Technology Training

Today the K-2 teachers in our building our in technology training. We are currently going over the Michigan Education Technology Standards for those grade levels.

Examples of second grade tech standards:

• Student identifies technology related tools. (e.g., computers, cameras, audio/video players, phones, televisions)
• Student understands that technology is a source of information, learning, and entertainment.
• Student understands that people use many types of technology in their daily lives (e.g., computers, cameras, audio/video players, phones, televisions)
• Student discusses the functions of the major hardware components in a computer system.
• Student identifies common uses of information and communication technologies.
• Student recognizes the functions of basic file menu commands; new, close, open, save, and print.
• Student discusses the consequences of irresponsible use of technology resources at home and school.
• Student recognizes a web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer) and can use it to access resources on the Internet
• Student interprets simple information from existing age-appropriate electronic databases (e.g., dictionaries, encyclopedias, spreadsheets, charts, graphs) with assistance from teachers, parents, or student partners.

Good idea: Have a conversation with your students about what you want to do, and what some of the possible programs to complete the task would be. (Engage students in that discussion so they can practice those problem solving skills. ("I have to do this- what would be the best thing to use to do it?) Student recognizes the best type of productivity software to use for a certain age-appropriate tasks. (e.g. word processing, drawing, web browsing)

Give students time to practice using the spell checker.

Giving credit to sources that you find on the internet and use in your own work- even photographs that you cut and paste.

Typing- getting kids to use the home row- this is a challenge! They have already been using the computer at home (at least many of them have) and have a tough time switchin how they type.

Some cool websites for resources:

MDE- Integrated lesson plans aligned to MI GLECs and framework and METS-
Scroll down the page to the RED title “Technology Enhanced Lesson Plans”
2005 workshop http://techplan.edzone.net/ci2005/

2006 workshop http://techplan.edzone.net/ci2006/

Internet4Classrooms- subject and grade level resources, integrated lesson plans—great place for K and Pre-K
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/k12links.htm

Rubric creator- pre-made categories and criteria. Can be copied and pasted to Word for further customizing.
http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/

Rubistar—online rubric creator-select from variety rubrics-categories can be chosen and criteria is pre-made but can easily be customized.
http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php

Christmas

Christmas is quickly approaching! It's hard to believe that we only have four days of school until break! (And yet, at the same time, not so hard to believe!)

Giving Thanks

With Thanksgiving this past week, I've been thinking of the many many things that I have to be thankful for. Here is a list of many of them, some serious, and some a little more light-hearted! I'm thankful for...
A God that loves me and wants to know me and for me to know him...
A God that loves me enough to provide a way for me to spend eternity with him, even though it cost greatly, and I don't deserve it.
A loving and thoughtful husband who is my best friend in the world.
Two wonderful brothers who are intelligent, kind, and love the Lord.
That God allowed our apartment and almost everything in it to be destroyed in a fire so that I could learn that I don't need anything outside of Him to be happy.
A church family that has been a blessing beyond anything I would ever have expected or imagined.
Many, many, wonderful friends.
A great dad who was super strict- which I will forever be grateful for.
The twenty-seven years I got to spend with my mom who stayed home to care for us, who encouraged me to do my best always, and was there for me no matter what.
A college education at a great school.
A job that I enjoy and where I am able to impact the lives of others.
A church with two pastors who are committed to preaching ALL of the Bible- not just the parts that make everyone feel good or are politically correct.
My Bible and the incredible truths it contains. It has every bit of advice and guidance I will ever need.
Many great students who have taught/teach ME every day!
My grandmother (dad's mom) who encouraged me in the Lord from a very young age.
My grandmother (mom's mom) who is incredibly supportive and one of the classiest people I know!
Aaron's family!
My health.
A beautiful place to live that I can use to minister to others and glorify God.
A great dog that makes me smile on a daily basis, and who is there to "lick" away the tears if ever they fall.
Patent leather shoes.
Sunshine and summer and all of the beauty in nature.
Whoever it is that invited dishwashers and washing machines and dryers, and that I finally have them! (With no collecting quarters required!)
Our cozy fireplace that makes grading papers and writing lesson plans at home a little more enjoyable.
My job at Ann Taylor with its flexiblilty and the change of pace it gives me, along with all of the girls I work with there!
English tea with cream and sugar.
Being a citizen of the United States where I have more freedom than I would in any other nation in the world.
Warm gloves and scarves!
Trees that blossom in the spring.
Italian food. Especially at great Italian restaurants.
Strawberries and blueberries.
Classical music.
Down comforters.
Cloudless summer nights, particularly up north, where I can look at the stars.
The many great books I have read.
God's provision for all of my basic necessities.

Officially Moved!

We are officially moved into our new home! There is still some unpacking and quite a bit of work to do, but I'm so glad to be getting settled in! Here are some photos of the latest progress.

Getting Closer!

Move-in day is quickly approaching! We have final inspections this week. Here is some of the current progress:

Kitchen Countertops

The house is really getting close to completion! Yesterday, they put in the kitchen countertops, and there is actually a funny story to go with them too!

Yesterday morning, I stopped at the house to do a little cleaning. I only stayed about an hour, and then had to leave to walk Sasha and take care of some other things. Now, when I chose the color for the countertops, I had narrowed it down to two choices. One was a black with some tan and white in it, and the other was a tan with some black and white in it. I was really having a hard time deciding which one I wanted, but I ended up going with the tan. While I was at the house, I was looking around the kitchen, and realized that now that I could see everything all together, that I thought the black would actually look better. I almost called our contractor to ask him if it was too late to change the color. I didn't because I knew that it had to be too late, and went on my way. Later that evening, Aaron and I stopped at the house again so he could see the updates. It really had been too late to change the color, because the countertops were in. The amazing part- they were the black countertops instead of the tan!

I have no idea if I wrote down the wrong color or if the building supply company ordered the wrong one, but thankfully it doesn't matter. Aaron told our builder at church this morning that it was the wrong one, and he totally thought it might be his fault and said they would take them out and put the correct color in at no cost. Aaron then of course told him that I love the color, and had actually decided before seeing what happened that I wanted the black.

We have black handles to put on the cabinets, which I think will really tie everything together. I am loving the kitchen!

Flooring and Open House!

Yesterday they started to put down some of the laminate flooring in the kitchen, dining area, and entryway. I really like it! It was hard to tell exactly what it would look like with the small samples at the flooring shop, but I do think that I made the right choice!

This evening we had open house at school, and I was able to meet 16 out of my 20 students! I really enjoyed talking to them and their families, and am looking forward to the start of the school year.