Roxaboxen Armida Martinez Myron D. Witter Brawley, CA

Roxaboxen “Roxaboxen”, is a story from both our third grade Literature series and our Social Studies book. We also study desert life at this grade level. I thought this would be good lesson to integrate with technology for my students. I am Armida Martinez and I have worked for Brawley Elementary School District for about ten years. I am currently working at Witter School teaching a third grade Sheltered English class. This is my fourth year in this grade level.

My Expectations Students will write a paragraph depicting their experience of our desert hike in Anza-Borrego State Park. Students are to use the Internet to find information on desert plants and animals. Students will take an Accelerated Reading Test after reading the story. 80% of student will pass with 70% or above.

My Realities I am not connected to the Internet in my classroom. We do have a computer lab available to students. Scheduling is a problem because the lab is being used for tutoring student in Reading throughout the day.

Success of Lesson The lesson went smoothly once I got going on it--considering I changed my plan at least three different times. My students really enjoyed working on the desert theme. Integrating the story “Roxaboxen” allowed my students to identify with children that live in other desert regions. They also had a fantastic time exploring at Anza-Borrego State Park.

Short Comings Not being online in the classroom is a real fallback. I’m glad my students were able to use the internet in our Learning Center. I was able to use a Computer/TV converter to provide them guidance. Not having the extra time that we had in the summer was also a fallback. Once the school year got going I was busy with the many things that go on in school that I didn’t give sufficient time to my CTAP project until the very end.

Student Data

Work Sample: High

Work Sample: Medium

Work Sample: Low

Students enjoying a break during our hike.

The ranger explained how the women used to ground Seeds on stones to make flour.

Students really enjoyed crossing the stream to cool off during our hike.

We had a very ROCKY HIKE!

Sand Paintings

Revisions It’s always a good idea to have someone else revise your work. Someone else is able to catch minor errors that you may not see. Mentor, Mike Castillo, was able to provide suggestions to improve my lesson plan when I submitted it for evaluation.

Summary During the CTAP Summer Program week, I had plenty of ideas that I thought I would be able to accomplish and incorporate into my lesson. As the school year approached and got underway I realized I was short on time and wouldn’t be able to follow through on my ideas.

Concluding Statement I am glad that I went through the program. I realize now that I am able to do more with technology in my classroom. I now know a little more about technology, because I attended the Module workshops that were held throughout the school year.