Amanda's Blog

E-Portfolio

2005-04-28T11:46:00.000-07:00

This is my E- Portfolio link. It covers the American Revlutionary War. Look and enjoy!!!

www.student.gsu.edu/~acallaway3/Introduction_page_for_porfolio.html

Blog Reflection

2005-04-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

I have really enjoyed blogging this semester. I have never even heard of blogging until this class. It is really easy. I think that it is a fun way for students to get involved in creative writing. It is something that their parents can be involved in also. I would love to use blogging with my future students.

Final Reflection

2005-04-21T10:04:00.000-07:00

Final Reflection Amanda Callaway

Through my experience of taking the IT 3210 course I feel that I am very prepared to enter the classroom and use technology in a lesson. In the IT 3210 course I have learned about so many different computer programs and how easy it is to integrate them into a lesson. For example, we learned how to use the computer program Access. I learned how easy it was to use the program and then I was able to establish a complete lesson on the American Revolutionary
War using Access. One thing that I think might help me put what I have learned in this class to use in the classroom is that I need to remember that there is always some way I can integrate technology into any of my lessons and make them fun and educational for the students. A good place to look for ideas is the Internet. The Internet has an endless number of ideas on how to integrate technology into any lesson plans. I have found a really good website (www.lessonplanspage.com) that has so many different lessons with technology already integrated into it. The level of technology resources in my future school of employment will have an enormous impact level on my teaching. Like I have said plenty of times before, technology are unavoidable. In this day in time there is not a day that goes by that students do not use some form of technology and in order for me to be the best educator that I can be, I am going to have to make sure that my students are exposed to as much technology as possible. In my opinion, I strongly believe that technology can help teaching and learning. Students today are exposed to technology at such a very young age. It is possible that they may know more about technology than their older teachers do. Why not give them lessons and assignments where technology is used. It makes it more fun for them. Technology can turn a simple research project into something exciting and very productive. As I move through my teaching career I plan to stay up to date on the current technology. I will use the Internet allot . There are so many teaching resources on the Internet that can help me with exactly what I need. I will look to my fellow peers for updates. There may be other teachers that are using update technology that I do not know about. I will not hesitate to ask for help and if I can use their ideas in my teaching. There are so many resources out there for me to use and I will figure out how to find them and use them. I will continue to technology in my teaching because it the future for all students.

Teacher Resources and Educational Software

2005-04-20T16:50:00.000-07:00

I look at the website www.teacher.net/index.html for the teacher resource. I thought that this was a very good website. It almost like a one stop shop website. It had anything from the latest news in the educational world to being able to find to job. I really recommend this website. I look at a social studies educaitonal software. It look like it could be a lot of help for students learning about history. Second Semester was reasonably price also. I would like to try it out for my own interests.

Low Income Families Supporting Their Children's Educational Needs

2005-04-14T10:17:00.000-07:00

It is not uncommon for low-income families not to be involved in thier children's education. The reason being is that they may have to work two jobs to bring in extra money or they do not have high enough literacy skills to help their children do their homework assignments. At CFY they are currently working on how to improve this problem. They want low income students to do well in school, so they place computers into these students homes and operates programs in their school to get more parental involvement. I think that is wonderful. Our goals as educators should be help educate everyone, rich or poor, into becoming well rounded individuals. It is great that there are organizations that are willing to help with this problem. This will cut out most excuses for low income parents not being involved in their children's education. CFY also allows computer training sessions and Internet connection. Through the wonderful things that CFY is doing it will help bridge the gap between education and low income parents. I hope that they will continue to help these families.

Revolutionary People

2005-03-31T13:35:00.000-08:00

Amanda Callaway

Project Name: People of Revolutionary Times

Description of learning Goals and Standards: This assignment is geared towards fifth graders. Through this lesson the students will be able to learn something about the important people during the American Revolutionary War times. The Qcc's for this lesson are Qcc 20, Topic: A Nation Is Born, Standard: Describes the contributions of key individuals in the American Revolution including Colonial and British men, women, and minorities (e.g., George Washington, King George III, Lord North, Cornwallis, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, Molly Pitcher, Crispus Attucks, LaFayette, Nancy Hart, and Benedict Arnold) and Qcc# 7 , Topic: Productivity, Standard: Manages information with databases and spreadsheets.

