Newsletter: Mrs. Whatcott's Weekly Newsletter

I used Google Docs to create a newsletter for the parents and students in my classroom. In the newsletter I created I included information about upcoming events, upcoming birthdays, spelling words, homework reminders, tips and I also included our classroom spotlight of a student in our classroom. Part of my students homework each day is to read for 20min, they are to read books at grade-level and report to a parent, another adult, or myself on what they understood about the book they read. The newsletters purpose to make sure both the students and parents are on board and understand what is expected and what is to come in my classroom. Google Docs is a great tool to use to create a newsletter because it has a few different templates that you can use to create your newsletter. There are also many different resources you can use to help make your newsletter attractive for both the students and the parents. I have definitely not mastered this tool yet and still have more to learn about how to use Google Docs so I can make it a more attraction newsletter but I am glad I got to experiment with this tool and will continue to experiment so I can include more backgrounds and images that will help my newsletters improve. Students can also learn how to create newsletters using Google Docs or other tools to create a newsletter for an upcoming event in their own life whether that be a birthday party, soccer game, school play they might be in, etc. Newsletters are great to learn how to make and their are many tools out there to help create a newsletter you like.














Reading: Foundation Skills Standard 4  
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
a. Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.

ISTE: Creative Communicator
I communicate effectively and express myself creatively using different tools, styles, formats, and digital media.

Educational Technology Standard 5:
Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, presentation, web tools, digital cameras, scanners) for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom. (3,4)

Mrs. Whatcott's Class Newsletter

EDpuzzle: Lets tell time

Okay I LOVED using EDpuzzle between EDpuzzle and EduCreations I feel more confident about finding videos and sharing videos in my classroom. I really like EDpuzzle because it is designed for teachers to have easy access to videos online. To find a video all you have to do is search the topic you will be teaching in your classroom and a plethora of videos are available to watch and choose from. Another thing I really like about Edpuzzle is you don't have to show the whole video to your students, sometimes there are only parts of the video that are applicable, this was my case. I found this great video on teaching children how to tell time but it was longer and I didn't want to show the whole video. Edpuzzle allowed me to clip out parts of the video allowing me to choose exactly what I want to share with my class. EduPuzzle also allows you to add your own voice to the video, I recorded my voice teaching how to tell time a little bit differently than the voice on this video did but for some reason I could not get it to save my new recording so I ended up leaving his voice, however I was able to add questions for students to answer during the video. I LOVE that! This helps make the video more interactive for your students. I have assigned my students this video as a homework assignment. They are to go home watch the video and answer the question. The best part is I have access and can see who answers the questions and can grade them on their assignment really easily using this tool. I have also set it up so my students can not skip through the video just to rush through and answer the questions, they have to watch all of it so they can soak up all the information they need about telling time on a analog and digital clock.



Measurement and Data: Math Grade 1
Standard 1.MD.3: Tell and write time in hours and half-hours using analog and digital clocks.

ISTE: Knowledge Constructor 
I critically select, evaluate, and synthesis digital resources into a collection that reflects my learning and builds my knowledge.

Educational Technology Standard 8:
Use technology resources (e.g., calculators, data collection probes, videos, educational software) for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. (5,6)

Mind Mapping: Characters in a story

I chose the tool Popplet to create a mind map showing students a creative way they can describe a character in a story. Popplet is another fun and easy tool for anyone to learn how to use and is a fun way to present information. You can use this tool for all ages and grades and can be used to teach any subject. I have used this tool to teach my students how to describe a character in a story, we have been focusing on describing characters and thinking about each character in a story after we finish reading a story together in class. My students will have an opportunity to learn how to use Popplet and will be given a chance to experiment with it on the computers in the classroom. They will also be given the assignment to create their own Popplet describing a character from the story we read in class. They will be given the choice to work alone or with a partner on this assignment. This will help me know if they understand the concept of describing a character in a story.  I have used Popplet for a few of my other classes as well and it has been very useful. Hopefully my student will enjoy using this tool as much as I do because I know it will benefit them now and in future years to come.
What are some other ideas for teaching 1st graders about characters in a story?
What are some of your favorite tools to use?















Reading: Literature Standard 3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

ISTE: Knowledge Constructor 
I critically select, evaluate, and synthesis digital resources into a collection that reflects my learning and builds my knowledge.

Educational Technology Standard 5:
Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, presentation, web tools, digital cameras, scanners) for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom. (3,4)

Popplet:Describe a Character in a story

Prezi: Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring

I absolutely loved learning how to use Prezi and I am excited to continue to create more presentations with it so I can really learn how to master this tool. I like Prezi because you can add lots of pictures and videos to your presentation. I also love the way it is set up and all the different ways you can zoom in and out to get to the next key term, picture, or definition. I used Prezi to teach my classroom full of 1st graders about the four seasons in a year. This presentation will help them compare each season and the seasonal weather changes, they will also be able to identify characteristics of the seasons while observing each picture and learning the four seasons song found on youtube. My students will have the opportunity to learn how to use this tool in my classroom, if they too enjoy this tool they will have the opportunity to make a Prezi presentation and share it with the class. My students will also be making presentations about the weather but will go in more details about the characteristics of weather such as precipitation, windy, foggy, sunny, rainy, etc. They will be observing and recording the weather and the changes they see, then they will make a presentation using one of the tools they have learned about in class to make a presentation showing the results they found. This tool will help my students for future years to come. They will have many opportunities in their life to present information and Prezi is a great tool to do so.



