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!