I worked with Mrs. Sester's class this week at Elda and used Google Earth with the Smart Board. The students loved it! We were studying landforms. Google Earth was a great application for this. We flew to many different areas in the world to look at islands, peninsulas, mountains, valleys, rivers and flood plains. It was really interesting to see all the different terrain across the earth! We flew to Nepal and checked out Mount Everest, Egypt and the Nile river, the Hawaiian Islands and the volcanoes, and Antarctica with the ice caps. We also looked at Florida as a peninsula, the Rocky mountains, and the ocean floor of the Atlantic along the United States coast. The students were really able to see where the ocean floor dropped off from the coast! We discussed underwater terrain and how it relates to terrain above water . Students gained map skills by looking at the differences of the topographic maps of mountains, rivers and plains. Students also were able to see an areal view of Ross as we flew over Elda!
The most interesting thing we found were the flood plains around the Nile river in Egypt. From high above you can see what looks like a huge river in the middle of the dessert. However, as you zoom in closer you can see where the actual river runs through and that the rest of the green area surrounding it is actually planting fields for crops. It illustrates how much water rivers provide to communities and sparked discussions about river flooding and why people tend to live near natural water sources. Everyone in the classroom learned something new that day and had a great experience utilizing technology for education!
If anyone is interested in working with me to provide a lesson using Google Earth to your class let me know! For more information about Google Earth, visit:
http://earth.google.com/
Friday, March 27, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
The Art Show at Elda Elementary
The Art Show for Elda was last night. It was great! It was so exciting to see all the students showing parents and loved ones their work as well as the work of their classmates. All the projects were so creative! The sculptures throughout the building were all made from recycled materials. There were activity booths set up for students and parents to show off their art skills along with local artists showcasing their work. The local artists provided some great inspiration for our students and their work gave children an idea of how much creativity and art are flowing through the Ross community. There were also a few special performances from our own Elda students. The building was filled with talent!
Pat Kerr (Elda Art teacher) utilized countless materials and resources to teach the students and guide them on projects. Of course, technology played a role too! The art room is equipped with an Elmo (document camera), laptop and projector that Pat uses to show pictures from Art books, the internet and other materials she has to provide instruction and inspiration to students. There also student computers in the room providing art software, internet access and many other resources.
Pat wanted to show the parents how hard the students had worked on their masterpieces. She used a digital camera to snap pictures of all the students during the months spent preparing the art work and displays. She also used a digital video camera to capture footage of the sculptures being made and the lip sinking students practicing their performance. Both the video footage and digital pictures were on display during the show.
Both Elda and Morgan have Art shows every year to showcase student work and talent. This was another big success for Elda and I am sure Morgan will put on a fantastic show as well! Jenna Rahrig (Art teacher at Morgan) and Pat do a fantastic job working with the students and letting creativity flow! The Art Show for Morgan is scheduled for April 2 this year. I hope to see you there!
Pat Kerr (Elda Art teacher) utilized countless materials and resources to teach the students and guide them on projects. Of course, technology played a role too! The art room is equipped with an Elmo (document camera), laptop and projector that Pat uses to show pictures from Art books, the internet and other materials she has to provide instruction and inspiration to students. There also student computers in the room providing art software, internet access and many other resources.
Pat wanted to show the parents how hard the students had worked on their masterpieces. She used a digital camera to snap pictures of all the students during the months spent preparing the art work and displays. She also used a digital video camera to capture footage of the sculptures being made and the lip sinking students practicing their performance. Both the video footage and digital pictures were on display during the show.
Both Elda and Morgan have Art shows every year to showcase student work and talent. This was another big success for Elda and I am sure Morgan will put on a fantastic show as well! Jenna Rahrig (Art teacher at Morgan) and Pat do a fantastic job working with the students and letting creativity flow! The Art Show for Morgan is scheduled for April 2 this year. I hope to see you there!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Collaborate with Google Docs
After going to the Tele-Tech Tuesday video teleconference on March 3, I realized how great Google Docs can be! Basically, it is space to create and save files that you can access from any computer. I think of it like a giant, free flash drive that I don't have to carry around with me. Google will give you server space for free (space to save files) on the internet. So, it acts like email through Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc. You can log in and check your files from anywhere with internet access. Here are a few scenarios that I can see Google docs coming in handy for:
1. You have files on your teacher computer that you would really like to take home. You could email them to yourself as attachments but this can get tedious when you have several files. You could also save them on a flash drive. What if you don't have a flash drive? Or, what if you loose it? Google docs to the rescue! You just upload (with about 2 clicks) your documents to your internet space from school. Then, go home, log back in (just like you would email) to your space and voila! There are all your files! You can download them onto your home computer or just work on them right there in your internet space (Google Docs).
