Course Requirements

 

•  Using APA style, complete a web search to locate 5 quality resources related to 4th grade science or social studies standards.
• Critique the Athens Area School District Acceptable Use Policy, using given criteria.
• Develop a personal course of study for professional growth.
• Design an Internet-based classroom activity that incorporates 4 learning styles.
• Download and evaluate at least three lesson plans relevant to my area of teaching.
• Create a del.icio.us account and blog for fellow teachers as a resource.

 

 

~ Fourth Grade Resources ~ 

The fourth grade social studies curriculum in the Athens Area School District has changed to Ancient History. The following links are great resources for both teachers and students. In addition to researching sources for social studies I also came across several other helpful sites to accommodate the changes in our science, math, and writing curriculums.

 

 Social Studies~          

Donn, D. (1997-2007). MrDonn.org. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from http://mrdonn.org/

Khan, I. (2008). CanTeach. Retrieved April4, 2008, from  http://www.canteach.ca/links/linksocials.html

National Geographic Society (1996-2008). NationalGeographic. Retrieved April4, 2008, from  http://www.nationalgeographic.com/index.html

University Press, Inc. (2008). Ancient Greece. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Main_Page/

Carr, K. (2008, April 1). Kidipede-History for Kids. Retrieved April 4, 2008, form http://www.historyforkids.org/

Belzer, J. (2008 ). Kids Konnect. Retrieved April4, 2008, from http://www.kidskonnect.com/content/category/4/16/27/

 

 

Science~      

 

United Streaming

WeatherWizKids.com http://weatherwizkids.com/

CanTeach http://www.canteach.ca/

Educational Games QuizTree.com http://www.quiz-tree.com/

 

General~    

 

FactMonster-interactive http://www.factmonster.com/

The Magic School Bus http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/home_2.htm

BusyTeacher'sCafe ~ General Resource http://www.busyteacherscafe.com/

General Content ~ Themes http://www.edhelper.com/

Education Place ~ Educational Activities for teachers, students, and families http://www.eduplace.com/index.jsp

 

Math~   

 

AAA Math http://www.aaastudy.com/grade4.htm

CoolMath~An amusement park of math designed for fun http://www.coolmath.com/

CoolMath4Kids http://www.coolmath4kids.com/

 

Language Arts~     

 

TheWriteSource http://www.thewritesource.com/

Mrs Donn's Language Arts http://www.mrdonn.org/languagearts.html

 

 

 Resources~

 

 

Mrs. Webster's Blog for classroom news and events:  http://clwebster.edublogs.org/

 

 

Mrs. Webster's Del.icio.us for a list of favorite teacher sites:http://del.icio.us/ConnieWebster

 

 

TEAM Del.icio.us Link: http://del.icio.us/AthensTeacherResources

 

My Plan for Professional Growth:

 

        As a beginning teacher my plan for personal and professional growth is quite simple. I plan to learn new ideas, styles and techniques each day to help me improve and grow as a teacher and meet the needs of the children in my classroom. In addition, I will strive each day to make a positive impact on the lives of the children I touch. However, in order to accomplish these goals I must first expand my knowledge as an educator.

First of all, I plan to meet the requirements for my permanent certification in the state of Pennsylvania. My plan is to reach this goal by earning six more graduate-level credits by the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year. It is not only important for me to sharpen my skills, but also to show the importance of continuing education.

          Secondly, my “longer term” goal is to earn my Master’s Degree in Special Education. With the increasing needs of students in the regular classroom it is important that teachers have as much training as possible to meet the individual needs of each child.

          Finally, the most important step in my plan is to accomplish each goal listed above and remain a devoted mother, wife, daughter, friend, and colleague. And I hope to achieve all of this and remain true to myself as well!

 

The Incorporation of Technology in the Classroom:

The more experience children have with technology the more comfortable and savvy  they are when they are expected to perform at a higher level. The use of technology is practiced by my students several times a week is various ways.

 

Twice during a six day cycle my class uses the computer lab as their special. During that time they use different programs including Successmaker and Type to Learn. Successmaker helps them with math and reading skills. Type to Learn helps them learn proper keyboarding skills. I feel that these programs are important because they not only reinforce skills, but give the children a break from the typical classroom setting and routine.

Many times during a marking period my students are asked to do research on the Internet. They then use the information to report to the classroom in different ways.

 

Another way the Internet is used is with our Weather Science unit. Each day a student takes the role of the "Weather Watcher."