Blog #7 Spreadsheets

I reviewed the M@M project that Mr. Huckins did with his 4th graders for a math section. The lesson is made to help kids learn how to collect, organize and analyze data. He had kids use bags of M and M's and break them up into color and record the data. After recording the data, he had them put it into a pre-made spreadsheet to help organize and analyze the data.

You could do the same project with older kids, say 6th grade, but instead of having a pre-made spread sheet the kids would need to design their own, and come up with some of the formulas on their own as well. They wouldn't need to create the spreadsheet from scratch, but I could give them more options as to how they could make it.

Netiquette

Here is the URL for my Netiquette rules. Google Docs for some reason would not let me post it.http://docs.google.com/View?id=d3886nx_0sr9ndxgm

Blog #5 The Jigsaw

The jigsaw method is a great way to teach, I have had many of my professors in college teach some of their units that way. I feel like I remember the section I had to learn and present with my group very well. I think one of the draw backs to this method is of one group does not do a very good job on the task that was given the rest of the class will not get the information that is needed from those students. Also you have the problem of the slower student in the group who does not work at the same speed as people in the group. This can probably be remedied by having a good team leader that includes all peers equally and delegates well. 

If I only had five computers in my class, depending on the size of my groups and classes I could one computer per group, with the group leader using the keyboard. Or have the leader have someone use the keyboard to search for specific things that the leader and one other person suggests, and the others in the group will look for information in the text or other resources available to them. 

Blog #3

Dear Parents and Students, I am writing to you to ay to help welcome you to our classroom community, and that all are welcome. I know that every child is different and they all have individual needs and goals. I know that even though I can reassure you that your child will be treated the same regardless of race, color, religion, culture, or disability, some parents need more than my word for it. I have listed below some general information on some laws that are in place to help protect your child; these specifically deal with persons with disabilities because they are the most recent.

IDEA or the Individuals with Disabilities Act, guarantees the right to a free and public education to those individuals and students with disabilities. The ultimate goal for IDEA is to prepare students with disabilities for employment and independent living.

            The Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA was put into place in 1990 to prevent businesses, public, and commercial buildings from discriminating, knowingly or otherwise, against persons with disabilities. In short these provisions state that an employer must make reasonable accommodations to potential disabled employees or current employees that have become disabled. 

            The Assistive Technology Act or ADA was signed into law in 1998. This act requires that schools, businesses, and other public agencies provide people with disabilities assistive technology to help accommodate them.

            For more info you can contact me or visit these websites for more information.

 http://blackboard.boisestate.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_12526_1%26url%3D

 

http://blackboard.boisestate.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_12526_1%26url%3D

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individualized_Education_Program

http://www.agbell.org/docs/agreatidea.pdf

http://idea.ed.gov/explore/home

http://www.washington.edu/accessit

http://www.ataporg.org/

http://www.section508.gov/

http://www.ada.gov/

http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-ada.html

http://www.mrsc.org/Subjects/Legal/ada/adainfo.aspx

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/disability/ADA.htm

 

ADA

The ADA or Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, and also ensures them equal opportunity for employment. Not only does this law include employment opportunities, but it also ensures that public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation are equally accessible to those with disabilities. 

For the full version and all of the amendments to this law over the last almost two decades you can visit the official website at www.ada.gov. There is so much information here it was hard to process, they have publications for misinterpreted info. and also to help businesses comply with the Law as well. 

Intro

My name is Nathan Evans and I am 30 years old and was born in LaGrande OR. I have been all over the world but I call the North West my home. I was in the US Navy for five years as a Sonar Technician on a Los Angeles class "fast attack" submarine. If you have ever seen the movie, or read the book Hunt for Red October, I was Jonesy. I have been to almost 15 different countries, an I have even been to the North Pole. I have been across the equator, circumnavigated the globe at least twice, and I slept right next to one of the tomahawk missiles that was fired during the first part of the current Gulf War. After living such an "exciting" life why would any one want to move back to Idaho and become a teacher?

Well, seeing so much can be a blessing, and a curse. I got to see some pretty amazing stuff and met some pretty amazing people, some of which I am not even allowed to talk about; but there is always a flip side to that coin. I have seen some pretty terrible things and met some pretty terrible people as well. Before I joined the Navy I lived a pretty sheltered life, never being farther east than central Idaho, and having as much culture as a house cat. I was in for an unpleasant surprise. I didn't know crap about anything I thought I did, especially people. I became a cynic. I could go on but I will save some of the story telling for later.

One of the biggest reasons I want to become a teacher is I don't want to be one of those people that complain about the world and the way it is, and not do anything about it. And one of the best ways to change the world is to help ensure our future, and our future is our kids. Right now I am planning to become a middle school math and science teacher, I have about a year left with enough math credits to have an endorsement in math, and I am one class short of an endorsement in science. One of my main focus' will be on a safe learning environment. Math is a subject that more and more kids are struggling with, thus becoming very resistant to taking risks or asking questions about it. So if they are comfortable in my class maybe math can become a sought after class instead of a dreaded one.