Elementary School Reunion - Fisher School Alumni Reunion #2

Fisher School Reunion #2 (Dec. 2014)

Another year is just about on the books, but it wouldn't have been complete without our "2nd Fisher School Reunion."  (Read about the FIRST Fisher School Reunion here!) Gathering in the auditorium of the actual school, more than 60 former classmates and teachers joined in an evening of celebration of the 'wonder years'! 

The 'wonder years' could be described as the days between 1971 - 1981 when a group of talented, highly-motivated,  highly engaging, creative and caring teachers collaborated together which inevitably created long-lasting memories.

Visiting their Grade 6 Classroom

One of the highlights of the evening included a tour of the building.  What a sight it was to see as these long-ago students and teachers found their former classrooms.  Many more stories came spilling out as they lingered in the doorways or sat in the small classroom chairs chatting about events like how the walls between classrooms would be opened up so   review games like Jeopardy could be played or  reenactments of an Aztec Wedding could be witnessed! Each room brought back a flood of memories!

Pam was #1 Foul Shooter in Grade 6!

Pictures were being snapped as former students meandered into the gymnasium to reminisce.  Funny how the once expansive room seemed so tiny to these now adults! Of course the size of the gym didn't take away from the thoughts of those exciting long ago days of floor hockey, dodge ball or mother/daughter basketball games!



Songs from former grade 6 plays were sung by teachers and students alike.  The words seemed to be recalled seamlessly and effortlessly as this video well shows!  (Great job Steve - was that the original coonskin cap?) It was great fun to learn that all the main leads from the Wizard of Oz (not sure which year) were together in the same auditorium again! A couple of the teachers even sang duets with the now 45-55 year olds!

 

Of course another of the memorable highlights of the evening included the remembrance of former Principal, Richard Eldridge.  These teachers credit his leadership and trust for allowing them teach in unique ways. A video created by his son was shown on the big screen. In it were pictures of the beloved Mr. Eldridge (one wearing his signature holiday socks) as well as stories about the love he had for the school and its students.  There were many warm "ahs" as folks recognized the different school photos of Mr. Eldridge spanning his career at the school.

Suzanne Gillam (affectionately known as Miss Hopkins)

The evening rounded out with an "open mic" opportunity.  Humorous stories were recalled by teachers & students. While many spoke seriously to say 'thank you' to their former teachers by sharing a favorite memory.  Tearful accounts recalling the encouragement and interest that made an everlasting influence on their lives were shared by more than a few.  Even my quiet & shy sister spoke about the impact, rapport and support these teachers had with the parents in our community (including our own)!

One speaker to note was Sheila Monaghan, wife of our former 6th grade teacher, (Tom Monaghan - who started a Facebook page for Fisher students - read about it here).  She described the tremendous love that Tom, Suzanne (Hopkins) Gillam and the other teachers had for their students.  She mentioned how even during vacations, these teachers would collaborate to create lessons, plays and other opportunities for the upcoming year or how they would all come together to help a student in need.  Sheila said that while "the students' lives were enriched by the teachers, likewise, these teachers' lives were enriched by all of their students."

There is no doubt that all involved have fond memories and strong bonds.  We will forever be linked to those 'wonder years' and these wonderful people who made Fisher School a special place to grow up! Thank you to all those teachers that were able to attend and to those who are remembered in our hearts!
 

A special thanks to Ron Spicer for organizing this year's reunion & to Tom Monaghan for keeping reuniting so many through our Facebook Page and to all those who attended to make it such an amazing event!  

 

Using Google Hangout in Education - 10 Ways to Use in the Elementary Classroom

I'm no expert - especially when it comes to Google+ Hangout. In fact, I've only used it a couple of times. However, I can see the many and varied possibilities for use in an elementary classroom. Classes can collaborate in ways not been done before! Here are 10 ways elementary classes can use Google+ Hangout to connect for more collaborative, authentic learning. (Class would need a Google+ Account)

English Language Arts:
1. Reader's Theater: Each participating classroom will have one or several parts in the play; or each classroom will share a different play. After the play discuss the elements of the story.

2. Book Club - Each class can read the same book (off line) then come together to discuss the setting, character, plot, rising action, conflict and solution. Or classes can participate in their own mini read aloud based on the Global Read Aloud.

Writing:
3. Create a Story: Using a basic story (outlined by participating teachers) each class will work on one element of the story (based on the Narrative Writing Diamond by Empowering Writers). Classes will share via the Google Doc component of Hangout & read together.

4. Poetry Author Study: Classes will find favorite Poets and share several poems with the other classes. Classes will collaborate and try to create a poem based on their favorite author's style. (Some authors: Jack Prelutsky, Shel Silverstein, Jane Yolen, Ken Nesbitt and more. (Poem below was written in a Jack Prelutsky style).



Math:
5. Gather Data: Classes Poll each other, create graphs and gather back on the Hangout to analyze the data. Classes can poll their school and share that information. Other classes can draw conclusions based on the data.

6: Math Mysteries: Participating classes will be introduced to a Math Mystery via the Hangout. They will work on the problem separately, then return do share their answers and to show their thinking.

