The Life of a Vanguard Teacher
by Jenn Brown
What Made This Year a Success
I showed my staff a new app (iPad gesture, project) each week during our staff meetings. I also tried to introduce the same to my students while still encorporating the lessons with a new twist on the assignment. My students were my best critics! I observed their successes and their struggles with apps, giving me the feedback to "ditch it" or "keep it".
Focusing on enthusiastic teachers who were hungry for iPad technology How-To's on a daily basis helped me stay relevant with my weekly trainings. I tried to nurture their creative juices giving them additional tips and tricks to elevate their in class presentations. Overall, I feel the staff were open to my assistance and knew I was always available for them.
This first year, as Vanguard/Lead Tech, has given me the insight to be flexible with technology. There were plenty of times I wanted to show video clips, Prezi, smores, etc. during class or meetings and an issue would inhibit my presentation to go on the way I intended. I had to think on the fly, transferring documents through "AirDrop" worked like a charm so my lesson could continue with limited glitches.
I am looking forward to the next year of staff and students. Each year the motivation, tech comprehension and enthusiasm changes, but I love and live for change...so bring it on and let's make it a great year.
Photos of My Classroom Showing Evidence of Technology Integration
Book Study
Presentations
Movie Projects
This year students enjoyed making trailers and eventually tackled movies. They are continuing to develop their craft and style to each project. Along the "samR" model-my students work together while assisting and learning from one another!
Kindergarten through 6th and Specialty Classrooms Demonstrating "What Good Looks Like"
Ms. Bolen's First Graders Make a Movie
As a final project to their book study the students created a movie (several scenes were staged and recoreded). In each movie a major part of the book was represented to show understanding of the characters and the setting was hand sketched. They did a phenomenal job on their completed project, sound effects and all. Well done first grade!
Ms. Silver Builds Bridges in Second
Mr. Boland's Terrific Turbines in Second
Mr. Kimble's iMovie Creations in Fifth
Ms. Spinnella's Fascinating Fractals in Art
Topics For Another Year
- Setting lower and upper grades apart in project idea complexities
- Ensuring videos are age-grade level specific to our schools (elementary vs high school)
- Connecting real-life application of technology to real world expectations
- Apps that are well established
- Second Years-how to teach incoming grades the "ropes" without boring those who already use tech
- See below articles
Quote That Speaks Volumes
Jenn Brown - Merryhill School
Email: jennifer.brown@nlcinc.com
Website: www.merryhillschool.com/elementary/sacramento/elk-grove/parents/our-faculty/teacher/jennifer-brown/
Location: 9036 Calvine Road, Sacramento CA 95829
Phone: (916) 689-7236