Rationale for Technology: Through the use of technology the students are able research interesting facts about some of the important people during the Revolutionary War and input it into a database and have all of their facts all in one area. intergrating technology helps achieve my goal of broadening the lesson of the American Revolutionary War. The advantage of intergrating technology into this lesson is that it gives the students the opportunity to create a fun database on these people instead of writing it down on paper. The disadvantage of intergrating technology is that it will take time to teach the students how to use the computer program Access and for them to complete their assignment.

Description of Lesson implementation: This lesson may take two days. On day one have a finished example of assignment. Explain to the students that this lesson is an extension of their American Revolutionary War lesson. On this day the lesson on the computer program Access will need to be given (it may be helpful to have a step by step worksheet available for the students on the program). Once that is done explain to the students that they are each going to have to pick ten people that had something to do with the Revolutionary War and they are going to have to research when they were born, where they were born and when they died. The students can use the internet, they can use encyclopedias etc.. for getting their information.
On day two the students will need to create their databases and print one out in forms and one out in reports. Both of these will need to be turned into the teacher.

Assessment: A rubric will need to be established so that the students are graded primarily on the content of their assignment (proper information of the people) and secondarily on their database production (was it set up properly).

Other Places to Use this Solution: Since there is a need for many computers with the computer program Access you may want to reserve the computer lab for a couple days. Also, some students may have the computer program at home so that may be another place for them to do this assignment.

What I learned and what I would improve next time: Through this lesson I learned that it is very easy and fun to turn an ordinary assignment into something fun and rememberable for the students. Since I have not used this lesson in a classroom setting I do not know what I would change.

References/Resources: http://library.thinkques.org./TQ0312848/people.htm

Excelling in Graphing

2005-03-28T13:06:00.000-08:00

Amanda Callaway

Project Name: Counting Your Lucky Stars

Description of learning goals and standards: This assignment is geared towards fifth graders. Through this assignment students will be able to better their skills in counting, sorting, graphing, interpreting a graph, computation, and predicting. They will also better their skills in computer technology. The Qcc's for this assignment are: #38 Topic: computation, Standard: developing fluency in adding and subtracting, and #7 Topic: Productivity, Standard: manages information with database and spreadsheets.

Rationale for Technology: Through the use of technology in this activity the students will be able to use their skills of counting, sorting, graphing, interpreting a graph, computation, and predicting. Technology helps me achieve my goal of helping the students better these particular skills. The disadvantage of using technology on this assignment is that it may be time consuming.

Description of lesson implementation: One the first day the teacher needs to have a completed example ready to show to the students of how the Excel document should look like. The teacher needs to place the students into groups of three or four. On this day a lesson will need to be given to the students on how to use the computer program Excel. The teacher can go through the lesson as the groups are preparing their documentation. Once each group is finished the teacher needs to approve each group documentation. Have students save their finished documentation in Excel on a floppy disk. One the second day the teacher needs to distribute a individual bags of Lucky Charms cereal to each group. Have each group individual count and tally their individual marshmallows on their Excel documentation (on the computer). Using their tally sheet the group will complete their graph and answer questions 1-3 on their own. On a pre-made graph the teachers will asks each group for the total of each marshmallow and color in the graph ( ask each group one marshmallow at time). Once the graph is completed for the entire class the groups need to fill in their Excel documentation for the other groups answers and compute the totals and average. Then each group can answer questions 4-7 (the teacher can help guide the groups in this discussion). As a class discuss each groups predictions. At the end each group needs to print out their Excel documentation and turn into the teacher.

assessment: Each group will be graded as a whole. A rubric needs to be established so that each group is graded on first, the completion of the correct Excel document. Second, the completion of correctly filling in their chart and graph. Third, the completion of correctly answering the questions.

Other places to use this solution: Since there will be many groups it is necessary to have enough computers for each group. This assignment might need to be done in the computer lab if the classroom does not have enough computers.

What I learned and what I would improve next time: Through this assignment I learned that it is very easy to create a fun learning Excel assignment for students. I believe that students will have fun creating their own Excel assignment too. I have not used this activity with students so I do not know what I would change for next time. I could see the students having problems with creating their own correct document so that might need to be changed for next time.

