I have enjoyed reading many things from my google reader, however, I must admit sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of feeds that are there.  I especially enjoyed this one regarding some web-sites that this teacher had recommended to help reinforce the money concept.  Since I teach  money and help students learn to count money, I found several of these websites some that I will add to my favorites at school for my students to use. This one in particular, by the US Mint, was fun.

Thing 11

I enjoyed looking at flicker and it was really interesting to see all that is available out there.  I think having access to so many photos will be an asset to teaching. 

Photo by Altus

http://www.flickr.com/photos/altus/2304394018/

Thing 10

The creative commons is a wonderful idea.  I know our media specialist is always helping us better understand copyrights involving print media, but this area of technology opens up many other copyright issues.  I am so happy to know this exists.  I do like to look at other teacher’s powerpoints and gain ideas and knowledge from those. 

I must admit that I have never actually noticed the cc on web sites or images, but it is probably there and I haven’t noticed it.

I do hope this gets easier for me.  Now that I am getting the hang of RSS feeds, I think I like it.  I guess it is like anything new….it takes getting used to.

I was glad to find some “fun” RSS feeds.  I know I will love the recipes from Famiy Fun that I found.  I may get a little side-tracked from classwork reading the new recipes and ideas.

I loved Dy-dan’s idea of math basketball.  I can’t wait to use that with my students.  They love when we play spelling baseball (same basic concept), so I am sure they will enjoy math basketball also.

I read this information regarding classrooms and new teacher information.  Even though I have been teaching 8 years, it is a good reminder of some of the basics of classroom management, etc.

Reading several of the blogs was very interesting.  I especially enjoyed Is this SSR 2.0?  I loved what the teacher commented about allowing his students to read blogs during the quiet reading time.  What a wonderful use of time and technology. 

I also loved the information about assigning homework in Why I don’t assign homework.  I was glad to see an educator at the high school level feel strongly about not assigning homework for completely different reasons than I have for not assigning homework.  I think he is correct when he states that your driven, high achievers will do the homework, but your students who struggle will not to it for obvious reasons.

 Because I teach first grade, I feel my students need time to play, socialize and spend time with their family when they get home.  I feel I work them very hard while they are at school and want them to build relationships when they get home.  Homework in my classroom consists of a time of reading a story to their parents (after they have practiced at school with me).  That way, hopefully it is a short time of celebration for the student and the parent.  It also gives my student who may be struggling a time to review the story with their parents.