Why Does Learning about Space Matter?

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."  
Nelson Mandela                                 


My students are creating a WIKI for their literacy project. Kids love learning about space! When my class  recently studied the moon, they asked if they were going to study the planets too? Since the planets are not part of the third grade curriculum, I hesitated.  How could I refuse these enthusiastic, eager, little cherubs, who displayed a thirst for knowledge! I thought about Ann Thibodeau's blog and her thoughts about the realities of teaching students a set curriculum. Should I allow my students the opportunity to expand on their thinking to areas where they want to learn more?

                                  

I decided I would encourage my students to undertake learning facts about their favorite planet and entitle it enrichment. Why?  After reading Free Technology for Teachers, I came across this YouTube Video from a scientist at NASA and his belief in the importance of man continuing to explore space. 

This scientist raised some important questions that can apply to students who are interested in space.

Why does space matter?
Why is it important to explore the inner solar system?
Where will man venture next?

                

Obviously, there have been cuts to the NASA program and my understanding is space exploration will become more privatized in the future.  However, is it not important for students to wonder about things like the planets and outer space?  Of course, this is crucial to raising critical and creative thinkers. 
                                                        

My thinking was further confirmed when I found the site Wonderopolis.  This is a parent/child site where students can ask questions they wonder about and it allows them to search for their answers. Here is a short video about the site and the importance of children being allowed to explore their interests.

Mrs. Morris and Miss Jordan's class have access to laptops and interactive whiteboards.  Students use the Internet daily.  Shouldn't this be a standard in every classroom in America?  How else can we inspire our students to be creative and critical thinkers? How do you feel about students exploring their interests? 

My students asked, "Why Pluto was no longer considered a planet?" Here is a vimeo that explains the answer to this.

ABRACADABRA ... DIIGO

     

As a fairly organized individual, I enjoy keeping track of what I read and learn.  I always have the best intentions to use what I find as a resource in my classroom.  However, I have a tendency to write things down and forget where I wrote it or put it.  Abracadabra – Diigo entered my life! Now I have a great tool to help me keep track of all those ideas and resources, which will increase my competence as an educator.

As I am reading through people’s blogs, like Mary Ellen's, who teaches fourth grade, and investigating sites for my wiki, digital storytelling project, literacy project, etc., I feel I have just grazed the tip of an iceberg of knowledge and resources. The wealth of information is infinite.

 
                                              
 
 I have found information about the moon, explorers, readers theater,  reader's workshop (Rockin Reading Workshop blog), and folktales, which are all units I teach in third grade. Diigo will work for me and I am overjoyed to use it.  I can view how others are approaching the various content areas I am teaching and gain not only a different, but broader perspective about topics. This opportunity can only enrich my student’s learning experiences as well as make me a better teacher.

           



What would you do without Diigo?
 

KICK BOXING VS. THE INTERNET

 

When I went to the gym this morning to do kickboxing, I started thinking about blogging and using the various web tools available on the Internet.  Since I hadn’t been to the gym for a while, I was lagging behind my peers.  Some of the kickboxing routines had changed and my endurance wasn’t as good as a few weeks ago. Although I have been diligent about this grad course, I feel like I'm running a marathon to keep up with the rest of the students. This led me to draw a comparison between kickboxing and the Educational Technology class.  I realized that students today must have instruction to become computer literate. Knowing how to use the Internet and web tools is critical to becoming tech savvy.  As an educator, I have so much to learn to become competent in this field.

       

 

In order to kick box, the participant needs some background knowledge about choreography. Moreover, the participant must follow directions and use both auditory and visual features to accomplish this exercise. When using the Internet, whether it is a blog, a wiki, or any web tools, the user must be knowledgeable about these features.  Computer literacy is needed  to navigate the Internet.


      

The kick boxer must have coordination and agility to participate in this physically exerting exercise. Likewise, the Internet user needs stamina and intellectual capacity to comprehend and navigate the Internet to attain a particular objective.

In kickboxing there are various terms the participant must know. There is a roundhouse kick, hitch, backward kick, upper cuts, and hooks. 

                                      

There are so many web tools on the Internet that the user must be familiar with, like, blog, wiki, voki, bookmarking, Diigo, search engines, RSS, etc.  In order to accomplish a task, prior knowledge of terms is needed to be successful.   

