James

Assignment 1

Dan Meyer: Math Class Needs a Makeover

I watched this video on how our math classes more specifically need an overhaul. He states this is because of 5 things: lack of initiative/preserverance/retention, aversion to word problems, and eagerness for formula. This reminded me of my own math experiences of questioning when/where I'd use the math in my real life. Math concepts are hard to understand ifyou have no real life application for it. It needs to be changed if you want students to retain it.

I will use this in my classroom by showing other teachers how they can help make the math real for the students. Make math fun for the kids and practical. Show them how they can use it in their own lives, this will help for better retention among students. Teachers are the first source for the students to learn these concepts so only improving our methods can we improve our hopes for better retention.

Even though this was geared more for high school math teachers it can be applied to anybody who uses math. "Make math messy" to quote Dan Meyer. This way you can grab the kids attention from the beginning.

Assignment 2

-10 Content Specific Applications-

1. Mad Libs (free version) Language Arts - I like thisapplication because it provides the student with an opportunity to practice and reinforce their grammar knowledge while making a silly story. Autocorrect even helps them with spelling errors while their filling in their words. Only drawback is if the child doesn't understand the terminology.

2. Mini Minute (free version) Math - This app is a good way for students at about a 3rd grade level and above to practice and reinforce their time telling skills. I like how it is progressively becomes harder while playing. This is also its drawback because it does speed up fairly quickly.

3. Rocket Math ($0.99) Math - This app not only incorporates various math themes (basic facts, money, time) but also the idea of rocket propulsion. You have the abilty to change the level of difficulty and to get more parts for the ship you need to practice the math theme you choose. One drawback is it is a bit hard to navigate until you're used to it.

4. ShowMe (free version) Math -This application has practice use in any subject I teach but I would primarily use it in math to work through a math problem step by step to show the students how to work and solve the problems. The visual of walking through each problem would help the student seeing how each equation is solved. The only drawback I could see is if multiple can/can't use it at once, unknown at this point.

5. Convert Units (free version) Math - This app has a much practical use for me, always needing to convert measurement, money, etc one way or the other. It's fast, easy, and fairly simple to use. No downfalls at this point.

6. Stack the States (free version) Geogrpahy - What a fun way to learn state geography from important cities, to capitals, to important landmarks for that. I just downloaded the lite version, and it was a lot of fun earning states along the way. I'm sure the full version would be worth it's price. No drawbacks at this point either.

7. Puppet Pals HD (free version) L.A. - Haven't had the opportunity to do much with this, but I feel it'd be a great way for children to express themselves through literature and tell there own story to the class. Being able to animate their story and record there voice would be a great learning tool for the class and the student. No drawbacks at this point until I can test it out in my class.

8. Word Search (free version) L.A. - Good way for students to strengthen their vocabulary/spelling skills by searching for words by theme. I'm sure the full version you can input your own list. Either way, it helps students to recognize words and their spellings while mixed in a bunch of other letters. Only drawback at this time is not being able to put in something like a weekly spelling list with this version.

9. Spanish Essentials (free version) Spanish - Fun app for students to practice their pre-existing Spanish and learn some new words. It's not to hard to navigate to most students would be able to use it. It is the lite version so there are limitations. It gives you a set list to work on as opposed to proposing your own.

10. ScreenChomp (free version) Multi-Subject - Great way for students to express their creativity then by doodling on it. Can also be use to practice things like math problems or spelling lists and has many other uses. Great simple app that's fun and free.

-5 Personal Apps-

1. Angry Birds (free) - Just a good stress reliever at the end of the day to shoot birds and get those mean pigs/monkeys. It's fun seeing how far I can get in the levels and even more fun playing the ones that has the seasons to go with the holidays.

2. Draw Free (free) - Fun free app that I play against my friends attempting to draw pictures of words. Fun way to socialize and show my drawing talent or lack their of through it.

3. Fox11online (free) - Easy way for me to keep up with the local news. Can easily browse the top headlines to keep up with the news in the area and Wisconsin.

4. Where's My Water (free) - New addicting lite game using water to fill up a gator's tub. Definitely like the strategy component of it, makes one have to stop and think to win it.

5. Words Free (free) - Great game to socialize and work on my vocabulary/spelling skills while playing another. Love how the game can go anyway and how you're constantly working at trying to find the best spot for your words.

-Rocket Math Evaluation/Presentation-



Assignment 3

O'Dell, Scott. //Black Star, Bright Dawn//. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2008. Print.

Shulman, Polly. //The Grimm Collection//. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2010. Print.