tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83956635809738360552024-03-13T16:15:13.333-04:00iPads in the ClassroomWelcome to the BGMS Ipad Instructional Integration blog: Thirty iPads, nine teachers, two administrators and 400 students.Mlittlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09446220657090697195noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-84415847349936865262011-06-02T13:00:00.000-04:002011-06-02T13:23:19.796-04:00MAY<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This month the iPad team will be posting about their plans for May. Most of the team has had five or more months of working with iPads in traditional (and non-traditional) academic settings. And as we approach the close of the year we don't want to leave any stone unturned. As necessary as setting a firm instructional tone in your classroom at the beginning of the year, having a strong plan for instruction for the closing months of the year is equally important. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">With the addition of iPads to many of our classrooms, the shape, face and sometimes space of our classrooms has changed. The procedures we had in place for teaching with papers & pen have evolved for many of us after years in the classroom. Now we are faced with new capacities, new procedures, new methodologies. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">How can we take these changes, these new shapes of instruction and use them to propel us into a time of year when students are often disengaged physically and emotionally? How can we take the successes of the past five months and use them to fuel what is left of the year? Or, is there any stone left unturned? Is there something we wished we would have done with our iPads that we were putting off? Perhaps now is the time to try? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div>Mlittlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09446220657090697195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-20766451134592313302011-06-02T12:35:00.002-04:002011-06-02T12:58:57.635-04:00Final Projects :)It is my last month with the iPads. It was very clear what I would do with my class. I wanted to listen "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel and know what every reference was. So, that's what we're doing. I never thought my students would respond so well to the song. However, if I have to hear that song again I may never do this project again. <div><br /></div><div>We listened to the song, interpreted the chorus and researched what every term was. We did a giant jigsaw. Every 8th grader got a term and were responsible for researching and writing on the topic. Then, we posted it to our class Posterous site: <a href="http://egiblin326.posterous.com/">http://egiblin326.posterous.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Students should have their research posted by next week. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, we are in the song writing phase, where students will write songs that have historical events monumental in their lives. Please feel free to comment on their songs when they are completed next week.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think Posterous is a great site for sharing. It's an organized blog on steroids that allows for a ton of contributors and students can post via email. Since they all have Bronx Green emails it is a very easy project. Posterous can be used on the iPad and it allows students to dabble in blogging. This is definitely something I wanted to touch upon before they went to high school because blogs are now the expectation in many college classes and high schools. </div><div><br /></div><div>Please check back for songs as they are posted !</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-11917376987683903502011-05-23T13:54:00.004-04:002011-05-23T14:14:20.601-04:00May with the iPadsAs the year winds down, many students have been known to start their summers despite the fact that school is still in session. They have a hard time focusing in class, do less homework, and behavior also begins to deteriorate. I plan on using the iPad to combat these end of year issues.<div><br /></div><div>We will be completing a project involving vocabulary words that we have used throughout the year as well as practicing a post-May topic: Map Scale. We can use the iPad to research mathematic vocabulary, provide illustrations/examples, as well as to find related topics to each word.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for the Map Scale chapter, Google Maps along with other map images on the internet will be the material that students will use to explore the relationship between map scale and proportions. Students will be able to look for a specific region/area that interests them and then use the map scale to measure distances between different cities in that region.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will be using the IXL program on the iPad during class. With student motivation to complete homework at such low levels, I plan on allowing students to "replace" poor homework grades with extra credit if they spend some time practicing different topics on IXL.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, I also plan on using the iPad as a reward for students who are making the right choices. Being able to surf the web, play different games, and even listen to music using the iPad can be a great incentive for students to do their work and exhibit good behavior in class.</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-62081063743100806302011-05-19T21:13:00.004-04:002011-05-19T22:03:54.370-04:00In the final few weeks:<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Reflecting on the past school year I've come to realize some great things have occurred in 6<sup>th</sup> Social Studies with the use of iPads. We’ve researched information, typed essays, found correlating images, created webpage’s, played games, inputted data, watched videos and listened to music. Now winding down to the final five weeks of school there is still a great deal of work that needs to be completed in Social Studies and the iPad is one solid way to keep my students engaged after the few stressful weeks of state tests and the slow emergence of Spring in NYC.</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><span>At the present moment my students and I are </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span>learning about various aspects of the Roman Empire. I've recently began using stations as a way to engage my students through different modalities. It’s been a great way to provide a large deal of information through different sources, provide my students a chance to move, and provide my students a chance to spend time on the iPad. I've used the iPad so far during the stations as a way for students to unscramble, analyze, and write about images of ancient Rome. I've used the Puzzler app as well as Puzzle You app, which are both free, to create the photo puzzles. Its been a fun way to have the students immediately inter</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span>ested in analyzing the images as well as allowing for students who are inclined to solve puzzles to apply those skills in the class. </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span>Throughout the</span></span> remainder of this unit I will continue to use the iPad during future stations as well as prepare the students to showcase their best work to the class.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-El67HZnAFlM/TdXHCuF7xqI/AAAAAAAAACY/yqDIWNFe29M/s320/IMG_0568.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608607760506406562" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span>I’ve also begun using the iPads during the extended day. I work with many students whom struggle with spelling and writing. I have recently begun a Scrabble tournament with the 12:1 class. It’s been awesome seeing my struggling spellers use the free Scrabble application’s dictionary to create new words and check the spelling of known words. It’s also been a successful way to end our day with some peaceful and fun competition. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-f0BY4MOk0/TdXBBBjN0ZI/AAAAAAAAACQ/99wveq863r0/s320/may%2Bpic%2B2.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608601134299992466" /></span></span></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-40073219855357484862011-05-17T10:05:00.013-04:002011-05-17T12:28:08.876-04:00May/June.... Wrapping Up or Starting New?<div><span class="Apple-style-span" >At a time of the year when some are starting to wrap things up, think about end-of-the-year trips/activities and look forward to “next year” I find myself still excited to plan lessons for this year. Why? The addition of iPads to my curriculum has made every unit, every lesson I've taught in the past a brand new experience. Needless to say, for someone that has been teaching for 11 years that brings new life and exciting opportunities to the job.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span></span>I decided to end the year with a persuasive writing unit which has proven to be successful over the past few years.<span> </span>As with any unit/lesson, I try to grab my students’ attention from the very beginning with a topic that will fascinate them.<span></span>This time around we are going to focus on FAST FOOD. Simply mentioning <span></span>those words perks up a bunch of middle schoolers.<span> </span>After doing some close reading and intense research my students will write persuasive essays, create slogans and advertisements that promote healthy living habits.<span> </span>In the past my classes have <span></span>done this using basic loose leaf, chart paper, poster paper, pencils and markers.<span> </span>But this time students will be using iPads to create advanced versions of what students in the past have done.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span">We will begin by using the iPads as digital readers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Students will read articles such as “Rain Forests at Risk” <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>and “Get Some Sleep!” on the Time for Kids website.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They will use new facts they learn to defend their point of view and engage in accountable talk with their classmates.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Each student will be responsible for submitting a written response which they can type and email to me from the iPads.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"></span>Next we will read <u>Chew on This: Everything You Don’t Want to Know About Fast Food</u> by Eric Schlosser and Charles Wilson. <span> </span>Unfortunately, the book is not available in digital format so we are going to stick to regular paperbacks.<span> Since my students are comfortable using Post-Its while reading, they are going to use the Sticky Notes app (free) </span> to collect facts and ideas that they may want to include in their persuasive essays.</li></ul><p></p></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0bf7U7QEb-c/TdKMG4FwY_I/AAAAAAAAACs/kMq9Hr_KGig/s1600/chew%2Bon%2Bthis.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0bf7U7QEb-c/TdKMG4FwY_I/AAAAAAAAACs/kMq9Hr_KGig/s320/chew%2Bon%2Bthis.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607698535793320946" style="cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 278px; " /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Then we’re going to watch “Super Size Me” with Morgan Spurlock.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In addition to gathering notes, we’re going to use the Popplet app to swap ideas with partners.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There will be one focus question and students will share their opinions based on what they have learned from the movie and their reading.</span></li></ul></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WGRcj-8ZnA4/TdKMux1QsdI/AAAAAAAAAC0/eAzJRmZTpPk/s1600/super-size-me.