Reflection
There are lots of things that I would like to use (or have used) in my class. The important part is to incorporate it into my plans and objectives so that is seamless rather than an extra project. That will take some time--but I really would like to try one new thing each unit this year! Things I will try-- wordle, abcya, storybird, skype-- just to name a few. Yes, this continues to change my thinking-- I so want to incorporate this more......I just don't want it to be a chore. I want the projects and tools to enhance learning and make it more fun and hands on for the kids--this will inspire the youngest learners at our school! What do I need to change-- the layout of the room, learn more about managing the devices and keeping up with the newest and the best! Unexpected outcomes-- I have become more independent and have been able to lend a hand to those who couldn't! Having to show someone something new-- makes me have to know it on a different level and really know it! I do love doing this at home....
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tool #10
Digital Citizenship
This is such an important thing to know and learn--kids are so trusting and don't really think that there is anyone on the other side of a chatroom, etc.....
Three things that I think are important in prek about digital citizenship--
1. Be safe-- always ask parent, teacher or an adult before visiting a website or looking for things on the internet and know that all info is not true!
2. Be secure-- don't set up passwords etc... without parent help
3. Be kind-- think about the way you say and do things on line
I thought that brainpop, edtech and i safe were great ways to introduce the subject to the kids. In prek-- they take things so literally-- so I would try to connect it with normal rules that they already are familiar with. I also like to teach with non examples-- this would be an easy way to get this info across to the kids.
As a parent, I know that there is a lot to learn about digital citizenship-- parents often let the kids in the drivers seat-- I think that it is important to start the foundation of parent involvement for the start!
This is such an important thing to know and learn--kids are so trusting and don't really think that there is anyone on the other side of a chatroom, etc.....
Three things that I think are important in prek about digital citizenship--
1. Be safe-- always ask parent, teacher or an adult before visiting a website or looking for things on the internet and know that all info is not true!
2. Be secure-- don't set up passwords etc... without parent help
3. Be kind-- think about the way you say and do things on line
I thought that brainpop, edtech and i safe were great ways to introduce the subject to the kids. In prek-- they take things so literally-- so I would try to connect it with normal rules that they already are familiar with. I also like to teach with non examples-- this would be an easy way to get this info across to the kids.
As a parent, I know that there is a lot to learn about digital citizenship-- parents often let the kids in the drivers seat-- I think that it is important to start the foundation of parent involvement for the start!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Tool #8
District Devices
I really didn't know much about the netbooks--but they are so much like a computer it really didn't seem too difficult--this is where google apps will come in handy
I am not sure how many devices I will actually get, but I did learn that they will all have to have different names--It will be interesting to see how I can keep this straight. Managing the devices makes me nervous-- I see how our librarian tries to keep all of the equipment updated and I truly don't know how she does it. Establishing rules are going to be most important to allow the children to get the most out of the devices. I am interested to see how the kids react to more technology in the classroom-- we are currently and very little so anybody working on a computer is quite disruptive. I am so looking forward to technology to be a part of the classroom rather than a distraction and a babysitter!
I really didn't know much about the netbooks--but they are so much like a computer it really didn't seem too difficult--this is where google apps will come in handy
I am not sure how many devices I will actually get, but I did learn that they will all have to have different names--It will be interesting to see how I can keep this straight. Managing the devices makes me nervous-- I see how our librarian tries to keep all of the equipment updated and I truly don't know how she does it. Establishing rules are going to be most important to allow the children to get the most out of the devices. I am interested to see how the kids react to more technology in the classroom-- we are currently and very little so anybody working on a computer is quite disruptive. I am so looking forward to technology to be a part of the classroom rather than a distraction and a babysitter!
Tool #7
Collaborative Project
Comparing data about plants with other classes learning the Young Naturalist Unit
TLW share and compare data and info about plant growth with other prek classes thoughout the district
This would definitely be a large group project using school tube, discovery learning and google docs to share data with other schools. It would be similar to what we already do-- but it would be validated with data from other classrooms.
Overall, I am not sure that this type of project is for the benefit of adults or students at this age--
I looked at Class2class and noticed that it was not a very up to date database-- mostly from 2001-- in the world of technology-- that was a long time ago!
