Technology and Learning @ MS 319

2007-02-26T12:44:00.001-08:00

Mr. Knasters Math Link

Links Learning

2007-01-16T05:25:00.000-08:00

Ms. Reynoso, Science Activity

Please click on the following website:

www.unitedstreaming.com

Username:
Password:

Then, click on Spanish version and go to Mitosis and Meosis.

Then, read and answer the questions.

2006-12-12T07:26:00.000-08:00

What makes a presentation interesting?

Remember when I presented my Australia Review to you? Do you think I presented it well to you? Was I interesting? Was the information interesting? What are some ways I could have made my presentation better and more interesting.

Please begin with:

I thougtht your presentation was ......

Type your 50 word response by clicking on the comment link below.

2006-12-07T07:27:00.000-08:00

Dear Teachers and Students,

I am using an online word processor which lets me type and save my work online. I can open and edit it from any computer with an internet connection. This is something that I have been searching for when working on laptops. Since most teachers don't have to time to save all the students work onto their flash drives I thought this might make it easier to work with. You can work and save your work in MS Word and then copy and paste it here. This way you will haver a backup in case anything happens. When it is time to print, open this document from a computer that is connected to teh internet and that can print. Oh, and did I mention that is free? Totally free! I hope this helps! Let me know

Zoho Writer

Mr. SanchezMS 319, NYC

2006-12-01T12:28:00.000-08:00

Computers for Youth

This weekend, Computers for Youth will be giving out donated computers to our 6th grade students at MS 319. Computers for Youth is a non-profit organization that supplies low income families with a used computer. Its one of the ways that our school is attempting to bridge the digital divide in this country Here are the specs for the donated computers:

Dell Optiplex GX1 with Pentium 3 500-700 mhz processor, 128-256 ram, 10 Gb HD, 15 inch monitor, Win 2000. I am not sure if WinXP is being installed now but that would be nice.

Computers for Youth

Community Corner

2006-10-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

The Causes of the Civil War

Read pg. 193 - 194. Then answer the following questions in complete sentences by posting a comment below.

What did Gabriel Prosser, Nat Turner, and Harriet Tubman have in common? How wwas each one different?
Why did slave rebellions worry southerners?
What became an issue as the U.S. moved west? Why?
What agreement settled that issue? How?

2006-09-28T05:54:00.000-07:00

804 Advisory

Please click on this website:

Math website

2006-09-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

Ms. Duda's Class

Here is the link for your Civil War Project:

Civil War Webquest

2006-09-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

Landforms of the United States

Here the websites that you will need to identify the landforms of the United States. Be sure to identify the 50 states first and then the landforms on your map.

http://www.unitedstreaming.com

http://www.mrnussbaum.com/landforms.htm

https://mail.nycboe.net/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.eduplace.com/

2006-09-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

Researching a Historical Period in U.S. History

Use these links to help you create and complete your Inspiration Web about a Historical Period in American History. Remember that you have to have at least two examples for each subtopic to receive credit for the assignment. All text must be in your own words. NO COPY AND PASTE!!!!! You may add relevant clipart to decorate and personalize your web.

http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/EXPLORE/timeline.html

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/timeline/timelineO.cfm

http://www.animatedatlas.com/timeline.html

2006-09-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

What do historians use to research the past?

In my social studies class we all will be acting like historians. As a result we will have to use resources just like historians to find out about the past. Use the link below to begin this investiagation. Leave me a comment on the type of sources you learned about.

http://www.historyonthenet.com/Lessons/sources/sourcesmain.htm

2006-09-06T06:07:00.000-07:00

Welcome back MS 319

Students, I am so glad to be not only your Social Studies teacher but also your technology teacher. One of the first things that you will need to learn how to do in this class is log on to my Blog site (online journal) and comment to my posts (journal entries). My posts will be in the form of open ended questions that should not be answered with a yes or no. Your responses should be well thought out and intelligent and also come from your feelings and experiences. Its ok to disagree with me (in fact I welcome it) but I need you to explain why you disagree. Explain yourself. So with that said, lets get down to work. Here is the question:

What do you think the study of history is overrated or under appreciated? Explain.

To help you, why don't you look at the following websites for some info:

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=history&x=0&y=0

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/flash.html

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/

http://www.historyguide.org/guide/guide.html

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/

2006-08-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

Real Wages Fail to Match a Rise in Productivity - New York Times

Yet another reason why President Bush is not a president for the common people. I identify with this article so much. I mean, my wife and I are breaking our backs working hard to get ahead but we still feel as if we are stuck at the same level. Our money just doesn't get us to the point where we are better off than 6 years ago. Who is really benefiting from this administration? I mean, what is the "American Dream?" Help the rich get richer and maybe, just maybe, you might have a little something for yourself but forget your children!

