1st semester reflections.....

Where has the time gone??????? 

Thus far,  there have been so many changes to the way we teach and what we teach, that I feel like I don't know my head from tail. Common Core has changed the expectations of how we deliver instruction and I feel as if there is not enough time in the day to get everything in that needs to be taught. Can I get an AMEN?

    

My students are taught a little differently than most as I have students with special needs. Where as many of my colleagues can  teach a mini-lesson on the technology and how to use it and then integrate and incorporate technology into their lessons so it appears seamless, I struggle to just get my students to understand how to use the technology appropriately. We are still struggling to log in to our laptops and computers. Not because of technical issues but due to student capabilities. Some of my students are still unable to use a mouse. All of these little things end up causing big headaches for me as I am constantly trying to figure out to climb what appears to me at times an insurmountable problem.   

I use my laptops and classroom computers as centers for the students as a way to access adapted books on the internet and I use them to enhance receptive vocabulary through software programs.  My plans for the future are to teach at least one of my students how to use the laptop to produce some type of student product based on their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goal. I am also working on creating adaptive books for my students to use. 

I as a teacher have been trying to utilize resources on Pinterest to find interesting and unique ways to incorporate Common Core materials and technology into my teaching. Suffice it to say, it has been a struggle to find ways to seamlessly integrate technology into meaningful activities that provide for and demonstrate student progress. 

Technology Hiccups and First Grading Period Woes

October has flown right by like a witch on her broom. With the autumn breezes many changes have taken place in my room surrounding the use of technology.  My hopes were that we would be further along with being able to use technology independently at this point in the year. Unfortunately our hiccups in the room have not been due to technology itself but in  trying to get a schedule and routine in place that meets all the needs of my students.  Currently I am utilizing the laptops in my classroom as a morning center for students in order to give individualized instruction to each of my students during reading block. During my reading block I rotate 3 of my students between the computers while an assistant monitors independent work and computer usage. My students still struggle with logging in to the computer and to combat this problem they have their own card with username and password in order to give them a visual support to complete login procedures as independently as possible. Once each student is logged into the laptop they have a choice of software programs and online sites to use.  I am trying to determine how to adapt laptop usage for my students to make it a worthwhile learning tool for them.

As September,  Yes!  September draws to a close I can say that time has flown by. My students have transitioned fairly well to life at a new school. We are blessed to have a staff that is welcoming and sensitive to the needs of our children. We had a great lesson on force and motion during the middle of September. Our regular education third grade class joined with three out of the four classes in our department and participated in activities and races using various items that produced force and motion. We had an old-fashioned tug of war, airplane test flights, push and pull scooter races, sling shot target practice and straw and ping pong ball blowing races. This past week we utilized our reading resources from News-2-You and the Ryder Cup Golf story that was featured and attempted golfing (putting) and bowling. Needless to say it has been a busy month and trying  to get students to attend to and follow a schedule has been challenging. We are slowly making progress in the use of technology within the classroom. I have plans to begin using laptops within the classroom in the coming weeks. I have already introduced the laptops during small group instruction this past week.
      During my introductory lesson I had to move away from the laptop to help one of the students and when I looked down a student had pulled the laptop in front of him, turned it on and proceeded to imitate typing. It was obvious to myself and the assistants in the room that he has been exposed to a laptop before and new exactly how to use one. When I relayed the information to his mother she started laughing and said that when she is doing work from home is constantly trying to get on her computer. On the other hand, I have a student who would never go to a computer and to have her sit for periods of time was almost out of the question. Just in the past week we have gotten her to sit in front of a computer and choose by pointing to an activity that she would like to do.
     I am fortunate to have an assistant, a student specific assistant and the occupational therapist willing to help with laptop usage. All of my students will be paired with an adult when learning how to log in and complete lessons on how to use a mouse to control the cursor which will be a lesson that will need to be repeated until my students are able to log in and control a mouse with minimal adult prompting.

