I do need to buy a back up disk...asap.
Now to find a job in San Diego.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Packing up my room
It was so sad to give notice that I would be leaving Price. It has been such a wonderful experience. I enjoyed it and it went too fast. I wonder if I will ever find another job as great as that.
This is what I had to pack along with stuff from 3 filing cabinets, and my desk. I just piled it into boxes and hope to review it when I have more time. I will donate what I do not want. I did not take many electronic files because most are already on my computers.
I do need to buy a back up disk...asap.
Now to find a job in San Diego.
I do need to buy a back up disk...asap.
Now to find a job in San Diego.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Assessment Class for Level 2
Today is my last class on Assessment. We are learning how to help the student with ADHD. For instance, give help with time management. Interventions that directly address academics improve academics. Interventions addressing behavior help behavior but not academics. Peer tutoring is highly effective.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Comments from students
I asked the students to reflect on my class the last week of school. Here is a list of things they liked:
Language Arts 7/8
Things I liked - The smart board, the computers, the i-Pads!
One thing I really liked was the Vocabulary words with definitions and the projects we did on the computer.
The one thing I liked in class was the Smart Board notes.
We need to improve the computers. Some are too old and run slow. The kids always run to get the best machines. We you assigned computers it was no fun.
I liked the way you guys make the vocabulary easy. [Teacher comment- (google presentation - each student made a slide for their word with two pictures, definition, and a sentence. Each day during the week we reviewed the slides on the smart board.)
I liked to write the vocabulary words from the internet.
I liked the way we did our definitions for the week.
Social Studies 6/7
I liked putting the definitions on the computer.
I like watching CNN students News and taking notes.
I liked watching movies, the new computers, and the field trip.
Language Arts 6
One of my first things that I liked from this year was how we all did our vocabulary on the computer.
The thing I really like was the vocabulary. I liked how we read books and then watched the movie of it.
Now the teacher's reflections
The Kids blogs for reading seemed to bomb because so few would actually read and write. I wondered if this was because they did not have to turn in a piece of paper so they forgot to do it?
Tween Tribune lost some interest by the students over the year but I liked it and want to make a grading rubric to use with it for next year.
I know the students felt it a bit tedious to write out the definition in their notebook and then enter it in a google form but over all I think it helped them remember more. So I think I will do that again in social studies. I will also review it on the smart board so everyone can see what each other wrote and grade them more appropriately.
I loved using Google presentations for vocabulary learning in every subject. I think I only did it three times in Math class but could see doing it every week or two through out the year. I think their vocabulary is so weak that it makes them unable to do the math problem.
I loved using video for math learning. I think I need a few more cameras. When a student is on film and has to explain what they are doing I think they are really learning.
I made the students do various presentation through out the year on Google presentation. They were projected on the smart board so the student talked about their work to the entire class. I think they learn so much this way. The students did "I Am Poems" with 19 slides. They did a presentation on what they would pack if they were going away for two years like Anne Frank. They did "I Am Poems" from Anne's or Peter's perspective.
The very last week the students made a Wordle of their name (20 ties) and then 5 things about them that they are proud of written between 10 - 15 times year. They were beautiful and the students were so proud. I passed these out to the 8th graders at graduation.
It was wonderful to have 16 operating computers in my classroom. Although some are so old they should be retired. My son's computer is 10 years old. My mac laptop is about that old too. But with the grant money from the Merit program I was able to purchase 4 newer computers for my classroom. I am so pleased with it. I used the computer often so it enabled me to teach them what to do and let them go learn. They taught each other and improved their computer skills as well as learned academic material. At Price they dropped their computer elective but in my classroom my students were always pushed to learn more about technology.
Of course I have more goals for next year. I want my students to learn video editing skills and make movies about learning. I hope to use math videos for teaching and then just help the students work on their homework in class so they do not just get stuck and discouraged at home. I want to scan all homework so it is available on line if a student stays home.
Math class at Intel Museum.
Language Arts 7/8
Things I liked - The smart board, the computers, the i-Pads!
One thing I really liked was the Vocabulary words with definitions and the projects we did on the computer.
The one thing I liked in class was the Smart Board notes.
We need to improve the computers. Some are too old and run slow. The kids always run to get the best machines. We you assigned computers it was no fun.
I liked the way you guys make the vocabulary easy. [Teacher comment- (google presentation - each student made a slide for their word with two pictures, definition, and a sentence. Each day during the week we reviewed the slides on the smart board.)
I liked to write the vocabulary words from the internet.
I liked the way we did our definitions for the week.
Social Studies 6/7
I liked putting the definitions on the computer.
I like watching CNN students News and taking notes.
I liked watching movies, the new computers, and the field trip.
Language Arts 6
One of my first things that I liked from this year was how we all did our vocabulary on the computer.
The thing I really like was the vocabulary. I liked how we read books and then watched the movie of it.
Now the teacher's reflections
The Kids blogs for reading seemed to bomb because so few would actually read and write. I wondered if this was because they did not have to turn in a piece of paper so they forgot to do it?
Tween Tribune lost some interest by the students over the year but I liked it and want to make a grading rubric to use with it for next year.
I know the students felt it a bit tedious to write out the definition in their notebook and then enter it in a google form but over all I think it helped them remember more. So I think I will do that again in social studies. I will also review it on the smart board so everyone can see what each other wrote and grade them more appropriately.
I loved using Google presentations for vocabulary learning in every subject. I think I only did it three times in Math class but could see doing it every week or two through out the year. I think their vocabulary is so weak that it makes them unable to do the math problem.
I loved using video for math learning. I think I need a few more cameras. When a student is on film and has to explain what they are doing I think they are really learning.
I made the students do various presentation through out the year on Google presentation. They were projected on the smart board so the student talked about their work to the entire class. I think they learn so much this way. The students did "I Am Poems" with 19 slides. They did a presentation on what they would pack if they were going away for two years like Anne Frank. They did "I Am Poems" from Anne's or Peter's perspective.
The very last week the students made a Wordle of their name (20 ties) and then 5 things about them that they are proud of written between 10 - 15 times year. They were beautiful and the students were so proud. I passed these out to the 8th graders at graduation.
It was wonderful to have 16 operating computers in my classroom. Although some are so old they should be retired. My son's computer is 10 years old. My mac laptop is about that old too. But with the grant money from the Merit program I was able to purchase 4 newer computers for my classroom. I am so pleased with it. I used the computer often so it enabled me to teach them what to do and let them go learn. They taught each other and improved their computer skills as well as learned academic material. At Price they dropped their computer elective but in my classroom my students were always pushed to learn more about technology.
Of course I have more goals for next year. I want my students to learn video editing skills and make movies about learning. I hope to use math videos for teaching and then just help the students work on their homework in class so they do not just get stuck and discouraged at home. I want to scan all homework so it is available on line if a student stays home.
Math class at Intel Museum.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Paid for new computers
The bills came:
Tiger Direct $870.56
Geeks $667.36
Total $1,537.92
Then I bought two mice at Target because some students were having trouble with the keyboard. $40 plus tax.
So I am just over $1,577.90
I also had two computer locks which I use to keep the computer just out on a table in my room and have piece of mind.
My two personal lap tops are unlocked but put away each night. I leave my old power book out because at over 8 years old it does not have a lot of value for me.
I have numbered each computer. Each week the students rotate to a new computer. I hope to have student comments on the situation soon. It is great. I demonstrate on the smart board. They take notes about what they are going to do. And then each student has a computer to use!!!!
Thank you so much. My math class has been making resumes. Finding careers to check out using Who Do U Want 2B?
My lesson plans for next year will be modified for all students to be using a computer.