References/Resources Used: http://www.lessonplanspage.com/MathStPatricksDayGraphingLuckyCharms35.htm

Keeping Bloom in Mind

2005-03-24T10:20:00.000-08:00

Knowledge: List the main causes of the Revolutionary War.

Comprehension: Discuss what life would be like fighting for your independence during the Revolutionary War.

Application: Interpet why George Washington was considered a honest man using the cherry tree analogy.

Analysis: Analyze what America would be like if it was still under the british control.

Synthesis: Desgin a picture of what you picture of what you picture when you think of the Revolutionary War.

Evaluation: Recommed a solution that might help prevent a Revolutionary War from happening again.

Newspaper Report

2005-03-22T13:03:00.000-08:00

Amanda Callaway

Project Name: Read All About It

Rationale for Technology: This lesson was designed so that students can gain a better understanding of the events during the Revolutionary War. The primary subject is social studies and the secondary subject is computers and Internet. The Qcc's are QCC #17- identifies the sources of dissatisfaction that led to the American Revolutionary War (eg. smuggling, taxation without representation, Intolerable Acts, Stamp Act, Boston Tea Party, and Boston Massacre) and the Qcc #6- applies word processing/desktop-publishing tools to facilitate the writing process. Through the use of technology the students will be able to produce a newspaper article of events that happened during the Revolutionary War.

Description of Lesson implementation: Upon the introduction of this lesson it would be helpful to have a completed copy of an example newspaper article to show to the students. This activity would be best done after the completion of the topic on the Revolutionary War. This lesson should require three or four days to complete. On the first day students need to be placed into groups of three or four. Explain to the students that they are to work as a group to produce a newspaper article of at least three or four articles (according to group size) on events during the Revolutionary War. This would be a good time to show them an example. From there they should be given time to research the events that they would like to write about. On the second day the students will need a presentation on how to use the computer program Microsoft Publisher. The computer technician of the school might would like to assist on the presentation. Then the students should be given time to finish on their research and begin working on Microsoft Publisher. The third day all groups should be finished with their research and have begun working on their newspaper articles. The fourth day the groups should be finishing their newspaper articles and preparing to turn them in.

Assessment: A rubric needs to be made that primarily grades the students on the content of their newspaper article which should be Revolutionary War events. Then, the students can be graded on their mechanical work ( grammar, spelling, pucuation etc..). Also, a private evaluation needs to be given to each person in each group so that they can grade their group members on participation.

Other Places to Use this Solution: Since this activity uses the computer program Microsoft Publisher the use of the computer lab may be needed. The media center may be a good place for the students to work on their project. Also, some of the students may have the required computer program at home so they can work on their project at home.

What I learned and What I would improve next time: Through this activity I learned how easy it was to make an extension of a lesson using technology. It was so simple to create a newspaper article using the computer program Microsoft Publisher. Since, I have not actually used this lesson plan I do not know what I will improve next time.

References/Resources Used:
http://www.civil-liberties.com/factoids/index.html
http://www.familyeducation.com/quiz/0,1399,I-15718,00.htm
http://www.civil-liberties.com/factoids/july4_03.htm
http://www.multied.com/revolt/French.html

Pick a Photo Activity Response

2005-03-17T10:34:00.000-08:00

As I read the assignment Pick a Photo "Apply or Use" what caught my attention was that students could use this assignment to create an essay or a collage. This made me think about how typically students are assigned to write or type an essay. Why can they not use technology and make a collage essay instead. You know the saying,"a picture says a thousand words". I believe that this can make a difference for future students because this can really allow their creative side to come out. Why hold their creative sides inside, why can we not allow pictures to speak for us sometimes?

