Fire Up Conference Reflection
Session #1: The Importance of Teaching Creativity in the Classroom by: Ryan Hipp
Ryan has written two books- Kids and Music, Curious Glimspe of Michigan – I would love either of these two books J
· We live in a very visual world. So teach visually.
· Creativity brings out personality in students. It helps the students become who they are.
· There is a fine line between encourager and facilator.
· The Dot, Ish by Peter H. Reynolds (Want these books too) – can help kids learn about creativity
· Things that prevent creativity:
1. Negativism
2. Control
3. Overspecialization
4. Fear of failure/ridicule
5. Impatience
6. Jealousy
7. Apathy/laziness
8. Uniformity/tradition
9. Fear of change
Don’t allow the classroom to become stagnant-it is important for things to change.
Cool writing activity- dump out a bucket of nicknacks –allow kids to draw from to start up a writing activity
Session #2
Elementary Classroom Management –Dan Vandenberg
Some important ideas:
· Read over every single kids cum before school starts and talk to previous teachers.
· Welcome note to each student that is on your student list.
· Be ready for the first day of school-always have extras.
· Know the yearly curriculum and create a sequence and scope for the entire year before school starts so that you know you can fit in all the important information.
· Send out a “What’s Up!” so that the parents know what is going on the week before.
· Closure is huge at the end of a lesson.
· Important not to leave out social studies and science.
· Create open communication line between the parents right from the beginning.
· Send home homework that kids can do: it isn’t a bad idea to create 3 levels of homework.
· Discipline Plan: Write it out before school starts give a copy to parents and to the principal.
· If a teacher has a discipline plan it makes you not the bad guy any more.
· Change seats every two weeks!
· Give jobs to all students.
Loved this session! Dan had tons of wonderful things that he presented to us!
Session #3 – Sure Wish I’d Know Sooner- Charles Bultman
· If you do not have an elmo- video camera/flex camera’s are $25 they can make a good make shift elmo.
· Hands out a tri-fold instead of a syllabus.
· Shows a new literacy term every week with a cartoon.
· FUN homework idea: Pepper the toilet and take one drop of dish soap. See what happens?
· One Rule: Do nothing to hinder either teaching or learning.
· If emotions rise during the discuss, “hang up” the phone and dial again later.
· Do not be their friend stay their boss.
· Do not tune out during a movie that is showing-stay focused or do not show.
· Ideas for student helpers:
1. Paper Hander outer
2. Paramedic –help the sick out, took notes for the sick
3. Attendance taker- highlight who was absent on the list
4. Time timer Set- exact time left
Enjoyed Charles Bultman’s presentation…he had lots of energy and lots of good ideas for teaching especially for middle school and high school.
Session #4
How to WOW Moms and Dads in the First Month of School –Dave Sipka
· Send letters out to the kids before school starts include things like: favorite color and a picture of yourself.
· Write a letter to the editor the newspaper and tip them off about something cool happening in the classroom that would be awesome for them to come see.
· Video yourself teaching and put it on youtube.com for students to watch.
· Create a packet of information for elementary parents:
1. Homework Packet-how long should homework take
2. How do we handle birthdays?
3. How do we collect $?
4. Absent- How do we handle parents?
· People love pictures, take tons of pictures.
· Open House of classroom even if no one else is doing it.
· Plan for a positive phone call home each night. First phone call home should be a positive one.
Some great basic ideas. But I was kind of disappointed. I was expecting a better presentation.
Session #5
Blogging
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this session. It inspired me to blog and post up all the cool ideas I am learning about and trying in our classroom. This will allow me to have on-line ideas of sweet stuff I have used, learned about and want to try out.
Here are some websites I learned about and want to try out:
khanacademy.org (database of resources)
quizlet.com (notecards/flashcards)
hippocampus.org (For looking up topics)
Team/group blog
rvlearningblog.blogspot.com
