Journal #3

     The ELA standards prescribe the Common Core State Standards for the subject of English Language Arts within multiple other subjects. There are specific standards in the ELA on how technology should be used within each grade level to further learning. I feel prepared to teach to teach the LAFS.1.RI.2.5 standard, which states students in first grade must be able to use multiple different features in the text in order to find information in the text. This skill is within my teaching abilities right now since I have experience using many different forms of literature. Within my own classes I have had to read articles, book chapters, and online textbooks. Because of this I understand how different forms of print and text are organized to show information. I will be required to learn more in order to teach the skill of LAFS.1.W.2.6, which states students should be able to use digital tools to create/publish writing. I have never been required to use a program other than MS word to type up my writing, so In will need to become acquainted with a variety of sites before I can properly teach this skill.

     Within my classroom I would like to use a variety of online tools to further my lesson plans. From MS office to other educational games that may be online or downloaded to the class computers. I plan to teach students in elementary school, preferably first or second grade. Meaning they will range in age from 6-8 years old during the school year. Despite being so young it is still important that the students understand the importance of digital citizenship. Children in modern times are increasingly young when they become tech savvy, so rules must be explained early. It will be important to teach respect for other students and their work they may do online in the classroom. This not only teaches the students that others have freedom of speech, but also creates a respectful environment that will not encourage cyber bullying. Students must also grasp academic dishonestly and learn not to copy work from online sources since this is plagiarism. It might not be appropriate to teach the students to avoid hacking and malware, but he concepts should still be touched on. Teaching these concepts early promotes a healthier online space.

     While working on my newsletter I had to fine tune my formatting abilities on a word document. I had never before made a newsletter like document and had to learn how to make many stylistic choices with the header and the columns arrangement. I enjoyed how my layout looked visually in the finished document. Using headings to divide the sections and using different styles, shaded lists and order forms, created a well rounded document. I did not like how my final banner looked on my document though, as I am not the best graphic designer. I tried to make it look balanced with the gecko images on the side, but in the end it bland to me. The assignment itself made me think about all the little non-teaching things that are required to run a classroom. This document was not to instruct the children on academics but rather to inform guardians about upcoming events. I'm glad this project made me look at new forms of structure in a document, rather than just a typed up essay. Next time I create a newsletter I want to figure out a more visually pleasing way, and create a template that I could use for my actual future classroom.