Power Point Presentation

2005-03-03T13:21:00.000-08:00

Amanda Callaway
Project Name- Getting to the Point

Description of Learning Goals and Standards-This lesson plan was designed so that students will gain a better understanding of the events in the Revolutionary War. The primary subject is social studies and it has a secondary subject of computers and Internet. It is for the grade levels of 5-7. The QCCs are: QCC #17- identifies the sources of dissatisfaction that led to the American Revolutionary War (eg. smuggling, taxation without representation, Intolerable Acts, Stamp Act, Boston Tea Party, and Boston Massacre). The objectives are as followed: 1. The students will work in groups to ultimately produce a news program together. 2. Each student will choose their role in the project and use the Internet to research their chosen topic and write their news story. 3. As a group the students will produce a PowerPoint slide show to use as each student is giving their news report. 4. Each student will learn how to use the video camera and they will take turns recording their groups newscast. The duration of this project can take at least two weeks, maybe more. The materials needed are: Video Camera, Laptops, PowerPoint programs, projector, tripod, tapes, and floppy disks. The procedure is as followed:

Rationale for Technology -Through the use of technology it allows the students to gain a better understanding of the Revolutionary War. It also makes an ordinary research project fun. intergrating technology into the lesson helps me achieve my overall goal of teaching the students about important events during the Revolutionary War. The advantages of intergrating technology is that it turns a regular research project into a fun and exciting research project for the students. The disadvatage of intergrating technology into the lesson is that it will make the lesson a time consuming lesson.

Description of lesson Implementation- During the 3-4 class sessions the students need to begin working on their PowerPoint presentations. A Power Point lesson will need to be given if the students are not already familiar with the program. Each person doing a story needs to have at least one slide to be projected behind him or her as it is on real television. Again the laptops and floppy disks are needed. One per group usually suffices, it is easier if they help each other to create their slides. The students should save the entire slide show on one floppy disk for the presentation. Their slides needs to in a newscast format. The outline they have completed will be very helpful at this time.

Assessment- Use the below attachment as a rubric to grade each group. This allows each student to know what is expected during their presentations. Each group also needs to be graded on their content on the Revolutionary War in their presentations.

Group:___________________________________Make sure you covered the following details:
____ Do you have your transitions written into your stories thanking and introducing other members of your group?
____ Do you know who is changing the slide show and who is covering them when it is their turn?
____ Do you know who is filming the group and who is covering them when it is their turn?
____ Does the first person on have an introductory piece to introduce the group?
____ Does the last person have a closing piece to conclude the presentation?
____ Did you edit and re-edit your stories adding detail to make your stand out from the rest?____ Do you have a name or channel to call your group that is creative and time appropriate?____ Do you have props or other extras to make your project stand out from the rest?
____ Does everyone in the group know what order they are in and when to be ready to go?

Other Places to Use this Solution- The other places that the students may go are the media center, the computer labs the local libraries and their own homes to do research for their projects. Of course, parents the librarians, and the computer technicians in your school will all be availible for help.

What I Learned and What I would Improve Next Time- During completing my own newscast on Power Point, I discovered that it was very helpful to have a mini lesson before. It may be beneficial for the students to have one.

References/Resources Used- H:\public_htm\Ms_files\frame.thm

Mid-Term Refelection

2005-03-03T10:10:00.000-08:00

Mid-Term Reflection
AmandaCallaway

My expectations for what I hoped to learn in this course has not changed since I wrote my last Reflection In my initial reflection. I stated that my expectations for this course were to learn how to Integrate technology into my teaching so that it is a positive experience for my students. I feel as if I am learning just that. Last week I learned how to develop an interactive webpage on Netscape. On this webpage the students are to answer questions on a topic and be able to surf the web for the answers. I feel as if this is a fun way to spruce up an ordinary research project. The students are learning and they do not know that they are learning. I feel certain that I will be able to integrate other activities like this one into my curriculum. I feel as if I am learning every class meeting. At first, I was uncertain about some of the projects we were doing such as the Blogs, but now I am very comfortable with posting on my blog. I feel as if this is a fun way for students to feel as if they are apart of the class by being able to create their own blog and post their comments. Not to mention it is a fun way to post homework every now and again. I do feel as if I have gained a better understanding of how to tackle challenges? Before, I would just try to avoid technology if I did not understand it like creating a webpage. I had no I idea how, so I just did not do it. Now I feel confident in creating a webpage. I have learned that it is alright to get on the computers and explore. Most of the time it is very self explanatory and if I can not figure it out I can always go to the Internet and search for the help I am looking for. Before I took this course the only thing that I would use the computer for would be to write report and occasionally search the web for something. Now I can do so much more. I now know how to create my own webpage in Netscape. This will be very helpful for when I become a teacher. I also know how to blog. Blogging is so interesting. Through blogging, students are able to express themselves in a different way. Before blogging, students were writing down their thoughts and comments. Now they can type them on their very own blog and have other students and teachers make comments about their thoughts and comments. This is just the mid-term of this course and I feel so much more comfortable with technology and how to integrate into my teaching. I can not wait to see what the rest of this semester teaches me about integrating technology. I am positive that it will be useful information to help when I become a teacher.

