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Student Teaching Fall 2016
My cooperating teacher set up a desk in front of hers that made me feel like I was OFFICIALLY becoming a teacher after being a student for so many years. I had a desktop computer that I could use, email, Microsoft applications were on it, and I could print from it, but it wasn't connected to the smart board. -
Vintage Technology during Student Teaching
I utilized the SmartBoard by following my cooperating teacher's lead, typically filling out the assignment notebook, and pulling up math worksheets and journal pages to go over them. We would use the board for a morning meeting video every day as well. Typically I found more comfort using the white board, and anchor charts, for a lot of my instruction. I found comfort in the visibility, and the simplicity that came along with the decision to write on it versus the SmartBoard. -
"We'd like you to be our new 4th grade teacher!"
In the spring after I graduated I applied for my first teaching job, at a school I knew my heart belonged to. When I found out I was hired, my principal couldn't wait to get me in to see my classroom, see what I'd have available to me in my first teaching role, and start planning my attack! This picture is of the retiring 4th grade teachers classroom, but I could get a good idea of what technology was coming my way. I've moved some things around since, but this is how it all started. -
It's starting to become 4Y
The beginning of my classroom began when I was acclimating myself to all of the technology and opportunities it provided. I began with my personal laptop before I got my District laptop, my personal printer (before my Tech Guy said I couldn't have it anymore), and attempting to make my desk my safe space. -
Moving into Room 21
I started to figure out how I was going to use the most out of the space I was getting, we had new cabinets, counters, and I was limited in what I could do with bulletin boards and white boards. I rearranged some for efficiency, and then I used technology to problem solve brick wall space and turn it into bulletin board space. -
My Own Technology
I began to get more comfortable with the SmartBoard now that I had my own district laptop that was docked to it. I started to see how crucial is was becoming to my instruction and our routines, starting at 8 am and ending at 3 pm. I use the SmartBoard and speakers all day because we play instrumental music while we learn and work. I utilized the anchor charts that were provided to me from my district and displayed them in whatever way I could so they could stay up all year. -
Table Tops
I began using my student's desks and my small group table as white boards, when it benefitted all of us! -
End of my 1st year
I reflected on my first year and how everything went, good and bad. I began making changes that summer, mostly virtually from my personal MacBook, and utilizing my Google Drives and district email, I have been able to work quite fluently with my personal digital devices. I usually keep the district laptop docked so it doesn't disconnect from my SmartBoard. -
Year 2!
Switching from DIY bulletin boards to displaying anchor charts. I use technology with almost everything I do in my room. For example, I use a Silhouette to make most of the letters and decor in my room. I design things in PowerPoint and print them out, or turn them into posters. -
Year 2!
Utilizing interactive bulletin boards for morning routines, anchor charts, and vintage white boards. -
Year 2!
Still incredibly thankful for the technological advances to the PENCIL sharpener! We still have a VERY vintage one drilled into the wall by the door, but as a whole we appreciate this gem the most. -
Year 2!
Bulletin board technologies: Solving a problem that I couldn't quite figure out my first year, tracking where my students were in their writing process visually.
