Entry #3 

Hello Parents and Guardians, 

I am pleased to say that everyone did a fantastic job on the Native American dioromas. Thank you for working with your child and supporting him or her on this project. As we reach spring break, I encourage you to encourage your child to read. I am still sending home the weekly reading log for spring break week. Your children need to read and build relationships with literature. I hope that you will partner with me to help your children build this relationship with reading. I do not want reading to be a dreaded homework assignment but an enjoyable one. 

I also would like you to be aware of a reoccurring problem we are having in class. As you know, I have only a few rules in my classroom. My number one rule is that your child tries their very BEST. As a class, the students are becoming lazy. I know the year is coming to a close rather quickly, but I still hold to the same expectations. I have discussed the problem with the class as a whole, but I am asking you to speak with them about this issue too. I have told them that their future job, wherever it may be, will ask for their best work, so they need to learn how to be good workers. I strongly encourage you to speak to your child about your job and what is expected of you. Thank you for helping me to address this issue, and as always you are welcome to contact me with any questions. 

Article #5 

Summary: The article is exploring the usage of cell phones in the classroom. Cell phones help teachers and students complete the same task in a more efficient fashion. One teacher, in the article, uses cell phones in every class. It is considered a tool. He has the students use their cell phones for online polls. Another teacher uses cell phones in order for the students to write a response and other students to analyze it. Although some teachers use them to make a more efficient classroom, other teachers think it is unfair to the students who do not own a cell phone. Regardless do the view of the teacher, the view of cell phones in school are changing. At some schools, students can use their phones when promoted by a teacher. 

Reflection: In a perfect world cell phones would be a great tool, but the world is not perfect. There are many students who do not own a smart phone or even a phone. Cell phones also present a distraction to the students. The teacher cannot monitor what each student is actually doing on their phones throughout the entire class. I do think that cell phones should be integrated, but they should not be relied on so heavily that the class could not function without them. There are equal positive and negative aspects of using cell phones in class. 

Blog article #4 

Summary: 

The article argues that  younger children should not spend time learning software programs. The author says that it is a waste of time because by the time they learn it, the students do not learn a thing beneficial. The children will learn how to use a software program that will be outdated in a few years. The author also writes that computers are not always the best vehicle to learning. There is technology that are not computers including dice and measuring devices. Also, he suggest that making the students take apart a computer and putting it back together again is more beneficial for students. FInally, he compares us to Japan. Japan takes time to think through their problems, and the teacher might spend weeks on one problem. American teachers rush through problems and do not look at them from all aspects. 

Reflection:

I personally agree with the article. When a teacher is with 22 first grade students trying to teach them how to take a spelling test from a website, it is frustrating for the teacher and the students. I do think students should be using computers a little during the week, but it is a waste of time to go down to the computer lab for an hour and a half each week. It is all about teaching the students through the best way possible. If the students cannot take a spelling test because they cannot understand the words on the computer, then students should not be using computers to take the spelling test. I really enjoyed reading how the Japanese teach their children. Students should be thinking critically at all times instead of being forced to rush to the next subject without understanding of the previous subject. 

Entry #2

Dear Parents and Caregivers,



                               Your children have been working very hard to research their Native American tribe while practicing their technology skills. The time has come to start gathering materials in your home to assist your child in building their diorama. I encourage you to not take full responsibility for this project. Allow your students to teach you about their tribe and to brainstorm materials they can use in your home. The diorama should be made using some type of box. I suggest an extra shoe box you have laying around the house. I have shown them several examples in class of how they can build their diorama, so they should have their brain juices flowing with ideas. If your child becomes frustrated or "stuck", then you can make suggestions to them on how to complete the project. Please do not do this project for them. You may help them by gluing or cutting items. Allow for this project to be fun for you and your child to do together. I am going to give them two full weeks to finish it. The diorama will be due February 19 along with their typed summary. If you have any questions about the project feel free to e-mail me. Thank you for your time.

Article #3

Summary:

This article explores the idea of assistive technology in the classroom. The article gives several examples of assistive technology including; a talking calculator, a computer that reads, a black card with a horizontal window, and a DeltaTalker. Assistive technology does not have to be electrical, but it is anything that helps students of all levels to participate in classroom activities. The article list several examples of how students are having success with assistive technology all over the United States. Assistive technology is limited in our school systems because of the lack of funding and training of the teachers. The faster schools implement assistive technology, then the faster they can reach the needs of all students in every classroom.

Reflection:

I really enjoyed reading all of the success stories for students that use assistive technology. I was surprised that assistive technology can be something as little as a triangular pencil grip or a parent binder for students with special needs. These types of technologies need to be in our school systems for these children. As teachers we need to be able to reach all of our learners to the best of our ability and assistive technology can help us to accomplish that goal. In the future, I hope that there will not be any classrooms without assistive technology. I plan on taking several trainings on how to use these types of assistive technologies for your students.