Peggy's First Years: Recent Episodes
peggy
This blog is created as a project for Peru State College. It includes assignments and posts for EDUC 552 and 553.
I completed the required items for class, and linked it for review. However, this unit is a work in progress. I will be addng to it depending upon the needs of my students each year. I envision it growing and adding a section where the students can share strategies that they have learned that aren't represented already. I reviewed some other posts and perused many. I think there are a talented group of teachers in this class.
I recently linked a self determination unit that I am working on. Check it out-I appreciate the feedback.
I am not a very technical person although I do enjoy all the features once I figure them out. That is what I spent most of this week on-trying to create a presentatin using Prezi. I finally created something that wasn't terrible and the website had to close! I haven't been able to access it again. I hope my not so terrible presentation is still there. I hope the rest of you had better luck than I did.
My first reaction is WOW! I am always amazed at how information is on the web, it is almost overwhelming. I picked three sites to begin my discussion. 1st- I really like the postcard creator at Read/Write/Think.org. I am sure I can use this lesson in my basic English class. This is a good way for my students to learn to address a postcard as well as write a short paragraph. I also liked the drawing tool at artpad.com especially the replay button. It was fun to watch your picture re-created right in front or you. And finally, I liked the Picaboo on-line photo book. What an excellent way to organize photos.
click here for link podcast
This podcast is intended to provide guidance as students transition from school to "the world".
Here is a link to a video on TeacherTube that I hope you like as much as I did.
http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=3452&title=3_Steps&ref=Devoogd
This video is about how to create a classroom suitable to prepare our students for the 21st century. The idea is to create an environment where students are active participants in the learning process and not just passive listeners expected to spew back information presented during lectures. Brain research has shown us that children remember more when they are the ones asking the questions, and creating a classroom that facilitates this type of learning can be done by following the authors 3 basic steps. I have a variety of learners that enter my room for learners with special needs, and it is not uncommon to have 3 different sessions active at the same time; therefore, it is important that I have a room where students can feel comfortable and connected so they can develop into lifelong learners.
This is a very small selection of the things that make our old farmhouse home. Preserving the land, even if it is only a small part, is something that has always been very important to my family. It all began when a young man only 17 at the time, left his home and settled in Nebraska.
Many students say they are "tech savvy"; however, having access to and the ability to use multi media devices does not guarantee that students are fully aware of all the responsibilities that go along with that. Many are only participating in surface exposure. It is our job as parents and educators to teach the students how to analyze the messages they receive from the media every day.
I subscribed to a podcast on itunes called Project Think. It is presented by students as a summer enrichment project. Each student researched a country or region and then reported on their area. I liked the format of the project which begins with a photo of the student, followed by photos of their region. The photos were very clear, sharp, and vibrant. They seemed to capture the essence of the area. If I had to select something I did not like in the podcast, it would be the length. Although very well done, they were too short. Just as I was wanting to see more, it was over. The curriculum implications of this type of project are numerous. It is cross-curricular-involving global studies, English, and speech. It is also a way for students to share their education with distant family members. Rather than telling them about a poster they made for a class assignment, and the speech they gave; they can simply direct them to the podcast. An area of improvement would have to be the background noise from the other students.
I knew that I wanted to begin a diary of my first year teaching experiences, but I also knew it would be a challenge for me to write in one on a daily basis. So, I was excited to get started on this assignment! I will be able to combine my experiences as a teacher with my assignments as a student into one great format. At the end of the year, I hope to have a wealth of information that will help me to evolve into the type of educator that I envision myself to be.