Thought #11

1. I really liked using the animoto and comic book stripe.  I thought it was a really fun and creative way to express yourself.  The students can do projects and other things in a fun way, where they look up different pictures and a song to represent what is going on.  I really think it could be used in science when you are talking about a specific term or concept.  I can see the students coming up with the life cycle and different pictures to represent different ones that go as a slideshow.  The comic stripe is another way for students to be creative and show their individualities.  I think it would be a fun way for them to "talk" with an author and see what they would say.  Google Docs is also another easy, fun way the students can talk and communicate to each other when working on projects that I definitely see myself using in the classroom.

2. I really think my thoughts about how my classroom is run has changed.  I really like a lot of projects and things I do in my classroom, but using the 21st century learning tools is going to make it even easier and fun. I have been opened up to a wide variety of different things the students can use to help make learning more fun.  I definitely believe the learner has to be engaged and wanting to learn in order for learning to take place. Using the tools to make projects and learning more "kid' friendly is always a plus.  When the student is allowed to be more hands on and create things for themselves they take more ownership in their work and pride to do their best. 

3. I learned that there is a lot more available out their in the technology world then I ever thought. I also realized it is a lot easier to use then I originally realized. I was always scared of the computer and what all was on it because I didn't ever learn how to use it. This was an easy and effective way for me to learn and I know I am going to use it in my classroom and be a more effective teacher.

Thought #10

1. The most important thing I think students need to know about being a good digital citizen is that these items that the students are getting to use are not toys. They are very expensive and a privledge they are getting to use to enhance their education experience. They need to be treated as much and the students need to realize they are breakable and can easily get "hurt".  Students need to take care of them so they will last and be good as new throughout the year.  Another thing they need to know is that everything they find on the internet is not necessarily true. They need to research and explore what they are researching and not just take the word of the first site they find. There is a world out there waiting to be explored, they need to go out there and find support for the ideas and backing for what they are saying.  Lastly they need to know plagiarism is taboo, they must give credit where credit is dud explore it and find several sites that support their idea and findings. 

2. There are a number of good sources under the "Chart of Resources By Grade Level and Content" provided by the district. Brainpop was quick and easy to understand.I really like the fact that the students should already have been exposed to Brainpop and therefore it should be a refreasher and not something that needs to be explained in depth.  It means more time for them to learn and not as much time explaining the concept.  I also liked how I could get resources by grade level and content, which saves time and makes it easier to find what I am looking for. It is a simple and effective teaching tool.

3. I would simply use the tools stated previously. I would start with a general discussion about what good citizenship means in our society (concepts previously learned) and then transition into digital citizenship. It would be intereactive where the students are involved by telling me what they think are good behaviors and what are not and why.  Some of the videos have online quizzes that the kids could take as well to support the ideas.

4.  I believe this information could be incorporated into the district's "parent take home letter" regarding technology that all parents must sign and return to school. I could also discuss the importance of online safety at open house. I could have the computers opened and available for the students to show their parents what they are learning and how they are "safe" with the computers.  Parents could then do one themselves so they get involved first hand.

Thought #9

1. I truly think it is important to include technology in the objectives for the days because today it is all about technology.  Kids today are focused and centered around technology whether it's, computeres, internet, I-Pads, I-pods or anyting of this nature these students know it and love it. It is going to be the "hook" of the lesson and what gets and keeps their attention.  It is a fun and creative way for students to learn and it is something they want to use and they will be learning withough even realizing it.

2. Students must realize they are accountable for a product otherwise the center becomes nothing more than playtime. Teachers need to have something solid they students are accountable for and have to actually turn in. If the student is set lose and allowed to "work" without having something to turn in then it makes it a lot easier for the student to get off task and lose focus.  Students could and should work collaboratively on projects to build relationships and move towards common objectives. Kids can be accountable by initializing station options and completing the rubric. They could also complete open ended and closed sentences or simply reflect on what they learned.  If the student is not doing to appropriate thing or activity at the center then they will be removed from the center.

3. Tutpup is a really cool website and could easily be a center.  This is a site where the students will compete against other students around the world in spelling and math.  Many students have a competetive nature in them and they want to be the best. This is a great site for those students who will challenge themselves to be the best and if they are not they are going to work even harder to get there. It is also a cool place where they get to communicate with other students around the world. Another site I really liked was Thinkfinity.  This is a site for all subject areas where the students can go online and play all sorts of different games. The levels are based on age and ability so I know it is something they can handle and complete independently. One thing I really liked about the site is that it had a page for at home they could work on with their parents. Parents are always asking for ways to help and this is a great page to send them to.

4. I really liked the "Word of the Day" link and how it was used.  We could have a word of the day that the students focused on.  We would look up the word, writing sentences for every definition so they knew how to use the word. Students would try and use the word where they could and they could also go deeper and have to write the opposite meaning of the word, another word that means the same and so forth.  I also really like the site, Fun 4 the Brain. This is a math site where they have the students review their math facts in a fun way. Students need to review their facts everyday and this is a fun way for them to do it without thinking about it.  This is a fun engaging way for students to complete a center.  If the student is engaged and wanting to be at the center it lessens the change for disruption and discipline problems.

