Media Violence

How is Media Violence effecting children?

Children are watching adults to see what to model.  If you have ever been around children, dramatic play shows the thoughts and feelings going on in their young brains.  For instance, a group of four and five-year-olds watch Lilo and Stitch.  It's a nice Walt Disney Move, right?

Now, your four and five-year-old students are running around the room with Lego guns.

As a teacher, you know you have a problem.

Why are they playing with guns?

They have never played with guns before, now they are shooting each other around the room.

That's when you realize, you just watched Lilo and Stitch and there are guns in the movie.

Should you watch that movie in class again?

 What about the music your child is listening to?



Is that violence?

How many times does your child listen to each song?

It's hard to say with Ipod's that hold hundreds of songs.  If I like a song, I will listen to the same song five to ten times a day for a month or two straight.  It doesn't get on my nerves, and usually a new song comes out within that time that becomes my 'new favorite'.  Listening to a song over and over can effect the way we see others or ourselves positively or negatively.

"Although much of the debate about the effects of media on youth revolves around television, music is very important to children and adolescents. Try to change the radio station in the car after your child has set it, and you will quickly see that they have very clear and deeply held opinions. In a survey of junior and senior high school students in northern California (Roberts & Henriksen, 1990), students were asked what media they would choose to take with them if they were stranded on a desert island. They were allowed to nominate a first, second, and third choice from a list including: TV set, books, video games, computer, newspapers, VCR and videotapes, magazines, radio, and music recordings and the means to play them. Because radio is almost exclusively a music medium for adolescents, radio and recordings were combined into a single “music” category. As Table 8.1 displays, at all grade levels, music media were preferred over television (which placed second overall), and this preference increased with age. Over 80 percent of the total sample nominated music as one of their first three choices. By eleventh grade, music was selected first by a margin of two to one."  (Roberts, 153)

"In a study of over 600 eighth and ninth graders from public and private schools in Minnesota (Gentile, Lynch, Linder, & Walsh, in press), children reported spending an average of almost 21 hours per week listening to music, compared to 25 hours per week watching television (Table 8.2)"  (Roberts, 154)

(Roberts, 155)

This study was done regarding popular rap artist and the content of their songs.  

 (http://violentrhymes.blogspot.com/p/graphs-charts.html)

How do we protect our children from 

Media Violence?

A parent can't protect their children from media violence

 if they aren't aware of it.

Parents

• Pay attention to what your child is listening to.
• What T.V. shows or movies are your children watching?
• The video game may be popular, but is it appropriate?   

References

http://violentrhymes.blogspot.com/p/graphs-charts.html

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4bd4/0af73efd39198c6d2ba3d2f8a97afbca7858.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6_lQrvGA44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpUVMpX62nw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAtaSKQ4-T0

My Perspective on using Educational Technology in My Classroom

As most of you know.  I am a preschool teacher of four and five year olds.  We have one computer in the room that we let the children on.  We have a teacher computer that the children do no touch.  We let the children work in groups of two on the computer playing on www.starfall.com. 

Since I have learned how to make QR codes, the children in my class have learned a great deal about QR codes.  They have enjoyed going around the room scanning codes with an old android phone.  Our preschool is part of the STEM school.  We have a teacher come in and teach Robotics.  The kids have been learning about what a Robot is, what it does, and all about algorithms.  We have Keebo's that the children have been using.  They scan the blocks and let the Robot go to work.
 

We watch movies in our classroom daily, sometimes while we wait on lunch, other times we are waiting for the Robotics teacher.  It is wonderful in transition times as we wait on another individual.  I would love to have a computer for every child in the room, but financially that is unrealistic.  With my age group, sometimes parents do not feel comfortable with their young child using their computer.  Other parents give their child tablets and old cellphones. 

As far as something I can do in the classroom now, with the limited funds we have, I would like to order a new computer mouse where one side is green and the other is red, so I could explain left and right click better to the children.  

We use technology at least three hours everyday, sometimes more.  We also use the computer to watch videos on YouTube about our current theme.  We have watched videos on the life cycle of a butterfly, letter videos, and Graduation songs.       

Sometimes children in our class bring in leap pads.  One year one of the girls put on buzz buzz and the class danced to it for an hour or two.

The children that bring in their Leap Pads are willing to share with their friends.  

