We had another exciting week. We taught some more of our lesson plans and everything went well. We were able to get to know the students a little bit better. It is a super class. They loved learning all about Greek Mythology.
I am surprised at the range of ability in the classsroom. We have a few students that are way ahead, some in the middle, and some who are way behind. With such a broad range I feel like it will be hard as a teacher to keep all of the students engaged and learning new material. It will soon be a challenge we all have to face.
Good-Luck to you all. Enjoy this week because all too soon our Field Experience will be over!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
First Week in the Field!
Hi everyone! Our first week in the field was great! Whitney and I had so much fun working with the students and teaching our lesson. The students were very well behaved and receptive. They asked when we could teach them more about Ancient Greece. This subject has been fun to learn about. However, we happen to have two boy geniuses in the class that seem to know a heck of a lot more about the subject than I do. So, I am learning from the students as well!
Our cooperating teacher is wonderful. She is such a great example for me. I love how she can control the classroom, yet have such a kind and patient manner about her. She has been very easy to work with. It is a lot of fun because she keeps us busy copying papers, correcting things, and doing reading groups. My favorite part is when I take a small group to the library and help with reading. We read the book that they are reading in class and then work on summarizing the chapters. The students try so hard. They love the book so much that they don't want to stop when it is time to go back to class. They even skip their bathroom and drink breaks to keep reading the story. I LOVE it! I look forward to teaching more lessons!
Our cooperating teacher is wonderful. She is such a great example for me. I love how she can control the classroom, yet have such a kind and patient manner about her. She has been very easy to work with. It is a lot of fun because she keeps us busy copying papers, correcting things, and doing reading groups. My favorite part is when I take a small group to the library and help with reading. We read the book that they are reading in class and then work on summarizing the chapters. The students try so hard. They love the book so much that they don't want to stop when it is time to go back to class. They even skip their bathroom and drink breaks to keep reading the story. I LOVE it! I look forward to teaching more lessons!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Digital Story Assignment
Digital Storytelling is the practice of using computer-based tools to tell stories. Just like traditional storytelling, most digital stories focus on a specific topic and have a particular point of view. However, digital stories can have a mixture of computer-based images, text, recorded audio narration, video clips and/or music. Digital stories can be any length. Most of the stories used in education last between two and ten minutes. And the topics that are used in Digital Storytelling range from personal tales to the recounting of historical events, from exploring life in one's own community to the search for life in other corners of the universe, and literally, everything in between. To learn more about digital storytelling, please visit the following websites and watch the video.
http://www.storycenter.org/
http://www.digitalstory.org/
www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/learnshops/digital/examples.php
After viewing the video, begin your own digital story using the instructions below.
You will be doing your video on your Greek City-State. Your video will need to include at least 6 interesting facts about your City-State including what type of government they used, what foods they ate, what type of education did they received, what roles the men and women played, what type of armies they had, what some of their beliefs and values were.
1. First, you must have a point of view. Ask, is there a problem? Is there a point to make? Is there a lesson to learn? Then ask, so what? Maybe you should ask, how does this affect us today?
Know who your audience is going to be and make a connection.
Each story includes a dramatic question. It can be obvious, or hidden. You may choose to set up tension from the beginning and hold the viewers attention until the end.
Here are some suggestions you could use, however not a must, for your story:
What was it like to live in Ancient Greece?
Why did they eat the foods they ate?
Why did they settle where they did?
How did they worship their Gods?
What effect does Ancient Greece have on us today?
2. Try to make an emotional connection with your story and the audience. This can be a tearful or joyous ride. But somehow, you want to evoke some emotion from the audience.
Once you are this far, you get to create a story board. You decide your script and what pictures you want to include in your story. You can do this by text, or create a powerpoint. The powerpoint can later be turned into your digital story.
3. Surf the internet using sites like Eduhound to find pictures to use. Put the pictures on your powerpoint or begin using Photostory 3.
You will want to use images in a way that without them, there would be less. You want your pictures to influence, impact, and help understanding for the audience. You will want to use pictures that are at least 640 X 480 in size. Make sure that the image helps tell the story. If using powerpoint, add any necessary text and convert powerpoint over to digital story.
4. You will want to add music to your story. Music is 50% of the experience. Music establishes tone, mood, and emotional context. You can add whatever fits with your story. You can use instrumental music or sounds.
5. You will want to add Narration. This is a way to personalize the story. Keep narration short and have the narrator speak slow and recite the script rather than read the script.
6. Use enough content but do not overload the viewer. Economy, making the pictures and music work.
7. Make sure that your video has good pacing. This is how much time is spent on each picture. Keep a good rhythm to your story.
Create a credit page at the end of your digital story thanking all those who participated in your movie and reference appropriate material.
Finish your digital story by November 30, and be prepared to present them to the class. Please get with me if you have any questions.
After Presentations, we will post your movie on Creative Commons. This is a free website where anyone can put their work and choose the copyright terms that they choose from “All Rights Reserved” to “Some Rights Reserved.”
http://www.storycenter.org/
http://www.digitalstory.org/
www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/learnshops/digital/examples.php
After viewing the video, begin your own digital story using the instructions below.
You will be doing your video on your Greek City-State. Your video will need to include at least 6 interesting facts about your City-State including what type of government they used, what foods they ate, what type of education did they received, what roles the men and women played, what type of armies they had, what some of their beliefs and values were.
1. First, you must have a point of view. Ask, is there a problem? Is there a point to make? Is there a lesson to learn? Then ask, so what? Maybe you should ask, how does this affect us today?
Know who your audience is going to be and make a connection.
Each story includes a dramatic question. It can be obvious, or hidden. You may choose to set up tension from the beginning and hold the viewers attention until the end.
Here are some suggestions you could use, however not a must, for your story:
What was it like to live in Ancient Greece?
Why did they eat the foods they ate?
Why did they settle where they did?
How did they worship their Gods?
What effect does Ancient Greece have on us today?
2. Try to make an emotional connection with your story and the audience. This can be a tearful or joyous ride. But somehow, you want to evoke some emotion from the audience.
Once you are this far, you get to create a story board. You decide your script and what pictures you want to include in your story. You can do this by text, or create a powerpoint. The powerpoint can later be turned into your digital story.
3. Surf the internet using sites like Eduhound to find pictures to use. Put the pictures on your powerpoint or begin using Photostory 3.
You will want to use images in a way that without them, there would be less. You want your pictures to influence, impact, and help understanding for the audience. You will want to use pictures that are at least 640 X 480 in size. Make sure that the image helps tell the story. If using powerpoint, add any necessary text and convert powerpoint over to digital story.
4. You will want to add music to your story. Music is 50% of the experience. Music establishes tone, mood, and emotional context. You can add whatever fits with your story. You can use instrumental music or sounds.
5. You will want to add Narration. This is a way to personalize the story. Keep narration short and have the narrator speak slow and recite the script rather than read the script.
6. Use enough content but do not overload the viewer. Economy, making the pictures and music work.
7. Make sure that your video has good pacing. This is how much time is spent on each picture. Keep a good rhythm to your story.
Create a credit page at the end of your digital story thanking all those who participated in your movie and reference appropriate material.
Finish your digital story by November 30, and be prepared to present them to the class. Please get with me if you have any questions.
After Presentations, we will post your movie on Creative Commons. This is a free website where anyone can put their work and choose the copyright terms that they choose from “All Rights Reserved” to “Some Rights Reserved.”
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