Teaching Geography With Technology!

Check out the National Geographic Educational Site and under Mapping click on MapMaker Interactive! I found some links Dr Smirnova provided on e-class and explored them. This was one of the sites that i explored! The MapMaker interactive allows students drag the map and explore the many different places around the world. Not only does it allow students to explore the map but it allows them to add "layers" to the map. The different types of layers students could add to the map to view could be: earth quakes, population density, ocean currents, sea temperature in the winter and summer, volcanic eruptions, cultures such as major religions and diversities, and much more!

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?!?!

It is important for people to understand the world around them and in which they live in! I feel as though interactive maps are extremely important because it introduces and prepares students to have an understanding, geographic reasoning skills, and the ability to read a map. A virtual map gives an easy 3D tour / exploration which is great for visual learners! The primary importance of maps is to help students understand the world! Street maps show their immediate surroundings. National maps show land forms and bodies of water. Country maps show borders, and world maps show all of the above. For students to have the ability to interact with maps would help them learn all of this and more!


I found an interesting website called : 15 awesome Interactive Maps from the New York Times!  Check it out! It shows 15 different interactive maps based on different interesting topics. Have fun exploring :)

Creative Ways to Teach Geography! Check it Out!

Today I am exploring a power point that Doctor Smirnova posted on e-class. This power point is called 103 simple ways to teach geography! This power point has 103 creative and simple ways to engage students in exploring geography with the use of technology. As I went through the slides I explored many of the tools and sites to see all that is offered.


                        Dumpr

On the first page there was a tool called Dumpr. I explored this tool and found it extremely creative, engaging, and interesting to use with students in a classroom! Using this tool students could create a digital photo pencil sketch by uploading a photo. Once the photo is uploaded they could be printed out for students to paint or color over. I love this idea!

Here is the link for Dumpr: Dumpr - Photo Pencil Sketch


                        Google Earth Trip! 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS IDEA! I used Google earth before and previously explored the site. This is an excellent idea that is easy and fun to do. I could truly see students enjoying this activity and it sounds like a great way to keep students on task and manage a classroom. As stated on the power point, teachers could take a jar, tub, or bucket and fill them with slips. Each slip would have a world city, destination, or land mark to explore. The first student who packs their belongings away first, or cleans up nicely gets to pick out a slip of paper, and the class flies there on Google earth! Here is the link to Google earth: Google Earth



                         Adopt A Rock!

I think this is an excellent idea and once again I have to say that I LOVE it! To choose a rock, ask students to examine the rock, its make up, where it came from, and what processes have shaped it, is an amazing idea! Students examine and learn all about rocks and their many elements during earth science. If a teacher wants to introduce the elements of rocks before students take earth science or help deepen their understanding after the course is an excellent idea! I love the idea of the rock being taken by a classmate over the weekend or a holiday. Giving the rock a home the student is to take pictures of the rocks journey and all that it encounters. "Remember, every rock matters"!!!

        A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

 Idea #17: This idea stated that teachers are to take a important news article and read it to the students. The teacher then asks the students to draw an image representing the issue or event that was mentioned within the article, "A picture speaks a  thousand words."

I loved this idea because I feel that it is important for students to know what is going on in the world and in the society in which they live in. In today's society students barley read newspapers anymore, they have the internet, their phones, and online articles that they could often refer to. Though they have those digital documents at their fingertips many do not take the time to read about current events that are going on as we speak. It is important for the teacher to help students make connections. When students make connections to their every day life they deepen their understanding of a topic and learn more than one could ever imagine! To have students draw a picture of what they learned is extremely important as well! This allows students to show their understanding and helps the teacher recognize what the student had taken away from the article and lesson.

            Voicethread  

 Voicethread is an excellent tool for students to use! I explored Dr Smirnovas Voicethread and loved it! Voicethread is an interactive model that uses visual and recorded media. It is simple and easy to use, all you have to do is create and account and add a picture! Once you create your account you are able to listen to Dr Smirnovas questions, watch a video, and respond! I feel as though this tool provides a great opportunity for students to express and share their opinions in a creative way! Here is the link to Dr Smirnovas Voicethread:  Dr Smirnovas Voicethread Check it out!!!

 Engaging, interactive,& easy!

You could also used your camera and film yourself when responding! If you do not have a camera no need to worry! You can type or record your response. To record your response you can use a cellphone or microphone in a lap top or computer. 

My Alter Ego on Twitter!

Twitter is an extremely popular site, app, or tool, that students now use! Twitter is an online social networking site that allows its users to send and read 140 character text messages known as "tweets". 

