I want to thank everyone for all their hard work. We all will benefit from it. This course was a real learning experience. Thank you Prof. for a very challenging work load. You really made the most of our time. I can honestly say all the work we produced is practical. Our new found knowledge will be useful every day. This course certainly makes me look at lesson planning in a different light. If I get around to actually teaching I most certainly will try to incorporate technology every day and in any way possible. This class should be a required continuing education course for all teachers. Technology is no longer an option for any profession. I am proud that I no longer feel like a dinosaur and I am no longer fearful. I can embrace technology and I am so eager to continue to learn every day. I am happy that this course is a core requirement, it must be. The only negative thing I can say is that I am very sad to have not gotten to know my fellow class mates better (you too Professor). The lack of human interaction is the downside to internet classes. Keeping the blogs definitely helps but that can't replace communicating in person. I hope to meet you all again someday very soon. Congratulations on completing the course and enjoy the summer!
Rosanna
Great Wall of China
Monday, May 16, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Life Cycle of a Butterfly Web Quest
My web quest is on the "The Life Cycle of a Butterfly". My boys loves bugs! All kinds. They started pestering me to order a butterfly kit. This kit helps you to grow caterpillars into butterflies. The goal is to release the butterflies. I thought this would be the perfect web quest for Spring. I was pleasantly surprised to find so much information on this topic. It certainly is fun and a wonder to watch the metamorphosis of a caterpillar. This topic can offer many wonderful extension projects and covers many core curriculum standards. I just love thinking of a room full of children that are excited to come to school everyday to see the changes in their caterpillars. Spring is the most wonderful time of the year explore bugs.
My web quest is for second /third grade students. It is an organized and focused web quest with all the links provided. It is best to keep this age group on task and not exploring the internet too deeply. I expanded on a two very good web quests. I added many internet links and several wonderful videos to the process. My web quest spans about a three week period so I added the reading of "The Butterfly Garden". The story is accessed through an internet link too. The children also will make a model of a caterpillar. I made this model very simple, the original web quest was too involved.
The web quest includes journal writing, drawing, and lots of discussion. Incorporating a filed trip to the Bronx Zoo or the Natural History Museum would be very effective and the timing is perfect. Both venues have live caterpillars exhibits.
This web quest project took a lot of time to create. I am not sure we needed to fill out the teacher's page information but I did anyway.
The most difficult part was changing the appearance. This is not a user friendly function. I could not change the background of the teachers page. I kept going back and fourth and the students page changed but not the teachers page. I am so frustrated but I did get it to look attractive. I still am not sure how this works. Can someone explain?
The website link is at the top of this commentary. Had a hard time adding the website to the blog.
My web quest is on the "The Life Cycle of a Butterfly". My boys loves bugs! All kinds. They started pestering me to order a butterfly kit. This kit helps you to grow caterpillars into butterflies. The goal is to release the butterflies. I thought this would be the perfect web quest for Spring. I was pleasantly surprised to find so much information on this topic. It certainly is fun and a wonder to watch the metamorphosis of a caterpillar. This topic can offer many wonderful extension projects and covers many core curriculum standards. I just love thinking of a room full of children that are excited to come to school everyday to see the changes in their caterpillars. Spring is the most wonderful time of the year explore bugs.
My web quest is for second /third grade students. It is an organized and focused web quest with all the links provided. It is best to keep this age group on task and not exploring the internet too deeply. I expanded on a two very good web quests. I added many internet links and several wonderful videos to the process. My web quest spans about a three week period so I added the reading of "The Butterfly Garden". The story is accessed through an internet link too. The children also will make a model of a caterpillar. I made this model very simple, the original web quest was too involved.
The web quest includes journal writing, drawing, and lots of discussion. Incorporating a filed trip to the Bronx Zoo or the Natural History Museum would be very effective and the timing is perfect. Both venues have live caterpillars exhibits.
This web quest project took a lot of time to create. I am not sure we needed to fill out the teacher's page information but I did anyway.
The most difficult part was changing the appearance. This is not a user friendly function. I could not change the background of the teachers page. I kept going back and fourth and the students page changed but not the teachers page. I am so frustrated but I did get it to look attractive. I still am not sure how this works. Can someone explain?
The website link is at the top of this commentary. Had a hard time adding the website to the blog.
Friday, April 29, 2011
POWER POINT PRESENTATION- MY COMMENTARY
POWER POINT PRESENTATION
I have chosen to introduce computer hardware to a young audience. I have named my power point "Mr. Computer - Basic Parts of a Computer". It is a simple presentation that is appropriate for kindergarten through second/third grade.
I seems logical that children should be taught the parts of a computer before going on to operating a computer . Each function should be explained and demonstrated. This lesson in a power point will enable the children to see the parts in action.
