2nd graders,
I am out of school at an educational technology conference. I am being a student, learning from other teachers about new tools, ideas, and how I can be a better computer teacher. Learning never stops, even if you're a teacher.
Today you will watch a short video and then comment on it.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Grade 3 - History of Typography
3rd Graders,
I am out of school at an educational technology conference. I am being a student, learning from other teachers about new tools, ideas, and how I can be a better computer teacher. Learning never stops, even if you're a teacher.
When we are typing we are entering our text using a particular font, or style of writing. But fonts aren't just fonts, they are "typography" or the art or technique of arranging type in order to make language visible.
Before computers there were typewriters and before that, handwriting. In order to make writing universally legible there needed to be typography.
Watch the video below and answer the questions as comments...
I am out of school at an educational technology conference. I am being a student, learning from other teachers about new tools, ideas, and how I can be a better computer teacher. Learning never stops, even if you're a teacher.
When we are typing we are entering our text using a particular font, or style of writing. But fonts aren't just fonts, they are "typography" or the art or technique of arranging type in order to make language visible.
Before computers there were typewriters and before that, handwriting. In order to make writing universally legible there needed to be typography.
Watch the video below and answer the questions as comments...
Grade 4 - Time Lapse: Earth
4th graders,
I am out of school at an educational technology conference. I am being a student, learning from other teachers new tools, ideas, and how I can be a better computer teacher. Learning never stops, even if you're a teacher.
You will watch the video below and answer a few questions...
You will watch the video below and answer a few questions...
Grade 5 - People of New York
Grade 5,
I am out of school at an educational technology conference. I am being a student, learning from other teachers new tools, ideas, and how I can be a better computer teacher. Learning never stops, even if you're a teacher.
You will watch the video below and answer a few questions...
I am out of school at an educational technology conference. I am being a student, learning from other teachers new tools, ideas, and how I can be a better computer teacher. Learning never stops, even if you're a teacher.
You will watch the video below and answer a few questions...
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Class 3-311 blogs
Class 3-311 blogs...
These blogs have been created in the computer lab under the direction of Mr. Casal.
The purpose of these blogs is to lay the foundation of a living portfolio, a place where students can post their work and publishing their writing, ongoing, during their time here at PS 10. The hope is as the begin the middle school application process in two years they will be able to show their blogs as timelines of their life as students, examples of the writing, and authentic demonstrations of their growth as students and people over the years.
Some posts are on specific topics with specific guidelines set forth by Mr. Casal. Some posts are entirely independent free writes, completely inspired by the students alone. The layout and design of the blogs is similarly guided, some layout elements are required, but for the most part the students are free to design as they see fit.
These blogs are intended to be student directed & controlled creative outlets to showcase their talents...
These blogs have been created in the computer lab under the direction of Mr. Casal.
The purpose of these blogs is to lay the foundation of a living portfolio, a place where students can post their work and publishing their writing, ongoing, during their time here at PS 10. The hope is as the begin the middle school application process in two years they will be able to show their blogs as timelines of their life as students, examples of the writing, and authentic demonstrations of their growth as students and people over the years.
Some posts are on specific topics with specific guidelines set forth by Mr. Casal. Some posts are entirely independent free writes, completely inspired by the students alone. The layout and design of the blogs is similarly guided, some layout elements are required, but for the most part the students are free to design as they see fit.
These blogs are intended to be student directed & controlled creative outlets to showcase their talents...
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Perspective is an intersting thing
This post is not an assignment, just something I found I thought folks might find interesting.
In life we tend to get use to seeing things a certain way. We expect things we see to look & act the same, the way we're use too, all the time. Sometimes, however, it is possible to look at things differently. Looking at things differently, from different angles or with a different mindset, is called perspective.
I found this great video that I think demonstrates the importance of perspective....
In life we tend to get use to seeing things a certain way. We expect things we see to look & act the same, the way we're use too, all the time. Sometimes, however, it is possible to look at things differently. Looking at things differently, from different angles or with a different mindset, is called perspective.
I found this great video that I think demonstrates the importance of perspective....
Friday, December 20, 2013
3rd Grade - Christmas 12/2013 - Technology & You
4th Grade - Christmas 12/2013 - Into the Atmosphere
Have you ever looked at the sky and just watched the clouds go by?
Have you watched the stars imagined the earth spinning?
Have you ever wanted to watch a sunset but dind't have the time?
Time lapse photography is a great way to see things in a way you haven't.
Your assignment...