Comparing data about plants with other classes learning the Young Naturalist Unit
TLW share and compare data and info about plant growth with other prek classes thoughout the district
This would definitely be a large group project using school tube, discovery learning and google docs to share data with other schools. It would be similar to what we already do-- but it would be validated with data from other classrooms.
Overall, I am not sure that this type of project is for the benefit of adults or students at this age--
I looked at Class2class and noticed that it was not a very up to date database-- mostly from 2001-- in the world of technology-- that was a long time ago!
Tool #6
I tried several of the applications-- twitter, today's meet and skype and of course, google docs
Skype was the one I could see using in the prek classroom the most--
What a great opportunity to connect with experts in the many areas that we are learning and even other prek classrooms thoughout the district or the world. I also see it as an opportunity for parents to read to the class that can't get away from the office and be experts in our classroom.
We used Today's meet in a faculty meeting and I loved it! I thought it was a safe environment to ask questions and to be "on topic" during a meeting I can see this being used in PTA meetings and other various meetings-- what a great thing!
Twitter- not my thing! I don't actually understand it and there are so many "social" options I don't know when to stop.
Blogger- I have used a blog for several things-- the problem is me and mainenance of the site! I have a hard time staying current and spending the time needed to keep it a real tool for classroom information!
Skype was the one I could see using in the prek classroom the most--
What a great opportunity to connect with experts in the many areas that we are learning and even other prek classrooms thoughout the district or the world. I also see it as an opportunity for parents to read to the class that can't get away from the office and be experts in our classroom.
We used Today's meet in a faculty meeting and I loved it! I thought it was a safe environment to ask questions and to be "on topic" during a meeting I can see this being used in PTA meetings and other various meetings-- what a great thing!
Twitter- not my thing! I don't actually understand it and there are so many "social" options I don't know when to stop.
Blogger- I have used a blog for several things-- the problem is me and mainenance of the site! I have a hard time staying current and spending the time needed to keep it a real tool for classroom information!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tool #5
Things That I Like by Katspause11 on StorybirdI tried something new! Storybird! I thought it was a great way to incorporate art and it was easy to use! I think the kids could use this to tell us about themselves at the beginning of the year or use words to describe themselves or what they love-- as a home project! It was easy to use--and it would be a great way to share feelings and thoughts on various pictures.Wordle is another great tool. We could use it in the early childhood classroom as a post project--to show what we know and vocabulary words that we have learned in a unit! Another project when we are learning about feelings and ourselves-- the kids could list words that describe themselves and the class can guess who this describes!
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I tried and added ABCya-- just like wordle!
Tool #4
Google apps--docs and forms
I had already taken a class on basics of google apps--so I kinda knew about the basics. I do love the thought of sharing a document instead of always looking for the latest e-mail that contains the most recent document! Saves a lot of time and paper! Now, as for the forms--I loved the survey stuff-- but it would work best with my parents-- not my littlest ones! I could include a survey in my weekly newsletter and use the results in math and graphing.
I had already taken a class on basics of google apps--so I kinda knew about the basics. I do love the thought of sharing a document instead of always looking for the latest e-mail that contains the most recent document! Saves a lot of time and paper! Now, as for the forms--I loved the survey stuff-- but it would work best with my parents-- not my littlest ones! I could include a survey in my weekly newsletter and use the results in math and graphing.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Tool #2
I visited several sites and even have them coming to my google reader--Just when do I visit my reader, though! So I decided to subscribe to a few and send them to my e-mail. I am more apt to read this. I did find a great Prek blog for technology-- written by several different people. Had some great ideas and step by step instructions with a time estimation as well. Lots of the ideas were from web2.o-- All of this is such great info-- but until I get a project in mind or a way to incorporate it seamlessly into my schedule-- all that it will be is great ideas but nothing to show for it!
Also, when I was reading one of these-- I realized that I want a document camera--(instead of an overhead-in which never works more than a week!) I know I gave mine up-- any chance to get another one? Wishful thinking?
Below you will see all the wonderful things I could use the document camera for in my class! Is this a good argument?
