Christmas Came Early...

I must tell you that my projector is finally installed and ready for technology magic. I created some slides in smart notebook to use for warm-ups tomorrow and can't wait for the big unveiling of this beautiful piece of technology on Monday.

Also have to play a DVD about the book fair and no longer need to lug the television out to my trailer since I can show it with my projector. Thank you Columbia Public Schools, this teacher won't let the dust settle in this new investment!!!!!

Hogwarts and Celebrations

This week is National Teen Read week and I am excited for the festivities to begin. I put my Leopard Reach to work asking them to be my promotions team for this event. They created a commercial and helped pick out the spirit day for Thursday. This Thursday we are dressing like our favorite book character. I am knitting a Gryffindor scarf because I am going to be Hermione Granger from the ever so popular Harry Potter series. I have found myself totally engrossed in my creation of this costume. I'll bring a camera and share the masterpieces next blog post.

On a more tech note I have introduced me class to Blackboard and they are eager to begin posting to the discussion board. They seemed excited when we were in the lab learning the site and since have asked questions about when they would be able to post again.

Gearing up!

Well, my blackboard site is official and I am taking my first hour to the computer lab on Thursday to learn how to access and post on it. Kerry Townsend has been helping me get the site all prepped and I've learned how to use flaming text to create a heading banner and added all kinds of features to the site. I even created a glossary of all our vocab terms so far. I don't think it'll be too difficult to manage, but we'll see once kids start using it. I'm hoping to reveal the URL at parent/teacher conferences so my parents can use it to check homework and obtain copies of assignment attachments.

I'm moving into the technology era!

My digital literacy class, which I feel has been so eye-opening in terms of learning how important multiliteracies are at this point in time, and has helped me discover new tools and forms of literacy to begin using in my classroom has really challenged me to take action in my classroom.

I'm trying not to take too much on this first year but I am really getting excited at some of the new possibilities I am learning about. This week's article for that class is all about fanfiction. This is a concept I became familiar with in an undergrad class. Apparently, if you visit fanficiton.net you will discover a whole world of literacy that a majority of the population doesn't even know exists. Fanfic, as it's called my it's inner circle of writers, is taking characters who already exist in another book or media and rewriting the story from new perspectives or your own prerogative. The article challenges teachers to think about how they can use this literary experience to build on in their own classrooms. The article also pointed out that students who author fanfic usually consider these writings their best work, better than what they write for the traditional classroom.

Type Gripes

So apparently it is a big no no to require students to type their final drafts. I am assigning my students a book review. These are sixth graders and were talking two well- written paragraphs. I was told from on high that I couldn't make it mandatory. I guess hand writing your final copy sets students up for success on the MAP test. What about for the rest of their lives? I can't remember the last time I sat down to draft a paper and hand wrote my thoughts. Word Processors are a tool that helps students write more clearly, professionally and aid in the revision process. I understand some kiddos don't own a computer but isn't that why there are hundreds of computers available for use in our building?

I have an issue with this, as you can tell from my rant. We're not preparing kids for the realities of technological literacies now and in the future! There kids are already familiar, they have a MySpace, IM account, and e-mail regularly. Why don't we tap into these arenas of literacy????

Speaking of kids and technology. Myghetto.com is a site that many of my students use as an e-mail server. I checked it out last night out of curiosity and am appalled! Who is helping these kids to be responsible users of the new technological age?

Blackboard Mania!

Well I have a blackboard site now. I am planning on using it with one of my classes for a threaded discussion board about their books. Kerry Townsend is coming Wednesday to show me how to operate it and I have been playing around getting things set up.

I took a survey of my first hour, also my highest functioning group, the majority have access to Internet at home and seem pretty tech comfortable. I will use the site for them as their reader's notebook entries rather than keeping the spiral bound one that everyone else has. I am requiring the kids to post three times a week and respond to at least 5 of their peers.

I think within a few weeks I might be introducing the site to the kids.

I have posted due dates on the calendar and made a glossary of all our vocabulary words.

I guess with tech you just need to take the plunge and try it. Can't wait around for the availability to increase or the access to get easier.

I'm feeling pretty excited!!

There's a dirty rumor floating around that Smithton is getting their projectors installed by Thanksgiving! If this is true I am elated. I figured it would be March or April....

How in the world does this work???

I am trying to figure out how to create a book blog that my kids can publish comments to. I can't use blogspot because they have to have a gmail account. Does anyone know how I can create this so that any e-mail account will work? Of technology, how I long to implement you if I could just understand you!!!!

Whew!!

Well I now officially have two weeks under my belt and everyday feel like I'm getting better at what I do. Making a break through with a student would be my celebration this week. One student who really hates reading has now shared a book with me and completed her memorable book jacket! I even called on her to share about our read aloud, Double Identity! Things are beginning to change for the two of us, I can feel it. She rolled her eyes when I handed her my encouraging note home, but found out later she showed it to other teachers on the team (nonchalantly, of course).

This job is incredible. Who knows what will happen!! Everyday there is the possibility to really care for some one's kid. That's exciting.