Reading 10-BYOD Teachers Talk Classroom Use

I think this could be very successful in the classroom when effectively planned out. This would be appealing to students and definitely keep them engaged.  I like the fact all students are given the opportunity to participate and are not put on the spot by having to put up their hand to answer a question. It can be a great time-saving tool as well. Their needs,however, to be clear guidelines as to when the cellphone/piece of technology is to be used as I can see some students taking advantage of using their cellphones in class, if permitted. The kids need to be focused on the learning.  I do also wonder about those students who don't have a cellphone. It was suggested in one of the comments that they can share but realistically, which student feels comfortable sharing and swapping cellphones? Not sure how well this would work?

Slideshow Presentation example

As we work on identifying what a verb is and locating a verb in a sentence at the beginning of Grade 3, I would have the students prepare their own verb book. I have create a simple slideshow where the students choose an action and then write the corresponding verb. For some students, they could take the activity one step further and conjugate the verb. For example, elles dansent as oppose to just the verb danser.

Reading 9- Powerpointlessness

This article reminded me of the slideshows we have at the end of most school assemblies. They started out, a number of years ago, as being simple and appealing. Now there are just too busy and distracting. I think this goes to show that sometimes less is more.
In terms of the article, I think the important question here is how can we train our students to use powerpoint effectively? I believe the key is to spend the time showing them how. As mentioned in the article, provide the students with examples of good powerpoint presentations as well as guidelines to follow with specific instructions (such as the example of the detailed rubric). Allocating time for the students to practice the delivery of the powerpoint presentation would be important,too. I must say I have enjoyed a number of good powerpoint presentations at Pro.D days. I think they can be engaging and an effective way of getting your message across.

Final Project- Jeopardy

My Jeopardy Template

Jeopardy game- I would probably play this game to culminate the end of the unit.  I would perhaps play the game a number of times throughout the year just as a refresher,too. It is amazing how many students will forget how many provinces Canada has after just a few months!   

To begin the game, I would be tempted to start with 4 teams of 6.  This way no one is put on the spot yet there would be just enough players so everyone has a chance to participate. Giving them the topics and time to practice ahead of time might be an idea, too.  You could also put this on your blog for them to practice at home.  The students are memorizing facts about Canada with this fun game.  

Final Project- Wordle

The Wordle Activity I would use as part of our province/territory project which typically happens part way through our unit on Canada.  Each student with/without a partner chooses a province/territory to research and prepare a poster on.  For their Wordle, I would ask the students to brainstorm what they would put in their wordle.  I think this type of activity would appeal to primary students as it is fairly simple to use and no email address required.

Final Project- Video

I chose Canada as my unit of study for this final project. The learning outcomes I would address are: • identifies characteristics of the provinces and territories of Canada • locate major landforms and bodies of water in BC and Canada •identify characteristics of Canada society

 1) With the idea of enhancing the student’s learning, I would share this video- Over Canada (the trailer )at the beginning of our unit on Canada. We would have just finished our unit on Mapping skills and I think this video would lead in well to this unit on Canada .

Below, I have provide an outline as to how I would introduce the video, discuss the purpose for listening with the students and the questions we would discuss after the video.

 Info for students: Aujourd’hui, nous regarderons un vidéo sur notre pays, le Canada. À l’aide d’un long vol aérien, nous allons parcourir d’un océan à l’autre, les différents paysages qui composent le Canada. Pendant ce vidéo, je veux que vous observiez les différents sites géographiques que l’on retrouve lors de ce voyage. Gardez- les en mémoire car nous en reparlerons après le vidéo. Avez-vous reconnu certains lieux importants? Est-ce que certains lieux vous rappelle d’un endroit que vous avez déjà visité?

Click here for the Ted Ed video.

On a side note, I think it would be an idea to also take a virtual tour of Canada using Google Earth.

Google Form

This google form I would use at the beginning of the year when I am setting up parent volunteers for the year.

Google Docs

I would use this google docs on my blog to remind parents of an upcoming field trip.

Click here to view my Google docs example.