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WGRcj-8ZnA4/TdKMux1QsdI/AAAAAAAAAC0/eAzJRmZTpPk/s320/super-size-me.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607699221308289490" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >After publishing their persuasive essays, students will begin to create advertisements for healthy living.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Students will use the Phosters app (.99) to create posters that include pictures, slogans and a paragraph to convince the reader to “purchase” their product. The goal is to effectively promote healthy eating habits and living.</span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WGRcj-8ZnA4/TdKMux1QsdI/AAAAAAAAAC0/eAzJRmZTpPk/s1600/super-size-me.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Il1wOqiGWHk/TdKDc09C5OI/AAAAAAAAACU/DvhUpfExpjY/s1600/phoster.PNG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Il1wOqiGWHk/TdKDc09C5OI/AAAAAAAAACU/DvhUpfExpjY/s320/phoster.PNG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607689017303950562" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" >To close out the year I want to return to one of our favorites, Dr. Seuss. A few months ago when I was looking for “Dr. Seuss-ish”/poerty apps I was thrilled to find that several of his books were available in app format. <u>Oh, the Places You’ll Go</u> ($4.99) is a classic and I want to use it to have my students to reflect on the past year, set short and long term goals for the future. I’m still not clear on what that final project will look like, but that is the exciting thing about working with iPads, there is always something new to look forward to. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s0FrmUU_HoU/TdKF9ufef5I/AAAAAAAAACc/EBH2khbCi_o/s1600/seuss.PNG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s0FrmUU_HoU/TdKF9ufef5I/AAAAAAAAACc/EBH2khbCi_o/s320/seuss.PNG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607691781528256402" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-77597010026437001292011-05-14T12:42:00.010-04:002011-05-14T13:09:40.850-04:00In the education world, the words "May" and "June" carry heavy connotations. For some educators, "May" and "June" carry hope, a light. Ah, summer is almost here. For others, "May" and "June" signify an imperative job: I must keep my classroom and lessons engaging. We realize if we don't, the "almost" of summer will quickly turn into the "almost" of insanity. The equation is clear: Disengaging classrooms plus disengaged kids equals disaster.<br /><br />May is poetry month in room 102 at Bronx Green. Georgia Heard's book Awakening the Heart has given me tons of amazing ideas for turning room 102 into a poetry world. During the first few days of our unit, we designed heart maps: a visual<br />representation of who and what is important to us, who and what is inside our hearts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9yPVG4uYPE/Tc6y4_I3n2I/AAAAAAAAABU/EHegXBYN-sw/s1600/heartmapping.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9yPVG4uYPE/Tc6y4_I3n2I/AAAAAAAAABU/EHegXBYN-sw/s320/heartmapping.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606615278213898082" /></a><br /><br />Heart mapping alone boosted our post-testing drowsiness immensely. Hands down, my kids' level of engagement during heart mapping was the highest it's been since before test prep. Let's face it, endless multiple choice questions are no fun - for teachers nor students.<br /><br />Heart mapping required our brains, markers and construction paper. Imagine how much more engagement we could see if we infuse technology into poetry. And that is just what we are going to do...<br /><br />Starting next week, we will be starting poetry stations (thank you again, Ms. Heard). While activities similar to heart mapping will have their place, there will also be two iPad stations.<br /><br />Last week, my students came up with a symbol and writing system to mark up a poem. For example, if students draw a lightbulb next to a line, they have an idea. Next to the symbol, they explain their idea. If you see a picture of a person, my student has a text-to-self connection that you can also read about next to the symbol, etc. In the first iPad station, we are going to transform these skills digitally using the Popplet app. Each student will type one of their own poems inside a black Popplet. Then, students will switch iPads to digitally mark up (using color) each others poems with ideas, questions, text-to-self connections and thoughts on powerful/meaningful words, images and/or lines. Here is a rough-draft example of what one group already started working on during an after-school enrichment block.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFxpAoJqIWg/Tc60K1HJARI/AAAAAAAAABc/1BcIt8wwDfU/s1600/poetrypopplet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFxpAoJqIWg/Tc60K1HJARI/AAAAAAAAABc/1BcIt8wwDfU/s320/poetrypopplet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606616684271567122" /></a><br /><br /><br />At the second iPad station, students will be using the Instant Poetry app to create poems using images and words. This station will be centered around their current unit in social studies: Ancient Rome. I plan on creating folders on each iPad where students will be able to observe images and art from Ancient Rome. In a separate folder, I will place non-fiction texts about Roman topics such as religion, leaders, art, the gods, architecture, etc. After students read and study the articles and photos, they will have the opportunity to design their own Roman-inspired masterpiece.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0VuQMEDl1s/Tc61M-NpeeI/AAAAAAAAABk/XP35pCY-N1E/s1600/poetryrome.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0VuQMEDl1s/Tc61M-NpeeI/AAAAAAAAABk/XP35pCY-N1E/s320/poetryrome.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606617820586146274" /></a><br /><br />I am looking forward to see how well these activities will keep my students engaged until June 28th. Forget the disaster equation. I want room 102 to prove that engaging classrooms plus engaging learning equals hardworking students...no matter the time of year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-29705520321398639182011-05-13T14:49:00.004-04:002011-05-13T14:51:07.545-04:00MayDays<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Testing season has come and gone for most of our students with the NYS Math Exam ending yesterday. 8th graders still have their Science and Math Regents exams coming up, but 6th and 7th graders are done with their testing. It's been nice to see and feel the collective sigh of relief the day after.<br /><br />As an 8th grade teacher, my students have been working pretty hard on preparing for the Science Exam. In math and ELA, they've been building their portfolios and preparing for end of year procedures. We still use the technology in class for various reasons- practicing skills on iXL and using apps to achieve their IEP and graduation goals. As we get closer to the finish line and wrap up the year, I look forward to giving my kids the challenge of leaving a legacy for future classes- a message on the best ways to use the ipad in and out of class. The good news is that most of the class is very familiar with the iPad and can easily do this. The bad news is that most if the class is rather camera shy. We'll see which one wins out.<br /><br />As a dean, the iPad has still been invaluable. For the past couple of weeks I have been out of my classroom/office and running an Intervention Room for 8th graders who needed Herculean efforts to achieve passing grades. Each student would come down daily with the task of completing past and extra assignments and test prep to achieve high enough marks to get a passing average for the year. Using the iPad as my hub, I was able to keep students up to date on what work they completed needed to complete and provide live updates on averages. I was able to pull all information they needed for various websites such as Prezi or iXL with the touch of a finger. For the students who took to the intervention and came focused to attempt to pass, the iPad was their tool to keep track of their progress. It even helped them when I was able to use the iPad to maintain control of the students who refused to take advantage of the opportunity before them. Sometimes it was by using LiveProfile to immediately reach out to those upstairs to contact homes and parents. Other times, I used it to keep chatty students occupied while I conducted small group instruction with a different section.<br /><br />That group ends today and I look forward to returning to lunch with the iPad. Until I began working in the Intervention room, I didn't realize how much I enjoyed using the iPads with Teheran students. Whether it was playing the games with them or talking with them while they played games like AngryBirds, NBA Jam, or PengAireborne, something about the iPad allows our students to open up and talk about anything. One of our Social Workers Mark Walters wrote about this in his blog post insert mark walkers blog post link. It'll be nice to reconnect with our students.<br /><br />I'm also looking forward to an upgrade. This month, I will be one of the staff members piloting the use of the iPad 2. I actually haven't seen or used the second version of it yet so I'm not sure what new things we can do with it just yet. But I have some ideas that would be incredible to have work for our students. A confluence of events led me to look forward to one idea that has me really excited. The first was that i recently got a new 4G phone with Facetime and have been loving video chatting with people far away that rarely get to see. Second, about a month ago a friend and were in my house watching some NBA basketball and shooting the breeze. He was really excited because he had just discovered that phone upgrade would allow him to create a mobile WiFi hotspot. And since he didn't have the 3G iPad this fixed his internet on the go issue. All his problems were fixed. As he was showing me how it worked, the commercial with the two classes video chatting came on. I love that commercial just because I've always believed kids learn more when they are exposed to new things and when they are learning from another kid. Eureka! The iPad2 can be our vehicle to connect across the nation, continent and globe. Just a thought....we will soon find out if we can make it happen.<br /></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-66938326715500524932011-05-13T13:32:00.001-04:002011-05-13T13:33:20.205-04:00April Flowers bring May flowers…Bring the iPad II???So, several months into getting comfortable with my iPad I get the news that I am will be turning it in for its thinner, sleeker, newer cousin. This switch has me wondering several things –<br />- What is the difference?<br />- Is it really better?<br />- How can I make its updates features work for me?<br /><br />The fact that it has a camera is a definitely a huge plus in my world. I am a big believer in documenting my students in action. I have always found that they like to see their hard work on bulletin boards and I like the ability to display it for them. The iPad II should stream line that process.<br /><br />But the students and my interaction with them is a small role compared to my work with the teachers and the fact that I will have the ability to document their work is even more exciting to me. I can’t think of a better way of publicly commending the great things that are happening in our school then through the use of the iPad II. Whether it remains a strictly digital display or we combine it with printed work, the fact that we can have it readily available is an invaluable tool. Even better, we will be able to have a quick pictorial of our successes for years to come.<br /><br />I am also excited about being able to quickly record something great that is happening in the classrooms and around the school.