Love the IPad

I have truly enjoyed this class, because I really felt like I didn't know very much about all of the new technology, especially with the IPad.  The IPad class was by far my favorite night of classes, and I have tried to use many of the ideas that I learned about that night.  I hope to continue growing my knowledge of the IPad and using it daily in my classroom with my students. 

Kids love technology

Since beginning this technology course, I feel like I have learned so much.  I have become more confident in using some of the new technology we now have at school.  I have been using some great apps on the ipad, and the kids really enjoy them.  They ask every day, "can we write our story on the ipad?" One of these I am using as my presentation for class to show what they have learned.  After reading about what our students will be doing in years to come, I don't know how any teacher cannot be using all of the new technology that is available to them.

Christmas

We had our Christmas party at school and we tried a different idea with our student gifts.  In years past, I asked all students to send in a $5 gift to swap.  Every year without fail, I would have one child who was upset with their gift and made sure to say something about it.  I don't know about you, but I always enjoy seeing someone open a gift that I gave them and really love it.  I know kids feel the same way and they noticed whether or not someone was playing with what they brought.  This year we "stuffed a stocking"  or in our case a Christmas gift bag.  Each child could bring in a small item for each student and they got to put it in the bag.  The bags ended up being very full with lots of little toys of which the kids loved.  They had the best time playing with what they received and not one child complained.  We will be doing this again next year!

Cards for Katie

My class has been busy doing a service project.  We heard about a little10 year old girl who has cancer for the 3rd time and the Make a Wish Foundation is trying to help make her wish come true.  All she is asking for is cards for Christmas.  They are trying to collect as many cards for her to make her wish come true.  My class was so sweet to make cards for her and to write encouraging words.  They really enjoyed participating in this project.  It was nice to see them doing something for someone who is not as fortunate as themselves. 

We finally had some of our plants sprout.  Those that planted the marvel pea had the most success.   Everyday when they came to school, they spent the first few minutes going around the room examining everyone's plant with "OOHH!  and AAHH! over the growth that happened over night.   Since about half the class still had not seen anything grow, they have tried again with a different seed.  Hopefully, this time everyone will be able to witness a plant grow.  It really is rewarding to see how excited the students get over their own success and the success of others. 

Well, the kids are excited.! Our guppies and pond snails arrived yesterday and have found their new homes in the aqauriums on the student's desks, (no spills yet!).  Each group has a few male and female guppies in their tanks.  This morning, several kids were just sure they had babies born during the night, just because the guppies are so small.  I have to remind them, that those were the same guppies, no new ones yet.  Hopefully during the course of this unit we will get to see the life cycle. :) 

We have started a new unit in Science:  organisms .  The kids were able to make a terrarium last week.  So far they have planted a tree seedling and moss.  We are learning that while all plants need water, you can lovingly give them way too much.  We are waiting on the arrival of our millipedes and bess beetles.  I have heard the millipede are escape artists, so I'm hoping I don't find one in my purse one afternoon!