Graphics

I have a pretty good feeling that this semester is going to be one of my favorites.  My kiddos go CRAZY when I pull out the markers or use PIXIE.  They just love it! I am hopeful that this semester will teach me new ways to incorporate graphics into my classroom.  VIsual thinking is one of the best ways to show little ones (and big ones!) how to solve a problem.  My goal for the next few weeks will be to not only teach using visual thinking but also teach the little ones how to look, see, imagine and show!

The first lesson that came to my mind when thinking about looking, seeing, imagining and then of course showing was our unit on habitats. The kids were given a big tub full of plants and animals that belonged to a certain habitat but were not sure which one.  They were first told to look through the tub.  The next step was for the kids to try and see if they could find any similarities and start grouping the animals into groups.  The third step was for the students to think of away they could teach their classmates about the habitat they found in their tub.  The last part was the presentation.  Many students chose to use pixie to draw and select stickers to represent their habitat, while others just used markers.  I just loved seeing all of the different ways the kids chose to display their findings!

computer challenge

After reading Oversold and Underused I decided to write down when my students use technology in the classroom.  I found that I use the promethean board a lot and the four personal computers barely at all! EK!!!  Besides during literacy centers the computers are hardly used.

I am challenging myself to use the computers more.

The first thing I did was look at my schedule.  I noticed that there is a 20 minute gap from when students can arrive to school and when the bell rings.  I thought this would be a great time to incorporate the computers.  When I told the students that four students would get to go on the computers for morning work they were thrilled! I created a poster that tells the students which day is their computer morning work day.  I have students do an activity or visit a website that they have already done because I am busy greeting students and checking folders. The students love starting their day on the computers!

I would love to hear how others use their computers on a daily basis.

Webquests

I had my students use the webquest I built during our computer lab time last week.  It was the first time the students had completed a webques. I found a lot of the time was spent teaching the students the software skills they would need to navigate through the sites. After we spent time doing that we didn't have much time to actually do the webquest.  I extended the time and used the next computer lab time to finish it up.

I am wondering if there is already a simple webquest made that helps the students learn how to complete a webquest.  I think this would be a good way to introduce the concept of webquests to the students.

Creating puzzles out of rubrics

One activity that I have my students complete to understand rubrics better is to turn the rubric into a puzzle! 

We first read the rubric together and talk about how you can earn different numbers on each section.  I give a copy of the rubric to each group and have them cut it into small pieces. As a group they work together to put it back together.  I have found that this helps them understand the layout of rubrics better and creates great conversations.

SSCC when creating a brochure

Today I did a designed a computer lab lesson that used SSCC. The students were told that the National Zoo had a problem they needed help with. The zoo was tired of people asking them what happens to the animals in the winter and wanted to see if we could create a brochure for them to hand out. The students were very excited to help!

For the most part it went very well.  I provided the website they would use to find the information. They are not ready to search through the web alone. I did take 20 minutes to go over the software skills that were needed for the lesson.  Student used a website and a software program to research the information. They used paper and pencil to create the brochure. They do not have the software skills to use a word program yet.  (That will be another lesson!) I made sure to match up the children with a strong reader and a strong user of information. Most of the students were able to finish in one computer lab session which is 40 minutes. The ones who did not finish will get to finish tomorrow during centers. Below you will see the steps that were given to the student. Most were able to follow along.

Animals Surviving the Winter

The National Zoo would like to have information to give to visitors explaining what animals do during the winter months.

1.  With a partner you will search the internet to find out information.

2.Once you have your information you will decide what you think is most important.

3.You will create a brochure to send to the zoo.

4.The zoo will pass the brochure out to visitors.

1. Click on the link below to find out the three ways animals survive the winter.

How do animals survive the winter?

2. Open BrainPop jr. and login.

(liberty2         liberty1)

1.        Click on SCIENCE

2.       Click on ANIMALS

3.       Click on HIBERNATION

4.       Click on MIGRATION

3. Create a brochure for the zoo to pass out to visitors.

Software skills

26 comments from 26 first graders during computer lab:

"I forgot my username!"
"I forgot my password!"
"What do I click now?"
"what did you say we were doing?"
"What do I need to click?"
"Why did my window close?"
"Something is not working!"
"Ms. Cunningham, I don't know what to do!"
"Where did my mouse go?"
"Why did it open so many screens?"
"Woops...I printed it 10 times!"
"I forgot to save" (followed by 20 minutes of tears)
"She is pressing on my keyboard!"
"He keeps hitting my mouse."
"I can't get my screen to turn on."
"I don't understand"
"I need to go to the bathroom."
"I closed the screen by mistake."
"My typing is gone now."
"He copied me!!!"
"Where is it?"
"I forgot what you said to do."
"I can't find the letter H"
"I don't know how to go back."
"How do you get there again."
"I need help!"


1 comment from the first grade teacher:

"ahhhhhhhhhhhh"


I have noticed that when I am designing lessons a lot of my time is spent on teaching the needed software skills.  I want to give the students a chance to use other programs other than Pixie2.  Pixie2 is great but is not always the best software tool for certain projects. I can't wait for them to get past this hump and really start using the technology to communicate their ideas. 

You don't need to reinvent the wheel...just customize it!

One of my goals this year was to make more interactive flipcharts on the promethean board. Last year I found myself making flipcharts that were basically PowerPoint’s. The flipcharts were not engaging my students and were lacking so many interactive and fun tools.

As I was searching the web I found a great website with pre-made game flipcharts ready for you to customize! You will find a premade tic-tac-toe board, snakes and ladders, battleship and many more!

Click Here to go view the website.

Do you have a favorite website where you can find already made flipcharts?