D/B12

Two things that I would add to my classroom teaching from chapter 30 are using more audio and better graphics. I really took from the book that extras are not needed unless they go with the learning. In my classroom, we talk about diagrams. We actually work with "what is a diagram? How is this different from a picture? How is this different than just words?" I really like that the book goes into detail about not having the extras. Thinking about this and being honest with myself I think I've added these details before thinking it would "catch their attention" but probably didn't. One of the lessons I do with the interactive whiteboard is when I have students sort words by patterns. I now think adding sound to this will help if they are the right sounds. I want to find a way to add the sounds of the letters in the pattern. This way as students read the words they can then push the sound button to see if they hear the same sound. If this is the case partway through the year students can work in a small group at the board without needing help. The audio would help them to focus and gain their longterm memory.

I also want to work on using better graphics. I really want to focus this year when setting up my classroom to make sure any visuals have a focused goal. I also want to make sure when using my interactive whiteboard I don't have extras that are not going to help with learning. I think really thinking through what I put on each "slide" of my whiteboard will help learning. I also like that they said using graphics that show motion are helpful. I think this can help even when teaching math. I really think this will help when teaching subtraction. In third grade students can subtract, but need help with this still. I've shown pictures to show things being taken away, but using arrows will help with this too.