Modern technology, Kiss kiss!

The snow came to town yesterday and brought parts of our city to a stand still, me included.

Reflecting on my day yesterday I began thinking about the various technology we use and almost take for granted.

My day began by receiving an sms text from my daughter's school to say they were open.

I then had to drive her there in my car.  No need for walking.

I then came home and hoovered, didn't require a broom.

I watched my children play on a Nintendo WII.

I ordered them 2 new games on my laptop, off a website and have just been informed by an email that they have been dispatched.

We watched a DVD on the DVD player.

Later we made cakes and used an electric whisk to make the mixture, much easier than by hand.

I used the telephone to ring my sister and ascertain how much snow she had, beats smoke signals.

I used my Slow cooker to make meat balls and used my oven to bake garlic bread. 

I used my dish washer to wash all the horrible dishes.  Amazing invention, first invented in the Victorian era by a lady, no surprise there.

I set my alarm clock before I went to bed and my house alarm.

If you were to ask me the question, "Do I use much technology during the day".  I know for a fact, before starting this blog, I would of said "no, not really"!  On reflection it is quite alarming or amazing just how much technology we take for granted.

Oh!  I forgot the washing machine, sure beats a bath and a mangle, oh and the tumble dryer!

Glad I am in work tomorrow, will be cheaper for a start.

Babushka, Babushka, Babushka I I!

For the past two weeks I have been teaching the children about Babushka, the Russian lady who meets the wise men, however she does not go with them because she wants to make toys for the baby Jesus.  She decided to follow them the next day but couldn't find the star or their foot prints due to the fact they were covered with fresh snow.  To this day she roams around Russia and delivers toys to the children on Christmas day.  Finally a woman getting some recognition at Christmas for doing all the work!

Regarding ICT and Babushka, I used an idea that was shown to us in University.  Our Lecturer demonstrated the use of a photostory programme being used as a reflective tool.  Or for the children to create their own story of a project they were doing.  I liked these ideas and having used a photostory programme previous, to create a photo diary of the children throughout the year and sell them to their parents, I thought this would be an innovative use for it.

The children painted a Babushka doll from a template.  Their learning outcome was to paint a Babushka doll with a face and some flowers on their middle, similar to the wooden Babushka dolls they had been playing with. 

The fun Ict part for them, was to take a photograph of their Babushka.  I then collated the dolls, some with heads, a few on a jaunty angle and many photographss with the children's thumbs in view. I then proceeded to place them on to the photostory.  The great thing about the photostory package, is it' flexibility.  I could control how long I would like each photograph on the screen.  Decide on the position of where I wanted the image to start and finished.  Choose how to fade in and out the photographs and add in music.

We have yet to view them as a class.  That will be tomorrow.  The children are going to choose which three they like best and why.  These will  be taken to the head teacher, who will choose which Babushka he thought reflected the learning outcome.  No pressure 3 and 4 year old children.

The photostory was quick to create, and looks brilliant.  It was much easier choosing the music from what they offered with the photostory programme, than having to add your own from an Mpeg.  You have to convert the music from a CD first, very complicated , I usually ask a year 6 to do it.

Explanations and Conviction!

School started back yesterday with an in service day.  I appreciate in service days, they provide us with the opportunity to gain a little order in the classroom before the children return, and chaos ensues.

During the morning I had to present my plans for the next two weeks to my manager, I showed her my idea for reflecting on the Christmas story and the Epiphany.  This was the lesson using the animal sounds and pictures of the animals in a PowerPoint.  I failed miserably to attach the sound to the PowerPoint, however I believe this was due to the fact I am using an older version of Word.  Although I have no choice as the new version is still not supported by the Local Authority.

My manager was a little sceptical about this lesson and wondered if I would be upset if she sat in and observed it.  I could hardly say no.  Oh how I looked forward to Tuesday morning.  Not only did I have 3 new starters arriving today, I also had my manager observing a lesson she was sceptical about.  She was sceptical because she thought the lesson was a little disrespectful to the story of the Nativity.  I explained it was more of a fun introduction to reflecting on the story, hopefully all would become clear when I conducted the lesson.  No pressure.

 I split the class in to 3 groups.  The younger children went to play with the new children with an adult, to assist and direct them. The second group when in to the foyer, for a circle time activity and they talked about their favourite Christmas present.  I had a group of 11 to discuss the Epiphany with, my manager sat discreetly at the side of the classroom and observed.  Thankfully the lesson was a great success.  We talked about Jesus's birthday, I explained to the children that we were going to play a little game, to help us remember what animals would of in the stable with baby Jesus.  They were excited and keen to play.  The lesson was great fun and the children were laughing and listening intently to the animal sounds.  The lesson then moved on and we talked about the Epiphany and what gifts the Wise men brought. 

Most children could recall the gifts, the children were lively and quick with their answers.  Hopefully the fun lesson helped the children to recall what they were learning before the holidays, and Santa consumed their little world.  I did not go into detail  about the Epiphany.  This was an introduction and a reflection.  Later in the week I have planned a circle time, discussing what present they would bring Jesus.  I justified myself to my manager, and reminded her that the children are 3 years old, they have been off for 2 weeks and some were a little sad about returning to school.  My manager was happy, she loved the lesson and suggested I explain myself better next time and have more conviction in my ideas. 

ICT is not embraced at all in our school, I am learning to embrace it and feel that I am using it rather staidly but I am trying.  I would embrace any help or ideas!!!!!

Getting back to the grind!

House tidy, it is raining outside, gang happily playing.  Time to sit down and channel some new ideas for starting back in school next week.  The children will be painting their favourite Christmas present and chatting about what they enjoyed best about Christmas, amongst other activites but I would like use ICT, one of my ideas is as follows:

When we go back to school it will have been the celebration of the Epiphany on the previous Sunday and I am intending on doing a quick re-cap on the Christmas story.  I have come up with a unique way to do this and incorporate ICT and listening skills.  On the Kent Website I found a link to animal sounds, my intention will be to reflect on the story using this tool.  I will remind them that baby Jesus was born in a stable full of animals.  I will then use the link as a fun way of getting them to listen and see if they can guess the animal by listening to their bray of neigh. Now to make a PowerPoint with each of the different animal.  I wonder if I could incorporate the image on to the PowerPoint.  Here goes.

http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/asset81148_14724-.html   This is the link for the animal sounds,  their are probably loads but this works for me, mostly farm animals.