Final Technology Assignment

Hello. Yesterday, I completed my final TIP. I have completed all of the technology assignments and it feels really good. I have already recieved a grade back and I recieved 15 out of 15 on the Technology Scavenger Hunt. That was a very lengthy assignment but I am glad that I am done with all of my assignments.

More Lab

Today the students went into the lab. They watched a video through Windows Media Player. The video was 5 minutes and it talked about measurement. I thought that this was a good video because it was curriculum that we were discussing in class. It was a good reinforcer.

Final Weeks

Hello. After this week, we will have two weeks left of student teaching. I am excited because I have passed both qualifiers for the state exams and I have already registered for one of the state exams. I will register for the other one on tomorrow. I am just ready to get them done. If I would have know about them more earlier on, it would not be as stressful trying to take them this semester. I think that that is a lot to have to try and mamage during student teaching. I have already started telling friends in Quest 2 about taking there exams now and get them out of the way. The last thing that I have to do for technology is my last TIP. I think that I am going to do it small group sometime this week since the next two weeks will be full teaching times. Overall, this has been a challenging semester but I am excited that it is almost over!

My Thoughts

Hello. I have not blogged in a long time so I decided to blog about my thoughts. I am excited that this semester is almost over. I feel that I have grown a lot since I began my journey at the University of Houston. One thing that I am concerned about is passing my state exams. I have passed the PPR qualifier and I missed passing the Generalist qualifier by one question and I was hurt. I will ne taking the Generalist qualifier on Saturday. I hope that I will pass it so that I can start to focus on my state exams. As a matter of fact, I will pass the qualifier on Saturday. I am also worried about the fees that I will need to pay for everything. For example, $82 for each state exam, certification fees, and bills that I need to pay since I am not employed anywhere. This has just been an overwhelming semster and I can't wait until its over!

TIP

Hello. On Thursday, I decided to upload on of my TIP's (Technology Integrated Product) onto the web. I had another TIP but I have decided to do one from the first rotation and one from my new third grade rotation. I can not believe that we only have 5 weeks left, including this week. I am glad that I started early and will have all of my technology work completed before due dates.

TIP

Hello. On Thursday, I decided to upload on of my TIP's (Technology Integrated Product) onto the web. I had another TIP but I have decided to do one from the first rotation and one from my new third grade rotation. I can not believe that we only have 5 weeks left, including this week. I am glad that I started early and will have all of my technology work completed before due dates.

Computer Lab

Today the class went to the computer lab. I was very interested to see what types of programs would be used. The students went to program called Study Island. On this program, students were working on math concepts. The students take quizes that test their math concepts and in order to move on to the next concept, the studens must get an award next to the concept. While taking the tests, the students could play games to mark their answers. One thing that I noticed worked with one of the slower students was to not allow him to play the games but to just take the test. Once this was done, he was able to master 3 concepts while he was in the lab. I knew that he felt good because he was so excited and could not wait to tell the teacher. They also worked on Type To Learn 3.

New Placement

Today was my second day in 3rd grade. I have noticed technology in the classroom. Inside the classroom is an overhead projector, TV, VCR, DVD player, telephone, 3 comuters and a CD player. So far I have observed the overhead projector and the computers being utilized. I am sure that more technology will be used in the classroom since it is an upper grade.

Digital Camera

Yesterday, my SBTE surprised me with a gift. She had purchased a cake and a crate filled with goodies. There was a picture that was taken with her digital camera that was made into a picture frame. She had taken a picture the previous day of the kids and I and then made it into a picture frame. It also had a card that all the students had signed. Today was my last official day of first grade but I am positive that I will be returning as often as possible to visit the kids. i have really enjoyed myself in first grade and I will be now moving on to 3rd grade.

Lab Today

Hello. Normally we go to the computer lab on Wednesday mornings to type the spelling words but since the schedule setup has changed I decided to do it after lunch time. The students enjoyed the fact that they could still go to the lab and do their lists. I spent 20 minutes in the lab and was able to accomplish my goal of getting in and typing the spelling words with a few sentences. I just need to remind some children that they need to print out their lists before they close out and do not save their work, because a few of them lost their work. They were a bit sad but I reminded them that they needed to print first before they closed out the program. It was a fun trip to the lab. I felt that they were getting better at using the computer.

Online Gradebook

Hello. Starting last week I was able to use the online gradebook to record grades for the students. I really enjoyed being able to put in grades. I think that this is a neat tool to help cut down on the paper work. It even averages the grades for you. I think that online gradebooks is an easier way to keep up with grades, instead of using something that can be lost, stolen, or even changed easily. I hope that online gradebooks are used in my disrtict when I am teaching.

