Technology to Enhance Literacy Reflection

Wow! This past eight weeks has flown by, and I cannot believe we are already back to school for the year. I really enjoyed this class and the assignments.

My goal for this school year it to continue to blog about my classroom and my experiences. I would much rather blog than use a discussion board. I take pride in my blog. I want it to look professional and presentable. It is open to the whole world. That is very different from a class discussion board that will never be seen again after eight weeks. These are the reasons why I want to have my fifth graders blog this year. I want them to take pride in their blog. I want them to want to make it look good. I want them to understand that others will see it on a regular basis. Most importantly, I want to prepare them to be successful adults in this digital age.

In addition, I cannot wait to have my students complete the digital storytelling project I created. I think students will really enjoy it because it very different than anything we have ever done. Stay tuned to my blog because I will post some student stories!

Lastly, I like the idea of the infographic, but I'm not sure if I have a program easy enough for students to use just yet. I did not like the program that I used to create mine. I would love to incorporate it into my history class somehow this year, so if you come across a good program, please let me know!

This was a great class, and I came away with a lot of knowledge and activities that I will be implementing into my classroom for years to come.

Infographic

I created my infographic over Pocahontas. I did a timeline of important events in her life. Many people do not know a lot about her, and the only thing they learned is from the Disney movie. I created the infographic to share with my students when we talk about Native Americans.

Click here to view.

The Story of Lomasi - Digital Storytelling Project

 The Story of Lomasi - A Native American Girl

 

 

 
I used the 30 Hands app to create my digital story that will be used as an example when I assign this project to my fifth grade students this year.

Digital Storytelling and the Writing Process

The writing process consists of generally five to six steps. The writing process can be used for a variety of writing assignments. Whether it is a story, opinion piece, or compare/contrast essay, the writing process can be used to help students be successful.

The Writing Process

image from https://www.mheonline.com/ccssehandbook/grade5/ccslh_g5_wr_4_2a.html

 

I have been creating a digital story for the past two weeks now. I have brainstormed ideas using a mind map, drafted a script, had a classmate edit my script, and made revisions to my script based on the peer edit. Even though I am creating a digital story, I am still writing and using all steps of the writing process.  My next step is to put my script into a storyboard. This will allow me to make revisions and edits once again.

 

I am creating a digital story that I will use as an example for an assignment I will be having my fifth graders complete this year. Click here to view the assignment details. After working on creating the example I will show students, I know that there are several things I will need to fix. To better guide my students, I need to have a script with a beginning, middle, and end. I need to make sure I have a set number of region characteristics that students must include. I am definitely going to have to slow it down and take it step by step with my students. For example, one day might just consist of working on one box of the storyboard. This project will allow students to show their creativity and imagination. I am sure that I will see a variety of different stories when I complete this assignment with my students. To conclude, I know that if I make these simple changes and adjust to the needs of my students, this will be a meaningful and fun project!

My Classroom Website

Take a minute and think back to a classroom website you remember in high school. What was on it? What was its purpose? How often did you visit the website? Was it used as a communication tool?
 
More than likely, the classroom website you are thinking about was a very basic page that contained contact information for your teacher. In this day and age, a classroom website is a very important tool that can be used for a variety of different purposes.
 
I have a classroom webpage on my school district's website. It contains my contact information and a link to my actual classroom website. My district encourages teachers to use a tool called MyBigCampus. MyBigCampus has a variety of features that allow me to use my webpage for more than just contact information. On my page, students can click on "buttons" that will take them to different things such as the schedule, the class newsletter, and Study Island. In addition, I am currently working on creating bundles of resources that students can use outside of class. Each unit will have a bundle where students can access notes, worksheets, videos, and practice games. To access the bundle, students just have to click on the button of their choice.  I can also post announcements that will show up in the students' newsfeed. I did this for AR reminders and tests.
 

 A view of my webpage on MyBigCampus

 
Last year, I used the discussion board feature on a weekly basis for discussions and to share projects. I felt like my students loved interacting with each other on the discussion board, and I was surprised by the amount they typed in their responses. I am hoping to use this feature again this year, but I'm not sure how it will go over with my 5th graders. (fingers crossed!)
 
Parents have access to my page, so they can view announcements, resources, and discussions. When I create a bundle, I can share it with other teachers. I have been working on creating bundles for each chapter of Social Studies, and I am sharing those with the other new 5th grade teachers. Last year, I helped created a 7th grade ELA page where we mapped out our curriculum and put all resources in a bundle for everyone to use.

