FYI

I did 2-4 on the PLE section for our last week

Internet Safety

1. The Savior is Counting on You by: Joe J. Christensen

2. Video Resources: netsmartz.net, iKeepSafe Faux Paws, Frontline PBS documentaries: These were fascinating but also very scary to think about all the children that are being exposed to these terrors. It is horrible to think about the destruction and addiction this creates for the children. Also, I thought it was interesting as the debate went on about reading actual literature vs. reading cliff notes or other online resources. I think there should be both involved because teachers know that students will probably go there even if there is a rule that says they can't. It was just sad to see everything that I knew was there.

3. Take away: As a parent there are so many things to be aware of to protect my children. What was my biggest take away was how risky things are and being sure that I'm limiting the time I spend on the internet because it is so easy to find things that are bad. As I read Elder Ballards talk I was impressed again with the importance to speak out against pornography and those things that are hurting the family. It is vital that we do what we can to protect children.

4. I spoke with my 17-year-old brother. It was so neat to talk to him about it and he was telling me the things about internet safety before I was able to teach him anything. I talked about meeting people online and he said, "that is just crazy!" I was so grateful to hear all the things that he said about being sure that you are only on the internet when someone else is home, keeping the computer in a public place, etc... About a year ago he decided to get rid of his facebook account because he didn't like the fact that people were 'fake' on it. He wanted to be sure that what he said and what they were saying was real. He told me he prefers to actually be real with people. Oh, he is such a good person. I was so impressed with him and actually he gave me hope that there are people out there who keep their standards and know what the church teaches and follows what they say.

I think he will continue to do what he has been doing- which is keeping his standards high. I shared with him some of the articles and was pleased when he said he had read that one but he also liked Elder Ballard's.

TPACK evaluation

Loved this!




http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dgpvp2s4_78dnbtzf92 or you can click on this!

Lesson Plans

Making 8 in Math


Language Arts


Seed Sorts

Younger students using technology

Watching these videos I was impressed with the ability of the teachers' use of technology. When I think of technology I usually think of really complicated things such as making movies, blogs, websites, etc... Sometimes I forget that things as simple as drawing on a computer can be utilizing technology in an effective way.

The Kindergarten class that was able to utilize technology with another classroom in Missouri was impressive. It is amazing to see how little things such as computer animation can add so much to the publishing aspect of writing. Another item that I enjoyed was seeing how they used the web to research things because again I think of that for older children but how wonderful to get the students exposed to this before they are older. This way they have been taught about the computer and how to use it before they get to those projects.

Another thing I noticed was that some of the students came in having never worked on a computer and I suppose I didn't even think of that but even if they went to a library I'm sure the parents don't have a lot of time to teach them how to use it. These clips just made me think about the use of technology in a different way- that it can be utilized in so many different ways.

technology in the classroom

This week there was some use of technology in the classroom. Every class has a microphone for the teacher and a portable mic that the students use. This was used on and off. Also I was impressed with the number of computers but not with the programs. Although there are a lot of computers because they are lacking in the programs they don't get as much use as they would if they had less computers and put the money towards programs such as Microsoft office. Our teacher uses computers in her centers, or at least she did on one day. The students seemed to enjoy it as some even stayed in from recess to do more of their phonics games. Overall, there could be more of a use of technology but I don't think the students are being super limited by the current lack of it.

I did both the evaluation and the consent form.

Technology in Science

Viewed with comments: Keri Wooten, Robin, Nancy

What a great way to learn about a variety of different technologies available to help enhance the learning experience. Not only did I enjoy actually doing the research for my own project, I also enjoyed being able to learn from the other voice threads that I watched. There is so much out there that can be used to help the students have a more effective learning environment as well as becoming used to the idea of technology in relation to their work, even if for the time being their work is school. This is important to teach students as it is part of their everyday life.

For sure I will plan on using technology in the classroom to make it a better experience for the students!

sweet salt water science experiment

I am so excited about this experiment! Basically the students are going to observe and measure the characteristics of water as a liquid and a solid but with a twist. They are going to note the differences between fresh water and salt water. First, they need to think of questions by going to Google Earth and the internet they will look at pictures of the ice bergs, describe the temperature and then hypothesize why there are ice bergs in the Arctic Ocean but not in the Great Salt Lake. After, they will complete the experiment of freezing fresh water and ice water and then recording the differences every 20 minutes. After we will discuss the application of this knowledge as we make ice cream in a bag using salt and ice cubes to make it freeze!

Content:

Grade 1, Objective 2 Investigate water and interactions with water. a. Observe and measure characteristics of water as a solid and a liquid.

Pedagogy:

Observe the difference in salt water freezing vs. regular water

Plan an investigation of the differences by recording the temperature of water when in a liquid state moving to a freezing state through the digital probe

How does knowing this help us? (ice cream in a baggie, put salt on steps when it’s icy outside)

ICE CREAM IN A BAGGIE:

Put in a sandwich-size Zip-Loc bag and 'zip' closed:
- 1 tablespoon sugar
-1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Put in a gallon-size Zip-Loc bag and 'zip' closed:
- the filled and zipped sandwich bag from above
- 2 tablespoons rock salt
- enough ice cubes to almost fill the bag

Shake and roll the big bag over and over, until the inner mixture is frozen (about 20 min.)

