PSU Northern Tier

Karen Ayres 464

Course Materials and Must Have's

EDUC 464 semester.doc - Our Course Syllabus

Link back to the main Northern-tier site.

Introduction to ME!!!

I believe I've got this in the correct spot now!

My name is Karen Ayres. I have been teaching in Canton Area School District (in some format) since my graduation from college in 1994. I substituted for 5 years, did a one year sabattical in 6th grade, and was hired full time to teach 5th grade in 1999. I still enjoy the daily challenge that teaching gives me. I just wish I had more time to "TEACH". One of my favorite things this year is my reading group. I am using guided reading in my language arts block this year with heterogenoues grouping. I really enjoy the diversity in my classroom. For the past eight years, I have taught only TITLE 1 reading students in my language arts block, and I didn't always feel like I was making a difference. I've seen alot of growth in all my students so far this year.

I am married to my high school sweetheart, and we have 2 children together. We have an 8 year old son named Cam and a 5 year old daughter named Jadyn. My husband used to race stock cars, then he went on to the Busch North series and then into the Hooters ProCup series. He retired from racing in 1999 when our son was born. When I buckled him in for the last time I thought I was done forever. This year my son and daugher began racing go karts. Cam is very competetive and finished his rookie year 3rd in points at Wyalusing Valley Motorsports Park. My daughter raced in the kid kart division which is for beginners and placed fifth in the points at Greenwood Valley Action Track. Our children have made us very proud with their winning attitudes and excellent sportsmanship. I can't wait for next season to begin!

Assignments for the Course

5 LESSONS using technology

a. digital camera-

I use my digital camera often in my class. I’ve made power points containing digital photos. The students have

used the digital camera to document the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly and the hatching of chickens.

b. virtual technology-

When studying early explorers I used united streaming to enhance my lessons on Lief Ericson and Christopher

Columbus

c. spreadsheets-

I could use spreadsheets to create graphs demonstrating relationships of authentic student information. For

example: birthdays, ages, heights, and a variety of their “favorites”.

d. expert Systems

I could create a non-linear power point to review for social studies tests, science and health tests, and English

tests.

e. semantic Networks

We currently have Inspirations and Kidspiration in our district; however, we cannot get to either of them. I could

use these websites to help with graphic organizers for writing.

Pod Cast

CantonCrew.mp3

Favorite Classroom Links

I use this web site almost daily to supplement my reading skills lessons. I love this site.

http://www.shsu.edu/~txcae/readingless.html

PowerPoint/Excel/Inspiration

My homeroom students each complete a power point on one of the original thirteen colonies. I give the required information to be covered and then I let them go. Once the information is put in their power point, they can begin playing with the colors, font, clip art, etc. They really surprise me with their knowledge of navigating around. I guess they're digital natives.

South Carolina.ppt

Virtual Technology