Students will click on buttons for access to chapter bundles

Now, the gap in my page is actually getting students and parents to use my page outside of school. For this next school year, I want to get my students in a routine of checking MyBigCampus for resources and reminders. At open house, I am going to give parents a link to the page, and let them know how useful it can be to not only the students but them. I want students and parents to use this tool at home because I have provided copies of notes and additional practice resources.
 
Do you have any advice or tips?

Incorporating Literacy into an Elementary Classroom

Literacy is important in every content area. The ability to be able to proficiently read and write is something that all students should be able to do. Yet, some teachers may feel like they do not need to teach literacy skills in classes other than reading and English. This misconception needs to be changed because students need as much practice as they can. Adding reading and writing opportunities to other content areas will not only strengthen the students literacy skills, but will it will strengthen the content area.
 

image courtesy of http://kimjaxon.com/engl332/?p=2609

 
This year will be my first year teaching 5th grade social studies, reading, and English. As an English and reading teacher, I will be doing a variety of activities that promote literacy skills - essays, read alongs, non-fiction article readings, etc. Another aspect of English that helps form literacy skills is learning parts of speech. Students must understand the parts of speech in order to form a complete thought. So, instead of just lecturing and assigning practice work, I will also try to incorporate books about the different parts of speech. Click here to see a collection of books that could be used. Students love picture books, and this is a great way to reinforce literacy skills. I also plan on using books to reinforce figurative language skills. Students always see examples on assignments and worksheets, but they never see figurative language in an actual text.
 
 Social studies is new subject for me this year. Social studies is a content area that allows for teachers to easily incorporate literacy skills. I will be teaching a unit on Native Americans. I plan on reading a variety of informative articles as well as picture books.  Click here to see a collection of books that could be used.  I will also be using a variety of writing prompts, and I am thinking I might have students write a story acting as a historical figure we cover. In addition, students will be reading and creating a wiki about one the fifty states. One of the required parts of the wiki is a persuasive paragraph convincing me to visit their state. This not only allows students to practice writing non-fiction but also writing using persuasion.  I am still planning and getting adjusted with my new material, so if you have any new ideas, please let me know!
 

Using Quizlet in the classroom

With all of the emerging technology tools available to teachers these days, sometimes it is hard to decide what tool would best fit your classroom needs. A tool that I would like to use more in my classroom this year is Quizlet. Why? Let's face it.... kids lack study skills. Plain and simple.  Quizlet is a tool that is accessible on any device that allows students to study flashcards. Teachers can create an account for free to create their own flashcards.  Even better, teachers can search a database to find the specific topic or terms they are in need of and just provide students with the link. If students are given a chance to learn important keywords, vocabulary skills, or terms, they will better understand the text. So why not allow them to practice their study skills, so they can become better readers?



Now, how can I use Quizlet in a 5th grade classroom? As a social studies teacher, it is important for students to know a variety of important figures, events, and dates. I can simply create flashcards for each topic as a study tool for my students. My students can study for their assessment on their phones, iPads, or computers from any place as long as they have the link.  As an English language arts teacher, Quizlet can be used to practice vocabulary words before or after text, for a quiz, or just general practice.

How does this tool help a diverse set of learners? Quizlet is not just flashcards; it offers more ways to study than just that. Quizlet will pronounce the word and definition for students. It allows students to practice their content by playing two different games. The tool has a practice test for students to take in order to see what they need to study. Also, it even has a page where it will read the definition to the students, and they have to type in the correct word. Quizlet offers a variety of ways to study.

Scatter game

 

Teachers can assess the effectiveness of this tool by simply trying it in their classrooms. Give a test without letting students study on Quizlet beforehand, and give a test after students have studied using Quizlet. Compare the results of the tests, and I'm sure you will see that test scores are better after allowing students to study on Quizlet. Or, just let you students study for your test in class. You will be amazed at how engaged they are with Quizlet and the variety of study options it offers. 

If you do not give students the opportunity to practice their study skills, they will never improve. If they cannot recognize or understand a word, they will not understand the text. Show them a tool they can use to become better readers because they know they have a place they can practice vocabulary. Quizlet is a tool that will help them learn how to study whether it is with flashcards or practice tests. It is definitely a tool I cannot wait to use next year, and I hope you give it a try in your own classroom.