Tiger Direct $870.56
Geeks $667.36
Total $1,537.92
Then I bought two mice at Target because some students were having trouble with the keyboard. $40 plus tax.
So I am just over $1,577.90
I also had two computer locks which I use to keep the computer just out on a table in my room and have piece of mind.
My two personal lap tops are unlocked but put away each night. I leave my old power book out because at over 8 years old it does not have a lot of value for me.
I have numbered each computer. Each week the students rotate to a new computer. I hope to have student comments on the situation soon. It is great. I demonstrate on the smart board. They take notes about what they are going to do. And then each student has a computer to use!!!!
Thank you so much. My math class has been making resumes. Finding careers to check out using Who Do U Want 2B?
My lesson plans for next year will be modified for all students to be using a computer.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Update on new computers.
The new computer a in and we found one new monitor not to work. So that is in my garage to return. But the technology department had an old monitor to use so the computer is up and running.
Item 1 - Students were running to the new laptops to get there first. So we numbered the computers and figured on the correct way to have the students around the room and now ther rush is over. We will move the students to the computer on the left at the start of each week.
Item 2 - Usage - The computers have been used often last week.
Language Arts 6 - The students wrote their I am poems on google presentation. For each of the 16 lines they inserted a picture. They they used the smart board to give their presentations. It was a wonderful project.
Language Arts 7/8 - here the students used the I am poem but to write it as if they were Brian from the book Hatchet. It went great. The students had such good ideas. Again they used google presentations and pictures for each of the 19 slides. I felt it was a great use of technology. We videod their presentation so they will have a copy of that and next week I hope to put their presentations on the web sites.
Social Studies 6/7 - My students each reported on a Renissance artist. They found information on the web and then picked 3 pictures or works of art to talk about. They used google presentation and the smart board as well. These were video taped as well. I could really see a difference from my students who do this each week in my language arts class and to those who this was their first project. I did not explain it in detail because so many of my students are in my Language arts classes so I need to do better next time.
Math 6/7/8 - My students have been viewing videos from Next Vista for Learning on Careers and using the web site Who Do You Want 2B to work on their career project. They are to write up a resume, fill out two job applications and write a review on three career videos.
Item 3 - The computers - two are using XP pro and are faster than the old computers in my room. But the two new HP laptops using Windows 7 Pro are great. I will obtain feedback from my students and take pictures as well.
Item 1 - Students were running to the new laptops to get there first. So we numbered the computers and figured on the correct way to have the students around the room and now ther rush is over. We will move the students to the computer on the left at the start of each week.
Item 2 - Usage - The computers have been used often last week.
Language Arts 6 - The students wrote their I am poems on google presentation. For each of the 16 lines they inserted a picture. They they used the smart board to give their presentations. It was a wonderful project.
Language Arts 7/8 - here the students used the I am poem but to write it as if they were Brian from the book Hatchet. It went great. The students had such good ideas. Again they used google presentations and pictures for each of the 19 slides. I felt it was a great use of technology. We videod their presentation so they will have a copy of that and next week I hope to put their presentations on the web sites.
Social Studies 6/7 - My students each reported on a Renissance artist. They found information on the web and then picked 3 pictures or works of art to talk about. They used google presentation and the smart board as well. These were video taped as well. I could really see a difference from my students who do this each week in my language arts class and to those who this was their first project. I did not explain it in detail because so many of my students are in my Language arts classes so I need to do better next time.
Math 6/7/8 - My students have been viewing videos from Next Vista for Learning on Careers and using the web site Who Do You Want 2B to work on their career project. They are to write up a resume, fill out two job applications and write a review on three career videos.
Item 3 - The computers - two are using XP pro and are faster than the old computers in my room. But the two new HP laptops using Windows 7 Pro are great. I will obtain feedback from my students and take pictures as well.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
New Table
I was able to find an 8 ft table for my room. I think there will be room for 4 computers on this table. I contacted the IT office so they can move my computers around and set up the new system. The new laptops are supposed to be delivered tomorrow. It is so exciting. My students are excited.
We tried to use iPads for Google presentations and found they don't work. :(
This is so sad. I wish Google and Apple would work together.
Soon I will be able to have all students working together.
PS My social studies students are each looking up an artist from the Renaissance and then showing some of their art work. Seven slides per student and then an oral presentation which we video tape.
We tried to use iPads for Google presentations and found they don't work. :(
This is so sad. I wish Google and Apple would work together.
Soon I will be able to have all students working together.
PS My social studies students are each looking up an artist from the Renaissance and then showing some of their art work. Seven slides per student and then an oral presentation which we video tape.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Two computers delivered
I arrived home from work and two computers were delivered. I am so excited. I also found a eight foot table for me room. I have to reconfigure the room to fit all 16 computers in it but I am determined. The laptops are to arrive on Friday.
My students keep asking if I am rich. I tell them, I just write grants. Then they want to know how they can write grants also.
Upcoming projects:
I am Poem on google presentation for 6th graders.
I Am Poem based on Brian from Hatchet for 7/8th graders
Career Project for Math Class
I still need a good project for my social studies class.
My students keep asking if I am rich. I tell them, I just write grants. Then they want to know how they can write grants also.
Upcoming projects:
I am Poem on google presentation for 6th graders.
I Am Poem based on Brian from Hatchet for 7/8th graders
Career Project for Math Class
I still need a good project for my social studies class.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Bought computers
So excited! I bought two computers suggested by the head of IT at Cambrian School District. Two dell desktops with Windows XP Pro. Then I bought two laptops from Tiger Direct - HP's with Windows 7.0 Pro.
I hope they do they job. I got them for less than $1600. I still need locks and maybe a mouse for each. But it is a start.
The iPad's are not the best because they do not seem to work well with Google Documents. My students use Google documents, presentations, and web pages for their work on a weekly basis. It will nice to have a computer for each student in my class.
The principle has promised me a new table as well. They I will be redoing my classroom. I will need help over a weekend to move things around. I am so excited!!!
I hope they do they job. I got them for less than $1600. I still need locks and maybe a mouse for each. But it is a start.
The iPad's are not the best because they do not seem to work well with Google Documents. My students use Google documents, presentations, and web pages for their work on a weekly basis. It will nice to have a computer for each student in my class.
The principle has promised me a new table as well. They I will be redoing my classroom. I will need help over a weekend to move things around. I am so excited!!!
Grant from Merit
I have been working on trying to buy computers for my classroom. It is more difficult than I thought. The net books I found would not be able to load Windows Pro which is needed to access the network. So I found some laptops. But those would not work either on the network. I am getting frustrated.
I contacted our technology guys and they had some good ideas: buy desktop units, buy iPads, buy larger desktops.
I also found good pricing with reconditioned laptops. So now I want to check those out and hopefully buy a new computer today!!!
I contacted our technology guys and they had some good ideas: buy desktop units, buy iPads, buy larger desktops.
I also found good pricing with reconditioned laptops. So now I want to check those out and hopefully buy a new computer today!!!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Merit Week 24
All good things come to an end. This is true but sad. I just attended my last Saturday MERIT class. This experience changed me as an educator. I am just a new teacher but now can't image teaching a class without the use of technology in the classroom.
Just this week I have used my new white board. I have put notes on them and saved them. I think I will create a webpage for these files for each subject matter. That way the students will have them for future studying. (if they can't read their own notes) I tried going back and forth to my macbook and pc laptop but it was too confusing. Does anyone have feedback as to what works best with a white board? I rearranged my classroom so my students can have access to my computers to enter their assignments into Google. It seems to leave more area open in my room. I would love another table to move the computer so they are more spread out. With my student population there is too much interaction on the computers.
