Sunday, August 17, 2014
Technology to Enhance Literacy Overview
Over the past 8 weeks, I have had the opportunity to take a course that focused on using technology to enhance literacy. As I have said before, even though I am a math teacher, I know that it is important for me to encourage and enhance literacy instruction in my classroom also. Throughout this course, I have learned several new tools that I can use in my math classroom to enhance literacy. I really enjoyed making a digital story, which can easily be used in a math class and is a great way for students to practice the writing process. I have also really enjoyed blogging, which can also be used in a math class and is a perfect way to encourage collaboration with students. Feel free to check out my ePortfolio to see more of my thoughts on enhancing literacy and the first NETS-T standard.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Infographic
I created my infographic over test taking tips for students. I used Google Draw to create it and will be using it in my classroom!
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Digital Story
Here is my digital story over the life of my grandfather. I used iMovie to create it. I hope you enjoy my story!
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Digital Storytelling and the Writing Process
I have really enjoyed my experience thus far with the digital storytelling process. I believe educators need to use technology to make lessons engaging for students and to encourage students to create and collaborate. I think that digital storytelling does just that. Digital storytelling allows teachers and students to easily mesh technology with content. It is also great practice for students to select and use the digital tools best suited for their reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language goals. There are several Common Core standards that involve the use of technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writings.
The digital storytelling process allows students to use different forms of technology while following the writing process to produce and publish a writing in a creative and engaging way. With digital storytelling, the creator starts by making a plan (storyboard) and drafting a script. They can then go through the revising and editing stages. And lastly, produce a digital story that can be published and shared with others. I think most students would love the opportunity to create a digital story rather than just typing a writing and turning it in to their teacher. This allows for more engagement in the writing curriculum.
As far as my digital storytelling journey, I have chosen to create my digital story over the life of my grandfather. My grandpa passed away just 3 weeks ago on June 30th at 90 years old. He lived an wonderful, long life that I am excited to commemorate. This has been fun to hear old stories from my grandma and to go through old pictures. And I think I could use this as an example for a project that could be done with our fourth graders in the future. I am currently working on a storyboard and going through the revising and editing stage of my script. I am thrilled to produce a story that can be shared with others!
The digital storytelling process allows students to use different forms of technology while following the writing process to produce and publish a writing in a creative and engaging way. With digital storytelling, the creator starts by making a plan (storyboard) and drafting a script. They can then go through the revising and editing stages. And lastly, produce a digital story that can be published and shared with others. I think most students would love the opportunity to create a digital story rather than just typing a writing and turning it in to their teacher. This allows for more engagement in the writing curriculum.
As far as my digital storytelling journey, I have chosen to create my digital story over the life of my grandfather. My grandpa passed away just 3 weeks ago on June 30th at 90 years old. He lived an wonderful, long life that I am excited to commemorate. This has been fun to hear old stories from my grandma and to go through old pictures. And I think I could use this as an example for a project that could be done with our fourth graders in the future. I am currently working on a storyboard and going through the revising and editing stage of my script. I am thrilled to produce a story that can be shared with others!
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
My Classroom Website
How have I made my website more useful to students, families, and other educators? What gaps still remain in my website? These are great reflective questions I have chosen to answer. I started my classroom website in eMINTS training my first year of teaching using a program called Dreamweaver MX. I LOVED making my website and putting my own personal touches on it. Last summer, I transferred much of my website to Weebly.com.
My website started off mainly as a source for students to use for gathering information. But I am starting to transform my website in to more of a collaborative environment where students can not only gather information, but share and collaborate with other students. I have recently added a discussion board for students to answer discussion prompts and ask questions or share ideas with classmates. One thing I would like to look at adding is some kind of virtual portfolio for students to add projects and assignments to share with classmates and parents. My website also has several resources for parents including class schedule, contact information, newsletter, and information on Common Core. I also have a page full of links that may be useful to other teachers.
Like I said already, I love working on my website and I am always looking for ways to improve it. So check it out here and if you have any suggestions for me, please share!
My website started off mainly as a source for students to use for gathering information. But I am starting to transform my website in to more of a collaborative environment where students can not only gather information, but share and collaborate with other students. I have recently added a discussion board for students to answer discussion prompts and ask questions or share ideas with classmates. One thing I would like to look at adding is some kind of virtual portfolio for students to add projects and assignments to share with classmates and parents. My website also has several resources for parents including class schedule, contact information, newsletter, and information on Common Core. I also have a page full of links that may be useful to other teachers.
Like I said already, I love working on my website and I am always looking for ways to improve it. So check it out here and if you have any suggestions for me, please share!
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Literacy in Content Areas
I teach fourth grade math and also some social studies units. It is very easy for content area teachers to think they don't have to be concerned with teaching literacy but that is just not true. Literacy instruction involves not only reading and writing, but also listening and speaking. And students need to be given every opportunity to be practicing these key communication skills. There are many language skills and processes that help students while they are learning new content area skills.
