cooperative learning blog

Cooperative learning: I use cooperative learning a lot in my third grade classroom. I like to see students working together, but individually process the information they have learned by developing a project based on the information the group has gathered, for example a poster. As I read about cooperative learning, I really thought how I could include technology in this process. I like the idea of students all researching and then possibly making a powerpoint answering questions, possibly each having a slide to do or even a slideshow individually based on ability. As to grading in a cooperative learning environment, I feel you must grade on the comprehension of the project as well working together.

Voicethread

Week 5: link to Voicethread


http://voicethread.com/share/1376839/

Application 4 blogpost

I thought the making-history.com website sounded like such a wonderful tool for the classroom. I found it interesting that the teacher set up his own experiment with his two classes and that the test scores were higher with the students that used technology. This further supports how important to engage the students with technology affects their learning process.


I also thought the Nova Building Big website seemed like a wonderful tool to use as well. It is easy to read about the material, but it is important for students to have that visual to see it being built with the choices that they make. This makes a much more lasting impression as well.

I always liked the following quote, and feel it is what project-based learning is all about.

Tell me and I will forget,
Show me and I will learn,
involve me and I will understand
Teton Lakota (Indian saying)

Application 3 Blog

Application 3 Blog:


Listening to the video was a reminder of what I had already knew from college, but it was a refresher of why we teach the way we do. Social studies and science for third graders is a new content area. An instructional strategy that I use in class is a four square. Many struggle with the vocabulary, so we use a four square as we read, (fold paper in fours). I select 4 items I want the students to remember, and as we read we log them on the paper and draw a picture to go along with it. For example, the word is landform; students will draw 2 landforms and label them. The cognitive theory reinforces this instructional strategy.

The cognitive theory also supports making connections with the material presented. There is such an emphasis to make connections with the material presented, text to text, text to self, and text to world. For example, when I read aloud a book, I might relate it to my family or another book. Students are supported to make connections as we read as well.

Honestly, the concept map is very new to me. But as I began to set it up, I found icons to go along with the topic and links to website to incorporate as well. I feel this visual aid activity will be a wonderful tool for students to learn visually about the topic.

Application 2: Behaviorism in Practice

As educators, I feel we use a variety of theories in the classroom. I must say, I haven’t entered a classroom that is not setup on a rewards and consequences system in some manner. I have behavior system set up in the classroom. With that said, I have a variety of positive reinforcements outlined in the classroom as well, positive comments, candy, certificates, calls home, and one of my favorites, shooting hoops in our classroom basketball nerf goal.  :)
Homework and Practice:
I must say, I would like to read more about McREL’s research in Chapter 10 that stated “that parental involvement in doing homework should be kept to a minimum.” Quite an interesting quote !
I teach third grade, and I feel parental involvement is crucial to a child’s success in the classroom. I try to keep them as informed as possible. I post our newsletters on the classroom website and have the spelling lists attached as well.
There are times that I will send a study guide home and ask students to have parents sign and return. At the very least, this shows me that the parents know they have a test, and hopefully have reviewed the information. As an incentive of returning the signed paper, I add extra credit for this. As students move through middle and high school, I understand the idea of parental involvement on homework becoming more and more minimal and having students take more responsibility.

Technology/Websites to share:
www.starfall.com
www.Brainpop.com (used it to introduce a concept)
www.nationalgeographic.com (We just used this website to listen to animal sounds from the artic.)

Podcast Interviews

My link to the podcast with 3 elementary students and the overview for this application 5 assignment is listed below.
http://www.ewsc.k12.in.us/fac/lellis/podcastgen/

Evaluation of Website

Reaction:
The site is a bit overwhelming at first and I struggled to understand it at the beginning of my review. As I returned to review more, it became clearer. I found it was a more informative site, but not a hands-on, or a sharing of ideas.
As most teachers, I viewed the on-line tools right away, and really wanted to find free on-line tools that I could easily use. I did not see any that I could utilize.

Surprises?
I am pleasantly surprised at the number of corporations and even states that are on board. I also found an interesting blog on this site that had teachers discussing their 21st century skills which included blogs about what teachers are using in their classrooms and other ideas, http://sharingtree.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/21st-century-skills-will-our-students-be-prepared-judy-salpeter/.

Disagree?
I really can’t say I disagree with much on the site. But, as I viewed the outline of implementation of the 21st century skills, I found it very informative. Unfortunately, I found that the end results seemed a bit out of reach. In a perfect world, the end results would be wonderful, sort of like the NCLB. J

What are the implications for students and me as a contemporary educator?
As educators incorporate teaching the 21st century skills in the classroom, students will benefit dramatically. As an educator myself, outlining these skills allows me to look at my lessons and really focus on incorporating these skills as I plan.

Blog use in my classroom

Third grade
Writing
My first blog to incorporate into the classroom :Idea:  Published Pieces of Writing:
My thoughts are to have students publish writing pieces on the blog, in order to share with parents, family, and friends.  I have always felt students take a sense of ownership when they have a published piece of writing displayed. 
This would enable parents, family, and friends to comment on their work.  What students doesn't like to get recognized for great work...  :)

I feel this would not take as much time away in class because students currently publish a writing piece once a month; this could be one of the options to do this.

What are the pros and cons of this idea?

First Blog Ever

I HOPE I have posted this correctly.  I feel I am pretty technology driven.  But, I must say this has been quite the challenge to set up and get going.  I am not sure how to publish to be viewed publicly as required.  Any help would be WONDERFUL!

Have a great weekend and Mother's Day!
Lesia