<br /><br />So with little time left in the school year my plan for the iPad II is to document as much as I can and begin that picture library.<br /><br />I can’t help but think about the ways in which Sir Ken Robinson said we need to look at education differently, and I do believe we are with the use of the iPads. We are moving our students to a place in which they are thinking outside the box and working with tools and resources that will give them the opportunity to be leaps and bounds above their peers. The iPad II is only going to enhance that experience. As for the idea if it is really better - that will be in my next post!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-70179661651802207572011-05-13T13:10:00.006-04:002011-05-13T13:56:20.557-04:00What are my plans for May?<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As we all know, the end of the year is approaching. So the question is, "How will I use my iPads these last couple of weeks?" Well, my iPads will be used for various projects in both my 6th & 7th grade math classes. </span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In the next couple weeks, I plan on having my students prepare a Bronx Green Middle School Vocabulary book, where they will have to define, illustrate, and explain the key vocabulary words that a 6th & 7th grade math student must know. They will use their textbooks, reference books, as well as the <strong>iPads </strong>to look up information<strong>. </strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Some of the other projects that I have planned, will be graphing skittles, and figuring out percentages using what they know. The<strong> iPads</strong> will be used in various ways to assist them. The<strong> iPads</strong> will be used as an educational piece for students who might of forgotten how to convert fractions to percents. As well as, use their <strong>iPads</strong> to graph their data that they have collected. They will use the website, "kid's zone", to create both a Bar graph as well as a Circle graph. </span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Last, I will have my 6th grade students design a book for Architects, explaining various mathematical operations in order for an Architect to be able to use as a reference to help them build and design a building. They will apply what they learned about fractions and measurement to answer various questions that have to do with real life situations. They will use theirs i<strong>Pads</strong> to help them create their books, as well as an educational tool to help them learn what kind of work an Architect does.</span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-33813579214338025332011-05-09T08:17:00.000-04:002011-05-09T09:11:13.077-04:00APRIL: DIVERGENT THINKING<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61zfttGCBc4/TbquDs299FI/AAAAAAAAFgw/BiSY2s8rdGI/s1600/RSA%2BKen%2BRobinson.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 231px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61zfttGCBc4/TbquDs299FI/AAAAAAAAFgw/BiSY2s8rdGI/s400/RSA%2BKen%2BRobinson.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600980465193186386" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">For the month of April we examined a video clip by Ken Robinson titled '</span><a href="http://fora.tv/2010/10/14/Ken_Robinson_Changing_Education_Paradigms"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">CHANGING EDUCATION PARADIGMS</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">'. Since we are a school in transition and have access to new technologies (iPads) to aid this transition we are looking at the ways iPads can assist teachers/administrators/support personnel in fostering divergent thinking. How to get the most instructional mileage out of new technology, how to develop our learners into pioneers of higher-order thinking, how can we reshape a broken educational model? These are all questions that arose out of this video and our discussion.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Below are some quotes about Divergent Thinking from the Robinson video: </span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"The current system of education was designed and conceived for a different age...the culture of the enlightenment and industrial revolution...intellectual model of the mind (then) says: real intelligence consists of deductive reasoning and knowledge of the classics."</span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">On fostering collaboration: "</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">most great learning happens in groups."</span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Faculty page at the University of Washington about Divergent Thinking: </span><a href="http://faculty.washington.edu/ezent/imdt.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">http://faculty.<wbr>washington.edu/ezent/imdt.htm</span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Helvetica;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">*Sir Ken </span><span class="il" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(112, 189, 54); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Robinson</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> is an author, speaker, and international advisor on education in the arts to government, non-profits, education, and arts bodies. He was Professor of Arts Education at the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Warwick" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">University of Warwick</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> (1989–2001), serving four years as Chair of the Department of Arts Education, and as Chair of Research Development within the Faculty of Education. He has also held the posts of Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Warwick Institute for Education, Program Director of the MA in Arts Education and Cultural Studies, and Director of the Unit for Research in Education, Culture, and the Arts (URECA). In June 2003, </span><span class="il" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(112, 189, 54); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Robinson</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> was knighted for his achievements in creativity, education, and the arts.The video was viewed nearly half a million times in its first week on YouTube.</span></span></div></span>Mlittlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09446220657090697195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-64294917760538416172011-04-29T18:46:00.000-04:002011-05-09T09:10:51.845-04:00Thoughts on Divergent ThinkingAfter watching the animated video on "Changing Education Paradigms", I couldn't stop thinking of many of the ideas that Ken Robinson touched upon. One in particular is how we educate our children in a changing economy. He discusses how kids now a days don't see a purpose in school, not like many of the kids in the past. I would agree that many of my students, don't find a purpose to education. Part of this reason I feel is the ongoing struggle with the current economy we live in. Many of my students watch the news, or read about how people are loosing jobs everyday. To them, they wonder what is the purpose of getting an education if there will be no jobs in the future.<div><br /></div><div>Another issue that he discusses, is the how ADHD is a rising epidemic that is growing throughout the country. I agree that many students today are being diagnosed with ADHD, however, it is not their fault. Many parents today are not educated on the effects of television and video games, and how they affect children. They find it an easy way to self babysit, since many of their parents aren't home in the first place because of various reasons. Unfortunately, the affects of all the computers, video games, and TV watching is having a major affect when kids are faced with sitting in a classroom for 45 minutes, having to listen to a teacher teach. Since they are so stimulated most of their time, when they are in school and are not using computers or any other technological device, they find themselves very agitated and can't stay still, which is affecting their education. That is why we need to start thinking of ways to educate our children in todays society. For example, I myself have started using iPads in my classroom. It is a way of challenging my students needs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our education system is an on going process. The way we educate our students will always be changing. If it was an easy answer, we would have fixed the issue already. However, until we can fix this problem, we will continue to ask ourselves, "How do we educate our children in a changing economy?"</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-23335888283287944012011-04-28T22:38:00.004-04:002011-04-29T08:14:54.922-04:00Divergently Think.I love Robinson. Not only is his accent enchanting but I really love his arguments for divergent thinking and creativity. If you haven't already you must watch:<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Robinson pushes for a reform of creativity. He challenges the current systems and suggests in the link that I posted, that creativity is as important as literacy. It seems shocking. I agree. </div><div>My views and Robinson's views are an entirely different post. In this post, I would like to focus on the link between technology and creativity and how through a creative, technological project I witnessed divergent thinkers v. convergent thinkers in a general ed classroom. After using Prezi in my classroom I gained an entirely different view if my students, problem solving and expression. </div><div><br /></div><div>1. As I gathered from my differentiation data, I have several types of students. I have kinesthetics, I have musical learners, logical, linguistic etc. I have different abilities and interests. There are so many different talents and needs in my classes. However, I never realized how technological abilities need to be differentiated. Furthermore, students who are not keen on pencil and paper really take to computers. It makes sense. Our students are plugged in from birth. While they should know the skills of pencil/paper expression, some are simply more comfortable on machines. I learned how to do Prezi alongside them. Some surpassed my skills while others really struggled. Interestingly enough, some students who were behavior issues took to leader ship/ instructional roles because they excelled with computers. Perhaps their needs were not being addressed. Maybe there wasn't enough technology. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. There were many glitches/ problems/ bumps and bruises. After all, we were using technology, a new program, a new format and I had over 150 kids to look after. Students would need to be proactive and independent. Some panicked in the face of problems. However, when I backed off and allowed students to solve their problems in their own way they figured thing out I never could. While it may not have been test prep or a standardized unit, I can assure you that students were using higher thinking in order to critically assess their problems and then instruct other students. While I can't say that this project allowed for divergent thinking in its entirety. I can say that this experience was an eye opener. My different learners have the capabilities to solve problems. However, we don't always give them the freedom and resources to solve those problems. I begin to wonder how I can access more of my divergent thinkers and ease my convergent thinkers into the conversation. As I watched their learning process I learned so much as well. There are different thinkers. How can I foster creativity for those who need it and make it less scary for those that don't?