 Practice and experience play a critical role in both kickboxing and using the Internet.  To become skilled in a particular area, one must adopt new ways of learning. Series of quotes about gaining knowledge

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That Poor Ugly Duckling

                                                          


The kids were so excited to do the readers theater. They practiced before they were filmed.  Everyone was encouraged to speak slowly, distinctly and loudly. The Common Core Standards states the students should be able to present knowledge of a story by speaking clearly and at an understandable pace. The actors did a phenomenal job and all the students were well-behaved.  The timing and the rhythm of the story was superb considering these students are only eight and nine years old. The class demonstrated "fluid reading and added visual displays when appropriate.  Students comprehended the problem and solution to the story as well as the author's message. Taina's Blog

                   


Since I explained to parents I would only have my grad class view this movie, I am not able to embed it in this blog. Below is a YouTube video explaining the benefits students gain when they participate in a play.

 

 

                       
 As I viewed the movie I was able to start thinking about adding a title page and using different visual features. I decided to add pictures to enhance the storyline and introduce the characters since it might not be obvious to the viewer who the characters were because they were not wearing costumes.  Students did wear signs when they did the play for a live audience to indicate their role. Below is a wordle that demonstrates all the components of putting on this readers theater.

                          Behind the Eight Ball


              

                           Not Your Old School Chalkboard

                                                      


21st century literacies framework is necessary for our students. Students will not be prepared for the global job market without this type of education. The school systems are behind the eight ball because they are not providing the training for teachers nor are they investing in technology for the schools. 

     
              
 

Students must be computer literate and integrate technology with reading and writing. Integrating technology with content areas provides authentic learning. When students use blogging for literacy responses, book talks,or create their own website to demonstrate their literacies, students will be accomplishing 21st century educational outcomes. Mr. Seyfert's class

             

Students can participate in conducting a research report like the circulatory system by viewing multiple online sites like Wikijunior. Additionally students can work collaboratively on a project within their school or with students in another location. Deb Norton celebrates digital learning with other schools throughout the country. This will indoctrinate students to accept other's thinking and respect the cultural differences that exist in the world.


                                                 


As students read online, they will become more adept at critical thinking skills as part of Common Core Standards because they will need to analyze multiple sources of the same information and make judgements as to the legitimacy of those sources.  Only through these experiences can students becomes competent to live in the twenty-first century.

In order to use technology, students must learn the responsibilities to access information.  Students must be alerted to the safety and legal uses of the tools of the Internet. NETS

                                       

What is your opinion about our 21st century responsibilities as educators? What role should parents play?

No Age Limits

                                              

                         David Vitter, U.S. senator
"I continue to believe that if children are given the necessary tools to succeed, they will succeed beyond their wildest dreams!"

                             

There are no age limits to integrating digital activities for children today.  Babies are playing with iPads and are able to navigate it easily.

                                     




As soon as students enter school, they should have opportunities to work on technology. Kelly's Blog mentions the importance of digital storytelling in kindergarten.  There are many sites available to help preschoolers and young readers develop literacy skills.              
    
                  
 
The adage, "Practice Makes Perfect," is relevant when it comes to digital technology. This venture  is worth attaining.  As Elena's Blog explains, there are 22 digital skills every 21st century teacher must have.
                                                              
                     

Starfall has a great site for literacy. What caught my eye was the section on fables, folktales, fairy tales, and myths.  Starfall offers a simpler version of the stories. These stories can be exemplars before students actually start reading fairy tales, folktales, and fables. http://www.diigo.com/user/lead28407?domain=www.starfall.com
                                           

Students can access e-books to expose them to literacy skills. Read/Write/Think provides educators resources to integrate technology when teach reading and writing to students.


         
            

                         

Little Actors

                                             


My students recently completed a unit on folktales, fairy tales, fables and Native American legends. The performance assessment for this unit involves students participating in a reader's theater.  The Common Core Standards expect students to recount stories using not only reading and writing skills but oral presentation skills. I think this is a great opportunity to reach all learners and give students an opportunity to practice speaking in front of an audience. NCTE Framework for 21st Century Curriculum and Assessment




Students practice a play.

                      
Readers theatre  "is a style of theatre in which the actors do not have to memorize their lines. In Readers Theatre, actors use vocal expression to help the audience understand the story."  It is different from a play because a play has more visual features, such as sets and costumes. Readers Theatre became popular during and following the second World War when resources to produce plays were scarce. A common Readers Theatre uses only the scripts and stools or chairs. Wikipedia

Having my students perform their reader's theater of "The Ugly Duckling" would fit with my digital story telling project.

                                            

What is your opinion of this project? How do you think it will impact my students? Is it a worthwhile venture? Why or why not?