I found out I was awarded money from MERIT for my grant request. Yea! I can't wait to go shopping. I requested a few more netbooks. I have a few students who just sit and wait for a computer to be available and then never actually do the assignment. My class grew from just 8 students to 16. (Remember these are special education students.) There are more students who want to be in my class. I guess that is a nice problem.
I applied for another grant through the SV Foundation. This time it had to be a STEM project. I wanted cameras and flip cameras. I find when students have to do a voice over of their math project they are really doing a think out loud which really helps with understanding math concepts. When I do my vocabulary words, the students were having a hard time coming up with visuals that explain their concepts. With cameras I can have them use a white board, draw their concept and then take a picture of it. I can download it and email it to them so they can post it on their Google Presentation.
Can anyone help me move all these blog entries into my Google blog? I would love the help. MERIT has been intense but highly rewarding. Now I wonder what I will do with all my free time? I do need to learn how to use my white board. I always need more time for my IEP's and testing. I am in graduate school to finish my clear credential. I do want to write some more grants. Any other ideas?
Just this week I have used my new white board. I have put notes on them and saved them. I think I will create a webpage for these files for each subject matter. That way the students will have them for future studying. (if they can't read their own notes) I tried going back and forth to my macbook and pc laptop but it was too confusing. Does anyone have feedback as to what works best with a white board? I rearranged my classroom so my students can have access to my computers to enter their assignments into Google. It seems to leave more area open in my room. I would love another table to move the computer so they are more spread out. With my student population there is too much interaction on the computers.
I found out I was awarded money from MERIT for my grant request. Yea! I can't wait to go shopping. I requested a few more netbooks. I have a few students who just sit and wait for a computer to be available and then never actually do the assignment. My class grew from just 8 students to 16. (Remember these are special education students.) There are more students who want to be in my class. I guess that is a nice problem.
I applied for another grant through the SV Foundation. This time it had to be a STEM project. I wanted cameras and flip cameras. I find when students have to do a voice over of their math project they are really doing a think out loud which really helps with understanding math concepts. When I do my vocabulary words, the students were having a hard time coming up with visuals that explain their concepts. With cameras I can have them use a white board, draw their concept and then take a picture of it. I can download it and email it to them so they can post it on their Google Presentation.
Can anyone help me move all these blog entries into my Google blog? I would love the help. MERIT has been intense but highly rewarding. Now I wonder what I will do with all my free time? I do need to learn how to use my white board. I always need more time for my IEP's and testing. I am in graduate school to finish my clear credential. I do want to write some more grants. Any other ideas?
Merit Week 23
There is still no word as to who won the MERIT grants. We are wondering when they will be announced.
Yea for Price Middle School my SMART board is being installed during our break along with all the other teachers who do not have one yet. I already went to a training on how they work. I feel I should probably use my Mac for this instead of my PC. Does anyone have advice?
Today my students did a project for real life. Perhaps I should send it to Lessonopoly. I had the pick a menu from a place they like to eat. Write down three items to order along with a friend. Calculate the cost, add sales tax, and tip if needed. Then estimate the amount of money they need to withdraw from an ATM to cover the costs. Too bad so many students did not finish within the 45 minute class period. Now they have homework to do over the break. This was suppose to be an easy assignment. When they get to the computer they have trouble finding prices, choosing the place, etc. I see this all as a waste of time. But perhaps they are learning something. I am trying to make my lessons be all about real life. I guess the final product should be a link the the menu, and then a spreadsheet with their data. They can put in all in a google spreadsheet. Check back in March and see if this happens. Their project can be displayed on their electronic portfolio website.
I guess it was a big week because I have all of my core students set up their own website. They love going to it and working on their page labeled, "All About Me". My students wrote about the person who made the most difference to them in their life. I just need to grade them and have them post their google doc's on their language arts web page. It is all coming together. Now I need to grade notebooks and include the google forms via spreedsheet on the chapter summaries of Hatchet. Next year, I can perhaps go all digital. I just need more computers, or netbooks. It is hard to have enough computers except for 2 or 3 students.
I am still working on how to figure out how to use the scanner and have it put the students work in a file. When is Bryan going to answer me? I just need more time. I have movies to make, and more picture albums to post on my website. I want to write another grant for the Silicon Valley group but it must be a STEM request. I am glad I still teach math. I also want to write a grant for the Silicon Valley Cue group.
Now to head out to Tahoe and do some skiing before I need to finish those IEP's, grade and lesson plan.
Yea for Price Middle School my SMART board is being installed during our break along with all the other teachers who do not have one yet. I already went to a training on how they work. I feel I should probably use my Mac for this instead of my PC. Does anyone have advice?
Today my students did a project for real life. Perhaps I should send it to Lessonopoly. I had the pick a menu from a place they like to eat. Write down three items to order along with a friend. Calculate the cost, add sales tax, and tip if needed. Then estimate the amount of money they need to withdraw from an ATM to cover the costs. Too bad so many students did not finish within the 45 minute class period. Now they have homework to do over the break. This was suppose to be an easy assignment. When they get to the computer they have trouble finding prices, choosing the place, etc. I see this all as a waste of time. But perhaps they are learning something. I am trying to make my lessons be all about real life. I guess the final product should be a link the the menu, and then a spreadsheet with their data. They can put in all in a google spreadsheet. Check back in March and see if this happens. Their project can be displayed on their electronic portfolio website.
I guess it was a big week because I have all of my core students set up their own website. They love going to it and working on their page labeled, "All About Me". My students wrote about the person who made the most difference to them in their life. I just need to grade them and have them post their google doc's on their language arts web page. It is all coming together. Now I need to grade notebooks and include the google forms via spreedsheet on the chapter summaries of Hatchet. Next year, I can perhaps go all digital. I just need more computers, or netbooks. It is hard to have enough computers except for 2 or 3 students.
I am still working on how to figure out how to use the scanner and have it put the students work in a file. When is Bryan going to answer me? I just need more time. I have movies to make, and more picture albums to post on my website. I want to write another grant for the Silicon Valley group but it must be a STEM request. I am glad I still teach math. I also want to write a grant for the Silicon Valley Cue group.
Now to head out to Tahoe and do some skiing before I need to finish those IEP's, grade and lesson plan.
Merit Week 22
Wow, another great week. First Saturday was spent with my MERIT team. Awesome as always. I learned new material which I have already shared with my students. Tuesday night I spent with the Google apps group and learned how to enter my blog on my website. I also posted pictures on Picassa and make a book and posted it on my webpage. It shows our Intel field trip.
Students still love doing the presentations for Language Arts vocabulary but this week I added Math. Four out of the 16 students never finished but overall they enjoyed doing it. Math is a subject they would rather avoid but by Friday we were able to review the final product and start learning the new word. I have homework for the weekend of cleaning up their presentation, and creating some worksheets for home work. I might like to do this each week and perhaps link it to the subject we are studying. I am learning too.
I had trouble showing CNN student news a few times. Our IT department said it was them. I think my computer was acting up. But I had a video on the dark ages to show so I was saved. I show videos for about 15 minutes to connect to the chapter we are studying. My students did not really know what a knight was. The videos helped. I hope to show the start of Robin Hood on Monday so they can see what the crusades were really about. I shared this was the begining of when cultures became mixed up. They like that visual.
I still need help scanning to each students file. I am scanning student work and saving it by the title. I need to turn in my receipts for that grant. I like my external drive. I still have not labeled my studen't flash drives. I applyed for the Horace Mann scholarship to finish up my level 2 classwork.
I will try to apply for the $1000 cue grant, the next Teacher Innovation grant for March 1 which needs to be in the area of Math or Science. I am still waiting to hear on the MERIT grant...
