November Entry
The students in my fifth grade science class studied the scientific method in several ways.  The students were first presented the proper terms and meanings used in each step of the scientific method through help of the power point presentation The Scientific Method. A class bulletin board was also created for review. After having studied each step, the students were presented with a Scenario study and identify the proper steps and their order. Students were placed in groups in order to evaluate the scenario and determine how each term or step of the scientific method applied. 

On Microsoft word the class designed a study page placing the steps of the scenario in the proper order.  They also created a terminology and definitions study guide to be used as a reference for the test. 
The students will apply this knowledge of the scientific method throughout the year as they complete various projects in the classroom.  Each project will be presented to the class is full using each step of the method on the presentation boards. 

December Entry
In November I created a web site called Hasty’s Science Sites.  This site provides several different science sites available for the students to be able to pull up in the classroom or at home for independent study.  These sites can also be used for group teaching in the classroom. 
 We are now studying the Human Body and the students are able to explore the Human Anatomy Site listed on the web page to gain additional information for their studies. This site offers many visuals of the human body, terms and links to other sites.  This gives the students a variety of ways to study the human body. 

January  Entry
The PowerPoint presentation I designed was on the systems of the human body.  It is an introductory level presentation designed for fifth grade.  This slide show consists of nine slides.  Each slide introduces one of the nine systems by explaining the main function, the main organs of the system and a picture of the system.  There is also a hyperlink to another web site for additional information. 

We used the presentation in class first as an introduction to the unit of the human body. Later in the unit of study the students were divided into teams to draw and study the functions of each system.  The students were able to go to the PowerPoint slide show to individually research their system for their drawing, report and class presentation. 

The resource link used for further information was: 
http://www.innerbody.com/image/digeov.html

In developing this presentation, I was able to use the computer in the tech center, the computer in my classroom and due to the availability of the laptop I was able to work on this presentation at home.  The laptop also serves a a secondary resource in the classroom when only one main computer is available. 

This presentation will be an asset anytime the human body is being taught. 

February Entry
For the past month I have attempted many times to work on the TLG 2000 with little success due to down computers or lack of personal knowledge of what to do. After several attempts and help from fellow teachers, I do now have my materials sent to the team for review.   I did however find the unit and additional lesson plans from the Internet that are most appropriate for use in teaching the properties of atoms and matter in the 5th grade classroom. The properties of matter is the gap that I needed additional material for teaching.   The students have a most difficult time understanding a concept as intangible as atoms and molecules so the activities on properties found on the internet, along with the visual web sites are most helpful in improving the understanding by students. They love the in class hands-on experiments suggested on the unit web site as well as from the extra lesson plans I found.   The students are able to use a PowerPoint presentation on the most common elements, which introduces them to the element name, symbol and its most common function. The computer big screen is also used to display the periodic table for more in depth use by the whole class. 
 This experience has been most helpful in helping me to be aware of the many ways the computer can be used in the classroom, not only by the teacher but also by the students. 
The most frustrating thing to me is the lack of time to research for needed on line information, the lack of class time to assist the students in the class when they have problems with the computer and my lack of knowledge to get past a technology problem when it occurs. 
I feel that computers are completely changing the strategies of teaching in the classroom and because of this it is becoming more and more necessary for upcoming teachers to have massive training in computer technology.  As for those of us already in the classroom for many years, we are kind of like the old dogs learning new tricks, and it is hard. One way I feel the systems could assist us better, would be to have a certified technologist on sight in each school building.  This hopefully would keep progress moving a lot faster and would be a very positive aid to the classroom teacher. 

March Entry
1.TLG 
This month I have been working on my TLG basically by teaching the unit.  The students have been very responsive to the program and especially the hands-on activities provided in the unit lessons from the various internet sites. Trying to update my work on the Online Submission Form has been most difficult due to the numerous times that I have been unable to get on line.  However, I do feel the project has been most beneficial to me as a teacher in expanding my knowledge as to how I can use the internet myself to create special projects or teaching units to fit my own curriculum needs. 

