Jennifer SherouseDonna HarrisPlease edit this template to provide your colleagues with some info about you. This page will also be the jumping off point for your Teach 21 project.
Clyattville Elementary
CES Phone # 229-559-7062
Blog: http://www.lowndes.k12.ga.us/alrowell
Website: http://www.lowndes.k12.ga.us/alrowell
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/locotech
Over the years I've taught K5, 5th grade, and 8th grade. For the past 9 years I've been a 5th grade teacher at CES. Currently, I am working on getting my Gifted certification. I should be finished with this by the end of 2009.
This past year I taught my students how to create brochures using Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Word. One assignment was to create brochures about constructive and destructive forces at work in the state of Georgia. This was one of the four choices they had for their end of the unit project/test. They were to choose and research 5 different geographic features in the state of GA. For example, Stone Mountain, Okefenokee Swamp, Chattahoochee River, Little Grand Canyon, etc. The brochures had to include an essential question, a color photo of each feature, a brief description for each, the locations, and explanations of the constructive and/or destructive force(s) involved. All but six of my students chose to do the brochure. I was so pleased with the results. At the end of the year I conducted an in-class survey. One of the survey items was to choose their top 4 favorite activities/assignments for the year. Creating brochures was either #1 or #2 for all my students. In the comments section at the end of the survey over half of my students wrote that they would definitely be creating brochures for some of their 6th grade project assignments. This year I plan to begin introducing my class to the various computer software/programs available to them much earlier in the year. It's a lot of work and takes a while, but once they've learned how to use everything...the payoff is well worth it!
Interests:
For my class project, I entered my class in Global Virtual Classroom's annual contest. During the contest, schools from all over the world will work to build websites according to the contest specifications. We will be working with students from two other schools from other countries. The websites will be judged on the quality of their content and presentation, effective collaboration between the schools and students, and a focus on helping others through shared knowledge and activities. The contest runs October through May. Winners and cash awards will be announced in May. It will be an educational and exciting way to allow my students to learn about other cultures while learning about and using the Internet to bring them closer together. The aim of the contest is to offer a means of helping governments and education departments around the world to integrate technology into classrooms and curricula while linking different cultures via the Internet.
At the moment, we are waiting to hear if our application has been accepted. I've been told that applicants are rarely turned down. Once accepted (positive vibes), we will be assigned our partner schools. Then we will meet one another, decide on a topic, plan, and then create our web site via the Internet (podcasts, email, blogs, etc.) On our end, I plan to utilize webcams, video cams, digital cameras, Photo Story, and Movie Maker as we design and build our website.
GPS:
ELA5LSV2 The student listens to and views various forms of text and media in order to gather and share information, persuade others, and express and understand ideas.
ELA5W3 The student will use research and technology to support writing.
ISTE NETS
1. Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, develope innovative products and processes using technology.
2. Students use digital media and environment to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
3. Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
4. Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and make informed decisions utilizing appropriate digital tools and resources.
5. Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and
ethical behavior.
6. Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.
Materials Needed:
Broadband Internet Access
Computers
headphones w/ microphones
webcams
video cameras
email accounts for students
Twitter access and accounts
...and anything else Al thinks we might need
HOTS:
synthesizing, analyzing, reasoning, comprehending, application, evaluation, comparison, and planning