new widget

I've added a new widget for other teacher blogs that I like. John Spencer is a great writer and has great ideas on how to think about the job of teaching

Reflections on my learning so far this year!

My e-learning journey has been an interesting rewarding series of interactions with others.
I have learned about many tools, and read many articles about all sorts of things to do with digital learning.
I am hooked into the digital learning aspect of education and am continually learning new ways to do things.
I regularly use pinterest, twitter, blogs, youtube, animoto, smile box facebook, etc etc An interesting article that I read recently however told of how to start up a digital classroom on the smell of an oily rag.  In this way the children learn how to use the programmes that come with the computer - Microsoft word, publisher, excel etc.  Once they know their way around the keyboard and the shortcuts etc for using these programmes they adapt really well to the apps etc they you introduce them to when you can afford the software. Also the difference between using ipods, ipads, tablets, laptops, PC's is something teachers need to know about when  deciding what they would like to use in their class.

jigsaw planet

Learning new things on Interwrite and more

I have been focussing on making more use of Interwrite.  I haven't mastered the filing of work but I'm working on it.

I have made a couple of pages on counting in fives that the children can add numbers to and re arrange.

I regularly use graphic organisers for writing planning.

Interwrite is a great resource!

In the holidays I played around with making jigsaws for my class to do online. Only problem is that they need JAVA to work, and some of my class don't have it at home.  However I got the idea off Twitter and the lady who tweeted the app then visited my blog to see how I was using a jigsaw as a teaching tool.  She blitzed me in her speed to complete the puzzle!! I have also watched some of my class attempting the puzzle  and some have no strategies to work it out.  Interesting...

Cybersafety

 

It is good to remember the stage that many of the junior school children are at when putting them in front of the computer.  As teachers we are very responsible for ensuring their safety online when they are at school and I think we need to take this into account when we make policies around computer use.

I found this article from www.cybersmart.gov.au very insightful.

 Five- to seven-year-old children have a positive outlook and an accepting nature. They take pride in their new reading and counting skills and love to converse and share ideas. They are eager to behave well; they are trusting; and they don't question authority.

Children at this age may be very capable at using computers, i.e. following commands, using the mouse, and playing computer games. They are, however, highly dependent on adults or older children to help them find web sites, interpret online information or send e-mail. Characteristics of this age group:

• will accept media content at face value
• don't have the critical thinking skills to be online alone
• may be frightened by media images, both real and fictional
• may be frightened by realistic portrayals of violence, threats or dangers
• are vulnerable to online marketers who encourage them to give out personal information through surveys, contests and registration forms
• risk moving from appropriate to inappropriate sites through hyperlinks
• may be exposed to search results that link to inappropriate web sites.’
•   

And the following site has ideas for keeping children safe at different age levels

http://www.bewebaware.ca/english/ages_5_7.html

 

I like the idea of a story that children relate to on cybersafety.

http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/5_7/

has the Hector's World link on it and a cartoon developed in England called "Lee and Kim"

A good site to introduce the need to be safe.

Using a Story marker

Like this!

Interesting interview. Ewan McIntosh is a speaker at ICOT2013. Hope to hear him there.

Ideas to try

Remember to check out go2web20 for apps

An ipad for everyone

 I like the idea that the children understand

1. how fortunate they are
2. that there is an expectation that they will work hard to make it worthwhile

I wonder why they started at 3rd grade?

ICT and written language

Thinking about ICT and Literacy.... Especially written language.  I want to be able to fast track some of my children to get them more confident with their writing.

Many issues are preventing them from writing -

• difficulty thinking of an idea
• unable to hold an idea in their head for long enough
• difficulty with HRSW (don't know enough sounds)
• need more basic word recognition
• difficulty with fine motor skills - forming letters, staying on the line etc

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/writing.html

I intend researching the difficulties and have found this website (American) that looks very interesting. It has Youtube video clips as well - Some holiday viewing and reading!

I have also downloaded Story bird for my class and had a go myself.  My story is still in the unpublished stage but I am amazed at the cool illustrations you can use 

AND the cool stories people have written. (Teachers and children).  I'm looking forward to this...

Interwrite

Hooray,
After a lot of effort I found out how to take a page from Interwrite and post it on a blog.  I should have written it down at the time.... but I'm sure I'll remember when I do it again.
I've also added pictures to my stamper for Maths. I use a stamp of a boy's face or a girl's face when the children are sharing/ dividing.  They can visualise the process of sharing between 2, 3, 4 people.
I don't know how to get rid of the stamps I don't want though. Any ideas??

