Google Scripts Presentation by Liz Castillo


I second Malia's comments about this session being very useful. I use Google folders but was totally unaware of the extent to which teachers can manage and streamline their students' work electronically. Google scripts--esp. Doctopus and Autocrat--allow us to have ready access to student work as individuals or in groups, to comment, grade, and share readily. Gone are the days when we had endless Google Docs to search through!

Unconference Discussion on Creativity   moderated by Darin Au

  At Punahou we struggle with ways to help our students develop creativity.  Maybe this is the wrong terminology since most people in the session think that creativity is inherent.  There were lots of stories from teachers about how our own creativity has been hindered because of lack of confidence.  If we think our product or idea will not be worthy or outstanding on the first try, we are seldom willing to take even the first step.  Creativity is what other people do -- like in Jim's address -- Punahou is whether other kids go, not kids like me.
   An Academy teacher talked about why some kids like math and science:  they can come to class and do the "student thing" using the skills of analysis and memory that got them admitted to this school in the first place.  (Do we value creativity when assessing applicants?  There is a lot more emphasis on having right answers!) It is stressful to be asked to take risks and participate in ventures where you don't know the outcome.
   Creative thinking has been described as having two parts by one author:  the "aha" of having an idea then the painstaking work of refining it.  Music teachers often spend much of their time simply teaching technique.  Kids are frustrated with a creative idea they cannot express musically, and often they give up.
    One way an Academy creative writing teacher works to break down the walls of fear is early in the semester to give assignments that everyone will fail.  For instance, write your life story in ten three-word sentences in two minutes; ready, go!  The results are uniformly awful, showing that it's okay to not be brilliant at everything right away -- no one is.
   Some bullet points about encouraging creativity from Darin's slide show:
• Allow risk-taking, but base it on calculated risk through support of a strong foundation of technique or fundamental knowledge
• Student-driven classrooms
• REQUIRE students and teachers to operate outside of comfort zones
• Not only allow failure, but teach how to come back from failure
• Unknown or open-ended outcomes

Curriculum Morning

Automate Your Life: Getting Geeky with Google Scripts
This session will show current users of Google Drive how to use Google Scripts like G-Class Folders and Doctopus to automate sharing of folders and documents with students.
Presenter: Liz Castillo


I really appreciated this class given by Liz.  I am excited to try a few of these automated tasks with different folders on Google.  Right now my students and I are using Google folders but this looks like an easier way to track and follow the progress.  I am excited to discuss this more with Liz.  Scripts she discuss that I am interested in are Doctopus and Autocrat.

Teachers as Authors and Creators of Content Using iBooks Author An overview of how to use iBooks Author to plan, create, organize, and publish your own textbook (fully functional on either the iPad or any Mac running OS Mavericks).
Presenter: Brian Johnson


An interesting class about creating your own books for class.  As Brian was sharing and discussing his process, I was amazed with the amount of thought and work.  He has worked very hard on his book he uses in the Academy.  If one was going to create an iBook this is much work to go into the planning phase.  There is also a lot of copywriter issues to think about.  

My team and I presented our journey through our inquiry project, so I did  not attend any other sessions. Thank you to all who attended. One thing that has worked out very nicely for me and my students with the timing of our project is that they are simultaneously preparing for the presentation of their projects as well as Damon Speech. Every skill we practice and talk about in English class is  applicable and talked about in their inquiry presentation.

I have a question for every English teacher out there. What are your requirements for a bibliography. Does anyone spend time of this? I'd love to hear what people ask for in their Damon Speech papers.

DT Workshop

I had the opportunity to attend the DT workshop presented by a group of sophomores.  They walked us through the process of Design Thinking and provided examples of how the process can help in planning new projects or creating a product/solution to a problem. 

The most gratifying part of the presentation was that the group was comprised of students who were in the class for which I was Supervisor.  I couldn't help picturing them in their Halloween costumes in 6th grade and seeing images of their first few days in middle school.  They grow up, they mature, and even though they (and we) may struggle through the process, they often blossom into incredible human beings.   The presenters were Maya Hiraki, May Niiya, Arthur Johnston, and Emily Nishimura. 

I attended the unconference session on sex ed curriculum led by Dan Gaudiano.  We mapped out the curriculum which starts in 4th grade, continues in 5th (and possibly 6th?) and then leapfrogs 7th grade.  In 8th grade there is a big unit, and in 9th grade there is another one.  The Academy counselor shared stories about kids grappling with issues such as contraception, STD's, pornography etc. 

"5 Bad Ideas" with Doug Kiang

5 Bad Ideas by Doug Kiang 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asXnZBIvVek

(Follow the conversation on Twitter #5BadIdeas)
https://twitter.com/search?q=%235BadIdeas&src=typd

1. Ask kids to declare a major and a minor
-find essential aspects
-individualization

2. Gamify professional development
-level up for points
-display titles (you can work your way up to be an iPad Jedi, as shown in the above photo)
-take choice away and it is a surprise

3. Teacher evaluation as a reality TV show
-metacognitive awareness in a confessional culture
-they break the fourth wall

4. Library
-Maître d' 

5. Be a student for a day
-attend all of their classes
-practice empathy

Other Bad Ideas:

No electricity day

Sub teach in a different subject or grade level

Give PD funds to Kids
-go to a conference
-buy a book
-buy a device
(Keeping them accountable is key)

Take home messages:

"Don't ask why, ask why not."

"Bad ideas have nuggets in them and are good ideas with obstacles."

"Bad ideas are good ideas in disguise."

I went to Anya Pitzer's session on the SMART Notebook, and even though I do not have a SMART board in my classroom, I can still use what I learned for my curriculum.  Mary Robinson mentioned that Richelle is using the Notebook for her class.  I'd be very interested in seeing how it can apply specifically to English.

Now I wouldn't mind having a fixed SMART board in my classroom. 

Pam's and Rianne's pretty good input

Hi all......We  attended the yoga presentation by Sara Slater.  It was a perfect for us.  We found a very easy, very doable approach to meditation and mindfulness that we will present in our classes.  We got a very nice handout that gives an easy guide for what the teachers can say to help the children focus and rid themselves of stress.  We have the handout if anyone is interested.

The presentation sparked a great discussion about how we can practice this with students.  We generated some ideas about using mindfulness activities during transition periods and reconfiguring break-out rooms into "mindfulness spaces".  We are currently entertaining ways to make mindfulness a more permanent part of our curriculum.

PS-Rianne was unable to connect, so here we are together...

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Ahonui Chapel Performance

Today in chapel, Rianne Graves-Grantham's sixth graders performed a Hawaiian legend about the value of ahonui.  The entire eighth grade enjoyed the play that highlighted the importance of patience.

Researching Damon Speech

Librarian Dita Ramler guiding students through utilizing the wonderful resources of the BLC to find fiction books and...

Researching Damon Speech Issues & Controversies:

http://libguides.punahou.edu/content.php?pid=477468

Google Earth

 Kai shared how to add, save, and share a placemark.