The biggest challenge in using technology in the classroom is other adults.  One year, I had a child who listened well on the computer.  I taught him how to push the space bar and the PowerPoint slide went to the next one.  I was able to present during chapel and he was able to participate in chapel.  He did a great job and listened great.  Another adult walked by and declared he was unfit to help. because he was 5 years old.  It didn't matter that I could see him, that he did a great job, it mattered that another adult who happened to have a more prestigious job in the building dictated that his age made him unsuitable.  Some 5 year olds are unsuitable for that job.  Some adults are unsuitable for that job.  There is no shame learning from a child, or teaching a child to do a job.  I would call that Ageism.  Okay, I am getting off my soap box now.  

 

When using YouTube with children, it is wise to always be present or circling quickly.  YouTube doesn't allow you to block certain kinds of adds.  If you are using it for learning, you might have to make sure the child on the phone or Computer hasn't found a cute Play dough video and is off topic.  I try to use Technology for teaching purposes where the kids don't realize they are learning.   Play dough Princess is not the kind of learning I anticipated. 

Technology has it's place in all classroom, including Preschoolers.  Adults shouldn't stifle children, but encourage them to be their best in everyway. 

Using QR Codes in the Classroom: Tech-Based Supplemental Materials Lesson Plans

We have been talking about QR Codes.

Here is a sample Scavenger Hunt using QR Codes.

In this Scavenger Hunt, we will let the children take turns scanning each QR Code.
Each Code will lead us to a different Code until we are finally back in our classroom.

BH Scavenger Hunt 1 by Anonymous wZERsBdXx on Scribd

We are knee deep in Art Show Preparation.

This year we chose to do the life cycle

of the Butterfly as our theme.

What better way to add it to what we have been learning,

than to turn it into a QR Code.

Here is a fun website geared towards Parents and Teachers for various activities.

http://www.kidscanhavefun.com/qr-codes-for-kids.htm

You can print off  QR Animal Flash Cards.

http://www.kidscanhavefun.com/qr-codes-activities/qr-code-farm-animal-sounds.pdf

Qr Code Farm Animal Sounds by Anonymous wZERsBdXx on Scribd

This Worksheet can be Printed and scanned.

It shows words that have Vowels Aa, Ee, Ii, and Oo.

These are some basic sight words we are 

working on in our classroom.

The goals at the end of our QR Lesson Plans:

1. The Children are able to recognize a QR Code.
2. They are able to scan the QR Code if a QR app is already installed.
3. They know that QR Codes are squares.
4. They are excited about learning.
5. Supplement and reinforce everything else they have learned this year Such as Letters, Numbers, and Basic Words.

Guidelines Met

Domain: Approaches Toward Learning

Strand: Initiative

Topic: Planning, Action and Reflection

Standard Statement:Develop, initiate and carry out simple plans to obtain goal.

Domain: Social and Emotional Development

Strand: Self

Topic: Self-Regulation

Standard Statement: Manage the expression of feelings, thoughts, impulses and behaviors with minimal guidance from adults.

Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge

Strand: Cognitive Skills

Topic: Memory

Standard Statement: Communicate about past events and anticipate what comes next during familiar routines and experiences

Domain: Language and Literacy

Strand:Listening and Speaking

Topic:Expressive Language

Standard Statement: Use language to communicate in a variety of ways with others to share observations, ideas and experiences; problem-solve, reason, predict and seek new information.

Domain: Physical Well-Being and Motor Development

Strand: Motor Development

Topic:Small Muscle: Touch, Grasp, Reach, Manipulate

Standard Statement: Coordinate the use of hands fingers and wrists to manipulate objects and preform task requiring precise movements.

My Technology Lesson Plan: QR Code Scavenger Hunt

So let's talk Lesson Plans...again.

Have you ever had the deadline close in on you and you are about to leave work and wonder where the time has gone?

Yes, me too.

So what is a Teacher to do?

There are a few options,

• Prepare the Lesson plans in advance.  It does take forethought and organization. With some practice, it will get easier.
• Use a Lesson Plan from last year (It's the same material right?  You're the same teacher.  Sometimes that works and sometimes
  the class is too different to repeat what you did last year.
  
  I have noticed each group of students have their own vibe.  It's almost like the class as a whole has their own personality. Which means, sometimes an old Lesson plan won't be as effective as something geared towards the students in your class.
• Borrow a template from the web and hope you can tweak it.
• Make 6 week Lesson Plans.
  
