop wedding, and of course our daughter was gorgeous.  

Thank you for allowing me to share as I learn and grow each week,

Mrs. Hime

Week 24: And So It Begins...

Testing has begun... this week I spent almost every hour during the school day testing Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking to half of approximately 160 ELL students on Southwest campus, and still have two more days next week to complete my part. I am anxious to see the results, and hoping  that the assessments show that the new ELL program has been a success, while remembering we are testing the students three months earlier than last year and on computers instead of paper pencil. It may be like comparing apples to oranges, we will see... 

I  hosted Maker Monday this week for a large group of second graders and their families. We also unveiled the Imagination Station  in the Makerspace. The purpose is to build a structure on a small scale with the small blue blocks then replicate that structure on a larger scale with the Big Blue Blocks. 

Two groups visited Southwest this week to see the amazing things we are doing! Southwestern Oklahoma State University pre-service teachers actually came in several groups Wednesday morning. They went into a few classrooms and spent time in our Makerspace. Edmond Public Schools visited Friday morning. They were interested in the Makerspace, how we started, how it is going, and where we want to be. It is always wonderful to connect, share, learn, and grow. 

During the week I was able to assist a few teachers with minor things: Twitter refresher and setting up an initial Mystery Skype. I also took the Students of the Month pictures, put them in a video and  I was also able to sneak in our weekly recap, you can watch it below.

Thank you for allowing me to share as I learn and grow each week,

Mrs. Hime

Week 23: Traveling, Presenting, Assisting, Oh My!

This week began and ended in Clinton, with nine hundred miles in between... 

Ordering for the Makerspace, meeting with our awesome construction crew,  and getting everything ready for Maker Monday were just a few things on my agenda before I left for a week long conference. We are adding four more stations, so exciting!

Four hundred and fifty miles later I arrived in Austin, Texas to attend and present at TCEA 2016 conference. I learned many new things and also came away thinking Clinton Public Schools is still on the cutting edge! I presented my "Techify" Communication Between School and Home to a large group of educators from around the country. Thank you to my good friend and colleague, Mrs. Gaunt, for being my slide transitioner and photographer! 

After three full days of meetings (8:00am to 6:00pm) we traveled four hundred and fifty miles home so that we could be ready for a full day of work in Clinton. I assisted two fourth grade teachers with their first Mystery Skypes, which were fabulous! Then I had the opportunity to be a third grade teacher (in my old classroom) for a few hours. I taught the class how to make book reviews, or book reports, using the Telligami app (see one below), and I got to read aloud from one of my all time favorite books, Ramona Quimby Age 8! 

My week ended as every other has with organizing, producing, and publishing the weekly recap. Watch it below for an interview with Mrs. Stephens, we learned she was actually a student at Southwest long before she became a teacher! 

Thank you for allowing me to share as I learn and grow each week! 

Mrs. Hime