A Music Scavenger Hunt!

Do you know who Vivaldi is?  Join me in this simple but fun way to explore Antonio Vivaldi, famous composer, using the internet.   As I LOVE music, this assignment was fun to create for my students   I shared it with a grade 4/5 classroom.  It was easy for them, but I only have them for 30 minutes, so it worked out perfectly.  Taking this idea of a scavenger to launch, cumulate or investigate a learning will be fun for your students!

Templates - Save some time

3 Stars and a Wish

Below is a template that can be used for teacher or peer evaluation.  So often we need time savers, this is one of them.  Whether it be a teacher assessment, self-assessment or a peer talk.  This template will be left in my room in a basket (half page form) so students can get them on their own to attach to an assignment before handing it in or after receiving it.  

I like adding images and colour to make it more fun and appealing.  WIth time I am sure I will add more or tweak them appropriately to the grade-level.

Webquest's for a Classroom

Creating a Webquest was a new learning experience for me.  I have completed one before, but never created one.  Below is a three page webquest guiding grade 4 students through a partnered lesson.  This lesson allows me to assess them in a different manner.  Students would already have the instructions and be able to work at their own pace in a given time.  Naturally students will like this activity if it is not overused, so make them fun and to the point, or find many free templates online. This webquest can be done as a class or in partners as it is listed.  

It was very easy to create and again encourages the use of technology within a classroom.  My advice after reading more information about webquests, is to keep them simple and clear to a purpose so students don't feel overwhelmed with the assignment and become distracted.  Overall, I think it encourages time management skills, personal technology skills, and self motivation - which are all great life skills.  Feel free to try mine below or create one of your own.  (Links are in blue if you're new!)

Student Safety

As parents they tell us they'll be careful and safe online. As teachers we hoipe they are listening. But even though we educate them, online users still receive links, invitations and emails continually. We need to TEACH and REMIND them to practice "safety and smarts" online.





Above is a simple document that could be edited to fit your classroom or home.  Print and Post!  They will read it while application are loading.  Change it up, make it fresh, then repost again.  There are many additional guidelines that could be added to this list, but then it would be very long and children may not read it, so personalize it to your family or your classroom   Discuss it with them, they may have concerns and personal opinions that could be added.  "TALK to the kids, before they look for someone else to talk to."

Webpage Creation - Best Communication for a Classroom!

       Linked below is the start of a classroom webpage.  This blog could even be linked to it (but it's not).  As I will finally have my own class next year, this webpage will become my home base for communication between school and home.  I plan to update it daily and post agenda tasks there rather than on the board as a visual.  Studnets will also be responsible for keeping it active as it will benefit us as a team.  Using digital agendas will encourage students to transition to the "Online World," with management skills to help prepare them for their future.
       This was my first webpage that I created using a free program called Weebly.  It was very easy to use.  I followed given site templates and created this in less than an hour as I recall, probably less, but I was exploring.  I plan to tweak many areas of it over the summer and perfect what has been started.
       Below is also a mock calendar that I could link to the webpage.  It was made using http://assignaday.4teachers.org/ and also was made in under an hour.  The entire school calendar can be added to this location so students and parents can remain aware of school functions and events.

Class Webpage
http://mohnsclassroom.weebly.com/

Class Calendar
http://assignaday.4teachers.org/ScheduleTable.php?calendar_id=274033

IICT Part 1 - ETFO AQ

This was the best Additional Qualification course for me to take.  Technology is on the rise, and will continue to be for awhile.  While at school and in the classrooms I regularly incorporate technology,  taking this class has extended my knowledge and confidence in programs and now I am able to use it more.

This blog will be my first professional catalogue of resources that I can build on for quick reference.  Tried to create one on Google Docs, but found this easier.  Each post will focus on a project I have created or a completed assignment with a specific focus.  Here we go...a bit of tech talk!