Becoming a 21st Century Teacher

This fall my school hopes to become a 1-1 school; a mixture of iPads and Google Chromebooks.  Although, this is an exciting time, it can be a bit intimidating knowing that you are responsible for fully implementing technology into your classroom throughout the day.

As a result, I have been taking an online course for a Leading Edge Certification.  The programs teaches you how to become an online and blended teacher.  Personally, for me, it has made me shift some of my 19th century teaching practices and move it to the 21st century.  I am halfway through the course and I have learned so much.

It has challenged me to rethink what my classroom will look, sound, and feel like as we add this new dimension into our learning.  During the first weeks of school, we will model and work together with our technology tools. I plan to incorporate the computers during my math and language arts center time using the rotation model.  I really want to be conscious not use the technology in isolation.  So, I also plan to incorporate the 4Cs into our units of study.  Just the thought of this makes me a bit nervous.  But, I know that this change will be good for me and my students.

As I create my projects for class, I always have my students in mind. I know that they are digital natives but they are also emergent readers and writers.  Web 2.0 tools like Voki help me record directions for my students.  They can access their learning without needing to read or have me by their side.  I am excited to use Plickers as an instantaneous way to access students' learning. I plan to continue to use some of my favorite iPad resources like QR codes and iMovie.  But look forward to some BIG changes.

I am hoping to network with other teachers and classes, too. I'd love to create a classroom blog, Skype or even Tweet (if given permission by my administration) with other classes.  Let me know if you are interested.  I hope to hear from those of you who are 1-1.  What are some of your favorite apps?  How do you successfully integrate the computers into the classroom?  What are some of your challenges? Please share. I'd like to make the transition into 21st century learning as smooth as I can.


Happy Teaching!

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Dental Health - A Collection of Resources and a Freebie

Are you looking for some resources to teach dental health to your little ones as well as address the Common Core Standards?  I have created a collection of resources that you can use anytime of the year. 

Reading:

These books will be sure to get your little ones excited about talking about the dentist, their teeth, and the tooth fairy.

Show Me Your Smile
Moose's Loose Tooth
Why Do I Brush My Teeth?
Dr. De Soto
The Tooth Book
Never Take a Shark to the Dentist
Just Going to the Dentist
Brush, Brush, Brush
I Know Why I Brush My Teeth
What If You Had Animal Teeth?
The Night Before the Tooth Fairy
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist

Math:
As an early primary teacher, wiggly teeth are a fact of life.  I like using this song to introduce subtraction. (I've had it so long, I can't remember the source.)

Here are few math activities to use in your classroom.
1. Help the Tooth Fairy Count Her Teeth by Can Do Kinders
2. Shark Teeth Addition by HeidiSongs
3. Subtraction Smiles by Mrs. Ehle's Kindergarten
4. Exploring Teeth with Dr. Seuss
5. Monster Teeth Subraction by HeidiSongs
6. Brushing Up on Teen Numbers Using QR Codes by me

The QR Code freebie works on decomposing teen numbers. I am using this as a progress monitoring assessment with my students.

Here is a sample page.

Hope you enjoy it.  

Happy Teaching!

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A Peek Into Our Math Tubs

I love teaching math!  I love hearing my students talk about math and their thinking.  But if you were to ask my class what they love the most about math, they would say Math Work Stations.  They are so excited when I put anything new into our math tubs.

Here is what is currently in our tubs.

1.  Tops and Bottoms Subtraction.  

2.  Deedee Wills' Need for Speed Kindergarten Addition and Subtraction Fluency; an all time favorite!

3.  Miss Kindergarten's Flying Facts.

4.  Make a Ten; insect edition.

5. Subtraction Slide Down; a great visual and kinesthetic center.

6. GeoBoards on the iPad using First Grade Blues Skies GeoBoard It! unit.

7. March Madness Basketball Subtraction; a freebie from Primary Grafitti

8. Bloomin' Subtraction QR Codes from Smedley's Smorgasboard of Kindergarten.

My math program would not be as successful without the help from these wonderful teacher creations.  Thank you for being a part of our learning!

Happy Teaching!


PS-
Lois Lamb you are the winner of a Mrs. Wishy Washy big book.  Please contact me soon via email.

