Kristy

toc **Kristy**

I teach **2nd grade** at **Morse Street School, Freeport.** [|Here is Google.] =Assignment 1 =  I just successfully created a Table of Contents!

=Assignment 2 = __For Students__: As part of an annual unit on poetry, this link includes [|second graders]  reading poems they've written.

 __For My Own Professional Growth__: This podcast provides an introduction [|PrimaryAccess], a free online digital documentary particularly appropriate for social studies curriculum. I can imagine this to be quite helpful during a class unit on Colonial Times.

__For My Hobbies__: This podcast [|Clear Your Clutter]  includes hints for organizing genealogical files. **Assignment 4**

 Article Reflection: Dunbar’s article on “Teaching With Tunes…” offered a number of fantastic options for including music in a variety of subjects. Given the (young) age of my students, several options were a bit beyond them developmentally. However, Dunbar did mention an option I’ve actually used during my annual country study. During this unit I choose a country with a culture very unlike ours, and work hard to expose my students to a variety of topics- from geographic features, to native wildlife, to food….. to music! Students have really enjoyed hearing Mexican, Japanese, Egyptian, Australian, and Italian music over the years, and I feel confident as an educator that I’ve given them a taste of that country’s musical heritage as well!

=Assignment 5 = Response to "21st Century Schools":

As a second grade teacher, I find that the experiences that most engage my students are those that are hands on and authentic in nature. For example, when my class invites visitors in for our "Colonial Marketplace" where they assume the identity of a particular Colonial occupation, or read their published story at an "Author's Tea", these are experiences that are relevant and long-remembered! Further, whenever I can find ways to imbed technology in activities, this also creates relevance for my second graders. My students loved taking digital pictures of their Book Buddies this year to be included in their book buddy biographies. My second graders use of technology outside of school likely consists mostly of gaming, either online or offline. Many have Gameboys or Play Stations. Few of them have cell phones (although last year one did receive one for Christmas). This year I made a more concerted effort to expose them to digital cameras, and I know of one parent who bought one for her son for a birthday after he bragged about what we'd been doing at school. I do offer on a portion of my school webpage related links to topics we are studying at school. This way, students who are inspired around a particular topic can further explore the topic outside of school too. Meanwhile at school, my students this year used various websites in connection with units. We used class e-mail to send notifications about our Journey North tulip garden. The students learned how to use some classroom digital cameras. I worked hard at offering some new technological experiences for my 7 and 8-year olds. My biggest "take aways" from this video included how future curriculum must harness technology. In addition the comment regarding the importance of collaboration outside the school building was key. Collaboration is a 21st century skill that will serve my students well throughout school and into the workforce. Schools no longer exist within the same four walls they did 23 years ago when I first started teaching. Collaboration can bring resources from all over the world that my students in Maine may never encounter any other way. =Assignment 6 = media type="file" key="K&S Interview.mp3" =<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">Assignment 7 = <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"> I've registered on Delicious.com as kayaker1204.

=<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">Assignment 8 = <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"> I really enjoyed the video chat with Wes Fryer. I was struck by several things during the chat, the first being a real epiphany as to how easy this type of chat could take place in my classroom, or home for that matter! It was (seemed) as easy as logging on and having a camera enabled! This would be a fantastic way to supplement what my students are learning in the classroom. In addition, Wes made a comment regarding how quickly technology is changing and how even he has a hard time keeping up with changes. I found this comforting, given that I certainly feel this way, and my "specialty" isn't even technology! Lastly, Wes spoke to taking baby steps with the use of technology. This is huge in that it gives us permission to keep moving forward, but it not needing to be the "fireworks finale" immediately. Perhaps just a few initial Roman candles! =<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">Assignment 10 = <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|http://voicethread.com/share/556762] media type="custom" key="4079657" <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px; color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">**Assignment 11** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">My final project will be the "ramping up" of my current "Inventions and Inventors" unit. As the culminating event to this unit, my class hosts an "Invention Convention" where we invite family, friends, and other students to come view the gadgets that my second graders have imagined and built. However, each year there are a variety of family members per "inventor" that (due to previous obligations or living far away) are unable to attend our convention. I will post a Voicethread after the convention wherein each child will tell a small snippet about what their gadget does, where its required simple machine components are located, and any problems or difficulties they encountered when building it. This would be a whole new, yet thoroughly authentic audience for my students to reach. I am excited! <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> =**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">Day 4 Collaborative Project **=

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[] =<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"> media type="custom" key="4081833" =

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|http://voicethread.com/share/557163] [|/]

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=<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">Extra Project = <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">Here's a fun idea for kids to use and share their Arctic animal research. Enjoy!

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