Thomas and Layla are busy making books!
Caroline and Jonathan are listening to a book and getting ready to make a listening response.Adam and Emma are working as a team to complete this puzzle
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Literacy Workstations
Caroline and Jonathan are listening to a book and getting ready to make a listening response.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Back to School Night
Thank you to everyone that took time out of their busy schedules to come last night. It was great seeing everyone! I also want to thank everyone for all their contributions to our classroom! I have already received many of them today...thanks for being so quick!
Some of my kiddos were really thankful for the box of saltines today that Mrs. Wilson sent in...they forgot their snack today so they were thrilled to see the crackers!
Thanks for all that you do each day to support me!
Michelle
Friday, July 8, 2011
Tool # 11 Reflections
Wahoo...I am finished with my 11 tools! I really thought at one point that this moment would never happen!
My favorite tools by far were Storybird and wallwisher. I loved them! They both were very easy to use and can for sure imagine using them in my classroom. I plan to use Storybird in small group writing lessons to teach beginning, middle and end. I totally see myself as a teacher using Google Docs. It will take some extra practice for sure to get used to using it... but I love the ability to share and collaborate on documents quickly and easily with others.
My thinking has changed now that I've gained some confidence...but at first I must admit I was really scared about having to do this class alone. The first 3 or 4 tools were really tough for me and then all of a sudden it started getting somewhat easier..thank goodness! I am really looking forward to going on a limb and embedding alot more technology than I have in the past in my daily instruction. The nice thing is kids love technology and are pretty patient when it comes to having more opportunities with it!
I for sure will need to make some changes when setting up my classroom... a room layout that lends itself to easy access to the new technology will be crucial. Also, learning how to manage all the new technology that we will have in our classrooms will be something that has to be thought through really well.
I had some unexpected outcomes...I really didn't have much faith in myself in the very beginning but after sticking it out and a few frustrating nights it ended up coming together for me. I ended up learning some really cool things that I can't wait to use with my students. I am excited to get back to my classroom and put my new tools to work!
My favorite tools by far were Storybird and wallwisher. I loved them! They both were very easy to use and can for sure imagine using them in my classroom. I plan to use Storybird in small group writing lessons to teach beginning, middle and end. I totally see myself as a teacher using Google Docs. It will take some extra practice for sure to get used to using it... but I love the ability to share and collaborate on documents quickly and easily with others.
My thinking has changed now that I've gained some confidence...but at first I must admit I was really scared about having to do this class alone. The first 3 or 4 tools were really tough for me and then all of a sudden it started getting somewhat easier..thank goodness! I am really looking forward to going on a limb and embedding alot more technology than I have in the past in my daily instruction. The nice thing is kids love technology and are pretty patient when it comes to having more opportunities with it!
I for sure will need to make some changes when setting up my classroom... a room layout that lends itself to easy access to the new technology will be crucial. Also, learning how to manage all the new technology that we will have in our classrooms will be something that has to be thought through really well.
I had some unexpected outcomes...I really didn't have much faith in myself in the very beginning but after sticking it out and a few frustrating nights it ended up coming together for me. I ended up learning some really cool things that I can't wait to use with my students. I am excited to get back to my classroom and put my new tools to work!
Tool # 10 Digital Citizenship
I love Brainpop and use it for alot of topics in kindergarten...it only seems natural to me to use it to teach a new concept. I think my students will be more receptive to listening and learning about the importance of digital citizenship if Brainpop presents it..
After Brainpop has introduced the new concept I will use Cybersmart to teach the acronym of THINK...tell an adult, hide passwords, interesting...but check with mom/dad, be Nice, keep passwords safe.
They need to understand that information can be posted on the internet by anyone and they need to only visit trusted sites.
NetSmartKidz:
The kids are going to love this site. The information is easy to retain and delivered in a manner that kids will be interested. I will use this the first week of school and throughout the year to remind kids about internet safety. It is important for students to understand who is safe and unsafe online. They need to understand NEVER to share personal information with strangers online.
