Activity Reflection # 1

Throughout my years of teaching, I try to implement additional resources in my lessons.  There are times I find myself looking for these resources from materials that I already have.  After days of researching for these resources, I find myself getting frustrated by the lack of resources that I can use in my lessons. Every year I develop a black history unit and I have difficulty finding resources to implement in my lessons. This year I wanted my students to be more engaged in the lessons, I decided to implement more technology in my unit. After several hours of researching, I was able to find exactly what I was looking for.  I believed that my 2^nd graders will be engaged and motivated throughout this unit.

As a Seminole County Public school teacher, I am able to access the website to find additionally resources. One of my favorite resources is located under the student tab. There you will find a link call Tumble books that provide electronic books and other digital resources for both teachers and students.  Students of all ages have access to EBSCOhost, SCPS library, Grolier Online and other resources. The website provides resources for teachers as well. Teachers have the opportunity to sign up for Professional development courses like blackboard and teacher center. The website also provides useful links on FCAT and PTA information for parents.

The Florida Department of Education provides useful information for teachers, students and parents. Students have the opportunity to access the new podcast. The podcast was designed for middle school students to encourage a love for reading and it gives them the opportunity to connect with their favorite authors. Teachers can find useful information such as instructional resources to use in their classrooms. There is also information and resources for parents, community and administrators.

During this week reading, I was able to visit three great websites. I decided to focus my search on one of the units that I usually teach to my class each year. That unit was Black History. The first website I decided to research was eduHound (www.eduhound.com) . I was amazed at all of the links that was available for educators. I decided to use quite a few of those sources for my unit. The second site I visited was FirstGov for Kids (www.kids.gov) . There teachers and students can find links to government and other kids sites. This week I took my class to the lab and they were allowed to navigate the site and find information for their report. The third site I visited was Ask for kids (http://www.askids.com/) . My students also had the opportunity to navigate through this website and I was surprised how kid friendly and age appropriate the site was. While searching for more information, I decided to search YouTube and Teacher tube for great videos to implement in the unit. I was so excited that my students would be able to see these videos and learn about the struggles that African American had to endure during the civil rights movement.

I truly enjoyed reading and searching for great resources for my lessons. I’m looking forward to the great resources I will find for my next unit.

Reading Reaction #1

"Are we doing what is best for our students, or are we doing what is most convenient for us?

 

    As an educator this question is difficult to answer. I believed that teachers are doing their best to motivate their students. In today's society, we have teachers who are "old school" and they are stuck in their old ways. It's very hard to change and today's technology is very difficult for those teachers to learn about. There are not enough professional development classes available for season teachers to utilize. Some teachers believed that the traditional teaching works and they see no need to change their ways. It's always a struggle between the season and new teachers because they believed what works 20 or 30 years ago is still good for today. I look at this question as this; we can take what was utilized in the past and incorporate it into today's technology.

          I think that teaching in a differentiated classroom is a great way to reach all of the different learners in my classroom. From experience I have noticed that my students are engaged and motivated; they are more willing to participate and be involved in classroom discussions. The students in my classroom have many different choices to choose from. I have set up different activities to meet all the needs of my students. This will help each student to be successful.

          During this week reading, I came across a key point; “teachers have found that using computers, digital media, and other computer-related technologies can capture students’ attention and improve students’ outcomes”(Shelly, 6^th edition). I realized that when I decided to utilized the Smart Board in my curriculum, my students were excited to participate and willing to come to the board to be part of the lesson. This gave more free time to work with other students who are struggling in certain subjects. This was my first year incorporating the Smart Board in my curriculum. I have noticed a huge difference among my students.

 

So to answer this question, I would say yes and yes.

 

Reading Reaction # 1

"Are we doing what is best for our students, or are we doing what is most convenient for us?

    As an educator this question is difficult to answer. I believed that teachers are doing their best to motivate their students. In today's society, we have teachers who are "old school" and they are stuck in their old ways. It's very hard to change and today's technology is very difficult for those teachers to learn about. There are not enough professional development classes available for season teachers to utilize. Some teachers believed that the traditional teaching works and they see no need to change their ways. It's always a struggle between the season and new teachers because they believed what works 20 or 30 years ago is still good for today. I look at this question as this; we can take what was utilized in the past and incorporate it into today's technology.
          I think that teaching in a differentiated classroom is a great way to reach all of the different learners in my classroom. From experience I have noticed that my students are engaged and motivated; they are more willing to participate and be involved in classroom discussions. The students in my classroom have many different choices to choose from. I have set up different activities to meet all the needs of my students. This will help each student to be successful.
          During this week reading, I came across a key point; “teachers have found that using computers, digital media, and other computer-related technologies can capture students’ attention and improve students’ outcomes”(Shelly, 6^th edition). I realized that when I decided to utilized the Smart Board in my curriculum, my students were excited to participate and willing to come to the board to be part of the lesson. This gave more free time to work with other students who are struggling in certain subjects. This was my first year incorporating the Smart Board in my curriculum. I have noticed a huge difference among my students.

So to answer this question, I would say yes and yes.