The Impact of Technology....

I was asked to review an informational graphic about technology, by Allison Morris.  This graphic focuses on the important role that technology is playing for today’s teachers and how it’s changing our classrooms.

This graphic clearly displays how vital the implementation of technology has become, while at the same time, implying the huge underlying role that educator’s play, (regarding both academics and social etiquette).

I recently joined my district’s 1:1 classroom computer pilot program, and have had numerous “technological” thoughts bouncing around in my head.  Allison’s graphic, helped me to narrow my focus and articulate these thoughts as questions:

How has technology affected my teaching style?  How?
How has technology affected my management style?  How?
Has the use of technology become a "norm" in my daily lessons?  How/Why?
How has technology changed my planning and pacing?  How/Why?
What social etiquette standards regarding technology am I expecting my students to follow?
What are the most important technology based skills that my students need to master and how can I make this happen?
Is there a more efficient way to accomplish what is required, using technology?  How?
What is the best way to differentiate instruction using technology?  How?
Project based learning…..How can technology support & incorporate multiple content areas to accurately display what students have learned?  

Please take a look at Allison's graphic, she is looking for feedback.  Here is the link.....   Click Here For: http://www.onlineuniversities.com/teachers-love-technology

Whether we are ready to or not….It is time to truly embrace technology!

Please Include Attribution to OnlineUniversities.com With This Graphic

Personal Think Time...Making it Real!

Do your students sometimes seem to have a difficult time thinking on their own? Mine sure do! They want the answers "spoon fed" to them. Well, in order to prepare my students to become actively involved in their own learning, we have started focusing on "Personal Think Time". We brainstormed our ideas as a class and charted them out together. Doing this, has given the students some real reasons for thinking on their own and allowed them to be ready to participate.

Out of the Mouths of Babes....Behavior Simplified

At the beginning of the year, I start off with some basic behavior guidelines (Success in 5...4...3...2...1). I'm not big on complicated systems that eat up valuable classroom time. Once the students have an understanding of our classroom expectations we work together to chart them out (using the student's own words and ideas).

This process serves as a reminder to the students and a heads up to new kiddos about how our classroom works.

Built in accountability without a lot of tracking and hassle!

Adverbs VS Prepositions....Having Some Fun with Parts of Speech

We have had some fun this week, while learning about adverbs and prepositions.  The practice pages and worksheets, just weren't cutting it.  So, I decided to take a different approach.

The students worked in pairs and created complete sentences using adverbs (where/when/how).  

I asked them to get "into it" and "be the fish/fisherman"....they loved this idea!

They had to be very careful to make sure that their adverbs, didn't turn into prepositions (due to where they placed their nouns).  I was excited to see that...they were getting it!!  I listened to their conversations (some of which became a little heated...lol) and found that they really were carefully constructing sentences, engaged and also having fun!

I had introduced prepositions first....they caught on as I discussed the concept of how the preposition relates the worm to the apple (the nouns).

The worm is ______ the apple.

Story Telling...Organizing Narrative Text

WOW!! I have not posted in forever (the start of this year has been a bit rougher than previous ones)....

BUT, it is time to get back into the groove!  

To get things going, here's a chart and freebie that my 4^th graders are using to kick off our study of narrative text!

This is the chart we are using to review the basic elements of a story:

AndClick HERE for your Google Doc FREEBIE: 

I will be posting a new Author’s Purpose anchor chart and the supporting student foldable pages, within the next week or so, so check back! 

Scholarly Success….Common Sense Classroom Management

We all love simple things that make classroom life easier, so I thought I would share two of my featured TPT products, that have really made my life easier.     

As usual, since this is a TPT item that I am sharing,  I will send out the set of your choosing (for FREE), to the first 5 people that do the following……

1)  Comment on why you would like to receive this item (specify primary or upper elementary) and leave your email address, so that I can get you your freebie.

2)   Share this  item on Pinterest.

3) Share this item on Facebook.

4)   Follow my TPT Store

Hmmmm…… Who knows, once I've given away my first 5, if your comments are persuasive enough, I might be tempted to DOUBLE the amount of free sets I send out to 10.

You can check out these items on TPT and download a free preview, by following these links:

Success in 5...4...3...2...1  Simple Steps to Becoming a Scholar 

(26 Page Primary Packet)

The 12 Steps to Being a Successful Scholar Awesome Behavior Management Tool 

(14 Page Upper Elementary Packet)

I can’t wait to hear from you!   

 

It's a Summer Celebration....At Working 4 the Classroom!

H-E-L-L-O     S-U-M-M-E-R!

 In honor of Working 4 the Classroom's NEW FRIENDS and SUMMER CELEBRATION, a wonderful teacher friend of mine & Thirty-One Representative (Stacie Fleischman), has donated a fabulous organizing utility tote. 

Please Join in and Share this Celebration,

for a Chance to WIN!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you are interested in other Thirty-One products, visit www.mythirtyone.com/107819