Classroom Newsletter

Hi Everyone!

I literally just finished making a newsletter for my class's upcoming Christmas Party. I am so excited not only for the party but also because now I know how to make a good newsletter. I always thought they looked so good and now I know how to make a professional looking one. I used Microsoft Publisher, picked a template, formatted it with a color scheme and pictures and walla! I had a fantastic looking newsletter. These are easy to make and anyone with Publisher can use it. There are also other forms of documents that you can make for whatever you may need. If you have any questions or tips please let me know! Thanks,

Marie Miller

Here is my Newsletter

Future Technology

Hi there!

I have been researching technologies of the future in education lately and I have found one that I think is very interesting. I was looking in the Horizon Report of 2011 which tells of technologies that are up and coming in the next five or so years. The game I found is used visually for kids with autism because they can have trouble with facial recognition. This game uses facial expressions and a touch screen in the form of a game to help kids with autism recognize faces and different facial expressions. This game could be used in the special education field for children with autism to help them in their everyday lives. This game format could potentially be used for kids in a different format. Such as identifying correct answers to math problems or grammar questions. The game is a space age looking format where you shoot laser looking things from a base at the correct moving object. You can select the level you want to play at and choose a version under time or not. So students can build up to the highest level as they improve their skills in the specific subject. All together this game looks like it would be easy to install and very handy for dynamic learning in the classroom. I pasted the link below so you can learn about and see an example of the game. Have a great day!

Marie Miller

Click here to view the game.

Digital Poster

Parents and Students,
I just finished making an online poster on a website called "Glogster." This website is the latest thing in the world of technology and I found it to be a very useful tool that I will use and encourage my students to use in my future classes. The great thing about Glogster is that it is free, all you have to do is set up an account and then you can make an unlimited amount of Glogs for any subject. There are sample Glogs on the website and a step by step tutorial that demonstrates how to make a Glog as well. Glogster is not specifically an educational website for students or educators but nevertheless it can be used by everyone and anyone needing to make a fun and interactive online poster/presentation.
Glogster starts you off with a blank slate and many options to add graphics, text, wallpaper, images, video and other visual and audio aides for your Glog. On top of that it also lets you link, upload or grab pictures, videos, and audio clips from the internet to add. Glogster gives hundreds of options that come in various themes so that you can easily look through them and access what will suit your Glog the best. Glogs will be great in the classroom because they are easy to use and create, they are fun to make and offer another way of learning using technology. I think kids will really enjoy using them as a homework assignment or as a presentation in front of the class. Glogs will get students excited about learning and help me engage students in lessons I will teach using Glogs as well. Below is a link to the Glog I created on the digestive system. I also embedded my Glog so you can get a quick glance and have an idea of what Glogs look like. Please look at it and feel free to ask questions or give me some feedback. Sincerely,

Marie Miller

Click here to view it on the Glogster website

You Tube Playlist

Students,
This post is just for you! Since we are starting our Civil Rights unit this coming week I decided to mix things up and create a Civil Rights video playlist on You Tube for you to watch. I did an introduction to give you an idea of what the videos are about and then added four other videos from You Tube. The first video is a summary of the Civil Rights era, the second video is a short biography on Martin Luther King Jr. , the third video is a biography of Rosa Parks and the fourth and final video is about the Little Rock Nine which you will learn about in the video. While you are watching these videos I want you to think about three things that you see or hear about segregation was like in the 1950's and 60's and compare those three things to the America we live in today. Write those things down and bring your answers to class so we can discuss them together and kick off our new unit. Use the link below to access the playlist. See you Monday!

Ms. Miller

Digital Citizenship Presentation With Prezi

Hi everyone,

I know it has been a while since I last wrote but I wanted to let you all know that I have recently learned how to use a Internet presentation tool called prezi to make display information in a new and fun way. The first prezi presentation I recently made is about academic dishonesty such as plagiarism, inappropriate use of Internet content, and academic cheating in general. Through this presentation students will learn what is and is not appropriate as far as being a good digital citizen. I gave the students a number of explanations, definitions and links so they can know my policies and what I expect of them throughout the year. I am excited to have learned how to use prezi because now students can be more engaged in learning about things that otherwise might not be as interesting. I will put the link to my prezi at the bottom of the page. Until next time,

Marie
http://prezi.com/your/

Amazing Online Educational Resources

I just wanted to let you all know that on my google web page on the left side in my resources tab I have listed fifteen educational websites for students, teachers, and parents. I researched them all thoroughly and I think you will find that they are very useful resources for the classroom and at home. They provide wonderful academic support for students, professional templates, ideas, tools, and rubrics among other things for teachers, and give parents solid outlets for how to encourage and help their children learn at home. These websites are only a few of many that are out there. I myself was very unaware of all of the great tools that other teachers and organizations have put together to offer educators such a vast array of support. Look at these and let me know what you think! If you find other useful sites don't hesitate to contact me, I would love to look at them as well. Sincerely,