Science Standard 2: 1st grade
Objective 3: Compare and contrast seasonal weather changes
a. Identify characteristics of the seasons of the year.

ISTE: Global Collaborator
I strive to broaden my perspective, understand others and work effectively in teams using digital tools.

Educational Technology Standard 8:
Use technology resources (e.g., calculators, data collection probes, videos, educational software) for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. (5,6)

eduCreations: Commutative & Associative Addition

eduCreations is a great tool to use when teaching students in the classroom, online, or even to use as a resource for students who need extra help at home. I used eduCreations to help my students learn more about Commutative & Associative properties of addition. The students will have access to my video at school and at home but my main purpose for making the video is for the students to have access to it at home while they are doing their homework. I included the worksheet they were given to complete for homework in my video. The students will be able to review the video at home to help them with their homework.
I like eduCreations because you can add or draw things while you are teaching so the students can see you teaching in action and it helps make things more clear. This tool is also very easy to use, I used my Ipad to create my video which made writing and drawing very easy. This is also a great tool for students to use because it is so easy. I will show this tool to my students and have them use it to create a lesson to reteach what they learned about a certain subject to another student who may be struggling.



Math: Grade 1 
Operations and Algebraic thinking
Standard 1.OA.3: Apply properties of operations as strategies to add & subtract.

ISTE: Knowledge Constructor 
I critically select, evaluate, and synthesis digital resources into a collection that reflects my learning and builds my knowledge.

Educational Technology Standard 8:
Use technology resources (e.g., calculators, data collection probes, videos, educational software) for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. (5,6)

Tiki-Toki: Identifying Symbols

I used Tiki-Toki to help 1st graders identify some
of our national symbols and Utah symbols. The timeline I put together not only allows the students to look at pictures of each symbol bit it also allows the students to see how long each symbol has been around along with additional information about each symbol. The students are only expected to identify the symbols but the timeline gives them more information if they are interested. At first I had a hard time figuring out what to teach my 1st grade students while using this tool since many of our subjects don't go into great detail with dates. However, Tiki-Toki is a great tool to use when teaching about different dates in history. If I was a 4th or 5th grade teacher I would probably use this tool a ton, especially while teaching about Utah history, and the students would also be able to make their own Tiki-Toki timeline showing what they know about Utah history. This being said, Tiki-Toki is not my first tool of choice to use in a 1st grade classroom. I also felt that this tool was a bit more complicated to use than other tools and my students in my classroom might have a harder time using this tool, however this does not mean they cannot be exposed to this tool and doesn't mean they cannot learn how to use this tool.

Social Studies Standard 2: Grade 1
(citizenship): Students will recognize their roles and responsibilities in the school and in the neighborhood.
Objective 3: Name school, neighborhood, Utah State, and national symbols, landmarks, and documents.
c. Identify Utah state symbols, documents, and landmarks
d. Identify national symbols, documents, and landmarks (e.g., Declaration of Independence, U.S constitution, Liberty Bell, Washington Monument).

ISTE: Global Collaborator
I strive to broaden my perspective, understand others and work effectively in teams using digital tools.

Educational Technology Standard 8:
Use technology resources (e.g., calculators, data collection probes, videos, educational software) for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. (5,6)

Timeline:Symbols of Utah & our Nation

Animoto: Investigate the natural world

Animoto was a fun tool to learn how to use. I especially loved how simple and easy it was to learn how to use. Another reason why I loved using Animoto is because it already has slideshow videos put together for you, all you have to do is add photos and some text and it creates your slideshow video for you! Okay, how cool is that? This tool allows us to present information in a unique way, as a teacher this is extremely helpful because it can get boring for students to just listen to us lecturing all day. It might even be a great idea to have the students make an Animoto and present a lesson so the students aren't always just learning from you but from each other as well, and if they are the ones teaching they will definitely learn something. I think this is especially useful in the older grades.
I used this tool to make a series of four videos about rocks, soil, and water. There are so many different ways to present information in your classroom and this tool will help you as the teacher present a lesson in a way that will keep things interesting in the classroom. I also love this tool because you can reuse the videos you made for years to come. Students will also have access to these videos outside of the classroom so they can review what we have learned in class at home.
This is a great tool to teach students how to use because it is so simple and easy to use. I will also use this tool in my classroom to test students on their knowledge in a non formal way. After being taught a lesson my students will create an Animoto to show what they have learned from that specific lesson. This will help me as a teacher see what information I might need to reteach. I definitely suggest experimenting with this tool and using it the classroom










Science Standard 2: Grade 1
Earth and Space Science. Students will gain an understanding of Earth and Space Science through the study of earth materials, celestial movement, and weather.
Objective 1: Investigate the natural world including rock, soil, and water.
a. Observe, compare, describe, and sort components of soil by size, texture, and color.
b. Identify and describe a variety of natural sources of water, including streams, lakes, and oceans.

ISTE: Knowledge Constructor 
I critically select, evaluate, and synthesis digital resources into a collection that reflects my learning and builds my knowledge.

Educational Technology Standard 8:
Use technology resources (e.g., calculators, data collection probes, videos, educational software) for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. (5,6)