Key Assignment Blendspace

Here is the link for my Transforming Teaching & Learning Blendspace: https://www.blendspace.com/lessons/gjLkcsKwvt3c8Q/

Prototype

Here is my design thinking prototype. First, I wrote down a list of all the suggestions given to me on my Coggle. I then narrowed the list down to three big ideas to complete my ideation graphic organizer. After much thought, I decided to focus my prototype on digital storytelling. I created a concept map/storyboard type of model for my prototype in Microsoft Word. I did not realize that you cannot upload or link documents to blog posts though so here is a screenshot of the prototype. If you need a larger version to view, let me know and I will be happy to email you my document.

Problem of Practice

My problem of practice is whole-group reading instruction. A different person has planned reading for my grade level every year I have been teaching so far. Third grade has been a revolving door with very little consistency from year to year. Reading was my favorite subject when I was in elementary school, but I find it a very difficult subject to teach. Reading instruction is definitely my weakest area.

As a result of no consistency with reading plans, on top of new state standards to learn three out of the four years I have been a teacher, I feel like I don't really know what good reading instruction looks like.

I have learned that Guided Reading helps me a lot. I split my students into five groups and spend 20 minutes with one group each day of the week, so once a week each group gets more individualized instruction. However, I still feel like I also need to teach a whole-group lesson each day. There are so many brand new things third graders have to learn that they have never been exposed to before. I just don't know how best to teach the concept to the whole group. That's what I really want to work on for the coming year.

Introduction

My name is Kendra Bailey and I was born and raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina. My husband is also from Spartanburg, and we have been married for three years. We built our dream house exactly one year ago in Boiling Springs, SC. We live there with our two furbabies. Kady is a miniature American Eskimo and Aaryn is a Shihpoo. They are beyond rotten, and it's obvious as soon as you walk into our house!

This will be my fourth year teaching third graders in the nearby town of Chesnee. It is a rural, Title I elementary school. I absolutely love teaching third grade!

Before I got a teaching job, I was a computer lab teacher for a year. I enjoyed the computer lab, which sparked my interest to get my Master's degree in Educational Technology. I am getting my specialization in Emerging Technologies, and am excited to announce that this is my very last class before graduating!