They can draw or print images of each computer part and develop classroom activities with them to enhance the power point lesson. They can create posters that label and define each part and be given handouts to match each part with its name as homework. This will reach out to all different types of learners. Teachers should go on to explain the monetary value of the computer and the need to handle technology gently and respectfully. This is a good lesson to learn before they actually operate the computer. The kids will be very excited to get their chance to sit at a computer, especially after their teacher took the time to explain everything in a step-by a step way.
I found this assignment to be the hardest. I really had no idea where or how to start. I read through all the links that were presented and scanned the internet for ideas. I think I got in all the components that are required.
I loaded the power point with tons of photos. I created several different backgrounds too. I changed fonts and font colors on almost every page. Getting hyperlinks and action buttons was a nightmare ( I put in many). I read and reread and reread the instruction and I could not get it. It took me at least 3 hours to figure out the page forward action button. I had a massive headache and I felt like a dunce. BUT I DID IT!!!!!!!!!! I had fun with a the applause sound and it is appropriate to the power point. My slides all move automatically with 5 second intervals except for the slides that require the student to think of the answer and then click the button forward. This is on mouse click.
I can't believe I actually got this from SlideShare to my blog. The instructions sound like jibberish!! LOL
Rosanna
I have chosen to introduce computer hardware to a young audience. I have named my power point "Mr. Computer - Basic Parts of a Computer". It is a simple presentation that is appropriate for kindergarten through second/third grade.
I seems logical that children should be taught the parts of a computer before going on to operating a computer . Each function should be explained and demonstrated. This lesson in a power point will enable the children to see the parts in action.
They can draw or print images of each computer part and develop classroom activities with them to enhance the power point lesson. They can create posters that label and define each part and be given handouts to match each part with its name as homework. This will reach out to all different types of learners. Teachers should go on to explain the monetary value of the computer and the need to handle technology gently and respectfully. This is a good lesson to learn before they actually operate the computer. The kids will be very excited to get their chance to sit at a computer, especially after their teacher took the time to explain everything in a step-by a step way.
I found this assignment to be the hardest. I really had no idea where or how to start. I read through all the links that were presented and scanned the internet for ideas. I think I got in all the components that are required.
I loaded the power point with tons of photos. I created several different backgrounds too. I changed fonts and font colors on almost every page. Getting hyperlinks and action buttons was a nightmare ( I put in many). I read and reread and reread the instruction and I could not get it. It took me at least 3 hours to figure out the page forward action button. I had a massive headache and I felt like a dunce. BUT I DID IT!!!!!!!!!! I had fun with a the applause sound and it is appropriate to the power point. My slides all move automatically with 5 second intervals except for the slides that require the student to think of the answer and then click the button forward. This is on mouse click.
I can't believe I actually got this from SlideShare to my blog. The instructions sound like jibberish!! LOL
Rosanna
Monday, April 25, 2011
My exciting thoughts on technolgy and the curriculum!
I must say that I am impressed with this class. It has been an interesting journey and one that was needed and also very useful. The most important thing I have learned in this class is not to be afraid of technology. Technology is forever changing and no matter the profession we must continue to learn and embrace it.
I was terrified when I started this course. I also felt ignorant. I passed off all our photos and anything tech related off to my husband. I thought I would soon be doing the same and passing technology tasks off to my children. They seem to know a heck of a lot more than I do. I am now a bit more confident about the workings of the computer. Just last week I went on and downloaded 2 newly taken photos and printed them for each of my sons for a school activity (I think they are making mother's day cards). Just a few months ago I did not know how do that. What's worse is I did not want to learn (fear). I am really excited and want to continue to learn. There are so many fun things to do.
I love the blogs and the many interesting comments we all made. I am always reading parenting magazines and it seems that all these mothers are blogging all over the place. Just knowing and understanding the process makes me happy. Now I can participate and start blogs myself if I choose. My children can now witness their mom in a new hip light.
I am also relieved to be more informed about the dangers of today's social media. I am hoping to get the Englewood Cliffs Educational Foundation to offer help for parents. I know I need a hand in keeping my children safe when it comes to the Internet and everything else for that matter. Hopefully I am not as naive as I was a few months ago. Kids know way more than we think they do. I feel more prepared for the upcoming challenges.
I can now create a website. How impressive is that! I am sure that skill will come in very handy in more than one. I would love to create websites for my own business someday. Maybe I can help my children with a website or help my sister launch her business endeavors. The point is that now I can actually help.
