Blog Journal #4

Hello again, my avid readers! Today, we are talking about ELA technology standards, CPALMS tools for educators, and internet searching skills, so buckle in! For starters, each grade will have its own set of academic and technological standards that students must reach as they move from one grade to the next. Starting in kindergarten, teachers should begin implementing some technology into the curriculum, while still providing scaffolding support for the students. According to the ELA technology standards, students should familiarize themselves with many different technological tools, especially those used for writing. Students should also begin collaborating with their peers through digital settings. Some of these programs can include implementing a SmartBoard in class, using Microsoft Paint, or even online storybook creators for ELA activities. Given that this is many students' first contact with academic technology, I myself would still need some more experience before feeling comfortable enough to assist kindergarten students to the best of my ability. With that being said, every grade will come with its own standards, as well as unique challenges.  

Next, let's switch gears and explore some of the tools in the CPALMS Educator Toolkit. This resource is an absolute lifesaver, and I strongly recommend for every educator to check it out at least once! For the sake of continuity, let's stick with Kindergarten ELA, and explore what resources are available to us based on that demographic. For starters, each grade level and subject comes with its own standards, and the following resources to meet those standards. For example, one of the standards is presenting information orally using complete sentences, and one of the following resources is a lesson plan activity called Speechless for Breakfast. In this game, students will need to work together to "read" a picture book (with no words on it) and name out the story elements through sequencing and context clues. For teachers who may feel stuck in their lesson planning, this resource might be just what they need!

Lastly, let's talk about internet searching. As educators with less free time than any of us would care to admit, every second counts. That is why knowing how to research on the internet the most efficient way is key for all of us. Googling skills like using quotation marks for specific results or including filetype: to yield a particular file are such incredible time savers it's unbelievable no one ever taught them to us in K-12. Knowing and utilizing these skills on a daily basis will not only level up our technological competence, but it will also give us the tools to better assist our students on their learning journeys. Perhaps one of the best skills for teachers to know when it comes to researching is knowing where to find reliable sources. In my experience, Google Scholar is a great starting point, and it's an easy skill to teach your students as well. Knowledge is power! Until next time.