Facebook
I have to admit I had never really thought of using Facebook as a classroom resource until recently. When I saw on our blackboard that we needed to join the group on Facebook I was surprised. I don't really know why, just not what I was expecting. BUT-- wow! I love it! It is the perfect way to communicate quickly and casually with other classmates and the teacher. I am not saying to pull this up in the classroom to use, but to use this as a resource for (especially) parents would be a great idea! I've thought about making a "Mrs. Snead" page and inviting all my parents and students (that have one). This would be a great way to remind students/parents of information that is so often overlooked in the weekly newsletter. With so many parents/students that have Facebook, all these reminders would pop up on their news feed. Who doesn't log on to Facebook everyday? Obviously this could be used for every grade if parents were checking it. It could also be used for higher age students that have a Facebook page.
A to Z Teacher Stuff
This website is FULL of great ideas for all grades. It contains teacher tips, bulletin board ideas, lesson plans, printable worksheets- just to name a few. It is a free website. There is a forum that you can read and post with different ideas and suggestions for different lessons, etc. I love using this website to get ideas for times like Dr. Seuss week and the other (few) times you can throw in something different. This website is a great resource to keep at hand. People continue to add to it on a daily basis. :)
Lane,
ReplyDeleteI am like you. I had never thought of using facebook as a resource. It has always been something to do for fun with no meaningful use. Now I am beginning to see how it could be used by teachers. I usually have good relationships with the parents of my students,but never thought about doing facebook with them. If you set up a group, like we have done for our class, then you could send so many reminders that way. Like you said, who doesn't check facebook on a regular basis. Parents who never bother to read notes would probably check facebook. I think it is a definite possibility that I will try doing a parent group on facebook.
I have used the A to Z Teacher Stuff website before. It is a great resource for ideas and lessonplans. There are just those times when the creative juices aren't flowing and you need ideas. I would also recommend this website to other teachers.
I also put Facebook! I put many of the same points you did. My favorite part about it is you do not have to be friends with them to be in the group. I think teachers need to have a personal life, but we really have given that up. I have mixed feelings about adding students to the group. I guess depending on the age. But I could see one student answering another students question wrong and it being to late to fix it. That parent would then try to blame you! We know, or get to know, our students and can make decisions on that each year.
ReplyDeleteI really like what you said about Facebook groups being a great way to communicate with parents and even other teachers. Like you first stated, when I saw you put Facebook on here I was a bit skeptical at first. I never thought about using it as a communication tool for work. Every parent has a chance to read what other parents are asking and thinking and the teacher only has to respond one time. I love that idea!
ReplyDeleteA to Z has been such a great tool for me this last year! I used it all the time and would recommend it to anyone in need of a cute idea, activity, or lesson plan.