Digital Day

Subject(s):  Math, Language Arts

Grade(s):  2

Technology tools:  Computer(s), LCD Projector, Document Camera

Tools used:  Video, Word processing

Activity type:  Lesson, Teacher presentation, Assessment

I used the computer, projector and document camera as my teaching assistant all day today. NO BOARD and NO MARKER! :)

From this:


to THIS:

Today, I used the computer and a simple PowerPoint presentation instead of the board and marker system that I have so been accustomed to using.  I changed everything over. The student's agenda and schedule, directions, work were on a PowerPoint presentation that helped guide clear and direct instruction today. The technology seemed to hold the student's attention because they remained engaged and could stay focused on the task at hand.

Assessment: I could allow students to self check work they answered questions, comments on target, etc.

GREAT day with technology!. Having what we have makes me want more! :) It opened the doors for my teaching and the learning and exploration for my students!

Susan Winkler,  Viewmont

Creating a Classroom Newspaper

Subjects:  Language Arts

Grade:  2

Technology tools:  Laptop(s), digital camera

Tools used:  Digital manipulative, Word processing

Activity type:  Project

I wanted students to combine word processing skills and digital photography to create a classroom newspaper about things that happen in our classroom.

I submitted a proposal to DonorsChoose asking for a netbook computer and digital camera to create a classroom newspaper called "Heckler's Happenings".  Students write articles about things we are currently working on in class.  They type the article using Microsoft Word and take pictures with the digital camera to accompany the article.  Right now I place the articles and pictures into the newsletter template, but as this project grows, I would like to show students how to do it themselves.

So far, we have published our first issue and are ready to publish our second.

The students are very excited to write their articles and have great ideas.  The first issue provided immediate feedback to them that they were proud to show to their parents.  I will continue with this activity and make improvements to the process with each issue.

Kim Heckler,  Southwest

Math at Grandview

Subject:  Math

Grade:  7

Technology tools:  Computer(s), Laptop(s), LCD Projector, digital cameras

Tools used:  Simulation, Digital manipulative, Digital text / ebook, Word processing, Communication tool, Collaboration tool

Activity type:  Lesson, Unit, Project, Teacher presentation, Assessment, Research, Tutorial

Unit Topic: Math at Grandview

Learning Target: Create and present a presentation with peers showing math shapes and concepts  found at Grandview

Curriculum standards and objectives:

·         All 7th grade math standards and objectives were covered:  Goal 1...Number and Operations, Goal 2...Measurement, Goal 3...Geometry, Goal 4...Data Analysis, Goal 5...Algebra

·         Info and tech standards: Assimilate and evaluate information

 

Students were to create a PowerPoint presentation using shapes and measurements found at Grandview.

·        Step 1: Students were divided into groups and given the rubrics necessary for the project.

·        Step 2: The groups were  given a stop watch and digital camera. Following the rubric they were to take up to 15 pictures to use on their slides.

·        Step 3: Following the rubric they created a PowerPoint presentation to present to their class and parents at PTA night.

Students were assessed using a rubric that included  a group grade for content and presentation. The participation grade was for each individual (each group member graded the members of their group according to a rubric and I averaged these together to get the individual's participation grade).

This activity was extremely successful. The discussions that were generated when the projects were presented were amazing. Students asked each other probing questions and pointed out things that were in the slides that the presenters did not notice.  Students were also able to point out mistakes in a nonthreatening manner.

Changes for the future: The one change that I would make would be to I sign up for the computer lab for an extra day. (The students became so involved that they wanted to do the same project again but take different pictures.)

Ellie Wilson,  Grandview

Using PhotoPeach with ESL Students

Subjects:  Language Arts, Science, Social Studies

Grades:  K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Technology tools:  Computer(s), Laptop(s), LCD Projector, Interactive Slate

Tools used:  Interactive website, Video, Digital text / ebook, Audio, Audio creator / editor, Word processing, Image creator / editor

Activity type:  Lesson, Unit, Project, Teacher presentation

I used PhotoPeach, a web-based, user-friendly, slideshow maker, to integrate science and technology, and ESL/ELA content and technology. In one third grade project, students studied main idea, comparing and contrasting, and Tier 2 words, and science content. After drawing pictures and writing descriptive sentences that compared and contrasted, they were able to upload their drawings, and add music, text, and comments to their presentations.

A similar activity was done in first grade; with more of a focus on sentence structure.

Another PhotoPeach project integrated the school-wide Career Day presentations by parents and community members. After pictures were uploaded, students added descriptive sentences, which are now to be presented to parents and attendees at Awards Day.

PowerPoint presentations and interactive slates have been a part of my curriculum for a few years now.

Crystal Pritchett, Jenkins Elementary 

Civil War Presentations using PowerPoint and Prezi

Subjects:  Math, Language Arts, Social Studies

Grades:  3, 4, 5

Technology tools:  Laptop(s), LCD Projector

Tools used:  Video, Word processing, Social media tool, Communication tool

Activity type:  Lesson, Unit, Project, Research

Students researched famous people of the Civil War and created PowerPoint presentations and Prezis to present along with their costumes and tri-folds for the Civil War Wax Museum.  Students viewed videos, researched their people, printed pictures, made PowerPoint presentations, and created Prezis.  Student learned how to save their information to their individual student share folders, and send their info to themselves through email, as well as save their info on flash drive.  On the day of the Wax Museum, students used the netbooks in the mall area of our school as part of their presentations.

Students were given a full rubric for the project that included use of technology.

The activity was very successful and I would like to link the Prezis together in a movie for next year's students to view.

Janet Hambrick,

Integrating Technology in 5th Grade

Subjects:  Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies

Grade:  5

Technology tools:  Computer(s), Laptop(s), LCD Projector

Tools used:  Interactive website, Video, Word processing, Spreadsheet

Activity type:  Lesson, Project, Teacher presentation, Research, Tutorial

I have used technology to help my children with their spelling words each week.  They listen to the words pronounced correctly and look at a child friendly definition.  Some of my children have made PowerPoint presentations about something we are learning in science or social studies.  We have gone to certain websites to look at another way that a concept was being taught in math.  Some of my children have made a spreadsheet of the books in our classroom library.  My children are constantly using Google to look something up that comes up that we are unsure of.

We use Spelling City each week for our spelling words.  We use google.com a lot also.

Assessment:  Most of the time, teacher observation.  I also assess the children's knowledge of their spelling words with their weekly tests.

I will continue to do everything that I have done and hope to do more each year.