   I am stilling looking for and researching ideas for using laptops as centers within the classroom. I ideas and activities that can be modified for verbal and non-verbal students. Please let me know if you have any ideas.

     After a big move to a different school, I have finally unpacked the majority of the 90+ boxes. My classroom is somewhat organized and I am getting pumped for a new year. I can't wait to see my students and am getting very excited about embarking on a new adventure at a new school. It will be a learning curve for all involved. I will be transitioning my students to new routines and new locations.

     Being a Pinnacle leader in Gaston County  I am blessed with an abundance of technology and opportunities for my students to use technology within the classroom.  I am currently racking my brain on how to use laptops in my classroom as center-based learning. The make-up of my classroom is very different from many elementary classrooms. I work with students diagnosed with Autism. Due to my students' inability to work independently I am struggling to develop independent centers using laptops to access the curriculum.
   
     I have one center set-up for data collection which will use a document camera and laptop to record student work samples.  I am toying with the idea to minimize the number of books in my student reading center which I will then supplement with online reading programs ( like bookflix and storylineonline.com) in order to provide independent opportunities for my students to interact with and have the books read to them.
I was able to procure two slates or airliners which I am thinking of using as a writing task.  By covering the slate with an overhead projection sheet ( acetate or leftover lamination film) I will be able to have the writing assignment (letters, numbers, spelling words) printed on the sheet and have the students trace over the assignment which will then transfer into a file and be another way to collect student data.

If anyone has any ideas that can help please post.

Pinnacle and the 21st Century Teacher

Looking at the article "What is a 21st century teacher?" by Josh Stumpenhorst http://smartblogs.com/education/2012/06/22/what-21st-century-teacher/  and comparing his ideas of what it takes to be a 21st century teacher to what it means to be a highly effective Pinnacle leader, I can see several similarities. We as Pinnacle leaders need to be Visionaries, Connected, Flexible, Resourceful, Inspiring, Encouraging and Supportive, and Risk Takers. Stumpenhorst says that the 21st Century teachers need to be connected through PLN's, master's of technology, reflective practioner's and advocates for change. It appears that Pinnacle leader's are on the right track to being what Stumpenhorst describes a 21st Century teacher. I like the idea that we should advocate by setting forth positive examples. 

http://bit.ly/LoyxO2

Interesting Infograph on my Twitter usage as of 6/26/12

Pinnacle Semester 2 presentation

Student Work samples, videos and lesson activities

Fun Food Friday- This is a link to the document that my older students typed into. They have an opportunity to try new foods that they would not normally try.  They have tried Mac and cheese with different sauces, Belgian waffles, kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, chicken nuggets with different dipping sauces, pizza, tacos, fruit smoothies, Italian ice, and rice krispy treats.This is part of a lesson with the speech pathologist. 

Exercise video: The exercise video taken could not be uploaded due to technical issues and also privacy issues because of student disabilities. However, you will find a link to the Youtube video that we used to teach imitation skills to our students. Students were encouraged to participate in exercise by watching and imitating children from the Wii Just Dance Kids videos found on Youtube. Not only does this help when recess is not a viable option due to weather constraints but it also helps our students become aware that there is other people in and around them. This is a HUGE issue because most students with Autism are described as " being in their own little world." Having my students watch the video and then try to participate is very rewarding to see. 

Despicable Me:
Gummy Bear:
Kung Fu Fighting:

Lesson Activities:- PDF versions of Lessons created for the Smartboard that go along with the Health curriculum from News-2-You (article) and Unique curriculum.

germs & food choices


Survey Link

Healthy ideas to get kids motivated and keep them active

January has flown past and I have been remiss in blogging. I am in need of good sites or activities to keep kids motivated, active and healthy.  I am hard at work on a health/science unit for my special needs children. It hasn't helped that I have been down with Bronchitis for the majority of January.  Does anybody have any resources they would like to share?