Class 5 -- April 21 -- Final Session

Present: Pam Wirtz, Lori Shinners, Nicki Dahms, Maggie Ferree, Shane Radosevich, Kristin Warner, Sarah Dupee, and Lynn Syverson.

Absent: Chris Thompson and Kristin Olson.

Guest: Eileen Depka, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services.

Sarah Dupee facilitated this session which was held in Kristin Warner's room. The first topic was a 3-2-1 Activity — three things participants learned, two ideas for further integration, and one suggestion for making the course better next time.

Three things we learned included:

1. Incredible value of meeting, sharing, and discussing with colleagues
2. New method of professional development through collegial study group
3. Validation that we are all struggling to find the time to create Notebook lessons
4. Good refresher and learning experience even for the most seasoned SB person
5. Feel we've become better/rejuvenated teachers having rethought what we do as we work to develop lessons utilizing the SB and Notebook
6. "Awesome" support potential for visual learners
7. How to capture existing files, web sites, graphics, etc.
8. Creating more interactive lessons
9. Converting music and then inserting as links
10. Fostering student independence/responsibility in tracking progress (Maggie's notebook -- variations)
11. Scanning overheads into Notebook
12. Using the gallery
13. Pinning pages and dual display
14. Random number generator for "picking" students
15. Linking sites, music, files
16. Using SynchronEyes in the lab with Notebook transfers to students
17. Learning from what others are doing in EDM in order to plan SB use for next year
18. You don't have to be a "techie" to succeed
19. Infinite cloner use
20. Lunch and attendance -- student completed
21. Many classroom management tools including the timers

Two ideas for further integration included:

1. Creating units verses lessons
2. Use for assessment
3. Focus on interactive aspects
4. Use for differentiation
5. Consider room setup to maximum positive outcomes
6. Organize files by theme
7. Use for center-based work
8. Further explore the Lesson toolkit
9. Explore the Recorder
10. Explore Video Player, especially with United Streaming subscription
11. Find time to explore resources
12. Further develop writing units

One suggestion for making the course better include:

1. Arrange classes around parts/tools of Notebook
2. Continue to have clear focus for each class (like this time)
3. Move class between rooms to experience different setups, etc.
4. Arrange classes around individual topics
5. Have grade level specific classes

Eileen thanked the group for sharing and offered her support of ongoing professional development focused on SB and Notebook within the curriculum, including CEUs. We reviewed the collegial study concept and emphasized it is participant-focused from approval request through facilitation. More information is expected on the process next Fall from Administration, but we can all be thinking now.

The group shared what they had tried new with Math based on the previous class and Sarah shared an Earth Day set of timely Notebook files through Scholastic. Pam also shared how she had incorporated the two fraction Flash files Lynn had shared into the study of note values. Lynn thanked the group for sharing files to be used the following day as examples at the Burleigh introductory trainings.

Thanks for all the great energy and sharing -- have a great 4th quarter!

Class 4 -- April 7, 2008

Present: Chris Thompson, Kristin Olson, Pam Wirtz, Lori Shinners, Nicki Dahms, Maggie Ferree, Shane Radosevich, Kristin Warner, Sarah Dupee, and Lynn Syverson. (and special guest, Kate)

Congratulations to Shane and Lauren on the birth of their new son, Aiden!

Kristin Olson facilitated this session. A group discussion ensued regarding student behavior variances from year to year, room to room, grade to grade, etc resulting in suggestions of additional modifications to SMARTBoard use. What works for one may not for another.

Sharing of "New Things I Tried Since Last Time" in Writing

• Pam adapted Magee's writing process Notebook (NB) for the song writing process allowing students to drag their name to the appropriate step as they work.


• Kristin O and Sarah also adapted Magee's NB idea for their writing process.


• Nicki also added Magge's idea to her process NB. Nicki shared her NB lesson designed for the study of onomatopoeia and alliteration.


• Consensus -- Magee's process NB idea was a hit!


• Kristin O and Sarah also shared their NB transition music concept -- the students love it, know what to do and when to be done.

Weekly Topic — Integrating the SMARTBoard into Math

• Kristin W shared lessons using the blank 100's grid and the random number generator, skip counting using the dice, sorting "virtual cards" she created into strategy columns, and an interesting (!!) commutative property demonstration that matches what the students do and involves turning the paper upside down. Kristin also said she printed out her NB lesson for a sub using the handout option so she could easily write instructions for each slide.


• Lori shared her lesson using manipulatives onscreen to study 100's and also demonstrated the interactive flash card.


• Pam shared her NB files featuring rhythm, note values, and meter. She also discovered a virtual sticky note in the gallery!


• Nicki shared her library books word problem, use of the spinner for comparing (< = > choice), and subtraction/regrouping using virtual manipulatives.


• Shane shared many NB lessons he had created for his EDM curriculum including links to the Student Reference Book online (he's one of the piloting teachers for online) to use the EDM explanation videos, virtual manipulatives, and examples. Shane shared that having the SMARTBoard and using SMART Notebook has allowed him to organize the vast resources used in EDM resulting in less time teacher time needed and more student work/support time. He shared a great math game website -- believe it's http://www.primarygames.co.uk/.


• Magee also shared a great interactive math game site http://rainforestmaths.com/.


• Lynn shared a sample fraction lesson from Hong Kong featured on PDTOGO podcast and two fraction flash files. In addition, she had a sample of a student using one of the flash files with the SMART Recorder to demonstrate/explain the process for finding his solution. This could be another way to give student ownership to learning and/or provide support for students missing class. An additional use might be to record a skill demonstration (i.e. handwriting) and play it in a loop so the students can refer back while you work with individual students.

The next session, 4/21. Chris will not be with us, but Eileen Depka, Assistant Superintendent for Education Services, will join the first part. This is our final gathering and our agenda will be:

• 3-2-1 Activity — Bring three things participants learned, two ideas for further integration, and one suggestion for making the course better next time.


• Implement one Math lesson and reflect on what did or did not work in its delivery (journal and 2‑minute demonstration of lesson for class).


• Discuss possible/existing uses of SMARTBoard in Science/Social Studies.

Chris has asked our reflection logs be emailed to him and he will recommend credit be given. (either Alverno or HR Department)