In class Wednesday, we experimented with a database called DabbleDB. I have not had much experience with databases. I think the program is a very good one, but I really can't see myself using it very often in the classroom.
Since we needed to experiment with one, I started a database of information on my students. I included names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdays, etc. It was really re-inventing the wheel, however, because I already have all that information in a printed form from the school office. I think I would be much more likely to use the printed version than to log on to the computer and look up the information in a database.
I might see myself making a database of classroom novels or maybe a Christmas card list, but I don't think this is something I will use as much as a spreadsheet or word processing program.
I have not thought of any reason to use a database in any of my math classes. I know there are activities I could "create", but I don't see the value in doing something like that just to use a database.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
InTime Videos
I really like the concept of the Intime videos, but there weren't many available in math. When I limited the search to my grade level, I found one. The video I watched was called "Applying Statistics to Real Life." The teachers in the video used sports statistics to teach ratios and percentages. I have done this before and found it to work pretty effectively. The kids enjoy using numbers that have some meaning, like the sports statistics. I wish the video had more time with the kids doing the activity, rather than the two teachers talking about what they had done.
The accompanying lesson plan was very well-written and it listed all the standards met by the unit. There was one idea from their lesson that I will incorporate into my unit. They had the kids shoot 8 free throws and then figure out their percentages. I like that they chose 8 because normally you would have the kids shoot 10, but that makes the percentages much too easy.
Now that I have had my eyes re-opened to spreadsheets, I could see making a class spreadsheet with the results from the free throw experiment. We could find each individual free throw percentage as well as the whole class average. I think the kids will enjoy the activity!
The accompanying lesson plan was very well-written and it listed all the standards met by the unit. There was one idea from their lesson that I will incorporate into my unit. They had the kids shoot 8 free throws and then figure out their percentages. I like that they chose 8 because normally you would have the kids shoot 10, but that makes the percentages much too easy.
Now that I have had my eyes re-opened to spreadsheets, I could see making a class spreadsheet with the results from the free throw experiment. We could find each individual free throw percentage as well as the whole class average. I think the kids will enjoy the activity!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Spreadsheet Activity
I found several interesting spreadsheet activities I could use with my math classes while we were looking online Wednesday night. With the holidays approaching, I think it would be neat to try this shopping activity.
http://www.ncwiseowl.org/kscope/techknowpark/FreeFall/ShoppingSpree.html
I am going to wait and do this activity the week after Thanksgiving. I can use the ads that come out at Thanksgiving for the project.
http://www.ncwiseowl.org/kscope/techknowpark/FreeFall/ShoppingSpree.html
I am going to wait and do this activity the week after Thanksgiving. I can use the ads that come out at Thanksgiving for the project.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Spreadsheets/Web Quests in the Classroom
In class tonight, we worked on spreadsheets. I haven't done any work recently with spreadsheets so it was a good activity to refresh my memory. We did a magic square - slightly frustrating, and a budget.
I would like to do the magic square with my 8th graders. I think they would enjoy the challenge. I can see the value in teaching the kids to do a budget too. I explored several sites during class that listed activities to do in the classroom using spreadsheets. Budgets were featured in many of the activities. I really love the idea of planning a trip to Disney World. I am a Disney fanatic, and I think it would be neat to give the kids a budget, and have them plan all the aspects of the trip (travel, hotel, food, admissions, etc.).
Another activity I found again related to the M&M activity. There is a web quest that involves an imaginary employee for M&M Mars that was hired to do quality control. This person then follows all the links and completes the M&M activities, including a spreadsheet. I can't wait to try it. I think the kids will really enjoy it.
I will definitely try to incorporate spreadsheets into my classroom this year!
I would like to do the magic square with my 8th graders. I think they would enjoy the challenge. I can see the value in teaching the kids to do a budget too. I explored several sites during class that listed activities to do in the classroom using spreadsheets. Budgets were featured in many of the activities. I really love the idea of planning a trip to Disney World. I am a Disney fanatic, and I think it would be neat to give the kids a budget, and have them plan all the aspects of the trip (travel, hotel, food, admissions, etc.).