Have you watched the stars imagined the earth spinning?
Have you ever wanted to watch a sunset but dind't have the time?
Time lapse photography is a great way to see things in a way you haven't.
Your assignment...
5th Grade - Christmas 12/2013 - The possibilities of technology
Technology provides a wide range of possibility and opportunity.
There is possibility to create in ways previously unavailable. Opportunity to see & experience things previously out of reach. Possibility and opportunity to discover and question all the things in your world.
The greatest power of technology is that possibility and opportunity to question what you see & find answers for yourself.
There is possibility to create in ways previously unavailable. Opportunity to see & experience things previously out of reach. Possibility and opportunity to discover and question all the things in your world.
The greatest power of technology is that possibility and opportunity to question what you see & find answers for yourself.
Your assignment...
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
"Why isn't my comment posted?"
That is a questions I get a lot.
Students will do the homework assignment, maybe even re-post a comment multiple times, and never see it published.
Before I get into why a comment isn't published let me remind students of the only appropriate way to sign a comment:
Students will do the homework assignment, maybe even re-post a comment multiple times, and never see it published.
Before I get into why a comment isn't published let me remind students of the only appropriate way to sign a comment:
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
5th Grade - Thanksgiving 11/2013 - Who's Coming to Dinner?
Imagine you are hosting Thanksgiving. You can invite one person to eat with. That one person can be anyone at all. It must be a living person, but other than that you can choose anyone in the world to share Thanksgiving dinner....
Who would you choose? Why them?
Your assignment:
4th Grade - Thanksgiving 11/2013 - How to Cook a Turkey
You are in charge of cooking Thanksgiving dinner. You have to cook a turkey and 2 side dishes (a side dish is usually mashed potato, mac & cheese, stuffing, etc).
How are you going to cook the turkey? What side dishes are you going to make?
Imagine you have no help from your parents, what & how are you going to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner?
Your assignment:
3rd Grade - Thanksgiving 11/2013 - What is Thanksgiving?
What is Thanksgiving? Do you know where the holiday came from? Do you know some of the myths of thanksgiving?
For me Thanksgiving is about remembering how we got to where we are. Remembering those who came before us to help us get where we are. It is a chance to get together with family and friends and think about our history as well as look to the future. And honestly, for me, it's also a little bit about football. Eating and watching football has always been a big part of Thanksgiving in my family. We have a football tradition, every year we play the "Turkey Bowl". The Turkey Bowl is a 1 hour touch-football game where we split the family into 2 teams and play before we eat. It's all in fun, and it works up an appetite.
Your assignment:
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Blog homework - "how to comment" tutorial video
There are often assignments for students that require them to comment on a blog post.
We do a number of these assignments in class, but there are also homework posts.
The regular homework assignments are:
We do a number of these assignments in class, but there are also homework posts.
The regular homework assignments are:
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Blog homework practice post
This post is for 3rd-5th graders to practice leaving a comment
Over Thanksgiving, Christmas, February, and Spring Breaks all 3rd-5th graders will have homework. The homework will be in the form of a post on this blog. Student will have to read the post, follow the directions, and leave a comment as directed to complete the comment.
This post is a practice forum for leaving comments...
Remember - Comment as "Name/URL" and use your first name and last initial (proper capitalization, no URL)- please respond in full and complete sentences - double check your work before posting your comment.
Over Thanksgiving, Christmas, February, and Spring Breaks all 3rd-5th graders will have homework. The homework will be in the form of a post on this blog. Student will have to read the post, follow the directions, and leave a comment as directed to complete the comment.
This post is a practice forum for leaving comments...
Remember - Comment as "Name/URL" and use your first name and last initial (proper capitalization, no URL)- please respond in full and complete sentences - double check your work before posting your comment.
Monday, November 18, 2013
5th Grade Bloggers
In the ongoing experiment about the best ways to use various tools within the elementary environment I have been letting one class create, manage, and curate their own independent blogs. Ideally we will expand beyond this one class, but at this time a single class is the ideal setting to test the limitations & possibilities of independent student blogging.
The list of their blogs is on the right hand side of this blog.
One of the things I like best about it is seeing the excitement they have in writing & publishing on their terms. It is also great to see the focus and dedication they give to their design and layout.
A brief glimpse of the independent writing & design during their class period today...
Blogging is a great way to create a positive digital footprint, a portfolio of independent (and sometimes directed) writing, meet a number of the Common Core learning standards, and maintain a creative outlet they are excited about and proud of. Authentic learning & true publishing beyond the bulletin board...