I want to set up a Google form for referals in my classroom. Next week my principal is review my math class on Wednesday morning. Does anyone have a great lesson plan to share? I am thinking of doing proportion or mean, median, mode. Now I just need to grade my KidsBlogs, Tween News Articles, Google forms...Oh and of course one more IEP..
Students still love doing the presentations for Language Arts vocabulary but this week I added Math. Four out of the 16 students never finished but overall they enjoyed doing it. Math is a subject they would rather avoid but by Friday we were able to review the final product and start learning the new word. I have homework for the weekend of cleaning up their presentation, and creating some worksheets for home work. I might like to do this each week and perhaps link it to the subject we are studying. I am learning too.
I had trouble showing CNN student news a few times. Our IT department said it was them. I think my computer was acting up. But I had a video on the dark ages to show so I was saved. I show videos for about 15 minutes to connect to the chapter we are studying. My students did not really know what a knight was. The videos helped. I hope to show the start of Robin Hood on Monday so they can see what the crusades were really about. I shared this was the begining of when cultures became mixed up. They like that visual.
I still need help scanning to each students file. I am scanning student work and saving it by the title. I need to turn in my receipts for that grant. I like my external drive. I still have not labeled my studen't flash drives. I applyed for the Horace Mann scholarship to finish up my level 2 classwork.
I will try to apply for the $1000 cue grant, the next Teacher Innovation grant for March 1 which needs to be in the area of Math or Science. I am still waiting to hear on the MERIT grant...
I want to set up a Google form for referals in my classroom. Next week my principal is review my math class on Wednesday morning. Does anyone have a great lesson plan to share? I am thinking of doing proportion or mean, median, mode. Now I just need to grade my KidsBlogs, Tween News Articles, Google forms...Oh and of course one more IEP..
Merit Week 21
Another great week for Technology in Room 28. The external drive arrived! I hooked it up and backed up my mac machine. My students flash drives arrived as well. I am putting a label with their name on each one. I also plan to have them stored in a box, which I can lock up each night for security. My students are very excited.
I am set up to scan all their work in to their electronic portfolio but don't know how to set it up. I don't know where to ask for help on this. I am having trouble finding the time to discover this on my own. So if you know someone who can help me let me know! Thanks!
Again I set my students loose on google presentations. They went wild and love it. I recorded the presentations being made and need to learn how to make a video where I can speed up the action. Can anyone help with this project? I did interview my students about what they like best about technology in room 28. It is so cute. Now I just need to find the time to make the movie...
The facebook mathematician project was a bomb. My students do not work during class time. I gave them four days to work on it in class. My room is open before and after-school and at lunch. Not one of my students made it a page to show on the projector. OF my 16 students, four actually made the page but printed it out. They gave oral presentations which were lacking content and purpose. I did give an example and let my students tape me, talking about Albert Einstein. So to do this project again, I will have them print out sources and have an aid or myself highlight where the information should go. I think they need more structure on how to do a report.
On Friday, we finished reading chapter 2 of Hatchet and many of my students requested I make a Google form so they could write down their chapter details online versus their notebook. This is great for me because at one glance I can tell if they have comprehension of the story versus looking at 15 different notebooks.
I am set up to scan all their work in to their electronic portfolio but don't know how to set it up. I don't know where to ask for help on this. I am having trouble finding the time to discover this on my own. So if you know someone who can help me let me know! Thanks!
Again I set my students loose on google presentations. They went wild and love it. I recorded the presentations being made and need to learn how to make a video where I can speed up the action. Can anyone help with this project? I did interview my students about what they like best about technology in room 28. It is so cute. Now I just need to find the time to make the movie...
The facebook mathematician project was a bomb. My students do not work during class time. I gave them four days to work on it in class. My room is open before and after-school and at lunch. Not one of my students made it a page to show on the projector. OF my 16 students, four actually made the page but printed it out. They gave oral presentations which were lacking content and purpose. I did give an example and let my students tape me, talking about Albert Einstein. So to do this project again, I will have them print out sources and have an aid or myself highlight where the information should go. I think they need more structure on how to do a report.
On Friday, we finished reading chapter 2 of Hatchet and many of my students requested I make a Google form so they could write down their chapter details online versus their notebook. This is great for me because at one glance I can tell if they have comprehension of the story versus looking at 15 different notebooks.
Merit Week 20
I can't believe 20 weeks have gone by already. I am just excited about using technology in class. I keep thinking on new things to do.
The week started out great by attending the Good Teachers Conference held in San Jose. I attended workshops on writing, behaving and one on technology. Of course, the one on technology was my favorite. I started using the ideas on Monday.
I helped another teacher set up Kid's Blog for her class. I showed her mine and how it works. I help her set up her password, etc.
I worked with Allegra on how to put google docs as a list on a webpage. I am setting up lists of my vocabulary and definitions in google docs but was having trouble displaying them on my web page. Thanks!
My students want me to send in our video clip to CNN Student News. I need to find time to do that. I finished two IEP's. I am so thankful that is all online now. I brought one home to do this weekend because it is due on Monday.
I have another IEP to attend on Tuesday where I want to recommend the student bring in his computer and type is written projects. How do others feel about this? The teachers can not read his hand writing. Printing would be the issue. Do we allow him the wireless password or does he bring a flash drive to the teacher to print his assignments?
I am trying to redesign my home office. It feels like so much trouble. I did go through old paper work and sorted out the old and unimportant.
The week started out great by attending the Good Teachers Conference held in San Jose. I attended workshops on writing, behaving and one on technology. Of course, the one on technology was my favorite. I started using the ideas on Monday.
I helped another teacher set up Kid's Blog for her class. I showed her mine and how it works. I help her set up her password, etc.
I worked with Allegra on how to put google docs as a list on a webpage. I am setting up lists of my vocabulary and definitions in google docs but was having trouble displaying them on my web page. Thanks!
My students want me to send in our video clip to CNN Student News. I need to find time to do that. I finished two IEP's. I am so thankful that is all online now. I brought one home to do this weekend because it is due on Monday.
I have another IEP to attend on Tuesday where I want to recommend the student bring in his computer and type is written projects. How do others feel about this? The teachers can not read his hand writing. Printing would be the issue. Do we allow him the wireless password or does he bring a flash drive to the teacher to print his assignments?
I am trying to redesign my home office. It feels like so much trouble. I did go through old paper work and sorted out the old and unimportant.
Merit Week 19
We had a field trip to the Egyptian Museum. My class was able to ride the bus. I was given a grant by the Target corporation. We took pictures and movies of the event to make a memory. It will be an exciting project to do. Each student will pick a picture and write about it and then talk into the podcast about it. I hope it will work. I wish my students had cameras to do a picture story of their own experience - maybe next time.
My math students are working on their facebook pages and biographies. I don't let them have time in class because they don't use it well. I am available before school and afterschool and during lunch if they need to use my computers. At the end of math class, Friday, I allowed them to work on the computers or to play math games. None choose to work on their project. This is sad. I guess I will have to have check in points for them. It was cool using Teachergate to email all of my students the documents they needed to do their reports. I could not figure out how to make the facebook page a google doc. The formatting was very trickly so I just sent them each the file.
I was so excited to hear about winning another grant. I finally ordered my new memory 750GB and the flash drive for each student. We have already started working on our online portfolios so it came just in time. I am having trouble trying to set up the scanner to file each student's work into their own folder. I hope I can figure it out soon.
My students are working on their five paragraph essays through google doc's. It is going slow. There is so much I am trying to fit in each day. It was due on Friday but some students have only entered their first paragraph. Patience is needed. Others are finished except for the concluding paragraph.