Google Slideshow

I would use this with our Canada project.  I would present this before the students choose a province/territory to research.  This would give them a close look at the provinces/territories.
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Reading 8-Collaborative Projects

This article offered lots to think about.  Skillen poses the question,"so how do you facilitate meaningful constructive conversations in your classroom?"  Important question but I would say not an easy task, at least not at my grade level.  First of all, getting teams to function well together can be challenging.  I have found the most success in a more structured approach by having the students take on a role within the group.  I like the idea of the students responding on-line as the students have the opportunity to respond at their leisure and with no time restraints.  I actually found Skillen's article on Scaffolding for Deeper Understanding more useful, at least for younger students,  as it offers practical suggestions (planning, reflection,comment and discussion starters) to encourage meaningful conversations amongst students.

I would post this livebinder on my blog for parents.  I have included, what I think, are useful links to support their child's learning as well as useful info about the French Immersion programme.  I tried to include links to some of the questions I am often asked.  I like the idea of telling parents to check my blog for useful links instead of having to tell them I will get back to them.

Livebinder example

Grade 3 F.I.

Reading 7- Content curation

To be quite honest, I wasn’t sure what content curation meant before reading the article.  I realize it goes beyond just collecting information randomly.  It seems to involve more of evaluating the information for its relevance.  In the graphic organizer, White describes content curation as “cherry-picking” reading, meeting a learning goal, etc.. Don’t most of us do these already?  I think the one thing that is missing is the publishing which seems to be a big part of content curation.  I do agree there are many benefits to sharing with a wider audience.  You’re learning, they're learning.  I can however, sympathize with the one woman who ask the teacher if she could curate resources just as part of her Moodle course.  It can be uncomfortable putting yourself out there for the whole world to see.  

I really liked the idea of students as content curators.  Giving students the opportunity to “take ownership of their learning”  would keep them motivated and actively engaged in the learning.   

Podcasting example

I decided to do a cooking lesson for my podcast which I would post on my class blog.  I have very involved parents so I thought this would be something fun and educational they could do at home with their child.  I might even get a few samples to taste test!!  Perhaps other class members might enjoy doing their own podcast and sharing their favourite recipes in French, too.

listen to ‘Cooking lesson’ on Audioboo

Reading 6- Podcasting

Some things I like about podcasting is the fact that students become “content producers” rather than“ content consumers”; they are actively engaged in the learning; they are practicing their speaking skills and it allows you to showcase for parents what you are doing in the class without having to invite them in.

Realistically though, I am not sure how successful I would be in implementing this in the class.  It seems like it would take an awful lot of time and I am not sure how manageable it would be with a class full of 8 /9 year olds. 

How I think I would perhaps try a podcast is with their speeches they write for a mini Concours d’Art Oratoire (as this is a school-wide event already in place.) They would need to be short, simple and done individually.  I also like Coley’s idea of incorporating lots of questions to engage the listener.  I could perhaps put this on my blog for parents?  Not sure.  I often have quite a wide range of reading ability levels.  I know some would still struggle with lots of practice and coaching.  I am not sure I want to broadcast this on my blog?  I do think it is possible but it would require some thought as to how to best proceed. 

Bookr Sample

I would use this bookr sample to introduce my Structures unit. I would have the students identify the natural and man-made structures along with looking for geometric forms (such as domes, arches, pyramids,etc..) in the structures. I would then have the students, if possible, make their own books looking for natural and man-made structures.

Reading 5- On-line translators

I think on-line translators can be a useful tool when the student has a clear understanding of how to use them and he/she puts an effort into finding the correct words in the right context.     While on-line translators are not something that comes up with my Grade 3 students, I do have a program that teaches them dictionary skills(starting with reviewing the order of the alphabet).  Some of them are able to understand parts of speech and do go on to use the French-English dictionary successfully.

I think however, it is important to not overly encourage on-line translators.  You want the students thinking in the target language and not spending their time looking up word by word the sentence they wish to express.  As for the lessons on using on-line translators, I found them confusing.  Perhaps this is due to the fact I have little experience with them.  I would be inclined, if there is a need,  to show my students an example of a text that has been badly translated(from French to English), share some tips on how to use on-line translators and then give them time and support in class to practice.  

Ebook example

I chose this particular book as I think it would work well with my structures unit.  I would have students look for examples of natural and man-made structures while reading the story  together.  I would also have them look at the house the dog made and discuss whether it was a solid structure or not.  What could the dog have done to make the structure more solid?  One of the activities in our structures unit is drawing a house on a desert island so I think this would tie in well.