Newsletter
I created a newsletter that can be given to parents on the day of registration or as a monthly update to what is going on in the classroom. This tool can be used to keep parents involved in the classroom, and let them know about what their child is learning. I used a template while making the newsletter, but I modified it a lot. I inserted clip art, word art, changed colors, and the arrangement of the text boxes. This tool showed me how to better utilize the resources available in Microsoft Word.
Calendar
While creating the calendar, again I used a template that I found onine. The template, along with clip art and word art, was very useful in making a calendar that was pleasing to the eye. The flexibility of Microsoft Word in creating this colorful document was very helpful, and I learned how to use it more creatively. Both parents and students can use this tool in order to keep track of upcoming events. A monthly calendar could be sent home to parents with the monthly newsletter, and the students could keep a copy at their desk to know when major events were happening.
Attendance and Grade Record
Using two Excel spreadsheets I created an attendance sheet and a grade record. These documents allowed me to increase my knowledge of Excel since it was necessary to use formulas and reformat the different cells to make everything work correctly. These tools will be very helpful in the classroom because they will make everyday classroom records easier to keep track of. Using these tools daily will create more organization for the instructor, and therefore, make more time to do work for the students.
Excel Pictograph
Again, using an Excel spreadsheet I created pictograph that also included a table and a desciption of a classroom survey. The result was an easily readable diagram of the survey results that students could see plainly. I had no idea that Excel could incorporate pictures, and this allowed me the opportunity to be creative with Excel that I did not know existed.
Seating Chart
I created a seating chart using Power Point that included desks, chairs, computers, work stations, and an instructional area. This tool allows the teacher to have their classroom laid out on paper for parents to see how the classroom is organized and for students to be able to find their seats. Using Power Point for something other than a presentation was a new experience. It was so easy to move pictures around and add text boxes. In the end, I was able to map out an entire classroom using words and pictures.
Business Cards
Using a template from the internet, I created a page of business cards for myself. Along with using the template I added clip art and modified the typing. The use of the template made the whole process simple, and I cannot imagine not using one for such a detailed task. The cards that I created can be given to parents as a quick reference for contact information and to make a very business-like and orderly impression.
Certificates
Every child likes to receive a certificate of recognition when they do somethign well. It gives them a sense of pride to have something tangible tell them that they have done a good job. In order to be able to provide this for them, I created two different certificates for my classroom using templates from the internet. Making one for a reading award and one for a participation award required two different templates, the use of word and clip art, and creativity. I learned that to really customize a template does not mean just change a color here or there, but rather, I can change any part of it that I like. In my case, I ended up modifying just about everything. In doing so, I was able to create two different awards that can be used as rewards for outstanding student achievement.
Worksheet
In order to have a fun way to begin the first lesson, I created a worksheet using a worksheet generator online. I put in the words and answers to a matching exercise, and the generator created the worksheet for me. I had no idea that it could be so simple to create a worksheet, and was pleasantly surprised at how user-friendly the process was. This worksheet looks professional and well organized. Students can then focus on learning the information rather than figuring out the worksheet. Worksheets can be used to reinforce material already learned in class, or to introduce new material by seeing how much the class already knows about the subject.
Reflection
The sample Spanish lesson plans that I located involved a lot of internet research, worksheets, or group discussion to practice the use of their new vocabulary. Although each of these examples uses the internet as the primary form of technology through research, they can be modified to incorporate different productivity tools and techonology. In doing so, the lessons become more creative and fun for the students.
The first lesson plan that I found could be used to integrate technology into a food day planned for the classroom. The lesson plan requires that students select a dish they would like to prepare and that then look up a Spanish recipe for that dish. After a recipe is located, they would look up the vocabulary that was included in the recipe and define it. They could prepare an entire meal for their family using the recipes that they found. To incorporate the use of different kinds of technology, the lesson plan could be modified to include the creation of a restaraunt style menu for their family using Power Point. This would be an example of LoTi level 3 because the students would be researching and creating a menu that they were interested in, and for their own uses. They would ultimately prepare the food that they were researching, and therefore, there would be practical application of the technology they used.
Another lesson plan using the internet asks that students plan a vacation using Spanish sites to find information about hotels, air plane flights, and places of interest. In order to make this lesson plan a LoTi level 3, the students could create a spreadsheet using Excel to display their itinerary and cost detail or make a brochure of a potential vacation package. The students would be able to plan visits to places that would be of interest to them, and be able to customize the project in that way.
The last lesson plan that I looked at asked students to check out different theatrical and dance presenations that would be going on in a particular Spanish city in the span of a month. The students were required to visit a certain cite that was written in Spanish, and then record the necessary information. In order to make this lesson a LoTi level 3 the students could choose any kind of leisure activity that might have presentations or games during a certain period of time. The students would then record the information and develop a colorful brochure or poster advertisement for those events using either Microsoft Word or Power Point.