I learned something NEW today!!!

When teaching in a classroom, whether it is a school classroom, a Sunday School class, or even if you are a homeschooler, it is important to remember to use VARIETY when teaching. Kids learn so much more and so much better when we use different methods and madness!! In my teaching class today I was given lots of helpful information from my very wise instructor about resources that can help teachers add lots of variety to their lessons. If you have any kind of access to the internet these resources are right at your fingertips!! Go ahead and check them out! Don't be afraid to try something new and exciting! Your kids will love it and you just might learn something too!!

Education-world.com = Contains Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Interactive Activities

Nationalzoo.com = Cool stuff about animals! Live web cams! Links to sites! Great fun!!(Wouldn't that be fun to show your kids some live lions when you teach about Daniel from the Bible or if you were covering lions in science lesson??)

Encyclomedia.com = Well, its kinda like an encyclopedia...but of video clips on anything & everything!

worldofteaching.com = Free powerpoint presentations on subjects!! How cool is that? Just download and awe your kids with colorful fun visuals!

Well these are just a few things...how exciting to be able to learn about them and be able to implement them into our teaching. Don't be boring or mundane...encourage learning, interaction and thinking by creating lessons that captivate and inspire!

Digital Cameras~Creative Learning

I don’t know about you, but I love taking pictures! They can express so much and are a special way to preserve our memories. Whoever thought of using digital cameras in the classroom was a genius! How inspiring it must be for children and families to be able to look back and see what has been captured in the classroom through pictures.
I am going to share some of my most favorite uses for digital cameras in the classroom that I have learned from my classes and educational conferences. I hope they will inspire you to TAKE PICTURES and to be creative in your use of them to motivate, inspire and even challenge your students to look at their world in a whole new way!

1. At the beginning of the year take a picture of all of your students. Then print off and laminate their pictures and make a book of your students. You could always include their names and fun graphics if you wanted to. The kids love to see themselves in books!

2. Document your year in your classroom and then at the end of the year put together a power-point presentation or a DVD to show and then give to the parents and families of your students.

3. Have the children take turns taking pictures of whatever they want… things they like, their favorite toys, books, flowers etc. Then print off the pictures, laminate them and then help your students write a story or captions for their photos. Compile it all into a book that they have created! (You could also have your students do this for a specific subject for a project…create a book on different cloud formations etc. You can adapt this project for more advanced grades as well.)

4. Have your student’s document something in creation…the turning of the leaves, a stormy day, a cocoon, the growth of a plant, etc. Help them create a presentation with their documentation.

5. Take pictures of student’s projects and artwork to publish on a blog or web page. Family, and especially proud grandparents, love to see what their children are doing.

6. Take pictures on field trips! Document your day and publish it and what you learned through a blog, web page or simply a presentation you put together.

7. Plan a photo scavenger hunt in your classroom or throughout your school. Have students look for objects related to a specific topic or subject being discussed.

8. For younger students, make book with them. Let them take pictures of a certain color and create “Blue Book”. Create a number book using objects around your room.

9. Use photos in art projects!! Create frames and then place the children’s photo in them. There are endless possibilities for this one! Be creative!! Let your kids tell you what they would want to create.

10. Create an alphabet wall mural by having the children choose a letter. Then let them take a picture of something that begins with that letter. Print off your pictures and hang them on your wall!!

The integration of technology is becoming increasingly important in our classrooms. Students must become more and more proficient in their navigation of the technological world. Using cameras is a fun and easy way to get your students familiar with another piece of technology. With using cameras comes the opportunity to incorporate creating power-points, video presentations, uploading and managing photos and organizing and categorizing; as age allows, let your student be a part of every learning opportunity that can come with a simple digital camera!

I LOVE technology!!

When I look at all the technology standards that are to be integrated with content standards it seems like alot to tackle (especially for a kindergarten class!). I do recognize however, that the sooner these skills are introduced and practiced in the classroom, the more the student will benefit from them.

Obviously the only way it would work for my class would be to have access to computers or a computer lab! Then incorporating manipulatives, the use of visual field trips, fun games and many other resources would be a creative way to enhance the lessons I am teaching and also meet the needs for teaching basic technology skills. In my lesson planning I will always look for ways to incorporate technology. There are endless possibilities! Lots of times kids are way ahead of the game when it comes to computers and the use of basic skills but there are always those children who have not had the same opportunities and they need to be taught.

Usually kids are fast learners so I don't think that any of the skills are too advanced. I know of two little boys (around 4 and 6) whose Grandpa helped them set up their own web sites! They put what they wanted on them and with Grandpa's help managed them! Time and resources will always be the key issue but I do feel that the kids are up for the challenge. I am excited at the possibilities that technology opens for teachers and students. With care and wisdom, technology can be used to enhance our learning and teaching. As in all things, even standards and technology can bring glory to our great God!