Google Classroom in the beginning

Starting my google classroom experience was amazing.  I teach in a town with one high school and a small private school, we have about 1100 students in our high school.  I have an honors Calculus class, 3 honors GSE Geometry classes, and 2 GSE Geometry.  One of the best things about my job is I get to teach students about math and life.  One of the things I have always loved using in my class is technology.  I have a Promethean Board, and a set of very old laptops.  Today I was promised that my brand new Chrome Books were ordered.  I can not explain the excitement that is happening in my classroom.  I started Google Classroom out very slow, I wanted to get my learners use to the platform, without stressing them with math.  I started with some simple assignments, I took attendance with Google Classroom and just ask them to respond.  Then we started discussion post, and I had my students answer the question and then respond professionally to two of their classmates.  Here are a few screen shots of those interactions:

I like that the students can express themselves as they answer the questions about the math content.  Again I started very simple to get my students warmed up for their experience.  Below is an example of a student answer and another classmate commenting on the post.

I think it is very important that I start building a learning community in my classroom.  I want them to respect their classmates as learners, and be able to be creative, be curious, and collaborate with with each.  I think they can learn a lot from interacting with one another, and build their knowledge of subject as they grow.  I  know that as a mover further on this journey, I want them to be able to work on the same task and collaborate even if they are not together.  Google Classroom allows that!

XOXO

Lynda

KNOW MOORE MATH

I have been thinking a lot about my teaching career and how things have changed since I started teaching 27 years ago.  I was concerned if I had made the right choice when at the end of my first pre-planning day, after my first day of teaching I knew I had!  I taught 5 years at my first school, then went to my second and have been there for 22 years.  Today I am more excited than ever with the possibilities in my classroom.  My county's initiative this year is Google Apps for Education.   After loading up my first few days of lessons, I was disappointed to not be able to start until the end of second nine weeks of school.  HOWEVER....I have started and since January, I have implemented many lessons in Google Classroom.  I am making a huge effort to become more tech savvy, and to learn with my students.  My students literally sleep with Google at night and carry her around with them in their pockets everyday.  As a high school math teacher, I want more engaging ways for my students to master the standards I teach them.  Thank you for following my journey, I want to be able to share resources and ideas.


XOXO
Lynda