Inspiration Activity

2005-02-24T13:19:00.000-08:00

Amanda Callaway

Project Name- Inspiring Oraganization

Description of Learning Goals and Standards- This activity is for fifth grade students. It was established to help students better understand the process of organizing and better prepare them for their newscast presentation on the American Revolutionary War. The QCCs for this activity are QCC#9: Productivity, Standard: Uses brainstorming/webbing software in planning, organizing and prewriting.

Rationale for Technology- Technology is very important in this activity because the studetns are able to create an outline of their newscast presentation using theInspiration tool on the computers. Intergrating technology in this activity helps me achieve my goal helping the students be more organized with their newscast presentation. The advantages of intergrating technology is that I was able to create a useful outline that the students must fill in for their presentations. The disadvantage of intergrating technology is that creating the outline could be time consuming for the teacher.

Description of Implementation- This lesson goes along with the American Revolution Newscast lesson. On the second day of working on the newscast presentations have each group fill out the outline. It may be useful for the teacher to have a finished example so that the students will have a better understanding of exactly they need to do. The groups should work on the outline together. They will need to look up information on the computers, textbooks, etc.. this may take awhile. Explain to the students that the better the outline is filled in, the easier it will be to write out their newscast presentations.

Assessment- Each group will need to turn in a finished outline to the teacher. Each topic should have something filled in and the information must be on the American Revolutionary War.

Other Places to Use this Solution- The students may need extra time on filling out the outline, so they may need to go to the computer lab where they the computer technician will be available. They can also take the outline home where their parents will be available.

What I learned and What I would Improve Next Time- Through creating this outline on Inspiration I found that it was very enjoyable. It easy for me to create. I think that the students will enjoy filling it out and appreciate it when it comes time to write out their presentations. Next time I may try to make the outline more detailed.

References/Resources Used- http://www.students.gsu/~acallaway3/public_html/images/newscast%20stories.jpg.html

Webpage Activity

2005-02-17T13:28:00.000-08:00

My webpage is titledhttp://www.student.gsu.edu/~acallaway3/Practice.html

Amanda Callaway

Project Name- The Events of Early America: An Internet-Based Treasure Hunt

Description of Learning Goals and Standards- Through this activity the students become more familiar with certain events during the American Revolutionary War. The QCCs for this activity are QCC #17: A Nation is Born- Identifies the sources of dissatisfaction that led to the American Revolution (eg. sumggling, taxation without representation, Intolerable Acts, Stamp Act, Boston Tea Party, and Boston Massacre.

Rationale For Technology- In this activity, technology allows the students to look up and answer questions about the American Revolutionary War to gain a better understanding of the War. Intergrating technology helps me achieve my goal by helping the students have fun while completing a research project that they might normally find boring. The advantage of intergrating technology is that it makes this research project more enjoyable for the students. The disadvatage of intergrating technology is that it takes preparation on the teacher's part to make up a interactive webpage.

Description of Lesson Implementation- First I went to Netscape, a program on the computer, and developed a webpage for the students to complete. That was a very easy process. I had to look up other webpages for information to put on my webpage and put those webpages as direct links so that the students would be able to answer the given question. I was able to add graphics so that the webpage would be more appealing to the students. Once I was finished with my webpage, I plan on taking the students to the computer lab so that they can complete the activity. The students need to write down their answers to the given questions.

Assessment- To assess the students, have the students turn in their answers to the given questions. There should be a right and wrong answer for the first three questions. The last questions needs to be assessed by how well the student justified his or her answer with examples.

Other Places to Use this Solution- This activity can done in the computer lab where each student does the webpage individually or this activity can be done at home as homework assignment and the parents will probably be their for assistance.

