Reflection

I can see how the web has enhanced lesson plans across the world! It has made it possible to share ideas and hopefully reach more students! This was the first time I've ever taken a still picture of a website and then posted it as a picture. I plan on using that in the future!

From my peer's PLE's I've learned that there are MANY ways to use technology in the classroom; even if it's just taking pictures of kids doing science experiences and posting it on the class blog! I also liked Michelle's example of using the temperature probe in the classroom as well. I think technology is a great way to give kid's a hands on experience. I'm excited to use technology in the classroom to deepen student's understanding of the curriculum!

The Tech Savvy Teacher

Phases of the Moon: It’s Just a Phase

By: Lexee Russell and Ashley Matekel


We are so excited to be writing for this newsletter this month, especially in the Tech Savvy Teacher column! There are so many great technological tools to make science come ALIVE in the elementary school classroom. The following is an example of how to implement different technology resources in the curriculum.


Sixth Grade Science Standard 1.2


Anticipatory Set: We would tell students about a moon journal and what it would look like if we drew the moon every night at the same time. We would show the following picture from: http://blog.journeywithjulette.com/wp-content/moon_phases_diagram.jpg


Instructional Input:
1. Discuss why the moon looks differently during different times during the month
2. Define what a phase is and explore the eight phases of the moon
3. Discuss the names of the eight phases and the position of the sun, earth, and moon during these phases (show picture above again to discuss phases)
4. Use the Stellarium program to show the students what the moon looks like that very day and identify the phase. As a class you can look at other phases, as well.
a. Stellarium can be downloaded for free at http://www.stellarium.org.


Guided Practice:

Students will then create the moon phases with oreo cookies. See example picture below from: http://www.4ever4given.com/upload/2006/11/100_0800.jpg


Independent Practice:

Many interactive games on moon phases can be found on the internet. Below are three examples of great games that can be used to enhance students understanding of the moon phases:

Moonlight Madness
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level2/moonlight.html

Lunar Challenge http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/moon/moon_challenge/moon_challenge.html

Moon Phases from Space (timed) http://www.purposegames.com/game/1016
Closure: Assign the students to complete a moon journal of their own for a month. Give students the option of drawing it by hand or creating a picture on the computer.

In this specific example, technology was used in multiple ways to truly make science come alive and enhance learning. The sixth graders were able to see what the moon looked like that very day, and were able to visually see how the moon moves from phase to phase. They completed interactive games to solidify their learning. Their homework even gave the option to create their moon journal on the computer. Through these technological tools, they were able to identify, observe, and classify in a more visual and concrete manner. The students were able to not only know the phases of the moon, but create, analyze, and apply this information in multiple settings. Students were able to learn more thoroughly because of the technology.

Copyrights

The phrase that stuck out to me the most is that copyright laws are our friends! I believe under the fair use act that as a teacher I can use most things on the web for educational purposes. I do need to pay close attention to how much of the content is used, but overall the government supports teachers using multimedia for education purposes. I also like the idea of TPCK which means to incorporate content, pedagogy and technology for effective education instruction. I believe as these three interact together the classroom dynamics will be strengthened.

I Love Technology:-)

This class is way COOL. I've enjoyed learning about this web 2.0 world and how to bring information to me! These will be great resources to use as a teacher. And hopefully it will add to the dynamic of the classroom. I specifically like Goodreads, and I look forward to finding more RSS feeds that are important to me. I hope to have a classroom blog and have links available to teachers and parents about what we are learning about in the classroom.

My First Blog!

Hello!

I've been thinking about starting a blog for a long time now. I'm glad this classed pushed me to do it! At first I just thought they were for stay at home moms who want to scrapbook their family life, but I now see the benefits of blogging for one and all!

About me, I am from Draper, Utah. I graduated from Alta High School in 2002. I then went to BYU-Idaho and stayed in Rexburg till I received my mission call on Aug 30, 2005 to serve in the Knoxville Tennessee Mission. Serving a mission was the best decision I ever made! Now I am a transfer student here at BYU and I LOVE it. I was hesitant because of BYU's size and rigor, but I've enjoyed every semester. Now that I am on my last two semesters of classes, I look forward to being a teacher next year! I'm glad I never have to give up that "back to school" feeling.

My whole goal as a teacher is to help children learn how to learn. There is no way I can teach them everything there is to know, but I hope to fuel their desire to learn and understand the world around them. I hope they will enjoy the process of learning (ie study, effort, mistakes, motivation, and persistence).

Attached are some pictures from this summer. I learned how to fly fish, traveled to Mexico, shot guns, saw Jack Johnson in concert, went to Lagoon, floated the Snake River in Jackson Hole, and went golfing. Fun memories.