Instructional Unit

This was the hardest assignment for me this year. Once I had the idea of the project that I wanted to do, the rest just fell into place! At first I had no idea what to do. Then I remembered doing a video in 9th grade on school rules, and I really enjoyed it. Once I got the idea to do a presidential campaign, every side project came to mid, as it tied in with the big project.

Voice Thread

This project, again, was a ton of fun. I think this would be a good way for classrooms to have discussions with eachother. In a hostory class I took online, the teacher would often have us read about something and post our comments on a blog, this would be a good way to comment with people in a class about a picture or a written letter or something.

I also think it would be great in a classroom to use as a discussion place, it could give more shy students a way to participate without feeling too uncomfortable! (especially if they can type in comments!)

Online Storybook

I hope this works...I had a lot of problems with panraven. I didn't like that you could not choose the layout of the picture. It also took a long time for the photos to upload. Also, the buttons did not show up whiel editing, so I have to just move the cursor until it made a selecting hand and hope that I was adding the text that I wanted.I don't know if I would use this in younger classes, it is a little complex and I think that there are too many glitches. It might be a fun project for older student, though.

Flickr Slide Show

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.


This was a lot of fun to do! I think I am going to give some family members a link to this blog, so they can see it.
I am not sure how I would use this while teaching though. I guess I could do something like we are doing, and have the children doa sense of place project. It may be fun to have students take cameras with them on a field trip and do a slide show with discriptions of thier field trip.
I think this was fairly easy to use, and I may end up using flickr in the future!

Sense of Place Poster

Again, this was such a fun project. It's a great way to get children involved and excited about doing school work. Since it is like a comic book, I am sure children would love making something like this. I really think this would be a good assignment as a movie poster to advertise a movie that they will make in class. It could also be useful for a class project for the carnival advertising the activities that will occur in their classroom.

Digital Video

This was so fun to make! I just had a great time. I will definitely do this for projects in my classes! It will also make a nice Christmas and end of the year gift for my future students! I hope you enjoy watching this.

Politics.. I am confused!

I am so unsure about who to vote for this year... I go through this every election!
It's so hard for me to tell who is telling the truth and who is giving lip service. Watching debates doesn't help, because the issues aren't really addressed, it's just basically a time for politics to trash each other.
Here's what I have gathered about Obama:
He might bring about the change we need, especially in the Education department! He could probably figure out a way to get the schools more money. And he would start the beginnings of public health care. (My brother has been living with a hernia for over two years because he can't afford insurance or surgery!) On the other hand, I am not sure of his loyalties!!! Is he really that loyal to America? And can I really trust what he says? He is so Charismatic, that I can't believe half of what comes out of his mouth. I also worry that he doesn't have enough experience in politics (which could actually be a good thing)
John McCain. I know I can trust his loyalties, he is American, through and through. But is he loyal to the American people, or to the way the system is now? I worry about the schools under his presidency, that things would remain as they have under the Bush administration. I also worry that his age will keep him from being connected with the younger Americans. I also worry about relationships between America and other countries under his leadership!

I am so undecided right now, I just don't know what to do! Maybe I'll just pray.

Power Point Presentation

I just got finished with it. I had a blast working on it!! I have done power point presentations for other classes, so I kind of knew what I was doing. I had my sister help me navigate Excel, so it was all pretty easy for me, although still time consuming!!!
I think that PowerPoint presentations can be more interesting than just a plain lecture. It can keep the kids interested, and it really helps highlight the important information. I can defiantly see myself using PowerPoint during instruction time as a teacher.
It would also be nice to have a set up like this for computer instructions, or other class instructions, for a student to look at if they missed class/instruction, or if they just need to hear/see the instruction again.

Randy Pausch

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture
I have added a link to see Randy Pausch's Last Lecture on utube. this video is about an hour long, but worth it. I had to watch it for one of my other classes and it is awesome, and very inspiring. After I watched this I happened to notice a people magazine at my sisters house that has an article about him. His life and his attitude about death has become an inspiration for many.
one thing I will remember is when he asks people to "Decide if you are a Tigger or an Eeyore."
I definitely want to be a Tigger!

Software Resources

Multiplication.Com

Grade 2-4 (or any student struggling with or learning multiplication)

Subject: Math-multiplication

Mac/PC

This site offers a variety of free games that don't need downloading or membership! It has many really neat and fun games for children. A Friend of mine who is a second grade teacher turned me on to this site. She used to use it with her second graders when they were done with there work early. The games are simple for all students to follow. There are some games on the site that are not in the main area, and they require downloading, membership or payment. These games are not a part of the website and take you to a new site. If you show the students the are with the games they can play, this should not be a problem.
This site also offers printable pages, activities and flash cards. There is also an area that has resources for teachers/parents to further help teach times tables.



Mightybook.com

Grade K-3rd grade

Subject: Reading, Art and Music

Mac/PC

This website is designed to help teach children how to read. It requires registration to access all that it offers, but without registration you can still have access to animated stories, animated song stories, short songs, art and music, stories by kids, puzzles and something they call concept corner. The concept corner is an animated book that teaches about certain concepts like autumn, spring and veteran's day.
This website offers a lot for children, and is easy to use. There aren't adds or anything distracting. The site is very easy to navigate. Although it requires registration to access more, there is so much on the site you can get a lot out of it without registering.





FunBrain.Com

Grade 1-8

Subjects: Math, Reading and English, they even have Sudoku

Mac/PC

This site offers games and resources for reading, English and math. It offers a variety games for multiple age levels. There is also a fun blog spot which gives a different random fact for everyday of the year. (kids can't write or post on this blog) The only downfall is that there is so much on here it may be hard for a younger student to navigate the site. This could be remedied, though, by having the teacher show the student where to go, or having the game/activity page already pulled up for the student.

Reflections on the Video

I think I do like the idea of having laptops in the classroom. As Skip had mentioned, the video does not address the issue of training the teachers. I know if something came into the schools like that here, my step-mother would be lost. She is getting better at computers, but is definitely not highly functional with them.
Also a concern that one of the parents brought up was that teachers are spending less time teaching the students, that they are just having students find the information on the web. I think that could be a good thing as long as the teachers are making sure the students are finding accurate information. I had a teacher who would give tests, but would allow them open book. This teacher believed that being able to find accurate information was more important then having it memorized. I agree with this and think that if the teacher is helping the students learn how to find accurate and current information as opposed to just giving them facts, it can benefit the students in the long run... the teach a man to fish philosophy!
this video also showed the positives of having a computer for social studies class. The students can access newspapers from all over the world and have a much easier time tracking current events.
I think as a whole, bringing laptops into the schools is a great idea.

First Entry

Hi my name is Jessica. I am a single mother of two children, a 2 year old boy and four year old girl. I watch at least two other kids during day and classes at night. I made the decision to do preschool with my niece (almost 4) and my daughter. So far we have had a blast doing it! I am also the nursery director at my church and teacher sunday school to the older kids.
I am living in Kotzebue, but am originally from an Island off of Seattle. (Vashon Island)
As a young child used to play school with my brother, and I was always the teacher! Then I decided at the age of ten, that I wanted to teach when I grew up, and I haven't changed my mind since.
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