Marie

Below is the link to go directly to the resources page on my website.
https://sites.google.com/a/nnu.edu/mariestechpage/resources

Assistive Technology- Talking Calculators

To whom it may concern,

         I have been researching what is know as assistive technology (AT) for students in my classroom to be able to use to help them learn at a level that is accessible to them . AT is equipment that helps students with learning disabilities or impairments comprehend and clearly understand what they are learning. For instance if a student is blind, one form of AT for them might be something called text reading that reads a book out loud so the individual can hear it. AT simply aids a person in what they don't have the natural ability to do for themselves. It is my hope to invest in a few products of AT. Recently, one that has caught my eye is the talking calculator.
        The talking calculator says out loud whatever button is pushed on the calculator and also says the final answer to the equation out loud as well. Hearing the number, symbol or answer audibly will help students be able to detect errors or miscalculations that they could be making that they would not have caught otherwise without hearing them. It can be easy to make errors for anyone when doing calculations or even transferring numbers from paper to the screen. Talking calculators would help students increase their skills, resulting in a more confidence for the student all around. Here is the URL from the AT website I found the talking calculators on. http://www.sc.edu/scatp/ld.htm#wpred. I am excited to see what happens with this and I will keep you posted. Sincerely,

Marie

Exploring Nature

Exploring Nature

My video story helps kids from Kindergarten to first grade identify the different elements of nature. In my video I put different pictures I had from nature from various parts of the country including Alaska, Oregon and Washington and even one from Kenya! Learning how to make a video story was very easy and is an effective tool that kids will enjoy because it is interactive and it helps them learn in a different and interesting way. I will use this tool in the future for different lessons on a variety of subjects.

Marie

Shared Readings

Hello Everyone,

I am excited to announce that I figured out how to use what is called a Google reader. I created an account and subscribed to different educational blogs that I am looking forward to diving into and learning more about. I can't wait to read about other teacher’s experiences and learn about how I can become a better and more effective teacher. At the end of this post I will leave a link so that you can go straight to my shared page and read some articles that I found very interesting and useful.

 I am planning on posting more links to good articles that I find and want to share with you. It would be wonderful if you would read them because I would love to hear your input on different articles. This way we can share our thoughts and ideas in a safe and open environment and be on the same page about what is going on in the world of education. I chose about seven different articles that vary in topic and I am interested to see what you think about any of them so please check the page and get back to me if you would like! Thank you,

Miss Miller

- Here is the link to my shared page.   http://www.google.com/reader/shared/10470605988785710857?hl=en

About Me

     Hello Everyone,
         My name is Miss Miller and I am very excited to have the opportunity to be teaching your fourth grade class this year. I am looking forward to the good times ahead and to see what this upcoming school year holds for us all. To start off, I wanted to give you some background information about myself so you (both parents and students) can get to know me before the year begins.
        I am originally from the small town of The Dalles, Oregon. I grew up in The Dalles most of my life and that is where my father grew up so my family has a lot of ties that truly give it the small town feel that I have grown to love. I have an amazing family that I am very close with that include my parents and three younger siblings. I grew up in a family that was and still is very involved in athletics and many other activities.  We kept up a very busy life that was full of friends, family, and lots of fun. Growing up, I loved playing soccer and running and I actually ran cross country and track during my four years of college. I graduated from Northwest Nazarene University where I studied elementary education and loved every minute of it. I am not yet married but I plan to be some day and for the time being I enjoy keeping busy with teaching and various other hobbies. I like to run (for fun though these days) to stay in shape and I also enjoy reading, spending time with family and friends, scrap booking, keeping up on today's current events and shopping. I am also an active member in my church and the community. Traveling is one of my biggest hobbies and I am blessed to say that I have been overseas a couple of different times as well as Mexico where I studied and learned how to speak Spanish (which is something I also enjoy doing). I not only love to travel because of the unique cultural experiences and main attractions but because I am a very relational person and I enjoy getting to know people and learning their stories and backgrounds. I have also been to third world countries with different people and organizations to help others in need.
          I absolutely love being a teacher and think that there is no better profession. It is great to be able to get to know each and every one of my students and their families personally and teach them about the world and what they need to know to be able to have successful futures. Part of the reason I wanted to become a teacher was because of the influence I saw my Dad have on students as a High School PE teacher. I have always had the simple but strong passion for helping people and I saw teaching as a good outlet for me to be able to do that. I have grown up my entire life around kids of all ages and truly enjoy spending time with them on a daily basis. The young people of today are the future of tomorrow and it is important that they are equipped with the skills to be able go out into the world and help improve it. I am honored to be able to be a small part of that process and look forward to seeing you in the near future. Parents if you have any questions, comments or concerns with anything I have written or anything else please, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me. Sincerely,

Miss Miller