eMINTS In Our Classroom Created by Melissa Timmerman A PowerPoint for Wyland Families

eMINTS / METS eMINTS stands for enhancing Missouri’s Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies. Governor Blunt started the METS (Mathematics, Engineering, Technology and Science) Initiative to address issues in student achievement.

Integrating Technology into Reading Each reading group has a separate forum. After each chapter, I add a discussion question. Each student must answer the question and respond to their peers. I feel the students answers are more in depth online, rather than when they answer questions aloud. Our reading group discussions take place through Moodle.

Integrating Technology into Writing Inspiration is a good tool for students to plan a writing piece. They can create webs or story maps. Also, Read, Write, Think has many interactive resources for students.Read, Write, Think

Integrating Technology into Math Technology allows my students to enhance their learning. One WebQuest I created which is aligned with our math standards is “Extreme School Makeover.”Extreme School Makeover

Integrating Technology into Science Discovery Education Science provides lots of interactive, educational activities. Discovery Education Science For example, students are able to see what happens when different air masses meet and what type of destructi on is caused by a tornado.

Integrating Technology into Social Studies Students are able to use Inspiration to compare and contrast the past to the present.

Enrichment Projects Digital Storytelling allow students to be more creative with their writing projects. Student samples: In July In October In December

Online Projects With programs such as ePals students are able to communicate beyond the walls of our classroom.ePals This year my students had ePals from England. We exchanged s about once a month.

Meaningful Assignments Having technology in the classroom brings opportunities that change the way my classroom runs. Students will see fewer worksheets and more significant assignments. Students are able to interact with the technology daily and engage in higher-order thinking activities. They will be often be creating something or collecting data, researching information, or gaining knowledge to use for a project.

Motivating Students I believe students will become more internally motivated as the use of technology increases. Technology allows me to motivate students. The excitement of learning is obvious in my classroom. I am able to provide lessons about what students enjoy and am able to differentiate my instruction.

Classroom Management Students become more independent as the year goes on and their confidence builds. In the morning, they check our class website to find their morning work assignment. The entire day’s schedule and plans are posted for students to prepare for or refer to throughout the day.

Building Community In room 207, students work together on a daily basis. Besides sharing a computer, the students work in cooperative groups. We also use Moodle as a way to communicate and say things we might not feel comfortable saying aloud. I’ve set up a “Compliment Wall”, where students can give a pat on the back to anyone they’d like. I often post praise for students I see doing a good job.

Teaching Technology My favorite part of the eMINTS program is getting to see the sparkle in the eyes of my students. I love to watch the students technology skills grow by leaps and bounds throughout the school year!

Credits Missouri image – Microsoft Clipart ePals logo – Other images – my personal photos, images from my website / Moodle or student work