Some Thoughts On Audio

Here is my debut on audio and what I think about the resource in the classroom.  Please feel free to give me any comments or feedback.  Gracias!

Click here for the audio.

An Audio Activity - Sounds of Latin America

One of the things that makes Spanish music so distinct is the use of different instruments in the various genres of music.  Using pictures (whether cut out for groups or on a smart board) and various audio clips, allow students to match up the instrument to the sound it makes.  Since many of these instruments will be new to them, they are going to have to guess and work together to figure out which instrument goes with each sound.  Take up together as a class and see how well each group did.

Instrument	Picture	Sound
panpipes		http://www.musicme.com/Pan-Pipes/videos/El-Condor-Pasa---Pan-Pipes-Peru-(Country)-304661356D576E56676134.html

The Newest Editions to My Toolbox

Embracing the West: Learning Opportunities at the Calgary Stampede

Moving to Calgary cannot be complete until one finally goes to the annual Calgary Stampede.  A cherished tradition for more than 100 years, the Stampede is a cherished and integral part of this city’s culture and history.  Not only was I excited to don my cowboy hat and partake in the festivities, but I was also very interested to see the learning opportunities that the Stampede provided.  How can I connect cowboy heritage to, say, Argentine gauchos?  What are the differences in agriculture and how do they impact a society?  Resources can be found at The Calgary Stampede: Education which will help me create a deeper connection to our community and abroad.

Teachers Pay Teachers: Finding Resources in English and Spanish

Since I still have not been told which grade I will teach in September (it will be between gr. 4-6), I need to find some resources that can be used across the junior grades.  Also, since there are not many stores that sell Spanish resources and classroom aids, I can use this site to search for materials from the US but can be printed here.  I plan on looking for posters, videos, worksheets, and extension exercises that can be used to support the students’ learning in Spanish and support the teachers who have created the resources.

Creating A Space For Learning

Pinterest is quickly becoming a hub of ideas for me and what I can do in the classroom.  As a high school teacher, I know what those classrooms look like, but what makes an effective junior classroom?  How can I organize it for better learning?  How do I display topics and students’ work to grab attention but not be distracting?  Since the school will provide some resources, how do I organize them and use them to the best advantage?  This website allows me to see what experienced junior teachers have used in their classrooms and give me some inspiration to use their ideas in combination with my own.

Delicious - A New Tool To Discover

Where has this tool been? I have been looking for something like this and I didn’t know something like this was around (that being said, I don’t have any other tool for this topic).  I would definitely use this as a way to compile a bunch of websites for PD and ones that I could share with my fellow teachers (and vice verse).  In terms of classroom applications, I could create a bundle for students that reflect a certain topic that we’re studying or even give them something interesting to read and discuss about.  They in turn could create bundles that they could share with classmates and me and really challenge them to find meaningful and diverse resources online.  As for alternatives, I can think of Pinterest and Dragdis.  These seem to be much more visual, which may be easier for people who favour that kind of learning.

This Is Me On the Fence: Google Apps vs Microsoft 365

I sit here with a smile on my face as I think back to the numerous times when my high school students in the Caribbean would be flabbergasted when they discovered that I was knowledgeable about many of the things going on in the “teen” world.  “You have Facebook???” or “You have an Ipod???” they would ask me and I would remind them that I may be living on a rock, but I certainly don’t live under one.  

With this course, and certainly this topic of Google Apps vs Microsoft 365, I have come to realize that while I had been living on a rock for some time, technologically speaking, I had also been living under it.  After all, I didn’t even know Google Docs existed until a few months ago.  Yes, I admit it, and yes, I am giving myself a look of haughty derision.

After some research, I came across an article that really gets down to the small, yet potentially significant differences between these two online giants.  Derrick Wlodarz goes on to pick apart these differences with the focus of how they function for businesses, and after being involved with Google for some time, he ultimately made the switch to 365.  Even though he does not talk about the function of these programs in the classroom, it does raise the bigger question for me as a teacher: If we are to prepare students to be successful in the real world, then which programs/skills do we need to reinforce?

