Making Sense of it ALL…..

This will be my final blog for this course.  I must now decide if this is something that I would like to continue with.  Blogging for me has not be completely enjoyable.  It is something I was interested in trying but Iam not sure I am “sold” yet.  I enjoy emailing but the blog world does not seem to be for me.  I am not really interested in hearing what people have to say about my own opinions.  I love to hear feedback from friends and family but at this point not a stranger.

I am not trying to be negative but just honest about something that may not be incorporated into my world right now.  It was interesting and something I am glad that I gave a chance.  I guess it is something that I will keep in the back of my mind and when the time comes and EVERYONE is blogging I can say I know it!    

We were asked to build a web to reflect on this course.  I have to be honest I wasn’t sure how this would be helpful to me.  It seemed as though it was more playing and may actually being distracting to my class. I just feel as though the outline is something I want the kids to just “jot” down and not spend so much time creating fun shapes and using colors to do this process.  I am open to most things so I will try it and see if this is something that can work for me!

I was able to use photo story with my class for the first time this week.  It was a simple and easy way to incorporate a new program into my classroom.  I started off slow. I showed my class the way in which to use photo story.  They loved this process immediately! We looked through pictures throughout the year and it was a great way to bring back some great memories of the year.  Once the class each picked a picture they loved we made our very own photo story.  The question then became what do what we do this? Well, one of our students is leaving so we decided to make a “goodbye” message. 

Each student then recorded thier own message for Joanna. We added music and played with the different fonts.  It was a fun way to bring the class together and reflect on the year.

I really enjoyed photo story and now hope to incorporate it into my curriculum.  Now I have to figure out how to save the photo story on a CD….any suggestions?

 

 

Solving a Rubik’s Cube with the Internet?  I found Sandy’s blog to be really interesting and something to think about.   I go back and forth with the idea of using the Internet as a way to “cheat”.  I find myself using it often and love that many answers are easily found on the Internet. I like to think of it is an easily accessible support system!  Part of me thinks that Sandy’s student was smart to even think of researching his “problem” on line. 

 I know many kids who would try the Rubik’s cube for a few minutes and become frustrated and give up.  He decided to solve this problem.  Isn’t that what we teach kids? How can you solve a problem with the resources that you have?    There is an answer for almost anything and it is just a matter of finding that answer. I am not sure that deciding to use the computer to find that answer should be considered cheating.  I wonder if this student had found the answer in a book if we would still be having this conversation.

I found photo story to be a great source for me. I enjoy taking pictures of my class and the different events/activities that take place all year. This is a great way to bring it all together in one movie.

I also think it will be a great tool for my students to use in the classroom.  I have begun to think of different ways in which to use it as a “wrap up” for one of my major units in science. The students will love being able to bring something they have done to life and also adding fun music and captions.

This is a great resource and I am excited about the possibilities!

As the days get warmer every year I am reminded how difficult it is to keep the students attention.  We turn the fans on and open the windows but still there is no relief in site! I think the hardest part of my job in the month of June (sometimes as early as May) is to keep my students motivated and myself!

It is important to continue to expect a high level of standards from my students but to also realize that we are all human and get hot….which makes us tired and unmotivated. I hope I am not alone!

It is amazing to me how much technology has changed my world.  I think about if I got “rid of” technology for one day and how my life would be turned upside down.  Let me take a minute to think about this……….I usually begin my morning with a call to a friend on my way to work.  This allows the time to go quickly and for us to catch up on our busy lives.  As soon as I get to work I turn on my computer and begin my emails.  First, checking my school email to see what has transpired from the last time I checked it (usually before bed).  Next I check my personal email in order to make sure all is well in my loved ones lives.  Before the bell rings I may make a quick call or text my fiancee just to wish him a good day.  I start my class off with a daily message on my smart board.  This keeps the kids organized and knowing exactly what they need to do.  Throughout the day I use my smartboard in order to make my lessons more enjoyable for my students.  This is a great resource for note-taking or something as simple as Brain Pop.  My day is half over and I know that I still have another 8 hours in which technology will play a huge role.  I am already exhausted….maybe more later!

It is amazing to me how quickly Open House approaches.  With a little over a week left we are all putting in extra time to make sure that our rooms represent all of the hard work our students have done this year.  It seems like just yesterday that I was explaining the rules and routines  to my “new” fifth grade class.  Time sure does fly!

We are back from our class trip from Philadelphia! It amazes me each year how quickly it comes and how quickly it is over! The trip is for four days and three nights, it feels like months when we are there!  However, watching the students and hearing what a great time they had makes it all worth it.   

Today is my first day of class.  This is New Technologies Seminar and we are on our way! I have created my first blog page and was even able to make it fun with  colors!  I am really excited to make my page pretty:)! I am interested in learning how use the Voki speaking avatar.  This is  a great place to write your thoughts/feelings and it doesn’t matter if anyone is listening! What a great idea!

 I wonder why someone would want to read my blog? I feel a little pressure to make this good so people will want to come back for more!

Wow!…it is already 5pm! Time flies when you are having fun!  I will be back soon.