Angela Reading started the process to create a more collaborative classroom. She's making magnetic dry erase tables that she found on Craig's List! "They were a good deal, and they roll!"

Monica Spillman found this video from ​We Are Teachers - looks like a fun, frilly, and functional way to keep students learning!

Tania Jackson
​ had some scrap wood, milk cartons, whiteboard and glue... It made for a perfect flexible seating work table with dual function!

After reading chapter 4 in Shift This, Mrs. Boykin shared her inspiration for how she'd like her students to decorate the room!

She later shared that she'd like for her students to Skype or have a Google Hangout with an expert during this process, as well. She's figuring out the details, and will be tweaking as she goes!

Catherine Williams has taken the plunge! She's inviting parents into her second grade classroom. Check out these beautiful invitations - who could say no?!

Update 7/22/17:
This lovely parent offered to read to her class the first Friday it was available! Since Cath had a class Twitter account, they were able to share this great news with the world...

In her middle school Spanish classes, Katie McMahon has​ tried two things that she says she needs to use more often to help ALL group members speak:

1.  I gave students a half sheet of paper and some bingo chips.  The paper had 2 columns and in Spanish said "I need to speak more" and "I'm talking a lot" - all the bingo chips started on the left and as they contributed to the conversation they moved the chips to the right.  They were encouraged to continue talking even after they used all their chips, but it was a great system for students to visually see who they should "invite" directly to the conversation so that they could get all group members to move all their chips over.

2.  These nomination cards "assign" who is next to speak during a small group conversation so no one student will dominate the conversation.  

This year I have done a lot of reading and reflecting on my practice. I have read over and over again the importance of letting go and giving kids control. Now, that being said, anyone who knows me knows I have a little issue with wanting control of situations. I like things in order. One friend refers to me as being very linear. My desk is neat and everything has its place. Giving up control is difficult for me, but one thing my husband always reminds me is it’s not about us, it’s about our students. 

So the past 2 years I began slowly giving up control. It started with our class seating and station choices........

Want to read more? Visit Meagan Parrish's original blog post from July 1, 2017 here:

Sharyn Kish, Kindergarten teacher, recently shared these thoughts about her most recent shifts, and the shifts she's going to begin...

This book validates so much for me as I started my "shifting" last year with flexible seating in my classroom. I also tried many new things with technology, which was a big deal for me because it's something I wasn't totally comfortable with... and yet because I went out of my comfort zone (and modeled a growth mindset) and as I struggled and persevered, I saw amazing things happen with my students! They learned right along with me and quickly began teaching ME how use additional Google apps! This year was my favorite by far out of 17 years of teaching! Can't wait to finish the rest of your book tonight. I'm already sketching out what my class website will be like...

I didn't know Gen Reinheimer before Shift This came out. She was one of my earliest readers and she is suddenly my biggest cheerleader! She'll be moving from elementary to middle school soon (the students are just bigger, right?!), so wish her well by reading her blog post and keeping the conversation going about creating a mission statement, using edcafes, and changing grading habits. Her post is here: