Pinterest in my Classroom

Pinterest can be used in unique and imaginative ways. As teachers we can use Pinterest as a tool to help our students learn about limitless topics. Social media is a wonderful way for students to gain useful knowledge in and out of our classrooms. Pinterest gives students and educators the opportunity to use the internet to their advantage for educational purposes. Pinterest allows students or educators to pin pictures of websites that they like on their personal customized boards.

I can use Pinterest with my students as a way for them to do homework on a specific topic. Pinterest can save time in the classroom by having all their information contained on that customized board. I can use Pinterest with my classroom to have my students study for a test or to do a project. My students could also use Pinterest to do research on their own project.

I created Our Solar System using Pinterest. Pinterest is a unique way for my fifth grade students to learn about our solar system.  My objective is to teach them about our solar system. Pinterest allows me to produce visual illustrations to help my students learn the planets and sun in our solar system. Pinterest will also allow my students to research the pins I have pined for them.  Pinterest will also allow my students to look up other pins about the solar system for their research. Pinterest will be used in my classroom.

My students will use computers and I will introduce them to my Pinterest , so they can research our solar system. Students will compare the characteristics of the planets and sun. Students will discuss and review each planet and sun.  Students will get in groups and discuss their findings. Students will write 5 characteristics on paper.

Students will do the project based learning by putting planets in order from the sun. I will print off a set of planets and sun for each student for them to use with this project. I will first have my student put the correct names with planets/sun. then I will have my students put the planets in order from the sun.

Students will test their knowledge by filling out the Planets in Order activity sheet and Solar System Activity sheet.

The purpose of the assignment is for students to understand that our solar system has planets, sun, and moons. Students will understand and know what order the planets are from the sun. Students will be able to recognize each planet or sun by its characteristics. Students will understand each planet has unique and identifiable characteristics. Students will understand that some planets have some common characteristics. Students will be able to summarize knowledge about the planets/sun.  

Here is a link to the complete assignment and rubric.

Our Solar System with Pinterest.

Web 2.0 Tools For My Classroom

Tanya Watson

EDU 3043: Instructional Technology

April 1, 2014

1)   Page Flip-Flap

Page Flip-Flap is an interactive flipbook. Page Flip-Flap would be very useful in my classroom. I will have my students transform their doc, pdf, word, and movie into an interactive flipbook. Page Flip-Flap is very student friendly. It is easy to upload files to Page Flip-Flap and transfer them to interactive flipbook and then they will receive an email with the url to their creation. I will use this in my class so students will be able to share their interactive flipbook with their friend, family, email, blog, facebook, and twitter.

2)  Quizlet

      Quizlet is a tool that will make quizzes for my students on any subject. Quizlet will make a quiz about anything in just a few minutes. This tool will allow me to customization and upload unique features for the quiz. This tool will let me add images, videos, custom responses, timed questions, custom endings and much more. I will have my students use this tool to stay focused on a topic. Quizlet is a wonderful tool for students to study for tests or any subject.

3)  Songza

      Songza is a tool designed for students to find any type of music. Songza allows students find music for any assignment they may have to do on music. My students will use Songza to do research on musicians. My students can use this in the classroom for when they are doing research for an essay on music or musicians for a certain time period. I do suggest that Songza add more activities for students to do.

4)  FindHow

FindHow is incredibly beneficial for students to learn how to do things own their own through many topics. FindHow has hundreds of high-quality resources aimed to help you learn how to do virtually anything. It is filled with helpful advice on categories like  travel, home, garden, sports, automotive, and more. I will have my students find ideas on projects they can do in my classroom. FindHow will also help my students in class do research on their idea and  if it is not listed on their website they will research it and post it when they get done.

5)  MapSkip

MapSkip is a site where students can make a world map and put their stories and photos on it. Students can research a place and then write a story and put it on MapSkip. Students can write about their dream vacation and they can add pictures as well on MapSkip. This is a great tool for my students to do research different places and different cultural in my classroom. I will also have my students record their voice and put it on the map too, which is a great way for them to do an oral report for me on a country or place.

6)   Questionaut

Questionaut is an interactive site where the students can learn about Math, Science, and English.  Questionaut also lets us create quizzes for our students about Math, Science, and English. I would use this tool in my classroom because it is a fun way for them to learn Math, Science, and English. This tool lets students journey through strange worlds to test their knowledge about English, Math and Science. Questionaut lets students go through this magical world to recover your friend’s hat when they answer the questions right they move on and finally get the hat and win. I will use Questionaut in my classroom because it is a fun way for students to learn.

7)   Invention at Play

Invention at Play is a site for students to invent and play educational games. Invention at Play students can sketch their ideas out. Invention at Play lets students do problem solving puzzles. This tool has students explore and tinker with objects to explore different ways to reach your goal. I would use this tool in my classroom for my students to invent and think through playing games and puzzles. I would use this tool for students to learn and play in my classroom.

8)   Chart Tool

Chart Tool is a great tool for students to communicate information visually through charts. On Chart Tool students can design and share their charts online and it is free. My students can make bar charts for my class. This is a great tool to organize data. My students will use this site to make pie charts, line charts, bubble charts and radar plots. I would use Chart Tool in my classroom to help my students organize all their math data.

9)    Justpaste.it

Justpaste.it is a great tool for students to use to write. This tool is really similar to Microsoft Word.  Justpaste.it lets students just copy and paste text from other webpage or word processor. It will let my students add graphics and let them also import files to their notes. I will use this tool to help students to embed videos by using video marks to their page. I would have my students use Justpaste.it to add mathematical formulas by using LaTex.

10)  CollaborizeClassroom

CollaborizeClassroom is a tool that helps classroom instruction. It also allows students to engage in online activities. I will use this program in my classroom to help students with assignments and discussions that allow for them to have a deeper participation in class. I will have my students use  CollaborizeClassroom  to insert Microsoft Office documents, videos, pictures, and PDFs into their work online. I will have my students publish their discussions to a results page. Students then can view conversations from other students. This tool allows me to download free lesson plans for my classroom too.

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Teacher

There are many purposes of schooling. The main reason for schooling is to educate our world. Schooling creates students who are educated, well rounded, and successful. It is my goal to provide a safe environment, so my students can reach their fullest potential in all areas. It will be my honor to watch my students mature emotionally, physically, and socially. My goal is to show and inspire all my students to have a love for learning. All students can learn.

My role as an educator is to be energetic and passionate in making sure that every child gets and education that they deserve no matter their race, gender, or learning abilities. My role is to guide my students to gain knowledge and learn. I should put forth as much effort as needed to make my classroom an effective place for children to learn. As a good teacher, my instruction should be suitable and modifiable to each and every student, so each student has the same opportunity to learn. As an educator, I would also like to live my life as an example and be a person that the students feel they can come to me whenever they might need me. It is most helpful for students to be motivated individually, but it is definitely a part of my job as an educator to motivate my students and make every effort to keep them interested in learning.