Idea # 26: Idea number twenty six stated that Twitter can be used to help students study and learn! I think this is a great idea. To reach out to students using their own social networking sites and tools in order to make learning engaging and fun. The idea is to create an alter ego twitter account, as a teacher. The teacher would then have the students sign up for twitter or use their current one and follow the teachers alter ego account. The teacher will be sure to tweet facts relating to upcoming exam topics each day! Students can then contact the teacher directly for advice and receive the tweets to their phones! 

                   Landscape in a Box

Landscape in box is an activity where students take a box and create a landscape that would fit inside of it. This is an amazing idea! This allows students to learn all about a place while re-creating it and getting creative. When I was in elementary school I created a landscape in a box as well. I currently do not remember the landscape i created but I do remember having a great deal of fun creating and sharing my work! 

                   Throw a Globe

 To make a lesson fun and exciting a teacher could possibly use this idea to make the lesson much more engaging! Throw a Globe! :)

A teacher could purchase a blow up globe to throw around the room for questioning. The teacher or a student could throw the glob to a student who he or she wants to answer the question. Once the question is answered that student can throw it to another student to answer the next question!

 When I was younger a few of my teachers used this technique. I enjoyed throwing the globe around the room and passing it on to my classmates. It was always exciting to catch the globe and answer the question. This made the lesson fun and helped me look forward to participating in the class 

discussion! 

The World on a Shower Curtain!!!

I LOVE THIS IDEA! :)

The world shower curtain could be a useful addition to a classroom. The curtain could be hung up within the classroom or used on the floor and annotated with dry erase markers! I think this is an excellent idea and would truly help students learn the world map. It is a large visual item that is tangible and would allow students to play and explore. I would definitely use this idea in my classroom in the future. 

Survey Monkey 

Survey monkey is a tool where a teacher and or student could create a survey with numerous questions. It is an extremely easy and fun tool to use. It is an excellent way for students to provide feedback as well!!! 

 Within Dr Smirnova's class we were introduced to Survey Monkey in the beginning of the year. I enjoyed using the site and would definitely use it in the future to hear from my students and to see their responses to a lesson or unit. It is a great way to receive students feedback.

Cubing as a Class!

Today we learned about 89 year old U.S. WWII vet Richard Faulkner! I found this lesson extremely interesting and engaging. The article alone truly captured my attention, and I thought it was an interesting choice. While reading this article I made connections to my own life. I was able to relate the article to my grandfather who served in World War Two, as did Richard Faulkner. The article was about, Richard Faulkner, who served in the war and was a survivor of a tragic accident. Faulkner was to be rewarded for his survival but denied the metal in which he was to be given. Faulkner did not want to accept such a thing for a horrible tragedy. Years later he realized he wanted something to pass down to his grandchildren and wished he had accepted the metal after all. With some help a ceremony was put together and Faulkner finally accepted his metal!

Here is the link to read the article! Richard Faulkner 

The group then taught the class what description, comparison, association, analysis, application, and argumentation was, and how we could use this to read and analyze the given article. Each student was assigned one of the six elements and were to write how they used that element to understand the article. I was assigned association. I wrote about how my grandfather served in the war as well and how I was given some of his items in memory of him!

Description: 
After reading this article, you will describe what the article is about.

Comparison: 
After reading this article, you will compare your findings to a time when you were praised for something that you didn't think you deserved. 

Association:
After reading this article, you will associate what you read with something else that you have learned about, either in the news, class, or in your personal life.

Analysis: 
After reading this article, you will analyze the details that you read in order to break it up into four main parts. 

Application:
After reading this article, you will write down how you can apply the message that you learned to your own life.

Argumentation:
After reading this article, argue whether you believe that Faulkner did the right thing by asking for his Purple Heart later on in life or if you think it was too late? Why?

Here is the groups lesson plan for their current event: Lesson Plan

Here is the groups presentation for their current event: Cubing! 

San Antonio moves its library into the future, and leaves books behind!

Today Jean and Julia taught the class a current event in which is happening today. Jean and Julia's current event was based off an article named, " San Antonio moves its library into the future, and leaves books behind." This article was about how technology is coming into play in today's society. Technology is of great importance in the world today. Technology, as we know, is a fast growing industry and has no signs of slowing day any time soon. In fact i feel as though everything will soon be dependent on technology in the future. In today's day we are always surrounded by technology and those using it such as: computers, smart phones, televisions. So much has changed within this field over the years and technology has come along way. If you think about it, we went from the printing press to digital documents. The article Jean and Julia provided was all about how technology is changing our world today and how San Antonio wants to convert their library using technology and leaving books behind! I thought this article was extremely interesting!!!


