Blog Posts - Laird Learning

Merge Cube Book Summary

10/26/2018

During a recent book talk to a 4th grade classroom, I shared one of my favorite books. I also used my new Merge Cube. I had been looking for ways teachers can incorporate Merge Cubes and augmented reality into their classrooms, and the book talk was a great way to start! I created a template on Google Slides and then imported the png files into CoSpaces. The process was easy and students loved seeing the Merge Cube.

If you would like a copy of my Book Talk Summary template, or need support in using Merge Cubes in your classroom or school, please let me know!

Skype in the Classroom Calendar

9/3/2018

I have used Skype in the Classroom for years and love the opportunities it provides teachers and learners. Recently, I came across Skype in the Classroom's 2018-2019 calendar. Each month has a specific focus and I love that February will be focused on literacy!

You can even download Classroom Bingo cards for your students to keep track of their experiences!

A few ways I have used Skype to connect students with other classrooms (Mystery Skype, Mystery Number, Mystery Reader, Poetry Slam), to bring in authors (Caroline Starr Rose, Irene Latham, Jonathan London); experts (Rick Swartz); and special guests (Scott Hamilton, Al Roker, Willie Geist, Jonathan Tait, and several other Olympians); and support a building-wide book study (Dave Burgess). If you haven't used Skype in the Classroom, I highly recommend you give it a try! By taking time to breakdown the walls of your classroom, you'll be providing students with learning opportunities and authentic audiences.

If you would like support, don't hesitate to reach out.

Vision for Learning

8/1/2018

This summer I had the opportunity to share my vision of learning with educators and administrators, and I wanted to develop a visual way to represent what I was sharing. Throughout my eleven years in education, students have remained the focus of my work and my vision of learning. As I brainstormed how to visually communicate my vision, I kept coming back to Steve Barkley's change model, and decided to adapt it to convey my vision of learning.

As you can see in the model above, everyone from the student to the community has an impact on student learning. The direct impact may lessen the further you are away from the center, but the sphere of influence is greater.

Let's look at each section and how they impact student learning and are included in my vision of learning:

Student:
-Actively involved in learning
-Sets goals
-Monitors and reflects on progress

Teacher:
-Meets the needs of all learners
-Develops and nurtures positive relationships
-Inspires success

-Clear on “What We Teach” (standards and proficiency scales) and “How We Teach” (strategies)

PLC:
-Focused on “ALL”
-Collaborative Culture
-Goal Setting
-Collective Commitments

Building Leadership:
-Focused on “ALL”
-Culture and Climate
-Transparency
-Systems and Processes

-Schedules

-Rounding
-Goal Setting

District Leadership:
-Focused on “ALL”
-Collaborative Culture
-Curriculum
-Transparency

Community:
-Partnerships
-Family Engagement
-Community Engagement
-Dept. of Ed
-Tell our Story

The adage "It takes a village" is far from an understatement, and should be ingrained in the culture and climate of a school. As an educator, I cannot imagine doing the work without each of these circles being represented. It isn't always easy, but if we are truly focused on students and student learning, then we all must work together.

What is your vision of learning? How has it changed through your educational career? How would you visually represent your vision?

Restart Breakout Edu

5/18/2018

Literacy Breakout Edu's are one of my favorite uses of game based learning. I've been creating Breakout Edu's over different novels and this one is tied to the book Restart by Gordon Korman. Let me know if you would like a copy of this Breakout, or any of the other ones I've created.

Literacy Breakout Edu over Restart by Gordon Korman

Game Name: Restart

Game Designer: Stephanie Laird @LairdLearning, LairdLearning.com

Content Areas: Reading

Recommended Ages: 3rd-6th grade

Ideal Group Size: Whole Class

Suggested Time: 30-40 minutes

Story:
While recording Brenden’s newest viral video idea, “Dog Walker in Rollerblades,” the group came across a box with several locks. Wondering what was inside, Chase and Brenden wanted to solve the clues, but realized video club was about to begin, and they have 10 dogs to return! Can you help Chase and Brenden by solving the clues and unlocking the box before they return? You have 30 minutes to unlock the box. Your time starts now.