2. Think of the above scenario, but the other way around. You have documents at home that you want to bring to school. It works the same way!
3. Your class is working on a power point project in the Computer lab and you want to combine all the slides from each student into one presentation. Just upload the first student file to Google Docs. From there, you can import slides from each student's file directly into the main one. No more copy/pasting!
4. You have created a file that you want to use with your students. You realize how wonderful your work is and want to share it with other teachers from your grade level. If the other teachers have an account with Google Docs you can "share" your file directly with them. No more emailing attachments or worrying about a server at school. As soon as you share it that other teachers will see the document in their own Google Docs account. Things brings me to scenario 5.
5. You want to work with a few other teachers to create documents (slide shows, word documents, etc). The goal is for each person to do his/her part and put everything together to finish the project. Here is what to do: Have one person create the file and share it with the other teachers. From here, each person can log in from any computer with internet access and work on the file. When they save their changes the new version will show up in all the teachers' accounts! You will be able to immediately see what changes have been made.
Is your interest peaked yet? If so, check it out! Go to:
www.google.com
In the upper left hand corner it says:
Images, Maps, News, Video, Mail, More
Click on the 'More' link and click on 'Documents'. The site will walk you through setting up an account. If you have a blog spot, Google Calendar or Gmail account you can use the same username and password you have already created. If not, you set up a new account. If you have additional questions or want more information please let me know. I am happy to share everything I know, copy the handouts from the tele-conference for you and walk you through using Google Docs!
Have fun!
1. You have files on your teacher computer that you would really like to take home. You could email them to yourself as attachments but this can get tedious when you have several files. You could also save them on a flash drive. What if you don't have a flash drive? Or, what if you loose it? Google docs to the rescue! You just upload (with about 2 clicks) your documents to your internet space from school. Then, go home, log back in (just like you would email) to your space and voila! There are all your files! You can download them onto your home computer or just work on them right there in your internet space (Google Docs).
2. Think of the above scenario, but the other way around. You have documents at home that you want to bring to school. It works the same way!
3. Your class is working on a power point project in the Computer lab and you want to combine all the slides from each student into one presentation. Just upload the first student file to Google Docs. From there, you can import slides from each student's file directly into the main one. No more copy/pasting!
4. You have created a file that you want to use with your students. You realize how wonderful your work is and want to share it with other teachers from your grade level. If the other teachers have an account with Google Docs you can "share" your file directly with them. No more emailing attachments or worrying about a server at school. As soon as you share it that other teachers will see the document in their own Google Docs account. Things brings me to scenario 5.
5. You want to work with a few other teachers to create documents (slide shows, word documents, etc). The goal is for each person to do his/her part and put everything together to finish the project. Here is what to do: Have one person create the file and share it with the other teachers. From here, each person can log in from any computer with internet access and work on the file. When they save their changes the new version will show up in all the teachers' accounts! You will be able to immediately see what changes have been made.
Is your interest peaked yet? If so, check it out! Go to:
www.google.com
In the upper left hand corner it says:
Images, Maps, News, Video, Mail, More
Click on the 'More' link and click on 'Documents'. The site will walk you through setting up an account. If you have a blog spot, Google Calendar or Gmail account you can use the same username and password you have already created. If not, you set up a new account. If you have additional questions or want more information please let me know. I am happy to share everything I know, copy the handouts from the tele-conference for you and walk you through using Google Docs!
Have fun!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Smart Board Activities and Tools
I gathered some great Smart Board resources while I was at the eTech Ohio conference this year. The links below cover a variety of grade ranges and subjects. Hopefully you will find something that works for your classroom! There are a lot of lessons and educational games that have already been created and are ready for you to use with your Smart Board and students.
The following sites and information are from Samuel Roman's (Cleveland Metropolitian Schools) eTech Conference presentation 2009, Tips From the Field.
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=447
A collection of ready-made Notebook software activities in various subjects and themes.
http://smartboards.typepad.com
Created and maintained by James Hollis, it is the best resource for Smart Board ideas, activities, resources and training. Use the “Search this Site” function to find lessons for your grade level and subject.
www.superteachertools.com
Allows you to create your own Jeopardy, Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Board games, which can be played online or offline.
http://almarolh.googlepages.com/harvey%27shomepage
Created by L. Harvey Almarode from James Maddison University. Offers free Notebook files for Math.
http://e-learningforkids.org/index.html
Established in late 2004, e-Learning for Kids is a global, nonprofit foundation dedicated to fun and free learning on the Internet for children ages 5-12. Provides great activities that are great on the Smart Board.
http://technic.googlepages.com/home
Developed by Nicole Mobley, a kindergarten teacher at Sandlapper Elementary in Columbia, SC. Offers free activities for KG students.
http://technology.usd259.org/resources/whiteboards/smartlessons.htm
Offers great resources for training and ready-made activities for all grades and subject areas.
