Ms. Muller's Class
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Grade 4
6.) Classify animals as vertebrates or invertebrates and as endotherms or ectotherms.
• Classifying common organisms into kingdoms, including Animalia, Plantae, Protista, Fungi, Archaebacteria, and Eubacteria
Poll Everywhere is a web-based tool that is used to create poll questions that can be answered instantly in real time. Poll Everywhere is a tool that can be tailored to fit any ALCOS content standards based on the poll questions written by the user. Poll Everywhere can also be used in the classroom for surveys to gage student interest and understanding. I would use Poll Everywhere in the classroom as a tool for formative assessment to see if the majority of students had grasped the content standard of classifying organisms. This tool is great for use as a formative assessment to monitor student progress as the entire class can respond but specific students will not be embarrassed if they answer wrong because it is anonymous. Through this tool, I can test to see if students know definitions of the terms such as endotherms and ectotherms. Also, the poll question shows if students know the names of the kingdoms and can identify and classify organisms based on a picture.
Science
Poll Everywhere
English Language Arts
Puzzlemaker
Social Studies
American Revolution iPad app
Grade 5 Language Standards: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
42.) Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. [L.5.5]
a. Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context. [L.5.5a]
b. Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs. [L.5.5b]
Puzzlemaker can be used to meet multiple standards depending on the type of puzzle and the information the user chooses to input. This tool can be used in the classroom to provide an engaging way to introduce vocabulary words as they require the students to become familiar with the words and their spelling to complete the puzzle. I chose to create a crossword puzzle, which works well for meeting standards regarding vocabulary because you can use the definitions as the clues and then the student must provide the words to fill in the crossword. For my particular example, I created a crossword using the terms for types of figurative language. If the student can complete the crossword by reading the definition and providing the correct term, this demonstrates their knowledge of what the term is and shows they have the understanding needed to recognize these terms in a piece of writing. I included the terms specifically mentioned in the standard in the puzzle (simile, metaphor, idiom, adage, and proverb) as well as other types of figurative language that I felt would provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of the concept.
Grade 5
8.) Identify major events of the American Revolution, including the battles of Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and Yorktown.
The American Revolution by KIDS DISCOVER app is an iPad application that teaches students about the American Revolution. This app could be used in the classroom for an individual project. Students could use the app to create their own timeline with the most important events leading up to the American Revolution and during the Revolutionary War using information provided by the app. This app connects to the ALCOS standard because it provides students with information concerning the major events of the American Revolution, including the significant battles, along with illustrations and video reenactments. The events are put on a time line to show the sequence and described individually in more depth. The app also tells students about the contributions of important political figures to the American Revolution.
Grade 4: Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic.
9. Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm. [4-NBT4]
10. Multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole number, and multiply two two-digit numbers, using strategies based on place value and the properties of operations. [4-NBT5]
11. Find whole-number quotients and remainders with up to four-digit dividends and one-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. [4-NBT6]
SuperKids is a math worksheet generator that creates math problems based on the specifications of the user. The worksheet generator tool can connect to many ALCOS mathematics standards as it can create worksheets covering a wide range of math topics that will assess the performance of students. For the specific worksheet I created, I focused on the standards relating to performing multi-digit arithmetic. The worksheet generator provided addition problems with three digit numbers to test if students could manipulate multi-digit whole numbers. I would use the worksheet generator to create worksheets for individual practice in class or as homework assignments. Students can use this tool to study or practice their arthimetic skills on their own.This tool could also be used to connect to the other standards involving multiplication and division based on the type of problems specified by the user when creating the worksheet.
Mathematics
SuperKids Worksheet Maker
ALCOS Activities
ALCOS stands for Alabama Course of Study and refers to the standards that teachers must meet regarding the curriculum that is taught. Below I have listed examples of how I incorporate technology tools into class activities that meet standards for each of the core subjects. I have provided different types of tools such as web-based resources and apps to show the wide range of technology that can be used in connection to the ALCOS standards of all subjects. The tools can be used as practice or an assessment of student mastery of the ALCOS standards, either formatively during a lesson to monitor student progress or summatively at the end of a lesson.