I teach computer to K-5th graders. Today...as I'm erasing my white board...I am wondering about what I'm teaching. In the last two weeks the following words have been erased from my whiteboard:
Space, Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Weather, Water Cycle, Cloud, Tornado, Hurricane, Cumulus, Cumulonimbus, Stratus, Cirrus, Cirriocumulus, Mammal, Bird, Reptile, Amphibian, Fish, Invertebrate, Rocks, Minerals, Crystals Sedimentary, Metamorphic, Igneous, Sandstone Shale, Limestone, Chalk Granite Basalt, Obsidian, Pumice, Coal, Marble, Slate, Quartzite, Quartz, Feldspar, Mica, Calcite, Halite, Talk Galena, Pyrite, Copper Sulfide, Sulfur, Simple Machines, Lever, Pulley, Wedge, Wheel and Axle, Inclined Plane, and Screw.
Intersting words for a computer lab...don't you think?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Main Accomplishments
Last year my biggest accomplishment, the one thing I felt most proud of, was having 1st graders create powerpoints. I never thought I would ever in my life be doing powerpoint with 1st graders.
This year, I already know what my main accomplishment is, the one thing I feel most proud of. Once again it has to do with 1st graders. My 1st graders a couple of weeks ago posted their animal habitat movies onto docushare so that they can share them with their friends and family.
I really love student docushare. I often want to share my students work with their family, but posting it all on the school webpage is too time consuming for 650 students. This makes it so easy for the student to upload their own document and then if they choose to share it, they can.
I've had more parents comment on their students work this year. I think what excites me most is the thought that if they can do this in 1st grade, what will they be able to do if I'm still working with them when they are 5th graders? I've noticed, this being my third year, that all the work is paying off. The students are able to get through projects faster. What used to take 8 weeks is only taking 5 or 6 because the foundation is built and all we have to do is build on that foundation.
I think the most important thing I "taught" this year was the students user name and password. They use it every time they come into class. A great number of my 1st Graders have it memorized (along with my 2nd-5th graders). I have saved so much time next year. It took me a long time to teach it this year, but the reward will come next year.
Other things this year have been hugely positive. Having my Kindergarteners for 50 minutes this year has been fantastic! First of all, I haven't had a single student in tears because they didn't have enough time to finish a project. I has given them time to "play" and "experiment" with the computers, which wasn't a luxury they had before. They have learned so much this year through the extra 5-10 minutes at the end of class when they are done with the project for the day when they can just explore. What I worry about now is what do I do with them next year. I will need to find ways to challenge them along with all of my students.
This year, I already know what my main accomplishment is, the one thing I feel most proud of. Once again it has to do with 1st graders. My 1st graders a couple of weeks ago posted their animal habitat movies onto docushare so that they can share them with their friends and family.
I really love student docushare. I often want to share my students work with their family, but posting it all on the school webpage is too time consuming for 650 students. This makes it so easy for the student to upload their own document and then if they choose to share it, they can.
I've had more parents comment on their students work this year. I think what excites me most is the thought that if they can do this in 1st grade, what will they be able to do if I'm still working with them when they are 5th graders? I've noticed, this being my third year, that all the work is paying off. The students are able to get through projects faster. What used to take 8 weeks is only taking 5 or 6 because the foundation is built and all we have to do is build on that foundation.
I think the most important thing I "taught" this year was the students user name and password. They use it every time they come into class. A great number of my 1st Graders have it memorized (along with my 2nd-5th graders). I have saved so much time next year. It took me a long time to teach it this year, but the reward will come next year.
Other things this year have been hugely positive. Having my Kindergarteners for 50 minutes this year has been fantastic! First of all, I haven't had a single student in tears because they didn't have enough time to finish a project. I has given them time to "play" and "experiment" with the computers, which wasn't a luxury they had before. They have learned so much this year through the extra 5-10 minutes at the end of class when they are done with the project for the day when they can just explore. What I worry about now is what do I do with them next year. I will need to find ways to challenge them along with all of my students.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
To Stream or Not to Stream...That is the ?
Blogs are great. I love them! Have 7 different ones to "organize" my life, my writing.
Blogs let me vent. Voice my opinions (even if it's only for my benefit). I don't often "speak my mind". I'm often a chicken, but when I'm passionate, I'll speak up. Blogs let me "speak" about my passions.
Usually, I'll just voice my opinion via email, chat or blog, but often can't say what I'm really thinking out loud. Blogging has helped me think and challenge my own self/brain. Teaching is often an isolated job. I'm not often with a group of people to have meaningful, passionate conversations with. I like meetings that make me think. Meetings where we discuss things and I leave still wanting more. My brain hungers for the challenge. They motivate me. Make me want more. Blogs let me say what I'm thinking when there is no one there to listen.
This blog streams into a community blog in my school district. I flip flop often on whether I should remove it. I'm voicing my opinion for everyone to see. I feel I'm pretty careful with what I blog in this blog knowing that my coworkers, boss, etc might stumble upon it. But what I say is just my opinion. Opinions made public. A little scary for me. Today, I'll allow this to stream because today I feel like what I have to say is important, but by tomorrow (or next week, next month) I might change my mind.
Blogs let me vent. Voice my opinions (even if it's only for my benefit). I don't often "speak my mind". I'm often a chicken, but when I'm passionate, I'll speak up. Blogs let me "speak" about my passions.
Usually, I'll just voice my opinion via email, chat or blog, but often can't say what I'm really thinking out loud. Blogging has helped me think and challenge my own self/brain. Teaching is often an isolated job. I'm not often with a group of people to have meaningful, passionate conversations with. I like meetings that make me think. Meetings where we discuss things and I leave still wanting more. My brain hungers for the challenge. They motivate me. Make me want more. Blogs let me say what I'm thinking when there is no one there to listen.