Word Walls: Create mini thematic word walls in Word using clip art, print and lay under the document camera during writers workshop or journal time so the students can easily see the words if needed. Free printable word walls are available on all of my theme pages (see resources).
Poems and Charts:
ABC Manipulatives: Use the ABC manipulatives from the Lakeshore ABC tubs. Place the little manipulatives under the document camera and have the students name each object and listen to the initial sound. This way all students can clearly see the tiny objects. Put one object that does not belong under the camera and see if they can figure out which one doesn’t belong. Lakeshore also has word family tubs that you can do the same thing with.
Question of the Day: Project your question of the day on the screen. Have it up and running when the students walk in so they can do it first thing in the morning before class begins. Students can respond by placing their name card or clothespin in a can under the big screen. I use coffee cans with a happy face on the “yes” can and a sad face on the “no” can.
Class Rules: Print your classroom rules in Word using clip art. Project your rules on the screen using the document camera every time you are getting ready to use the cart or for reminders throughout the day. Have your class helper (leader, star student etc) come to the screen and point to each rule for the class. This is a very effective method and has been a lifesaver in my classroom this year. Who can ignore the rules if they are projected on a HUGE screen?
Show and Tell: If you do show and tell make a new rule that all items need to fit under the document camera, and then let students show their items on the big screen. Everybody’s sure to pay attention when they can all see everything, no more “I can’t see!”
Making Words: Using magnetic letters has never been more fun that it is under the document camera! Use your letters to spell words; place some letters (you have secretly already pre-selected which letters) under the camera and let the kids come up and try to spell a sight word from their list.
Environmental PrintPlace a piece of environmental print under the document camera (see link to Hubbard’s Cupboard in resources) and ask the students to help you find where to place it on the word wall. You can also place it in an envelope and slowly pull it out revealing only a little at a time and see if they can guess what it is.
Rainbow Writing: Place a sheet of white paper under the document camera and write a large letter on it using a black marker. As you write the letter talk the children through it; “Where should I start writing my letter? At the top or bottom of the paper? O.K., I’m starting at the top and now I’m going straight down and sliding to the right. What letter is it?” Next, have one student at a time come up and trace the letter with crayons using correct letter formation, talk each student through the letter just like you did before. Each student chooses a different color to give it a “rainbow effect”. Post these around the room for educational decorations.
What’s Missing: This is a very fun memory game. Place several objects under the document camera (you can use the Lakeshore ABC manipulatives mentioned earlier) and then use the Freeze feature on your document camera and take one item away. Now unfreeze the camera and have the students guess which object is missing- my kids LOVE this game and they have become pros. This activity helps students learn to pay attention and notice details, which is a valuable skill when noticing letters, shapes of letters, and their similarities and differences.
Following Directions: If you do any type of art projects (TLC art etc) you will love this next idea! Demonstrating how to do a project is always a hassle, the ones in the back can’t see the details, they don’t pay attention etc. Now, just demo your lessons using the document camera and you will be absolutely amazed how much better your students will become at following directions- guaranteed!!! I’ve taught cutting skills, gluing skills, how to roll the glue stick up and down, how to squeeze little dots of liquid glue etc with the document camera and my kids are all pros now!
Math Manipulatives: You can place unifix cubes, bear counters, or any manipulative under your document camera to show your students how to sort, demonstrate one-to-one correspondence, more/less, positional words, longer than/bigger than/taller than etc, the possibilities are endless!
Science:
Picture Schedule: Show your students the daily schedule using the document camera. Place under the doc camera and project on the screen when they arrive in the morning. The sequence could have things like “1) put away your backpack, 2) put your folder in the basket, 3) get your journal…” etc.
Texts: Small books that you couldn’t otherwise use in large group are great for showing with the document camera (little readers etc). The document camera is has replaced the need for expensive big books.
Name Activities: Leader name sentence strips w/mystery envelope use under the document camera, to view this lesson in it’s entirety go to the resources section and click on the link to Read Write Think.
Money: Using the zoom feature on the document camera place coins under the camera to show detail and prompt discussion. This is especially helpful since many coins are now being re-designed and finding pictures of the new coins is somewhat problematic, especially if one of your objectives is teaching money.