I forgot I wrote a grant for the MERIT funds. I want to try out 5 different netbooks in my classroom and evaulate them. I want my students to think about what they like and dislike. I plan to blog about the experience. Where do teachers find the best service? What does a 4 hour battery life versus a 7 hour battery life matter to a classroom teacher? My students hope I win because now we have to share computers. There is a race to the Mac's. If I win the grant I think I will set up a schedule along with the bog so everyday the students can try another type of computer and then be able to compare the differences.
I am having trouble trying to use the wireless network system. I am logged off when ever I want to use my mac. So I am mainly using my pc in class. I did share the movie I made on my previsit to the Egyptian museum.
My math students are working on their facebook pages and biographies. I don't let them have time in class because they don't use it well. I am available before school and afterschool and during lunch if they need to use my computers. At the end of math class, Friday, I allowed them to work on the computers or to play math games. None choose to work on their project. This is sad. I guess I will have to have check in points for them. It was cool using Teachergate to email all of my students the documents they needed to do their reports. I could not figure out how to make the facebook page a google doc. The formatting was very trickly so I just sent them each the file.
I was so excited to hear about winning another grant. I finally ordered my new memory 750GB and the flash drive for each student. We have already started working on our online portfolios so it came just in time. I am having trouble trying to set up the scanner to file each student's work into their own folder. I hope I can figure it out soon.
My students are working on their five paragraph essays through google doc's. It is going slow. There is so much I am trying to fit in each day. It was due on Friday but some students have only entered their first paragraph. Patience is needed. Others are finished except for the concluding paragraph.
I forgot I wrote a grant for the MERIT funds. I want to try out 5 different netbooks in my classroom and evaulate them. I want my students to think about what they like and dislike. I plan to blog about the experience. Where do teachers find the best service? What does a 4 hour battery life versus a 7 hour battery life matter to a classroom teacher? My students hope I win because now we have to share computers. There is a race to the Mac's. If I win the grant I think I will set up a schedule along with the bog so everyday the students can try another type of computer and then be able to compare the differences.
I am having trouble trying to use the wireless network system. I am logged off when ever I want to use my mac. So I am mainly using my pc in class. I did share the movie I made on my previsit to the Egyptian museum.
Merit Week 18
I sent in my receipts for my last grant and the money came back to me within the week. Wow! And they did not ask for my original credit card statement. Then I would have had to wait over a month. The Silicon Valley Education Foundation rocks. And then on Friday, I found out that I received another Grant! My students are so excited. Memory for electronic portfolios. - we start working on that project Monday. I think that will be my project for the 30th.
I plan to do a joint effort of both paper and electronic portfolio reflections. I plan to set up everyone one with a file on the server where I will post their 3 submissions to their portfolio for my class. I will also scan in other refections that I have received. It sounds a bit overwhelming but I think the hard stuff is just to get started.
I love using google forms in my social studies class. I have my students write down the definitions form the book and then input them into a google form. I change the background each week so I know they are doing the write form. From the spreadsheet, I can tell if they are on track or not. If not, I know I need to do a reteach. I just love it. I entered that as a lesson plan for lessonopoly. I used it for Egyptian terms.
My other good news is that I received the $400 check from the Target corporation for my field trip. My students are so excited. I made a slide show for them earlier. Now they each are going to take pictures and share what we learned. I guess I could write another project about this one. Anyone who reads this could offer advice. Thanks!
The developers from Teachergate say they like my feedback. I send them reports when things don't work as they should. I love being able to send my students files with a click of the button. I am using my students email address from our closed google site system. It is great. I sent them a facebook page as a doc and then they are doing a math project of their famous mathematician. Oh, I guess this could count as another project.
My sixth graders are writing their five paragraph essay using google documents. It is fun to edit their paragraphs with them as me, and send them off to write some more. They seem to enjoy it. They are writing about the differences between the book and the movie of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I guess that could be a project also.
I need help on choosing my next project!
I do need to write up a grant for the Merit program. Are there any volunteers to read what I write to give input? I plan to ask for money for a few netbook computers. I really need my whole class to have access to the internet so they can do google forms, write documents, etc.
Well I guess week 18 has been an exciting week.
I plan to do a joint effort of both paper and electronic portfolio reflections. I plan to set up everyone one with a file on the server where I will post their 3 submissions to their portfolio for my class. I will also scan in other refections that I have received. It sounds a bit overwhelming but I think the hard stuff is just to get started.
I love using google forms in my social studies class. I have my students write down the definitions form the book and then input them into a google form. I change the background each week so I know they are doing the write form. From the spreadsheet, I can tell if they are on track or not. If not, I know I need to do a reteach. I just love it. I entered that as a lesson plan for lessonopoly. I used it for Egyptian terms.
My other good news is that I received the $400 check from the Target corporation for my field trip. My students are so excited. I made a slide show for them earlier. Now they each are going to take pictures and share what we learned. I guess I could write another project about this one. Anyone who reads this could offer advice. Thanks!
The developers from Teachergate say they like my feedback. I send them reports when things don't work as they should. I love being able to send my students files with a click of the button. I am using my students email address from our closed google site system. It is great. I sent them a facebook page as a doc and then they are doing a math project of their famous mathematician. Oh, I guess this could count as another project.
My sixth graders are writing their five paragraph essay using google documents. It is fun to edit their paragraphs with them as me, and send them off to write some more. They seem to enjoy it. They are writing about the differences between the book and the movie of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I guess that could be a project also.
I need help on choosing my next project!
I do need to write up a grant for the Merit program. Are there any volunteers to read what I write to give input? I plan to ask for money for a few netbook computers. I really need my whole class to have access to the internet so they can do google forms, write documents, etc.
Well I guess week 18 has been an exciting week.
Merit Week 17
January came and now I have 15 students in three of my classes and not enough computers. Trouble. I tried splitting the class up but they need too much help. It is hard to just try to work 1 to 9. Help. I need to write a grant.
I am so glad that the Silicon Valley grant told me I needed to write another lesson plan. I wrote it that last week in December and sent it in. Then I went to Tahoe and found out my wireless was down all week. I hope I have a chance for the grant. I wrote it for memory. I want to scan my student files but found I can't connect my mac to the district network system. I also asked for a memory stick for each student. They can keep their files whether they are on a mac or a pc.
My Language Arts classes had a great time reading to the other classes the last week before break. Of couse we filmed it. It is fun to see both ages activily involved in learning.
I just found this fun site - teachergate.com. It is an up and coming site to keep teachers organized. I have my four classes signed in on the student port. I can send an email in a blink and attach files. I use my google forms, etc. My math class is doing the facebook page for mathematicians. I did not figure out how to transfer it to a google doc so I just sent out the .doc file.
I have decided after doing a lot of grading - the students who can't write neat enought for me to read will enter their answers in the computer. They can type. If there is a misspelling I will send it back for a redo.
I plan to write a grant from the Merit program for at least 2 netbooks but possibly up to five. It is hard for my aid and I to leave our computers so a student can use them. Then I have to log them off and log myself back on to fix things sometimes.
I made two movies from the readers theater my 7/8 students read. The ones not reading our my camera men/women. We had a fire drill and went right back to filming. Now I need a film editor.
I am so glad that the Silicon Valley grant told me I needed to write another lesson plan. I wrote it that last week in December and sent it in. Then I went to Tahoe and found out my wireless was down all week. I hope I have a chance for the grant. I wrote it for memory. I want to scan my student files but found I can't connect my mac to the district network system. I also asked for a memory stick for each student. They can keep their files whether they are on a mac or a pc.
My Language Arts classes had a great time reading to the other classes the last week before break. Of couse we filmed it. It is fun to see both ages activily involved in learning.
