Allyson+Wilson

Questions:

1. A student could use a Wiki site in my classroom to create the theme for an upcoming science chapter. I could divide my students into groups and assign each group to a different chapter. This would allow my students to get some insight about our new science chapter and also create a Wiki to help other students learn about this new topic. I would then have each student post to this Wiki during our computers time. They would need to post about a new vocabulary word they just learned or a new bit of information that they think would be useful to someone who is studying for the test. Each week I would have them post something new. I could also have posting to Wiki be a review day. They would need to post about a main topic from this science chapter that they think will be found on the test. Students could also use this Wiki as a review to study for the test. They could hop on this site, read through it, and gain some important knowledge/information before the test.

My students could also create a Wiki when we are discussing animal adaptations instead of drawing a picture or making a diagram. This would allow the kiddos to put videos and real pictures on their site instead of drawing pictures on a piece of paper or painting on a box.

2. I would be able to use Wiki as a study guide for each of my science tests. I could have the students load/find various bits of information to add to the Wiki that they feel is important. This is an instant study guide for them! I could also create a Wiki for a presentation about one of our reading novels. Instead of just pulling up a video, I could create a Wiki that had not only a video of the novel, but text from the novel and pictures and so much more. This would make for a much more interesting discussion instead of just listening to me talk and then answering questions. I could also create a Wiki that was all about the adventures in fourth grade. I would ask the students to help me load pictures or videos or information of some of the fun things that we experienced during this year.

3. There are many sites that I am currently using as a teacher. Below are my favorites:

Pinterest: I use this site to organize my thoughts. I have created different boards for different classroom themes that I want to create during my time as a teacher. I have created boards for camping, movies, Harry Potter, the jungle, and many more. I also explore this site to see fun art activities/projects and different writing ideas. Pinterest was especially handy this summer when I wanted ideas for science experiments for my first graders.

BrainPOP: I use this site mostly in science. I can show a quick video about what we recently discussed and even quiz my students over the video. If I want, I can even print out the quizzes to give as a grade.

Quizlet: This is a site that I give to my students to help they study their science vocabulary words. The have access to this site at school and at home. I hope that they study the flashcards as home so that it will help bring their grades up. I also try to use Quizlet in my lesson plans at least one per chapter so that I know they studied their cards at least once. This also introduces technology in the classroom-which they love! I like that this site also has games that my students can play to review their vocab words. It is a site that has more than just digital flashcards.

Kahoot and Quizziz: I use these sites as a review games in class. I create a science quiz based on the review sheet and test. Then the students play this on of these games in class the day before the test. It gives them a sneak peek of what might be on the test and also gives them an idea of what they need to study that night. I also like that it encourages them to try and do their best. Plus it creates a little competition in my room which shows that they really do want to know the answers (even if it is just to come in 1st).