Friday, November 14, 2003 | from blogger.com

I created a cute little story using Power Point, and Art showed me how to scramble it so the students can then work on sequence.

It's really cute, with fun clip art. The process was easy enough, and I can see this becoming something the students can take over. After a few examples, I know they will be able to make their own scramble stories using PP. It's just so much at this time, with introducing the Danas and working on different activities using them. Then, just little computer basics, like teaching them to scroll or close a pop up window, etc.

I think the 4 th grade teachers are going to have it made next year, though!! With all that these kids are doing now, they'll be able to move right into all types of computer based tasks starting right away next September.

Meanwhile, we'll be starting from scratch all over again with a new bunch of 2 nd graders who need to learn all the ropes! Well, at least at that poing , we (the teachers) will be more confident and comfortable and have a better idea of what types of lessons we're planning with technology. And, let's look at the positive side! It's so much fun being the one who can introduce all this great stuff to the students! They must think 3 rd grade is “the bomb” (as they like to say)!!

Mon Dec 08, 07:29:00 AM | from Blogger.com

It's been quite a while since my last entry. We have been learning so many new things. I am very happy that I learned how to update my webpage, so now I can stop bugging Art to do it. We are working out technical problems with the hardware in the classroom. The techs. came and burned the hard drives, and I wanted mine done so I could have faster performance, and don't get me wrong--I love the new things. But, as always, now my computer freezes and crashes, etc. I guess I have to try to work on the laptop more so I can be off the network and also, so I can take things home to work on easily.

Anyway...my main concern now is how to integrate curriculum goals and just educational goals in general with everything we are learning. Exploring technology is great, for sure. These students are becoming familiar with all kinds of things they didn't know before. Even the physical aspects of scrolling, clicking, navigating websites, etc. This is all going to move them to the next level, far beyond other kids who don't have this exposure. But, now I want to create lessons and activities to move them toward succeeding on the state test.

Toward that end, I am very excited w/ what Art sent us today. He added a bunch of links to Cat in the Hat pictures. The 3rd grade is doing a "Favorite Author" study on Dr. Seuss, and we're taking the students to see the movie on Dec. 17th. So, now i'm creating all of these reading & writing activities to focus on Dr. Seuss (and Cat in the Hat). So, very quickly & easily--on each student computer, I copied one Dr. Seuss picture and pasted it in a Word document. Now, the children must each write a story based on the picture on the screen. Today they are doing it as a free writing activity, just to get a feel for it. But later, I can add specific detailed directions and requirements, just as they will see on the NJASK3. Also, in the future, they can type their stories right onto the word doc. and print out the final work to submit for a classwork grade. This is more or less the way I imagine integrating the technology into what we need to work on. I'm really feeling good about today's activity because it is right on target for increasing testing skills, building writing confidence, and helping children explore their imaginations! I can't wait to see the final products.

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