Thing #6 - youtube

The youtube video that I have chosen is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yygIwC3PSvk

The video is on "Power Teaching in the Classroom".  This video I would use for Kindergarten teachers for how you can manage and use hand signals to manage student behavior and learn rules.  This would be great to share with all Kindergarten teachers and to view the other videos by this author about "Whole Brain Teaching: Kindergarten". 

Thing #11 - Learn from Video

The video is called 50 states and capitals.  It is a cartoon that sings the names and locates the states and capitals.  This would be good to use in the 3^rd grade when they have to learn to locate and name the states and capitals.  This could also be introduced in the 2^nd grade and to reinforce the location and names of states and capitals in the 4^th grade.

SS.S.3.4 Geography	Students will interpret and choose maps, globes and other geographic tools to categorize and organize information about personal directions, people, places and environments (The World in Spatial Terms). examine the physical and human characteristics of place and explain how the lives of people are rooted in places and regions (Places and Regions). analyze the physical processes that shape the earth’s surface and create, sustain and modify the cultural and natural environment (Physical Systems). analyze and illustrate how the earth is shaped by the movement of people and their activities (Human Systems). analyze the interaction of society with the environment (Environment and Society). point out geographic perspective and the tools and assess techniques available for geographic study (Uses of Geography).
SS.O.3.4.4          name and locate states and capitals                                  of the United States.

Thing #19 - Skype

I found a really neat project that you could use Skype for in your classroom or any classroom in your school if this were to happen.  If you were to have someone out on a medical emergency (cancer, broken leg, out of school for lengthy period of time) you could use Skype to include them in the classroom.  This would allow the student to keep up with studies and still feel a  part of the class upon returning to the classroom.  I thought this was an inspirational way to use Skype in the classroom.

Thing #18 - Acceptable Use Policies

Our acceptable use policy was last updated on June 2, 2008.  I do not feel that this document would be considered current due to the everchanging technology world we live in.  It does not discuss or contain a policy on the use of Web 2.0 tools.  Our schools maintain records by the students signing the AUP's at the beginning of the year.  Our technology person keeps a record of who turns them in.  She then will create a username, password and folder for them to use during the year.  If they do not have access to these, then they have not turned in their AUP for the year.  If the student has not turned in their AUP and an internet project is due, that student (this is from my experience) would be partnered up with another student to do a team project.  I would also call and discuss this situation with the parents of the student and tell them how important it was for the AUP to be signed and turned back in.  If the parent still did not want to sign, other forms of research criteria would need to be used by the student.  These might include encyclopedias, magazines, current maps, etc. 
http://boe.faye.k12.wv.us/other/policy/Policies/D-14.pdf

Thing #17 - Twitter in the Classroom

This is one way I would use Twitter in the classroom.  This ideas is for teacher and not for students but a very practical idea for us to use. 

Teachers could use Twitter to collaborate.  They could exchange ideas and teaching tolls.  You could use a hashtag to connect on Twitter.  This could give you access to links, tweets from other teachers and educators from not just your school but from all over your state or even the world.

Thing #13 - Mid-Module Reflection

I feel that I am posting this as a mid-module reflection but I don't know if I am in the middle or not.  I feel a little overwhelmed with all that is to be done and getting to the end.  I know I can get there, it just seems neverending.  I enjoy seeing the work of other TIS's and reading what they are finding.  It is giving me ideas that I can use in my classroom and with the teachers that I work with. 

Thing #8 - Reflection on classmate Blog post

Here is the comment I posted to Craig Farnsworth blog about his podcast on the Civil War.