Final Reflection

I have enjoyed learning and using a blog for this class.  I have mentioned several times that I will likely use this to communicate with parents.  Our school websites were disabled by accident and I miss being able to use it as an avenue to post general information, share picture, homework, etc.  As a 1st grade teacher, I don't see a lot of value for my own students, though it is not wise to underestimate my young learners.  Every Wednesday we have the use of our school COW (computer on wheels).  Every student has a MacBook---the possibilities are endless.  They really are amazing!!!

This class was great for me.  I appreciate the flexibility I have had!!  It has been a lot of fun to experiment without extreme pressure of deadlines, etc.

Whole Brain Teaching: Kindergarten (Expanded!)

Bye Twitter Updates and Blog Articles

I removed a couple of gadgets that I believe were cluttering my space.  I changed my background design and really like the orange.  I needed a change.

I have read a couple of articles with regard to blogging.  The first one was taken form the International Reading Association.  It is called, HOT Blogging:  A Framework for Blogging to Promote Higher Order Thinking.  It talked a lot about supporting literacy programs in alternative ways.  What a great method.  Students need the experience with technology and here literacy skills are promoted.  Students develop internet communication skills bridging the gap between in-school and out-of-school literacies.  Not bad.

The second article I found was published be the National Council of Teachers of English.  This one is entitled, New Voices:  Linkin' (B)logs:  A New Literacy of Hyperlinks.  Hyperlinks creates ease moving from one page to another.  Which reminds me, I have not successfully added the RSS feed to my blog.  I can't quite rap my head around this yet, but I am working at it.

As for blogging in my 1st grade teacher world, I see it more as a parent communication tool rather than and educations tool.  However, for older students, I see the benefits of using blogs to promote learning.  In my case, I believe that this mode also promotes learning, just in a very different kind of way.  My mode is more of a way to assist with the home connection--which is very important and lends itself to all kinds of opportunities.

Life Moves Fast

This term has been quite a challenge for me.  It just seemed to snowball.  Fortunately, I have understanding people in my life who have offered me flexibility.  Whew!  As I attempt to catch up I have still been working at adding a counter as a gadget to my blog.  So far, not so good, but I am still trying.  I still really like the idea of using a blog to communicate with my classroom families.  I haven't done anything yet, but I plan to!

Blogging

Blogging has been great!  I think I am going to create a blog for my class and share it with parents.  I really like how you can get information out there quick and with very little effort.  I have come across some other teacher blogs that I am enjoying.  Here is one...

http://elementaryteacherblog.blogspot.com/

New Journals

These are our new journals.  

We are ready to write and we are working very hard to use

 punctuation, spaces between words, and spelling high frequency words!  

Blogging

I am really having fun with this class.  I wish I had more time to play, but perhaps I will over the three-day weekend.  I am getting so many ideas from others and am also hoping I am keeping up with the class requirements.  Happy Blogging!