Literacy Live

For a P.D. opportunity during this years technology showcases we (myself and two of other teaching candidates) plan to demonstrate different uses of the livescribe pen in literacy. We will be discussing two innovative ways to incorporate the livescribe pen as an aid for student writing. We will start by discussing a leading edge method of using the word wall in the classroom followed by a new way to document student retell.

The word wall is a popular element of the primary/junior classroom. The purpose of the word wall is to display frequently used words for students. However, using a word wall to assist students with writing is difficult if students cannot read. We have brainstormed a solution to this barrier through using the livescribe pen as an interactive word wall. We have created a live word wall using the livescribe book. We feel that the live word wall would be most beneficial if placed in a writing centre for student use. If a student is having difficulty spelling a word, he or she may consult the live word wall for assistance. The major benefit of this word wall is that if the student is unable to read to find the correct spelling, he or she can click the words under the initial sound until he or she finds the correct word.

Some of the words we would originally include in the interactive word wall, would be from the Dolch Word list. Teaching The Dolch Word list is a crucial goal of education in grades kingergarten through three. Reading is the most important skill a child will ever learn. Students are expected to be able to read simple sentences and stories by the end of first grade. By third grade they are expected to be able to read almost any kind of text. As well as being able to phonetically decode regularly spelled words, children must also master reading basic, common sight words. Many of the 220 Dolch words cannot be “sounded out” and have to be learned by “sight,” that is memorized. Confidence and reading ability improve when children know the Dolch sight words. The teacher would also add important words to the list during the school year as they arise in literature or other subjects just as one would on a traditional word wall.

The livescribe pen can also be used to retell stories by allowing the students to virtually recall the story while voice recording at the same time. This will allow the student and the teacher to revisit specific events within the story.This very effective tool economizes time for the student and teacher as well as keeping the retell documents in a convenient, organized and assessable format.After being read a story by the teacher, students traditionally need to retell the events to the teacher using pictures. However, using the livescribe pen, students can illustrate what happened at the beginning, middle and end of the story. While they are drawing or after they have finished drawing, students can record themselves retelling the story.

The pen is also a great assessment tool because it allows the teacher to compare past retells to current ones to monitor progress! The teacher could have a file for each student and save the data for regular access.

Following our presentation we will be giving our audience the opportunity to ask various questions regarding our presentation on the livescribe pen and literacy. We will also be encouraging them to take the opportunity to write any potential uses they see for the livescribe pen in literacy on the table cloth as a collaborative exchange of ideas.

We will also post a post-workshop blog about our experiences presenting at the event. Stay tuned...

Please visit the blogs of other two members of my group who also collaborated to make this presentation and blog possible. This is our authentic example of collaborative teaching:

http://candice6.blogspot.com/
http://incorporatingtech2classroom.blogspot.com
*photo taken from: http://www.lovingthroughliteracy.com/site/index-6.html

MeMoves Interactive Program

       I stumbled upon a great and effective program that can be easily implemented into primary classrooms. MeMoves is a simple, easy and innovative program, which can increase children’s attention and can help to calm children.  MeMoves is an interactive program, which aids in transforming the mind and body through interactive “body puzzles.”

     MeMoves was original designed for those with special needs (autism, sensory integration disorder, ADD/ADHD etc). MeMoves is highly recommended by teachers and therapists as it aids in easily transforming the classrooms and creates a calm and productive learning environment for all students. After the students complete the MeMoves program they become focused, relaxed and attentive.

      Within the classroom MeMoves can be used as a transition to the start of the day, or after lunch or recess or before testing student. A teacher also used MeMoves before she began her math lesson, so the students experienced relaxation, and they were able to concentrate on the new math material. The use of MeMoves in the classroom decreases stress, improves the student’s mood, and enhances the student’s ability to focus.  This is a great tool that I would love to implement in my classroom. 

Elements of a 21st Century Classroom

       21^st century classrooms are gradually becoming attainable. Many discussions surrounding the 21^st century classrooms are often spoke about as classrooms of the future, or as something that would be beneficial to have, yet they are beyond reach. However, the elements to create and design a 21^st century classroom are available presently. The 21^st century classrooms can make a significant difference in how teachers teach, and how learners learn.  

     When discussing the elements of a 21^st century classroom the first major element of a 21^st century classroom is the wide variety of technology present in the classroom.  Within a 21^st century classroom the technology becomes an integral aspect to the teaching and learning experience. Technology in the 21^st century classrooms is not simply about learning to use technology rather it’s about using technology to learn. A 21^st century classroom would include a Smart Board providing the class with interactive lessons, computers present within the classroom, the use of Ipods, or Ipads, an audio system which can eliminate some of the issues students may have when hearing their teacher. A widely debatable topic, the use of cell phones in the classroom.  Cell phones are not going away, and have become almost as powerful as many laptops students use daily in the classrooms. Students can use their cell phones in the classroom to conduct research on projects, tweet an answer, or access information.

