It's amazing how little ones have NO idea of "past." The term itself really has no meaning to them. We went to Conner Prairie last Friday. For those of you not from Indiana, it's like a living museum where the kids get to explore what life was like in the past. The workers are dressed up and pretend to still live in the old days. Watching the kids explore this "new world" is always amusing. It just doesn't make sense to them why people would have lived that way!
Personally, I always enjoy visiting the old schoolhouse. The teacher told us he has 9 students in his class, 8 boys and 1 girl (bless her heart). I began thinking that 9 students didn't sound too bad! That was until he explained that he had students who were 6 and students who were 19. WOOO WEEEE and I thought I had a lot of differentiation going on in my room. It's funny because there has been such a stress lately on differentiation and teaching to students' level. Can you imagine teaching way back when? That would have kept us hopping for sure!
But it was a great trip and I really enjoyed myself. The kids learn so much and it really makes the past come alive for them. I love when kids can be hands-on and explore!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Techy Teacher?!?
I'm not going to lie, when I saw my next course on my list of masters classes was a technology class I definitely let out a groan. My technology class I took during undergrad was probably one of my least favorite college classes I took. It was hard and overwhelming and my professor offered little support. She spoke in another language....a technology language that I simply did not understand.
But I am PLEASED to announce that this class was no where near the same experience! I feel like I walked away from this class with technology knowledge that I am sure to use in the classroom; in fact, I've already begun to implement some of it! The greatest area of growth for me was definitely my level of confidence. I'm no longer SCARED to use technology, I daresay I'm excited about it!
My teaching has changed in that I try to find ways that my kiddos can be more engaged through technology. I look actively for websites for them to use for practice and for ideas for me on blogs. We use twitter daily as a form of communication for parents. I know that the kids are more excited when learning involves technology and I've been able to overcome my fear, therefore benefiting my students! YAY!
But I am PLEASED to announce that this class was no where near the same experience! I feel like I walked away from this class with technology knowledge that I am sure to use in the classroom; in fact, I've already begun to implement some of it! The greatest area of growth for me was definitely my level of confidence. I'm no longer SCARED to use technology, I daresay I'm excited about it!
My teaching has changed in that I try to find ways that my kiddos can be more engaged through technology. I look actively for websites for them to use for practice and for ideas for me on blogs. We use twitter daily as a form of communication for parents. I know that the kids are more excited when learning involves technology and I've been able to overcome my fear, therefore benefiting my students! YAY!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Teacher Leader!
Teachers spend their days introducing students to new ideas and unfamiliar content. They guide their students and encourage them to try their best. They challenge their students and believe that they can succeed.
As a teacher, it is just as important to learn as it is to teach! Education is constantly changing and evolving and what worked in the past may no longer be best practices. A big area of change is that of technology. As teachers we need to learn the best way to integrate these new practices into our teaching.
While I am FAR from an expert in technology, I do feel like I could share a few of the ideas and programs I've learned from my technology class with my fellow teachers. For example.....I am VERY proud to announce that Miss Hensley's class is now on twitter! Follow us! @Miss_Hensley
As a teacher, it is just as important to learn as it is to teach! Education is constantly changing and evolving and what worked in the past may no longer be best practices. A big area of change is that of technology. As teachers we need to learn the best way to integrate these new practices into our teaching.
While I am FAR from an expert in technology, I do feel like I could share a few of the ideas and programs I've learned from my technology class with my fellow teachers. For example.....I am VERY proud to announce that Miss Hensley's class is now on twitter! Follow us! @Miss_Hensley
I'm hoping to use this as a communication tool. The plan is for the class to come together every afternoon to summarize what we have learned or accomplished during the day. We'll then tweet our highlights. This will give parents and other followers a daily look into our school day instead of just a weekly newsletter. I'm excited!!! I've already shared this idea with a few teachers at school, but I'm looking forward to showing our twitter page to the other classes!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Internet Concerns
One concern that I have with using the internet with my little ones is where they might end up.....there's a lot of information out in cyberspace and not all of it is appropriate for the eyes of 6 year olds! I like using moodle because the kids are directed to sites that i have selected for them to use. Last year the kids had begged me to post some of the youtube videos we watched in class (exploding volcanoes....they were OBSESSED!). I didn't think much of it and posted a link. With the student login at school, students can not access youtube links. I mainly put these links up so that the kids who wanted to watch them at home would be able to find them. The problem is that some of the kids watched the videos and then would continue to click on other suggested links and eventually got away from material I deemed as appropriate. I had a parent let me know that her son navigated away from the video I had posted.