2.Internet Project 
The project I chose was to contact a scientist for students to ask a question. This project was intended to be done during our unit on nutrition. The unit I teach has a direct connection to a Kellogg’s nutritionist. This unit will be taught a little later in the year. 

3.Internet Resources 
One way my students have used technology is to study the periodic table. This has been done from http://www.shef.ac.uk/~chem/web-elements/index.html
This site gives many points of information for each element. The students can look up their element to get the symbol, the atomic weight and especially the properties of each element. The site also provides visual sites of the structure of the atom, which will be very beneficial for the students as they build their model of an element or molecule. These models will be the final part of the teaching skills taught and tested on the rubric. 

4.PowerPoint 
Having worked in the technology program this year has allowed me to develop and have access to two power point presentations that have been very useful in my teaching.  The students thoroughly enjoyed the power point on the human body systems. It made it very easy for them to go to the computer and look at the main organs and study the function of the particular system they were interested in looking for.  Also they are just beginning to use the power point presentation on the elements. This presentation is easy and simple for the students to use. 

April Entry
During the past month, I must say that the TLG experience was certainly an educating experience.  At times I felt like it was an education that I didn’t care to have. The process as a whole was very confusing due to the inconsistency in instructions and the continual changes made by the grant administrators.  After finally having gotten through my grant completely, I can certainly see that I have gained a lot of knowledge in searching the web, setting up an on line unit and I particularly feel that I gained a great deal on basic use of the computer. At this point, I do feel that I would be willing to take part in another grant and will hopefully have a better understanding of what is required.  Overall the TLG experience was very time consuming and frustrating, however I appreciate the opportunity to learn and to receive the money, which will be used to further my students education of science and technology in the classroom. 

For the past few weeks, the students in my fifty grade class have been studying and learning about the properties of matter, atoms, molecules and compounds.  This unit has been enhanced tremendously by the use of the Internet and various sites available on the periodic table and its elements. The students enjoyed doing several experiments in class relating to the properties of matter.  These experiments were made available from various Internet sites for elementary science. A few of these sites are listed below. 

Site Locations: 
 Matter and Its Changes - http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/elemsci/gr5ubesc.html

Guess What ?! http://www.eecs.umich.edu/mathscience/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/guesswhat.html

Properties of Matter - http://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons/Science/Physical/PHY0046.html

Marshmallow Molecules - http://henson.austin.apple.com/edres/ellesson/elem-marshmallow.shtml

After studying the properties of matter the students (in teams of two or three) were asked to choose an element or compound to research.  They were asked to find background information and important facts related to their topic. This information was to be written into a two- page report including a cover page and a bibliography.  Along with the report each team of students was required to research the atomic or molecular structure of the atom or compound they had chosen and create a model (three dimensional or on poster board).  This model should include the name of the element or compound, the atomic number, and the correct number of  protons, neutrons and electrons. The model of the atom or compound along with their report will be presented to the class.  The following is one of the web sites used to find the elements and their properties. 

The Periodic Table - http://www.shef.ac.uk/~chem/web-elements/index.html
The students have been able to research on their own, using the Internet and various Power Point Presentations.  They have learned many of the mechanics of the computer, as well as, how to follow directions very closely.  Many of the students chose to create their cover page on the computer and others also chose to type their report on the computer. These were excellent experiences for the students and served to increase their knowledge of science and technology. 
 

May Entry

The year 1999-2000 has been a new adventure in learning and teaching for me.  As the world so quickly changes and advances around us, so does the demand for changes in our methods of teaching. As the requirements on teachers become greater each year, it is often difficult as a teacher to find time to adapt to the rapid changes in technology and to learn how to utilize the constantly evolving methods available to the teaching profession. This project provided me with the time to learn and utilize this advancing technology.

 This project has also been a wonderful way for me to begin to feel confident in integrating the use of the Internet into the classroom curriculum.  I had no idea how or where to begin to create a unit or even find lesson plans on the Internet until this project guided me through it step by step.  My participation in this Cyber Exchange Project and the TLG 2000 Grant not only opened a world of ways and methods for me as a teacher, but also allowed my students to learn along with me.   The curriculum development project has given my students opportunities to use power point instruction, research subject matter on the web, communicate with professionals for help in science, and to write and print their research. 

