I hope that this post is appropriate because I am more venting a frustration this week, but it has been on my mind with all of this blog talk....
As I said in my last post, I love using technologies in my classroom. I try to incorporate it whenever I can. Through the masters program, I have learned so many amazing resources that are perfect for the classroom, and I am always trying to figure out how to utilize them with my kindergarteners. However lately I have been feeling a lot of pressure and frustration about when to find the time to fit it all in. For example, I mentioned that I usually do a weekly podcast with my students. Last year this was done every Friday afternoon- this was the one day that we did not have specials and my students usually got "free time" at the end of the day. It was a perfect time to review the week and, while the students were in free choice, 2 kids came over to do the podcast. Well this year we are implementing a new curriculum, and we don't have this free choice time on Friday's. In order to fit my podcast in, I will have to take out some aspect of our regular day. It's such a struggle to find time to do ANYTHING outside of the curriculum. I also wanted to make a video with my kids after we learned the school rules. I was going to take video of them acting out the different rules that we made. But again, when do I find the time to do that? We have no extra time in our day to do these fun activities. I don't mind putting in the work after the school day is over, however I have to spend some time with the kids in class making the videos, and there just isn't the time.
I will continue to make technology integration a priority, but I think until the county realizes that it should be a part of our curriculum and actually gives us the time to be flexible and creative with it, it's going to be very difficult to do. I will always have to "cut out" one subject in order to implement a big technology project. However, I guess I just have to prioritize and decide what is important to me. My kids love it, my parents love it, and I love it - so for now I am going to continue to try and use it as often as possible.
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteI don't think that cutting out one subject a week is that bad. I would suggest not doing it at the same time every week though. I know that isn't easy since our students like constancy, but this way you aren't always taking from the same subject.
I too understand the frustration. I get frustrated because we are asked to use it but then aren't supplied the resources to use it.
I'm sure that won't really work but it is a thought.
It's certainly appropriate to blog about this!
ReplyDeleteLet us know when you decide how to fit the podcasting into your day.
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteAhhh....so refreshing to hear that someone else has the same frustrations as I do. We too are implementing a new curriculum and we are a pilot county so we are doing everything at once, implementing common core math, reading, race to the top, STEM pilot, and attempting to implement a foreign language curriculum in the elementary school. Uh oh...I'm starting to vent too! All the while, no one has been trained. So essentially we are going through the training while implementing the programs. Brilliant right? We have 3 times the meetings that we did last year. I have had 4-5 meetings every week since the first week of school. I too am finding it to be very difficult to do more fun and creative lessons with the students because I feel like instructional time is being taken up by "stuff". Pardon me for calling it "stuff" but that's what it is, it's not seeming to be anything that is productive, which is frustrating as well. It is really nice to be able to try new things and implement new ideas, AND the kids get more out of it too. I suppose that is part of the challenge of being a teacher, once you think you've got things under control (because let's be honest, it's never easy) something new pops up.
I have to agree with Kristy-it is so nice to hear someone else venting about the same frustrations I have. Sometimes I think we feel like we are the only school having this issue. We are implementing a new reading program this year and our schedules do not allow for any free time either. The county always expects water from a turnip. Pardon the expression but my husband grew up on a farm so I hear it quite often. Our team is having the same issue with trying to fit everything into the normal day. It’s like those in charge have forgotten what it is like to be in the classroom. They come up with so many good ideas but never take the time to get teachers opinions before they mandate things. As for the meetings, we were like your school last year, but lucky for us someone contacted our union and things changed this year….slightly! We have a meeting 3-4 days a week and they don’t get finished until 5 minutes before the kids come. Most of what we do in our meetings is just “stuff” and would be more useful if it was sent in an email. Keep working on trying to fit it in. I know it’s frustrating but somehow we good teachers always find a way! If you children have centers, could you pull them during center time to get the podcast done? It is just a thought….
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