I attended EdCamp this weekend, shoutout to #EdCampWake , and just loved it.
EdCamps are so unique in so many ways. The people who attend are clearly excited and passionate about education, or else they wouldn't be wasting a Saturday to be there. There are no presentations or lectures, it is all driven by what the attendees want to learn more about!
I attended 3 sessions: Genius Hour, Technology for Young Learners, and Blogging. Each of these sessions giving me valuable information and new ideas to use moving forward.
My take aways from each:
Genius Hour: Kids are always wondering this and wondering that. They need time to answer these "wonders". Let your guard down, allow for a little chaos, and you will be amazed at what your students can create, discover, and learn!
My Next Step: Create a WonderWall - put it up in my classroom. Students add sticky notes whenever they wonder something. Find a time (or perhaps 2 times!) before the end of the school year to let kids participate in a Genius Hour and find out some answers to these wonders!
Technology for Young Learners: They can do it! #KindersCan use all sorts of technology to help enhance their learning. BrainPOP Jr., Seesaw, Green Screens, Draw & Tell, Shadow Puppet, Little Story Creator, Buncee - you name it, they can probably do it! Don't be afraid to try something new with your kiddos, if it doesn't work, try it again, just in a different way!
My Next Step: Look into BYOD for kinders! Who is currently a BYOD class/school? What suggestions would you have? Any management tips? If that doesn't work, start drafting a grant to get more technology for my little learners!
Blogging: Well, I am writing this post, so clearly this session had some influence on me. I haven't been blogging. I don't know how long I have even had this blog, but I rarely post, and posts have been more product posts than anything else. My excuse: "I don't have time to blog!". Well, that isn't what it is about! My new motto: I need to make time to
My Next Step: What am I doing in my classroom? What went well? What could have gone better? Blog about it! Get my blog up and going again! Add a variety of posts! I have been encouraged to blog about my Flexible Seating in my classroom, so I will be adding that to the blog as soon as all the words come to me. I am hoping that my blog will be used as a reflection tool on a monthly basis and that it can showcase the good, the bad, and the sometimes even ugly.
So, here I am, reflecting, on my experience at #EdCampWake. I look forward to being back in the near future!!
Until next time!
Kelsey Cones
