Science Unit for computer class.
For my science unit I decided I wanted to do an older grade than kindergarten, I decided to do 4th grade. With 4th grade I am able to do much more complicated things than I would be able to do with kindergarteners.
1 My first idea is to do a plant unit with the students. I really want then to grow plants and take photos of them growing, then compile them onto frames to make a movie. Along with this unit I would have them send emails to my father. Why my father you may ask? My father has been working at a green house for over 16 years and has gone to flower conferences and is extremely knowledgeable. I was thinking along with the photos of plants since that probably won’t take much classroom time to plant the plants and take care of them that we could have field days and go outside and categorize plants. I remember doing that in 4th grade and it was so much fun.
2 Another idea I was thinking about for a science unit is a unit about the solar system. Students would learn about all the different planets and major stars. They then could make models using different materials. They could make clay ones and then make a video about each planet. They would draw on pixie constellations and how they are formed. They could do research on the histories of constellations telling the story behind the name in a pod cast.
3 Another unit I could do is a unit on rocks. I took geology is college and both my parents are geology majors so I have a lot of back ground information on it. If I did this unit we would study different kinds of rocks. And use a computerize microscope (yes there is one) where I grew up there is a copper mine and about an hour away is a granite quarry, we could take field trips. Make movie documentaries on how we get the granite out of the earth and use it in today’s society. One of the best things I ever did with rocks was determining them by hardness. Students could make a pod cast explaining how you classify rocks, and add pictures of them doing it.
4 Students could study a body unit, in that unit I would probably have them each work in pairs to make a Wikibook about the body’s major systems and functions. I remember studying the body and it was allows so dull. But if they were able to show others what they learned and know that their work was being publish and had a purpose they would enjoy doing it so much more.
5. My last idea for a unit is environments like tundra and rainforest. I think a terrific project would be for students to creative their own niche either in pixie and make a Wikibook. Not only would they have to design the place but add animals that live there and facts about the place. If they don’t want to make a Wiki they can write a song about each of the different environments.
I found it really hard to come up with other ideas for this unit because I knew what I wanted to do the minute science unit was said. I want to do the plant unit because I think it would be soooo much fun and allow students different projects to work on, which aren’t way to hard but very useful and creative for this
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Blog C assisive technology
Assistive Technology
Assistive technology what is it? When I was first asked this question my answer was a computer because it help you type, a tape recorder because it allows you to record a memo or interview. An assistive technology is a device that helps you with a normal task like a computer does with typing. After going to the Kalikow center I realize that assistive technology is so much more. Assistive technology comes in so many different forms, it enable students to learn differently, assist students struggling find a new way, and most of all allows students to become more creative.
Assistive technology can really help a teacher make her classroom more inclusive tools like finish books allow students to listen to books much like an audio tape. But they are on the computer and allow the student to read the story with the audio as the words are highlighted. Another great feature is that they have comprehension questions and content questions. This tool can help a teacher because it also contains worksheets for students, so that a teacher doesn’t have to make one. By having more time teachers are able to come up with more ideas for students to do in the classroom at all different levels. Board makers are great because they are an alterative way for students to get oral presentations even it they have a hard time with written language. Board makers provide visual cues for the students so that they can still impress their peers and not feel so left behind. When students don’t feel left behind they have a high confidence and a more positive attitude.
A very important thing to consider when planning your classroom is Section 508. Section 508 is a government standard. Essentially its purpose is to enable people with disabilities access to technologies that can help them. This is important to be aware of as a teacher because in order to help your students you might want o be aware of some of the tools accessible for students with disabilities that can help then participate in class and learn. One of these really nifty tools is the Tango. The Tango allows students to type messages that are then read by the machine, as well as play standard greeting, messages, and questions. This enables student who may not be able to express them selves as well a way to do that. One really neat feature on the Tango is the digital camera built into it. Not only can students take pictures of things that interest them, it allows students to become special and soft after in the class. The other classmates will want to be apart of the new tool and as a result meet and talk, and hopefully befriend the student using it.
A really interesting assistive technology I found at Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO) was a page turner. I wouldn’t think a page turner would be of much use but after reading about it I realized how much it can help a student. The student puts the book in the page turner and then has there hands free to point to the words as they read. They also now have a better position for reading, making it more comfortable to read. Lastly they no longer have to worry about then pages sticking together and wasting time struggling to turn the page.
I had never given thought to assistive technologies but after looking at all the different tools in the Kalikow center and looking online I am really interested. I can’t believe all the different kinds of things there are to help students learn who are having a difficult time. Another great thing about them is they don’t have to be just for students with disabilities they can be for anyone. They give students an entirely different way to learn and because of that students will be able to make connections that they might not have been able to make before.
Assistive technology what is it? When I was first asked this question my answer was a computer because it help you type, a tape recorder because it allows you to record a memo or interview. An assistive technology is a device that helps you with a normal task like a computer does with typing. After going to the Kalikow center I realize that assistive technology is so much more. Assistive technology comes in so many different forms, it enable students to learn differently, assist students struggling find a new way, and most of all allows students to become more creative.
Assistive technology can really help a teacher make her classroom more inclusive tools like finish books allow students to listen to books much like an audio tape. But they are on the computer and allow the student to read the story with the audio as the words are highlighted. Another great feature is that they have comprehension questions and content questions. This tool can help a teacher because it also contains worksheets for students, so that a teacher doesn’t have to make one. By having more time teachers are able to come up with more ideas for students to do in the classroom at all different levels. Board makers are great because they are an alterative way for students to get oral presentations even it they have a hard time with written language. Board makers provide visual cues for the students so that they can still impress their peers and not feel so left behind. When students don’t feel left behind they have a high confidence and a more positive attitude.
A very important thing to consider when planning your classroom is Section 508. Section 508 is a government standard. Essentially its purpose is to enable people with disabilities access to technologies that can help them. This is important to be aware of as a teacher because in order to help your students you might want o be aware of some of the tools accessible for students with disabilities that can help then participate in class and learn. One of these really nifty tools is the Tango. The Tango allows students to type messages that are then read by the machine, as well as play standard greeting, messages, and questions. This enables student who may not be able to express them selves as well a way to do that. One really neat feature on the Tango is the digital camera built into it. Not only can students take pictures of things that interest them, it allows students to become special and soft after in the class. The other classmates will want to be apart of the new tool and as a result meet and talk, and hopefully befriend the student using it.
A really interesting assistive technology I found at Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO) was a page turner. I wouldn’t think a page turner would be of much use but after reading about it I realized how much it can help a student. The student puts the book in the page turner and then has there hands free to point to the words as they read. They also now have a better position for reading, making it more comfortable to read. Lastly they no longer have to worry about then pages sticking together and wasting time struggling to turn the page.
I had never given thought to assistive technologies but after looking at all the different tools in the Kalikow center and looking online I am really interested. I can’t believe all the different kinds of things there are to help students learn who are having a difficult time. Another great thing about them is they don’t have to be just for students with disabilities they can be for anyone. They give students an entirely different way to learn and because of that students will be able to make connections that they might not have been able to make before.
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