I just found this fun site - teachergate.com. It is an up and coming site to keep teachers organized. I have my four classes signed in on the student port. I can send an email in a blink and attach files. I use my google forms, etc. My math class is doing the facebook page for mathematicians. I did not figure out how to transfer it to a google doc so I just sent out the .doc file.
I have decided after doing a lot of grading - the students who can't write neat enought for me to read will enter their answers in the computer. They can type. If there is a misspelling I will send it back for a redo.
I plan to write a grant from the Merit program for at least 2 netbooks but possibly up to five. It is hard for my aid and I to leave our computers so a student can use them. Then I have to log them off and log myself back on to fix things sometimes.
I made two movies from the readers theater my 7/8 students read. The ones not reading our my camera men/women. We had a fire drill and went right back to filming. Now I need a film editor.
Merit Week 16
Today my 6th graders read to the K class. They loved it. We video'ed each student reading. What a great experience. My 7th and 8th graders read to a K/1 class yesterday. Thanks Camille. It was a wonderful experience watching these soon to be highschoolers interacting with the very young students. Now I just need the time to make a movie.
I wrote for another grant for a back up disk for my mac computer and my scanner to help with my digital portfolio project. I also asked for 16 chrome netbooks to use google in my class exclusively. I will have to learn how to do photo's and video's with just a netbook if I get picked to pilot these.
My math students picked their famous mathematicians. I let them do their own google search to find who they wanted to study. This was before our party today.
My social studies students need more help in review before being sent to enter into their google form. I need to review the answers I am looking for. Some of them need to write it in their notebook before putting it online.
I had both Language Arts classes learn how to set up a new gogle doc but entering the inside of the holiday card they were making for their families. That was cool. They seem to catch on really quick and love to help each other get there. The quirk was printing the. It seems everything needs to go to adobe before it can print? Any advise?
I found the flip cameras really don't work on my macs. My son's mac which is over 9 years old does not have a garage band that can work for pod casting. Can I upgrade? Is it too old to upgrade?
I can't figure out how to use the paperless software. It does not seem intuative. I asked for help but no response so far from the district office. I know everyone is busy this time of year.
My plans for my two weeks away from the classroom: fill out grant forms for Digital Wishlist, call the Egyptian museum to schedule my trip with my Discovery grant, sign up for two classes at Foothill college, and of course lesson plan for January. May be I can ski a few runs as well.
I wrote for another grant for a back up disk for my mac computer and my scanner to help with my digital portfolio project. I also asked for 16 chrome netbooks to use google in my class exclusively. I will have to learn how to do photo's and video's with just a netbook if I get picked to pilot these.
My math students picked their famous mathematicians. I let them do their own google search to find who they wanted to study. This was before our party today.
My social studies students need more help in review before being sent to enter into their google form. I need to review the answers I am looking for. Some of them need to write it in their notebook before putting it online.
I had both Language Arts classes learn how to set up a new gogle doc but entering the inside of the holiday card they were making for their families. That was cool. They seem to catch on really quick and love to help each other get there. The quirk was printing the. It seems everything needs to go to adobe before it can print? Any advise?
I found the flip cameras really don't work on my macs. My son's mac which is over 9 years old does not have a garage band that can work for pod casting. Can I upgrade? Is it too old to upgrade?
I can't figure out how to use the paperless software. It does not seem intuative. I asked for help but no response so far from the district office. I know everyone is busy this time of year.
My plans for my two weeks away from the classroom: fill out grant forms for Digital Wishlist, call the Egyptian museum to schedule my trip with my Discovery grant, sign up for two classes at Foothill college, and of course lesson plan for January. May be I can ski a few runs as well.
Merit Week 15
I had my dog in my classroom today as I was on my way from school to Tahoe asap. My students just loved her. They stroked her while they entered their data on the computers.
I used google forms. I prepared the vocabulary as a google form and let my students type away. It was great. I do need to add a name spot as learing their codes is a bit overwhelming. But at a glance I can tell if they understand a term. I just look down the spread sheet and see if just one student is off or most of them. I can tell at a moment if a reteach is needed. My students are so fast at this process. I think they like it.
My students are using Tween Tribune. It has been a real hit. I had students telling me, "No I will not read. I don't care about the blog points." But now when there is 10 or 15 minutes left of my 90 minute period, they are asking, "Can I make a comment on tween tribune?" What can I say but, "of course". They are reading. It is not a book yet but...
We are enjoying the novel Freak the Mighty. At first, they complained. Do we have to read this. But now they all seem engaged. They may identify with the main character -- who has been in a learning disabled classroom.
My new student, Jesus, is overwhelmed with all the technology. He used in the ipad and was in awe. I tell him I write grants to have this cool stuff. I don't tell him how I beg from family members for their old stuff.
I used google forms. I prepared the vocabulary as a google form and let my students type away. It was great. I do need to add a name spot as learing their codes is a bit overwhelming. But at a glance I can tell if they understand a term. I just look down the spread sheet and see if just one student is off or most of them. I can tell at a moment if a reteach is needed. My students are so fast at this process. I think they like it.
My students are using Tween Tribune. It has been a real hit. I had students telling me, "No I will not read. I don't care about the blog points." But now when there is 10 or 15 minutes left of my 90 minute period, they are asking, "Can I make a comment on tween tribune?" What can I say but, "of course". They are reading. It is not a book yet but...
We are enjoying the novel Freak the Mighty. At first, they complained. Do we have to read this. But now they all seem engaged. They may identify with the main character -- who has been in a learning disabled classroom.
My new student, Jesus, is overwhelmed with all the technology. He used in the ipad and was in awe. I tell him I write grants to have this cool stuff. I don't tell him how I beg from family members for their old stuff.
Merit Week 14
This week I introduced three of my classes to Tween Tribune. http://tweentribune.com/ They love it. I have been having trouble getting some boys to read and enter details on their blog. I offered that they could do two of these articles instead of that. Wow, there was great response. Each student will do one a week. They read a short article and then write at least five sentences back in response as a comment. Then I can access their comments and release them as well as grade them.
I also received my scanner. Wow, I love it. I am still waiting for the software to arrive but so far it is great. I can scan the spelling tests and then return them to the students. I will be able to see what type of words they are misspelling and see if I can spot a trend in their mistakes. I can reteach... It is small and fits write on my desk. I can unplug it and put it in my file cabinet for the weekend Yea!
Now I want to write another grant for memory to store all these wonderful files of my students. That is my job for this weekend.
I received good news on my Target grant. They have funded my $500 to take my social studies class to the Egyptian Museum. How cool is that? I am so excited for my class. I think they will really love it. I should receive the paperwork in one week to work out all of the details.
I have been busy this week teaching about circuits and bits, etc. I am preparing my math class for a trip to the Intel Museum. We leave on Wednesday. We practiced on how to write directions to make a peanut butter sandwich. It was funny when I put the jar of pnb on the bread. I told them a computer only does what you tell it to do exactly. I hope the field trip goes well. I invited a few students from my other section to attend with us. I told them the permission slips were due on Friday. Two students went home after school and brought them back before I left so they could attend. I was impressed.
I have a student who loves using my ipad every day. He waits until all the other computers have been used before asking if he could use that. I also pass out the ipod touches for them to look up words on dictionary.com. I find some students are a little afraid of using the comptuer and when they start with that devise they become more comfortable going to a computer.
I signed up for Grad school. I go Thursday nights starting in January. It will be a busy time. I was reviewed this week by the head of HR and next week my principle wants to watch me teach. Now I have to think about how I want to teach about ancient India and China....
