After viewing all the different websites listed in Free Web Resources, the two sites that I would consider using in my first grade classroom were, “The Literacy Web at Uconn” and “National Library of Virtual Manipulatives”. I really liked that both the web sites were specifically organized around the grade level that you teach, for example Pre-K-2. Each website is tailored to one specific content area, reading or math. According to the NETS-T Standard 2 “teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes” (ISTE NETS, 2008). I am always looking for websites for my students to explore and use during our computer lab time. Since I do teach five and six year olds, I also wanted to find sites that my students could easily access and manipulate on their own, whether at school or at home.
I found that the “The Literacy Web” offered a lot of valuable information and resources. This site offers easy access to a wide assortment of literacy ideas customized for use by students and teachers in the primary grades (2007). Through this homepage, students can visit websites appropriate for their grade level, visit other K-2 classrooms around the world, and even learn more about their favorite books and authors. I would specifically use this website when conducting an author study. The authors listed on this website are age appropriate, and authors that my students have been exposed to. When conducting an author study on Robert Munsch, I would first use this website to gain information about the author to share with my students, and then I would have the students explore his website individually, by looking through his books as well as listening to stories read by the author himself, http://robertmunsch.com/books. Most of the sites provide interactive games for students to use, while learning about a particular author’s books.
I really liked the “National Library of Virtual Manipulatives” because it provides interactive games for students to complete on their own. It also covers a wide variety of important math topics that first grade students will be exposed to throughout the year. The site is very kid friendly and applicable to all students. The topics vary, so this could site could be easily be differentiated based on the needs of the student. I would use this website in my classroom when I take my class to the computer lab. I would use the skill that I am currently teaching at the time and have my students complete the activities on that topic, for further reinforcement. For example, my students are currently exploring the number line in order to solve addition equations. I would have them all visit this site to get additional support. I am always looking for free math sites for my students to access at school, and would love to share this site with parents so that they too can have their children practice at home.
References
The ISTE Nets and Performance Indicators for Teachers (2008). Retrieved from http://www.itse.org
The Literacy Web at the University of Connecticut (2007). Retrieved from www.literacy.uconn.edu/index.htm.
After reading Carolyn's blog regarding internet sites, I would whole heartedly agree with her and her assessment about The Literacy Web at Uconn. She stated that the website was designed around specific grade levels and activities that can be tailored to fit one's objectives. I have found some material on Macbeth,Poe, Lord of the Flies and other texts I use within my curriculum. I was also impressed with how she was going to use the technology with her students. As a fellow teacher in the same district (Hamden)we are all required to foster speciifc skills as teachers and in our students. Her intention to utilize specific areas of the web sites focuses on the goal in standard #2, "Designing developing and evaulating authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources." As well as goal #3, "Teachers exhibiting knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and didgital society".(ISTE NETS, 2008). I am thrilled to have her in my district because this will guarantee that at least some of the students will arrive at the high school in a few years with the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in an ever changing world.
ReplyDeleteThe website I found within the Literacy Web at Uconn was the following:
http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/shakespeares-macbeth-fear-and-motives-evil
I plan on utilizing the lesson on fear because we have been discussing Macbeth's downward psychological spiral and his mounting paranoia. Along with character development, we also focus on literary elements which are also focused on in this close reading of Act III, scene iv.
A clip of the scene will follow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk5BtMgTW7c&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1
The Robert Munsch link is fantastic! How novel! Such a site is helpful in so many ways. I wish there were more sites like this. I couldn't tell one thing from the site; do we need to have copies of the book, or do all pages appear on screen as the author is reading? It looks as though this is only audio. Still, it is helpful to bring another voice, literally, into the classroom. Fascinating! Thanks for linking us there.
ReplyDeleteAs I am thinking of all the ways one would use such a site, I can't help thinking of how this format could be used to create a classroom project. Perhaps over a week's time the teacher could show students how to create their own narrated video/audio file with their favorite books. This could then be extended to other subjects, integrating the use of technology with other academic skills such as "how to" writing, word problem solving, history reenactment, etc.