</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Finally, Prezi is a blank canvas and allows for students to present in the way that is logical to them. Yes, I provided guides for organization but it was incredibly telling to note how different students organized/ designed/ laid out their information. Most students expressed things very differently. Some were linear, one slide followed the next. Others buzzed around. It made sense to that child. It was interesting because I may express concepts in a certain way but it doesn't mean the child organizes his thoughts that way. I mean, it made sense but it was just different than how I would put it together. I'm glad I gave them a guideline. It showed one format. I'm even happier that some deviated and created something that wasn't linear but very logical. Had I not had a project to do this I wouldn't have this appreciate. It really makes me value project based learning and what it offers. I am lucky. As a social studies teacher I am not stuck in test prep mode. I use skills/ strategies ALL the time but I can use projects. I can address on the different needs of my students and allow them to express is as they like. I wish we had more project based learning that was test enforcing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Concluding, I watched this clip amidst Prezi presentations and it was an echo. Yes, there are different thinkers. No, we are not teaching to all of them. We are stifling great minds. How can we reform this? How can we meet those needs? I think we need to go back to September. I think we need to get to know our students. Who are they? What are they skilled at? What needs work? Then, I think we look to project based learning that allows students to get the practical, hands on experience of creating something relevant to content and expression. The solutions to all of our problems lie within our minds; our students minds. We need divergent thinkers. In turn, we need to divergently think and allow for creativity into our classrooms that still has structure and purpose. </div><div><br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-91603243122124084462011-04-28T21:27:00.005-04:002011-04-29T08:14:29.905-04:00Divergent Thinking and Reality<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial">Watching the video of Dr Robinson's talk on divergent thinking was a slightly eye opening experience for me. I had been exposed to the theory before and even attended discussions on it that have shaped my behavior and actions as an educator. It's sad that it sometimes takes watching a video like this to bring some perspective back.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; min-height: 15.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial">At this time of the year, we get so focused on the realities of our system- the Tests. The State ELA and Math Exams are in the next couple of weeks. As the pressure mounts on the teachers and the kids, the focus has been on preparing for the test using Kaplan books, past tests, iPad apps, extra practice and much more. It pretty much all boils down to "Make sure you remember these tips for taking the test" and "Please don't leave this out" and the standard test prep fare. The simple fact is that no matter how they are learning in the classroom or how they thinking and developing, our students will be judged on their performance on that test. We will be judged on their performance on that test. Whether or not the test is an accurate way to measure student growth and thinking is a moot point. The test leaves very little space for divergent thinking or simply anything other than what it has to be right now. That's life in every middle school in NYC right now. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; min-height: 15.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial">We want our kids to leave our halls and then go out and make their mark on the world, succeed in life and love, and to do well and do good. We hope they learn while with us and continue to learn and grow while making their way through life. So while we love to allow them to be free and clear and use all of their divergent thinking brain power,we must also prepare them for the world we see. What would be best would be a gradual change. An intensive study into exactly how our kids learn and what the merits of divergent thinking are versus the merits of the current system. A marriage of the two, a way to actually make multiple good ideas blend together harmoniously and for the benefit of all our kids would be the best. We should prepare them for the world they are going to enter. But not just prepare them to be a drone in that world, prepare them to challenge that world, work in and with that world, mold and shape that world, and to have an active say and decision in where their world and our world will go. It is those students who manage to maintain most of the "deteriorating capacity" that will shape our future.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; min-height: 15.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial">The iPads help do that. They open doors previously unknown to our students. It allows access to those different answers to the same question. It allows for connection across cultures and ages and disciplines through the work of a simple app. Even watching kids compete over how to win in Angry Birds allows for chances for divergent thinking that they normally would not have in the classroom. It is still necessary to teach our students how to count money for example or how to figure out percentage benchmarks or what a simile is. But the iPads give teachers and students more options of learning how to get these skills. Not just more options, but more routes, maps, streets, alleys, and roads to get the skills and stop and smell (or create) the roses along the way</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial">Link to Video: <a href="http://fora.tv/2010/10/14/Ken_Robinson_Changing_Education_Paradigms">http://fora.tv/2010/10/14/Ken_Robinson_Changing_Education_Paradigms</a></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial"><br /></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-28530998532383166412011-04-28T13:15:00.000-04:002011-05-06T06:35:27.142-04:00Divergent ThinkingMr. Robinson makes some very interesting arguments during his speech challenging the way we educate our children. His observations question the current system in place pointing out the reasons for its many inefficiencies and how it fails our students. Having listened to this type of rhetoric before, I question how realistic it is to change the system.<div><br /></div><div>While I commend how numerous classroom teachers attempt to expose their students to this model of education, I cannot help but think about what happens to them when they move to another grade and therefore another teacher who might not teach the same way. Will they be at a disadvantage because expectations have changed?</div><div><br /></div><div>This leads me to my first point: an educational model that aims to change the way we teach and the way our students learn <b>must come from the top down</b>. The powers that be must be willing to provide the logistics for change: i.e. train teachers on how to teach using this educational model. The expectation must be that every educator is aware of all the differences in how each child learns and then put those insights to use in the classroom. (This should sound familiar: differentiation!) Which leads to my next point...</div><div><br /></div><div>Our teachers are poorly trained. I do not mean to say that we cannot handle the material or that we are unqualified for the classroom. I mean that we teachers often receive less than stellar professional development. Don't get me wrong, my aim is not to criticize but merely to state that in order to bring about true educational reform, <b>the system must improve the way it trains its teachers</b>. I use differentiation as an example because I myself still struggle with the concept because I feel that I have yet to receive any helpful training in the matter.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, the <b>education system must also reform how it defines success </b>for its teachers and for every student. When teachers and students alike are being judged solely based on test scores (i.e. TDRs, promotional criteria) then I cannot really blame teachers for teaching to the test. Robinson mentions this over-reliance on testing data and I certainly agree with him. Testing should not be the sole measure of a year's worth of work. Our students are promoted to the next grade if they achieve 2 of the 3 criteria: Pass the State Test, Pass the class, Attendance. I really believe it should be all three. This environment of high-stakes testing in our schools provides little motivation for educational reform.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I'm not quite sure what to make of Mr. Robinson's talk. While I agree on many of his points, I simply ask "HOW can we actually achieve it?" Until that question is answered by the people in charge, I feel that the status quo for how we educate our students will remain (with a few tweaks here and there from some very dedicated teachers). It is unfortunate that these teachers are the exceptions rather than the rule.</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-59277791363953589182011-04-28T13:13:00.002-04:002011-04-29T13:29:48.721-04:00KEN ROBINSON/ DIVERGENT THINKING/ A SCHOOL IN THE JUNGLE<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My favorite phrase from the Robinson video on Divergent thinking is:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">'</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#262626;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The current system of education was designed and conceived for a different age...the culture of the enlightenment and industrial revolution...intellectual model of the mind (then) says: real intelligence consists of deductive reasoning and knowledge of the classics."</span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There is so much about this quote I want to take issue with, but for the purpose of this writing about iPads in education, I will speak to the unit of knowledge. What it means to ‘know’ has changed dramatically over the course of the past 50 - even 5 - years. I am college-educated, I have a well-paying job, am in the mean income bracket for individuals my age with my level of education: and yet put me in front of a comparative fraction problem and watch me struggle. Why is this the case? The Internet? That I’ve discarded information I don’t use on a regular basis? That I was properly educated? That I wasn’t a good student in Math? Perhaps all are true. And yet I am able to survive. I am able to navigate the world, write a blog, pay my taxes etc. etc.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKz6CSEkiMY/TbrzIG7eCOI/AAAAAAAAFhI/sDemrlslWoA/s1600/pages.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKz6CSEkiMY/TbrzIG7eCOI/AAAAAAAAFhI/sDemrlslWoA/s400/pages.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601056407213181154" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px; " /></span></a></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica; mso-bidi-mso-bidi-font-style:italicfont-family:Arial;color:#262626;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So the challenge becomes parsing out what is valuable knowledge versus what is knowledge that can be stored somewhere, for access at a later date, and therein which knowledge becomes less imperative to retain. Do I need to retain the density of mercury, the causes of geothermal induction, the weight of magnesium? Or can I access this when needed and apply my knowledge of systems, technology to enrich my life in other ways? Bloom would say that Remembering is several steps below Applying. Where I can apply my knowledge of physical elements, or apply the knowledge someone else – i.e. the Internet – has stored for me. Which makes me “smarter”?