Thursday, December 2, 2010

November 23

November 23
7:45-11:45

I missed the students’ blogging yesterday but this morning I saw their responses to the post. The assignment was for the students to post a comment to a thread. The question asked the students how and where they use the Internet. Most of the responses including gaming, homework and many said they used the computer at home.

In ELA today the students did an activity out of their literature book. Today they listened to the CD that went along with the book. The CD ensured that the reading was clear and everyone could follow along. The students appeared to be paying attention and when they were questioned during the reading their response made it clear that they were listening. After the story the students answered questions in their comp books.

In Math, the period started with the students checking their homework with the answers on the SMART Board. The student then partnered up and took turns reading decimals to each other. Their partner had a typed list of the words and checked to insure that they were reading them properly. This could have also been read by the students into the computer and checked. It would allow them to listen to their own reading.

ELA followed the same format as the first class but the students wrote their responses to the first questions in their comp books.

Today's Time: 4 Hours
Total Time: 25 Hours

November 19

November 19
7:45- 11:45

As all Fridays start off this one started with book shares. The first students today made a costume for his book share. This week all the students use the microphone to present and it helped everyone hear their voices. The microphone hangs around the students necks so the do not even have to hold it. After the book shares, blogs were introduced to the students. The topics covered were what is a blog, how to use them/use them appropriately. To introduce them the students watched a Brain Pop on blogs. I have heard about Brain Pop before but this is the first time I have seen it used in the classroom. The students filled out a vocabulary sheet on the clip too. After the Brain Pop and quiz, blog safety was discussed.
Math today started out with a mad minutes where the students try to complete math problems in 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Those who get 100 receive a pizza party at the end of the month. After the mad minute the student played around the world. Since the students are lacking in their multiplication facts they are having trouble doing more complex problems.
In the second ELA class the first students used PowerPoint to present her book share. It was very short and straightforward. The second half of the class consisted of the same lesson as the first ELA class. The students’ first blog is going to be on their Internet use and their preference on using the Internet.

Today's Time: 4 Hours
Total Time: 21 Hours

November 17

November 17
7:45 - 10:15



For homework last night the students completed plot outlines on their last independent reading book. This morning they shared their outlines. During their outline share one of the students was talking very quietly and the special education teacher brought him a microphone to amplify his voice in order for the whole class to hear him. This worked well and was a quick and easy solution. The students were a little confused on how the plotlines worked and the Special Education teacher broke it down for them again on the white board. She had to redraw the outline and this could have been avoided if she had a premade one on the SMART Board. It could have also been saved then as a reference for the students.

During the second half of ELA the class split into two. Half of the students stayed with Ms. Bliss and the other half went across the hall with the Special Education teacher. Ms. Bliss’s kids got into a circle and discussed a story in the literature textbook. This is the same book that was used last week and again this time it was used without the CD.

The math class started with a warm-up on the SMART Board. Ms. Bliss used the shade feature to hide the bottom half of the board. Under the shade were the notes for today. On the notes she used white paint to hide the answers and then reveal it. Again the students took notes on a prepared sheet and filled in the notes. The students are soon going to be splitting into two different groups. The students who are currently bored with the math content will be learning enriched math.

Today's Time: 2.5 Hours
Total Time: 17 Hours

November 10

November 10
7:45- 11:45

The day started out with a quick discussion on Veteran’s day. Many of the student’s knew why they had the day off tomorrow and many had veterans in their families. Then the entire 6th grade went to the auditorium for the high school concert to honor the veterans. There was no technology used during the concert but the last song could have used some. The chorus and band performed together and the band drowned the chorus out. They could have either microphone the chorus or displayed the words they were singing over a projector.

In math the students took a pre test using paper. This was given to see where the student ranked in the upcoming math content. To see if they knew the material a computer test or game could have also been use.

The second ELA class started with book shares. Today is a mock Friday, as the students do not have school Thursday or Friday. The first student today did a PowerPoint for her book share. She used the color scheme of hot pink and light blue. The color combination was a little tough of the eyes and with more experience she may be able to pick that out on her own. The presentation included pictures and moving graphics. She also used smart objects to be the background of her text. It was a very short presentation. She also used “u” for you. This move fits very well with Shayna’s presentation two weeks ago. After the presentation the students moved to working on their reading skills. This part was a follow up to a SMART Board lesson that taught the students good reading skills. I was shown the presentation and it involved the class reading and highlighting part of their answers on the SMART Board. Today they are doing it individually at their desks. For the second half of the period the students finished typing their ECHOS pieces.

Today's Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 14.5