What I Learned and What I would Improve Next Time- In this activity it is very important to have the program Netscape. In this program you are able to establish any kind of webpage. If I were given a chance to evaluate my work, I would say that it is good. I feel as if students would find this kind of treasure hunt fun. Next time, I would probably make the webpage a little more interactive for the students. Since this was my first webpage, I did not know what to expect.

References/Resources Used-
http://www.student.gsu.edu/~acallaway3/Practice.html

http://www.multied.com/revolt/French.html

http://www.civil-liberties.com/factiods/july4_03.htm

http://www.familyeducation.com/quiz/0,1399,1-15718,00.html

Ch.6 Scenario 2

2005-02-14T15:30:00.000-08:00

S2.1 I think that some students didn't do as well on the soloar system test as others did because some students are not good test takers. Also, the ones that didn't do as well might have been the ones who had to miss some class because of special school events. These other school events might have affected their learning.

S2.2 Next time Leroy might be able to design two different types of test. Both of them on the same material but one of the test's questions could be worded differently so that those students who do not normally test well can stand a better chance on a better score.

S2.3 I do not believe that it is o.k. for the teacher to be "just an assistant" in the classroom. Every once in a while yes, that would be o.k. but the teacher is a teacher for a reason. They are there to guide and provide an education for students. I believe that a teacher should learn from his or her students every opprotunity that is given, but in the same regard there should be some control in a classroom.

Chapter 10 Reading Response

2005-02-10T10:22:00.000-08:00

As I began to read chapter 10 in the very first paragraph I came along a comment that struck me. It says,

It makes sense that resources that permeate so many activities in our society
should also be integrated into students' learning experiences.
Today all students are growing up with all kinds of technology around them. There is not a day that goes by that they do not use some kind of technology. It may be something so simple as using the microwave to heat up their breakfast to searching the Internet for information for a report. That is why it is so very important that students' have the Internet and its related resources intergrated into their learning experiences as much as possible. The Internet is so very easy and fast for students to gain information. This is one of the many advantages of the Internet.

Lesson Plan #2

2005-02-07T13:34:00.000-08:00

Amanda Callaway
Project Name - An American Revolution Newscast

Description of Learning Goals and Standards: This lesson plan was plan was designed so that students will gain a better understanding of the events in the Revolutionary War. The primary subject is social studies and it has a secondary subject of computers and Internet. It is for the grade levels of 5-7. The QCCs are: QCC #17- identifies the sources of dissatisfaction that led to the American Revolutionary War (eg. smuggling, taxation without representation, Intolerable Acts, Stamp Act, Boston Tea Party, and Boston Massacre). The objectives are as followed: 1. The students will work in groups to ultimately produce a news program together. 2. Each student will choose their role in the project and use the Internet to research their chosen topic and write their news story. 3. As a group the students will produce a PowerPoint slide show to use as each student is giving their news report. 4. Each student will learn how to use the video camera and they will take turns recording their groups’ newscast. The duration of this project can take at least two weeks, maybe more. The materials needed are: Video Camera, Laptops, PowerPoint programs, projector, tripod, tapes, and floppy disks. The procedure is as followed:

Rationale for Technology- Through the use of technology it allows the students to gain a better understanding of the Revolutionary War. It also makes an ordinary research project fun. intergrating technology into the lesson helps me achieve my overall goal of teaching the students about important events during the Revolutionary War. The advantages of intergrating technology is that it turns a regular research project into a fun and exciting research project for the students. The disadvatage of intergrating technology into the lesson is that it will make the lesson a time consuming lesson.