 I now feel much more comfortable going to the computer to look for help when developing a lesson plan or unit to meet my classroom objectives.  I also have more confidence in providing help to the students so they can experience this great world of knowledge.  This class has made a total difference in the use of the computer this year 1999-2000 as compared to the past years.  Even though the computer was in my class, I was totally illiterate in the use of a computer mechanically and otherwise.  This class has given me the knowledge I needed to begin exploring the Internet and put to use for my students what I learned. I am still learning things every time I sit down at the computer and especially when I come to Cyber Exchange. I know there is still so much more to learn and that things are advancing so quickly that I highly recommend that all teachers be offered this opportunity on a regular ongoing basis.

Developing the online lesson plan was a wonderful experience for me and was a fun and creative way of teaching the information to the students.  These lesson plans were used to teach the objectives through research of online activities and information sites.  The students were able to do experiment activities in the classroom, which were pulled from the Internet and were also able to do their own research for an independent study project. 

The online lessons are very beneficial and helpful because they allow the teacher to be able to organize the unit of study as materials and information is found. Due to the nature of the computer, the lessons and information is easily copied and saved for later use.  Most of these lessons also include the objectives and national standards, which enables the teacher to develop the lessons in conjunction with the required curriculum program. 

Fast communication is a wonderful asset to the field of teaching and I am sure as I become more adapt and knowledgeable in these areas, they will benefit me greatly.  However, thus far my use of the communication tools has been limited.  I have mainly used email to communicate with other teachers, the tech center and various companies in regards to their programs.  The ICQ will be a great advantage as I come in contact with more people to share with.  The video conferencing has not been an option at this time.

Word is one of the most used features on my computer.  I find it wonderful for developing letters to students, parents, and other necessary contacts.  I also use it for the creation of calendars, class schedules and various forms needed in the classroom. The beauty of the computer for these tasks is the save and change features.  This allows me to keep a document used repeatedly and go back to change necessary features such as address or date.  

I have developed two power point presentations at this time and this has been a tremendous learning experience for me.  This feature allows the teacher to take a personal outline on a given lesson and present the segments to the students in a creative visual technique with sound and color, which always makes learning more exciting and fun.

I would love to be able to get to where I could teach and allow the students to create power point presentations for their science experiments.  This would develop their knowledge in many areas and make science more fun for them.

I have not really put a lot of emphasis on our classroom web site. We did share it in class and I sent home information on how the parent could go to the site and check it out.  It is available to them at any time and offers the students and parents information on:  the expected behavior of the student, classroom guidelines, disciplinary procedures, course objectives, supplies needed and overall general information.

Without the monthly training sessions I would not be utilizing the computer in my classroom to teach or allowing the students to use the computer.  Without the training I was not knowledgeable enough about the computer to do what I have done and did not feel comfortable enough to turn the students loose to work on it.  I did not feel that I was capable of correcting or fixing their mistakes.  Now, I am more confident, but still have a lot of things to learn. A computer is something I have a fear of exploring alone, because I do not understand all the signs and signals.  Therefore, in order for me to have continued growth and be able to accomplish new things with technology, I highly recommend that the teacher trainings be continued at least on a monthly basis. This will not only give teachers time to explore new avenues for teaching, but will also keep the teacher informed of the new advancements taking place. 

I feel that my students have enjoyed getting to use the computer very much.  Some have learned keyboarding, some have learned to research on the Internet, some have learned to use Word and it’s many fun features while some others just  prefer to interact with the challenging educational software I have available. 

The most beneficial aspect of the Cyber Exchange has been for me to have the provided time to learn. Being able to take this time out on school time has allowed me to gain much needed knowledge that I would not have otherwise been able to do. Having a qualified trainer at my side has been a must for me and I would never have accomplished any of this without her.  Without continued training, the teachers will get behind in the advancements of technology and will become stagnant in the use of the computer.

I have shared some of my accomplishments such as my power points, my classroom web sight and the research projects with my fellow grade level teachers.  The principal and assistant principal have been able to visit at times and view some of the accomplishments we have done in Cyber Exchange.