Implementing KidBlog in the Science Curriculum

Implementing KidBlog.org Implementing KidBlog.org in the Science Curriculumin the Science Curriculum

Susan ShimekSusan ShimekChoptank Elementary SchoolChoptank Elementary School

WHAT IS KIDBLOG.org?

Click on the link below to find out what KIDBLOG.org is all about.

http://prezi.com/j35mpg4ehxee/intro-to-kidblog/

FEATURES OF KIDBLOG.org

• Is safe and private• Is viewable by students and teachers• Made specifically for classroom use• Does not collect private information• Requires little training• Easy to use• Promotes importance of writing• Allows teachers to monitor writing activity

KEY QUESTION

Question: Why use KidBlog.org in Science class?

Answer: To get students writing better responses!

PURPOSE

• Inspires kids to write• Enables publishing of previous writing• Provides an authentic audience• Infuses technology into learning• Enables comments on other’s work• Creates a community of strong writers

Maryland State Science Curriculum for Fourth and Fifth Grade

Standard 1.0 Skills and Processes– Students will demonstrate the thinking and acting inherent in the

practice of science.

– C. COMMUNICATING SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION – Indicator– 1. Recognize that clear communication is an essential part of doing

science because it enables scientists to inform others about their work, expose their ideas to criticism by other scientists, and stay informed about scientific discoveries around the world.

– Objectives– Make use of and analyze models, such as tables and graphs to summarize

and interpret data. – Avoid choosing and reporting only the data that show what is expected by

the person doing the choosing. – Submit work to the critique of others which involves discussing findings,

posing questions, and challenging statements to clarify ideas. – Construct and share reasonable explanations for questions asked.

CURRICULUM CONNECTION

SPECIAL EDUCATION ACCOMMODATIONS

PROVIDE SENTENCE STARTERS TO STUDENTS WHO REQUIRE THEM.

GIVE STUDENTS RUBRICS BASED ON THEIR NEEDS.

PROVIDE SPECIFIC CHECKLIST FOR STUDENTS TO FOLLOW.

USE TIERED QUESTIONING. PAIR STUDENTS AND HAVE THEM WORK

TOGETHER.

WHAT DOES THE DATA TELL US?

Informs teachingEnables specific feedbackAllows for differentiated instruction

FIFTH GRADE SCIENCE MSA DATA CHOPTANK ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL

2008

2009

ADVANCED

0%

6.3%

PROFICIENT

32.6%

34.4%

BASIC 67.4%

59.4%

ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT SUCCESS

Formative Summative

Peer and Self-Evaluations

Grades on Assignments

Observations Scores on Unit Test

Checklist County Science Benchmark Scores

Science MSA Scores

EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

Content related A tool to facilitate the writing process Engaging Supportive of student learning A tool for leveling the playing field Higher order thinking

MEDIA SPECIALISTS AS LEADERS

TeacherInstructional PartnerInformational SpecialistProgram Administrator

CHANGE

Change is:A process, not an eventMade by people firstA very personal experienceEntails developmental growth in

feelings and skills

CONCERNS-BASED ADOPTION MODEL

Refocusing

Collaboration

Consequences Management

Personal

Informational

Awareness

CBAM

The Concerns – Based Adoption Model (CBAM) describes the levels of concern that an adult learner experiences as they learn or adopt a new skill or practice.

TRAINING

Teachers and support staff in grades 4 and 5 Prior to PD send out survey Initial PD afterschool for 90 minutes Teachers set up their classes Follow-up within 6 weeks

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

KidBlog.org is FREEMonies from SIT to pay for PD

NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS

Creativity and Innovation

Communication and Collaboration

Digital Citizenship

Technology Operations and Concepts

SUMMARY

Using KidBlog.org in the Science classroom will increase the quality of

writing that you get from your students. Their responses will be better knowing that, not only you the teacher can see them, but their peers can see them as

well.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Choptank Elementary School SIT. (2010). 2010 – 2011 School Improvement Plan. Choptank Eleamentary School.

• ISTE/NETS-S (n.d.)International society for technology in education. Retrievied on July 19, 2010 from http://www.iste.org/content/navigationmenu/nets/for_student_s.htm

• Harada, V. (2006). What is Assessment? why should library media specialist be involved?.

• Lemire, R., Papinchock, T., Shimek, S., & Zvitkovitz, L. (Producer). (2010). Welcome to a presentation of kidblog.org. [Web]. Retrieved from http://kidblogpresentation.wikispaces.com/

• Libraries, A. A. (1998). Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning. Chicago: American Library Association.

• Maryland state curriculum - science. (2008, January). Retrieved from http://www.mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/science/standard1

• Stages of Concern. (2004). Retrieved from http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/educatrs/profdevl/pd2stage.hml

• Stiles, S. (2007, April). The Changing view (ppt).