Inspiring Kids

I just love this man, Brian Crosby. He’s become a great friend and it’s always very cool to be involved with him and his students in what ever they happen to be doing. (I just wish our timezone here in Thailand was a bit more conducive to skyping like it was when I was teaching in New Zealand!!) – Anyhow, Brian blogs at Learning is Messy. If this blog is not in your reader then it needs to be! He’s creative, he’s passionate and he’s all about the learning!

And if you’re still not convinced then you need to watch this TEDxDenverEd video where his enthusiasm and passion just resonates throughout his talk! Brian – you rock!  My 5th graders (who have now moved on to 6th Grade) will be stoked to see their High Hopes comments mentioned in your TEDxDenverEd talk.  Thanks for inspiring us all and thanks for including us in your learning!!

Thanks Mr Crosby!

Today we used a new tool in our classroom.  We now have these awesome Writer’s Phones, thanks to my good friend, Brian Crosby, in Nevada, USA and his post “Can You Hear Me …. Can You Hear Me Now? DSCN3902

The phones, were of course, a huge hit and they enjoyed a very successful integration into our Writer’s Workshop routine. DSCN3901

Here’s our reflection on using the Writer’s Phones for Writing:

“They worked really well because I DSCN3900could hear my voice and I knew where I had to change punctuation.  It even helped me see spelling mistakes.”

“It made me pay more attention to what I had written.”

“While I was reading, using the telephone, I heard extra words that I really didn’t need.”

“Even though everyone was reading, I could still hear myself because the phone makes my voice echo in my ear. Usually everyone else reading puts me off.”DSCN3898

Learning got messy in Room 231 today.  Thanks for sharing this fabulous idea Brian!