Thought #8

After watching the tutorial, I learned several things about the notebooks:  How to set up an I-Tunes account, how to synchronize the ipads with the ipods, locating and loading apps for my five devices, and how to connect everything to my laptop.

All devices are managed from my laptop. I will label and name each device with my room number and a separate number so the student knows which one is theirs and which one they are responsible for. Charging the devices will become part of the students' daily responsibilities. Students will treat all devices with respect and care, possibly signing a letter acknowledging so saying what all they are responsible for and what the consequences are if they break the rules stated in the letter. Students must put their screens down when doing non computer tasks. Notebooks must run on batteries during teaching hours to prevent tangled cords. Circulate around the class to monitor students' screens making sure they are not on any sites or things they are not suppose to be on.  Students will definitely know that these devises are a privledge and not something they are entitled to use and if they can't handle the responsibilty then they will not be allowed to use them. 

Thought #7

Content Objective: TSW compare the different characters and themes in the books written by Roald Dahl.

This is going to be implemented from the start of the year. Roald Dahl is one of my favorite authors and all of his books are focused on children.  There are common themes throughout the book and throughout the characters.  The books are fun and creative and draw children in.  We will read his books as an interactive read aloud. 

Plan/Description: Students will read books through out the year written by the author Roald Dahl.  Students will identify the main characters and supporting characters in the books and write the similarities and differences between them.  Students can then come up with ideas as to why there are certain themes and similarities in so many of his books. Dahl likes to use things that happened in his life in his books, we are going to go over his autobiography before we introduce his books as well so they know his background and life experiences. Students can communicate their ideas and thoughts through message boards, documents and research ideas online. When the students are done or have found something they want to share they can create a unique way of presenting it to the class.  

Tools Used in Project: Google Docs, Google reader, UTube, wallwisher and diigo

Thought #6

This was a lot of fun to create as well.  I really like the idea of having a wall where people can come and go leaving notes and messages as they need to. I really think this could be used in the classroom as well.  Projects are a lot of communication and this is a way they can do it without having to actually talk with each other and can work on it whenever they have free time, even though their partner might not be.  It is a wonderful way to allow technology to be implemented in your room.

My Wall Wisher

I also created a Skype account.  We read a lot of different books in the classroom and last year we were able to Skype with one of the authors whose books we were reading. The students loved it and it allowed them to talk with the author as if he was right their physically in front of them.  This is also a neat way to communicate with other students who might not be in Houston as well. Learn about other cultures and see how they work and go to school.

Thought #5

I LOVED working with Amimoto.  I have seen it and heard of the application, but this was the first time I actually used it.  I really enjoyed the comic application as well.  Both of them were a lot of fun to use and I was able to be creative and show my personality and my passion through them.  I really think the students will enjoy them and will be able to show themselves through them as well.  They can be used through social and academics.  Students will be able to work on projects and show pictures of the subjects they are working on or do other unique was of expression their ideas.  Absolutely easy to create and use. The only problem I had was unloading my comic to my blog.  I had a lot of problems trying to figure this out, but ended up being successful.

My Comic

Thought #4

I really like this application because it allows you to by-pass all the extra steps. I can really see using the Google Documents when the students are writing a paper and they are doing peer editing. Instead of having the students write copy after copy of their paper, they can have their peers edit it through the computer.  I also really like how only the people you are sending it to can see it.  This will allow the students to be more open with their thoughts and feelings knowing only certain people will be privledged to their writing.  This will also work if they are doing a group project and they are each assignmed to a certain part. They can all go in and share their thought and their progress being made.  Now the students can be using technology that they have probably never used before. I really like this tool for my team as well because it is going to make it a lot easier to communicate with them and we won't have to use the phone as much and interupt each other.  We can just throw an idea out to each other and everybody can see what the other person is thinking!

Thought #3

I really like having these websites at my finger tips and now through my blog! I always use U-Tube and other video sites to help bring my teaching to life. I want to show the students things that will help them remember certain topics.  If we can plant that seed to help them trigger a thought or reference we are on the right track and with the children of today, one way is through these video sites.  Picasso web album is very easy to use. I really like the new upload feature, having the ability to only show it to SBISD educators or allow the public to view, makes me feel better about the tool.  I like the copyright las, when it comes to schools and allowing us to use copyright materials as long as we put it up on sites that is password protected.  It allows us to be able to go out and use materials and not be worried about them not allowing access.

Thought #2

I really liked going into other people's pages and reading what they were thinking and their different ideas about what they are going to use in teaching.  Sharing thoughts and ideas on a blog is something new and I am excited to try it.  It is going to be a lot easier this way to share my ideas about teaching and what worked and how I might change something to make the lesson better.
http://www.childrensbooksforever.com/
This is a really cool site I found and plan on using throughout the year.  You are able to get books from the site and download them so you can use them with powerpoint, SmartBoards and other technology.  This way all the kids "have" the book without having to spend the money.

Thought #1

It has been really fun making my little person.  I like the fact I was able to make it look like my son! The only thing I wish it had was a baby's voice so it would not sound like a man talking! I really like having a way to display my thoughts so people can read them and reply. So far it's been painless, I'm hoping the rest will go smoothly too.