Photo Story

In math and science we have been talking a lot about metric conversion and the students have been having trouble grasping the concept. I got the idea to do a photo story about metric conversion due to the lack of understanding of the concept.

I have a bunch of ideas floating around in my head about how I would like to do this as a Photo Story. I hope that this idea pans out for me now that my previous ideas washed up on me.

I have begun to ask my home printer to produce numerous print-outs of the materials I need. I plan to start taking pictures very soon.

MICCA Conference-Baltimore Conference Center

The conference was great. However, I was a little upset. It's wonderful to go to see all of the wonderful things you can do with technology, but hard to accomplish when you don't have a classroom or the basic equipment. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for what we have received from the STEP program ( I've done lots with it), but I would like to do so much more. Maybe I could win a classroom makeover complete with all of the latest technology. Or maybe just a classroom, LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MICCA

I really enjoyed the conference, although I did not win anything! I came away with some great ideas and also wondering where to find the time to implement more technology into the classroom.

I often wonder how I will ever get the curriculum taught let alone find time to do fun technology projects.

One of my favorite web sites I learned about is Yack Pack. I had wonderful intentions of setting this up this tool to use in my classroom. I had gotten all of my student's email addresses, when I went to the site they were experiencing difficulties. I checked back for a few days with out much luck. My student's seemed disappointed because I had told and showed them what we could do with this web site.

As for now, I will keep it on the back burner for next year.

Podcasting with the Kids

Okay, we have activated the podcasting unit and we aren't quite ready to run yet. I have gotten some very enthusiastic entries under the wrong identities as well as some really off topic entries. I think it will be great as they begin to take their comments as seriously as they do the digital projects that they are always asking to make in place of their reports. So, I have asked them to review their comments at home before I review them again and hopefully everyone will take advantage of that opportunity before I begin grading and deleting the weaker voice threads. I plan to give a quiz via voicethread and hope that will be a useful endeavor.

MICCA, Finally!

I have waited years to attend the MICCA conference. I have asked for substitute coverage and fees to be paid each year and always was told, "No." So, when STEP sent us this year, I was super excited. I was looking to learn somethings that I could teach my students and use to enhance or upgrade other things that I do. I was introduced to Google docs and Microsoft Publisher. I was also introduced to the concept of 'projects' in lieu of 'homework' and became obsessed with getting a set of clickers (EPR-devices). Well, I still don't have any clickers but I tried to win some daily. The very best session that I attended was about using the computer to create art project, you know-digitally. I can't wait to show the kids what I learned! Thanks STEP. So, how about a set of CLICKERS, huh? Maybe I, or we can get them as part of the year two technology program.

Dr. Campbell, from the University of Maryland came to my classroom today and gave an awesome presentation! Although, he was unable to identify only a few specimens. He said if I was able to tell him where they where from he would have a better shot at narrowing it down. Dr. Campbell stated that it was sort of like finding a needle in a haystack!

I was very disappointed because I thought this would make for a great photo story. I thought of finding pictures on the Internet of specimens and then assigning them to the students but realize I would not be following the parameters of the STEP assignment. Back to the drawing board, again.

Pictures

In Kindergarten I have been trying to get pictures of my students througout the year. Having my digital camera has been a lot of help, because I can take as many pictures as I need until the picture looks right. I have a personal digital camera, but it's nice to not have to bring my own camera into school.
I also have been teaching the students how to use the digital camera in the classroom. After they take the picture, I put it on the mode to view what was taken, and we decide together if it was taken correctly. Sometimes we are looking for space above our heads...sometimes we are looking for zoomed in shots - and by looking at the picture right away, the students have the knowledge of how to "fiddle" with the camera to get their pictures just right.
I also think the students feel special when they are asked to take a picture. It is a big responsibility and the students have learned to be extra careful when using the camera.

The VoiceThread Project

Ok. I've finally decided what I'm going to do for the VoiceThread project. It's genius. I'm going to do an online Music Career Portfolio where the students will post questions and I will send the link to Music Professionals that are leaders in the various career clusters. It will be so wonderful. Maybe a few will send a video or upload a recent picture and encourage the students to follow in their footsteps. Oh, the joys of using technology!

Rocks and Minerals

I have been in contact with Dr. Campbell from the university and he is personally going to come to my classroom and speak about rocks and minerals and try to help us identify some of the specimens.

I have decided to turn this into a photo story by assigning the students a rock or mineral to research. We then can take pictures of their specimens and they can narrate the research they have done.

I have been taking pictures using ELMO when I display them for the class. ELMO has come in very handy for displaying the rocks and minerals. I do not have to pass them around, the students have time during other parts of the day to get a closer look if they want.

I have started...

The kids and I read a story this past week and I had them work with the pod-casting tools.  It was so neat to watch the students, who once were chatterboxes, now sitting in complete silence.  You see, I told them that their voices would pick up on the microphone (which they do) and that they needed to be absolutely quiet if they wanted their turn.  Listening to the child who was talking, and watching the other children sitting still and quiet was definitely an awesome experience.  I had the students first predict what they thought "Our friend Spot" would change into next.  Some answers were well thought out, others... not so much!  The second slide was to tell us who they loved and why.  I haven't gotten through all of their answers yet, but certainly will.  I think pod-casting is a fun tool that not only gets the students involved, but entertains them as well!  I'm going to look into a way I can assign it for homework... it might be tough because not all of my students have computers at home, but worth a try!  I cannot wait to continue to use this tool in my classroom!

Photo Story

I was given a rock and mineral collection from a family member and have been using them in class during this unit. The family member that gave me this collection did not give me any information about the specimens, so I am lost on what they are or how to identify them. I went to the bookstore and bought a field guide in hopes of identifying them. I was able to identify 1 specimen out of 50 or more.

I got the idea to check out the University of Maryland to see if they had a geology department. With luck on my side, the University of Maryland does in fact have a geology department. I sent an email in hopes of a response..... I received a response the very next morning. I am going to call Dr. Andrew Campbell to see if he can possibly sens a student to help my class identify the specimens.