Lock Combinations:

3-Digit Lock 982
4-Digit Lock 8263
ABC Lock START
Directional Lock ←←↓→ ↑
Key Lock Taped to a football

Setup Instructions:

Print out all clue cards
Put together the cipher wheel
On one piece of each film strip, write in invisible ink one of the numbers for the 3 digit lock. Cut apart pieces.
Place flashlight and cipher wheel in small breakout box. Lock with the key lock.
Place the film strip pieces and the map in another small box. Lock this with the ABC lock.
Hide all clues and decoder lens around the room.
Tape the key to the football
Using the hasp, the directional lock, the 3 digit lock, and the 4 digit lock, lock the Breakout Box.

Reflection Questions:

How did your group utilize each individual’s strengths?
How did you contribute to your team?
Did everyone in your group have an opportunity to contribute?
Describe a moment in the game when your team worked well together.
How could your group have been more effective?

Additional Requirements:

Decoder Lens
Football
UV Pen
UV Flashlight

CCSS: RL.1, RL.2, RL.3

Out of My Mind Breakout Edu

5/11/2018

This Breakout Edu is over the book Out of My Mind by Sharon M Draper. Let me know if you would like a copy of this Breakout, or any of the other ones I've created.

Literacy Breakout Edu over Out of My Mind
by Sharon M DraperGame Name: Out of My Mind

Game Designer: Stephanie Laird @LairdLearning, LairdLearning.com

Content Areas: Reading

Recommended Ages: 3rd-6th grade

Ideal Group Size: Whole Class

Suggested Time: 30-40 minutes

Story:
There’s an update for Melody’s Medi Talker, but her parents and Mrs. V are so busy helping Penny recover, they haven’t gotten around to installing the update. Rosie wants to help Melody, but needs your help in solving the clues and unlocking the box where the Medi Talker is stored. Will you help? The bus comes to pick up Melody and Rosie in 30 minutes, so time is running out! Work together, problem solve, and use what you learned in Out of My Mind! Your time starts now.

Lock Combinations:

3-Digit Lock 473
4-Digit Lock 5985
ABC Lock OLLIE
Directional Lock ← ↑ ↓ ← →
Key Lock Taped to a photo of the brain

Setup Instructions:

Print out all clue cards
Put together the cipher wheel
Place the cipher wheel in the small Breakout box
Set the locks
Lock the small breakout box with the 4 digit lock
Place all other locks on the large Breakout box using the hasp
Tape the key to the back of the brain photo
Hide all clues and hint cards

Reflection Questions:

How did your group utilize each individual’s strengths?
How did you contribute to your team?
Did everyone in your group have an opportunity to contribute?
Describe a moment in the game when your team worked well together.
How could your group have been more effective?

CCSS: RL.1, RL.2, RL.3

Repeated Readings

2/20/2018

As part of my district's TIME (Teacher Initiated Meaningful Engagement) Day, I read the article Addressing Unintended Instructional Messages About Repeated Reading by Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey which was featured in the 2018 Jan/Feb issue of The Reading Teacher.

In the article, Fisher and Frey begin by sharing what educators are doing to discourage rereading and repeated reading. They then discuss four things educators should do to foster rereading:

Changing the task and purpose (Give an authentic reason)
Ask text dependent questions that use pacing and sequence to deepen understanding
Press of evidence (Rather than having students use their background knowledge, have them use what the text says)
Provide an audience (Readers Theatre)

Reading this article allowed me to reflect on my journey as an educator, the literacy practices I've seen (and a few I employed when I first entered the profession), and what I can do to make sure we are implementing instructional practices that convey why reading (and literacy as a whole) are critical skills.

My favorite quote came at the end of the article:
"Our charge as educators is to apprentice students into the reading world. That means we must ensure that our words and actions provide that invitation every day."

What are you doing to meet this charge?

PBIS Classroom Tickets

2/5/2018

This year, my building is renewing our focus on PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Support), and in addition to individual tickets and incentives, we are adding in a classroom component through classroom tickets. I created the design below, which will be printed and made into notepads, for teachers and staff to hand out when the see an entire classroom demonstrating the RAMS Way (Respectful, Always Responsible, Manners, and Safety). I look forward to seeing the tickets be incorporated into our PBIS practices and through my capacity as an Instructional Coach, to continue to support teaching and learning.

Belly Up Breakout Edu

2/2/2018

I've been creating Breakout Edu's over different novels and this one is tied to the book Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs. Let me know if you would like a copy of this Breakout, or any of the other ones I've created.

Literacy Breakout Edu over Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs.

Game Name: Will Henry Jr. go Belly Up?

