Blog Post 6

Learning about the technology available in the classrooms I’ve been in and how my cooperating teachers incorporate it into instruction has been a very interesting part of my student teaching. At my first placement, they had access to a projector with a computer attached. I used it to show short videos and Brain Pop cartoons, as well as for the district required curriculum learning bridge animations for math.  Students seemed to enjoy the short videos as an engage and connect segment or even as a segway in addition to the main lesson.  I also created a few power point presentations for lessons so students could practice taking notes.  This also provided a fun forum for guided practice. For example, when we were identifying elements of poetry, I could project a poem on the screen and the students we able to identify the element I asked for by writing and holding up their answers on whiteboards. Another fun activity we did was play games, such as Generalization Jeopardy. This was definitely a student favorite.  At my second placement in a Special ed multi-needs room, I haven’t designed many lessons yet, but technology is a valuable resource.  For reading, the classroom uses an interactive Smartboard program called Kurzweil that highlights the words of the story while it reads to the class.  This is a different way for the students to hear the story, as well as follow along as it is read to them.  I plan to try to incorporate other Smartboard activities and games into the lessons I create for this classroom as well as show a few short videos that relate to my lessons, since the students seem quite responsive to it. 

One of the aspects of the teaching process that I am still quite curious about is where teachers find good resource materials. I know some school districts provide required curriculum materials for many subjects, but where do you go to find quality supplemental materials?  I know there are websites such as teacherspayteachers.com and edhelper.com and also many books at the teacher stores.  I assume teachers must collect things over the years and weed out the junk to find and develop meaningful activities for students. 

I’m looking forward to planning some fun science and social studies units for my new classroom.  We will be studying the life cycle of a butterfly and grow our own butterflies after Spring Break. I am also going to plan a unit about the United States. I asked the students what else they were interested in learning about while I was there and they chose mythology and said that they also wanted to read a play, so I plan to find some enjoyable activities to do with that as well.  I found that being in a Special ed classroom opens up the opportunity for some freedom in planning, which will be a great opportunity to try some new and fun learning experiences.

I think Prof. Royster will find I have transitioned rather quickly and nicely to my new classroom placement. This is partially because my cooperating teacher has had to start Kite testing the students individually this week, which has kept her busy most days, and me in front of the students assisting them with their work. Since the students are at different grade levels and move in and out of the classroom at different times for lunch and specials, the atmosphere in this classroom is a bit more hectic than my last placement, but in a good and fun way.  I am enjoying working with students in a more one-on–one environment and participating in their extra-curricular activities such as playing checkers, coloring, and cooking.