The following sites and information are from Samuel Roman's (Cleveland Metropolitian Schools) eTech Conference presentation 2009, Tips From the Field.
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=447
A collection of ready-made Notebook software activities in various subjects and themes.
http://smartboards.typepad.com
Created and maintained by James Hollis, it is the best resource for Smart Board ideas, activities, resources and training. Use the “Search this Site” function to find lessons for your grade level and subject.
www.superteachertools.com
Allows you to create your own Jeopardy, Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Board games, which can be played online or offline.
http://almarolh.googlepages.com/harvey%27shomepage
Created by L. Harvey Almarode from James Maddison University. Offers free Notebook files for Math.
http://e-learningforkids.org/index.html
Established in late 2004, e-Learning for Kids is a global, nonprofit foundation dedicated to fun and free learning on the Internet for children ages 5-12. Provides great activities that are great on the Smart Board.
http://technic.googlepages.com/home
Developed by Nicole Mobley, a kindergarten teacher at Sandlapper Elementary in Columbia, SC. Offers free activities for KG students.
http://technology.usd259.org/resources/whiteboards/smartlessons.htm
Offers great resources for training and ready-made activities for all grades and subject areas.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Cafeteria Makeover: Using Technology to make it happen!
The cafeteria in Elda Elementary is getting a make-over! Mrs. Kerr (Art teacher at Elda) had the idea to paint a mural on the stage wall to brighten up the space. The new wall will have silhouettes of children in action poses painted in different colors. Each pose is different and gives the feelings of fun and enjoyment. The project is underway and will be finished shortly. I have been working with Mrs. Kerr to get the silhouettes outlined and painted. Here is how we are making it happen:
First, she used a digital camera to take action shots of students as they were shooting basketballs, running and any other fun movements the they could come up with. Once we had all the pictures we looked through them and choose 5 that went well together and gave the feeling of movement as they progressed. From there, we used the document camera (similar to an Elmo) and projector to blow up the images bigger then life size on the stage wall. We traced the outlines of each child to create the 5 silhouettes across the wall. The last step will be painting. Mrs. Kerr has chosen cool colors for the project. Each silhouette will be a different color.
This has been a fun project to work on and is looking great already! If you are at Elda, feel free to sneak a peak in the cafeteria to check out the progress!
First, she used a digital camera to take action shots of students as they were shooting basketballs, running and any other fun movements the they could come up with. Once we had all the pictures we looked through them and choose 5 that went well together and gave the feeling of movement as they progressed. From there, we used the document camera (similar to an Elmo) and projector to blow up the images bigger then life size on the stage wall. We traced the outlines of each child to create the 5 silhouettes across the wall. The last step will be painting. Mrs. Kerr has chosen cool colors for the project. Each silhouette will be a different color.
This has been a fun project to work on and is looking great already! If you are at Elda, feel free to sneak a peak in the cafeteria to check out the progress!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Blogs in the Classroom-Popularity on the Rise!
Blogging has become very popular these past few years and isn't just for socializing! Popularity for classroom blogs is on the rise in Ross. We have several educators throughout the district that have already 'taken the plunge' into blogging. Just to name a few, our Superintendent, Mr. Todd Yohey has a weekly blog and our own Music teacher, Ms. Stacy Strawser (Elda) has one too! Check out my "Blog List" in the left column to read their updates!
Blogs can add value to classroom education in many ways! Here are a few examples:
If you are interested in starting your own blog feel free to contact me with questions! I am looking forward to hearing from you!
Blogs can add value to classroom education in many ways! Here are a few examples:
- Serve as a news center for general information, homework and project updates ("Monthly Newsletter", "What We Did Today")
- Give parents a place to stay connected by reading about what is going on with their children's school work
- Give students a place to practice writing:
- They could each set up their own blog to be used a a journal (any subject)
- Blogs can be used for homework: the teacher posts a question or reading selection, students are required to post answers/feedback, etc
- Expose students and parents to new technology
If you are interested in starting your own blog feel free to contact me with questions! I am looking forward to hearing from you!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Using an IRT (Infrared Thermometer)
For the last two weeks I have been visiting classrooms and working with teachers to provide a lesson using the Smart Board and an IRT. What is an IRT you ask? It is a digital, infrared thermometer. It is a hand held device that can take Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature readings in just a few seconds. The lesson varies depending on the ability of the students and the grade level. The basic set up goes something like this:
We begin the discussion with the introduction of the IRT, how it works and how it compares to other types of thermometers. We then create a table on the Smart Board to record the data we are about to collect. We choose objects from around the room to take readings from items like the furnace, projector, lights, people, windows, etc. I always try to bring in additional items such as a tray of ice and a cold can of pop. Students take turns with the IRT collecting data for Fahrenheit and Celsius temperatures. Depending on the amount of time alloted for the lesson and what the teacher would like to focus on, we also use an interactive thermometer on the Smart Board. Students practice converting a digital reading to show the temperature on a scale. The students have to move the "mercury/alcohol" level up to show the temperature we just collected using the IRT.