  That doesn't work for all
  ages, but honestly you are going get into a routine and the
  Lesson Plans will stay similar for certain times of the year.

When I do Lesson Plans, I try to make them for 6 weeks at a time.  My boss went to a conference and said they were told the kids learn better in 6 week incriminates.  Hey, I am in Preschool.  It makes since, so I have tried out that theory several times and it works.  I feel happier we don't have to reinvent the wheel every week and I get to watch as the information sinks in and the children add their own creative spin on it.  Children always have something to say given the opportunity.

Our Goal in my Classroom is at the end of the school year the children will mostly be able to:

1. Recite Address, Phone Number, Days of the Week, Months of the Year, Parents Name, and Birthday. 
   
2. Recognize Most of Upper and Lower Case Letters in the Alphabet, and know their sounds. 
   
3. Recognize Numbers 0-20 
   
4. Develop Sharing Skills
5. Be able to read words bat, cat, rat, mat, and sat.
   
    
6. Start sounding out simple words.
7. Open their own snack including Juice and packaged items.  
8. Be able to express needs verbally, such as I need....

These can be achieved in a multitude of ways.  My Preschool focuses on Social-Emotional, Language, Cognitive, and Physical Development.  In our lesson plans, my co-teacher and I try to include all four types of learning as often as we can.  

Example: A child is working with a friend to write their letters.  

• Social-Emotional:  Working with a friend 
• Language:  Using words to communicate while doing the project as well as the written Language
• Cognitive:  Thinking through what needs to be done and remembering letters in order to complete the task at hand
• Physical Development:  Using fine motor skills to hold the pencil/marker/crayon and use it properly

Here is a copy of my 

QR Code Scavenger Hunt

Lesson Plan

QR Scavenger Hunt by Anonymous o1N5OI4 on Scribd

Dream Classroom Design

Every teacher has thought at some point has came up with a wish list for his or her classroom.

I wish the school would pay for___________.  The children would learn so much.

So what does your Dream Classroom look like?

Does it matter what you use to help
your students learn?

Honestly, no.

I am going to give you some

valuable information.

The children/adults you teach will only learn if it is meaningful to them.

How am I supposed to know what is meaningful to my students!!!

Believe me, you will know when it isn't meaningful to them.

Some students find the grade system all the
incentive they need.

Some students are very visual,
so all of the gadgets and cool electronics appeal to them. 

Another secret, if the student can apply what they are learning to their life, they will retain it.

As a student, I walked into classrooms and felt relieved.  The teacher was 'cool' the room made me feel comfortable and it was uncomplicated.

How do I recreate the feeling of

comfort for my students?

The first thing that needs to be done

is my attitude.

There are people in your life that

you want to be around.

And there are those other people....

Ever have an OCD teacher?

You know the one I am talking about.

Some smart kid in the class switches their stapler and tape dispenser on purpose. 

The teacher walks in and

is practically itching,

because something is out of place

They go fix it immediately.

Everyone laughs, the teacher
tries to ignore it and
tomorrow the process is repeated.

Then you go to Art and it is
an entirely different experience.

My High School Art teacher

was simply amazing.

It was messy, fun, and he always

had music playing.

I felt comfortable in that classroom.

How do I recreate that feeling of comfort?

So what does your

Dream Classroom look like?

My Dream Classroom is very open.  I like to see everything and everyone in the classroom at once.  If my classroom is too crowded, I feel like I have to watch my every step.  If there are too many places for kids too hide, they do.

In this classroom setup, I would use the projector area as a center.  I would utilize the tables as a center or centers.  One table might have magnets.  One table might have plastic money to count.  One table might be used as a coloring table.  The Beanbag area could be used for books, puppets, or Leapfrog DVD.

In our classroom, we switch out the toys periodically to prevent over stimulus.  

When you are working with mildly autistic students, energetic students, or lazy students over stimuli tends to be a problem.

Sometimes less really is more.

You may be asking yourself, does she work with special needs children?

The answer is no.

Most children are not diagnosed with things like autism until they are in Kindergarten or first Grade.  A Preschool Teacher's job isn't to diagnose the issue, it is looking for ways to have the classroom to function somewhat normally despite disruptive behavior and to curve that behavior so every student has a healthy environment.    

Personally, I need a lot of desk space.  I can easily take up one or two tables all by myself.

Design My Own Classroom

So why put bean bags in my classroom?  It doesn't matter whether your students are 5 or 18, a bean bag chair is fun to sit in.  The student who gets the chair is the envy of all of the other students.

Why have Circle Tables?

When I went to school, I remember sitting in English Class sitting at round tables

and I really enjoyed it.

In my classroom, you don't see Computer desks.

The reason for this is,

that in my dream classroom every student would have their own laptop or tablet.

That's ridiculous!

K-12, a Free Public Online School,
provides each child a computer.
There is no reason each child
at a Public School shouldn't have one.

I think touch screen computers would be best.
If you are teaching
a younger group like I am,
tablets or iPads might be a better option.
There are so many videos, apps,
and online games for all ages.

My class has been enjoying QR codes.

They laugh and dance at the videos.

Projectors can easily be hooked up to laptops.  Presentations can be presented or viewed.

A lot of the education I do is on YouTube.
It's visual and auditory
which is two out of three different learning styles.

There is also an area for a TV.

That makes it easier for viewing DVD's.  If you still need to hook your laptop up to it, the new TV's have HDMI cables that will allow you to do that.  Some DVD's go chapter by chapter and get monotonous on the computer.

I personally like sitting on the couch to work on my books and homework.

I feel relaxed and comfortable

when I am sitting on a couch doing a task,

that is one of the reasons why there are

several couches set up in the room.

When I take my 4 & 5 year old's for walks to the

'big kid hallway' they are excited to

sit on the couches or large comfy chairs.

We read books, practice our graduation songs, and work on sign language there.  They love it!

If your class is younger like mine you

might see things on the shelves like:

• Legos
• Books
• Magnets
• Tornado in a Bottle
• Sensory objects the kids can touch
• Glue
• Scissors
• Construction Paper
• Tape
• Colored Pencils
• Markers
• Pencils
• Crayons
• Puzzles
• Leap Pads
• Railroad Tracks

There are many things I would add that aren't on this Blueprint.

1. If this room was for Preschoolers, I would add a kitchen set behind the projector seating area. 
2. I would add a sink that was child size and adult sized when things get messy. 
3. I would add a door behind the Teacher Area leading to a storage area. 
4. I would have a separate napping room.
5. I would add a bathroom entrance between Preschool classrooms.  That way the children could go to the bathroom without taking the whole class in the middle of a project.
6. I would have another door leading straight to the playground outside.
7. I would have a sound control behind the desk that could turn up the projector/computers sound for the whole room.
8. I would have a White Board that the children could play on at eye level by the TV on one side and a Chalkboard at kid level on the other side.

This new picture shows

where the play kitchen would go as well as the working sinks for messy days.

The Red Rectangles on this

Classroom indicates where the doors to the storage room would be, the bathroom would be, and outside would be.

My room has a piano in it,

however if we had a

'Dream Classroom'

I would ask for a Music Room specifically

geared for Preschoolers.

It would be a mixture of

free art like the picture above,

and directed creativity like

the picture below.

I am sure once I had

my 'Dream Classroom'

I would think of something else

to improve the classroom.

Lesson Plans Using QR Codes for Preschoolers

What do you do on Fridays at Fun for work?

Wait, isn't that an oxymoron?

Lesson Plans are due on Fridays, so for fun I decided to give a QR coded Lesson Plan.

Today, I talked to my four and five year olds about QR codes.

They are ready to scan!

So in the up coming weeks we are going to open up a

scanning center.

We plan to pick a handful of web videos and post them

around the room and let the children scan away!

QR Code

Have you ever wondered what those weird black and white images are?

I have.  

I have seen them scanned and wasn't sure exactly what it did.  

5 Ways to Use QR Code

Business cards, Coupons, Return orders, and more.

Download a QR app and start scanning on your smart phone.

Which App Store?

It depends if you have an IPhone or and Android Phone.

What if I want to make my own QR Code?

Make your own QR Code

Just copy and paste your website in the Text Box and it will generate your own QR Code.

This looks like all of the other QR Codes!

However, when I scanned the QR code on my phone, my blog popped right up.

The QR was a URL link to Kidding Around with Heidi.

Where does this one go?

I guess you will have to scan it and see.