My Teaching Blog

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Review: Kindle Fire HD

(Photo taken from Creative Commons)

For months I had been contemplating which piece of technology I had been wanting to purchase. The battle was kindle vs. Ipad. I wanted something small enough that I could carry around with me (I already have a netbook and hate it, wouldn't advise anyone ever getting it) and a piece of technology that could help me in the classroom as both student and teacher. The ultimate thing for me was price though, being a college student putting $500 into something wasn't really appealing to me or my bank account. In the end my decision was made for me by my boyfriend who bought me a Kindle fire HD for Christmas (completely oblivious to the fact that I even wanted one).

I am thrilled with my Kindle. There are so many ways I use it and trust me the money was not wasted. The first night I received it I bought more apps than I thought my Kindle could handle. Among the apps I bought one for handwriting/ note taking which come in handy when wanting to write just little notes or a whole lectures notes in class. I also have puzzle apps for my older nephew, who steals my kindle whenever it is in eyesight, hes two. One of my most used apps would have to be watching videos on either the Amazon site or through Netflix(the resolution is amazing and it rarely ever skips, skipping only happens if more than one person is watching Netflix and that's a Netflix issue not Kindle). The speed of the Kindle is excellent(thought at times you do have to clean it out or it will slow down like any device). I can go onto the internet to look something up or download an app and I get there almost instantly, which for being as impatient as I am its quite nice.

(Taken from Creative Commons with permission from author)

For myself I feel that the kindle is quite user friendly, that is just my opinion though others may find that it can be quite complicated. Most any problem that occurs, lately its just been getting onto internet sources, have been solved quite simply. Anything that needs to be accessed can be found right on the main menu. Some may prefer the Ipad to the Kindle, for them they may choose this because it is a larger version and there are many other apps that they prefer off the Ipad. I'll be honest I like them both. They each do a lot of the same things. For me though I am a reader. I love that I can borrow books from Amazon to read for free or download a book to keep right onto my Kindle and if I have other Kindles I can access them on my account. On the Ipad you can only read it on that Ipad I can't read it on my Ipod or transfer it to another Ipod. That is really why I prefer my Kindle because what if I want to give my mom a book I just read and thought she'd really enjoy it, I'm not going to make her pay for that same book I just bought. Hope you found this review helpful and might even consider the Kindle Fire HD.

Just to show a little comparison:

(Taken from Creative Commons with permission from author)

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Lesson Plan

Lemonade Stand
Topic:
How to run my own Lemonade Stand

Grade/Subject Area:
2nd Grade Math/Writing

Maine Learning Results/PEI’s/Local Standards:
A. NUMBER: Students use numbers in everyday and mathematical contexts to quantify or describe phenomena, develop concepts of operations with
different types of numbers, use the structure and properties of numbers with operations to solve problems, and perform mathematical computations.
Students develop number sense related to magnitude, estimation, and the effects of mathematical operations on different types of numbers. It is
expected that students use numbers flexibly, using forms of numbers that best match a situation. Students compute efficiently and accurately.
Estimation should always be used when computing with numbers or solving problems.
2 Students understand and use procedures to add and subtract whole numbers
with up to four digits.

b. Use an operation appropriate to a given situation.

Technology Standard:
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers:

a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.

b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.

c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.

d. provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.

Instructional Goals:
1. Students will understand basic addition equations.
2. Students will understand basic subtraction equations.

Instructional Objectives:
1. Using Quizlet students will identify amounts of money.
2. Students will be given an activity and play money. This activity is divided into pairs.
3. In pairs the students will set up their “lemonade stands”.

Instructional Design:

Time Teacher Student

10 mins Set up quizlet on projector. Answer the flashcards on quizlet.

10 mins Hand out math activity and money.
Explain that in this activity they need to each set up their pretend lemonade stand and take turns with partners buying and selling lemonade. Stress the importance of students using correct math. Divide into pairs.

20 mins Walking around observing the equations. In pairs acting out lemonade stands. Should be using correct subtraction and addition equations.

10 mins

Explain how they did their lemonade stand activity in writing prompt.