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QR Codes Meet Reading Foundations Skills

QR Codes are a big hit in my classroom!  

I love how integrating this technology tool takes a concept such as reading a CVC word and matching it to a picture to a whole new level.  

Working independently, the child opens the QR Reader app and scans the QR code.

Then, the child reads the word.

Lastly, they match it to the picture.

That's it! QR Codes in three easy steps!  

Happy Teaching!

Common Core State Standards
K. RF.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

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QR Codes Tutorial

Many of you wondered, how to create QR codes.  Today, I am going to share how I create them.  This post shares how I use them in my classroom.  

To follow along this tutorial, you will need a mobile device such as a smartphone or iPad with a QR app installed to scan the QR codes within the tutorial to "see" the difference.  If you are interested in creating QR codes, I use this website.

As you can see in Box 1, Data Type, QR codes can be embedded from many sources.

Scan to see what it looks like.

The above QR code was created by simply typing in Box 2, Content.   If you like, choose a color (Box 3).  Finally, click Download QR Code.  This is effective and easy to do.

Since, I am creating these for Word Work, I wanted to create a "fancier" image.  To do so, I created my document in Power Point.  Then, saved the file as a .jpg file which I uploaded it to Google docs.  I add the website address in Box 2, Content, and selected the URL shortener to create a "less busy" QR code.

Scan image.

Did you "see" the difference?  

I am going to use this next week during our Word Study.   I am sure the kids will love it.  You can grab a copy for free.  Yes, free!  I hope that you'll love it.  

Click image for your copy.

I hope this tutorial inspires you to give QR Codes a try.  If you do, let me know.  I think my next QR post will be on Tips and Tricks.  Anyone interested?  

Happy Teaching!

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Thanksgiving Retell

Click here for your copy. 

My students did such a great job learning about the first Thanksgiving.  They were able to retell the story to their families using their retell necklaces.  I was so proud of them.  To help, I made a simple text version of the Thanksgiving story.  I printed it out and glued onto colored scrapbook paper to match their retell bead.  The visual helped my students tremendously.

We also watched the classic Charlie Brown, The Mayflower Voyage.  You can find it on this DVD or access via YouTube here (Part 1) and here (Part 2).

My little one and me

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded that I have so much to be thankful for this year; my health, loved ones, school family and for the collaboration and learning I have found via blogging.

From my classroom to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. I hope to share more about QR codes this week.

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QR Codes and Word Work

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to learn from fellow teachers about integrating technology into the classroom.  What I liked about this conference was that the teachers were "real" teachers who taught in "real" classrooms.  Best of all, they were kindergarten and first grade teachers!

One of the sessions I attended showed how to use QR codes in learning applications.  I must admit, I had seen QR codes before but really never knew why or how to use them.  Now, I do.

This week, I taught my students about QR codes and how to use them as part of our Word Work.  First, I showed some advertisements that I collected to show the real world application of their use.  Then, I modeled them how to scan the code using my iPhone. (Yes, I let them use my phone as we didn't have anything else to use.)  In my classroom, we used this app, although, there are many free ones.

I guided them through this activity.  It was a QR code scavenger hunt around the room.  We talked about how to safely handle my phone and camera as Mr. Parker would not be buying Mrs. Parker a new one anytime soon. :) Each child had a turn scanning the code and seeing what the code said.

Using our dry erase boards, we wrote the high frequency words.  As I worked with each group, I had a chance to observe which students knew the words and which needed additional practice. I plan on doing this activity more frequently as an engaging way to practice skills but add 21st learning to the skill.


Happy Teaching!

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Our Week in Pictures

I saw these wonderful shape turkeys and wanted to try them.  Let's just say some of us still need to work on spatial relationships just a bit more. 

This week, we used QR codes to practice our sight words.  The kids were very excited to use the camera to scan the QR code.  This was a guided activity that I hope to incorporate into our Word Work study.  Of course, we spent some of the week discussing the election.  

Inspired by HeidiSongs directed drawings of Pilgrims, we made our own version.  I did get them started by providing them with a U shape for the face but all the other details they did on their own with my modeling.

In other news, my blog was featured in Carson-Dellosa's Facebook page.  Don't forget to enter my giveaway.  A lucky winner will be announced soon.

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