Miss Miller's Poetry Unit

Hello there, and welcome back!

Today's post is something rather exciting. So welcome to my online classroom! This post's topic of discussion is a 5th grade English class who is currently in their poetry unit! My tool for today is podcasts! A podcast is an audio recording that can be downloaded and listened to outside of the classroom. For my purposes today I created two series of podcasts. The first discusses different types of literal imagery and the second talks about more figurative imagery devices such as similes, metaphors, and personification! As a teacher I would post this on my classroom blog and assign the students to listen to them as homework, and possibly create a worksheet or activity to go a long with the audio tracks.

Click this link to see my SoundCloud profile or listen to my podcasts below!

Pros: I love the fact that this tool is very different from the other tools we have used before on my previous blog posts. I also like that this tool is strictly audio. I feel as though it would be a nice change of pace in the classroom and would add some variety to in/out of class activities. There are several free apps you can use to do voice recordings, and several places online to upload and store you audio tracks. Podcasts are fun, you even get to feel like a radio talk show host in your own classroom! I can see this tool being very helpful in many subjects,

Cons: It took me awhile to get what I wanted to say just right. This tool takes quite a bit of preparation and know-how. However, if you are good with apps and cloud-type programs this is the tool for you!

• ISTE Standard: Creative Communicator
• I communicate effectively and express myself creatively using different tools, styles, formats, and digital media.
• UEN Content Standard: English Language Arts- 5th Grade
• Standard 4 "Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes"
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 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. 

You Learn, YouTube

Hello, or should I say hola! 

Today's tool is YouTube! On this platform you can upload your own videos, watch endless content on literally ANY subject, and create playlists for your classroom. The possibilities are endless! In today's posts we are going to discuss how I decided to use YouTube in a World Language class teaching Spanish.

Click here to see my playlist!

1. For this playlist I chose to stick to the basics. Colors, months, food, you name it!I am positive you could find a video for it on YouTube. This particular video is directed towards a younger crowd and works well because it includes something that all kids love-- toys!

2. I loved these next videos. The YouTube channel where I found them covers several subjects from English to Spanish, even mathematics! 

3. This next video is one of my favorites and I can really see the kids enjoying the silly but educational video clip. Videos help kids stay focused! Break up your day-to-day routine with a quick clip. 

4. I wanted to include this video to show the different styles you can find as well. If you try a video for one class and it doesn't seem to work, try again! There are so many to choose from. This one is also quite a bit longer than the other clips I found.

5. Another way I could implement this in my classroom is by assigning the videos as homework! Don't have time in class? Just assign it for home and regroup the next day to discuss what you learned.

6. Some videos are less exciting than others however their simplicity could really benefit the learning styles of some students.

7. One of my favorite things about using YouTube is the accessibility to music in learning! Songs help with memorization of vocabulary, and they are a lot of fun too. 😉 

8. This video is specifically to learn food vocabulary. The benefit here is that you can take one particular point or objective in your lesson and find a video to compliment your other activities and routine. 

9. I included this video (also talking about food vocab) to contrast two different styles of videos you can find/include in teaching.

10. As you can see, its a nice change from the everyday teaching methods, and its easy!

Pros: This platform has many benefits. Its free, easy to use, and with a gmail account you automatically have access to your own YouTube channel. 

Cons: This site is a double edged sword. It can be SO helpful, but at the same time it can be distracting. YouTube has ads, and a sidebar that shows several other videos that might be tempting for your class to click on. However, there are age restrictions you can use to minimize the appearance of inappropriate content, and by using it as a class will also take away its distracting properties.

• UEN Content Standard: World Language- Spanish
• Learning Indicator NL.IL.2 I can occasionally understand isolated words that I have memorized, particularly when accompanied by gestures or pictures.

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

• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 8
• Use technology resources for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities

Dear Parents: Newsletter!

Each teacher is different, however, every teacher can agree that learning in the classroom is just as important as learning at home! It can be difficult as a parent to stay caught up with what is happening at school, one way to get around that issue is by sending home a newsletter in your students' backpacks.

Newsletters are a great way for communicating all kinds of information. Whether it be for the parent or the students themselves it's a helpful tool that every teacher should have in their tool belt!

Click here to see my example newsletter! 

Pros: Newsletters are great for many reasons. First off, there are so many programs you can use to create them! Word, and Google Docs are probably two of the more common and easier to use programs. Also, using a template can cut your work time in half. Newsletters are versatile and can be used for many different things and hold a substantial amount of information.

Cons: Printing may be considered a con depending on the amount of copies you desire. Also, it can take some time coming up with ideas and making them all fit onto one sheet of paper.

• UEN Content Standard: N/A 2nd Grade. I focused on Language Arts (reading/Spelling) but didn't specify a certain content standard due to the purpose of the newsletter.
• ISTE Standard: Creative Communicator
• The ability to communicate with your student (and the student's guardian) will be easy and more frequent with this tool.
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard No. 5
• Use technology tools for communication for audiences inside and outside the classroom.