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
Thursday, December 2, 2010
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
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
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
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
Saturday, November 6, 2010
November 5
November 15
7:45- 11:15
Fridays in ELA are book share days. The first student who did a book share used PowerPoint. This presentation was more interesting than last week’s as the student used pictures in it. She included a picture of the book and the author. The one thing that needed to be paid more attention to was the completion of the entire slide. One slide was left uncompleted. The students seem more interested in watching the book shares where their classmates presented using PowerPoint; however not all students seem comfortable enough with it to present themselves using it. Some of the students who did not present with technology showed that they did use it through printed pictures on their posters.
After ELA the entire 6th grade watched a movie to emphases plot line. The movie that was shown in the classroom I was observing was Toy Story 3. The movie was shown through the SMART Board. After the movie the different elements of the plot were discussed. The use of the movie was good but because it was long the students stopped being active learners. It would have been better to watch a short clip of a movies or a short film to get a plot to discuss. I think the purpose of the movie was lost on some students due to its length.
Today's Time: 3.75 hours
Total Time: 10.5 hours
7:45- 11:15
Fridays in ELA are book share days. The first student who did a book share used PowerPoint. This presentation was more interesting than last week’s as the student used pictures in it. She included a picture of the book and the author. The one thing that needed to be paid more attention to was the completion of the entire slide. One slide was left uncompleted. The students seem more interested in watching the book shares where their classmates presented using PowerPoint; however not all students seem comfortable enough with it to present themselves using it. Some of the students who did not present with technology showed that they did use it through printed pictures on their posters.
After ELA the entire 6th grade watched a movie to emphases plot line. The movie that was shown in the classroom I was observing was Toy Story 3. The movie was shown through the SMART Board. After the movie the different elements of the plot were discussed. The use of the movie was good but because it was long the students stopped being active learners. It would have been better to watch a short clip of a movies or a short film to get a plot to discuss. I think the purpose of the movie was lost on some students due to its length.
Today's Time: 3.75 hours
Total Time: 10.5 hours
November 11-3
November 11-3
7:45 – 9:15
Everyday attendance is taken throughout the school on School Master. This is a great quick and easy way to communicate with the office who is in school each day. Each student was given a project to create a snow house based on the book they finished last week. The snow houses were to be created out of different objects they found around the house. A way technology could have been used for this project would be to have the students create the snow houses using imaging software or Photoshop. The would of allowed the students to still create the same designed but it would have used technology. Using technology would have also made the project easier to transport. Two projects were presented this morning. After the presentations the class discussed different elements of literature. Then part of a story called “Bud, Not Buddy,” was read to discuss the concept of inference. Ms. Bliss mentioned that all of the stories in the textbook were on a CD but she does not currently know where the CD is located. Listening to the CD would have taken this lesson activity from a normal read aloud to one that includes technology. It would switch the routine of a read aloud up also. The students spent the second half of the period typing a final copy of a story that they wrote. Some of the students stayed in the room and used the computer and others left the room to use them. Some of the students went to the TLC (Teaching Learning Center) where there are more computers plus SMART Boards. I would call it a mini computer lab. For the most part the students were well versed in how to use Microsoft word and how to format in it. The school computers are currently running on Windows XP with Office 2007.
Today's Time: 1.5 Hours
Total TIme: 6.75
7:45 – 9:15
Everyday attendance is taken throughout the school on School Master. This is a great quick and easy way to communicate with the office who is in school each day. Each student was given a project to create a snow house based on the book they finished last week. The snow houses were to be created out of different objects they found around the house. A way technology could have been used for this project would be to have the students create the snow houses using imaging software or Photoshop. The would of allowed the students to still create the same designed but it would have used technology. Using technology would have also made the project easier to transport. Two projects were presented this morning. After the presentations the class discussed different elements of literature. Then part of a story called “Bud, Not Buddy,” was read to discuss the concept of inference. Ms. Bliss mentioned that all of the stories in the textbook were on a CD but she does not currently know where the CD is located. Listening to the CD would have taken this lesson activity from a normal read aloud to one that includes technology. It would switch the routine of a read aloud up also. The students spent the second half of the period typing a final copy of a story that they wrote. Some of the students stayed in the room and used the computer and others left the room to use them. Some of the students went to the TLC (Teaching Learning Center) where there are more computers plus SMART Boards. I would call it a mini computer lab. For the most part the students were well versed in how to use Microsoft word and how to format in it. The school computers are currently running on Windows XP with Office 2007.
Today's Time: 1.5 Hours
Total TIme: 6.75
October 29
10/29 8:30 – 10
Today I observed the second half of ELA and math class. In ELA the students presented their book shares. The class is participating in a 25 book campaign so they are all reading books and present them on Fridays. The students had different options on the way they could present. One student chose to present her project with a PowerPoint. During her presentation she used a pointed to highlight the main points. It was done in the same manner as I saw this summer at FRES. The PowerPoint was fairly basic, as it did not have any pictures or animations. It did however stray from the basic slide format of just the title and some information on the bottom. It utilized the information side-by-side format and some slides did not follow the templates. These changes worked for the presentation and it was executed nicely. The four other students who presented did not use technology.
After ELA was math. Math started off with the students organizing their portfolios for their student led conferences. After the portfolios the students did a warm-up using the SMART Board. The students then used the white boards to show the class their work. The SMART board could have been used to solve these problems. She could of also hidden the answers on the board so that the answer could be revealed after the students showed their work. After the warm-up the board was used to do practice problems.
Today's Time: 1.5
Total Time:5.25
Today I observed the second half of ELA and math class. In ELA the students presented their book shares. The class is participating in a 25 book campaign so they are all reading books and present them on Fridays. The students had different options on the way they could present. One student chose to present her project with a PowerPoint. During her presentation she used a pointed to highlight the main points. It was done in the same manner as I saw this summer at FRES. The PowerPoint was fairly basic, as it did not have any pictures or animations. It did however stray from the basic slide format of just the title and some information on the bottom. It utilized the information side-by-side format and some slides did not follow the templates. These changes worked for the presentation and it was executed nicely. The four other students who presented did not use technology.
After ELA was math. Math started off with the students organizing their portfolios for their student led conferences. After the portfolios the students did a warm-up using the SMART Board. The students then used the white boards to show the class their work. The SMART board could have been used to solve these problems. She could of also hidden the answers on the board so that the answer could be revealed after the students showed their work. After the warm-up the board was used to do practice problems.
Today's Time: 1.5
Total Time:5.25
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)