Teaching Literacy in a Technological World
This showcase is to share a sampling of my work and to symbolize how literacy, behavior, and technology relate in the classroom. Each of these three factors are interrelated and affect each other. All students need to learn to read, and behavior and technology can affect this goal in a variety of ways. Once behavioral routines are in place and a basic understanding of student's motivation is understood, literacy instruction can be used to pave the way for understanding how new technologies and strategies can be used to enhance learning.
Literacy
What makes a "good" book?
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That was one of the first questions we were asked when beginning to look at children's literature. I had preconceived ideas for what "I" thought was a good book, but I found the discussion with my peers stimulating and thought provoking. We were required to read Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, a book that stretched my thinking and interest level. Children are often asked to read books in educational settings that they may not otherwise choose. Reading text that takes you out of your
comfort zone, can force one to think differently. This class helped me decide which books I felt would be important to include in my own classroom and how they might be perceived by children.
Click on the picture to read my final analysis!
This showcase of pictures represents a few examples of redefining ideas and concepts into a more "creative" approach.
The Building Blocks of Literacy
Through several of my courses I learned how to assess students abilities in literacy and develop a plan accordingly based on their needs. There was great discussion based about motivation and creativity. I learned that to be a creative person it is essential that people use a variety of strategies, tools, feelings and knowledge to create and understand new knowledge.For my creativity course we focused on the 7 cognitive tools: Perceiving, Patterning, Abstracting, Embodied Thinking, Modeling, Playing, and Synthesizing. Through the activities I learned that students have the ability to take a project and make it theirs, it will lead students to deeper thinking and a greater enjoyment of the school setting. It builds confidence and skills at a deeper level than simply following directions by rote.
Creativity
For one of our assignments about teaching children to be creative, we were to create a new song that was a variation of another song. The following link is a new creative version of "I've Been Working on the Railroad". I created this version titled "I've Been Learning to Be Creative" and it sums up the concept that creative ideas need to be Novel, Effective and
For my singing efforts, Dr. Punya Mishra created a name ambigram for me! I thought I'd share!
Whole, in other words, N.E.W. With each new project I began to view the most simple picture, song, story, object, etc. in a different way. Always using my imagination and creativity to view it differently.
Click link to Song: I've Been Learning to Be Creative!
Words Their Way
By: Donald R. Bear, Marcia Invernizzi, Shane Templeton & Francine Johnston
I had the opportunity to review this text, Words Their Way, that focused on word study, phonics, vocabulary and spelling . I found this book most helpful to me as a first grade teacher, as I learned new strategies for assessing students reading, spelling, and writing. I also gained great insight into various approaches for teaching skills to assist students learning. I feel more confident that I can effectively evaluate my students current level of
understanding and skills, and expand my repetoire of literacy activities. The following paper I presented was one that I was strongly invested in, as these assessments, strategies, and activities were ones I immediately implemented once learned.
Behavior
Behavior and Motivation
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Through my master's classes I have learned a great deal about how behavior affects learning in all settings. Understanding how motivation affects learning and identifying reasons and strategies for how to address these issues, were key concepts I learned. In the following Power Points, I highlight some of my work related to the identification of behavioral concerns, and positive approaches for change. By addressing classroom management and behavior, learning will become more successful.
First--In the first power point, I define school wide behavior and classroom behavior supports. These ideas and concepts are based on the nationally known concepts of School Wide Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports (SWPBIS). I was especially proud of this Powerpoint as it was more a culmination of all that I had not only learned in this classroom, but also the key ideas and concepts that I was practicing in my school and classroom daily. I was able to share this with my colleagues as well.
Click on the pictures to see each power point!
Second--In the case of Anxious Arthur, I provide an explanation for how to assess for motivation and define the motivational problem, and provide motivational strategies for addressing the problem. I was really excited for this project as "Arthur" had significant motivation difficulties. I created a plan using the motivational strategy titled TARGET (Task, Authority, Recognition, Grouping, Evaluation and Time). This framework helped guide me and create a comprehensive plan for my student. Overall, I feel confident that when I encounter another student that is challenging, I will have the tools and strategies to define the problem and create a plan.
Third--In the last powerpoint, I chose a student that exhibited problematic classroom behaviors. I collected data, analyzed the data, and developed a behavior change plan to be implemented with this student. This powerpoint highlights each step. With this strategy and format I was able to see positive behavioral change in Anna's behavior over time. I realized the importance of collecting data and setting small goals for immediate success.
Technology
I learned how to use iMovie to create this movie for a first grade science unit on Life Cycles.
Technology in the Classroom
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There has been a significant shift of how technology has been used in the classroom in the last ten years. In fact there is a push in education to use computers as a way of attracting students attention. Children today will not know a society when computers, video games, and cell phones did not exist. This class taught me a great deal about creating iMovies, Glogs, and other forms of technology to use and capitalize on within my classroom. I am not certain that technology will make my teaching any better or improve students’ ability to learn. Technology for the sake of technology is not useful unless how I use it to teach is meaningful. Many of these tools I found useful and hope to use them in a way that will help gain children's interest and foster the love of learning.
This Glog is one of two I created using the GlogsterEdu website.
Photo
Credits
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Little Women: http://www.amazon.com/Louisa-May-Alcott/e/B000APYQLO/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1
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Words Their Way: http://www.amazon.com/Words-Their-Way-Vocabulary-Instruction/dp/0137035101
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Anxious boy: http://anxietyreliefzone.com/generalized-anxiety-disorder/helping-kids-with-anxiety-through-computer-programs/
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Frustrated girl: http://www.bayareaspeechlanguagelearningassociates.com/services.htm