I think the best way to address this is to let parents know from the beginning that while all links from my moodle page are safe, it is still important for them to monitor their child's internet use at home. I want to continue to include videos because I feel like the kids get a lot out of them, but I need parents to be aware that any time a child is on the internet there is a chance he or she may end up somewhere we did not intend. Keep an eye (or two!) on the kiddos when they get on the computer! :-)
I think the best way to address this is to let parents know from the beginning that while all links from my moodle page are safe, it is still important for them to monitor their child's internet use at home. I want to continue to include videos because I feel like the kids get a lot out of them, but I need parents to be aware that any time a child is on the internet there is a chance he or she may end up somewhere we did not intend. Keep an eye (or two!) on the kiddos when they get on the computer! :-)
Thursday, September 1, 2011
I've got SKILLS!
Software skills that is! I use a variety of software on a regular basis in my classroom. I use Publisher every week to create my newsletter. I use Word to create documents for the kids all the time. I enjoy using PowerPoint for things like jeopardy games, making words, and informative slideshows for my little ones. I've recently become addicted to Google Reader because it helps me keep up with all my amazing teacher blogs and Google Docs helps me save all those amazing *freebies* so that I have access both at home and at school. The beauties of technology!
My goal this year is to become a Mobi board master. Our school has 2 Mobi boards per grade level (for 4 teachers to share). I'm yet to get a chance to tackle it yet, but I'm ready to try! I will admit....last year I didn't jump on board. I let a few of the other teachers try first because I've felt like I already had my hands full....the last thing I needed was another piece of technology that could crash and burn while I was in the middle of a lesson! But this year I'm FEARLESS IN FIRST and I'm ready to take on the challenge. For those of you who are unfamiliar with a Mobi board, it's basically like a Smartboard except it's a small table that the teacher can use to walk around the room and use. By writing on the tablet, it is projected onto the computer/projector for the class to see. You can also use manipulatives on the screen and use the tablet like a mouse. Basically you can control your computer without actually being at your computer! You can walk around while teaching a lesson and keep those kiddos on their toes! How perfect is that?
So my plan of action is to beg and plead with the teacher across the hall to share her little Mobi board with me! I need to ask my amazing tech specialist at school for a little refresher on how to use the manipulatives on the screen. I want to practice a little bit before I unveil my new technology to my kiddos. Hopefully I can get these beginning steps accomplished in the next month and I'll be a pro! I'll let you know when it's up and running in Miss Hensley's room. :-)
My goal this year is to become a Mobi board master. Our school has 2 Mobi boards per grade level (for 4 teachers to share). I'm yet to get a chance to tackle it yet, but I'm ready to try! I will admit....last year I didn't jump on board. I let a few of the other teachers try first because I've felt like I already had my hands full....the last thing I needed was another piece of technology that could crash and burn while I was in the middle of a lesson! But this year I'm FEARLESS IN FIRST and I'm ready to take on the challenge. For those of you who are unfamiliar with a Mobi board, it's basically like a Smartboard except it's a small table that the teacher can use to walk around the room and use. By writing on the tablet, it is projected onto the computer/projector for the class to see. You can also use manipulatives on the screen and use the tablet like a mouse. Basically you can control your computer without actually being at your computer! You can walk around while teaching a lesson and keep those kiddos on their toes! How perfect is that?
So my plan of action is to beg and plead with the teacher across the hall to share her little Mobi board with me! I need to ask my amazing tech specialist at school for a little refresher on how to use the manipulatives on the screen. I want to practice a little bit before I unveil my new technology to my kiddos. Hopefully I can get these beginning steps accomplished in the next month and I'll be a pro! I'll let you know when it's up and running in Miss Hensley's room. :-)
Monday, August 29, 2011
An Overly Ambitious Day in First Grade....
