Sunday, September 29, 2013

Launching Opinion Writing with Digital Tools

Well that was fun!  I just created a story about why I love fall.  I created this text as a mentor piece for launching opinion writing in second grade. The story would help teach the concept of opinion writing.  The digital component would keep their interest.  The students would love to hear how I published this piece of writing and how they too could publish their own opinion pieces.  I'd love to help in the class to provide extra support because the students ability levels vary greatly. Giving each individual feedback during the writing process is important, yet difficult to manage. I can't wait to give the struggling, succeeding  and excelling students in this class a time to show their writing creativity.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Ted Talk Favorites

A friend of mine recently mentioned they had never seen a Ted Talk.  I tried describing it, but unless you see the way it works it's hard to explain.  When I was researching Multiple Intelligence for a previous course I came across a Ted Talk that was from Ken Robinson's description of educational paradigms; it's one of my favorites.




Sunday, September 22, 2013

The Process

The process in which students move from unknowing to knowing in any subject is important right now.  How the student used their skills to arrive at the answer shows the teacher far more about what they have learned and what they still need to know than just an answer.

Recently a fifth grader in my school took a math test and failed miserably.  He was the only one out of the entire class to receive these results. He is at a Tier III and we have seen on many occasions that when he has one to one support or takes a test without support but in a environment where he is alone he does well.  So, he was given a chance to retake the test.  He took the test with a substitute paraprofessional that was instructed to give no help.  The results were amazing.

Not only did he score an A on the test, he showed the process.  He wrote his explanation of front end estimation as he explained it to the substitute who had not seen our new math curriculum.  The classroom teacher and other members on the team learned at our RTI (SRBI) meeting that this student has many skills, but his inability to focus in the classroom setting prevents him for showing his knowledge. 

So as I read Kathy Cassidy's book, Connected from the Start I began to make my own connections.  I followed her link to Common Craft. I watched how this could provide tools for students to show what they have learned.  Although it is something a teacher would have to pay for I like the concept and will continue to see what it can offer my students.  Perhaps there is something similar that may work for my students as well.  While the writing process and math process are easier to see from pencil and paper.  Assessing learning of the lesson Cassidy refers to on teaching needs and wants could be shown using this type of media.  I think many social studies lessons in the early grades could benefit from this technology.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Visual Schedules

Each morning the boys and girls entering Pre-K know what to expect because a visual schedule is always present.  During circle time the kids and I review the day by looking at pictures and words to describe our activities.  Some students need this more than others.  In fact without it as a reference the entire day might be a catastrophe for some little learners.

This year I have a little one that needs it. I'm also in the process of making a miniature visual schedule to help with transitions. All I've had on my mind is how to make our day flow better with less words and more subtle cues.  So when I sat down to create an Animoto I decided to make a video schedule for my entire class.



All pictures are from our classroom environment and several include the children.  My hope is that when I play this for the class they see our day.  I want them to see how fun the day can be.   If we follow the routine of the school day we have more time for play,stories,specials and smiles through all of our learning.  I look forward to hearing their feedback.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Dot Day in Pre-K

After watching several informative videos and reading blogs on digital storytelling in the classroom, I am planning to use them in my Pre-K class.The goal is to have students demonstrate their work through this technology tool. In a few weeks I will be ready to read The Dot to my class. After the read aloud, reacting to the text and brainstorming students will create a picture that shows how they will make their mark.  I plan to take a picture of each piece of work and have each student narrate their sentence.  A Little Bird digital tool seems simple, creative and a perfect way for my Pre-K students to explore their individual creativity. One particular class book made me definitely want to try this. Check it out.
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This site also has templates to help correlate with the common core state standards.  In addition, it meets the technology standards as presented in the NETS.  For this particular project I am interested in the first two standards 1. Creativity and Innovation 2. Communication and Collaboration.  I can also see other areas of technology being used through this site.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

International Dot Day

When you have so little free time in your life....there is always the Internet to search and provide.  Once upon a time I could visit a library and/ or bookstore and search at leisure for what I wanted to read to my class.  Now I visit the school Library while my students are at a special and constantly feel rushed. Even more often I have the book read to me by someone on You Tube.

I was interested in learning more about The Dot, by Peter Reynolds.  I watched clips from teachers and loved the projects that students were producing.  After seeing inspirational projects, I needed to check out this book and see how I could use it.

I won't share it with my class before international dot day (it's tomorrow), but I will share this inspirational story when the time is right with my Pre-k class. I'd love to do it soon because everything is so new and students always feel they can't write or draw.  This book will be a tool to promote self confidence in my little learners.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

blogging for homework

If I were an eleven year old given the assignment to blog on the computer for homework I think I'd be highly motivated.  This task is making me question the balance of technology and written work.  I personally like to write.  I like how my ideas look on paper.  I organize my thoughts and can see the trail.  I don't backspace and delete a line and forget about it; it is a record of the writing process.  However, I know several students that would love to have blogging be an option because it makes them feel comfortable.  Why not encourage writing any way possible?  I feel this would motivate reluctant writers and allow fluent writers a different vehicle for expression. As teachers we must remember to keep the balance.  We must provide choice, but teach the beauty of it all.  I also think of parents and hope that while they install a new app that is teaching their three year old largest and smallest that the next day they show them how to stamp a thank you note and mail it to a friend.