Information Literacy and Technology Skills in Students
Photo linked to MAET wiki.
First Grade Writing Skills
It is impossible to discuss writing skills without the direct connection to reading. First graders cannot do one, without the other. Students entering first grade have a wide range of literacy skills. There are exceptions that make this range of skills even broader such as individualized education programs and the addition of English Language Learners. Students will be encouraged to use reading and writing as interconnected resources. Starting on the first day of school, students are encouraged to share their prior knowledge with others, use the classroom as a tool, and make mistakes that benefit their learning.
First Grade Technology Skills
Usually technology skills among first graders have as much variation as literacy skills. However, this is changing with the infiltration of technology both inside and outside of school. Young children are being exposed to computers, iPads, iPods, cell phones, kindles, and gaming technology very early on. This has caused a rise in familiarity of different operating systems. Most students can turn on equipment, recognize buttons, and navigate frequently used sites. Yet, there are still some who do not own computers or have limited access. Students will be encouraged to use technology throughout the day and work in groups to support one another. Weekly visits to the computer lab will also build a solid foundation of technology application throughout the year.
It is impossible to discuss writing skills without the direct connection to reading. First graders cannot do one, without the other. Students entering first grade have a wide range of literacy skills. There are exceptions that make this range of skills even broader such as individualized education programs and the addition of English Language Learners. Students will be encouraged to use reading and writing as interconnected resources. Starting on the first day of school, students are encouraged to share their prior knowledge with others, use the classroom as a tool, and make mistakes that benefit their learning.
First Grade Technology Skills
Usually technology skills among first graders have as much variation as literacy skills. However, this is changing with the infiltration of technology both inside and outside of school. Young children are being exposed to computers, iPads, iPods, cell phones, kindles, and gaming technology very early on. This has caused a rise in familiarity of different operating systems. Most students can turn on equipment, recognize buttons, and navigate frequently used sites. Yet, there are still some who do not own computers or have limited access. Students will be encouraged to use technology throughout the day and work in groups to support one another. Weekly visits to the computer lab will also build a solid foundation of technology application throughout the year.
Meeting Diverse Needs
Photo linked to MAET wiki.
First Grade Diversity
As mentioned above, first graders have very diverse needs upon entering the classroom. Some students can write pages while others can just write their names. The contrasting abilities are endless. Aspects of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) will be used to differentiate writing lessons. The structure of stories will be represented in a variety of ways using mentor texts. Authors will be showcased with an assortment of reading levels, writing styles, and central conflicts. Favorite texts from years past will be used to motivate students and build connections between self, other texts, and the world. Students will also be guided to express themselves to several audiences through a variety of writing genres with relation to story structure.
Diverse technology needs will be met with a variety of choices and resources. An assortment of stories will be represented in books, websites and applications to motivate students. Boys and girls will have the ability to express themselves using several different technologies such as a pen and paper, desktop computers, laptops, and iPads. All learners also have the option to use assistive tools from Kurzweil, a resource provided by my school district that supports the UDL. The Kurzweil program converts text to speech, magnifies print, and aides with study tools.
As mentioned above, first graders have very diverse needs upon entering the classroom. Some students can write pages while others can just write their names. The contrasting abilities are endless. Aspects of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) will be used to differentiate writing lessons. The structure of stories will be represented in a variety of ways using mentor texts. Authors will be showcased with an assortment of reading levels, writing styles, and central conflicts. Favorite texts from years past will be used to motivate students and build connections between self, other texts, and the world. Students will also be guided to express themselves to several audiences through a variety of writing genres with relation to story structure.
Diverse technology needs will be met with a variety of choices and resources. An assortment of stories will be represented in books, websites and applications to motivate students. Boys and girls will have the ability to express themselves using several different technologies such as a pen and paper, desktop computers, laptops, and iPads. All learners also have the option to use assistive tools from Kurzweil, a resource provided by my school district that supports the UDL. The Kurzweil program converts text to speech, magnifies print, and aides with study tools.
Social and Ethical Uses of Technology
Photo linked to MAET wiki.
Beginning experiences with technology in a classroom lend to the introduction of safe use. First grade students will be introduced to technology and resources with an emphasis on safety each day. All links to outside websites will be housed on our classroom website. Therefore, students will be limited to resources and applications that have been preapproved. Students will also be asked to sign an agreement from the school that outlines the safe use of technology online. I will also provide the parents of my students with a “Permission Form” that allows students to be photographed, access resources across the curriculum, and publish work. Those unable to participate safely will observe safe use from cooperative peers.
Creativity and Critical Thinking with Technology
Photo linked to MAET wiki.
Creativity and critical thinking are brought on by open choices. There are endless possibilities for students to accomplish the task of writing a story. A mixture of websites, computers, applications, iPads, writing utensils, and papers will alter how and why writing occurs in the classroom. These choices are also a means of assessing writing progress and 21st Century learning. Students will be exposed to, expected to experience, and apply the craft of writing to all available platforms so that learning opportunities are not limited, but rather exposed.
Professional Development and Leadership
Photo linked to MAET wiki.
Every year with my students is a new experience where I teach different learners, and they in turn teach me. In my quest to access information that supports writing I found a variety of technology tools that I will be using for the first time. I look forward to increasing my own knowledge along with that of my students as we learn together. I also plan on building my bank of writing resources through collaborating with my colleagues as well as investigating online resources such as MACUL space and writing lesson from Merlot. The integration of technology tools is not new to my school, but I look forward to presenting the success of my project and the lessons learned in my professional learning communities as well as staff meetings.