Deb Fitzwater - Canton Elementary School

Teacher of Learning Support and Gifted Students

Link to our discussion board

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Assignments for the Course

Pod Cast

As a group teaching a varieties of levels, we decided it would be most helpful to all to create a Podcast listing the calendar of events for the parents.  They could simply listen to the message and write down the important events on their PTA calendar at home.  

CantonCrew.mp3

Non-Linear PowerPoint Idea:

I chose to have my 6th grade students tackle the non-linear power point - given their experience with power point we felt it would be a good challenge.  They were asked to use the digital camera to take pictures of common shapes found around the school environment - then place those photos in a power point to demonstrate the shapes to a kindergarten class (Robin's).  The gifted students were then also asked to create a non-linear quiz of shapes for the kindergarten students to complete.  My gifted students are almost complete with their projects - they need to complete the narration and trial runs prior to presenting to a kindergarten class.  I'm attaching the shapes presentation and quiz of one of my students. 

shapes for kindergarten.ppt

shapes quiz.ppt

I have used non-linear power points in the past to have students review as a class or individually at the lab prior to giving  a test.  I'll attach a review here.  This was used to explain the integumentary system and complete a worksheet as a class.  Then the class was asked to answer review questions in a non-linear power point.  I don't think the sound bites will transfer - but the rest should be fine. 

skin3 (2).ppt 

I would like to investigate how to incorporate spreadsheets into the non-linear quizzes/reviews done in class to calculate % correct. 

5 Lesson Plans using Technology:

• Online Collaboration:

                  At this time, we do not have access to using a Wiki page at school - but I would love to have one to collaborate with my travel agent regarding my itinerary for traveling next summer. :)  Australia/New Zealand - here I come!!

                  del.icio.us - is a great resource - that I tend to forget about - I need to attempt to utilize it more often.  I think it would be a great way for teachers to collaborate resources - the problem arises when it comes to organization and checking for dead links. 

• Spreadsheets - Excel:
           I use spreadsheets to keep track of sales for the students sustained business (The Greenhouse Group) which is run through my learning support classroom.  The students enter the subtotal from the receipts they filled out into the spreadsheet - I have the formula set to calculate the tax and total due.  The students verify if the receipt was done correctly and revise any errors.  The spreadsheet then also gives us a total net sales, sales tax collected and total money collected. 
   receiptbooks spring 07.xls 
  We also use spreadsheets to create blank deposit slips - and then verify with formulas within Excel.
   
  deposit blank with formulas.xls       
            My math classes use spreadsheets to monitor their progress on their computation facts.  The students go to www.aaamath.com at least three times a week and complete 1 minute countdowns in addition and subtraction facts.  They complete 3 trials in each operation and then open their spreadsheet and record their highest score for the day.  Weekly, monthly, or on-going we can then create progress charts using the chart wizard within Excel. 
   fast facts.xls 
          

•  Virtual Technologies:   We have access to United Streaming or as it is now called Discovery Education Streaming  www.unitedstreaming.com

                         I haven't used this much in my classroom - but have been attending the IU Webinars to learn more about using the site and all the applications which are available within the site. 

                         Two other Virtual Technology resources:

                         http://nationalzoo.si.edu/   - Takes you to the National Zoo where you can visit areas all over the world to investigate what animals may live in different regions.  They also have live web cams around the zoo to allow you to visit the animals in real time. 

                         http://www.usbg.gov/index.cfm   - This takes you to the US Botanical Gardens for a virtual tour.

• Digital Cameras:  In my Greenhouse Group - we use digital cameras all the time to record our progress and to create products.  We create a set of blank note cards using images of flower designs - created by the students and then scanned into the computer.  Students are allowed to sign their name to the design they created.

We have also used the digital camera to then produce little ads using powerpoint:

thinkspring05.ppt   You will just have to imagine the Beatles singing "Here Comes the Sun" - because I don't think the music will have transferred.  I can try to load it here as well in case you want to hear it. :)

• Digital Cameras/Virtual Tours:

Our school secretary has taken the time to create a virtual tour of our school using the digital camera. www.canton 

 http://www.canton.k12.pa.us/141020314113653133/FileLib/browse.asp?A=374&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=53982

I would like to see the 7th grade create a virtual tour of the high school for the 6th graders.  I'm not going to take on another project at this time, but would love to see it get done. :) 

• Expert Systems:   This website has illustrated lessons which incorporate a non-linear review.     http://www.linkslearning.org/Home/_index.html
  Many resources can be found for kids, teachers, parents, etc.   I used the symmetry lesson with my students.  After completing our lesson - they had to complete a symmetrical design for a stepping stone - if they had a line of symmetry in their design - they were allowed to create the stepping stone.  Cement is a lovely thing.

WebQuest

Plants:  The Martians Have Landed

 http://www.dedham.k12.ma.us/webquest/summer2002/lp/plantswebquest.htm

Growing a Garden:

http://scots.covenant.edu/faculty/bryoung/webquests/Growing%2DA%2DGarden/