20. Common Core in Action: How Two Science Teachers are Implementing Common Core

Math and English Language arts are the subjects that use Common Core Standards. It may be challenging for other subjects to implement the use of Common Core State Standards because they aren’t as easy to accommodate. They use reading and writing standards in other subjects. Skills like the use of graphic organizers, outlines, revision, and direct instruction can be integrated into different subjects. It is important to understand the content in other subjects and the reading and writing standards aid student’s skills and well as involving hands on activities. We use reading and writing in every subject. It is important to use these skills to help you learn in other subjects as well. In order to fully understand science you must be able to read and learn the content. Teachers can use different reading standards in the science subject as well as writing. It is important to have good writing skills in order to explain your point of view about different subjects.

19. "Evolving Classroom Education: Where Is K-12 Technology Headed?"

Classrooms have been utilizing the use of technology in their lesson plans. They understand the importance of technology in students’ education. By allowing students to use the technology that the students already own helps the cost of technology more affordable. They also are encouraging Natural user interfaces, NUI. These devices use the body’s movement to provide outcomes and includes devices like the Nintendo Wii, Xbox Kinect, and Iphone’s Siri. The advantage of this technology is that is reaches the blind, deaf, physically disabled and autistic who learn better through still evolving technology that is more recent. Personal learning environments allow sudents to choose resources through different types of electric formats. This allows individuals to use a style and type of learning that is best for them. Each type of technology that is used in the classroom builds on the previous device that came before it. It is important to keep the technology up to date. By allowing tablets, apps, BYOD, NUI, PLEs it helps the schools from falling behind and allowing the students to bring their own devices that they learn best with. Technology is important to integrate in today’s classroom.

18. Voki

17. Bully

Bullying is a serious problem. From the internet to the playground to the classroom, bullying can happen anywhere at any time. There is no one thing that can stop bullying completely, but there are things you can do to lessen the amount of bullying that is happening around you.  One thing we can do is be aware of the problems and stay informed about the students and the bullying. Students aren’t the only ones who need to know about bullying. We can be informed by being aware of the anti-bullying programs, newsletter, meetings, and conferences that are offered by the school. This will allow closer relationships with the students and more likely to notice bullying. It is important to have a relationship with the students to aid the students that are being bullied as well as the students that are causing the problem.

16. "Augmented Reality Snags A Coveted Spot In Classrooms"

Laura Devaney talks about the use of augmented reality apps in the classroom. Her article informs people about how this app can aid students inside the classroom with extra information and enhance their content. While looking through mobile devices, students can experience elements like landmarks in first person as well as receive important historical facts and videos to further inform the student about a specific topic.

Augmented reality apps are very interesting and I think they could do wonders inside the classroom. It gives students such a fun way of learning new facts and in ways they will actually enjoy. It allows them to interact with the facts as well as other students and gives them a chance to learn from something other than the teacher. These apps could be very useful for students as well as teachers when performing lessons.

15. "Five Essentials To Create Connected Students"

Vicki Davis is a full time teacher and Administrator who writes about the importance of students being connected to the internet. She believes that being connected isn’t just about socializing, it is a life skill that is needed in the classroom. Davis lists five essential to be a well connected student. She believes that students need to use the internet for things like personal websites and personal networks.

I like how positive Davis is about the use of the internet in the classroom. She believes that schools shouldn’t block websites or keep students from using them to communicate with. She has a good point about using twitter to communicate with authors. I also agree with her when she says some students do not know how to use technology when they are expected outside of high school. High school should be integrating all forms of technology and college readiness in the classroom.

14. "21st Century Skills: Why They Matter, What They Are, and How We Get Them"

Ken Kay is the president of 21^st Century Skills and the author of “21^st Century Skills: Why They Matter, What They Are, and How We Get There.” His book discusses the vision for the 21^st century learning view of how we can conceptualize public education, and bring together all the elements the 21^st century students’ need. Kay’s main focus for the 21^st century students is to revert from the average subjects that are taught to teaching things like creative thinking and problem solving instead. He believes that this is the type of information that will make a student successful after graduating high school.  

I can agree with Ken Kay’s ideas because some of the most important things we need to know are not taught in the everyday classroom. Yes, it is important to be able to read and write and have proper grammar as well as being able to add and subtract, but things like being professional and how to obtain a successful job are not taught by our average teachers. I believe that it is important for individuals to be able to properly address an email and different types of documents in order to be successful. But often times we are left to figure it out on our own, sometimes even by trial and error which could easily be avoided if we were just taught the correct things in school. Student main focus is on receiving good grades in order to pass a grade level. But what good does that do us after we graduate when we are left with decisions such as obtain proper insurance, down payments of cars and houses, and planning for your future such as retirement. Not everyone has a correct answer to every question or the best advice but I believe that if things along this line were taught in school as well as the necessary subjects students would be more prepared for the developing future.

13." Why Tough Teachers Get Good Results"

Joanne Lipman discusses a past orchestra conductor of hers, Mr. K. Who is remembered for his blunt and fierce ways of teaching. He often referred to his students as "idiots" when they messed up. When compared with the way teachers are suppose to act today, Lipman says, "..he'd be fired." Lipman argues that Mr. K's way of teaching actually gets better results. It encourages students to do their best and continue to practice until their product is the best it can be. Lipman believes that the stronger methods of teaching are better and instill confidence in students.

All in all, I agree with what Lipman is discussing, but there are a few things I disagree with. I do believe that being a little more stern will encourage students to do their best in fear of failure. But we should not categorize them as failures, we should help them understand that their are challenges sometimes. The main idea for a teacher is to get the student to do their best and this may be different for each student. I do not think it is possible to have a specific way to teach a class, but more importantly teach to the students individually in ways that better them.

12. Inspiration Comments

Erika Calamari: I like the fun activities you incorporate

Jacqueline: I like the freedom you give the students to be creative with their vocabulary and making their own tall tales.

Mary Kathryn: Your activities incorporate the standard well and I like the idea of the backup plan.

Jennifer: Good lesson plan I like the group work and how you let them use their imagination a lot to complete the work.

Amanda: You incorporate a lot of fun activities that will keep the students involved.

Jordan: I like how you use real life situations to help the students better understand hurricans and the experiment.

Jonathan: I like how you plan to incorporate the students emotions about WWII to help them better understand the topic.

Victoria:

11. Do not Track Me

Do not track me is definitely a necessary download. It really helps put into perspective that you are being tracked by the cite you are visiting. After I downloaded do not track me I surfed the internet and was shocked at the number of followers that were being blocked. I accessed sites like facebook and got three followers that were also being blocked by the download. This download is useful for the people who spend a lot of time on the computer. It keeps followers away from your information and makes your computer safer.