Digital+Camera

** Title of Both Photostories: Got the MSA Spirit & Using Mathline in Kindergarten. **

//For MSA Spirit Week //
Technology - 4.: Explore and use technology in an instructional setting to express ideas

//For Mathline //
Technology - K.4.B.1.a.: Use multimedia tools to express original ideas with print, drawings, digital images, sounds, and/or personal recordings Math - K.6.C.1.a.: Model addition by combining sets of concrete objects and describe the results using words and pictures =**Description **=
 * In "Got the MSA Spirit" my students and I took pictures of each other as we were gearing up for the MSA. We hosted a MSA Spirit Week at our school featuring //Yo Jo//, MSA Pep Rally, and special activities (e.g., Mixed Match Sock and Shoes Day, Sport Jersey Day, etc.)

In Mathline, I expose the kindergartners to a new maniputive that can aid in their understanding of adding two addends to make a sum. It looks like an abacus, but displays numbers for our children to see. ** =Reflection= The MSA Spirit Week was off the chain. We had a great time as the kids show their support to not only the school but for the classroom. For the first time we included the primary grades and their spirit motivated the older kids to get involve. I am glad that my students and I took the pictures and share how they felt about having that Spirit Week. The kids were so suprised when they had a chance to hear themselves on the video. They were eager to do more.

As far as the Mathline, our students had a great time using it. I allowed them to first play with it before explaining them the concept. Once I explained how to use the device and did some modeling with them, the students were asked to complete the rest of their math worksheet. What shocked me the most was that our lowest level students grasp the concept really well with the device. I hope to use the device with our otho students because of their fine motor skills, this device will be easier for them to touch and move.

I wish the camera's battery life didn't die out so soon, but I wasn't suprise. I thought of purchasing the item before and decided not too because of the multiple complaints about battery life. One solution that the STEP program may want to look into is purchasing the AV/DC plug to go with the camera (especially when we want to download the images off the camera) or purchase a SD card reader that will allow us to plug the device in any computer, insert our SD card, and download the pictures.

media type="file" key="MSA Spirit Week Backup2.wmv"
 * MSA Spirit Week**

media type="file" key="Teacher Mathline2.wmv"**
 * Mathline v. Kindergarten