Tool #7 Reaching outside the classroom: Online digital projects

 For this part, I looked into iearn.org and decided to do synchronous learning also using skype and joined the "My city and me" project. Here's the plan.

Objective: TSW identify environmental issues in their city.

                TSW use critical thinking skills to come up with solutions and share with a classroom in Mexico thru Skype to better their city and exchange issues serving as active members of society.

Implementation: I plan to implement this lesson during the Fall in my social studies class.

Tools: "My city and Me" blog from iearn.org  and Skype for the classroom.

Description:  First, the students will identify environmental issues in their city ( Houston) such as pollution, toxic waste in landfills etc. Then, they will list them and think of possible solutions to the problems found. Finally, they will exchange information with a classroom in Mexico that I would have set up in advance. ( My aunt is a teacher in Mexico, so I was thinking to connect globally using skype so that my class and her class can exchange information about their "city issues" 

Tool #2

For this one, I commented on 3 other bloggers expanding my PLN on the 11 tools blog.

Additional info : conduct chart

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10PQJEFOl2IWWn3PYmmt291gp10Gi3DF5h4jCaYZxO54/edit

This is a link to a Weekly conduct chart I've created for my summer school class. It might help you

11Tools #9 Student accountability

In the 11Tools blog but here's additional information:

It's important for children to know that their actions have consequences and that only they are responsible for their own. Therefore, I will hold my students accountable by making them in charge of certain tasks in the classroom. In other words, I will share the power so they can feel that their presence matters.

11Tools#8 Devices in my classroom

itouches: I learned how to set up an account in order to download apps for possibly a reading center and students can actually go to the apps not just to "play" but there's a whole world of educational apps available for them!
netbooks: This one is my favorite one. I can definitely see my students using the netbooks for their rough drafts! and using glogster to publish their writing! and that's just one idea. The netbook is a fantastic way to keep students motivated to write.

11Tools #6

My 11tools #6 is in the posts for the 11tools blog.

11Tools #11 Reflecting

My favorite tool: So many to choose from but I got to say Glogster because I am a Language Arts 4th grade teacher, this tool gives students to freedom to create a produce good topics for their writing. 

Thinking transformed: I always thought of myself as a technology oriented teacher but this training has blown my mind with all the different tools that I now have access to. I can't wait to start using them in my classroom. 
My vision remains the same. technology has opened up the world to many of us and it keeps children motivated!

Unexpected Outcomes: Not many but some websites are more elaborate than others which can make it difficult and a bit frustrating to deal with.

Overall, I really enjoyed this training and I now have a blog to share my experiences and ideas with other educators :)