Presentation Software: Math Jeopardy

Purpose:

• To create a game of jeopardy for second grade math, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This is a great way for students to learn but also be entertained through the different slides. Also, the idea of a game or even a competition can be very stimulating for the student's minds.
  

Presentation Software Project is on Educ2040Barger

Personal Growth:

• In the past, I have only really used the presentation software for informational projects. I just created projects that went from one slide to the next slide. Therefore, trying to make a jeopardy game where I had to link slides to previous slides and such was very difficult but also frustrating. The process took quite a bit of time but overall it was good to find another use for the presentation software.
  

Reflection Journal Entry #4: Desktop Publishing Software

I had never used Desktop Publishing Software before so I found it very interesting. However, it was also very easy to use because the examples/templates given allow a very easy way to simply put in your own information/pictures. While exploring the different features, I found many different ways I could put this program to use. I could create fliers or letters for parents to tell them about upcoming events or even for what their children are doing in class. There's a worksheet maker that I could use to create assignments for the students. Also, I could teach my students how to use the program so that they could create letters to send to their pen pals. Although my students would only be in second grade, the program is not too difficult to use and they can use the templates that are already there and replace the information with their own words and pictures. Since I didn't know about Desktop Publishing Software before using it in this class, I can't say anything about my change of thoughts or ideas. However, I can say that I am very glad that I was able to explore this program and that I was introduced to it because I will definitely be using it in the future. I'm glad that we got to play around with Word before doing this assignment because I was able to place pictures, text boxes, format things on the page a lot easier. I haven't fully explored everything on the publishing software yet so I'm excited to see what else I can use it for.

Desktop Publishing Software Projects: Scrapbook of Events

Purpose:

• To create a scrapbook/memory book of the fun and exciting events and activities that occur each week in class. This is a great way for parents to keep up to date with what their children are up to. Also, the kids can have a fun time looking through their own pictures and look back on the year and see how they have grown.

Desktop Publishing Software Project is on Educ2040Barger (the one titled "Scrapbook")

Personal Growth:

• I actually had never used Desktop Publishing Software before so it was really cool to be able to experience it. I found it very interesting to see how many different projects and activities you could do and create with the program. I found the tool to be very easy to use and navigate around. I definitely will be using this in the future to create all sorts of projects for my students to do but also for my own use in creating fliers/letters for parents or to send cards.
  

Reflection Journal Entry #3: Word

In my past, I had mainly only used Word for papers and different letter type assignments. I knew that the picture, table, chart, and word art tools existed but I never really had any purpose to use them. However, through this project I was able to experience and use all the different tools which was really interesting. I had difficulties with it because I couldn't quite understand how to place everything on the page so that the elements would all stay together and fit. As I kept experimenting, things started to get a little easier but I found so many different tools that can be used to make fun and interesting assignments and projects for my students later on. Also, ever since Word upgraded to newer editions I lost interest in trying out the different tools because they seemed to confusing. After this project and trying out the various tools, I realized that it's not that hard but there are many different components on the newer Words that can actually be quite useful. Charts and graphs can be used for math assignments and pictures can be used to just make the page look more attractive and entertaining for the students. I'm excited to explore more with Word and see what else I can do.

Word Project: Dinosaur Scrapbook

Purpose:

• To create a scrapbook type project with all the students in the classroom about dinosaurs. Students will have a fun time drawing and coloring a picture of themselves with a dinosaur they choose. However, they will go onto a website to research the dinosaur of interest to them and have to write down facts. Therefore, the assignment can be both fun and educational.
  

Word Project is on Educ2040Barger

Personal Growth

• I had never used word other than to type up papers or letters, so trying to do something completely different and creative was a challenge. I had never really made tables or scrapbooks on word before so just trying to organize everything and getting everything to fit a certain way was difficult. I had a lot of problems and it was frustrating because everything would shift depending on if the picture was too big or if I added a text box or word art in a wrong place. I think I have a better sense of all the different tools that Word offers, not just for writing papers but for making other projects as well.
  