Description of Lesson Implementation- In the first 1-2 class sessions, after the completion of the chapter covering the Revolutionary War, the students will create a newscast reporting on some of the important events. The students should be put into groups of 5 or more. Each group should be given 5 writing assignments, for example, 2 feature stories, 1 international story, 1 interview, 1 local story. They should each choose what they wish to do and start choosing topics for their story. The group should work together on this so that they do not duplicate each other (at this point, it may be helpful to show some recorded clips of current news reports to give the students some direction). Also, give the kids the option to do some extra reporting on things they like. Give them one or two class periods to write and edit within their groups. Also, it may be helpful to get laptops at this point so the students can begin looking for information that may help them. They need floppy disks so that they can download and save their information to use again in their PowerPoint presentation. In the 3-4 class sessions the students need to begin working on their PowerPoint presentations. Each person doing a story needs to have at least one slide to be projected behind him or her as it is on real television. Again the laptops and floppy disks are needed. One per group usually suffices, it is easier if they help each other to create their slides. If the students are unfamiliar with PowerPoint a mini lesson on how to use the program may be needed at this time (it may be helpful to ask the the media center technician to help explain at this point help save time). The students should save the entire slide show on one floppy disk for the presentation.
5-6 class sessions the students now need to learn how to use the video cameras. Put them into their groups and instruct them to work on the organization of the newscast. Give them a checklist to follow to make sure all minor details are covered. (see attached). The checklist has to been explained and examples given so the students understand (a mini lesson on transitions may be needed). As they are working out the kinks go around from group to group with the video camera showing the children how to use it. It is wise to let them handle it and play with the buttons as you do not want the presentation to be the first time they touch it. At this point, the students should be ready to give their presentations. In the 7-8 class sessions the students should be ready for presentations(you should have the camera charged and an extra battery and a tripod set up at a good angle). A table should be set up to be used as the news desk. The slide show can be projected in two ways. A laptop on a stool behind the news desk or with a projector attached to a computer. The latter is the best because it is easier to switch slides. Use the attached rubric to grade them as they present. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group:___________________________________
Make sure you covered the following details:
____ Do you have your transitions written into your stories thanking and
introducing other members of your group?
____ Do you know who is changing the slide show and who is covering them when it
is their turn?
____ Do you know who is filming the group and who is covering them when it is
their turn?
____ Does the first person on have an introductory piece to introduce the
group?
____ Does the last person have a closing piece to conclude the presentation?
____ Did you edit and re-edit your stories adding detail to make your stand out
from the rest?
____ Do you have a name or channel to call your group that is creative and time
appropriate?
____ Do you have props or other extras to make your project stand out from the
rest?
____ Does everyone in the group know what order they are in and when to be ready
to go?

Assessment- Use the above attachment as a rubric to grade each group. This allows each student to know what is expected during their presentations. Each group also needs to be graded on their content on the Revolutionary War in their presentations.

Other Places to Use this Solution- The other places that the students may go are the media center, the computer labs the local libraies and their own homes to do research for their projects. Of course, parents the librarains, and the computer technicians in your school will all be avaible for help.

What I Learned and What I Would Improve it Next Time- If I could evaluate and revise my work sample I am not sure what I would change because I have not had the chance to use this lesson. One thing that may need to changed is the length of the lesson, it may be too time consuming for many teachers to do.

References/Resources Used- http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSLACIRevolutionaryWarPowerPointPres58.htm

Lesson Plan #1

2005-02-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

Amanda Callaway

Project Name - American Revolution Dioramas

Description of Learning Goals and Standards- This lesson should allow students to create a report and diorama to show an understanding of the causes and efffects of the American Revolution. The primary subject is social studies and the secondary subjects Language Arts. This lesson is geared towards the fourth grade. The standards for grade 4 in social studies are: Identify the developments, major events, and notable figures involved in the separation of the thirteen colonies from England. Describe the key events and effects of the American Revolution on the new country. The standards for grade 4 in language arts: Demonstrate the ability to face an audience, make eye contact, and use the appropriate voice level. Demonstrate the ability to use visual aids, props, and technology to support and extend his or her meaning and enhance his or her oral presentations. The objectives are: The students will create a report and diorama to show an understanding of the causes and effects of the American Revolution. The materials needed are: Shoe box , Colored paper, Markers/crayons, Any other materials to create a diorama, Computer with Internet access, Printer ,Pencils/pens, Highlighters, Notebook paper.

Rationale for Technology- The students will need to use technology (Internet) to look up information on the Revolutionary War for their report. There will be several websites given with useful information. This form of technology allows the students to become accustom to searching the Internet for information. By intergrating the Internet it helps me achieve my goal of helping the students understand the causes and effects of this war. The advantages of using the Internet is that the students will be able to do most of their research at home. A disadvantage of using the Internet is that if the students are doing most of their research at home I will not be there to assist with any major problems.

