Lesson Title: Picture Scavenger Hunt

Grade: Preschool

Subject: Mathematics

Key Goal: Find all the hidden pictures.

Learning Standard:

Standard 4.4: Children develop spatial and geometric sense.

Introduce vocabulary describing two- and three-dimensional shapes and constructions
(e.g., circle, sphere, square, cube, triangle, rectangular prism, pyramid; side, point, angle) and use that vocabulary when interacting with children and materials in learning centers, small groups, and individual settings.

Learning Objectives:

• Children will use the Ipad to open up the album of the pictures and go on a scavenger hunt to find the items.
• Children will snap their own photo and record the words onto an answer sheet.
• Children will develop their exploring skills as well of their teamwork skills.

Technology Uses: The children will be using ipads to take a picture of the items they have to find.

Steps:

• Take pictures on an Ipad or smartphone of shapes and store them in an album.
• Have the children open up the album and find the same items.
• Have the children take a picture of the item.

Evaluation: Evaluate children by asking them questions such as what kind of shape is this? or how did you take the picture?

http://www.getedfunding.com/

https://teach.com/what/teachers-change-lives/grants-for-teachers/

In these two websites, I found two grants which I thought were interesting. The first one is called the Brady Education Foundation grant. If I were awarded this grant, I would use it to help close the opportunity gaps associated with race and family income. The second one is called the IRA Regie Routman Teacher Recognition Grant. If I were awarded this grant, I would use it to improve the quality of reading and writing education.

I also found two other websites where educators can find grants:

The Nea Foundation

The Nea Foundation is a public charity founded by educators to improve public education for students. This foundation offers grants and programs to support educators efforts to increase classroom innovations. They award grants up to $5,000.

neafoundation.org

Teaching Tolerance

Teaching Tolerance provides resources to educators, administrators, counselors and other practitioners who work with children from kindergarten through high school. They award grants ranging from $500 to $10,000. They offer educators the resources necessary to create safe and welcoming classrooms. They also focus on improving school climate, preventing or responding to incidents of hate, or promoting dialogue about anti-bias issues at school.

https://www.tolerance.org/educator-grants

Khan Academy is a website that provides free video tutorials on different subjects such as math, science, engineering, computing, arts, etc. It also offers practice problems as well as quizzes. I found a couple of interesting lesson plans in this website.

Imagining in a box

In this lesson plan, students can learn how artists, designers and engineers create theme parks. They’ll learn how theme park bases its attractions around a central theme.

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/hass-storytelling/imagineering-in-a-box

Intro to multiplication

In this lesson plan, students learn how to multiply numbers. It includes several practice problems such as multiplication on a number line and multiplication as groups of objects.

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-third-grade-math/intro-to-multiplication

Journey through cryptography

In this lesson plan, students learn what cryptography is. They learn how humans hid secret messages throughout history.

https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-science/cryptography

So, I downloaded google earth pro and learned so many new things such as creating and managing placemarks. The picture I posted below is an example of the placemarks I created. I first searched the place that I wanted to save and added a placemark. If I wanted to add a video or photo, I copied and pasted the URL. It is really simple.

I decided to save the places where I grew up and where I am now living and working. I graduated from Ventnor Middle School and Atlantic City High School. I used to hang out at the playground, tennis court and steel pier with my friends. I included some pictures and two videos of those places. I also included my favorite Chinese restaurant. I used to go there really late at night with my friends. Now I live in Absecon. So, everything is different and quiet. I also included my job. I work at a supermarket called Casel’s Marketplace. I’ve been there for four years and counting.

Worksheets: Good or bad?

The topic of worksheets is controversial in education. Many educators use worksheets to encourage students to remember what they learned in class while other educators try to avoid using worksheets in the classroom. I personally think that worksheets can help in some areas, however, it does not prepare students for success and it definitely does not ignite a passion for learning. I think that educators shouldn’t use worksheets all the time. Instead of using worksheets all the time, educators can provide hands on learning activities. There should be a balance.

Example of a worksheet:

To create this worksheet, I made an account at quickworksheets.net. They provide three free worksheets and so I decided to create a word scramble worksheet. All I had to do was create a title, add the directions (it was optional) and add a word per line. It basically tells you what you have to do. It is very simple and quick.

What is a PLN?

A personal learning network is a personalized network of educators and resources created by individuals to increase their knowledge of a particular subject. You can personalize who you want in your network, what you want to share and what you are interested in learning about. You also pick the platform. Many prefer online platforms such as twitter.