Lemonade Stand Game:
http://www.coolmath-games.com/lemonade/index.html

Google Form:
http://goo.gl/caYlR

Quizlet:
http://quizlet.com/_6wwkp

Lemonade Stand
Its a hot summer in your neighborhood and you decide to set up your own lemonade stand. Your mom has given you a $20 limit to start your stand. You have to buy cups, lemons, ice and sugar. Cups are $0.75 for 25 cups, $1.25 for 50 or $2.00 for 100. Lemons are $0.69 for 10, $1.00 for 20 or $1.69 for 30. Ice is $0.50 for 200 cubes, $1.00 for 300 or $1.25 for 500. Sugar is $1.00 for 4 cups, $1.50 for 8 cups, or $2.00 for 12 cups. Your cups of lemonade sell for $0.50 each.
1 pitcher= 3 lemons +2 cups of sugar+10 ice cubes
1 pitcher= 10 cups

1. What can you get with your $20 for the best deal?

2. How many cups did you sell?

3. What was left over?

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Digital Footprints

When I Google myself I find many different things. I find my high school track records, though they are not all that great. I also find my Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook account. I am also surprised to find that there are a few other Shelby Mailmans on Facebook. My Prezi comes up as well as my class blog. I suppose this means that I am not Google-proof.

When I discovered that my Facebook profile was not as private as I thought, pictures could be seen as well as my information, I began to wonder why Facebook claims to be so private, what is their idea of private? Once I found this out I looked deeper into my Facebook to make sure that it was safer, I will also be more aware when I have children to check out the latest social media device that they are safe.

Throughout my use of social media I try to be as conservative as possible. If I would not like my grandparents to see it or my future employers I am not going to post it. This goes for all social media. I try to keep myself safe from accusations. This is not often hard because I tend to not involve myself in situations that will get me into trouble (for example drinking and smoking). I will maintain this policy in the future because of my future employers and children. I do not believe that friending students is appropriate, I do not really believe in friending parents either, I feel like this is an act that could come back to bite.

The two organizations that I found to be most interesting were the Maine Art Education Association, MAEA . (http://www.mainearted.org/MAEA/Home.html) I found this to be beneficial because for a fee of $75 you are able to join conferences and get newsletters. This organization brings different sources of art education to teachers and they are able to bring it to their students. The second was National Association for the Education of Young Children, NAEYC (http://www.naeyc.org/membership). I found this to be the most beneficial because for a fee of $85-50 teachers are sent newsletters and can attend conferences all about educating younger children. This is beneficial for a teacher of young children. I feel a lot of information could be gained by joining this association.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Needs Assessmemt

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Selecting Resources

1) I see where schools are coming from with the BYOD idea. However not all students have access to these technologies. What happens to those students who do not have the resources to get technologies? Wouldn't this single out those students who can't access the technologies? I believe if schools want to use technologies within the classroom they need to be provided by the school.

2) I do like Pixton, it is a great tool that I have never heard of before. I would incorporate this into the classroom for creative writing. I feel that students would really get into the writing if they can create the scene to go with it. The tool could also be used for me to act out scenarios to explain rules within the classroom.

3) I find it interesting that the salaries range so much. I find that it is interesting that the more education a teacher has the more they get paid, which is realistic. Seeing this inspires me to further my education in teaching. I wouldn't use this is my job search right off because my biggest concern is getting a job. However if I were interested in switching schools I would use the site to search.

4) I believe that the areas that should be cut first are ones that are not necessarily needed. Such as updating technologies. It is more important for me to have books for all the kids to read rather than an iPad in every classroom or a smartboard in every classroom. I believe areas such as reading, writing, math, science and social studies need to be covered before anything else. Then areas such as athletics and fine arts. These are all the core subjects that form a child, technology does not form a child.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Comic

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

This second video is about embracing others and embracing yourself. It is important for students to know that it is just as important to embrace who they are as an individual as it is to embrace others. We are all individuals who are looking to be accepted in others projections of who we are. It is difficult for people to feel accepted especially those who are looked down on because of race.

a.	design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
b.	develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
c.	customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.
d.	provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.

Time	Teacher	Student
10 mins	Set up quizlet on projector.	Answer the flashcards on quizlet.
10 mins	Hand out math activity and money. Explain that in this activity they need to each set up their pretend lemonade stand and take turns with partners buying and selling lemonade. Stress the importance of students using correct math.	Divide into pairs.
20 mins	Walking around observing the equations.	In pairs acting out lemonade stands. Should be using correct subtraction and addition equations.
10 mins		Explain how they did their lemonade stand activity in writing prompt.