My learning style

Well I am learning a lot about myself throughout this course. The blog has certainly taught me that I think a lot and my ideas float around in my head with no real organization at first and then I sift through them and finally I write them. For essay writing or report writing this has always worked for me. I research or mark and grade, then I think and ponder and look over things but I do not write until almost the deadline.
This does not mean I have left things until the last minute or that I am not doing any research or thinking, only that I am not one to record things. This is not a good strategy for a Blog because then there is this feeling of having to catch up.
What I learn is that different people learn different ways and writing journals or blogging are not my strengths. As I tell my students, this does not mean I give up on blogging, this means I have to put more effort into writing blogs.

This weekend is a very busy one as I finalize my essay and get my reports underway.

Graphers

Graphers is a great program for data management and probability. I begin by guiding the students through a sample lesson. Then the students must create 2 graphs successfully using data from premade cards. In the notebook section the students must analyze the data on their graphs using math vocabulary like: more than / less than, etc. Once students do this they get to move up to the next level. They are motivated to analyze the data correctly in order to move up. They then use the themes from Graphers to create a graph independently. This means they create their own question and tally chart, collect the data, create the graph and then analyze the data.

This has been a very successful unit because I conference with the students after they analyze the first graph, then they know exactly what they are missing and must do better on the second one in order to move to the challenge. It is also an excellent unit for students who have difficulty with fine motor skills because all of the graphs look perfect!

Digital Cameras in the Primary Classroom

Today I thought about having students be investigative recorders and go on a scavenger hunt to find a variety of "things" in the classroom. Things like: number patterns, geometric patterns, 2 D shapes, 3 D shapes, etc
I had been online and found another site with great ideas: Using the Digital Classroom in the Primary Classroom and this site helped me start to make an extensive list. Now I cannot wait to take my camera in to try this out.

..a very visual day with the SMARTboard

I think sometimes we add a lot more visuals in a day to enhance learning than we realize. Today I was thinking about that throughout my lessons. First we did our daily math practice question and took it up on the SMARTboard. This is awesome because the question gets scanned in from the text and so the teacher can model the key things to highlight in the question and the students can watch.
Later, during a math lesson I used a template that I have with base ten blocks and the infinite cloner. This helps students see exactly how you trade a 100 flat into 10 rods. The lesson included a chart which again was scanned in and modeled right in front of all students. Students also come up to the board to record their answers and they LOVE writing on the SMARTboard. It is so motivational. (Errors can be swiped off and corrected so easily.)
Lastly, I used the SMARTboard with both grade 1 classes to show them how to write lists. We created a list of classroom rules together. The grade 1 students call it the MAGIC board. Again, the lesson can be demonstrated in front of the students very specifically so they understand what the expectations are.
All in all a very good visual day. Unfortunately the lessons are at school. I will add a couple of samples in my next blog.

Looking Ahead, Visually...

I looked at a number of websites today and saved them so that I can check them out and see it any of them are useful for the next assignment. It is "Technology and the Visual Learner". This is what I have so far:

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=6753
http://www.hardin.k12.ky.us/res_techn/tec/digitalcamera/primary.htm
http://www.wacom-asia.com/casestudy/case/hong-kong-cannosa-primary-schools-digital-art-studio
http://www.wacona.com/digicam/digicam.html
http://www.adobe.com/education/instruction/adsc/
http://themes.pppst.com/digitalcameras.html
http://www.rockdale.k12.ga.us/personal/mholbrook/dig_photos/default.aspx
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/digital-camera.htm

Now I need to go through and weed them out to see if there is any useful material there. At a quick glance there was.

Data Management and the Grade 4s

I had Grade 4s in the lab today and was all ready to model the Graphers program. This unit works well because first I model the program, then the students try it out. After that they have to complete step by step cards to finish a graph. Once they have met with success they are challenged to create their own graph beginning with their own question, then gather data, and then creating the graph on Graphers by applying the knowledge they have from the original cards.

It is a very differentiated unit and works well. Students learn to help each other during the "Try It" stage and I am available for extra teaching as well. In the meantime, those who understand can move ahead.

However, today I stuck with review of the Canada material. With the outbreak we only had 10 students in each class. Flexibility is the key in any subject, any grade!

Reflection

After rereading all of the forum notes last night I became aware of the fact I have not blogged all of the research and thoughts I have had during the audio forum. I bookmarked site after site and kept many jot notes in a word doc, but I did not record them in my blog.

I reflected on how the use of audio could enhance all subject areas at all grade levels. I searched under subjects such as: science, math, phys. ed. I searched under podcasts and audio, and I searched for material for children.

While searching I also read through the Ontario curriculum documents to make sure that my ideas aligned with the curriculum in some way. At this time I realized how much some ideas integrated different subjects.

In the end, I decided that I would like to make podcasting a part of my program. I have begun podcasts that I prepared and the students loved them. I promised them that they will be creating their own podcasts soon. This really excited them.

On Friday I used audacity and realized how simple it is to use, so I do believe this is an attainable goal. A goal that I am very excited about.