Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Final Post on PLN

With my PLN I used Symbaloo. When we had to post on our progress from our PLN, I was still getting use to the Symbaloo website. But now I have it all figured out. With my Symbaloo, I set up my email, Facebook, Twitter, and news reports so all I have to do is just click the icon and it pops up. I feel like I am going to get a lot of use out of Symbaloo and I like it a lot. I really like how everything I need is just a click away. All the websites I use are there on one page and organized for me.

Symbaloo example

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Additional Post 1

1. After I read the post about pencils, I knew that he was not really talking about kids bringing pencils home. It did not run through my head that he was using a metaphor instead of just being sarcastic.

2. Mr. Winkle Wakes

3. Having kids write down metaphors they read through out day is oone way of teaching them about the use of metaphors. Also, having them read something and they have to pick out all the metaphors they jut read. Practice is always the key!

4. Using metaphors is just a different way of talking. When people use metaphors, it make stories more interesting or more detailed.

Metaphor discussion update


WOW, I had no idea that Dr. Strange was connected with so many people by internet. You are making a difference in the world of education.

Why We Use Metaphors


Using metaphors allows the reader and writer to open their minds and think outside the box. Metaphors add creativity to stories that would probably be boring without them.

Project 15b

Blog Post 13

Online Education


In the article, My Teacher is an App, they talk about virtual schools. The pros and cons of kids taking online classes for high school. Stephanie Banchero and Stephanie Simon, the authors of the article, bring up really good points that I have not thought of about online schools. Having kids taking high school classes online will save the state money, but money is not everything. The education for the students is much more important. The state and school system should have the kids in mind first and do what is best for them.

I like the idea of online schools. I think it is great for students who are fast learners or slow learners. Each student can complete each assignment at their own pace. The students can make school fit into their schedule. Having classes online will save the school system money. Some states are running out of their budget money for schools, so turning to an online school will save money. According to the article, a teacher will be able to over look 250 students at one time, rather than a traditional teacher in a classroom only being able to teach 150.

After reading the article, I also disagree with the online schools. Having kids actually go to school will help them with their social skills. They will be in an environment with countless of other kids. This way they will be able to interact with other kids their own age. In an traditional school, the kids have sports, clubs, and handfuls of activites to participate in. Our country already has a high obese rate, and having kids take classes online will increase that rate. Cyber-school will not push physical activity, which children need. Another con of school online, is the test scores. It is proven that the students who attend online schools test much lower than students who actually go to a school.

Cyber-school logo

Monday, November 14, 2011

Progress on Final Project

I will be working with Courtney Holifield, Bethany Fillingim, and Jessica Sanders. We have been meeting and discussing how we are going to approach this final project but do not have a definite plan. We think we are going to incorporate the SMARTboard in the project though. We are meeting again this week to have a final plan on our project.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Mrs. Yollis' Class Blog

Mrs. Yollis keeps a class blog for her students and their parents. This blog has just about anything you can imagine on it. If a students is having trouble in a certain subject; she has a link with different learning games. She has a link to just about anything and everything. This blog is very easy to navigate, even for her third graders and their parents. This is an easy way to keep parents updated with their kids and what they are learning in school. I plan to have a class blog like this one when I become a teacher.

Blog Post 12

My blog post assignment is having to write a post on what your dislikes and likes are in this class. Write what you will take with you once you leave this class. Giving feedback to Dr. Strange for future reference. 

My favorite part of this class has to be the C4K. I like reading the kids blog post, especially the ones who do not live in the U.S. Reading all these kids blogs makes me realize how important class blogs are to students. Having the kids keep up with a blog teaches them how to use technology and it helps with their writing skills. My least favorite thing about this class is all the projects we have due every week. Yes, I am learning more than I imaged, but it seems overwhelming at times. I know being a teacher is not going to be smooth sailing and stress free so this is just getting me use to the real life. 

elementary classroom

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Blog Post 11

Little Kids...Big Potential


WOW!! This video is amazing. I love how these little kids are using blogs and everything else to learn by themselves. They sound so excited and ready to learn new information. Some of the kids even go home and work on school work by themselves because they are having fun with their learning.

I am excited to become a teacher especially after watching this video. All kids can be taught and this video proves that.

Skype


Mrs. Cassidy sounds like the nicest teacher ever. While I was watching this video, I can tell she loves what she does. Mrs. Cassidy used her 5 new computers wisely and did not just putting them in the closet because she did not have enough for everyone. She uses all parts of the internet for learning and not shelter her students. She is teaching her students how to use the internet correctly and not give out personal information.


Skype logo

C4K

Mr. McClung


I was assigned to read Mr. McClung's class blog which was a video of CNN student news. This video was really neat. I did not even know that CNN did news for students. I really liked his blog as a whole. All the different information found on the blog. His class blog looks really kid friendly.

Lorenzo's Animation


Lorenzo had made an animated video of birds flying over jumping kangaroos. This video was really well put together and I could tell he worked really hard on it.