Here is the article below if you would like to read it and check it out!  San Antonio moves its library into the future, and leaves books behind

As for Jean and Julia's presentations they used Prezi which was extremely interesting and engaging. They were well prepared and it had a lot of great information on it! They checked for understanding using Kahoot! I love playing Kahoot, which is a fun, engaging, and educational game!!! :)

Here is their Prezi Power Point! Current Event
Here is their Lesson Plan for their current event: Lesson Plan

Jigsaw In Action

Today we finally had the chance to put the jigsaw into action and put all the pieces together! Today we met with our base groups and had the chance to teach them all about our given topic. My topic was group processing. The characteristics of group processing that I had taught to my base group included positive interdependence, individual accountability, group accountability, face to face interaction, and social skills. The interactions and relationships between teachers and students, and among students, constitute the group processing of the classroom. Group processing is extremely important because it allows students to learn more effectively if they are actively engaged. Group work is a great way to engage students and allow them to reflect on their work while building their social skills and working towards a shared group goal with their classmates. Group work allows students to build effective relationships and build off of each others ideas. It is an excellent learning strategy and should be used often and when appropriate!

I truly enjoyed today's class.I loved the structure of the jigsaw project and the way in which it was student centered and allowed us to teach one another. It was nice to have the change to interact with my classmates and learn all that I could from them. I enjoyed teaching them my own topic as well. I felt as though it was an excellent way to present such a great amount of material all at once. Today we all demonstrated student accountability, group accountability, face to face interactions, and social skills. We all demonstrated group accountability, face to face interactions, and social skills by presenting our information to our base groups. We showed individual accountability by becoming experts on our assigned topics. The one downfall to group processing and or group work is the "sink or swim" factor. If one student fails to participate or contribute to the group work the whole group will be effected. Many times during field work I observed students dazing off and not completing their assigned task. This later effected the rest of the group who worked hard to complete their tasks. The assignment must be structured so that all students work together appropriately and accordingly. One member can not succeed at the expenses of others. That is the only negative aspect of the jigsaw. Other than that I truly loved working with in my expert group and reporting back to my base group. I also enjoyed learning from my classmates! It was a great experience and should be used within all classrooms! 

Here are the Power Point links to all of the expert groups, Enjoy! 

1. Miss Maureen, Miss Marchese, Miss Bonacasa: Group Processing Jigsaw Project 
2. Mr. Kimbark, Miss Grey, Miss Popow: Social Skills & Face to Face interaction Jigsaw Project
3. Miss Perrone, Miss Perrone, Miss D'Aurio, Miss Thompson: Positive Interdependence & Individual Accountability Jigsaw Project 

All History Was Once Current: So What Is a Current Event

Now that we are no longer teaching our second graders in Bishop Dunn. It feels so strange to finally be back in our classroom. Today we learned all that we would be doing for our upcoming assignments such as the current event. We spoke about the importance of the current event and how it should be developed. We are to write and introduction, a development, a closure, and our own responses in a reflection paper. After reviewing the guidelines for the current event Doctor Smirnova gave us time to review and finish up our Jigsaw projects that we had started in the beginning of the year. With such a busy schedule this year and tending to our second graders we never had the chance to review and discuss our projects! We met in our expert groups and finalized our PowerPoint. Tomorrow is the day we will piece it all together and I will teach my base group all about group processing!

                   

Scrapbooking Lewis and Clarks Adventures

Today group 4 taught their cooperative instruction lesson plan. This consisted of students creating their own scrapbooks of Lewis and Clarks expedition. 

Though the groups were large each student had a job  to carry out within their group. This helped the lesson go smoothly. The jobs were given out on small pieces of paper with a definition and instruction of what the student will be doing. I loved how group 4 had some students draw Lewis and Clarks journey on a map. I thought that was extremely creative!!! 

              

I LOVED this idea and felt as though it truly engaged the students. The students loved creating their own book and working together in groups to do so. They were all so excited to share their work as well.  

How The Second Grade Pioneers Would Travel

 Today I observed group four teach their inquiry instruction lesson plan. Miss Julie began the lesson by asking students questions based off of their direct instruction lesson on Monday. Students gave great feedback by stating the key people of that time and what transportation they used to travel and explore. After activating students prior knowledge the teachers went over the different types of transportation: walking, horses, covered wagons, and trains. Miss Julie, Miss Jessica, and Miss Rachel all had a debate in front of the class, to demonstrate what they would be doing in today's lesson, on which type of transportation was the better choice. Mr Brian then hit the gong to stop the debate and said, "Let's have the second graders decide what the better choice of transportation may be." Mr Brian then discussed what a hypothesis is and how to create one. Shortly students began to create a hypothesis on a slip of paper that was provided. Each table was given a folder and each student was given a role to read and find out all about the different types of transportation. I thought this lesson was creative and engaging. Students truly loved the debate and were excited to debate themselves and stand in front of the room to present their findings. 

