EP:4 - hillary Carpenter & Ben Neilson

Links from the show

• 0:43 - Intros
• 1:53 - What is PACE Class?
• 2:50 - What are the goals of PACE Class?
  • "We want students to be makers of history, not just passive listeners."
• 4:15 - Co-teaching
• 4:50 - How do you balance preparing your own classes and the PACE class?
• 6:15 - What are ways that you work together or balance co-teaching in class?
  • "If one of us was having to do all of it on our own, it would be overwhelming."
• 7:40 - How do you navigate when there is a conflict between while co-teaching?
  • Communication is key to working through issues.
  • Respect each other.
  • Make time for each other's teaching needs.
  • Keep an open dialogue.
  • Don't be afraid to offer up info, but also be willing to take a back seat.
  • Admin really helped to navigate the class.
• 10:30 - What are some things that need to happen to make co-teaching successful?
  • Communication
  • Over plan, but be able to tweak.
  • Balance your time and prep, Hillary and Ben both coach sports.
  • Play to your strengths.
  • Don't be afraid to ask for help.
• 13:22 - You're currently doing PBL. Can you tell us about your big PBL projects.
  • Civil War Project - 5th year doing this
  • Buy actual Civil War letters
  • Help from Danville Center Township Public Library to digitally scan letters.
  • Students transcribe the letters and uncovering history.
  • Make the letters available to general public
  • Has taken them to other states (Maine) and the students' work is now displayed in the museum.
  • Banquet at end to showcase the work.
  • Hendricks County Museum brings artifacts
• 16:45 - Currently in progress - Creating a movie documentary called "Secrets on the Shelf"
  • Working with Hendricks County Museum
  • They select an artifact and research it.
  • Create scripts for skits based on the artifact
  • Film the skits in the green room
  • Combine skits into a full-length movie version
  • Rent the Royal Theater in Danville - December 17th, 6:00pm and FREE
    • Invite community members and those that have helped them and then visit the Historical Museum.
    • The Museum has used their work in the museum.
• 20:27 - What is the benefit of bringing in community partners, guests, experts to your classroom?
  • Students listen better and it becomes more interesting for the students.
  • Students remember it.
  • When you change it up it keeps students on their toes.
  • Skype guests. Virginia Historical Society.
  • Author/Writers/Screenplay writer - Chris Crow on IMDB - Last of the Mohicans
    • He will read and judge their work.
• 22:40 - Independent Reading
  • 2-3x a week, 10 uninterrupted minutes, YA fiction, sports, a way to make personal connections with students. Hillary started with a survey to gain information. Reveal Day.
• 24:20 - Gimkit - Hillary uses for review and comprehension. Freemium.
  • You can set the time that game will run. Helps with class management and transitions.
  • You can use "Gimkit Money" to do more things.
• 26:17 - Classcraft and gamifying the classroom.
  • Avatars, helping students, engagement, exciting,
  • Students want to contribute and answer questions
  • Start and end class in a fun way with random events
  • "It makes
  • "It makes learning more fun...promotes cooperation, promotes good habits, and can be used as an extension (like a review game)."
• 28:47 - Nearpod - takes PowerPoint and Google Slides up a notch and make it more interactive
  • Students love the drawing aspect
    • "If students can't draw a picture, they probably don't remember what happened. But if I do draw a picture,... it will help remember it better."
• 30:00 - Advice on trying something new
  • Hillary - "Don't be afraid for things to go wrong....when things go wrong the students see you as a person."
  • Ben - "As you teach longer, don't get caught up in the trap of doing everything the same. Add new elements."
    • Breakout Rooms
    • "Take the best from previous years and make it more interesting every year."
    • He keeps everything, so he can go back and make it better.
• 32:27 - Reminder about Secrets on the Shelf
  • Tuesday, December 17th, 6:00pm, Danville's Royal Theater