3 Blogs I have posted.

Jamie Tegeler
http://mstegsbloggers.blogspot.com

Cameron Edwards
http://cedwardsmsuic.blogspot.com/

Bernie Wright
http://mrwrightranch.blogspot.com/

Section 7: Other new media and communication tools

I tried the web 2.0 tool, Wall Wisher or Padlet. It is a very interesting application. It's almost like Facebook. You create your own wall with a layout background and you can add pictures, files, webcam photos, and add a title to each one with a short description. I created my wall based on Basset Hounds. I was able to add in pictures of basset hounds, talk about why I like the breed, and create a title and headline for my wall. I would like to see them add in videos by uploading or using YouTube. There aren't a lot of options for being creative, but it would fun for the classroom by adding new vocabulary words, background of an author, or by uploading a test by using the file upload. It could be a great way to get students engaged in their own learning. I could also take my class to the computer lab and have them create their own WallWisher and have them use it for educational purposes. They can work on it at home too as a class project.

Application 6: Digital Story telling

I highly enjoyed this activity! I was able to create my own story using another user's artwork for free and publish it. I think this would be a wonderful project for my students. It would be a way for them to write a story together in groups or individually and publish their work for others to read and buy. I used Storybird as my application. I recently took on GT for 3 of my students, and I want to use this website as a way for them to be creative writers and use their critical thinking to be able to tell a story or create an informational text. I want to share this website with other teachers at my school who teach ELAR.

First Love by Ms. Gilbert

Ms. Gilbert's 6th and 7th Grade Field Trip Wiki

I'm so excited! I created my first Wiki page for both my 6th and 7th grade classes. I created a page for all of my students to edit and write their own opinions on where we could go for our class field trip in the Spring of 2015 after we take the STARR exams. I have given the opportunity to provide their input and list all the places they would like to visit. I would then collaborate with my team mates and we would decide the best place for our students to visit, learn, and complete assignments for each content area. Wikis' are a great way to get my students interested in using technology and to work with their peers to make a group to decision together. I think this is something I would like to implement in my lessons, especially when my students are able to use iPads in the classroom. My advanced classes will have their own Surface tablets soon, so I will begin creating different projects and ideas for my students to work on during this last semester of school.

Application 4 - Using an RSS Reader to Develop a Personal Learning Network

I think the RSS Reader is a really nest concept. I was just reading an article about a coding robot that students are able to create puzzles and mind games using a robot. I added iLearn Technology to my Feedly. It's an edublog about how to integrate technology in the classroom and it has so many different topics and blogs posted every day. I also so an int4erewting article about what is rigorous learning. I know so much about rigor already, but i like hearing and reading new ideas from other t4eachers who know how to use rigor in the classroom. Differentiated instruction is also another area of interest. I don't know if I'm doing differentiated learning in my classroom, so being about to read short and sweet articles about it help me as an educator and not spend a lot of time reading and breaking down a lot of information. I can use iPad tablets in my classroom and that would be considered differentiation. It's the little things that can make a huge difference in the classroom.

Application 3: Google Drive

Jenifer's Google Drive Doc

I have attached the link to my Google Doc. I created a shopping list and added a few things to my list. Google Drive is a very interesting concept. A fellow team teacher of mine uses Google Drive with her students in her writing class. Her students' write essays in a Google Doc and she is automatically able to read and edit a student's work within seconds. I think this is a break through in educational technology, because not only does it make it fun and inviting to students, but it makes grading a lot easier for teachers like myself. I will definitely consider using Google Drive for more writing assignments, but I do want to see my students using their handwriting too. I have noticed that they prefer typing over handwriting, but their handwriting is lacking in neatness and control. Over 50% of my students do not know how to write in cursive. It is a requirement in my school district, so using Google Doc may not be my best option at the time.

Application 2: Social Bookmarking

I am a huge fan of Pinterest and I find myself bookmarking tons of creative and fun ideas for my classroom. I have accumulated a lot of pins on my "Classroom" board. I'm in search for a lot of ideas relating to classic literature at the moment. A lot of my students want to do a literature book study on The Giver, so I want to get some ideas of how I could go about doing that for them. I enjoy getting new, fresh ideas to keep the interest of my student's and giving them an opportunity to try working with something new.

Jenifer's Classroom Pinterest Board.

Web 2.0 Applications

Well, I really enjoyed creating my assignment on Glogster today. Although, the process of embedding could have gone a lot smoother, and after an hour of trying to figure it out, I gave up and uploaded an image of my work. I would definitely use Glogster again with other projects and ideas I have in mind for the upcoming 6 weeks. I would even ask my students to create their own projects and or assignments using Glogster. It is a very user friendly website with a lot of creative ideas for the classroom.I like the format of the assignment page. I can change the size of the boxes and put them in different positions on the page. I changed the font and color as well to keep it fun and creative!

My Thanksgiving Break is Coming to an End!

WOW!

I really wasn't expecting this week to go by so fast. School starts bright and early on Monday morning. I have a lot to look forward to in the coming 3 weeks. My team has decided to switch students around within the classes of 6th and 7th grade. I don't know how this will turn out, but I'm hoping this move will benefit all of my students.

My team and I are experiencing behavior issues with a few of our students. We have been working nonstop to figure out a way to handle the behavior, because it's not happening in just one classroom. It's happening across the board with all of us. The strategies we have come up with have worked for a while and then we have a lot that haven't worked at all. I think the struggle for new teachers is trying to figure out a way to get through to students who are causing issues in the classroom.

Because I am so new to teaching I don't have a lot of tools in my tool belt to help me. Which is why I rely so much on my team and my team lead. Whatever they are doing in the classroom, and it's working, needs to be implemented in all of our classrooms.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to being back into the classroom and to see my students, but I know I'll be ready for Christmas break!

The Life of an English Teacher

What an exciting time! As an English teacher and avid writer, I'm surprised I haven't continued writing a blog. I started my first blog while I was in college, but since then, I haven't typed my thoughts in well over 4 years.


I want to provide a little background to my teaching career.

I am in the process of earning my teaching certification in the state of Texas. I am currently a first year teacher at a charter school and I teach 6th and 7th grade English. I adore my job and every day I walk through the door there is always something new happening. It keeps my job interesting and fun all the time.

I enjoy encouraging my students to think deeper and use their creativity to explore in the English language and literature in a different light. My passion for reading and writing is beyond what most people would consider utterly ridiculous, but it's what I love and I want to share that passion with everyone who comes into my classroom.

I look forward to the next several more months of school. I want to watch my students grow and expand their minds from what I'm able to teach them.

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