I'm *finally* back!

Hey y'all! I'm finally back! The end of the quarter is always so hectic! Not to mention we haven't had internet at home (thanks Time Warner Cable!)! Alright, I'm going to talk about my lessons for kindergarten this past quarter.
Day 1 - I went over the rules of my classroom. We identified basic computer parts (monitor, headphones, mouse, keyboard). I showed the kids our class website (where I have various links they can go to when given free time, or at home). We also practiced logging on and off with our lunch numbers. This definitely took some time, and running around on my part, but I really feel like this was great for the kindergarteners. They got to practice their numbers, and felt great about themselves being able to log on and off on their first day in computers!

Day 2 - I reviewed the rules for the classroom.Next, I did the first few slides of the How the Web Works Prezi I created to introduce them to some basics of the Web. After the first 3 slides, we went back to our computers and played some games to practice using our mice, Mousing Around.

Day 3 - We finished our "How the Web Works" Prezi and continued working on the Mousing Around website.

Day 4 - I found another website to practice using our mice. It's not as "fun" as Mousing Around, but I feel like it's a better place to start, so I actually had my track 4 kindergarten classes (since they come in later) start with this website: Mouse Program.

Day 5 - Today, I introduced my kindergarteners to KidPix. I showed them each tool and how they all work, and then had them go back to their computers and experiment with the tools, colors, etc.

Day 6 - Today, I had the kids draw me a picture of whatever "Summer" means to them. They could use backgrounds, stickers, stamps, etc. When they showed me their "summer" picture, they were able to draw whatever they'd like.

Day 7 - Today, I had the kids draw me a picture of what they like to do for fun. I then went around and helped them type one word that had to do with their drawing and had them print it to take them home.

Organization

Moving from 4th grade to the technology position, I realized it was going to take some thought about how I was going to organize my lessons, seating charts, etc. I decided to make binders for each grade level, and keep index card boxes for each grade level with their students' login information (because students forget their login information often).

 I got colorful dividers with pockets to divide classes. At the front, I have the seating chart for each class in a plastic cover. Behind each seating chart are any allergy/medical information, along with any contact information for each student.

 

I got index card boxes to hold each student's login information. Since I'm only 10 months at our year-round school, I track out about once a month or so for a week, and the teachers then go to the computer lab with their class. I have these index cards for the teachers and students to use when they forget their login numbers.

 Within each index box, each class is rubber banded together, and is written in the color of whatever track they're on. Each student has their teacher's name on the back in case their card gets separated from their class.

 Although I write my lesson plans on the computer each week, I record what we actually accomplished in my lesson plan book at the end of each class time. I also keep track of their behavior letter at the bottom. Once a week, I write each class' letter on their chart. I will have to share my behavior log next time, because it doesn't look like it's on my memory stick I have at home.
I hope this helps with some organization ideas! :)

Where to begin?

That was the first question I asked myself when I told my principal that I would love to take the job as the technology teacher. Although we have objectives for technology curriculum, we don't really have a set curriculum for our school that lays out what we want each grade level to be able to accomplish. That was the first thing I had to start thinking of. Coming from 4th grade, working with the little ones made me a little hesitant. I'm so used to giving my 4th graders instructions, and then sending them off to explore and do with me to help facilitate discussions, projects, ask questions, etc. I really did not know what to expect from kindergarteners or first graders. To tell the truth, I got this image of little children surrounding me, tugging on my shirt and repeating my name over and over and over and over. Now, yes, that's similar to what I've experienced, but before I began, I really thought of these kindergarteners as babies. They don't know how to do anything. They can't read (well some can - at least some words), they're still working on their fine motor skills (which are needed to operate your mouse and such), they don't even know "basic school etiquette" of raising your hand and waiting for the teacher to come to you (or whatever procedure the classroom teacher decides to use) because they've never quite been in an environment such as the one they are in now. Although I was a little nervous of first graders as well, I kept telling myself I could handle 1-5, it was just kindergarten that really gave me nervous butterflies. However, I sat down and decided that I needed to definitely have goals to work towards for each grade level, and I would learn how to accommodate for each grade level as I went along.  I created a newsletter and sent it home with each student so their parents would be aware of the expectations based on their son/daughter's grade level. I called it The Computer Column. I had a front page that told the parents a little bit about myself and how they can connect to our school from our school website. Alright, I'm going to sign off for now. Hope those expectations help some of you or give you ideas for your own! :)

Let's Try This Again...

So, I tried starting a blog earlier this year, and I just couldn't keep up with it. I feel like part of it was that I was just so busy working in the classroom (how ANY teacher keeps up with their blog, is BEYOND me!), but also I wasn't really feeling like I had much to contribute because I wasn't creating much that I thought people would be interested. Fast forward a few months...I am now a technology teacher. So, while I still work in the classroom, it's not quite the same types of pressure. Plus, I am now creating new lesson plans and content to teach.Hopefully I'll be able to share more because I'll have more *free* time, and I'm creating new content.
I've never taught technology before, but it's definitely a passion of mine. I'm having a blast sharing that passion with all of my K-5 students! I must say, it is a very different teaching kindergarteners versus 4th graders! It has definitely given me a new appreciation for kindergarten teachers. However, those kindergarteners are super fun and enthusiastic! I'm really enjoying learning about each grade level and how their brains work and what they're passionate about!
My goal here is to talk through my lesson plans that I do with the kids, and post any presentation, project, etc. that I have my kids participate in, etc. If you are also a technology teacher, or have any technology ideas, please don't hesitate to comment!! I love hearing different ideas!! I hope the information I DO put on here is at least helpful/inspiring to some!