Interactive Writing: You can do your interactive writing on paper under the document camera, no more losing the attention of the kids sitting in the back, now everybody can see. My kids love to see their friends writing on the big screen. You can use pencil pointers, wikki stix, highlighting tape, highlighters, etc to point out features in the writing.
Concepts of Print: Using real texts or student writing you can search for certain letters, spaces between words, words in a sentence, punctuation, show left to right progression, return sweep etc Use fun pencil pointers, wikki stix, highlighting tape, highlighters, etc
Display Student Work: Using the document camera we project student writing in journals or surveys the students have taken from Read and Write Around the Room to show examples of good work and to point out features of writing. This is a real motivator for writing, you will be surprised how your students will rise to the occasion.
blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/technology/
prekpages.com
Also, when I was reading one of these-- I realized that I want a document camera--(instead of an overhead-in which never works more than a week!) I know I gave mine up-- any chance to get another one? Wishful thinking?
Below you will see all the wonderful things I could use the document camera for in my class! Is this a good argument?
Word Walls: Create mini thematic word walls in Word using clip art, print and lay under the document camera during writers workshop or journal time so the students can easily see the words if needed. Free printable word walls are available on all of my theme pages (see resources).
Poems and Charts:
- Letter Identification/letter sounds: Make Dr. Jean’s Letter Baby w/paper plate and put under the document camera. Play the song “I’ve Got the Whole Alphabet in My Mouth” while spinning the wheel with the song.
- Letter Identification/letter sounds: Put an ABC chart under the document camera to use with Dr. Jean’s song “Who Let the Letters Out?” Or you can use the chart when you are doing interactive writing and the student needs to find a particular letter. This way the whole class can see and help in the selection.
- Concepts of Print: Type out the words to the Frog Street color songs or any poem or song in Word, then put under the ELMO and have students follow along on the big screen with a big pointer as you say the poem or sing. You can add clip art to make it look “pretty” and to give contextual clues to the students.
ABC Manipulatives: Use the ABC manipulatives from the Lakeshore ABC tubs. Place the little manipulatives under the document camera and have the students name each object and listen to the initial sound. This way all students can clearly see the tiny objects. Put one object that does not belong under the camera and see if they can figure out which one doesn’t belong. Lakeshore also has word family tubs that you can do the same thing with.
Question of the Day: Project your question of the day on the screen. Have it up and running when the students walk in so they can do it first thing in the morning before class begins. Students can respond by placing their name card or clothespin in a can under the big screen. I use coffee cans with a happy face on the “yes” can and a sad face on the “no” can.
Class Rules: Print your classroom rules in Word using clip art. Project your rules on the screen using the document camera every time you are getting ready to use the cart or for reminders throughout the day. Have your class helper (leader, star student etc) come to the screen and point to each rule for the class. This is a very effective method and has been a lifesaver in my classroom this year. Who can ignore the rules if they are projected on a HUGE screen?
Show and Tell: If you do show and tell make a new rule that all items need to fit under the document camera, and then let students show their items on the big screen. Everybody’s sure to pay attention when they can all see everything, no more “I can’t see!”
Making Words: Using magnetic letters has never been more fun that it is under the document camera! Use your letters to spell words; place some letters (you have secretly already pre-selected which letters) under the camera and let the kids come up and try to spell a sight word from their list.
Environmental PrintPlace a piece of environmental print under the document camera (see link to Hubbard’s Cupboard in resources) and ask the students to help you find where to place it on the word wall. You can also place it in an envelope and slowly pull it out revealing only a little at a time and see if they can guess what it is.
Rainbow Writing: Place a sheet of white paper under the document camera and write a large letter on it using a black marker. As you write the letter talk the children through it; “Where should I start writing my letter? At the top or bottom of the paper? O.K., I’m starting at the top and now I’m going straight down and sliding to the right. What letter is it?” Next, have one student at a time come up and trace the letter with crayons using correct letter formation, talk each student through the letter just like you did before. Each student chooses a different color to give it a “rainbow effect”. Post these around the room for educational decorations.