There were some things I would have changed to this lesson. I noticed when instructions were being given it was not always to the whole class. The majority of the time the teacher would stand at one table and more or less tell that table what to do. When this occurred I noticed the students at the further table were unable to hear the instructions and would not pay attention. I realized how important it is to speak loud and clear and to make sure you have the students full attention. A teachers placement and body language truly make a different and help capture students attention. One other thing I noticed was that it is difficult to work with larger groups. Some of the students began to day dream and not pay attention or contribute work to their group. I realized it is important to have students work in smaller groups; therefore each and every student participates and learns.

Group four did an excellent job! I loved the homework they gave out to the second graders! They died paper using tea and burned the edges to make it look as if it is an older document. They were then told to write about the type of transportation they would have wanted to use. Great Job, I am excited to see all that you do Friday! :)

St. Patricks Day With Lewis and Clark

Today i observed group four teach their first direct instruction lesson plan on exploring the west and some of the key people during this time. Overall, I thought this lesson went extremely well, I loved their creativity and energy, but there were a few things I would have liked to change or make improvements on. I truly liked how the group decided to use a gong to capture the students attention. This was a fun and creative way to hold the students attention and keep them on task. A direct instruction lesson is teacher based; therefore the teacher directs the students and guides them through the lesson, which was done with great energy and enthusiasm by group 4! Each and every teacher was energetic and full of life. Everyone spoke well and projected their voice for all the students to hear. I loved how they created a larger map and timeline on a poster board for the students to connect with and use! 

One thing I would have changed to the lesson was to check for understanding throughout the lesson rather then towards the end. Asking students questions throughout the lesson would help students gain a deeper understanding and it would allow the teachers to see how well the students truly understand the material. Other then that I loved the lesson and thought it went extremely well. I am excited to see what they will do for their next lesson! Fireworks group 4 :)

Students are all dressed in green for St. Patrick's day! 

Here is the link to group 4's powerpoint for their lesson! The powerpoint was colorful and had numerous graphics on it for the students to view! Our Country Growing 


        

Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions

Technology At Its Finest

I found some great pictures and ideas current teachers use in their classroom! I thought they were extremely creative and wanted to share their ideas.

This image below is a bulletin board a teacher created. This teacher created this bulletin board for his or her reading and or technology classroom door decor. All of the apps posted on her board are real and support reading and language arts skills and strategies. I felt as though this was a great idea to advertise helpful and useful educational apps that students could use to learn. IREAD!

Another teacher stated that she wanted to bring technology into her classroom and use it within her lessons. She used old iPhones as iPods in the classroom. She sent out a flyer and asked if anyone wanted to donate any old use items that the children could use in class! I also love the station she created and the labeled baskets she used.

One last image I found that I though was extremely creative yet important to have within a classroom when using technology is a list of RULES. These rules are student friendly and show what is expected of the students. Now that technology is becoming a learning tool within classrooms teachers have to reinforce and remind students how to properly use the equipment within the classroom setting. I thought this sign was creative and engaging! 

Next Generation Teachers :)

Group four is the last group to go! I can not believe how fast these weeks are going by. We are almost done teaching our lovely second graders social studies! The week in which my group taught quickly approached but went by just as fast! As we all go and have the experience we realize the true work and dedication that has to be applied to teaching one student, let alone a whole class!!! As every group goes we learn, "what not to do". I used all that I knew and observed from Group one and built off of their mistakes. As for group three will build off of mine! Its a learning cycle and as colleagues we learn off of one another. It is quite alright to make mistakes, everyone does. From here on out we are only going to get better. I am so excited for all that is in store, not for just myself, for all of us. We are all future teachers who will be teaching the next generation of students. It is amazing to watch my colleges use technology within EVERY SINGLE lesson that was taught! We are all going to be such great teachers. FIREWORKS for us! 

Early dismissal does not stop group 3!

Today some of us were unable to observe group three's cooperative lesson plan. They had to go and teach the second graders an hour early due to Bishop Dunn's early dismissal. Today's class was held in our regular classroom. Group three discussed all that they did with the second graders today. Their lesson sounded creative and engaging and I am upset I missed it. I am sure they did an excellent job! :)

For the remaining time in class we discussed edTPA and how to navigate the site. Doctor Smirnova reviewed how edit it and make it our own. I started to work on my edTPA prior to this class but I enjoyed having this time to work on it as well. I enjoyed working on it in class because if I struggle with anything Doctor Smirnova is right there to help. For example I was having some trouble putting my Voki on my edTPA but with a little help I was able to put it on my page in seconds! :)