Reflection Journal Entry #2: Criteria in Looking for Sites

When looking for a site for my students I must be very cautious, especially because they are second graders. I would primarily look at whether the site is appropriate and user friendly for children of the younger ages. They shouldn't contain any offensive or vulgar words or images. Of course credibility is very significant as well but I would first look to see if the site suits the second grade knowledge level and then see if the site is credible and well content oriented. I would also check to make sure the site is easy to use and navigable for students. If there are too many different links to click or go through it would be too difficult for students to use. The site should also be fun and exciting for students to keep them entertained and focused.

In terms of finding sites for my classroom preparation, I would primarily look to see if the site is credible or not. The site doesn't have to be all colorful and picture filled for me when trying to prepare a lesson for a class. I think the content is most important because I will be using this information to teach my students and therefore I would need trustworthy information with good resources. For preparing classroom lessons, I would be more open to sites so that I can become as educated about the topic as possible.

When finding sites for my own entertainment, I don't have many restrictions other than staying away from sexual or vulgar sites. I mean, yes, sometimes I do look for credibility just so that it's not a complete waste of time but I more so look for something that will interest me not so much for the facts and knowledge I'll gain from it.

Annotated Sites List

Personal Growth

• I found myself challenging the extent to which I really thought about the sites that I chose to use and going beyond the obvious. Instead of choosing the typical "teacher" sites such as Enchanted Learning, which has everything that a teacher needs for any type of curriculum on one site, I tried to find sites that would stretch my own knowledge. I found it difficult to find sites such as these because the ones that did seemed a bit to difficult for students of a second grade level. I had to find sites that were both fun for the students but also a little challenging which wasn't the easiest task. In the end I realized that I could just take certain ideas from sites and use them to create my own creative, fun, but education based lessons and activities.
  

Purpose

• To list 5 websites and explain their credibility, the purpose of the site, and how they can be beneficial to a second grade teacher. The following websites can be used both for the content within them and for the ideas that emerge from them.
  

1. Pen Pals

• This site introduces a pen pal organization that can be used for teachers and their students. I found it to be credible because they have a ton of information about the organization and the people in charge of it. They also have contact information and pictures of the different students involved. Overall, the site was very professional and had a lot of information and references that made it trustworthy. Teachers can use this site to help their students learn about other cultures as well as use this as a tool to improve their writing and reading skills. Through this pen pal system, students can also learn different languages by communicating with children of different countries around the world. The great thing is that this site can be used with students of all ages and backgrounds. Teachers can communicate with one another to create relevant lessons plans that the students can talk about with one another.

2. Worksheet Maker

• This site is an interesting tool to use in order for teachers to create their own worksheets for students based on the topic they are teaching. Many different incorporations and companies pulled together in order to create this site for teachers which shows credibility. The site also has contact information and different resources that can be checked. Although there are worksheets that are pre-made and can be printed out, teachers can also custom make worksheets to fit their own needs. These worksheets can range anywhere from puzzles to factual worksheets which is really nice as well.

3. Supplies

• O'Block Books is an online store for teachers to use to buy supplies for their classroom as well as their individual needs. An address, phone number, and e-mail address are listed on the site which shows that it is credible. The site has supplies for every subject and specifically for second grade teachers. The store consists of workbooks, teaching materials, and classroom materials which are all essential for teachers.

4. Health

• This site is created by Dole food company which is very well known and credible. Mostly based on health and food, the site contains a separate page for teachers. Teachers can use this site to teach kids about healthy ways of eating and exercising that can be fun and exciting for younger students. The site contains various topics incorporating food and physical activities that teachers can base lessons around. This is a good way to promote healthy eating and lifestyles at a young age so the new generations of children can be healthier and more active. Students can also explore on this site at home with their parents to find good recipes and activities to do for fun.
  

5. Resources

• This site is created by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Extensions program which works to help improve different educational needs around their community. The program has contact information listed and the program is very well known for people in the education program around the area. In addition to improving education needs, the program helps to promote good citizenship as well as many other links that provide information about many different topics for younger children. Teachers can pick and choose from certain sites and find good lessons to teach. There's one site, Out on a Limb, which teaches about resolving conflicts amongst children. Therefore, teachers can use this site and similar sites to teach children about proper behavior and how to be good people. In addition, students are able to go onto some of these sites and watch different videos or play games that are educational.