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica; mso-bidi-mso-bidi-font-style:italicfont-family:Arial;color:#262626;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ralph’s post about preparing our students for the State test – that this is our reality as public school teachers in New York City in the first week of May, that NOW is NOT the time to challenge our students with how many ways they can imagine using a paperclip – is of equal concern to me. Having been in this race a few years, I’ve seen schools made and closed based on the outcome of the pen & paper produced over the next two weeks. And likewise, NOW is NOT the time to point fingers at the critical necessity of standardized tests in a digital age, how after decades of standardized testing how our students are dropping out of school earlier, completing fewer years of college and making less money than their college-educated peers (and this trend is in a steep decline). Now is not the time.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica; mso-bidi-mso-bidi-font-style:italicfont-family:Arial;color:#262626;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We are a part of the machine cranking out test-takers (for</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-font-style: italicfont-family:Arial;color:#262626;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> better or worse), ultimately to keep our doors open. Which, in-turn, provides us greater opportunities down the road empower our students in more creative endeavors. Is there a way to prepare our students for standardized tests using divergent methods? Is there a correlation between divergent and standard methods? If I am training for a marathon, will my beach volley ball game improve as well?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-font-style:italicfont-family:Arial;color:#262626;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So how am I using my iPads to foster divergent thinking in these weeks? I believe technology aids greatly in developing the learning or learners who are less dependent on the lower items on Bloom’s taxonomy – the remembering specifically – and by virtue of having the information at their fingertips means they will have less of that work to do and more of the higher order – evaluating, synthesis – to do. iPads mean I am able to provide my students with an article about a super ferry in Hawaii with the difficult words in the article defined for them, and ask them to imagine/draw/create a mock-up of a super ferry that would be helpful in New York. The bubble around Knowing just grew. If there is a hyper-link in the article, students are able to open a new page with perhaps more information about propeller dynamics and wind resistance. Project-based, group learning demands this kind of information synthesis, the kind of experiential, collaborative production most similar to “real world” application. One person didn’t invent Google. N.A.S.A. is a team of people. The Miami Heat, Congress, software engineers all work together, pool resources, co-create. The iPad can then become the member of the team with the most ‘knowledge’, the other members of the group capitalize on that and harness what information they have access to and then move into the higher order of thinking.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-font-style:italicfont-family:Arial;color:#262626;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAKlFz5BrF4/TbryfSOgqTI/AAAAAAAAFg4/XCnlzLeRIjs/s1600/image%2B1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAKlFz5BrF4/TbryfSOgqTI/AAAAAAAAFg4/XCnlzLeRIjs/s400/image%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601055705871198514" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px; " /></span></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-font-style:italicfont-family:Arial;color:#262626;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I was recently in Latin America at a Montessori school located in the jungle with limited technology access. The school is Del Mar Academy (link: </span><a href="http://delmaracademy.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">http://delmaracademy.com/</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">). Each of the classrooms following the Montessori method was equipped with a set of tools to aid student development, cognitive and intellectual. Their technology was blocks and household tools – which, like an iPad with apps/Internet/tools aided in student development. This hands-on approach of using items like bowls and beads to </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">synthesize </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">learned </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">knowledge </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> of numbers, ratios and proportions functioned much like an iPad: hands-on, visual </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">and </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">tactile, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">practical</span> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>and </i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">functional</span>.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> These students differ greatly from my students in the Bronx but seeing the application of learning devices made me appreciate the tech-savvy of my students versus the jungle-savvy of Del Mar students. I have a classroom with Macs and iPads, keyboards and mouses. Del Mar classrooms have bowls and cabinets, wooden blocks and gardens. Each attempting to prepare students for the road ahead of tests, accreditation, employment, fulfillment. And where the pedagogical rubber meets the road in the Bronx is the same synaptic jump occurring in Nosara, Coast Rica. They have tests, we have tests. Our job in this quickly developing world is to place our students in the best possible position to navigate their surroundings in socially/emotionally/intellectually/safely. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-font-style:italicfont-family:Arial;color:#262626;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VEV-ngotixo/Tbry5Ero4AI/AAAAAAAAFhA/uDnvKdxt2j0/s1600/29.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VEV-ngotixo/Tbry5Ero4AI/AAAAAAAAFhA/uDnvKdxt2j0/s400/29.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601056148911874050" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></a></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div></div>Mlittlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09446220657090697195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-83931845989916983712011-04-28T12:59:00.000-04:002011-05-03T13:05:03.519-04:00Breaking the Mold...thinking divergently...<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">Sir Ken Robinson’s paradigm of education is an interesting perspective of how education has evolved and continues to evolve. What I find most interesting about his position is the fact in many ways he feels that the traditional education model that so many schools have come to adopt is in many ways stifling the natural creative and educational process. The idea is that students in some way fit a mold and that our role as teachers is to ensure that each of our students fit that said mold, no matter what the cost. Enter divergent thinking...</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">An article written by Marie Myung-Ok Lee’s article, What I Learned In School,” which was printed in the New York Times on March 30, 2011, (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/opinion/31lee.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2A5DB0;">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/opinion/31lee.html</span></a> ) falls in line with what Robinson is saying. The idea that good teaching comes when students are truly learning, is exemplified in her statements about two of her teachers. She points out that the teachers that truly taught her something were the ones that let her explore her strengths and further instilled the passion that was already deep inside her. Forcing the idea that all students need to learn the same things in the same ways is in many ways the exact opposite of what our civilization was built on. As a society we are stifling our children, preventing them from fully tapping into the potential that lies within them.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">If Sir Ken Robinson's ideas exemplify the belief that we have modeled our teaching on -namely that if we want each of our students to learn in a differentiated manner and in a way that allows them to develop to the best of their potential, then we need to reconsider the notion of state testing. We need to reconsider the value that lies in programs like Khan Academy, that demand an answer rather than a plan. An interesting take on Khan Academy can be read in this blog post (<a href="http://fnoschese.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/khan-academy-is-an-indictment-of-education/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2A5DB0;">http://fnoschese.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/khan-academy-is-an-indictment-of-education/</span></a>) which pushes the very notions that Robinson and Myung-Ok Lee push. It brings to the forefront that it is not just a matter of changing the players but changing the game, which is exactly what Robinson asks everyone to consider. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">So, what does that mean for Bronx Green, for iPads and for our plans? For me, it means a lot. We need to look at iPads in a way that will help us allow our students to break the mold rather then simply try to get them to fit into it in the best way possible. We need to use the technology to help them develop a passion for the things that they are most interested in learning. And since the mold still exists, we need to use our technology to help children find a way to work with the mold, to be successful in it, while the adults who can affect the change in education try to break it completely.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-19563006995298487472011-04-28T10:35:00.000-04:002011-04-30T15:44:02.309-04:00The answer is in the room.In the past month, I’ve had two completely different experiences in two completely different settings that centered around a common theme: How can we (educators) improve education?<br /><br />One experience happened in March inside a turnaround-school seminar at the annual ASCD conference in San Francisco.I had specifically chosen to attend this turnaround session due to the nature of our work at Bronx Green Middle School: turn our school’s progress-report (given annually, city-wide) D rating into something much better, much higher. Something our kids, parents, staff, community can be proud of. The facilitator shared a simple, but inspiring quote on the very first slide of his presentation:<br /><br />“The answer is in the room.”<br /><br />He went on to further explain that too often, teachers, administrators, board members look to other schools, other districts, other states, even other countries to find “what works” in education. What these educators do not do, however, is look inside the very walls that constitute their school building. A school’s own teachers and students know what works. We just have to ask. And more importantly, we just have to listen.<br /><br />And then came the second experience…<br /><br />Let’s take it back to the East coast now, inside room 200 at Bronx Green. We started our monthly iPad meeting in April with Ken Robinson's clip on divergent learning. My first thought? Wow, now this makes sense. I was particularly inspired by the following quote:<br /><br />"We are educating our children by anaesthetizing them. We should be waking them up to what is inside themselves."<br /><br />We teach in a school where so many of our students have attention-deficit issues. And yes, doctors "anaesthetize" our children through medication. More sadly, teachers "anaesthetize" our children through boring, disengaging lessons. Something must change...