Last Friday IST had a Read-a-Thon to celebrate our 50th Birthday. Yea! The celebration continues. After talking with Ms. Jane and my class, we thought it would be fun to read in the EC quad with our Reading Buddies.
It was such a fun morning! The kids grabbed their blankets, pillows, stuffed animals and favorite book before heading out the door to do some serious (but fun) reading. My kids reflected afterwards that it was a wonderful morning and it was even better because the small EC kids seemed to be getting more comfortable with them. (I think they forget what it was like when they were 3 and 4 years old!) Can't wait for the next time we hang out. Thanks Reading Buddies!
One thing I truly miss is American football in the fall weather. I get homesick this time of year when I see all of the pictures and posts my friends create about my college teams' football games. I went to school at the University of Oregon (a wonderful school for education studies, in case you are wondering) and our colors are green and yellow. This past month, I tricked my third graders into wearing my university colors for our assembly.... Go Ducks!
This summer I began taking an internet course on using technology in education. I am love, love, loving it and enjoy being back in school myself. It is nice being a student again.
The class has made me reevaluate how I use technology in the classroom. I use the smartboard and document camera daily, and blog on a regular basis. I encourage students to use the computer to do research, practice skills, play educational games and communicate with others. Needless to say, I use technology, but how was I going to think of a fresh, new idea for incorporating more technology into the classroom? After scratching my head, I had an idea.
Two weeks ago, I watched an amazing video about an inspirational young girl and "Video Friday" was put into motion. The first "Video Friday" was such a hit, I just had to continue. While students eat their snacks, we get to watch one video and the theme is that it has to be inspiring and have a positive student message. Here are the past two videos, and here is the one for tomorrow. Let me know what you think!
P.S. Sesame Street is still not only cool at age 8, but age 34!
During the first week of school, while sitting in our in-service training, I thought of this great idea and believe it or not, my brain remembered it a month or so later. As many of you know, IST turned 50 this year and it is a big milestone, especially for an International School in East Africa. I thought, wouldn't it be fun to make a video. Grade 3 had an assembly to host and it was the perfect time to get in gear.
Now, I've never created a video, but I gave it a go... I know, I hear you "Risk-Taker!" One of my teaching partners assured me it was easy so I gave it a go. I gathered some creative brain juice, my new iPhone (that now looks like it was run over by a bike) and some eager students and colleagues. The movie was set in motion. It took many days of filming (and re-filming,) but it got done and came together quite nicely. My tech coordinator came in on the last crunch day to help, but do you know what, it was mostly done... it was that easy.
I am eager to give it another go and also make some minor adjustments based on what I learned, but all-in-all, I am pretty proud of it. Enjoy!
