I had to take a step back and ask myself, was I using technology better than I was yesterday or even last year?
One motto that has made an impact on my life is: Better today than yesterday, Better tomorrow than today! I was taught this by Lloyd M. Rasmussen. He taught me to reflect on my life and to make changes to be better. I was taught this in 1991 and it has stuck with me! I am grateful for my time with President Rasmussen.
So, I sat down and began reflecting on my teaching. It is January, so a lot of people make resolutions. This year, I decided not to make resolutions, but reflections...what? I decided that I would look at my life as a teacher and evaluate. Am I a better teacher today than I was last year?
Last year, I made the jump from sixth grade at an elementary school to a sixth grade at a middle school. Holy cow, what a change! I felt like a new teacher. At times, I was scared out of my mind! A colleague suggested that I do what I know, use it, and be me! I did and I am so much happier. I didn't worry about what other teachers were doing or how they were doing their lessons, I decided to be me. I began using technology in my classroom again. In fact, I used the website to create homework. By doing this, I was able to save time, by not having to correct homework. I was able to identify students that were struggling and reach out to them and I was able to do this in a middle school setting. Imagine that!
Last April, I was fortunate to go the the NCTM with a small group from our district. My life changed! You know it did, because this is when I began blogging. Reflecting on this conference, I was able to ask myself if I felt that I was a better teacher because of the new information.
Better yet, what improvements have I made as a result of this conference? Well, I am using a program called 3 Act Math by Dan Meyer. Thursdays are the day that my classes work on this program. At first, it was fun and students were having discussions using academic vocabulary. I would have students write down the question, notes, and work with a partner to "find" the answer. Due to wifi issues, we were unable to work on 3 Act Math. During the first week back to class, many students began asking me when we were going to work on 3 Act Math. It made me smile!!!
Today, we started on our journey with 3 Act Math. We worked on a project called "Dandy Candies." The room was filled with mathematical thinking and discussing. Partners were finding answers, finding different ways of solving the problem! The class was able to come up with the correct answer (Thank goodness!). Groups were able to share "their" way of solving the problem using academic language. I actually pulled out my cell phone and began taking a few pictures of groups working together. I was able to answer Lloyd M. Rasmussen's question: Was I better today than yesterday? Absolutely yes! I have hit a few road blocks, and have felt like giving up, but I didn't! My students are better for it and so am I!
I am grateful for the opportunity to work with great leaders at my school, my district, and other math leaders around this wonderful nation! I am better. I am learning and using technology as a tool to increase student learning. It is a process. I am a better teacher than I was yesterday, and will strive to be better tomorrow!
#DanMeyer
#3Actrocks
#LloydRasmussen