Game Designer: Stephanie Laird @LairdLearning, LairdLearning.com

Content Areas: Reading

Recommended Ages: 3rd-6th grade

Ideal Group Size: Whole Class

Suggested Time: 45 minutes

Story:
Henry Hippo Junior is the new star of FunJungle and Teddy Fitzroy promised Summer he would keep an eye on Hippo River. Last night, Teddy received a text from Summer telling him she overheard her dad talking to Large Marge on the phone, discussing how the new koala is missing and they're worried the baby hippo may be next! Teddy needs your help to track down Doc, solve the mystery, and prevent anything from happening to Henry Jr.! You have 45 minutes to solve the clues, so work together. Your time starts now!

Lock Combinations:

3-Digit Lock 346
4-Digit Lock 0816
ABC Lock Water
Directional Lock ←↑→↓↓
Key Lock Taped to trash can
Color clock Brown, Black, Yellow, Grey, Pink

Setup Instructions:

Print out all clue cards
Tape the key to the trash can.
Place red decoder lens near the box.
Hide all clue cards around the room
Using the hasp, lock the Breakout Box with the directional lock, word lock, 3 digit lock, 4 digit lock, color lock, and key lock on the hasp.

Reflection Questions:

How did your group utilize each individual’s strengths?
How did you contribute to your team?
Did everyone in your group have an opportunity to contribute?
Describe a moment in the game when your team worked well together.
How could your group have been more effective?

Additional Requirements:

Decoder Lens

CCSS: RL.1, RL.2, RL.3

Crenshaw Breakout Edu

1/2/2018

I've been creating Breakout Edu's over different novels and this one is tied to the book Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate. Let me know if you would like a copy of this Breakout, or any of the other ones I've created.

Literacy Breakout Edu over Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate.

Game Name: Crenshaw's Jelly Beans

Game Designer: Stephanie Laird @LairdLearning, LairdLearning.com

Content Areas: Reading

Recommended Ages: 3rd-6th grade

Ideal Group Size: Whole Class

Suggested Time: 45 minutes

Story:
Crenshaw needs your help! To keep Marisol from eating his purple jelly beans, he locked them in the Breakout Edu box in Jackson’s keepsake bag. The problem is, Crenshaw has been busy helping Jackson and forgot the lock combinations! Thankfully, Crenshaw left clues in order to figure out the combination and needs you to help solve the clues and unlock the box. You have 45 minutes to solve the clues, so work together, problem solve, and breakout the Jelly Beans. Your time starts now!

Lock Combinations:

3-Digit Lock 132
4-Digit Lock 2015
ABC Lock TRUTH
Directional Lock ￬￬￪￪￩
Key Lock Hidden Inside The House on East 88th Street
Color clock Yellow, Green, Blue, Red, White

Setup Instructions:

Print out all clue cards
Cut out the cardboard sign clues (I’d Rather Be Fishing) and on the back of each clue, write one number for the answer 2015 in invisible ink.
Tape the key in the book The House on East 88th Street by Bernard Waber. Place book somewhere in the room.
Place red decoder lens near the box.
Cut the “Enjoy the magic around you” clue into six pieces (or into a puzzle)
Hide all clue cards around the room
Hide the flashlight around the room.
Using the hasp, lock the Breakout Box with the directional lock, word lock, 3 digit lock, 4 digit lock, color lock, and key lock on the hasp.

Reflection Questions:

How did your group utilize each individual’s strengths?
How did you contribute to your team?
Did everyone in your group have an opportunity to contribute?
Describe a moment in the game when your team worked well together.
How could your group have been more effective?

Additional Requirements:

Borrow a copy of The House on East 88th Street from your library
Decoder Lens

CCSS: RL.1, RL.2, RL.3

Crenshaw Clues

#OneWord2018

12/30/2017

Depending on your mindset, innovation can be a thrilling or frighting word. Personally, I am always striving to innovate, whether it is within education, personal goals, or my involvement in education organizations. Over the past few years, I have enjoyed serving as an advocate for education, literacy, teacher leadership, and professional learning, and frankly, all these areas have room for innovation. With that in mind, I decided my #oneword2018 would be Innovate. I want to continue my advocacy work while expanding my involvement in educational organizations and doing more to give back. Whether it is through my writing, speaking, volunteering, or serving in other capacities, I look forward to sparking innovation in the education field.