The list of their blogs is on the right hand side of this blog.
One of the things I like best about it is seeing the excitement they have in writing & publishing on their terms. It is also great to see the focus and dedication they give to their design and layout.
A brief glimpse of the independent writing & design during their class period today...
Blogging is a great way to create a positive digital footprint, a portfolio of independent (and sometimes directed) writing, meet a number of the Common Core learning standards, and maintain a creative outlet they are excited about and proud of. Authentic learning & true publishing beyond the bulletin board...
Friday, November 15, 2013
Missed Parent-Teacher Conferences
As a teacher with roughly 700 students it is not possible to have all the conferences in the time allotted.
If you were not able to meet with me, Mr. Casal, during the Parent-Teacher Conference times but would still like to speak, feel free to email me to set up a time...
http://ps10tech.blogspot.com/p/contact.html
I am happy to connect via email, phone, in person, or via Skype/Google Hangout. Which ever medium is most convenient.
If your child is in Kindergarten or 1st Grade, Mr. Waisome is the lower grade computer teacher. He can be contacted via ewaisome@ps10.org to schedule any needed conferences.
Thank you
If you were not able to meet with me, Mr. Casal, during the Parent-Teacher Conference times but would still like to speak, feel free to email me to set up a time...
http://ps10tech.blogspot.com/p/contact.html
I am happy to connect via email, phone, in person, or via Skype/Google Hangout. Which ever medium is most convenient.
If your child is in Kindergarten or 1st Grade, Mr. Waisome is the lower grade computer teacher. He can be contacted via ewaisome@ps10.org to schedule any needed conferences.
Thank you
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Google Apps for Students
PS 10 has been a Google Apps for Education (GAFE) school for over 3 years. Teachers have been using Google Apps for email (@ps10.org) and collaboration. This year we have begun to roll it out to students for instructional use. Grades 3-5 have @ps10.org accounts. Grade 2 students will get them closer to June.
No. Students do not have email. Just wanted to get that out of the way.
The following document will be going home with the student's login name and password. These accounts are strictly for school-related purposes so parents are encouraged to look at the types of things students are using Google Apps for. With this login information students will be able to access schoolwork at home, share files with their teacher (without printing), and begin to create an authentic digital portfolio.
Many middle and high schools are using GAFE, as are many colleges & universities. Various governmental agencies are using Google Apps as well. Having PS 10 students use Google Apps puts them at the forefront of a technology used globally on a daily basis.
Students will also be issued, via their Google Drives, and will review in class, the PS 10 Student Code of Ethics with Digital Tools and @PS10.org Accounts.
Feel free to contact Mr. Casal with questions or concerns at any time.
No. Students do not have email. Just wanted to get that out of the way.
The following document will be going home with the student's login name and password. These accounts are strictly for school-related purposes so parents are encouraged to look at the types of things students are using Google Apps for. With this login information students will be able to access schoolwork at home, share files with their teacher (without printing), and begin to create an authentic digital portfolio.
Many middle and high schools are using GAFE, as are many colleges & universities. Various governmental agencies are using Google Apps as well. Having PS 10 students use Google Apps puts them at the forefront of a technology used globally on a daily basis.
Students will also be issued, via their Google Drives, and will review in class, the PS 10 Student Code of Ethics with Digital Tools and @PS10.org Accounts.
Feel free to contact Mr. Casal with questions or concerns at any time.
All documents related to PS 10's GAFE platform can be found here.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Social Media @PS10Brooklyn
I am often asked about how we use "social media" here at PS 10. It is a question that is both very simple & easy to answer and one that is also complex and nuanced. Let me elaborate...
Social media as defined by many people includes things like Facebook and Twitter. According to the Department of Education's social media policy for staff, social media is defined as:
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
The most astounding fact about the universe...
This is the first student blog assignment of the year...
What do you think is the most astounding fact about the universe?
The renowned astrophysicist, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, had this to say about the universe...:
It is a lot to hear & take in, he is an exceptional scientist after all. But we are all members of this universe, and scientists in our own right...
- What did the visuals of the video make you think about?
- What did his words make you think about?
- For you, what is the most astounding fact about the universe?
- What do you think about when you hear the words "the universe?"
Post your answer as a comment
Remember - Comment as "Name/URL" and use your first name and last initial (proper capitalization, no URL)- please respond in full and complete sentences - double check your work before posting your comment.
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