So I did it.....I finally got the "Let's Do This!" attitude that I needed and took my little ones to the computer lab for the first time today. I was able to get all 25 kids logged in and eventually onto my moodle site where they could visit any of the links I had posted for them.
They did great! Of course not everyone knew their username or password, but being able to log on for the first time today was huge! I also took the time to show everyone how to log onto reading counts this afternoon so that some of my strong readers can start taking quizzes over their books. Another way to use technology to differentiate! So proud of my little ones (and myself!) :-)
They did great! Of course not everyone knew their username or password, but being able to log on for the first time today was huge! I also took the time to show everyone how to log onto reading counts this afternoon so that some of my strong readers can start taking quizzes over their books. Another way to use technology to differentiate! So proud of my little ones (and myself!) :-)
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Welcome to the 21st Century!
Whether you like it or not, students have changed over the years and as a result so SHOULD teachers. Unfortunately this isn't always the case. For a student to be successful in the 21st century, he or she must be able to communicate, collaborate, use technology, be flexible, and the list goes on!
So in order for my kiddos to be prepared, they need a prepared teacher. Am I up for the challenge? OF COURSE! While technology skills are just being formed in first grade, I do my best to expose them to programs such as Microsoft Word and Powerpoint. I teach them how to get on the internet and once they get to my moodle site, they are met with tons of educational links to help them explore (safely) online.
In order for me to help my kids be prepared for the 21st century, I know I have to be willing to learn new tricks and I must also be flexible in my teaching. I feel like my strengths are in teaching the students to work with one another and to communicate. I do a LOT of group work with my little ones and we spend each morning during morning meeting talking and listening. These are vital skills! I feel like my weakness lies in allowing them to jump into technology on their own. It's so overwhelming to introduce all these computer things to the kids because in the beginning they are SO NEEDY and it's just me trying to run around and troubleshoot 25 different computers. I know it's worth it in the long run and once the kids get the hang of things it's great to see how excited they are, but getting to that point can be a nightmare and I often get scared and push things like that off. (For example, we are now in week 3 of school and I'm yet to take my little ones to the computer lab....I just keep waiting for that day I'm super ambitious. It's coming....I promise!).
Do my students leave my classroom equipped for success using 21st century skills? Hmm....I feel like my students leave my classroom with the best grasp they can have on these skills by the age of 7. Do all of my kids work together effectively? Can each of them communicate exactly what is going on in their little minds at each moment? Are they "fluent" in powerpoint? NOT SO MUCH! But are all high schoolers capable of those things? I feel like I do my part to set them up with a strong foundation and I know I put them in good hands as I send them on their way to 2nd grade. :-)
So in order for my kiddos to be prepared, they need a prepared teacher. Am I up for the challenge? OF COURSE! While technology skills are just being formed in first grade, I do my best to expose them to programs such as Microsoft Word and Powerpoint. I teach them how to get on the internet and once they get to my moodle site, they are met with tons of educational links to help them explore (safely) online.
In order for me to help my kids be prepared for the 21st century, I know I have to be willing to learn new tricks and I must also be flexible in my teaching. I feel like my strengths are in teaching the students to work with one another and to communicate. I do a LOT of group work with my little ones and we spend each morning during morning meeting talking and listening. These are vital skills! I feel like my weakness lies in allowing them to jump into technology on their own. It's so overwhelming to introduce all these computer things to the kids because in the beginning they are SO NEEDY and it's just me trying to run around and troubleshoot 25 different computers. I know it's worth it in the long run and once the kids get the hang of things it's great to see how excited they are, but getting to that point can be a nightmare and I often get scared and push things like that off. (For example, we are now in week 3 of school and I'm yet to take my little ones to the computer lab....I just keep waiting for that day I'm super ambitious. It's coming....I promise!).
Do my students leave my classroom equipped for success using 21st century skills? Hmm....I feel like my students leave my classroom with the best grasp they can have on these skills by the age of 7. Do all of my kids work together effectively? Can each of them communicate exactly what is going on in their little minds at each moment? Are they "fluent" in powerpoint? NOT SO MUCH! But are all high schoolers capable of those things? I feel like I do my part to set them up with a strong foundation and I know I put them in good hands as I send them on their way to 2nd grade. :-)
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