Model_Classroom

=Welcome to the Model Classroom Home Page=

SURVEY

__**WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO SINCE SEPTEMBER**__

Check out this link to learn about using handheld devices such as the iPod Touch in the classroom: []. The site contains how to videos on the iPod, Podcasting, and more.

Let's share what you've been using so far in your classroom. No achievement is too big or too small. Just click on EDIT, type in your lesson activity or how you used slideshows in your presentation and press Save.

Week of 09/14/09

__Sharing Accomplishments__

Blanca - I was able to walk around the different buildings and see the integration of technology at work in Deer Park. The HS will be visited on Friday! I spoke with the MS Math CA and we scheduled an intro to SB on 9/24. I visited with Sue S. :) and the May Moore and AL principals to discuss needs for the upcoming year.


 * Jill** - I've used the Smartboard on a daily basis in my classroom to demonstrate computer programs. I used Smart Notebook to do an activity where students compared different computers' specs. and then ranked them in order of best to worst (even the seniors like to get a chance to touch and drag things around on the board!). I used Google docs. to give a test online, which I posted as a link to my eBoard; the test was submitted to me; and I graded everything at once on one spreadhseet. It took less than five minutes. Yippee! I'm in the middle of using the video camera that we were given to teach study skills to 9th graders. They are given a study skill tip of the day; they have to videotape themselves and edit the video; and then they have to post it to my wikispace. They then have to view the videos as part of their "Do Now." Lastly, I applied for the Digital Learning Microgrant yesterday with this project--hoping to get another video camera!


 * Annemarie** - I find it to be extremely effective using the smartboard on a daily basis in my classroom to demonstrate computer programs. This week students opened a Gmail account with Google and as part of their "First Things First" they check their inbox for documents/or instructions pertaining to the days lesson. I created a spreadsheet and form in Google docs which students used to record their responses to a talent test. The talent test will be used to group students so that they may collabrate and work productively on selected assignments. My students created their own stationery using Google docs. They now know how to upload and view photos through Google docs and how to insert photos into Google word processing documents.


 * David -** Not a major change from last year. I have been more conscious of getting all files and documents from AP, Research and Marine on to their various wikis as fast as I can. I broke off chem, marine and research into their own wikis and started using the old wiki for AP and as a hub for all of the other ones. That's finally smooth. Chem has some residual copyright issues with some of the handouts, so that might hamper things this year. Lots of Google Calendar action. We have moved to an on-line text for Marine one, which was written by a professor of Oceanography at Texas A&M. Of course, we have to provide students with paper copies of the sections that we are using. I still prefer Powerpoint to Notebook for the "input" sections of my AP course (about a period a day in AP bio is teacher-centered discussion, due to curriculum constraints), but I am looking forward to using the senteos (and notebook) on Monday to run exam review. I also just put up an "asynchronous extra help" forum for AP on the ning network. I'm going to have them shoot short video segments for the cell unit and edit them on imovie over the next two weeks.

The class LOVES using the SB with our daily math lessons. Our HW agenda is also copied onto the SB so it is very easy for the class to copy their HW assignments. Writing on the SB took the students some time to learn how to hold the pens. All in all a good beginning!
 * Sue S. -** Like David, not a major change from last year, so far! Last year I didn't start using the SmartBoard until late in the year. Nine days into school and my second graders use my daily lunch graph/attendance graph to move their name to their lunch choice on the graph as they walk into class. The graph is linked to Infinite Campus. One of my classroom jobs is for one of my students to click on the link and they touch on the names of the absent students. Another click and we have the Pledge of Allegiance. Teachers new to the SB this year have used their new zip drives, a gift from Alicia, to copy my lunch graph and now they use it also. I think it's great. I also downloaded my first day of school photos to iPhoto and created a slideshow, complete with music, for Meet The Teacher Night. The parents walked into my room staring at the board! I also created my presentation using the Keynote Mac program. I am having a bit of difficulty switching from the Dell computer to the Mac for use with the SB. Lots of wires/plugs and it never runs smoothly. The video camera is not linked to the Mac and so I have to download a program so I can run the videos that I already recorded. Help!!

The kids were so proud of their project it has already motivated them to think of other projects they can do. Three or four of my girls are already working on writing a play during their recess (awww) and another group of kids are talking and planning a news segment. I am one proud pup!
 * Lori** – For me there have been big changes and I am just beginning to know how much I don’t know. I did not have a Smartboard last year, however I signed it out often. My kids (and I) are hooked! I have been using one or two notebook lessons daily. I was so excited last week when we were watching a video clip and I was able to pause the movie and write all over the scene! My proudest accomplishment of the past two weeks has be my students creating a movie welcoming their parents to Open House Night. The students wrote the scripts, made cue cards, directed, and did their own videotaping, great classroom community building. TOOO cute! We had many crying mommies – beautiful! Now, I just need somewhere to publish it.


 * Fran & Kerry** - Lori, I agree that there's SO much to learn and we have just scratched the surface. In Kindergarten, we have been snapping many photos since the first day. We have used those photos for Meet the Teacher, as well as child-made books and a hallway display. For Meet the Teacher, we made a slide show (available on our e-board) and a Powerpoint presentation to supplement our discussion about the learning of young children. We have used our video camera to catch a spontaneous puppet show as well as some "small moments". We hope to use these video clips for some future projects. Our Smartboard has been used several times so far. We use it to learn how to write the name of our "Shining Star of the Day". We have also played interactive learning games and will incorporate the Smartboard as a Learning Center once we get that started. The children loved watching the slide show and seeing their photos on the big screen. We're having a great time!

Lori - Awww!!! I miss team teaching and having those moments to share. Kudos to you guys - sounds like you're having a good time!

Grants available
Due September 25: Digital Learning Microgrant

This is the agenda for the first Model Classroom Professional Development Session.

08/31/09

Introductions and Program Overview Computer and Flash Drive Macbook Program  Online Community Registration

09/01/09

SMART Notebook Overview - Creating Interactive Lessons Thinkfinity Document Camera Senteoand Journal Articles Notebook SE/Students as Producers and Collaborators