I found a couple of professional organizations that can definitely help science educators and improve science education. These include:

• National Science Teaching Association (NSTA)

This organization engages science educators in international opportunities with the intent that they will become better teachers in their classrooom. The NSTA provides resources such as lesson plans, activities, books and ideas on science. They also have conferences that offer the latest in science content, teaching strategy, and research to expand professional development.

https://www.nsta.org/

• The Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE)

The ASTE is an international association of science teacher educators, scientists, science coordinators and supervisors, and informal science educators who prepare highly qualified science teachers to meet the demands of the 21st century learning environments.

theaste.org

• National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT)

The NABT has been recognized as the “leader in life science education.” The NABT empowers educators to provide the best possible biology and life science education for all students. They believe that pedagogy should be learner-centered. Educations have joined this organization to share their experiences with other colleagues from around the world.

nabt.org

• National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA)

The NESTA is a nonprofit educational organization. Their mission is to facilitate excellence in K-12 Earth and Space Science education. They envision that all K-12 students receive a quality Earth and Space Science education. They provide professional development opportunities on a range of Earth, space and environmental science topics as well as teaching resources.

https://www.americangeosciences.org/society/national-earth-science-teachers-association

• National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST)

The NARST is a global organization for improving science education through research. The goal of NARST is to help all learned achieve science literacy.

narst.org

I also found a couple of websites/blogs that focuses on the importance of technology in education. These include:

• Cycles of Learning

Cycles of Learning is a blog created by high school science teacher Ramsey Musallam. He provides video tutorials on incorporating technology in the classroom. His mission is to help foster learning environments through student curiosity.

cyclesoflearning.com

• The Teacher Cast

The Teacher Cast is an educational network for teachers to help other teachers. It was founded by Jeff Bradbury, an educator, speaker and broadcaster. He shares his experiences as a Technology Integration Specialist to share how teachers can successfully incorporate technology in their classrooms.

teachercast.net

• Edutopia

Edutopia is a website founded by the George Lucas Educational Foundation. Edutopia is dedicated to improve the ways in which students learn. Edutopia provides how to videos and tips to help develop educational leadership. Edutopia focuses on six important learning strategies which are Assessment, Integrated Studies, Project-Based Learning, Social-Emotional Learning, Teacher Development, and Technology Integration.

edutopia.org

• ISTE

The International Society for Technology in Education is a community of worldwide educators who believe in the important of technology in education. ISTE provides educational technology resources to support professional learning for all educators.

iste.org

• EdSurge

Edsurge is a educational technology organization that publishes newsletters on the people, ideas and technologies that shape the future of learning. Their mission is to help educators about the evolving learning environments and technologies that support them.

Edsurge.com

Local Organizations

I found three local organizations that offer professional development workshops for teachers.

–Southern Regional Institute & Educational Technology Training Center Their mission is to improve the quality of education through educational technologies. They provide k-12 educators and school administrators with training opportunities on subjects such as instructional technology and distance learning. They offer many training workshops for teachers where they can learn the latest trends in educational technologies. Workshop: Integrating Technology into Everyday Mathematics

http://ettc.net/

–New Jersey Educational Computing Cooperative NJECC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and support the integration of technology in K-12 education. They provide more than 100 member school districts with a range of services to meet their needs. Workshop: Assistive Technology for Students with Special Needs

njecc.org

–Pre K-12 Educational School Services at Camden County College They provide workshops, conferences and other services to school districts in the Camden area and across New Jersey. They provide a variety of workshops including teaching with technology. Workshop: Google Classroom and so much more

Click to access School-Services-2019-2020-Workshops-Revised-9-11-19.pdf

Concept Maps

What is a concept map? A concept map is a graphic representation of several interconnected ideas which are made up of two elements: concepts (or short phrases) and links. Concept maps are very useful tools for organizing and simplifying information.

Example of a concept map:

The website I used to create this concept map is called lucidchart.com. This website provides concept map templates. It is free and easy to use. I decided to create a concept map based on food. I found enough information about where food comes from and what it contains. Then I identified several concepts about the topic that are considered most important and necessary. I connected my topic through a link word (or phrase) that explains how they relate, therefore creating a proposition.

Brief description of the concept map:

Food is what living beings eat and drink for their subsistence and nutritional purposes. Foods are mostly of animal or vegetable origin although algae, inorganic substances such as salt and water are also consumed. Foods provide us with proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals.

What is a webquest?

A webquest is an internet-based learning activity. It requires research, problem-solving and application of basic skills. There are 6 parts to a webquest: introduction, task, process, resources, evaluation and conclusion. Webquests are useful for developing higher thinking skills as well as improving internet and researching skills. Webquests allow students to work at their own pace and develop student’s abilities to work in groups.

Examples of Webquests:

Science: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=75776

In this webquest, students have to create a commercial convincing others to reduce, reuse and recycle. I would definitely use this webquest in the classroom. I like that the students will be creating commercials. It is a fun, engaging activity for getting students to think about persuasive techniques.

Mathematics: Design Your Own House

http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=125243

When I came across this webquest, I remember when my 5th grade math teacher assigned a project in which we had to design our own dream house. It was a fun project. This webquest allows students to get creative, have fun, and use many math skills. I like how this webquest uses an engaging topic that is rooted firmly in the real world and incorporates mathematical concepts such as budgeting, perimeter and area.

Blogging: It’s Elementary

http://questgarden.com/34/30/8/060831081120/index.htm

In this webquest, students will become bloggers. They will blog what they are learning in and out of school and on the Internet. Students will blog with their peers and build their own special learning community. I like this webquest because it motivates students to become better readers and writers. Also, it allows students to express their creativity.