Students are encouraged to use critical thinking skills and hypothesize for what temperatures will be for each object. We ask for answers to questions such as: "If we take into consideration that the outside temperature is 60 F and the inside is 73 F, what do you think the temperature will be on the inside of the window?", or "If our average internal body temperature is 98.6 F what do you think the temperature of the outside of our hand would be? What factors would effect the temperature?" When we use the ice and cold pop we talk about what the freezing point is. I let the students see the ice tray. It is usually partially melted by now. They start guessing what the actual temperature will be and explain why. I have heard some great reasons! We take the readings and record them into our data table. The next object we measure is the cold can of pop. Students get to feel how cold the pop is and have to determine if it will be warmer or colder then the melting ice and by how many degrees. It is a lot of fun to hear and see how their minds work!
We have the students come up with the average internal body temperature and explain how they came up with their hypothesis. We also have the students predict what the reading will be in Celsius once they know what the Fahrenheit temperature is. The lesson can be adapted for multiple grade levels by varying the amount of information provided, how much we focus on Celsius temperatures and what the discussion questions are. A great extension activity is to use the data we recorded to make a graph.
Students seem to really have fun with this lesson! It helps their understanding of thermometer use and understanding temperatures along with providing practice in data collection and critical thinking skills. It is an easy way to integrate technology into a lesson. The IRT is small and easily portable. I have borrowed the IRT from a colleague of mine outside the district. As long as she does not need it back, I am happy to work with any teacher to provide this lesson to a class!
If you are interested in purchasing an IRT, check out the link below. The IRT pictured is very similar to the one I am using. They vary in price depending on how accurate they are and seem to start around $40. I know there are several other companies who sell them. This is just one example!
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96451
We begin the discussion with the introduction of the IRT, how it works and how it compares to other types of thermometers. We then create a table on the Smart Board to record the data we are about to collect. We choose objects from around the room to take readings from items like the furnace, projector, lights, people, windows, etc. I always try to bring in additional items such as a tray of ice and a cold can of pop. Students take turns with the IRT collecting data for Fahrenheit and Celsius temperatures. Depending on the amount of time alloted for the lesson and what the teacher would like to focus on, we also use an interactive thermometer on the Smart Board. Students practice converting a digital reading to show the temperature on a scale. The students have to move the "mercury/alcohol" level up to show the temperature we just collected using the IRT.
Students are encouraged to use critical thinking skills and hypothesize for what temperatures will be for each object. We ask for answers to questions such as: "If we take into consideration that the outside temperature is 60 F and the inside is 73 F, what do you think the temperature will be on the inside of the window?", or "If our average internal body temperature is 98.6 F what do you think the temperature of the outside of our hand would be? What factors would effect the temperature?" When we use the ice and cold pop we talk about what the freezing point is. I let the students see the ice tray. It is usually partially melted by now. They start guessing what the actual temperature will be and explain why. I have heard some great reasons! We take the readings and record them into our data table. The next object we measure is the cold can of pop. Students get to feel how cold the pop is and have to determine if it will be warmer or colder then the melting ice and by how many degrees. It is a lot of fun to hear and see how their minds work!
We have the students come up with the average internal body temperature and explain how they came up with their hypothesis. We also have the students predict what the reading will be in Celsius once they know what the Fahrenheit temperature is. The lesson can be adapted for multiple grade levels by varying the amount of information provided, how much we focus on Celsius temperatures and what the discussion questions are. A great extension activity is to use the data we recorded to make a graph.
Students seem to really have fun with this lesson! It helps their understanding of thermometer use and understanding temperatures along with providing practice in data collection and critical thinking skills. It is an easy way to integrate technology into a lesson. The IRT is small and easily portable. I have borrowed the IRT from a colleague of mine outside the district. As long as she does not need it back, I am happy to work with any teacher to provide this lesson to a class!
If you are interested in purchasing an IRT, check out the link below. The IRT pictured is very similar to the one I am using. They vary in price depending on how accurate they are and seem to start around $40. I know there are several other companies who sell them. This is just one example!
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96451
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)