This blog streams into a community blog in my school district. I flip flop often on whether I should remove it. I'm voicing my opinion for everyone to see. I feel I'm pretty careful with what I blog in this blog knowing that my coworkers, boss, etc might stumble upon it. But what I say is just my opinion. Opinions made public. A little scary for me. Today, I'll allow this to stream because today I feel like what I have to say is important, but by tomorrow (or next week, next month) I might change my mind.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Who's Educating our Children in Technology
A recent chat with someone new to the profession of teaching technology made me wonder, who have we entrusted to teach our children technology?
I will be the first to tell you that I have no qualifications to teach technology to students. I don't have a degree that makes me eligible. I have taken very few classes on technology, and yet, I teach 650 children a week all they are supposed to know about technology. I hate bragging, but I think I'm pretty good at it. I've taught myself almost everything I know. I have a passion to learn more and am constantly figuring out new things. And somehow, that makes me qualified to teach students.
Since there isn't a required endorsement, what should we be looking for in a technology educator? Are there some minimums they should know how to do before we say they are ready to teach our children? What would those minimums look like?
Someday I think I would like to teach preservice teachers in a technology methods course. They have art, music and p.e. methods courses (just in case you enter a school where you have to teach your own students art, music and/or p.e). What about technology? More and more schools are turning to an embedded technology model where a teacher will be expected to teach their students technology. Why is it that we don't prepare them for what they might have to teach in that area? Wouldn't it be best if all teachers had some minimum knowledge to make them "qualified" to teach technology?
Just my thoughts. Anyone else have any?
I will be the first to tell you that I have no qualifications to teach technology to students. I don't have a degree that makes me eligible. I have taken very few classes on technology, and yet, I teach 650 children a week all they are supposed to know about technology. I hate bragging, but I think I'm pretty good at it. I've taught myself almost everything I know. I have a passion to learn more and am constantly figuring out new things. And somehow, that makes me qualified to teach students.
Since there isn't a required endorsement, what should we be looking for in a technology educator? Are there some minimums they should know how to do before we say they are ready to teach our children? What would those minimums look like?
Someday I think I would like to teach preservice teachers in a technology methods course. They have art, music and p.e. methods courses (just in case you enter a school where you have to teach your own students art, music and/or p.e). What about technology? More and more schools are turning to an embedded technology model where a teacher will be expected to teach their students technology. Why is it that we don't prepare them for what they might have to teach in that area? Wouldn't it be best if all teachers had some minimum knowledge to make them "qualified" to teach technology?
Just my thoughts. Anyone else have any?
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sounds of a Computer Lab
What sounds come out of my computer lab?
Woooah!!!!
Coooool!
Awesome!!!!
In my K-5 Computer Lab it is exciting to hear that I can still amaze students with all the things that a computer/computer application can do.
It's exciting to hear students excited that they can create what they often believe only an adult can create.
It's exciting to teach them things their parents do/don't use and the power they seem to feel at having this knowledge equal, or sometimes above, what their parents know.
As a teacher I have always had high expectations for my students (inside and outside of the computer lab setting). I find that they can do it and why set the expectations low if they can accomplish so much more. If I set my expectations high and they don't quite get there, it's okay, but that rarely happens. Perhaps that has a lot to do with my personality. I have high expectations for myself.
I'm proud of what my students can do. Hopefully what I teach them will be valuable. Hopefully they will remember. Hopefully I set them up for success after 5th grade.
Woooah!!!!
Coooool!
Awesome!!!!
In my K-5 Computer Lab it is exciting to hear that I can still amaze students with all the things that a computer/computer application can do.
It's exciting to hear students excited that they can create what they often believe only an adult can create.
It's exciting to teach them things their parents do/don't use and the power they seem to feel at having this knowledge equal, or sometimes above, what their parents know.
As a teacher I have always had high expectations for my students (inside and outside of the computer lab setting). I find that they can do it and why set the expectations low if they can accomplish so much more. If I set my expectations high and they don't quite get there, it's okay, but that rarely happens. Perhaps that has a lot to do with my personality. I have high expectations for myself.
I'm proud of what my students can do. Hopefully what I teach them will be valuable. Hopefully they will remember. Hopefully I set them up for success after 5th grade.
Interactive Whiteboards
I purchased with some PTO $ last year an Interactive Whiteboard. It has drastically changed my instruction for the better I think. What makes me even more excited is that I allow my 1st through 5th graders to use the board. I tell them what to do, and they model it for the class. It is encouraging to know that I am putting technology into the hands of very young students. I hope that I can do that more!
Friday, September 26, 2008
The Forwarded Message
I, like most people I know, hate forwarded messages. I rarely read them. Most go directly to my trash can. I have not found anyone that likes them, so it amazes me the amount I get on a daily basis.
However, if you send me a forward message, I will read your very first one. If it is a good one, I will read the second one you send me. But if you ever send me one of those chain mail types or one that I really don't have time to read, then you go into my "do not read" category.
I have only a very select few people who I will read their forwarded messages. But those on my "read" list are very selective on what they send. I know that what they send me will make me laugh.
So this is blog post goes out to those selective forwarders. You're the best!
However, if you send me a forward message, I will read your very first one. If it is a good one, I will read the second one you send me. But if you ever send me one of those chain mail types or one that I really don't have time to read, then you go into my "do not read" category.
I have only a very select few people who I will read their forwarded messages. But those on my "read" list are very selective on what they send. I know that what they send me will make me laugh.
So this is blog post goes out to those selective forwarders. You're the best!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
