Blog Journal 3

I decided to evaluate fourth grade ELA technology standards from the Florida Department of Education. The standard I decided to choose is the LAFS.4.SL.1.2 which wants students to be able to paraphrase certain portions of a text or information presented in diverse media formats. This would include presenting media visually, qualitatively and orally through the use of YouTube or TeacherTube videos and online magazines. In simpler terms, students would have to understand pieces of texts they are reading, listening to, or watching by paraphrasing in their own words. I do feel prepared to implement this standard based on my current skill set because I am comfortable using YouTube and am familiar with TeacherTube in an educational setting. Showing students videos on these platforms allows them to use their imagination and grasp the material rather than reading straight from a textbook. Media platforms can be used in the classroom to help the students develop a deeper connection to their work.

On the CPALMS website I browsed under 4th grade resources and toolkits to find 'Super Writing!'. This resource is meant for fourth grade students to assist them in learning how to use commas and quotation marks through visual media. "Leo the Superhero" is a talking turtle who is the main character in this video. Leo is going to help the students understand the material and make it engaging.  I would use this tool in my classroom because a video is much more interesting for the students to watch rather than learning through a lecture. Having a superhero in this media platform creates a figure for the students to identify with and want to learn from. The Educator Toolkit has many resources for all different subjects that assist teachers with their lesson plans.

Working on the Newsletter Design assignment was the most fun I have had with an assignment since I came to FSU. It was enjoyable to create an aesthetically pleasing visual that was going to be handed out to parents and students. I acquired the new skills of learning how to format columns on MS Word which I did not know how to do previously. I could improve my newsletter in the future by creating a more consistent theme and really utilizing the white spaces of the paper. The skills I learned from the Newsletter assignment can be used in my future career when I have to write newsletters to my student's parents. This was a great assignment to get creative in the classroom and realize how much work goes into one small aspect of being a teacher.