Virtual Tour Plan

Grade 3 Standard 2: Students will understand that volcanoes, earthquakes, uplift, weathering, and erosion reshape Earth's surface. Objective 2: Explain how volcanoes, earthquakes, and uplift affect Earth's surface.

I chose to do a virtual tour on this topic because I thought it would an interesting way to see volcanoes. It is also a new way for students to learn about a familiar topic. During the tour the students will get to see a visual representation of what certain volcanoes look like. This will help make the topic more real to them and allow them to see something they might otherwise never see. Based on what they see and read, students will also get the opportunity to write about their discoveries. This will help solidify the information for them and help them to remember the information quickly.

Location	Activity Description	Google Earth Content
1. Mt. Vesuvius	Mt. Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79 and destroyed the city of Pompeii. It is estimated that the death toll was between 10,000 and 25,000 people. Many people suffocated from ash and their remains were perfectly preserved for archeologists to study. The eruption created a massive crater. Using the rule, measure the length of the crater. Write down your observations.	http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/images/lw/italy_mt-vesuvius-victim.jpg Students will look at this picture to see the inside of the crater. Create a pinpoint for this picture. http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1007844 Here, students will use the ruler function to measure the length of the crater.
2. Mt. Fuji	Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan. Mt. Fuji is still an active volcano even though it hasn't erupted since 1707. Mt. Fuji is 12,388 feet high and generally very cold. Using the ruler function measure the length of the crater. After having measured the crater's length compare it with that of Mt. Vesuvius. Also compare the differences in their appearances and what might account for that. Write a couple paragraphs comparing and contrasting Mt. Fuji and Mt. Vesuvius.	http://ikudo.hp.infoseek.co.jp/images/Mt%20Fuji%20Oct.jpg Students will look at this picture. Create a pinpoint. http://www.panoramio.com/photo/7707407 Students will use the ruler function to measure the length of Mt. Fuji's crater.
3. Mt. Pelee	Mt. Pelee is an active volcano located on the northern tip Martinique. Mt. Pelee produced one of the world's most destructive eruptions in 1902 that killed about 30,121 people. Click on the volcano layer and read what the Smithsonian Institution wrote about Mt. Pelee. Then write a journal entry telling how you would have felt if you had been there during the 1902 eruption.	http://www.drgeorgepc.com/volcTsu13CaribMt.Pelee1902.jpg Here students will click on the volcano layer and read what the Smithsonian Institution wrote and respond to it.
4. Mt. Saint Helens	Mt. Saint Helens is an active volcano located in Washington State. Mt. Saint Helens is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, a segment of the Pacific Ring of Fire that includes over 160 active volcanoes. Mt. Saint Helens is famous for its eruption in 1980, which killed 57 people, destroyed 250 bridges, 47 bridges, and much more. Mt. Saint Helens and the surrounding area are also known for earthquakes. Click on the earthquake layer and note some of the magnitudes and dates of earthquakes. With a partner perform the safety procedures you would do during an earthquake and discuss your emergency earthquake plan. Write down your plan to show to your partner.	http://cache.virtualtourist.com/2099481-cbMt_St_Helens_Pre_1980-Mount_Saint_Helens_National_Volcanic_Monument.jpg Here, students will use the earthquake layer to observe recent earthquakes and their magnitudes.

Digital Story

I think the most difficult part of implementing a digital story is going to be finding the time. Not that creating one takes that long, but when you have so many other things to do as a teacher you might find something like a digital story getting put on the back burner. You just have to remember to keep your lessons interesting and fun and use the resources that are available to you.

Digital Story

TPCK and Digital Story

My understanding of TPCK is that it's a combination of knowing how to teach (pedagogical knowledge), what to teach (content knowledge), and how to use technology (technological knowledge). Depending on what areas you are focusing on, you have different levels of understanding. Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) is knowing how to teach certain content. Technological Content Knowledge (TCK) is knowing how to use technology within certain areas or content. Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK) is knowing how to teach using technology. A combination of all three, technological and pedagogical content knowledge (TPCK), is knowing how to teach certain content using technology. It's necessary for teachers to have this knowledge so that they know how to properly teach and use technology in all areas of curriculum. Using technology in the classroom can open many doors in different content areas. Knowing how to teach helps teachers explain content better and work towards individual students needs. By combining all three you can become a more well-rounded teacher.

For our digital story project the standards we have chosen our Standard 1 Objective 2 develop language through viewing media and presenting and Standard 4 Objective 1 demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between letters and sounds. Both standards are for Kindergarten. Our digital story will help teach this content because it will go through all the letters of the alphabet and teach students what they sound like through oral language. The story will be drawn pictures of the alphabet letters and animals that start with that letter. These pictures will help students associate the sound of letters with how the letters actually look. Students will also learn how letters can be associated in different words.

WEBSITE!

I've never made a website before and it wasn't as difficult as I imagined it to be. I can definitely see how this would be useful in the classroom. I like the idea of having all the assignments and their due dates on a calendar for parents to access. It would help decrease confusion and would hopefully help students get their work in on time. I liked learning how to use all sorts of different websites including Picnik. There are so many different ways to implement technology in the classroom and I'm glad we are getting a chance to learn how to use these tools.

http://sites.google.com/site/gilliansacks/

I Facebook chatted with Alexandra Calvert and I talked to her on Skype. These are the pictures from us talking on both formats.

My Technology History

I have some experience with computers. I know how to do all the basics; the things you generally need to know to access the internet, do assignments for school, and find information. I hate Excel. Every time I try to use it something goes terribly wrong. Other than that I feel pretty good about computers and technology and all that.