<br /><br />And I firmly believe technology, especially the iPad, could lead us to our answer. To back up my hypothesis, all I have is my own experience in my own classroom with my own students. When I hand students a regular paperback book, many lose focus less than 20 minutes into our reading block. When I hand students the iPad to read on Kindle or iBooks, where they can highlight, make notes, etc., digitally, I have seen students sit and READ for 90 minutes STRAIGHT. What's the difference... Content? No. Setting? No. The teacher? No. The student? No. Technology? Yes.<br /><br />When we sit in our monthly iPad meetings, I am blown away by what our teachers are doing with our students using the iPad. Whether it's learning about Ancient Egypt through the incredible images in the National Geographic app or doing a Lorax read aloud with language learners on the iPad or listening to FDR's speeches or having a book-club "dicussion" through Popplet...our students are learning in new ways that I didn't see possible before. I also love when I hear another teacher share out how ALL students were engaged, more students than EVER submitted their digital projects, students who hadn't gotten through one class without a behavior disruption ALL year were not only engaged, but helping OTHER students with their project. Amazing. After those meetings, I can't help but think...<br /><br />Divergent learning most definitely could be the answer we are looking for...and yes, the answer is in room 200 and several classrooms at Bronx Green. Every month. Every day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-45964270659076472972011-04-05T12:43:00.000-04:002011-04-05T12:44:46.945-04:00Prezi & iPad Exit Projects<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Instead of using Popplet, for the past month my 8<sup>th</sup> grade Social Studies classes have been using Prezi. Prezi is a (mostly) free presentation program that students are beginning to use across the country. You can find it at: <a href="http://www.prezi.com/">www.Prezi.com</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My 16 year old sister is using it at her high school in Connecticut. Given our new technology I decided to try it in my classroom. It really streamlines and provides more opportunities for presentations. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Here, at Bronx Green, students must complete an exit project. An exit project assess their abilities to complete research over a period of time, generate questions, answer the questions, read and write nonfiction and to speak and listen as they will be giving and participating in presentations. We started with content at the end of February for about 2 weeks. Then, students wrote a proposal, generated questions, researched, answered the questions, drafted a research paper, edited and revised the paper, reflected, created citations and generated a Prezi. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Students were given packets that organized all of these steps based on their readiness levels. They were also allowed to research any WWII topic that interested them. For example of the packets, please visit: <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/msgiblinsclass/the-exit-project" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2A5DB0">https://sites.google.com/site</span><span style="color:#2A5DB0">/</span><wbr><span style="color:#2A5DB0">msgiblinsclass/the-exit</span><span style="color:#2A5DB0">-</span><wbr><span style="color:#2A5DB0">project</span></a></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">While Prezi is not available for editing on the iPad it will be soon (hopefully). One can still view and host presentations via iPad. The iPad was monumental in the conduction of research. Its way of organizing sites made it easier and faster for kids to pull different sources at once. Kids were excited to read these articles. They were excited to do the research, even though I put a ban on Wikipedia and Answers.com.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Prezi is free for the basic option but I wanted my students to have more options. So, we made them student emails. Having a Computer Lab & teacher that specialized in technology was monumental. Thanks, Mr. Little! It was also a great life skill to learn how to use email and access different websites. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">We used a rotating schedule to get the Prezi’s done. The reality is, that not all of our kids have laptops or computers. I gave up lunch periods, after school, made Saturday appointment and communicated via email after hours to address all of their needs. So many kids were invested that it made it hard to pull myself away. Teachers were also very supportive. Everyone was on board and it made and 8<sup>th</sup> grade wide project well received by families, as well. Parents were calling and emailing to check on their students and ask questions. For some, this was the first time all year. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Prezi was definitely a success. However, there were plenty of lessons to be learned.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some kids are just more tech savvy than others. I had to differentiate for technology which is an incredible study in itself. Kids that normally do not function well in class, were invested. They are these computer/ mechanical thinkers whose needs were no being addressed. They held their own workshops on how to use the program. On another note, kids who excel in linguistic settings were incredibly challenged. It wasn’t just the writing they had to do but present, create visual support, audio or video support and design. It was painful but nice to see them step outside their comfort zone. Next year I would have an informational for parents to get familiar with the process. Also, now that I’ve been through this I will have the necessary documents ready such as policy use papers etc. I did a lot of last minute collecting of papers!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">We start presentations this Thursday. Right now we are publishing our reflections and doing final touches. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Here are some Prezi presentations for your viewing pleasure:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""><a href="http://prezi.com/eymtr0eu6pfu/anne-frank/">http://prezi.com/eymtr0eu6pfu/anne-frank/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""><a href="http://prezi.com/eydt4gztka3y/hitler-youth/">http://prezi.com/eydt4gztka3y/hitler-youth/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""><a href="http://prezi.com/nqnlabkixgyq/anne-frank/">http://prezi.com/nqnlabkixgyq/anne-frank/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"><a href="http://prezi.com/pz0dno0ppbzo/adolf-hitler/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2A5DB0">http://prezi.com/pz0dno0ppbzo</span><span style="color:#2A5DB0">/</span><wbr><span style="color:#2A5DB0">adolf-hitler/</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"><a href="http://prezi.com/p5ae7g5qlxze/pearl-harbor/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2A5DB0">http://prezi.com/p5ae7g5qlxze</span><span style="color:#2A5DB0">/</span><wbr><span style="color:#2A5DB0">pearl-harbor</span></a></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-44926315181433087732011-04-05T11:31:00.001-04:002011-04-05T11:33:31.643-04:00So the Popplet App...<div>So the Popplet app…</div><div><br /></div><div>In the monthly iPad meetings we have, I often find the most valuable part is listening to my colleagues discuss their adventures. Through hearing their implementations of the iPad, I can get a great sense of how it can be more effective in my own classroom. Oftentimes, there are plans and uses that I completely rip off my colleagues, while with other uses, I can sit back and appreciate how well it worked for them but realize it isn’t my cup of tea.</div><div><br /></div><div>The latter is exactly what happened with Popplet app. The structure and pace of my class must remain consistent , especially with a Special Ed population. There was no legitimate way to force Popplet into our routine without removing another part of the puzzle. Rather than make that sacrifice, I chose to continue to use the iPads as a reinforcement tool. With the help of the school's subscription to ixl.com, my students now use the iPad to log on and complete math goals and objectives. While ixl is something that can be done on the computer, may of my students prefer being on the iPad. Part of it is the “cool new toy” thing, but the larger part of it is COMFORT. The lack of wires and lack of restricted movement allows my students to get comfortable before starting work. This comfort has led to higher scores in ixl as well as a more eager approach from some of my students to doing math. The “comfy chair” that they argue over daily has become the throne in the room, and its inhabitant changes daily. When the ticket price is high score of the day, it motivates students to accomplish more and focus in for the privilege.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back to Popplet- I did eventually use it in my capacity as Dean. When dealing with an unruly group of children I provided them with the challenge of presenting a web and collage using images pulled from the web, and all other aspects of the popplet app. They were able to complete the assignment but while they were doing it, they felt trapped by the restrictions. "How come I can't ..." was the main refrain as most of these students were computer savvy enough to be familiar with normal word processing features. So while popplet works, I would feel more comfortable showing my students how to accomplish the same webs in a word processing program such as Pages or Word.</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-39454706910541241652011-04-05T10:37:00.003-04:002011-04-05T10:40:48.623-04:00Popplet popped for me<p class="MsoNormal">So when I was asked to try out this awesome new app, Popplet, I was pretty excited.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The idea that the students could create these long lengthy charts and posters using the iPad to display in the classroom was awesome to me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Long go the days in which I would be the one tirelessly creating charts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I would be able to really give the student centered, student generated learning environment a chance to thrive.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately my hopes for the program fell flat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yes, it does as promised.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yes you can create thought bubbles, yes, you can give each student a different color for their ideas, yes, you can create the pretty charts that all teachers want to have.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I was underwhelmed because that’s where the program ends.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, I will concede that you can import pictures, and the kids do enjoy adding bubbles to the Popplet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But quite frankly I can do the same on a program like Word or Publisher on the computer or pages on the iPad.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The great invention, the new timesaver, Popplet, <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>was not.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The reality is that it is limited to that – thought bubbles, pictures, colors, a couple of fonts, but not much else.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I will admit that I am the type of person that requires a lot of variety when it comes to fonts and choices in how I am going to create a document or poster for my classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So I am a tougher then usual critic.