L. Kocks

Refine – How will I use the information in my classroom?

            After reading the chapter I just laughed at the thought of “how will I use the information in my classroom” because when I develop lessons for my classroom the driving force is TECHNOLOGY.  A typical day for me is the use of technology in every lesson.  It gets my students actively engaged and holds their interest throughout the entire lesson.  Below you will find a typical day in fourth grade and how technology plays an integral part.

            This week we have been learning about Ecosystems, Food Webs, and Food Chains.  Students were introduced to ecosystems with a short video on Study Jams as they took notes and drew pictures on index cards for their lap books (graphic organizer).  Then students were actively involved in moving the different animals into where they belong in the food chain and food web on the following website:  http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/games/foodchaingame.htm.  After the animals are in the correct location on their food chain or food web they can visually watch each of the animals eat their way through the food chain. 

            During social studies I typically use a PowerPoint to teach vocabulary and content.  Students can also watch a short snip-it of a video from United Streaming, today it was about how our government is formed.  Then they rapped to “The Bill of Rights” so that they could learn the amendments to the constitution.

            Math typically consists of a Power Point, Study Jams video or Step-By-Step video, and some type of hands-on small group activity.  Students can also collaboratively work together to play a math game.

            Grammar usually consists with a question and answer type of Power Point.  Today we were learning about irregular verbs, students saw the present tense verb then were called on to name the past tense verb and the past participle verb.  After students added the irregular verbs to their graphic organizers we sang a You Tube video entitled irregular verb song, “Max the Cat,” there are three short videos.  The students loved the tune and enjoyed singing along with the irregular verbs.

            When we transitioned to reading was the only time in the day when I did not include technology.  My student intern and I split the class in half and taught a small guided reading lesson to each of the groups.

            During writing today I finished by showing a Power Point on Westward expansion and why people journeyed west on the Oregon Trail.  It was complete with music, a map and picture of Independence, Missouri, a list of supplies that were taken, and pictures of a wagon.  Students were then read an example of another student’s journal writing about their “Trek West.”  We brainstormed some vocabulary that they wanted to include in their journal writing and wrote them on the board.  After that the students were free to begin writing their own journal entries about their “Trek West.”

 

            As you can see technology is a very important part of my classroom and should be included in all lessons as much as possible. The use of technology is extremely good for ELs but it is just good teaching for all students.  If teachers are intimidated by the use of technology they should start out trying it a little bit each day.  Before long it will be driving their instruction into the next wave of technology use in the classroom.