Science:
7. Conduct Experiments: Experiment will be introduced via the Hangout. Each class will be assigned a different variable. Classes will predict what will happen in ALL classes based on the variables. Reconvene on the Hangout to share and discuss the results.

8. Science Share: Using a current event site like Science News for Kids classes can each read and share an article - then discuss. Or classes can share science experiments done in their own classrooms.

Social Studies:
9. Regional Conference: connect with other classes from states in your own region. Compare and contrast data relating to climate, resources, industry, major cities and more.

10. Map-Making: Each class would be assigned a different type of map: Political, Relief, Climate, Population, Road, Resources or other, for a particular state or region. All maps will then be shared and discussed.

As stated in the beginning, I'm no expert. However, these are some activities that I would conduct in my own classroom. Why not flatten those classroom walls and share the experiences, learn others' point of view and Hangout with some new friends via Google+.

I would like to thank the following collaborators for creating and sharing ideas:
@cybraryman1
@dandanscienc
@missbamberger
@plnaugle
@powell4thgrade
@wkrakower

Other Resources:
Google+ Hangouts in the Gifted Ed Classroom by: @elle_gifted:
Google Hangout Page by: @cybraryman1


Please share how you might use or will be using Google+ Hangout in your classroom or what you think of the suggested ideas in the comment section below!

Using Google Hangout in Education! Part 1

By this time last year I had my summer PD all planned out. So far, I hadn't really planned anything for these first 2 weeks off from school, and to my delight a professional development opportunity arose before my very eyes.

Every other Thursday night I meet on Twitter with a group of people interested in Elementary Science. The creator and moderator of that chat, Bill Krakower (@wkrakower) of New Jersey, suggested that we try to conduct the chat via 'Google Hangout'. I have heard Bill, as well as some other folks, referring to this 'Hangout' a lot lately, and decided I would LOVE to be involved.

What is a Google Hangout? Think Skype on steroids! Google Hangout is a feature of Google+ which allows up to 10 people to video conference at one time. Within the Hangout there are many extra great features as well. These include Screen Sharing, Google Doc sharing, Watching the same Youtube Video together, a Sketchpad and more. These features promote collaboration which is just perfect for educators, students and administrators!

The other night there were 7 of us participating in the 'Hangout'. It was fun playing around with the different features (see below!). We didn't talk much science, but we were able to come up with a plan to get our classrooms connected through Google Hangout in October. A 'real-time' document outlining how we will use it in the fall was created in the Hangout. Many of the other features were examined as well. It was decided that in October each class will poll the other classes regarding their 'favorites' (ice cream, subject, color, etc.) then get back together at a later date for another 'Hangout' to analyze and share our graphs.

@cybraryman1 et al testing the 'Special Effects' during a Hang Out!

This exploration of Google Hangout and the collaboration that happened during the evening will certainly be filed under "Professional Development". My Twitter PLN has afforded me the opportunity to investigate a new tool in a comfortable, safe setting with the intention of future collaborative efforts. This is educational collegiality at its finest!

Thank you to @wkrakower, @plnaugle, @missbamberger, @cybraryman1, @ICETeacherSara & @dandanscienc for your patience and encouragement!

Feel free to share any of your experiences with Google Hangout in the Comment Section below!

Upcoming Post: Using Google Hangout in Education Part 2 - Ways to Incorporate Hangout into the Curriculum

Social Media for Educators/Forty Years Later

There are all kinds of opinions out there about using Social Media with your students.  The Case for Social Media in Schools is one example by someone who has outlined very valid reasons to use sites like Facebook, Edmodo & Edublogs in the classroom.  Here is a post about the recent Missouri Facebook Law which "limits teacher-student interaction online".     

My post really doesn't address the above thoughts except that it IS about teachers and students interacting online via Facebook!


Back in the beginning of July I received a Facebook invite from one of my 6th grade teachers...okay, well, one of my former sixth grade teachers.  He and another one of my former 6th grade teachers, decided to start a Facebook group for those who belonged to our little neighborhood school from the years between 1971 - 1981 (I'm sure I'm dating myself NOW!).

Little by little the group started growing.  In just a short month over 180 now adult, former students (and teachers) of the Fisher School joined the group. Posting after postings are filled will all kinds of memories and memorabilia (photos, newspaper articles, pics of buttons and more).  One might think that this was just a group 'going down memory lane', but it is far more than that.  Here, on Facebook, is where a group of people (in their 40's & 50's) have found a way to let some very special educators know the important role they played in their lives.  

 

  
This is a group of extraordinary teachers who have not forgotten their students, who have kept in contact with a few people, sporadically over the years.  They have been invited to weddings, attended the funerals of our classmates and even seen some of us at retirement dinners.   I guess the point here is: I  think the use of social media (in this case Facebook),  has provided an outlet for many more of us to thank those who made a difference in our lives. 

 

 

Imagine...Tom Monaghan, Suzanne Gillam, Ellie Muldoon  and the other teachers in this group might never have known the impact they had in our lives were it not for the likes of Facebook!

Henry Adams once said,  "A teacher affects eternity he can never tell, where his influence stops." I'm thinking in this case, by using social media the influence doesn't have to stop!