What’s Missing: This is a very fun memory game. Place several objects under the document camera (you can use the Lakeshore ABC manipulatives mentioned earlier) and then use the Freeze feature on your document camera and take one item away. Now unfreeze the camera and have the students guess which object is missing- my kids LOVE this game and they have become pros. This activity helps students learn to pay attention and notice details, which is a valuable skill when noticing letters, shapes of letters, and their similarities and differences.
Following Directions: If you do any type of art projects (TLC art etc) you will love this next idea! Demonstrating how to do a project is always a hassle, the ones in the back can’t see the details, they don’t pay attention etc. Now, just demo your lessons using the document camera and you will be absolutely amazed how much better your students will become at following directions- guaranteed!!! I’ve taught cutting skills, gluing skills, how to roll the glue stick up and down, how to squeeze little dots of liquid glue etc with the document camera and my kids are all pros now!
Math Manipulatives: You can place unifix cubes, bear counters, or any manipulative under your document camera to show your students how to sort, demonstrate one-to-one correspondence, more/less, positional words, longer than/bigger than/taller than etc, the possibilities are endless!
Science:
- Place real life objects like leaves, worms, cactus under the document camera to prompt scientific inquiry. We showed the students how to plant their seeds using the document camera. We put the dirt in the cup, poked a hole in the dirt, put the seed in the hole, covered the hole, and watered it. Then the students planted their seeds independently. We checked the progress of our seeds each day under the document camera so the whole class could see.
- We have caterpillars in our classroom for one of our science units. First, we showed our real caterpillars under the document camera so everybody could see them clearly. We discussed their different features and answered all questions the students had. Every time we placed the caterpillars under the camera they started moving around a lot, maybe because of the heat from the bulb, the kids were fascinated. Then, I showed a clip of the life cycle of a butterfly using United Streaming to the class to establish prior knowledge; the clip showed a time lapse of a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly- the kids were spellbound!
Picture Schedule: Show your students the daily schedule using the document camera. Place under the doc camera and project on the screen when they arrive in the morning. The sequence could have things like “1) put away your backpack, 2) put your folder in the basket, 3) get your journal…” etc.
Texts: Small books that you couldn’t otherwise use in large group are great for showing with the document camera (little readers etc). The document camera is has replaced the need for expensive big books.
Name Activities: Leader name sentence strips w/mystery envelope use under the document camera, to view this lesson in it’s entirety go to the resources section and click on the link to Read Write Think.
Money: Using the zoom feature on the document camera place coins under the camera to show detail and prompt discussion. This is especially helpful since many coins are now being re-designed and finding pictures of the new coins is somewhat problematic, especially if one of your objectives is teaching money.
Interactive Writing: You can do your interactive writing on paper under the document camera, no more losing the attention of the kids sitting in the back, now everybody can see. My kids love to see their friends writing on the big screen. You can use pencil pointers, wikki stix, highlighting tape, highlighters, etc to point out features in the writing.
Concepts of Print: Using real texts or student writing you can search for certain letters, spaces between words, words in a sentence, punctuation, show left to right progression, return sweep etc Use fun pencil pointers, wikki stix, highlighting tape, highlighters, etc
Display Student Work: Using the document camera we project student writing in journals or surveys the students have taken from Read and Write Around the Room to show examples of good work and to point out features of writing. This is a real motivator for writing, you will be surprised how your students will rise to the occasion.
blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/technology/
prekpages.com
Tool #1
Blog and Voki
My biggest frustration is the many accounts, passwords and juggling between the different accounts. Because of this-- I am unable to get my Voki onto my blog. I have already spent about 2 hours-- and I officially quit. Now, I am looking forward to seeing what the Voki site has for teachers--
A few minutes later-- not any for prek but some great things for older kids. I think I can use Voki as an attention grabber--I know my kids would like that-- even giving simple instructions for a short task or a good morning message.
My biggest frustration is the many accounts, passwords and juggling between the different accounts. Because of this-- I am unable to get my Voki onto my blog. I have already spent about 2 hours-- and I officially quit. Now, I am looking forward to seeing what the Voki site has for teachers--
A few minutes later-- not any for prek but some great things for older kids. I think I can use Voki as an attention grabber--I know my kids would like that-- even giving simple instructions for a short task or a good morning message.
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