I love the many websites that were shared. I am sure as my children continue their schooling I will be referring to these sites to help them learn in a fun way. I am not sure when or if I will ever be a teacher to other children but I can honestly say this course will help be a better teacher to my children. Once my current phone plan expires I am off to get an iPhone and then the sky is the limit. I will be downloading apps galore. I will explore all the ways my mobile device can help make my life easier. A more organized and productive mother makes a much better one. Needless to say how to use technology will most definitely help me in any job I hold.
I will go on to say this course has been tough for me. It really is a lot of work. There is something always due and I am constantly worried about the deadlines. I have started my web quest and that is very challenging and very time consuming (but useful). I personally don't have teaching skills or contacts to help me. This power point presentation stresses me out because I have never used power point in anyway or used a lesson plan or a unit plan!! This is a bit of a disadvantage because everything I do is starting from scratch. The course is more difficult than I thought it would be (of course in a good but tiring way.) But a heartfelt thanks to you Professor,
Rosanna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Rosanna's Website
https://sites.google.com/site/msmangonessecondgradeclass/
I will preface that I would get permission from administration and parents when included photos or video to the website. I would have administration sign off on the use of this website.
A few notes about my website:
1. My website is for a second grade class. The children are only 7 or 8 and I feel it is appropriate for its focus to be on communication with the parents. Our school North Cliffs in Englewood Cliffs has a very good website but it is not personal. I would love to have a teacher website for my children's classes. I almost always have questions pertaining to homework or about class management. It would be great to have a website to keep in touch with what is happening in the class, especially for a full time working mom that does not get to spend time at the school.
2. I like the homework assignments spelled out for a few weeks in advance. I added a homework link with a sampling of second grade homework. I think the children still need to have an assignment pad and must write down their homework and be responsible for bringing the work home. Having this link will enable me to see if my children have forgotten to bring something home. I personally would not use this to have them try to do the missing homework. My kids forget things all the time and I work with them and teachers for strategies to help them remember. I let them suffer the natural consequences for a forgotten assignment even though his twin brother may have the book or worksheet that I can easily copy. Sometimes the kids tell me one thing and the pad tells me something else. It would be reassuring to compare the pad to the website if needed.
3. It is neat to have an extra credit assignment. The teacher can relay to the class what the assignment entails and include it on the website for the parents. I feel the extra credit assignments should mostly expand on lessons form the class. Once in awhile to broaden the children's horizons it would be nice to throw a completely different extra credit assignment in the mix and it would keep things interesting.
4. I really liked the meet your teacher section on the example template so I left it on my website. You really get a feel for the teacher when a video is included. I am not a teacher so I used a video I found on the internet and added it on. Please excuse that it is not me on the video but I like the way this teacher covered her schedule and her classroom management. It is important to understand how the teacher rewards and punishes the class so that parents and the teacher can be on the same page. I like seeing the routine and the feel of the classroom. I miss my kids and it is nice to see where they are for 6 to 7 hours per day.
5. As a full time working mom I like the class announcements sections. I sometimes forget things and many times my kids misplace flyers and I don't know what is happening. A classroom website would help me stay organized and connected.
6. I added some books my kids really liked to the reading list link. I am always looking to introduce different reading selections. This is harder than you would think. My boys really like the chapter books from Goosebumps and Weird School etc
7. Ok I am very excited about this part of my website. I downloaded and added a permission slip to the forms and documents section of my website. This is an accomplishment for me!! This is great to have on the website. It is so easy for forms to get lost or forgotten. All forms that need to be addressed, signed and returned should be in the section.
8. OK. I think I am really sort of getting the hang of things. I have added my family's private field trip onto my website. I placed it in the class photos section. Of course this section should be used for the class photos. and video's. It would be wonderful if teachers take pictures of the kids when special things are happening (birthday's, plays etc.). I would love to have seen show and tell and when my children presented projects had competitions or celebrated their birthdays.
9. The useful links can be helpful. I always help my kids with math and homework etc. Any links that can help me to help children would be appreciated. It is amazing how many great sites we can easily use. With a little time and discipline most parents can tutor their own children using these sites. It is certainly a lot cheaper than Sylvan learning. I used the links I recommended in our last blog. I added a link to the school supplies that children need to start out the year. I always get supplies way before the first day of school usually before our August vacation. I also take advantage of sales through out the year. It makes Sept madness a little easier
I also added a link to the PTA.
10. I also added a link to the PTA as a separate link. I thought it is good to access from a few locations. I added it as a sidebar.
11. I included a daily schedule to the website. This is really neat. I never remember what days my kids have what classes. This would have been helpful the few times I brought my kids in late or pulled them out early for Dr. appointments. I would rather they miss gym then math etc.
12. Finally I added my picture to the front page of the website. This was very tricky and I am not entirely sure I can do it again. LOL!!!!!
Rosanna
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