Creating a Classroom Website

I created an accessible classroom website for my students and their families.  Last year, I sent home a weekly letter but many of my families were unable to access it due to language barriers.  Recently, a colleague of mine told me about the "select language" tab at the top of her website.  She noted that families may use the tab to access all website information in their chosen language.  I was really excited about this information but terrified about the thought of creating a website.  I struggle with the mechanics of setting up new things using technology. However, the benefits for my students and their families far outweighed my fear of trying something new. 

I have been working on my website on and off throughout the summer.  I am still working on figuring out how to use the calendar tool, but I am excited to share the rest of my project with my students and their families.

This year, families will be able to access important information about upcoming events, access district and state educational websites, use reading programs at home, view pictures of their child, and so much more.  I am glad I challenged myself to create a classroom website and I look forward to using it as a communication and educational tool for my students and their families.

My web address will be http://teacher.edmonds.wednet.edu/hazelwood/spears

Challenge: Google Forms

Challenge:  Google Forms

What did you create and why?
I created a beginning of the year parent survey.  I'm hoping this will help me get to know my students a little better.

What went well for you?
Everything went well.  It was easy to create questions and arrange them in the order that made sense to me.

What was challenging?
The most difficult part was figuring out how to get this form on my website and how to make it a usable link.

What did you enjoy?
I enjoyed creating something that will be helpful for me and easy for parents to use.  Other teachers at my school can also use this with their families.

What ideas do you have for using this tool with your students, grade level, staff, or to communicate with families?
I plan on using this form with my students' parents.  I hope to learn about the students from the perspective of the important adults in their lives.  It will also be an easy way for me to gather information from parents.


http://goo.gl/forms/MzatXYitUO

Creating my Website

I enjoyed creating my website, however, all the features are not yet totally familiar to me.  I will definitely be modifying my website as I explore the different features.  I really struggled adding a link to my google calendar and decided to substitute it with the event calendar for now.  I know this is one change I will be making soon.  

I will need to keep my website updated so it becomes a place my students and parents can access regularly and be kept up to date on assignments, assessments, and happenings at school.  

I love taking pictures of my kids enjoying learning math as they keep denying that they have any fun learning math! :)

Thanks for the step by step walk through.

Jodi

http://teacher.edmonds.wednet.edu/mms/mackeywebsite

Google Sheets

Google Sheets

What did you create, and why?

I created a template to help students understand the concept of place value.  I added images of money to the template to help connect what they know with a concept that tends to be difficult for students to understand, yet so crucial to build on.

What went well for you?

I am familiar with Excel, so it was pretty easy to create.  The step by step directions to share this document was very user friendly.

What was challenging?

Again, because of the familiarity of knowing how to navigate Excel, this challenge was very doable for me. :)

What did you enjoy?

I am excited to use this template and see if it is useful to students.

I am going to make copies of this for students, laminate them and have students put it in there math journal so they can practice place value and rounding, using this template

https://drive.google.com/a/edmonds.wednet.edu/file/d/0B2_lBHvxwI8zN2Vib0ZYd3psUkE/view?usp=sharing

Challenge: Arts & Crafts

• What did you create, and why? I created a "random name picker" to use in classrooms when I am substitute teaching. 
• What went well for you? I love this app! I can see myself using this every time I sub. One of the challenges when subbing is that you don't always know the names of your students. Using this app will allow me to randomly pick students to answer questions, help out in the classroom, etc. without me having to guess students names or find the class list.
• What was challenging? Nothing! Very user friendly and fast. 
• What did you enjoy? Honestly it was kind of fun to push the button and hear the wheel go around and then the horns toot when a name was selected. I think students will find it fun and engaging as well. Plus it is so simple to use a kindergartener could be assigned to pushing the button to see who is next enabling the teacher to roam and not be stuck to the computer. 
• What ideas do you have for using this tool with your students, grade level, staff or to communicate with families? This could be used in so many ways in a classroom. Not only during lesson times but choosing class jobs, seat assignments, star student of the week and so much more!
• Random Picker

Elementary Databases

• What did you create, and why? After exploring the Databases, I picked out some articles I can use for a social studies unit on Native Americans.  In the CultureGrams database, there is a section of information about each state.  There is information on the climate and geography of each state that students could use as we learn about the different regions during our study of Native Americans. For each state, there is also information about Native American history and people (in New Mexico, for example). Students could work in groups to research and share information about different states in each region.  I am also looking for more opportuntites to teach my students about conservation and the environment.  In the Sirs Discoverer database, I found an article titled "The Wonders of Water" which provides a connection between the Zuni culture in New Mexico and the importance of conservation which students could read during our study of the southwest.
• What went well for you?  For the most part, the databases were easy to navigate and search (as well as sort by reading level in some cases).  I have used some of these databases in the past, but there is lots more information available in them now than before, so it was easier to find relevant and grade-level-appropriate information.
• What was challenging?  I couldn't always find exactly what I was hoping for (sometimes the articles were not at the appropriate grade-level, for example).
• What did you enjoy?  Having time to explore to look for information on a variety of topics, rather than just searching for information I need for one upcoming unit.  I found a lot more information I could use that I didn't know was available by just exploring.  It was also helpful to not only looking for reading materials but think about ways for students to work collaboratively to use and share the information.
• What ideas do you have for using this tool with your students, grade level, staff or to communicate with families?  I can use these specific links for my Native American units, but I also found information I might use for other subjects, such as science and health.

Google Docs

Challenge: Google Docs

What did you create and why?

I created a Weekly Writing Homework sheet that provides the directions for the writing assignments. I would like the students to use Google Docs when working on their writing. The link is https://docs.google.com/a/edmonds.wednet.edu/document/d/1b1PfFGvf-xEak3xjbUM8ampocp2UPbUCCwE4aqRldWw/edit?usp=sharing
First, the students will brainstorm, do their rough draft, make revisions and turn in their final copy. The important part of this challenge was for me to learn how to use Google Docs rather than have a final product. I need to know how to use it before I have my students learning how.

What went well?

I read and followed the directions on the Google Training website. They were easy to follow.

What did you enjoy?

I liked finally figuring out how to use it. I think I will be using Google Docs a lot in my classroom.

What ideas do you have for using this tool?

When giving a research assignment or any type of writing assignment, I will use Google Docs. I like that students can access the same document which will be valuable for partner or group work.