Mrs. Gamble's Professional Learning Network

Caldecott Unit - Grade 3

14 December 2018

Grade 3 is wrapping up their illustrations for our Caldecott unit. Grade 3 students had the opportunity to view and listen to several Caldecott award books. They've also learned what it takes to be a Caldecott winner. Voting begins soon on student illustrations. Who will be a Caldecott winner? Thanks to NHSLMA educators I've been able to build an amazing Caldecott unit. This entire lesson has been a huge success.

Today I was able to attend a new committee I was invited to participate in. Future Ready! This is going to be a super constructive professional learning network for me. Our focus today was "Personalized Learning". Blended learning/station rotation....teaching style & learning style is changing. This is an amazing community network all aimed at student success. 21st Century learning is changing everyday. I am excited to be a part of this.

3 January 2019

Happy New Year!! Cannot believe it is the new year already. Looking forward to moving forward professionally in my teaching career. I began reading our PES book read - "Shift This" by Joy Kirr. The first couple of chapters have seemed to already catch my attention. Sparking "change" in the classroom! Moving forward with "personalized learning"! I love this idea and cannot wait for our first group chat next week. Stay tuned ....

23 January 2019

"Shift This" by Joy Kirr - Book Talk #1

Feeling confident that we as educators can "make change happen" and be successful! Yes, sometimes change is so hard. However, we can do it! Kids change...so why don't we? Great question. The time is now. This book is truly "shifting" my way of thinking in the classroom. A great start? Identify with any/all problems in the classroom & create solutions. Moving away from the "traditional" classroom is a great way to start and I am moving forward with this. Our students need to know that their voice matters. This book is going to be so great!! Moving on to Chapter 5. :)

13 February 2019

An amazing amount of new findings all the way through Chapter #6. 21st Century learners have so many different choices when it comes to learning styles. I love the idea of "student feedback". It really is important to collect feedback from our students as to what they liked, disliked, or would like to see change in our lessons. After all engaging our students is the idea and letting them have a voice is crucial. After trying this method I was inspired by my 4th grade students responses and suggestions. It was also nice to see kids that typically don't speak during class actually open up and share their opinions. So much fun! Book talk was very inspirational today. I enjoyed hearing my colleagues input on "Shift This" and different methods they chose to "shift" their classroom teaching.

18 February 2019

Today I was able to put some of my "Shift This" book talk findings to work. Woo hoo. So, my second grade kiddos needed some movement during our lesson. I decided to try one of my colleague's suggestions to play "musical chairs" during our lesson. As questions were posed to the student's, music was played, students walked around their table, and chose a seat when the music stopped. The object was to get them moving and in a different spot once the music stopped. SUCCESS!

8 March 2019

~ Day 2 ~ NHSLMA Spring Conference - "Agents of Change"

I could not be any more excited about the past 2 PD days. The amount of information I received was amazing. I mean...Marty Kelley & Jarrett J. Krosoczka in the same room? Yikes! I was pleased to see how a few of the keynote speakers spoke on topics I was able to connect to my book talk "Shift This". Change, change, change!! The 21st Century learners are receiving firsthand information - change in education. Our students ability to understand that "failing is okay" is so important. Embracing inquiry and creativity is a stepping stone to our kiddos future success. Future Ready conducted by Shannon Miller was a great extension to my understanding of this shift in our school district. I could go on and on. Feeling extremely blessed to be part of this conference. Cheers!

29 March 2019

Librarians Unite! Teacher Workshop day for PSD Media Specialists. The discussion circulated around gaining "reading interest" from grade to grade. Our goal is to bridge the gap between our three schools. Kids read for "curriculum" purposes. However, let's be sure they're reading for enjoyment. Changing the culture of reading is important. Why are students losing interest as they advance in grade? We are going to try and build a culture for summer reading. Whoop Whoop. Creating programs across the district and inviting our community into this as well. We are making unity and consistency our goal throughout our district. We've got this.....and we are going to make it happen. TEAM LIBRARY!