As a first-year teacher, I continually thank God that I have been placed in a team-teaching environment (I teach band in grades 5 through 8). I am constantly amazed at the extensive effect that classroom organization and structure has on my students! Inheriting my position, I have come into this job with an open mind and a willingness to discover what is ALREADY working in my environment. I am in awe!
What wonder to see a performance-based (physically-based) classroom rooted firmly in the organization and structure of strategic, technological tools!
In our classroom we use an amazing website called CHARMS. I can't imagine how any program could possibly be run differently! The CHARMS website allows us to keep track of student information (which is easily filtered through for use in mass e-mailing), student practice logs, instrument inventory, uniforms, electronic copies of handouts for parents to access, and more! There is even a feature that allows you to print out barcode labels to put on student folders, so that folders can easily be scanned at the beginning of class (instead of taking roll!)
Our classes are able to get off to a quick start because all students know to arrive, scan in, and read the daily plan listed on the giant screen at the front of the room.
Because we have a giant projector screen, we are able to post, for all to see, the lesson plan of the day (Via PowerPoint). Students know what to expect, and how to prepare. Also, students are given a visual reminder of the announcements throughout the class period.
Our school also uses a website called ANGEL, which is a standard sort of learning utility (like Blackboard...) This site makes communication with students so simple. I am able to post announcements frequently on ANGEL for students to check--in addition to sending e-mails and handouts, this system is practically flawless!
I love working in an environment that enables success not only for the students, but also for the teachers. I can't imagine what stress I've been saved by these time-saving, class-structuring, technologies!
http://www.angellearning.com/
http://www.charmsoffice.com/
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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