When dealing with my new parents, I will share the importance of this at Back to School night and I will also share sites to the above resources so parents are also thinking about digital citizenship. It might be fun to include a technology tip each week in our grade level newsletter that hits on a specific top or internet safety tip.
After Brainpop has introduced the new concept I will use Cybersmart to teach the acronym of THINK...tell an adult, hide passwords, interesting...but check with mom/dad, be Nice, keep passwords safe.
They need to understand that information can be posted on the internet by anyone and they need to only visit trusted sites.
NetSmartKidz:
The kids are going to love this site. The information is easy to retain and delivered in a manner that kids will be interested. I will use this the first week of school and throughout the year to remind kids about internet safety. It is important for students to understand who is safe and unsafe online. They need to understand NEVER to share personal information with strangers online.
When dealing with my new parents, I will share the importance of this at Back to School night and I will also share sites to the above resources so parents are also thinking about digital citizenship. It might be fun to include a technology tip each week in our grade level newsletter that hits on a specific top or internet safety tip.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Tool # 9
Technology should always be used to enhance and reinforce student learning. However it is important to hold children accountable for their learning. If students are not required to demonstrate what learning has taken place they tend to loose their focus and too much play occurs. I want my students to find that learning can be fun and can be in the format of a game but carries a responsibility.
Out of all the sites I visited... My favorite was Tutpup. I will definitely use this during math stations. I think my students will LOVE playing math games against other children from far away places!
I personally think that Learning Games for kids will be a huge hit with kindergarten and could be a asset to our workstation time.
TES iboard would also be awesome because the lessons here are designed to be used on an activboard. We currently have activboards in our classrooms. Early childhood is all about being hands on and this lends itself to doing just that!
I plan to use Studyladder during literacy stations. I could differentiate homework for higher level students with this, too.
I plan on using my I-Touches during both math and literacy stations.
The free apps that available are endless for the itouches...I love the sight word apps, brainpop, spelling wizard and memory games. I know my kindergarten kiddos are going to love these games during workstations.
Out of all the sites I visited... My favorite was Tutpup. I will definitely use this during math stations. I think my students will LOVE playing math games against other children from far away places!
I personally think that Learning Games for kids will be a huge hit with kindergarten and could be a asset to our workstation time.
TES iboard would also be awesome because the lessons here are designed to be used on an activboard. We currently have activboards in our classrooms. Early childhood is all about being hands on and this lends itself to doing just that!
I plan to use Studyladder during literacy stations. I could differentiate homework for higher level students with this, too.
I plan on using my I-Touches during both math and literacy stations.
The free apps that available are endless for the itouches...I love the sight word apps, brainpop, spelling wizard and memory games. I know my kindergarten kiddos are going to love these games during workstations.
tool # 8
This tool was a little easier because I have had a lot of experience with the itouch. My daughters have them and so I have had to get involved and stay on top of syncing them when buying new apps for them. I have set up my personal ITunes account but now need to set up an account for school purposes. I had 2 of them in my classroom last year and my students loved them. I am looking forward to having 3 more in my classroom in the fall. These are always a hot item with kindergarten.
I am a little nervous about the management with the Dell Netbooks and think that it will be difficult at first. Typically young children are quick with technology and will probably be able to manipulate them better than me.... However, I plan to have some student experts to help when problems arise and have equipment managers to help put away the equipment appropriately when we are done for the day.
I feel lucky to teach in a district that gives students so many technology opportunities at such a young age. I look forward to being an active part!
I am a little nervous about the management with the Dell Netbooks and think that it will be difficult at first. Typically young children are quick with technology and will probably be able to manipulate them better than me.... However, I plan to have some student experts to help when problems arise and have equipment managers to help put away the equipment appropriately when we are done for the day.
I feel lucky to teach in a district that gives students so many technology opportunities at such a young age. I look forward to being an active part!
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