     Although, technology in the classroom is a major element when discussing 21^st century classrooms it is also important to discuss the culture of the classroom, and the academics of the classroom. The culture of the 21^st classroom includes building a sense of community, creating a positive space for all students, incorporating Aboriginal Perspectives, incorporating and accepting diversity amongst students. I believe building a sense of community in all classrooms regardless of student’s age is highly important. Students will enter a classroom having a wide range of strengths and abilities; the students will also bring about weaknesses and personal issues affecting their daily lives. As teachers it becomes a challenge to create a classroom culture that builds upon strength, community and collaboration.  The academics of a 21^st century classroom include a challenging environment for students, differentiated instruction, active participation, choice, opportunity, and freedom, prepare students for future careers that may not exist yet, and provide students with ample opportunities to connect with their peers.

     21^st century classrooms are becoming within reach, but it not only takes the technology to come alive, but also the culture of the classroom, and the academics of the classroom.  Creating and implementing a 21^st century classrooms takes a vision, and commitment to bring it alive. 

Thanksgiving Activity

This is just an activity I created for a social studies presentation which focused on traditions and celebrations. The class really enjoyed it! Maybe even try it out in your classes. It is simple, all you need is pinecones, feathers, pipe-cleaner, and eyes.

First Day Jitters

After weeks of anticipation, my first two observation days at Ray Lewis School have come to an end. I have the wonderful privilege of being placed in a grade one, two split classroom for my first placement experience as a student teacher. I have immense feelings of excitement and I am confident that my students and I will work together; we will learn new areas of knowledge and enrich our days with work and play.

Although I was only in the school for two days I definitely experienced and gained greater knowledge about the school environment, the classroom and routines, as well as classroom management.  Each morning after the announcements, and the singing of O’Canada, the children scramble onto the carpet and sit patiently, waiting for their day to begin.  Each day a special student helper leads the morning routine. This student models the role of the teacher, and begins by having the children review the calendar, in which they determine what day of the week it is. The children also discuss the weather for the day, and they add a number to their number chart each day. I was amazed to see that the special helper and the children automatically knew what to do after the announcements without the direction of the teacher. This just emphasizes the importance of implementing routines into the classroom. The children felt secure with the morning routine, and they knew exactly what was expected of them.  I believe having an efficient routine in place creates a productive classroom environment allowing the students to achieve more.

I also got to see the Smart board being used in the classroom. This was very exciting and intriguing. The children were learning about compound words. They played a fun game of compound word concentration in which each student had a chance to come to the board and pick a tile. After the game was finished, the children were allowed to write their names on the board in whatever creative writing style of choice. It was wonderful to see such a simple task of writing your name evolve into something so engaging.

The teacher has also implemented a token economy into her classroom. A token economy is a positive reinforcement program for building and maintaining appropriate classrooms performance and behavior. The students are rewarded with a sticker for various good work, and for good deeds, such as playing with someone who is alone, sharing, and helping one another. The children’s stickers are placed onto a chart, and when they reach twenty-five stickers they receive a small reward. I have seen the token economy in various classrooms and I definitely feel it is one of the most powerful tools for improving and maintaining appropriate school behaviour.

All in all, my first two days at Ray Lewis School were great. My associate teacher is extremely supportive and willing to assist and guide me through this new journey. She welcomed me into her classroom and I already feel at ease and comfortable.  Working with the children and being a part of the classroom confirmed my passion for wanting to teach and educate children’s young minds. 

This is a short video I created about the Livescribe Pen and its various functions. The livescribe pen makes digital copies of hand written notes and records audio at the same time. These notes and audio can be uploaded to a computer and accessed at any time. The livescribe pen is an awesome tool, that students can use to further enhance their learning, and allows them to access notes and lessons outside of school.

Embracing Diversity

After countless hours of pondering and debating on my first blog idea, the subject of diversity in the classroom came to me after an intriguing classroom discussion.

The topic of diversity in the classroom is a subject that I am truly passionate about. I have had the opportunity to take various courses in my last year of university, which focused on diversity and multiculturalism within the classroom. 

The classrooms that are occupied today by teachers and students are very different from such classrooms of decades ago. Today we see teachers residing in classrooms of unparalleled diversity. Students differ in terms of ability, knowledge, intelligence, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and various others.

When I began reflecting on the topic of diversity in the classroom I immediately felt overwhelmed and unprepared. I thought to myself, how am I ever going to satisfy the needs of each student so that they can prosper, and achieve academic success.  It was then that I realized I am AWARE of the various diversities existing in our present and future classrooms.   I feel being aware of the unparallel diversity is the first and most important step to managing student diversity and creating an inclusive classroom.

The discussion surrounding diversity in the classroom has allowed me to begin creating my personal philosophy surrounding education. I view classrooms much like a jigsaw puzzle. All the pieces of the puzzle are different yet they are unique and without all the pieces to the puzzle, the puzzle is not complete.  It is vital that teachers appreciate the diversity they have within their classroom walls.  All students are to feel welcomed, understood, and treated equally and with respect.

I have included an eye-opening clip, which focuses on the challenges of diversity and the various impacts it has on children when diversity is not embraced.