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Merit Week 13
I stopped fighting the wireless connection on my old mac laptop and connect direct and it works great! My student can print her work whenever she wants! Yea! I had three IEP's this week. It is great that it is all done on computer. Our xerox copier is on its last leg so it is exciting to be moving toward a paperless classroom.
We video taped the math Thanksgiving Project. Some students were finished and others were not but we all talked about the math involved in planning a Thanksgiving Dinner. In social studies we finished blogging about our books and prepared and final report. In language arts each student completed their book report! Yea. I just have grading to do over the break.
Upcoming: We plan to make a podcast of winter stories. We hope to read in the K -1 classrooms. We hope to find some math websites we like as a class. I need to make a lesson plan using the scanner for lessonopoly. I ordered the scanner and a new flip for my classroom. Christmas is coming early!
Merit Week 12
My students love the new Mac computers. They finish their work quickly so they have a chance to use one of them to do their blogs.
I loved going to Cue Fall in Napa. I enjoyed the Opening and Closing Key Note Speakers as well as Iron Cue. The first session I attended was: Get Your eduGlog On!
Katie WarrenMulti, TL, IN, IT A202 Administration Building
I want to start doing Glogs in my classroom. Hopefully soon.
The second session I attended was:
Digital Storytelling Across the Curriculum
Arnie Abrams 2007
I feel this is a great device to get my students writing. They can do a story about themselves using pictures. It would be great to have digital cameras for the students to use. I will teach them how to write down where the obtained their pictures from the web if they use those.
The next session I attended was:
Intervention by Google
Kyle Brumbaugh, 2137
Elizabeth Calhoon Here I learned about Google Reader and Google Books. I set up some for my class already. I learned more about the power of Google docs.
The Next Session I attended was:
I Have the Software, I Have the Skills… Now What?!
Dave Kootman 2061
Over all this was not my favorite workshop. Dave has not been in a classroom for two years. He only had elementary experience. He had 1/2 of his class use the computers at a time and then had them trade places so everyone had a chance to use the computers. This does not fit into a 45 min middle school class setting.
My final session I attended was:
Free, and Easy: Great Free &
Open Source Resources
Brian Bridgesand
Check out CRLN. There are so many free apps out there. It was amazing.
So Saturday was a great day for learning. On Sunday I wrote my plan for Merit. Monday my students worked on their blogs. I decided to pair strong students with the weaker ones to help them out. It seemed to work really well. I hope to do some more of that next week. My students are having trouble using excel so I think I will try to teach everyone to use Google docs next week to finish their math spread sheet on Thanksgiving Dinner.
I am looing forward to March SV Cue. I wish I could meet with the other Cambrian attenders of Cue and share information. When would we have the time?
Merit Week 11
Wow, the weeks can go from bad to great. My broken computer was fixed and replaced. My two mac were delivered and work great. I had two flat screen monitors installed to replace two that looked like they would fall off the table. And best of all - I received a $500 grant for a new scanner to work on e-portfolio's. I am so excited. But the icing on the cake is that I am in Napa and the CUE conference. I got to hear Rushton Hurley on "The 'Even More' of Educational Technology: Its Pedagogical, Professional, and Personal Power. This was our free gift xrl.us/RustoninNapa so check it out. The link to Neuron Functions made me think how my students might learn things. I can't wait to share it with them.
More students seem to be blogging. I have them take notes before going to the computers. That does seem to help. But I think adding video might really encourage them to do more. We read in our social studies text book a short play. They can't wait to perform it because I tape it for their portfolio.
CNN Student News has my students really engaged. After the news we look at maps and see where the countries are located. We guess together during the news program and they love to see me guess wrong.
My students seem to have short attention spans so I really need to work on only doing things for 15 minute increments. What is hard is that I have my students for over 3 periods a day and some for 4 periods a day. I think we almost get tired of each other.
I want to work on response to questions via the cell phone. I think my students will really like that. I need to start thinking of project 4. My two old computers will not be replaced. There are no old 4G's available so I can't have google earth installed on all computers. I still want to do a google earth trip.
We are starting the Diary of the Wimpy Kid in 6th grade Language Arts. I wonder if they could write a report in the style of the book? There is never enough time...
More students seem to be blogging. I have them take notes before going to the computers. That does seem to help. But I think adding video might really encourage them to do more. We read in our social studies text book a short play. They can't wait to perform it because I tape it for their portfolio.
CNN Student News has my students really engaged. After the news we look at maps and see where the countries are located. We guess together during the news program and they love to see me guess wrong.
My students seem to have short attention spans so I really need to work on only doing things for 15 minute increments. What is hard is that I have my students for over 3 periods a day and some for 4 periods a day. I think we almost get tired of each other.
I want to work on response to questions via the cell phone. I think my students will really like that. I need to start thinking of project 4. My two old computers will not be replaced. There are no old 4G's available so I can't have google earth installed on all computers. I still want to do a google earth trip.
We are starting the Diary of the Wimpy Kid in 6th grade Language Arts. I wonder if they could write a report in the style of the book? There is never enough time...
Merit Week 10
Today I filmed my students reading their Halloween stories. It is so cute. We paste bones with words on them. They use all 20 of them in the story. They read it aloud to the class. We use each others names in the story. I have jumped over grave stones and been scared by zombies. Now I just need time to make it into a movie.
My broken computer was picked up! Yea it is just a video card that needs replacement.
My room was used for the babysitting for Latino night. It looked great but when I went to use my projector I found it had been unplugged. I don't really know what all the plugs go to between the projector and the document camera and the computer. It was touch and go for a while but I made it work. I used the computer to show a powerpoint with my vocabulary words each week. I click on just the word. The students guess the definition. Usually they ask for a clue which is a picture. I am up late on Monday nights matching pictures with the defintions the come up with during class on Monday. I let them research the word from the story and come up with a short definition. I had a new girl come to my class on Wednesday and with just two days in class received a 100 on the vocabulary test.
I have been promised the two mac computers will be installed next week. I need 22 inches for each computer. I measured and I am set. I need to work on student portfolios next week. I hope I receive the grant so I can just scan all student work. I do take pictures of art work. I need to spend time moving files around and renaming them. I need 8 hours to do just that.
Tomorrow I am off to the county office of education to learn about the new standards and how to measure them for student success. I am off tonight to the lecture.
I did go to the Tech Museum on Sunday. Remember membership is free for teachers. I took pictures with my iphone. I went to iphoto and made a slide show. I can't wait to show my students. I am weak on my world history so attending the exhibit was great for me. I showed my aide and she loved it. I should look for Mongolian music to set it to. I did buy a connection so I can link my macbook with my projector in the classroom. I usually have it set up to my pc.
I found the training on the google sites class great. I connected it to my webpage and now students have to use their login for our Cambrian domain to see it. I plan to put my you tube videos of my students there as well as move most pictures to that site. I have had fun building it. I also am archiving my spelling and vocabulary words there so I can remember what I did. My students always remember that I gave that word before.
Merit Week 7 - 9
I had Friday off as a furlough day so I did not write in my blog. I am thinking about a blog for my social studies class as a 3rd project. Should I start a forum for ideas?
I don't want to think about the negatives but I have had one computer stop working and no response on the call ticket I sent in. I have two computers that won't load Google Earth so I can't really start that project. The two apple computers I have been promised have yet to be delivered.
My students are becoming lax about their blogs. Should I have them present their blogs to the class? Maybe that would perk things up.
I am thinking about reading holiday picture books with the class to the K/1 classes next door. Perhaps by then we can make podcasts for them.
I really want to do the facebook famous mathematicians project. Has anyone set up these forms?
Any ideas for 3rd projects?
