Second graders learn about plants and ecosystems in a life science unit. Using Wisconsin Fast Plants, they can complete an investigation in about 35 days that allows them to observe the life cycle of a flowering plant. As they germinate the seeds, watch the plants begin to grow and develop, flower, pollinate and fertilize them, and allow seeds to develop, they meet many Michigan Science Standards*. The lesson has the potential to not only be hands-on and minds-on, but also modified and possibly even redefined by technology. Groups of students working together to plan and conduct an investigation on if plants need sunlight and water would be asked to place plants in varying environments with different resources available to determine essential needs. As the plants go through their life cycles, they would also need to develop a model mimicking pollination so that it can be fertilized. Each day the plants will be photographed to show the growth they are undergoing. At the end of the unit, the pictures will be compiled into a time lapse so that students can see the life cycle of a plant from seed to seeds in a matter of seconds. Without technology, this would not be possible! They would be able to observe the investigation, and maybe take a photo, but new digital photo software allows for the integration of technology to deepen an understanding of plant life cycles. The task could even be transformed to explore other habitats of plants around the world! Student could communicate with another classroom in an area very different than their own asking what observations they make about plants native to their area. With engaging lessons and strong technology, the opportunities are endless! *If you're curious, here are the exact Michigan Science Standards this second grade lesson would align with:
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Jennie Doughtery is the captain of "Beta Classroom", a website and blog dedicated to testing, reviewing, and improving technology specifically for the classroom. She aims to bring opportunities to work with technology to under-served populations and encourages start-ups by trying out their work.
I just read a review that Jennie did on Class Dojo which was at the time in beta version and is now a popular site for teachers and parents! Jennie so eloquently expressed the benefits of having a mobile way to track classroom management instead of sitting at her computer and spending hours logging data. Class Dojo is a smart phone app or accessible on a computer where teachers can instantly record behavior and parents are able to track their children in real time. It almost resembles a video game in that students get badges and earn or lose points for their actions. She actually explains the neurology behind the chemicals that excite our brains when we can see our progress and get credit for our actions. It's a powerful motivator in her classroom as students are able to visually track their progress. She uses Class Dojo as a way of making her a more mobile, effective teacher, which is exactly what the goal of using technology in a classroom should be! Class Dojo collects data for her to analyze and use for professional development, as well as providing students and parents with personalized information. Additionally, since she was testing the program to give feedback to the developers, she provided some great advice on how it could be improved, such as a print out feature for parents without internet access. It is so important that in our age of technology we do not ostracize people unable to be constantly connected to it. Jennie definitely exhibits the ISTE standard of "modeling digital age work and learning" through her use of Class Dojo. Part of the standard is to "collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation". Class Dojo connects her to parents and holds students accountable for their actions. She also is "demonstrating fluency in technology systems" as she navigates the app and website as a role model for her students. Her use of Class Dojo does not quite "design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments" as it is more of a communication tool to home and for data collection than it is for instructing her students. It engages them by encouraging positive behavior, but does not have learning experiences directly associated with it. It is not always possible to hit every standard with one technology, however, and Class Dojo is so beneficial it allows her to reach the standards in other ways by having an effectively managed classroom. I will definitely try out Class Dojo in my classroom one day as Jennie excited me about all it has to offer! Today I have a few websites to share with you all, especially other teachers! As a generation growing up immersed in technology, it is important to be able to navigate the sea of things on the internet and to teach our kiddos to use it wisely, as well. Here are some great resources to add to your classroom toolbox.
These technologies were found from a list of reviews by fellow future teachers, which was so helpful to have. On the list, everyone provided different ideas of grade levels and subject areas that the technology could be used with, and a short tutorial of how it worked.
It is so beneficial to draw on colleagues for classroom resources instead of trying to sift through a big Google search for something new! Networking with others lets you learn from their successes and struggles and perhaps even navigate new technology together. It definitely speeds up the process of searching for materials and makes it easier, more manageable, and more fun to explore all the options. We often say there is no need to re-invent the wheel -- collaboration is powerful for developing new ideas among teachers and in turn enhances students learning! I hope you find some of this technology useful in your classroom (or maybe even in your home). If you have any favorites you'd like to share, I'd love for you to comment them on here! |
Hi there!I'm Sarah! I have a passion for powerful teaching and lifelong learning. I am a 4th grade teacher turned instructional designer, and this is my blog documenting the journey. Click here to get in touch with me. Archives
February 2021
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