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have found that when I do go above and beyond with my students in terms of fonts, color and layout, the students are far more excited about the work, especially when I can use fonts like “Thug” or “Bleeding Cowboys.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Two fonts that I cannot use on Popplet.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The reality is that if you are looking for an app that lets the kids create some thought bubbles with some pictures, then this is a great app for you.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you’re looking for something more advanced you will not find it here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You will have to go to something like Word, Pages, or Prezi.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But that is another post.</p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-1452208023366293562011-04-04T22:17:00.000-04:002011-04-27T10:51:22.029-04:00Reviewing the Popplet App<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2apOIIRwEY/TZ5xEnNeRMI/AAAAAAAAAAM/Or2qDmtg0R8/s1600/Equations.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2apOIIRwEY/TZ5xEnNeRMI/AAAAAAAAAAM/Or2qDmtg0R8/s320/Equations.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593032111299642562" /></a>My first attempt at using the popplet app on the iPad involved creating a study guide for my students. Initially, I was impressed with how easy it was to create any graphic organizer with the app. It didn't take long to understand/use the different tools provided by the program.<div><br /></div><div>However, as I started to create the study guide I realized that my screen had become somewhat disorganized despite the links between each topic. I had to track back and move some "popples" around in order to maintain some sort of order in the study guide. Changing the colors to keep track of different parts of the guide definitely helped.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have not yet asked students to work with the app itself. I believe results will be a mixed bag based on my own experience. Visual learners and highly organized students will benefit from the functionality of the app. It will provide an easy to use tool for connecting different ideas. On the other hand, students who struggle with organization and do not necessarily learn visually can struggle with this app. Several students in our population consistently need help organizing their folders, notebooks, etc. and I can see how Popplet could be a real challenge for some of them. Likewise, students who are less visually inclined can lose the main ideas from the content as they struggle to utilize the graphic organizer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, I believe the app is geared towards more established learners (i.e. high school, college) who already have strong organizational skills. For middle school, I think the teacher will have to take the lead in creating a template for a specific topic/lesson before handing it off to students who can then make it their own. I can see the draw feature being especially helpful for a group of students who like to show off their talents. I was not able to find an "undo" button and wish it was available so that any unwanted changes can be fixed. Lastly, the app can create very useful study guides for students who struggle with their study skills. That is probably how I will be using the app for my math students the rest of the year.</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-11072042053549046862011-04-04T21:43:00.006-04:002011-04-04T22:26:11.482-04:00Popplet in Math<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0njOlmnRWA/TZp5r9IIakI/AAAAAAAAABI/NnqZqwsScRk/s1600/popplet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0njOlmnRWA/TZp5r9IIakI/AAAAAAAAABI/NnqZqwsScRk/s320/popplet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591915683383896642" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Like my other colleagues, I decided to see how Popplet could work in math. I was a bit skeptical on how I might go about using it. Then I realized, since I was about to begin my Test prep unit with my classes, I figured what is the best way for students to work on test prep other than the traditional test prep materials. So I decided to have my students work on a math word walls using Popplet. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >First when I introduced the idea to my students, they weren't to enthusiastic about doing it, however, once they started playing around with the whole concept, they began to enjoy working on the Ipad because it allowed them to represent their ideas and definitions using pictures and illustrations that they drew, rather than just copying down the definition from a book. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >The students used various math textbooks, the internet, and their notes to look up words that they thought would help them on the NYS math test. Then they created their own personal math word walls using the Popplet application. </span><div><br /></div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-45043467592794685182011-03-25T13:30:00.000-04:002011-03-25T12:26:29.832-04:00GREATEST HITS - APPS<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">IPAD GREATEST HITS</span></span></b><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Below is the Bronx Green iPad Apps Greatest Hits for February.</span></span></i> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">TEACHER</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: Mr. Hammer (MATH)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">APP</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: Math Circus</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oYCQ-u5UYy0/TXfJcnuFlDI/AAAAAAAAFXc/WSpovUe9rsY/s1600/math%2Bcircus.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oYCQ-u5UYy0/TXfJcnuFlDI/AAAAAAAAFXc/WSpovUe9rsY/s400/math%2Bcircus.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582151756684825650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 323px; " /></a></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Over the last few months I have been working with students in my math class using iPADS. I have found that many of my students even though they are in middle school, are still lacking their basic multiplication facts. I found that this application has helped many of my lower level students with learning of their multiplication facts. The students have found that this application has helped them figure out different shortcuts when multiplying, rather than figuring it out on their own. I highly recommend this application to anyone that is struggling with their multiplication tables.</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">TEACHER</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: Ms. Vazquez (ELA)</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">APP</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: Lorax<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1WxiwWWL6e8/TXfJxRTcnmI/AAAAAAAAFXk/Cb9P20d2VSE/s1600/lorax.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1WxiwWWL6e8/TXfJxRTcnmI/AAAAAAAAFXk/Cb9P20d2VSE/s400/lorax.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582152111444762210" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 232px; " /></a></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As a 6</span></span></i><sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">th</span></span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> grade ELA teacher, I am constantly looking for ways to engage my students. The Lorax is a classic Dr. Seuss tale that I have read every year to every class. It is so rich in detail, reading skills and theme that it would be a disservice not to share it with my students. Not only does it read the entire story to the students, but the graphics immediately capture my students’ attention. They literally sit captivated and after the read aloud is done they have meaningful conversations about the theme of the book. For my English Language Learners the “picture/word association” feature allows them to preview the vocabulary before they read. As a result, they gain a deeper understanding of the story. This is an amazing app that reaches different learning styles and varying levels.</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">TEACHER</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: Ms. Crowley (SpEd)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">APP</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: PBS</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ig1F9Eg7e6E/TXfJ9r4cvFI/AAAAAAAAFXs/ux5BiTXfmX0/s1600/pbs.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ig1F9Eg7e6E/TXfJ9r4cvFI/AAAAAAAAFXs/ux5BiTXfmX0/s400/pbs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582152324737711186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px; " /></a></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I recently discovered this app from previous reviews on the net and I must agree the app is worth the download. PBS provides great clips of their programming for all interests and ages and the videos are current. There is such a broad range of options it is hard to get bored. Coupled with being able to check out what is on television in your area as well as being able to preview the program really makes this app worth the time. It has quickly become one of my favorites.</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">TEACHER</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: Ms. Scott (ELA) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">APP</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: KINDLE<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hZfzCdZda9M/TXfKGkVoGII/AAAAAAAAFX0/_F5aXQTCARY/s1600/kindle.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hZfzCdZda9M/TXfKGkVoGII/AAAAAAAAFX0/_F5aXQTCARY/s400/kindle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582152477331429506" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 325px; " /></a></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">In my classroom, we mostly use iPads as ireaders - especially for my students who read above grade level...they need an extra challenge in our curriculum. What I love about the Kindle app is it's instantaneous access to high-interest, engaging books. In my school, physical books can be hard to come by for numerous reasons. However, if I have a student who requests a book that I do not have in my classroom, Kindle can provide it with just a few taps! <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Instant access to books is amazing. On the other hand, I frequently run in to a problem when it comes to the Kindle app. Many of my students want to read the Harry Potter and Cirque Du Freak series. Unfortunately, these books are not yet available on Kindle. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I asked my students who have used the Kindle app regularly both in and after school in my classroom. What they love about the app is the ability to bookmark and change the font size to make it easier to read. However, my students overwhelmingly prefer the iBooks app over Kindle for one main reason: in iBooks, readers have the ability to highlight and make notes using different color fonts. Therefore, if students are working on different skills while reading - the different colors can highlight the different skills and make it more visually clear. With Kindle, only black font is available for highlighting. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Overall, I think the Kindle app is a great resource for educators and students, especially those that need resources FAST."</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">TEACHER</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: Mr. Rivera (MATH) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">APP</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: Math Minute<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWziGk8SkCo/TXfKPWs-pvI/AAAAAAAAFX8/zdRUlD2D6s8/s1600/math%2Bminute.