shelly fryer blog Reflection
When I learned about this assignment to explore Shelly Fryer's website and various classroom channels, I was immediately excited. As I read about Shelly's career, I realized how much I could learn from someone with so much experience both in integrating technology into the classroom and with working in a school of such a diverse population. I attended private catholic school in Lincoln, Nebraska from kindergarten through high school, so I am always eager to learn from other educators who teach in a vastly different environment than I am accustomed to. Shelly taught at a school specifically for homeless children in Oklahoma City for four years, Positive Tomorrows, but this year she switched to teaching third grade at Casady School.
One of the first things anyone reading Shelly Fryer's blog will notice is her attitude about teaching, learning, and her students. I love this chalkboard image she included on her site. While great educators care deeply for their students, sometimes it isn't explicitly stated. This sign would make me as a student feel important, like my ideas matter the minute I walk in this classroom. I can only imagine what being a student in Mrs. Fryer's classroom would be like, but after learning so much about Shelly and the activities she does with her class, I know that I would feel loved and would be a part of a classroom environment that makes learning easy and fun.
Shelly's most recent post discusses her switch from one school to another. The takeaway messsage I received, as a future educator, was to never forget that all students have needs. All students, no matter what their situation at home may be, desire to feel important. All students worry about things, whether it is about a fight with a classmate or wondering if they will have dinner tonight. All their fears are valid, and the classroom should feel like a safe place for them.
Shelly's most recent post discusses her switch from one school to another. The takeaway messsage I received, as a future educator, was to never forget that all students have needs. All students, no matter what their situation at home may be, desire to feel important. All students worry about things, whether it is about a fight with a classmate or wondering if they will have dinner tonight. All their fears are valid, and the classroom should feel like a safe place for them.
Mrs. Fryer's awesome classroom culture is a product of many factors, in my opinion, but one key factor has to be Shelly's willingness to participate in activities such as Global School Play Day. Read all about her fun day here. Taking a step back from analyzing test data and curriculum standards to realize that your students are kids first and foremost that need loved before learning is possible is so important. This day full of unstructured play seems daunting to myself, as a future educator who loves structure. But, seeing Shelly's successful day makes it seem possible for any elementary school teacher. Students had opportunities to let their imagination take over, to play with classmates they don't usually get to, and to learn social skills and so much more through their play. I might just have to try this in my classroom one day.
Shelly has often taught in classrooms that are 1:1 with iPads. She has used this technology in such a variety of ways to enhance learning, share classroom activities beyond the classroom walls, and enrich the classroom culture, allowing students opportunities to work together to create a fantastic final project.
One simple way that Mrs. Fryer allows students to work together, while displaying individual creativity is through paper slide videos. These could be about any topic you are currently teaching, or simply a fun song to unite the class. I love that the students work together to read and sing, while showing off their drawings. Here are just two great examples of these projects:
Shelly has often taught in classrooms that are 1:1 with iPads. She has used this technology in such a variety of ways to enhance learning, share classroom activities beyond the classroom walls, and enrich the classroom culture, allowing students opportunities to work together to create a fantastic final project.
One simple way that Mrs. Fryer allows students to work together, while displaying individual creativity is through paper slide videos. These could be about any topic you are currently teaching, or simply a fun song to unite the class. I love that the students work together to read and sing, while showing off their drawings. Here are just two great examples of these projects:
Finally, I learned so much about sharing classroom projects by exploring Shelly's website. Shelly keeps her own blog, as well as classroom website to post recent activities, but what was new to me was the idea of sharing both inside and outside the classroom. Shelly and her husband, Wes, are working on an entire project about this idea. Basically, there are a variety of social mediums over which activities can be shared. Some of these are public such as a website or YouTube videos, while others are more private, reserved for the student's family members or other teachers in the building. I am so excited to learn more about Seesaw especially, and hope to use it in my classroom one day to individually share a student's work with up to ten of their family members to keep the connection between home and school strong.
Thank you so much Shelly and Wes Fryer for sharing your education experiences with the world! I have learned so much, and can't wait to continue following your classroom activities.