Description of Lesson Implementation- I will first assign each student a famous person or event from the American Revolutionary War. This will take some research on the teachers part. I will then tell them that they are to do a written report on their given topic. I will explain to them that they are to look to the Internet as their main resource. I might even give them some useful websites( Teachers might need to do a lessson on how to look up information on the Internet). I will ask all students to print out their information and highlight the important facts and this will need to be turn in along with report. I will explain to them that their report must be in their own words. The students should also create a diorama corresponding to the topic I give them ( Teachers may need to come up with a good example of what the diorama should look like). The students will present their research and diorama in the class.

Assessment -The students will receive a grade for their accuracy and creativity on their research and diorama. I will also have the students take notes while their peers present their information. This ensures that everyone pays attention and it does not make the presenter feel as nervous. The students will receive a separte grade on how well they take notes.

Other Places to Use this Solution- The students will be doing most of their research at home and that might involve needing help from their parents.

What I Learned and What I Would Improve Next Time- I have learned that this is good lesson because it ties in so many content areas. The students will be able to express their writting skills through their reports and they will also be given the chance to be creative with their dioramas. Not to mention they will have to use their computer skills to find information for their report. If I were given the chance to evaluate and revise my work sample, I would say that it is good for the first time putting together a lesson plan. I am not sure what I would change because I have not be given the chance to use this lesson.

Referneces/Resources Used- http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSLAArt4thofJulyAmericanRevolutionDioramas4.htm

Internet Activity

2005-02-03T11:44:00.000-08:00

http://www.darksavior.net/%7Enotin/e-portfolio/unit.php - this website explains what the big six is.

http://msit.gsu.edu/IT/Teachers/new/Assignments/3210/E-Portfolio/Guideline_Portfolio.htm - this website gives the guidelines for the portfolio.

http://msit.gsu.edu/IT/Teachers/new/Assignments/3210/E-Portfolio/Guideline_Portfolio.htm - I think that this sample is a good one to use as a guideline for the portfolio.

Initial Learning Environment Plans

2005-01-30T13:13:00.000-08:00

*Members of design Team- Amanda Callaway
*Metaphor/Theme being used in the Learning Environment- Revolutionary War
*Targeted grade level for learning Environment- 5th
*Initial idea of the overall goal for creating the learning environment- students will be able to produe a piece of writting with correct spelling and grammar.
*Smaple QCCS to be addressed in Learning Environment- Writting QCC #45, Applies correct principles of grammar, parts of specch, usage, and mechanics.
*Initial Ideas for activities- students will write a letter home based on events in the Revolutionary War events with correct grammar, spelling and puncation.

Initial Reflection

2005-01-20T11:12:00.000-08:00

My expectations for this course are very simple. I want to learn how to intergrate technology into my teaching so that it is a positive experience for my students. When I say positive, I want it to be an experience that they enjoy and remember. I want them to be able to use technology but realize that it is a learning experience. I do not have too much experience with using technology in the classroom. I currently work in a daycare and we use a creative theme base curriculum. That is the teachers must come up with creative themes for their classrooms. I often use the internet to find art projects and themes for my class. At my previous school I had to take a computer class that taught us how to PowerPoint and the Internet. I know that PowerPoint is an effective learning tool for many students today, not to mention I think that it is fun to put a PowerPoing presentation together. The topic that I would miss if it was not covered in this course would be the topic on how to get young children involved and excited about using computers and technology to learn in the classroom. Technology should be intergrated as much as possible in the classrooms. Today children are growing up with technology all around them. For many it is a comfort zone. Technology should be used in the classroom as a learning tool. As I said before, technology is not new for students today. They grow up using technology everyday. That is whly it should be used as a learning tool everyday because technology is expanding and students should be able to know how to use it and be productive at it.

Comments To Students's Comments

2005-01-20T10:30:00.000-08:00

I think that students being able to communicate through the computer is wonderful. Today children are growing up with technology all around them. They use computers everyday and being able to write and commuicate with others through the computer is a great idea. I believe that it encourges them to write and communicate. When I read one student's comments to future teachers, I could not believe how well that student was able to express her opinions. It was great reading what she thought made a good teacher. I hope that one day I will have those qualities and be a good teacher.