Another activity I found again related to the M&M activity. There is a web quest that involves an imaginary employee for M&M Mars that was hired to do quality control. This person then follows all the links and completes the M&M activities, including a spreadsheet. I can't wait to try it. I think the kids will really enjoy it.
I will definitely try to incorporate spreadsheets into my classroom this year!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Clusty
We explored different search engines in class Wednesday. I never realized most of the even existed. I never really varied from Google when I need to search for something, but now I will be using Clusty as well.
There are several unique features of Clusty that I really want to explore. I love how it "clusters" your results together by topic, sources, or site type. When I searched for information on The Westing Game, a book my seventh graders recently finished, I was really excited by the way they grouped the results. The box on the left-hand side of the screen sorts the results in so many ways! If I click on the "sites" tab, I can include only the type of sites I wish to view. I decided to look at only the ".edu" sites at first. That was really nice because I know that they won't be trying to sell me something if I click on to the site. The "clusters" tab is probably the one I will make the most use of when searching for activities to use in my classroom. It allowed me to look at the results for The Westing Game that were "resources and lesson plans" and "activities." This will save so much time searching. I won't have to look at a bunch of sites that don't include the information I am looking for!
There are several unique features of Clusty that I really want to explore. I love how it "clusters" your results together by topic, sources, or site type. When I searched for information on The Westing Game, a book my seventh graders recently finished, I was really excited by the way they grouped the results. The box on the left-hand side of the screen sorts the results in so many ways! If I click on the "sites" tab, I can include only the type of sites I wish to view. I decided to look at only the ".edu" sites at first. That was really nice because I know that they won't be trying to sell me something if I click on to the site. The "clusters" tab is probably the one I will make the most use of when searching for activities to use in my classroom. It allowed me to look at the results for The Westing Game that were "resources and lesson plans" and "activities." This will save so much time searching. I won't have to look at a bunch of sites that don't include the information I am looking for!
Word Processing in the Classroom
In class on Wednesday we were asked to practice word processing by using Google Docs to discuss a new search engine we learned something about in class.
I think that like any other new application, Google Docs is going to take a little getting used to... I got a little frustrated as I tried to find the tools I know so well in Word and Apple Works. It took me much too long to figure out how to double-space the document, but eventually it became easier.
I really like the idea of using Google Docs in my classroom - mostly because of past compatibility issues for the students. They would start a project at school and want to work on it at home, but because we have Macs at school and most of them have PCs at home, it was difficult to transfer the work back and forth. I also think the collaboration component could be beneficial.
Word processing does not play a large part in my math classes, but I have done some projects that had a written portion where the students would explain the results of the project. I have used it more extensively in literature. We have done book jackets, advertising posters, character sketches, etc.
Patty and I will be starting a Google Docs project with the seventh graders next week. They will be creating a group slide presentation on a research topic from the new novel we are starting, The Witch of Blackbird Pond.
I think that like any other new application, Google Docs is going to take a little getting used to... I got a little frustrated as I tried to find the tools I know so well in Word and Apple Works. It took me much too long to figure out how to double-space the document, but eventually it became easier.
I really like the idea of using Google Docs in my classroom - mostly because of past compatibility issues for the students. They would start a project at school and want to work on it at home, but because we have Macs at school and most of them have PCs at home, it was difficult to transfer the work back and forth. I also think the collaboration component could be beneficial.
Word processing does not play a large part in my math classes, but I have done some projects that had a written portion where the students would explain the results of the project. I have used it more extensively in literature. We have done book jackets, advertising posters, character sketches, etc.
Patty and I will be starting a Google Docs project with the seventh graders next week. They will be creating a group slide presentation on a research topic from the new novel we are starting, The Witch of Blackbird Pond.
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