Easi-speak

I've learnt something new!  Having to use the easi-speak with colleagues this week has prompted me to learn a bit more about it.  It is very easy to operate once you read the instructions!! Isn't that always the way?!  Having to do a voice over myself and having the children speak about KC has motivated me to find out how much I can do with it.  I love an ICT challenge.  Meanwhile there have been numerous tasks to be completed before the new school website will be up and running. I applaud Tania and Marcelle for their commitment to the website.  It has really been a big job for them, and it should look very professional when it's done.

Using PicasaWeb albums

Had time to play around on picasa web albums today.  Works quite easily once you know where to find everything ( It took some looking to find the embed code to put the slideshow on class blog!)  I got the idea after looking at a teacher from Maraetai school's blog.  I could make my own slideshow by clicking on the link on his blog.  It automatically searches for the albums/photo files you have on your computer. You download the ones you want and add captions if you choose.  Slow down or speed up the slides if you wish, then embed in your blog.  It automatically starts when someone is on that page of your blog, as opposed to smilebox which takes ages to wind itself up!  However there is no audio aspect to this slideshow.  I like the idea that I can write captions that the children can read and then they can have comments on each photo as well.

If you want to use this slide show app, feel free to ask for help!  It was not that hard!

cake decorating!!

The Cake Decorating Championships on PhotoPeach

reflection week 3

Restorative Practice: I see many good points in the process and have used it with several children in my class. Having restorative chats with my more "challenging" kids is making small improvements. I feel that they are beginning to see the impact of their behaviour on other children and it's interesting sometimes to hear what they were thinking at the time. l like that you have prescriptive comments and questions to use and you give power to the victim. Often they just want the offender to leave them alone. However, .... At the course, I felt that being asked to share personal traumas / dramas / stories with people you do not know well was not necessary. People were not willing to share their stories with the whole group and I don't know what purpose it served apart from reminding people of things they probably wanted to forget. In reality, restorative practice does not suit every situation for a variety of reasons. I am finding that I need to teach my class about how they are feeling, as they are unable to express themselves adequately. Also, the need for preventative measures,e.g. teaching social skills has become very apparent, as most of the disruptions in my class stem from an inability to behave sociably towards others. Plenty of work to go on with. My goal, at present, is to work through more major issues that concern the whole class so the children understand the process and hear the language.

Term 2 goals

The Junior Syndicate are looking at starting a Junior ICT group,at lunchtime, as well as having a Junior ICT KC group on a Friday afternoon. Hopefully we can have all Juniors turning the computers on and off correctly and logging in by themselves. We want the children to be conversant with the keyboard and able to type in their name on Microsoft Word. We will work on changing fonts etc, and inserting word art, clipart, and photos. That's one goal!...

new toy!

Just trying out my new Sony tablet. It's good having lots of time to play and discover what you can do. Even using the android keyboard is a new skill to learn. This is fun and a bit frustrating.

Key Competencies and Key Skills

Key Competencies and Key Skills

Reflection - end of term 1

I'm finding Twitter useful for finding people who have interesting websites!
I am following lots of people...
I have started a wikipage but have not found a use for it so it's just sitting in cyberspace.
I'm pleased with the learning my class have been doing on StudyLadder and also using microsoft word. They insert word art and clipart. They are starting to draw in Word and can change colours, line widths, rotate shapes and increase or decrease the size of the object without distorting the picture. They are very good at logging on and off and they know how to shut down correctly. The children like using the IWB for their learning. They love that we can quickly shut the curtains, turn off the lights and watch a quick youtube clip or National Geographic video to support their learning. They are all learning what the interwrite programme can do. My favourite action is using the duplicate tool and the children think it's magic that the shape or word keeps producing more and more and more!
I have recently taken a photo of each page in an old shared reader and downloaded them onto interwrite. I use the highlighter to highlight spoken words then the children identify the character who said it and create a speech bubble with the words in it. It worked for some kids who didn't understand speech. You can use it really effectively for expression, phrasing and intonation. I had highlighter lines going up at the end of questions etc to teach them how it should sound. They thought it was a lot of fun trying to follow my highlighted? highlit? directions! The list of ideas is endless...

Reflection

I haven't been on this blog for a month now as I've been concentrating on my class blog and trying various apps to show videos.
I've been thinking about the importance of typing skills and basic computer knowledge for Junior children as I think this will improve the children's ability to take part in blogging from Year 3 upward. My class blog is working well as it provides information for parents and is a stimulus for oral language at home when parents talk about the childrens learning with them.