Week 12 - Websites

I created a resource website for my students and their parents.  I wanted to use this website as another communication tool for my students and parents.  They will be able to find their homework assignments, testing information, school news, and helpful resources they can use at home. I decided to add in the homework assignments to my website because parents are always asking me what their child's homework is.  I figured this would be an easy way for them to check their child's homework nightly.  I always wanted to add in a school calendar to keep parents up to date on the happenings going around at our school.  All of the things I added to this website is a tool that the parents/students can use at home.

My Classroom Website
 

Week 11 - Concept Maps

The first thing I thought of when creating a concept map was to create one with different story elements.  I work with these story elements weekly with my students and having them create a concept map to show their understanding of their story would be great.  We create concept maps all the time on paper but to be able to create one on the computer would be much better and I think my students would enjoy it more.  Another area my students see a lot of concept maps is in science.  Below I created a concept map of the life cycle of a butterfly.  This would be a great science project.  Students could choose something and create its life cycle or food chain.

Starfall.com Lesson Screencast

Every week  my students get the opportunity to work in the computer lap or on the lap tops.  It is a great opportunity to bring technology into the classroom but I feel like I spend most of my time running from student to student to get them on the correct website/activity.  Screencasting is a great way to teach a mini lesson on the activity we will do on the computers.  I put together a mini lesson on how to use the website starfall.com.  I think the students will really benefit from it.  This assignment was a great motivator and I can't wait to put together a screencast for logging in and setting up an accelerated reading test.