Merit Week 6
Life has been a blur and I have missed writing about week 6 and week 7. I have done six IEP's already. I have one student on a behavioral plan. I have done complete testing on three students so far. (extra 8 hours) (Maybe this is why I have missed these entries?) The two new I macs have still not been delivered to my classroom. I found out 2 other teachers on campus will be getting them also. How exciting.
The last week of September I filmed my students reading to the Ks and1's at Famatre. They loved it. I am working on making a movie...
I made a movie and it was presented to the Cambrian School board on Thursday night Oct 14th. It was from my class last year. Classroom 28 reads. The board really loved it. They say the self esteem of my 'special' students as well as the love we felt for our students when we watched it. I do need to learn how to post my movies to YouTube and then have password protection.
I sent home the special permission slip so all students would have email, participate in my blogs, etc. The parents signed it but did not make email accounts. One parent refused and did not understand they needed to provided their student with a memory stick.
I started a blog with my social studies students. They are so excited. They were each handed a different children's book about Egypt. They need to write about their book online and make two comments a week on another students book. By the middle of November they are to write a book report about their book. I hope the blog helps them prepare material for this. Do you think this would be a good project?
BIg news! I bought an Ipad. I love it. I can watch movies at Netflix. Wow the power on it really stays. I have used it in the classroom. My students have used it for Dictionary.com and also to make blog entries. I love it. Only problem - I thought I could share the apps on my projector so all students could watch and participate. It does not work. I guess I will return the connection for the projector. Any advice?
More big news - I am finally connected to they school messages via google docs. It took a while and many emails. But I finally got my first one yesterday.
I wrote two grants. One for a field trip to the Egyptian museum and the other for a scanner. I would like to go paperless for portfolio's. I am happy I wrote those two lesson plans so I could quickly submit my grant.
My low tech update for this time period was a tape recorder. I have a student who cannot read. So I found some books on tape at our school library. But there are no tape recorders at school. I had to ask and did not find one that works. So I asked the DO and one was sent to me. Now when I have my students read their book for 10 minutes before posting on their blog, he listens and follows the story. I hope his blog improves.
New problem: The wireless internet now seem intermittent. Some times it works and some times it does not. Help. When I need it, I need it. I have given a lap top to a student who can not write and am having trouble printing wirelessly. She types her spelling tests, her class notes and then was to print to my printer 6 feet away. Some days it works and some days it does not. Also when I try to use my new mac laptop, I have no internet connection. I sent in a help ticket but...
I have signed up for the Cue conference in Napa Nov 5 -6. Is anyone else going?
Merit Week 5
I am shocked, where did the five weeks go? Good news! I was awarded two i-mac's for my classroom for the District Office. I don't know when I will receive them but it is very good news. I now am up to 13 students in my math class and would like the computer so I don't have to use the whole lab for only 13 students.
Kids Blog is going along but not the quality that I would like. I am doing a example using the book we are reading in class. I have had two students ask if they could blog about that book. I guess I am doing a good example. But I said no, you need to read another book.
I am taping my students while they are reading the books they choose to read to the K/1 class next week. We examine the footage. I said the swinging on the chair was a bit distracting for me but my students said it was not for them.
I am using a powerpoint with pictures of each vocabulary word and they are doing amazing on their vocabulary tests. I feel I need to use technology to help with a few students spelling but don't have ideas for that yet.
One student who has trouble writing is now using my laptop for all assignments. Her spelling is still very inventive so I need to discuss the left click button and spelling options with her. But at least I have something written from her. I also have my digital recorder available if that will help production.
My goal for next week is to make podcasts for the K/1 teacher. Again this is just a goal.
I am teaching my math students how to use excel. They are trying to cheat by just writing in the answer instead of using formulas. I have to show them how I can check this. It was a bit overwelming when I took them to the computer lab. One student said, "Google Earth just opened up by itself." I moved him up near me. Many of the students stay on task and did wonderful. Any advice? I loved to hear some.
I did not make another Track Star this week for social studies. I wish I had taken the time but... I did show a few clips from U Tube on Ancient Civilizations. They were good. It was cool looking at the ziggurat in Ur that the US soldiers were walking up. It showed how large it really was. The students thought that was cool.
I am still trying to find the time to add my lesson plan of "Date Night" onto Lessonopoly. Maybe this weekend I will find the time. I have to test two more students and then I have 3 IEP's in two weeks. My one prep four days a week is looking very crowded.
By the way, I am also on a curriculum group at the Santa Clara County of Education and looking at the new Common Core and how to break it down to meet the new objectives in the classroom. Never a dull moment in education.
Merit Blog Week 4
I had my second back to school night. I wanted to do a prezi but relied on powerpoint. I did show the video I made this summer which the parents loved. I also showed them the kids blog live and made comments to their children while they were with me. The parents think the kids blog is great. I think that will be my second project.
I filmed my students explaining their earthquake interview. We are reading the book "Quake". My students had a homework assignment to interview a really old person and find out their experiences with the 1989 earthquake. Most of my students were eager to perform in front of the camera.
In my other language arts class, we picked out books to read to the K-1 class at the school next door. I filmed a student reading the book aloud. Then my students were to write what the story was about. Most of they just said it was about a wolf. The word 'wolf' was in the title. I reread the book and we discussed as I went until they knew the story line. We will next watch the video and add good advice on what he could do better when reading the the K-1 class. We plan to do one evaluation a day and then read to the K-1 class by the end of the month. From that I would like them to make a podcast so the students who can't read can play the file and 'read' their book.
I made the mistake today of starting a trackstar, almost completing it, and then being interrupted so it all went away. Sad!
I have been showing school tube video's almost 2 - 3 times a week. The sixth graders look forward to them. I also show CNN student news to my social studies class once per week. They like it. This week we watch the president give his speech 'life'. It was perfectly timed for my class. I liked his push for 'effort' from the students. It did get stuck a few times but I thought it was great to be watching it live. (My niece is now student teaching at that school.)
This weekend I am off to Tahoe to turn in my second Merit project and hopefully to write up the completed first project. There is never enough time....
Merit Blog Sept 9, 2010
I feel my pace has slowed down. I still do not have my mac's connected to a printer. Their is a tech tag out for them. They still do now have the school log in interface on them. I still have not tried to make the microphones work this week. But I did make garage band work on my home computer and my lap top. Yea! I send an email to set up a time for my students to read to the K-1 class. So I am excited it is in process.
My Kids Blog is started. Each student was to make 4 entries by now. I can see they needed a better guide. I was asked by a parent how to use this so I want to make a film/presentation they can watch. I also started a blog on the book we are reading together as a class so the students can see what I want. Some students are doing great. Most are trying hard.
I started to film responses to the wordle. The final print out is quite small, just a regular size piece of paper. I would have liked a large poster of it. They do forget what my 5 P's are but I do point out in class when they are not performing to the correct standard. I have five interviews and want to put together a video. Maybe I can work on it on Saturday.
While teaching early man, I used Nova to show part of a film. The students were mesmerized by it. It used some of the same pictures from the book. I also prepared a Trackstar for each week of class. They each use a computer and view a web page to obtain information to the question. I have used only vague questions so they can just explore and write down one fact they find. Perhaps this is too open ended for them. I will try more concrete questions and have the last one be an exploration. This would be another short video clip I could make so parents can help their child at home.
In math class we filmed the presentations. I have some students I hope will edit and make a film on how to do the "where did you go over the summer" project.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Embedding pictures for parents to view
I post my pictures to my Picasa account then I embed the slide show and insert in html coding. At this time the district does not allow direct use of Picasa. Because my side is only open to parents, I feel it is fine to post pictures of students learning so parents can see engaged learners.
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