Google Docs 8-A-1

Google docs can be a very useful tool for students and teachers alike. How? With the use of Google Docs students can communicate and work together to build a project. Teachers can plan a curriculum and share information all through one document.

There are many benefits to Google Docs for students. Many students learn through visual learning. With the use of google docs students can log on and work on building a project all at the same time. You are able to see the words and plan together. Instead of sitting and just chatting about what their project might look like they can actually show it. If I were teaching an older group of students I would use it in a situation where students learned best from a visual aspect.

Not only would this help the visual learner because they can see and work on their project but also because they can do it anyone. Google docs allows students to work on the same project from the same classroom, different classrooms, at home, or half way across the world.

With the use of sharing students can even share documents. These documents could be anything but as a teacher I could share things such as graphs or visual aspects that would continue to help my visual learners.

Because google docs has such a wide variety of tools it can help many different learners!

Paraguay Skype! 6-C-2

Hi Everyone,

As you may already know I love to travel. Every summer I jet off to another region to travel and learn about the people and volunteer in schools. Everyday I try to incorporate some of the ideas I have learned abroad in the classroom. The world is a massive place with countless things to learn. However, with the use of technology we are now able to make connections throughout the world with a few simple clicks. Over the past few weeks our class as have been learning about the internet and blogs and how we are able to safely share information as a class with others.

Now we get to take it one step further! In the coming weeks we will begin to learn more about the world. We will cover information about the earth, continents, countries, and holidays. Before Christmas the entire Kindergarten will even embark on a journey around the world learning about holidays as they go. And with the thanks of Skype our class will get the opportunity to talk with another Kindergarten class in Paraguay, South America!!!

Yes you heard me! We will be making a Skype video call with student in South America. Although we can not jump on a plane and travel out of our town we are able to connect with others around the world. The idea that the world is huge with other cultures is a lot to take on at such a small age. But actually people able to communicate with someone that far away can help them understand the larger picture of the world. Students will discuss what will be going on in the weeks leading up to this event. Each student will be able to construct a question that they will get to ask the class and the teacher in Paraguay. The idea is that the students will be able to make connections with these students even though they are miles and miles away!!!

Animal Inside

This year my classroom has taken on a Safari Theme. We have been exploring a jungle of learning.

Have you ever wondered what animal you are most related to? Or what animal or would want to be?

Look through a stack of animal pictures. Think about which ones stand out to you the most and why. We can find many traits about ourselves in animals. Maybe you think you are strong and bold like a bear or maybe a very small and quiet like a mouse. Art and design may be a strong part of your personality so maybe you are mesmerized by a zebra's stripes.

By yourself or with your child take a look through some animal pictures found here on Flickr. Flickr is a website that hosts and shares pictures. People can upload to save their own photos while sharing them with others. In turn companies can use these pictures if you allow them for commercial use. Because so many people use Flickr there are thousands upon thousands of images that you can use and see for as many projects as you can imagine. The link above has already included the animal search. Find and image and then answer the following questions.

What is the animal?

What is the environment of the animal?

What do you like about the animal?

Do you have anything in common with the animal?

If you could be this animal what would be your favorite thing about getting to be them?

Have fun!

Image Citation:

"Female Lynx Walking In The Snow." 30 November 2013. Online image. Flickr. Accessed 6 November 2014. https://www.flickr.com/photos/tambako/13540268445/

Drug Free Flowers

During red ribbon week our wonderful PTO purchased bulbs for all of the students to plant. In the spring they will be reminded of their promise to stay drug free!