Technology:

Google Earth: Observe the different bodies of water at different times in the year

Ask questions: Why doesn’t the Great Salt Lake freeze? Where are the ice bergs in the Great Salt Lake when it is below freezing outside?

Why does the Arctic ocean have icebergs?

Temperature Probe: Have the students record data of freezing temperatures every 20 minutes on a chart from room temperature until the liquids are both frozen. Look at the data and make observations

Use the internet to look at different resources that show the temperature of the Great Salt Lake vs. The North Pole

Great Salt Lake

http://www.met.utah.edu/research/saltlake/Monitor

Arctic Ocean

http://www.thepoles.com/expguide/weathernp.htm

Using Google Earth

After exploring the other students' Google Earth projects it made me want to make another one and add more to it, or expand on what I have. I looked at

Keri Wooten
Allie Whitezell
Nancy Taylor
and Sam Webster's projects.

Honestly there is so much in Google Earth. I'm excited to make a tour for the solar system and talk about how there is so much out there. As I explored on Google Moon, and Google Mars I thought of how that would be an interesting literacy connection for the students to make a tour and then write about the difference it would make if they had to live on Mars considering the climate. What would they have to adjust in their daily living routine. Google Earth is an incredible resource that I'm just starting to see all the possibilities of (especially thanks to looking at my peers projects).


The only downsides I see to using it in the classroom, at least having students make a project is helping them to not feel overwhelmed by all the options. At least that was a struggle for me so I would think that perhaps they might see it as a struggle. However, I feel that the costs are very outweighed by the huge benefits.

Mansions in the United States

Here is the link to download mansions in the United States

Google Earth in the classroom

I love the idea of using Google earth for this assignment. So many students have no idea how to compare homes and buildings but I thought comparing Monticello with some of the homes from the estate boom would not only give them an opportunity to look at the shapes, but they would be able to really compare. Using Google Earth gives them an idea about where they are and if the students wish to look into the estates more there is so much additional information available that wouldn't be available if I just made a Power point presentation for the class.

1.Hearst Castle
Read the link and write a paragraph explaining why they felt they needed a home this large
Places, panoramio
2. Biltmore Estate, Vanderbilt’s
Identify the different shapes used to create the estate. View the slideshow of the estate and look for architectural themes.
Places, Panoramio, Wikipedia
3. Kykuit .- The Rockefeller Estate
Look at the links and find the art galleries in the home. Why is it that art is such a sign of affluence?
Places, wikipedia
4. Monticello- Thomas Jefferson
Look at the date this was built. Why is it so much smaller than the rest of the mansions? Now look at the other pictures showing Monticello at different times of the day with different angles. What do you notice that is different?
Wikipedia, places


3rd Grade
Standard 4: Contextualization The student will interpret and apply visual arts in relation to cultures, history and all learning

Objective 1
Compare the arts of different cultures to explore their similarities and diversities.

1. Describe why different cultures may have used different materials to create their arts and crafts.
2. Hypothesize why homes and buildings have generally become larger in modern times.

Objective 2
Connect various kinds of art with particular cultures, times, or places.

Objective 3
Recognize the connection of visual arts to all learning

Observed

Other posts I looked at:
Julie Chatfield
Robin Shaw
Nancy Taylor
Sam Webster
Keri Wooten
Alli Whitezall

Very fun to see all the ideas. As far as using this in the classroom I think there are many ways this could be used to teach the students about media choices and why we use what we use. There are of course challenges that need to be looked into- such as teaching all the elements or even having access to computers. I feel like this would give the students a great sense of accomplishment as they were able to see their work published so freely. They could share the link with friends, and family that live far away and get validation for their work.

TPACK

Technological pedagogical and content knowledge:

Children deserve to be taught in the best way possible so they can develop into healthy, functioning adults. With a correct knowledge of pedagogical practices along with the content knowledge a teacher can be much more effective than someone with simply content knowledge. However, to be outstanding, a teacher can then include those tools and resources that can make the learning process so much more effective when combined with the various theories applied from correct pedagogical practices as well as teaching the correct content. In today's day and age to be a healthy functioning adult, knowledge of technology and the language and resources associated with it is essential. Having TPACK as a teachers framework is essential for a good teaching experience.

story board page 2

Storyboard page 1

A modern world

Wow!

This week has been incredible to learn all about this advanced world we live in- and to think that I can possibly keep up is something I never thought would happen. The words synchronous and asynchronous video communication were a foreign language to me before this class. Just think of all those new nerological pathways I'm creating! This is going to be great fun but also has the potential to be just a little bit addicting.

So here are the pictures for your enjoyment of me doing this video communication. Yeah I kind of had them taken at awkward times- but it's all good!