Cynthia+W

Day 1 Morning What a fun day! We are moving forward in the classs-lots of problems but no one is stresses out. We learn more about what we are going to be doing. What are my feelings about video games? I love anything that uses a computer. I have been using video games with my grandchidlren since they were 1 and in my math class I use studyisland for revview and practce of math skills. The students are always engaged when they are hooked to a computer. I am looking forward to working on a game related to the materials that I find my students struggle wih. I am sure that the students will be engaged and will enjoy the learning. I have watched my weaker students gian much from using studyisland and I feel this will be even better. The students of today are use to using computers and I feel it fits their learning style. It is the classroom of tomorrow. I cannot wait until al my students have thier own laptop. Cynthia

Afternoon I am here to learn how to create the games for my students becasue I feel this will be a great tool to use in my class. The computer is a great tool and to be able to create activites for the sixth grade math is ver exciting to me. I cannot believe that I am getting paid for this and that I am getting a computer. I would have paid someone to teach me how to do this. Don't get me wrong-I do not want to return any of the money or the computer. I am excited about learning how to bring a new tool to my class. I do not have any concerns right now. There are so many people who are here to help me that I feel there is no way I can fail. I am here and enjoying it.

The end of the day!

Shutdown/power off

Today has been a good day. I am wondering about the story part of the program. I do not have a good idea of what I can do. I have the math objectives so tonight I will think more about the story. The people here are very patient with us. I am looking forward totrying the games tomorrow and seeing what they will do. I am excited to be learning a new skills.

Day 2

How do you use technology in your classroom?

I use it to start the day with a little music or a joke on the screen. I use the computer and projector to do powerpoint presentations of my lessons. I also go to interactive web sites or other sites that help the students with the lesson. I also use the program accelerated math that gives my student individual practice with math. The students use the computer to sscan their work. It keeps a runing total of the objectives that they have mastered. We go to the lab and use a program called studyisland that has the students do math problems in game mode. We use classcape totewt thier masterery of the math objectives.I love using technolgoy in my classroom. It always gets the students hooked. I I just gotten a smartboard to use with my math lessons. I also download videos from unitedstreamiong to add to my lessons.

Mid Day

The technology I use helps by students becasue they areimmediately engaged in the lessons. When they are practicing math and using the computer to do that they do not seem to mind how many questions they have. They are always eager to work on the computer wheather it is practice with game mode or a test. I know this because I have had days when the technolgoy was not working and the lessons are never as much fun and the students are never as attentive.

shut-down/ power off

Busy day today-lots of new information and lots of time to get help. I am heading to the beach next week and hope thqt I can retain this until I get back. I am learning more and I can see that it is going to take some time. The help has been great.

Day 3 Morning-Describe your teaching I plan with the other 6th grade math teachers and I usually have more planned than we get done in a days time. I try to start the day off with somethin to hook the students and get them started thinking about math. I use the computer to get the students interested in the subject. I try to find games that teach the skill and I try to make sure that every child is successful at something each day. I try to have the students explain how to do the math but I still feel that I do a lot of the talking in my class. I model the lesson on the overhead and then make sure they understand before they do any independant work. I teach with my students in mind and I want to make sure they feel that I care about their learning and that math is important to them. There is no down time in my class. We always have an activity to go to. My teaching is more of me hlpeong thna me giving instructions. I look for new ideas and new ways to teach my subject. I am willing to try anything if I think it will help my students

Mid Day

My students learn best in all different ways. I find that they must see it, talk about it and practice it in order for it to become their own. I think that when I add technolgoy to the mix it hooks them and engages. I keep trying to find the way mey students learn but I do know it has to be interactive or there is no results.

Shut Down Power off

I learned to add sound and to find neat sound but computer kept shutting off so I am at a high level of fructions. I hope things will go better tomorrow. I must remeber this is a new program and new experiences.

Day 4

What do you do well when you conneecting with your students? Do you have any concerns about connecting with your students?

Connecting with the students is the only way I can get the students to work for me. I find that by listening, laughing with and being positive I can connect with the students. Also I find that being consistant and fair with all the students builds the relationships that I need to have a successful classroom. Always at the beinning of the year I have to work to connect with the students. We have studnets from 4 different schools coming together and we have to work at connecting with each other and with me. No I do not have any concerns.

Mid Day

Video games interest students and it is a path to use to reach them. I feel they will be excited about the game even if they have to do math to make it work. The students will be learning without even knowing it.

Shut Down Power Off

Another fun day. I am feeling better about doing this although most of the day I have been crashing. Wendi and I worked together and got smoe saction on her new computer. I will get mine tomorrwo. I have already set up the wirelss at my house and I am ready to go.

Day 5

Because kids are always hooked on video games I think they will be engaged in this game. I think that because I created the game the students will connect to it becasue they will want to see what I have done.

Mid-day

What other technolgoy or support do you wish you could have with is project. I do not know. We have had all we could use here but what am I going to do when you go away? I think that with the other teachers in the program and your e-mail address we will do just fine. Thanks so much for the help amd a very pleasant learning enviroment.