Z-Ann





Ann's Page

Assignment #1  [] I can see myself using this tool with my ESL students. These students need so much word work. It could be used to create word clouds to help with definitions and understanding of vocabulary. I can also use it to explain connections between words. The students could create their own wordles to help them remember science and social studies vocabulary. I would go one step further and have the students explain, orally how the terms are connected.In literature circles, wordles could be used to describe characters or vocabulary.The gifted students would be motivated by the creativity of Wordle.I think it would be great fun at the elementary level. Also, I think this would be a good place for me to start using the web for class. The only drawback I can see, is what has been mentioned about filtering out other possible postings not appropriate for students. I would need to trust my class or possible use this tool for a limited group.

**[]** This is a great tool for my class. We have a weekly Library Hour for all grade levels in our curriculum. The librarian is responsible for planning that time. No longer do students read for an hour. I like to split up the time between silent reading and a computer lab activity. I do not like the mentality that many students have concerning the lab time as "playtime". I like to promote the lab time as resource time. This tool will allow me to develop companion activities in different formats to motivate my most unmotivated students. There are so many choices. I especially like the animated book activity. We do a Battle of the Books competition each year. The students are responsible for reading a set of books,take notes, write summaries,and questions about the books. I can see my students using the animated book activity for their summaries. The students could work on these activities during the lab portion of their Library Hour. My students who are struggling with being motivated to write their summaries would probably be more motivated with the animated books. 


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My goal for this summer is to create a wiki to use as a communication tool for my class for next year. I have a good start on the creation and know I will continue to work on completing my project by August. I am targeting my disorganized students, which seems to be increasing. In fifth grade, the students use an assignment notebook and a "Friday Folder" for communication tools. I have noticed a diminishing amount of students and parents using these tools. I also am having more and more parents requesting e-mails to communicate information that has already been sent home as well as daily assignments or projects. I found myself doing redundant work for my 32 students. I wanted to find a more efficient way to communicated. Also, if I have assignments and projects listed on the wiki page, students can access this information. No more"I didn't know" or "I can't find that assignment or note". As I get more proficient with the wiki, I hope to do more with it. I only hope that I do not spend more time on the computer than I did with the Friday Folders and e-mails.

There are so many other tools that I explored in this class. I know I will try more during the rest of the summer. I am slowly getting over my fear of this new technology.

