SIS Blog

I would like to teach in my hometown of Bonners Ferry after I graduate from Boise State and the SIS program they use is called PowerSchool. This works great for parents because they are able to log into the program with a username and password which they create and they can check on their child's grade, see the assignments they've missed, what they are struggling with etc.
This link will take you to a youtube video that explains everything about Powerschool, from what it is to how to login http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyLTYW9U0cw

I would use this tool as a history teacher to show what curriculum we are covering, what assignments, quizes, and tests are being issued and how the students are doing on each part.

Spreadsheets

The project I decided to look at was Ms. Eichelberger's project on the War Lords of Japan. It was a pretty interesting piece of work and I thought it was perfect for her grade level. There were a number of different graphs and charts that were included, and I thought it all fit very well together.

If I was going to change this project at all to fit my classroom I really wouldn't do much to it. I think I would probably make it a little more detailed and obviously since my focus is American history I could probably change it to American Presidents instead of Japans War Lords

Classroom Gaming

I found a number of interesting programs that I could use to help teach history in my classroom. I think the game I found and that is embedded into my thread on the class discussion board could be very helpful in the classroom. Name That State could help kids become more familiar with states and the geography of each one. I think there is a number of programs a person could use to help get information to the students and have them enjoy it.

Netiquette Rules For My Classroom

There are a certain number of things you should consider every day before entering my classroom and using the internet:

1.) Do not download any graphic, unappropriate material
2.) Be curteous to others
3.) Don't waste time on chatting sites (others need the computer)
4.) If you have a question, ask it.
5.) Never give out personal information over the web

The Jigsaw Method

If you only have five computers in your classroom the jigsaw method would help you make sure everybody in the class got to use and have access to the computer by putting everyone in small groups.

An advantage of this method would be that it makes kids cooperate in groups and know how to work together in groups.

A disadvantage of this technique is that not everyone would participate equally and some kids wouldn't get to use the computers in the group.

Technology for my classroom.

I'm already seeing so many things that I could use in my classroom as a teacher. Especially kids with disability's, with today's technology it feels as if almost anyting is possible for them. Let's get rid of dry-erase boards and use touch screen computers instead!