I believe the answer could be to use both.  While I am a newbie and exploring this whole Google thing, I do know that I am good at using Office (albeit, I haven’t used the online version yet).  After discussing the topic with  my brother (26, very tech savvy, just starting his own business) it really comes down to familiarity.  We agree that after so many years of using Office, and learning how to use it well, the money used to pay for a subscription is less valuable than all the time spent learning new programs.

Therefore, why not give students access to both?  At school they have chances to use both so why not learn the basics of them for which ever they may have to use in the future?  Also, think about those students who may not have access to computers on a regular basis.  Giving them the chance to develop skills online AND offline (Microsoft Office) will be in their best interests as they move into the business world.

Did You Know?

As a new teacher in Alberta, and having my training and education in Ontario, I have my work cut out for me in terms of learning a new curriculum.  Also, I am going to teach the Spanish Bilingual program, which is more info that needs to be learned.  I think these sites are going to be very useful.

1. Alberta Education
   Already I have discovered the documents for my program of study, how to integrate languages into the classroom across the curriculum and sites that parents can use to answer some of their questions about Alberta Education.
   
   
2. Learn Alberta 
   This website offers government approved lesson plans, videos, resources, assessment and evaluation, and more that I can access.  One road block I have come across already is that I cannot access some of the info right now; I have to have a code provided to me by the school board.  Since I am new to the board, I do not have access to this just yet.  However, since this program is going to require a lot of new learning on my part, I think these resources (especially planning activities and assessment and evaluations will be very helpful and give me some great examples).
    
3. Alberta Education Literacy    
   This one gives a link to supporting literacy and numeracy, especially in a digital world.  Definitely something to read and think of how to integrate into instruction.
   
   
4. Calgary Catholic School District
   D2L, the platform that is supported by the board.  I have not used this program before and definitely training and support is going to be necessary.  This is the program the board wants us to use to stay connected to students and parents.

Blended Learning, Empowering Students

Through research and this course, I have come to learn that the term “blended learning” is currently referring to the mixture of online learning with teacher interaction that helps students become more engaged and responsible for their own learning.  However, here in Calgary, blended learning is also the term we use to blend two languages together when students are in an immersion program.  I am a part of the Spanish bilingual program, which is huge here in Calgary, and one of my examples will include how to help children learn another language. 

Primary - One of the strategies that the schools here have adopted for the primary grades is a process called “Daily 5”.  For those of you who do not know about this, the Daily 5 gives students 5 rotations to go through in order to improve their literacy skills.  One of the options is guided reading on the laptops, which is awesome.  For those students who need more attention when it comes to reading, these programs help them listen to, see and focus on words that they have difficulty with.  Since all students have an opportunity to use the computer for reading, it helps keep equality amongst the students.  This is great for students with special needs, ELL learners and children with learning disabilities.

Daily 5 









Junior - National Geographic Kids for extended learning of science and culture is amazing.  I have seen students buddy up and explore different topics using this website.  As partners, they get to share in the experience and see/learn about the topics that also interest other students.  One activity that could be included is having students take their learning about a certain animal, plant, etc. and present what they have learned to other students in the class.  Also, students may write a response, create a mini-bulletin board (even virtually), or another creative activity to showcase their learning for others.  How a student communicates their learning afterwards is a great way to promote differentiated learning and skills amongst students who struggle. 

                                                                  National Geographic Kids 





Intermediate - Integrating Spanish and culture throughout the curriculum can be difficult if students do not continue to work on the fundamentals of the language.  In this case, I have used the app Duolingo.  With this app, students take an initial assessment of skills and the app places them at the appropriate level.  Students use the app at their own pace, covering the 4 strands of language learning, and even get feedback on the particular lessons or concepts that they need to continue to work on.  Once the student has passed the level, they can move on or continue to work on that concept again.  The app allows students to build on their own understanding of the language by using words and phrases that have real world applications.  This program can also be used with the intermediate grades to give them a head start.  During Spanish Language Arts and also as an “after work is done” is a great time to use this.  If they need further assistance with particular grammar concepts, then I am able to help them.  

 Duolingo