01 September 2012
A new blog especially for what we do in class
Uh oh. Can't believe how long it has been since I posted here. And what's happened to some of my photos?! Anyway, it has been crazy-beautiful for me the last few months, moving to a new country and taking my own classroom. I have since decided to make a new blog for my class. I am still keeping this one to focus on my reading advocacy work, which I hope to continue here in Thailand when I get more settled AND when I find a place to volunteer in. Please check out "Teach and Inspire". I will be adding more to it everyday, especially pictures. :)
24 April 2012
In honour of the Earth
What better way to honour Mother Earth than to read "The Lorax"? I spent my morning at the public library, having helped organised a storytelling session with the Basadours (a local advocacy group for reading). We expected 30 children.... more than 50 of various ages (from 5 to 11) came. Hey, no one's complaining here. The more, the merrier (and noiser!).lol
We started off with a motivating activity to get the children into the session. Since we had a projector up, we played a trivia game of Amazing Earth Facts. The original version, which is in a Jeopardy game format, can be found here. My edited version is shorter (and just plain Q & A). I added pictures and facts about the correct answer. It can be found here.
We went on to tell the story of "The Lorax". It is such a gorgeous book and I think it should be part of every teachers personal library, especially those who are advocates for the environment and want their students to be environmentally-conscious as well. I have to say though, that the older children responded better to the book than the young ones. I had a few one my 5 and 6 year olds wiggle and jiggle through the story!
The highlight of the morning, though, was when we made our pledges to the environment. We divided the children in to small groups and had different volunteers lead the groups. We talked about the story first and then gave each child a leaf. On the leaf, they had to write or draw a promise to the environment- something the would do to "speak for the trees". After they finished, we called them to the big group once again and showed them the tree I had cut out of a box the night before. This tree looked dead and bare without its leaves, but as the children came up and made their pledges to take care of the environment by sticking the leaves on the branches, the tree grew and came to life once again.
We ended the morning by giving children certificates of appreciation which you can find here. The certificate has the groups' logo on it, but you can use photo editing tools to make it your own.
Here is a collage of our mornings event:
We started off with a motivating activity to get the children into the session. Since we had a projector up, we played a trivia game of Amazing Earth Facts. The original version, which is in a Jeopardy game format, can be found here. My edited version is shorter (and just plain Q & A). I added pictures and facts about the correct answer. It can be found here.
We went on to tell the story of "The Lorax". It is such a gorgeous book and I think it should be part of every teachers personal library, especially those who are advocates for the environment and want their students to be environmentally-conscious as well. I have to say though, that the older children responded better to the book than the young ones. I had a few one my 5 and 6 year olds wiggle and jiggle through the story!
The highlight of the morning, though, was when we made our pledges to the environment. We divided the children in to small groups and had different volunteers lead the groups. We talked about the story first and then gave each child a leaf. On the leaf, they had to write or draw a promise to the environment- something the would do to "speak for the trees". After they finished, we called them to the big group once again and showed them the tree I had cut out of a box the night before. This tree looked dead and bare without its leaves, but as the children came up and made their pledges to take care of the environment by sticking the leaves on the branches, the tree grew and came to life once again.
We ended the morning by giving children certificates of appreciation which you can find here. The certificate has the groups' logo on it, but you can use photo editing tools to make it your own.
Here is a collage of our mornings event:
10 April 2012
A Must- Read: Living with Autism: Dinner, Speculations and a Dose of Reflection
Living with Autism: Dinner, Speculations and a Dose of Reflection: I have some hesitation in writing this particular post. I fear I may be too judgmental of parents or families who have neuro-typical kids. A...
07 April 2012
Bringing ICT into the classroom
I was born in 1984. By all definition, I am what they call a "digital native"- born into a generation of the nintendo console, computers, etc2x. My brain is wired for this type of technology.
Even more so for the children we are teaching today.
Thus, I am constantly thinking of ways I can inculcate ICT into my curriculum.
One easy way (if you are not one of those lucky few who have been blessed with a smartboard) is to have a desktop or laptop readily available for children to use....
I introduced this into a classroom where I did my teaching prac (the students previously did not have this there) and it was a resounding success.
Anticipating the excitement this would create, I had two chairs lined up and an egg timer placed beside my laptop. One chair was for the child actually using the laptop, the other was for the one waiting. The child waiting was the 'timer' and took care of the egg timer. I also had a laminated waiting list. the rule was, only two people could be around the laptop. The rest of the children had to go do their own thing. The child who just finished had to go call the child who was next on the waiting list. I loved how children got to practice reading and writing their names. This was also somehow a maths activity- practicing the concept of time and what "15 minutes" actually means.
Another way is to buy a cheapie android tablet (one of those brandless China-made ones I guess!). The android market is awash with free and/or cheap education apps. In New Zealand, Trademe is a good site to find an inexpensive android tablet. In the Philippines and US, Ebay.
Why a cheapie? One word. Children! We always teach them to take care of things but sometimes... accidents are just unavoidable. Can you imagine one of your students dropping an IPAD? or worse, spilling something wet or sticky on it? At least a cheapie is easily replaceable without causing too much heartache.
I love storytelling using ICT. Especially since I found interactive Dr. Seuss books through Oceanhouse Media.
Other fantastic android (and even IPAD) apps include whiteboard applications, where children can use their fingers to draw or write on the tablet. Here is a Youtube example with older children:
Of course, you've got other apps like these (and heaps more):
Tracing ABC
Kids Numbers
Kids ABC letter
All geared towards helping children with reading, writing and maths in a fun and interactive way.
Another way one could bring ICT to the classroom is through an lcd projector. I love the things you can do with powerpoint- you can create your very own games, stories and many more for the whole class to see. Here are links to some very simple ppt files from TES and Primary Resources that I will surely adapt to use in my class:
Songs and Rhymes
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| 5 Little Monkeys |
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| Ten in the Bed |
Rhyming Activities
CVC
Alphabet
What else do you do to bring ICT into your classroom? I would really love to hear your ideas.
04 April 2012
Twinkl, twinkl awesome site
Here are some more screen shots of the site:
03 April 2012
Global Teacher Connect
I have joined Global Teacher Connect, a collaborative blog for teachers from all over the world. I am really excited to be part of this group. Blog hoppin' and stalkin' here I come!:)
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