In my math classroom, some specific examples of ways I have used literacy to support instruction are problem solving processes and math journals. While solving word problems, we have specific steps we follow which starts with fully understanding the problem. We read the problem twice and underline or circle important information and the question. After solving and checking, students are also asked to explain HOW they solved the problem either in a writing or just discussing with their shoulder partner. I have also taken it a step farther and if students got the problem wrong, I ask them to explain where they think they went wrong and how they can do it differently. My students also have a math journal, which we use for problem solving and also just basic writing prompts such as writing a note to me telling me something they learned that week or writing about their favorite or not so favorite experiences with math. For struggling readers and writers, it helps to have them discuss their ideas with a partner before they begin writing so they can get new ideas from other students.
One social studies unit I teach is over the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. We read a lot of newspaper and magazine articles discussing the topics. I have the kids write a response to a prompt I give them involving what they think an expedition is and what kind of expedition they would like to take one day. They also write about who their favorite Corps of Discovery member is and why. I really enjoy teaching social studies and I think it is a great place to support literacy instruction.
I hope to continue to find ways to teach literacy in my content area instruction. Feel free to share any other ideas you may have for me!
In my math classroom, some specific examples of ways I have used literacy to support instruction are problem solving processes and math journals. While solving word problems, we have specific steps we follow which starts with fully understanding the problem. We read the problem twice and underline or circle important information and the question. After solving and checking, students are also asked to explain HOW they solved the problem either in a writing or just discussing with their shoulder partner. I have also taken it a step farther and if students got the problem wrong, I ask them to explain where they think they went wrong and how they can do it differently. My students also have a math journal, which we use for problem solving and also just basic writing prompts such as writing a note to me telling me something they learned that week or writing about their favorite or not so favorite experiences with math. For struggling readers and writers, it helps to have them discuss their ideas with a partner before they begin writing so they can get new ideas from other students.
One social studies unit I teach is over the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. We read a lot of newspaper and magazine articles discussing the topics. I have the kids write a response to a prompt I give them involving what they think an expedition is and what kind of expedition they would like to take one day. They also write about who their favorite Corps of Discovery member is and why. I really enjoy teaching social studies and I think it is a great place to support literacy instruction.
I hope to continue to find ways to teach literacy in my content area instruction. Feel free to share any other ideas you may have for me!
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Wiki Review
I found two really great wiki's to compare. Wiki 1 is Mrs. Hopkin's 2nd grade wiki and Wiki 2 is Mr. Mendell's 4th grade wiki. I was mainly looking at the attractiveness and organization of the wiki, the hyperlinks, and if the wiki provided for good collaboration among students. Below are my thoughts in each area.
Attractiveness/Organization:
Wiki 1 has a great look and is very organized. Mrs. Hopkins has all of her pages organized under different sub-headings to allow users to find things quickly. And all the fonts and colors are visually appealing.
Wiki 2 has so many amazing resources, for all subjects, added to it but I found it to be a little unorganized and harder to navigate. However, the wiki was still very engaging and left me wanting to explore it to find all the great resources!
Hyperlinks:
Both Wiki 1 and Wiki 2 had many great links to Word documents and other websites. And they were all working! I enjoyed looking through all the links to get ideas for my classroom website.
Collaboration:
Wiki 1 had a page assigned to each student in the class where they could add projects and other assignments but I didn't find any place where students were commenting on other students pages. If students were able to comment and ask questions on each others pages, that would encourage more collaboration.
Wiki 2 had a place for students to create their own wiki, not just one page on the classroom wiki. The teacher had template pages and specific rules for students to follow when creating their wiki. There was also a chat section but I was not able to look at it without signing in to class. I think this wiki had great collaboration potential. He also has a class blog that is linked to the wiki that is really cool!
I really liked both wiki's. I think they would be very effective in the classroom. Wiki 1 was definitely set up for younger students and I think it was very age appropriate. I think wiki 2 was a great example for me to look at since I teach fourth grade and I got many great ideas from looking through it. I not only loved Mr. Mendell's wiki but his blog was great as well.
Attractiveness/Organization:
Wiki 1 has a great look and is very organized. Mrs. Hopkins has all of her pages organized under different sub-headings to allow users to find things quickly. And all the fonts and colors are visually appealing.
Wiki 2 has so many amazing resources, for all subjects, added to it but I found it to be a little unorganized and harder to navigate. However, the wiki was still very engaging and left me wanting to explore it to find all the great resources!
Hyperlinks:
Both Wiki 1 and Wiki 2 had many great links to Word documents and other websites. And they were all working! I enjoyed looking through all the links to get ideas for my classroom website.
Collaboration:
Wiki 1 had a page assigned to each student in the class where they could add projects and other assignments but I didn't find any place where students were commenting on other students pages. If students were able to comment and ask questions on each others pages, that would encourage more collaboration.
Wiki 2 had a place for students to create their own wiki, not just one page on the classroom wiki. The teacher had template pages and specific rules for students to follow when creating their wiki. There was also a chat section but I was not able to look at it without signing in to class. I think this wiki had great collaboration potential. He also has a class blog that is linked to the wiki that is really cool!
I really liked both wiki's. I think they would be very effective in the classroom. Wiki 1 was definitely set up for younger students and I think it was very age appropriate. I think wiki 2 was a great example for me to look at since I teach fourth grade and I got many great ideas from looking through it. I not only loved Mr. Mendell's wiki but his blog was great as well.
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