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWziGk8SkCo/TXfKPWs-pvI/AAAAAAAAFX8/zdRUlD2D6s8/s400/math%2Bminute.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582152628290103026" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 325px; " /></a></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As a teacher, I really like the summary portion of the app which shows how students answered performed on each question. This helps target instruction and even future games (the app has different difficulty settings). Another big plus is the inclusion of integers. So far almost all of the flashcard-type apps I have found on the iPad have no included integers for one reason or another.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As my class begins to do more test prep, perhaps I can even set up a Math Minute tournament.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Overall, the app straightforward design makes it easy to use and I would recommend it to any math teacher and especially those with students who need to bone up on their math facts as well as integer rules.</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">TEACHER</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: Mr. Little (TECH)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">APP</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: Popplet</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ_YM9aRUV0/TXfKes0cWbI/AAAAAAAAFYE/LlZiPyZ8v5g/s1600/popplet.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ_YM9aRUV0/TXfKes0cWbI/AAAAAAAAFYE/LlZiPyZ8v5g/s400/popplet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582152891925027250" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px; " /></a></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqWPCYXXzzw/TXfKnitQYiI/AAAAAAAAFYM/5AaOWMgN1-Q/s1600/ipad%2Breview.PNG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqWPCYXXzzw/TXfKnitQYiI/AAAAAAAAFYM/5AaOWMgN1-Q/s400/ipad%2Breview.PNG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582153043829350946" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 104px; " /></a></span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">TEACHER</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: Ms. Giblin (SOCIAL STUDIES) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">APP</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: FDR VOOK<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dh9dZDEkm10/TXfK4aFosDI/AAAAAAAAFYU/7c200mLNJ9w/s1600/fdr.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dh9dZDEkm10/TXfK4aFosDI/AAAAAAAAFYU/7c200mLNJ9w/s400/fdr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582153333573464114" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 325px; " /></a></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I teach 8th grade social studies in the Bronx. Currently, we are incorporating iPads into the classroom as instructional tools. I have spent a lot of time looking for quality social studies apps and many have come up short. This one is great! First, it takes the hunting down footage portion of my job not as painstaking. I can spend hours hunting for materials. Next, it's a great primary source and students can create dbqs with it. Finally, it's incredibly kid friendly. It's organized and easy to use. Nicely done. My only suggestion is that I wish here was a bit more description on what the footage is showing. I hope you develop more titles soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">TEACHER</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: Mr. Labossier (SpEd)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">APP</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Algebra Touch<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bC_-e-rUMkw/TXfK_0dZuUI/AAAAAAAAFYc/OwVrucEmG10/s1600/algebra%2Btouch.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bC_-e-rUMkw/TXfK_0dZuUI/AAAAAAAAFYc/OwVrucEmG10/s400/algebra%2Btouch.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582153460911552834" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 231px; " /></a></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As a special ed teacher, you often find that something that you spent months on and were sure your students understood can be easily forgotten within weeks. Without constant reinforcement and practice, the students dont retain the skill.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This becomes especially frustrating as the students get older and more and more of the math requires constant use of algebra. I have been able to use this app with students who get stuck on problems. The app allows them to go through step by step with the practice problem as they work on their own problems. Because each step is broken down and done separately, students often quickly identify their mistakes and move on with their work. It has become the most reliable in-class refresher we've had yet!</span></span><o:p></o:p></i></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Mlittlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09446220657090697195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-83948610719014241522011-03-20T08:21:00.002-04:002011-03-20T08:28:52.002-04:00POPPLET<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This month our group will be implementing the mind-mapping software Popplet in all content areas. Below are the group posts about this project. Enjoy!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-siGwzXVT498/TYXy477vcqI/AAAAAAAAFbU/ut6LcrlMmGg/s1600/popplet_2.jpeg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-siGwzXVT498/TYXy477vcqI/AAAAAAAAFbU/ut6LcrlMmGg/s400/popplet_2.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586137972797829794" /></a>Mlittlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09446220657090697195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395663580973836055.post-14800872126821995092011-03-19T09:59:00.000-04:002011-03-20T08:29:29.734-04:00Popplet App in the ELA Class<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aV19pSGBcAY/TYOiIrU4FkI/AAAAAAAAAB0/Ar1diyCEqIg/s1600/scuba.PNG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aV19pSGBcAY/TYOiIrU4FkI/AAAAAAAAAB0/Ar1diyCEqIg/s320/scuba.PNG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585486232822486594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0yoaMnVX1k/TYOiCAhqPkI/AAAAAAAAABs/KE2PZg3LQpM/s1600/penguins.PNG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0yoaMnVX1k/TYOiCAhqPkI/AAAAAAAAABs/KE2PZg3LQpM/s320/penguins.PNG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585486118254165570" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><b>Introduction: </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:medium;">My sixth grade ELA class recently began a unit on Research Essays.<span> </span>Students will be using the Popplet app to gather/organize notes.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><b>Unit:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><b></b>Writing Informational/Expository Text (Session 2)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><b>Objective</b>: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">SWBAT take notes using informational text (Determining Importance).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><b>Common Core Standards</b>: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;mso-bidi- font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;">Reading Standards for Informational Text 6–12</span></i></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;mso-bidi- font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;"></span></i></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; "><i><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;mso-bidi- font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;">Key Ideas and Details</span></i></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;mso-bidi- font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;"></span></i><span style="font-size:13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;">1.</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;"> </span><span style="font-size:13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;">Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly. </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;"><i><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>Writing Standards 6 - 12 </i></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;"><i><b></b>Texts Types and Purposes </i></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;"><i></i>2a. Organize ideas using strategies such as graphics (e.g., charts, tables) and multimedia when useful to aiding. </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;">Production and Distribution of Writing </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;">6.</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;"> </span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;mso-bidi-font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;">Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><b>Resources</b>:</span></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-top: 0in; border-collapse: collapse; "><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson322.pdf">Amelia Earhart article</a></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Nonfiction texts to support research topic<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Ipads</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">Popplet app</span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><b>Do Now </b>(10 min): </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;">On the Popplet home page, click Make a New Popplet.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;">Name your Popplet (Write Your Name).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;">Pick a color for your Popplet.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;">Once your document is open,click in the center of the Popplet and click T.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;">Type in title of your topic (i.e. global warning, careers in law)<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><b>Mini-Lesson/Shared Reading</b> (12 min): </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Teacher will read aloud Amelia Earhart article.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Teacher will</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;"> model how to jot down the 3 most important facts (in note form) from the article into the Popplet (semantic web).</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><b>Guided Practice </b>(5 min): </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;">Students will share 2 more important facts. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;">Teacher will add to Popplet.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><b>Independent Work</b> (20 min) : </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;">Continue to read your nonfiction texts.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;">Add 15-20 notes to your popplet.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;">Make sure to use relevant information only.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;">Teacher will conduct conferences.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><b>Share</b>:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">How does the semantic web help you organize your thoughts?</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><b>Evaluation</b>: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;">Teacher conferences</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;">Student Popplets</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><b>Follow-Up</b>: </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Notes will be categorized into 3 subheadings (organization).</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div></div></div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1