Blog 3

Since I am interested in teaching third grade in the future, there are a few different standards involving technology that is commonly found in third-grade classrooms. Some include online textbooks, online kid-friendly search engines, smartboard activities, class blogs and wikis, Prezi and iMovie, mp3 audio, and Microsoft Word.  I feel as if I am adequately prepared to use most of these programs, but I think that Smartboards and Wikis would require more learning on my part. 
 
The resource that I think I will find most useful in the CPALMS Educator Toolkit is the 166 lessons plans for 3rd-grade science teachers. I think the hardest part for me if I become a teacher, is going to be writing lesson plans. I struggle with the organization and flow of thoughts when writing a lesson plan. The lessons plans in the toolkit have structure and they even provide additional worksheets and videos on different topics. I think the lesson plans are a great tool, especially for new teachers who still need a little guidance. 
 

The Newsletter Design assignment taught me how to add insert a vertical text box. It also taught me how to organize information in a way that is visually pleasing to the eye. I didn't like that the assignment was so structured because I wouldn't have designed my own newsletter that way. I am a creative person and I like to organize things in my own way, and I tried my best to add as much personality to my newsletter without going outside the assignment. I do like how my newsletter came out. I think it will be easier to make a newsletter when there is a structure or outline we have to follow. It was hard to just make up a topic and go with it. In the future, I want to send out a biweekly newsletter for parents and students so that everyone can stay up to date with everything going on in my class.