Lab Change

Hello. I wanted to sign the students up to go to the lab on Wednesday, but since the lab has changed the way to sign up, the time that I wanted was already taken. I have decided to move the computer lab time to a later time, towards the end of the day. I still wanted them to go to the lab so they could have the experience and they also enjoy going into the computer lab and working. This is my last week in first grade and I want it to be enjoyable for them and for me as well as a learning experience for the both.

Change of Schedule for Lab

As of today, there has been a change to how one can use the computer lab. Priority is given to the different grade levels on certain days. So for example, first grades priority is on Fridays. We can still go on other days, but Friday is K and 1's day. I planned to go to the computer lab on Wednesday of next week. I will have to try early on Monday to see if we are able to go on Wednesday. I may not get the time that I want but as long as we get a chance to go in the lab is fine with me. After tomorrow, I have one final week in first grade then I switch to 3rd grade. I hope to gain valuable information for my future classroom.

Classroom Management Session

Hello. I just completed an online professional development session with TappedIn. The session was about Classroom Management. I feel that this was a very helpful and useful session. The leader gave several great websites for information. My SBTE gives out worms throughout the week and at the end of the week draws worms. They have a choice of getting a sock day, a prize from the prize bucket or one students gets the teaceher table for the day. When those worms are pulled out, the behavior changes dramatically. On this Friday, they will partake in "Game Day," where they play games for an hour after lunch. They have worked really hard for this game day. If they are good or get compliments, she puts marbles in a jar. Once filled, they get a game day. These are some really good classroom management strategies!

Teaching On My Own

On Friday, I had to teach on my own since I would not be there on Monday. I attended a Pasadena ISD Student Teacher Orientation and then had a seminar later that day with my supervisor, so I was not able to attend school on Monday. On Friday and today, Tuesday, I had so much fun teaching. I really enjoy being in the classroom alone with the kids. I feel that I bond more with the students and I get some practice. I also act as if it is my classroom. I really enjoyed teaching on my own so far. I know that I am in the right profession because I love to go back each day.

Online Meeting #1

Today was my online meeting with my technology instructor. I think that some of the students need to read the syllabus and the calender. There were several students asking questions that they could have read online. They were too lazy to read the instructions and that took a lot of our time in the meeting. But overall, this was a very benefical meeting!

Completed Assignments

Hello. I am just excited that I have completed most of my assignments early. On Friday, I went to the UH computer lab and completed my Technology Scavenger Hunt, completed my Case Study and also worked on my portfolio and was able to put up my Professional developments. I have went to the Tips and Tricks orientation and have also completed one other professional development which dealt with Language Arts in the classroom. During the next I hope to complete my other professional development and work on my TIPS assignment. I am so excited about this semester!

Computer Lab

Yesterday I had the opportunity to see my students use the computer lab. Even though they are in the first grade, many of them knew what to do. They could open Microsoft Word program and could type their spelling words for the week. The teacher and I gave them guidance and they were able to complete the assignment on their own. They got to practice on the computer. The children were so excited when I showed them how to change the font and the size. I plan on taking them to the computer lab next week and working again on spelling words.

Tapped In Session

I just completed an online field trip at Tapped In. I did the orientation that went over how to use Tapped In and its features. I thought that this session was very helpful in assisting me in browsing throuhg the features. I am going to attend several Professionl Development opportunities that are on Tapped In. This was a neat experience for me today!

Technology Scavenger Hunt

Hello. I am so excited. I am starting to get things done early. I have already begun my Technology Scavenger Hunt. All I need to do is take a few more pictures with my digital camera and make a webpage with links to complete my scavenger hunt. By doing this scavenger hunt, I feel that it allows me be more knowledgable about how to use technology and the different types of technolofy that is avaiable. I can not wait to complete this project.

Overhead Projector Use

The overhead projector gets much use. The teacher and I use the projector everyday to help aid in our lessons. I am going to start allowing the students to come up to the projector to show examples. I think that this would be an easy way to get the kids involved and also to see if they are learning the concepts that you want them to learn. Overall, the overheard is one key tools that is used in the classroom.

Technology Use

So far, I have noticed that technolofy has been used in my classrooom. The teacher uses the overhead projector everyday. The classroom computer and cassette player is also used everyday at center time. I think that this is effective use of technology.