2006-06-12T04:46:00.000-07:00

What is the most popular sport in the World?

What if I told you it was soccer? Think about it. How many countries have football leagues? While many countries have professional baseball leagues soccer is the true universal sport in this world. Except for the United States. Why do you think that is so? Why is soccer so important to other countries? Click on the link and read the story on the World Cup and post your comment. Today, the United States plays against the Czech Republic? Where in the world is the Czech Republic located?

Scholastic

2006-06-01T04:38:00.000-07:00

The Lost Boy, Chapter 4: New Beginnings

Dave has a new lease on life. That is what he said in the book after he was given his wish to be taken away from his mother. What sort of challenges have confronted Dave in his new beginning? How is he handling them? Do you approve or disapprove? Why? Write a 50 word comment to this post. Be sure to include your name and class after you click on "Other" so I can give you credit. When you're done you can click on the link above where it says Blogger to create your own Blog.

2006-05-23T08:10:00.000-07:00

Covering Ms. Zernone's Art Class, 802 & 806

Since this is an art period I thougth we could do some art but on the compuer. Click on the link below and choose one of the computer art activities to complete. Their easy and fun! When your done, add a comment to this post telling me how you liked this computer art activity and if you would recommend this activity for other classes or grade levels. Copy and Paste your art work to your comment if you can. Have fun!

Computer Art Less0n

Mr. Sanchez

2006-05-23T04:51:00.000-07:00

The Lost Boy: Chapter 3: The Trial

In this chapter Dave makes an important decision about the rest of his life. What is that decision? What was ironic about the way the Mother reacted to Dave's decision? Please make your comments at least 50-70 words.

2006-05-03T05:13:00.000-07:00

The Lost Boy: Chapter 2

Summarize and Reflect chapter 2, An Angel called Ms. Gold

2006-04-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

This is really cool stuff. I created my first audioblog! Forget podcasts....hello audioblogger!!!

Chris

2006-04-19T19:06:00.000-07:00

Uploading Made Difficult

Whoever said podcasting is quick and easy is ridiculous. I have been trying to upload sound files to my website, to my blog, to other web servers and it has been slow and complicated. The easiest thing about podcasting is recording your voice. If you don't have a web server where you can upload you have to sign up for a free one which is easy to do by hard to actually use it. I am at my wits end here. I want to post a sound file of an interview that is 20 minutes long. Yes, I know, it is a large file size so I am in the process of reducing it and breaking it up which takes for ever because you have to be careful not to edit the sound clips in mid sentence! I will keep trying!! If all goes well you will see a link to an audio file of my son singing his ABCs!

My son Fabian singing his ABCs!

2006-04-07T07:59:00.000-07:00

Good Morning IS 90!

I am covering Ms. Maynard's music/vocal class where they are learning how to play the recorder. The little bit that I have heard sounds like a work in progress but the kids seem to be having fun. What do you think students? How do you feel about learning how to play the recorder? Why do you think Ms. Maynard is taking the time to teach you how to play and play it well?

2006-03-19T12:56:00.000-08:00

Are Interactive Whiteboards (Smartboards) in IS 90 Changing the Way Teachers Teach?

I am currently working on my thesis which focuses on the impact of the interactive whiteboard on teaching and learning in the middle school science and math classrooms. More and more, I am understanding that the better a teacher uses the smartboard the more their pedagocial approach to delivering instructions changes. By this I mean, the way a teacher plans her lessons changes from being one media (paper) to multimedia.

For example, Ms. Hackett, an 8th grade science teacher here at IS 90, said she now uses websites with science animation such as brainpop.com to drive concept development and use the notebook software to type her lessons and student notes. She said that using the internet has created more exciting approach for the students given that she no longer resides in a science room. She no longer has to deal with students not understanding her handwriting because her aims and notes are typed and large enough to be seen on a 66 inch projection screen.

What I got from the interview is that she enjoys and depends on the basic features of the smartboard to drive her instruction and that it is changing the way she plans her lessons because she finds herself typing her lesson plans and using the computer more. To hear the first part of the interview click on the link below. I saved it as an audio file.

I have a few more smartboard teachers to interview so stay tuned!

2005-11-03T18:57:00.000-08:00

Using Read 180 to develop English Language Skills in ELL students

Read 180 is a learning program that helps struggling readers and ESL students master the language through visual, audio, and textual media. Its one of the best things that the school has ever shoved down our throats! I am becoming a firm believer in Scholastic's program.

We use about 6-8 laptops in a classroom of about 25-30 students and so far its great. The kids love it because it gives them the opportunity to see video, read small passages, practice vocabulary, spelling, phonics, and even charts their progess. The best thing is that it also records their pronunciation of words and passages and plays it back for them to compare to the computer's pronunciation. It also recommends a reading list for each student based on their reading level and progress and quizzes them on those books. Its phenomenal!