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!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
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.
I
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.
I
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