Looking back, Looking Forward

Hello Again,


      Upon entering "Introduction to Technology in the Classroom" I was extremely nervous. I'm somewhat computer literate, but I knew this class was going to require a lot from me. Looking back it wasn't that hard, yes the assignments were time consuming; however it was worth it. The skills that I acquired from taking this course will benefit me in the future. I am so eager to create another website for my career as a doula. This course has shown me so much, I'm highly grateful. I enjoyed learning about the new technology, and creating "QR Codes" that was so awesome. I'm also proud of myself for not giving up, and giving my all. I feel like I ran a marathon, and I'm at the finish line breathing heavy with a huge kool-aid smile.

        Over the weekend I showed my mother my website, she cried because it was so well put together. I will be helping her with a website of her own really soon(she makes jewelry that she sells at Columbia College Shop, "Muur Jewels"). Not only has this course benefited me, it will benefit others as well.

     I would like to thank my instructor Nicole Zumpano she was so patience with us, as well as encouraging, and super cool. She did her thing as an instructor:)


~Hafiza

Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

Steve Jobs

Who Am I?

Hello again friends!


So I'm teaching my students about fractions and I came up with a super awesome mystery activity called "Who Am I?"


Who Am I? is a mystery game of fractions. The answers will be in qr code form. Students must connect each question with the correct qr code.

Students will read a question and they will have to match the fraction by scanning the qr code.

Below is the scenario of my third grade class:

 I teach a third grade class of 25 students. My class was donated five ipad minis. Students will be grouped in fives. Each group gets an ipad mini (each student will take a turn using the ipad mini to scan a qr code to guess the correct answer.) This activity will last for 45 minutes (30 using the ipad mini, 15 for math journal entries).

Example:

I have four equal parts, however one part is missing. Who am I?

I have ten equal parts, however eights parts are missing. Who am I?

Check out the complete "Who Am I?"  mystery game on my website under the "more category".

http://hafizakarim.weebly.com/

*Coming up with this fun interactive project for students was exciting, exhausting, and fulfilling! 

Happy Scanning ;)

~Hafiza

Fraction Frizzle

Hey All!

I came up with an awesome way for my students to learn about fractions (in word form). I call it "Fraction Frizzle".

I created a wordle with different fraction word forms.

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/7618651/Fraction_Frizzle

                                           




                                                       Lesson Objectives:

              Students will identify the word form of each fraction.

              Next students will write the numeric form of each fraction.

              After that students will draw a picture of each fraction to match the word form, as well as               the numeric form.

This lesson covers teaching my students the numeric form of fractions, the word form of fractions, and the visual (art) form of fractions. A beautiful mashup of Math +Art= students learning two subjects at the same time! :)


Check out this cool activity on my website under the "more" category.

http://hafizakarim.weebly.com/

Warm Wishes
~Hafiza

Origami Fraction Flower

Hi Guys!

So I created a fun way to teach my students about fractions, by integrating arts and crafts.
You know those cool Origami figures you've seen almost everywhere? Well I wanted to teach my students about fractions, as well as teach them how to make Origami flowers.

I created a prezi with step by step instructions.

http://prezi.com/k4_o335yv8bu/creating-fraction-focused-flowers/

This activity also correlates with Common Core. What is Common Core you ask?

"The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy."


This lesson meets the following common core objectives:

CCSS (3.OA.2) I can understand division by thinking how one group can be divided into smaller groups.

(3.NF.1) I can show and understand that fractions are equal parts of a whole.

(3.NF.3) I can explain in words or pictures how two fractions can sometimes be equal.

(3.NF.3) I can compare fractions by reasoning about their size.

(3.NF. 3) I can show whole numbers as fractions. (3=3/1).


(3.NF.3) I can recognize fractions that are equal to one whole.


http://www.corestandards.org/




This activity allows my students to think outside of the traditional math book. Each petal represents a part of the fraction that will eventually create a whole part.

                                                         Image Source: Pinterest

                                                         Image Source: Pinterest

                                                        Image Source: Pinterest

                                                        Image Source: Pinterest

                                                       Image Source: Pinterest

Image Source: Pinterest

Materials used for this cool activity are:

Assorted square origami paper

Glue

Simple yet innovative.

You can also find this cool activity on my website under the "more" category.

http://hafizakarim.weebly.com/

Take Care

~Hafiza

Stranger Mine

  image source: google


Mining for strangers is a bit weird yet intriguing. I had to "Mine a stranger" which was really my instructors colleague. It's common everyone digital snoops whether it's on Facebook, Google, or Intelius, because that's the thing to do, with all this free access to their personal information on social media. We want to know who we are associating with, without them knowing we know, you know? ;).

To know that whatever we do on the Internet never really goes away is crazy. I Googled myself and found a little info about myself. There were a few pictures with drawn on eyebrows (crazy phase I was going through #dontjudge, lol) that I wish I can make completely disappear.

In this day and age of technology, with one click of a mouse we can find out so much information. So the next time you post a pic (picture) be careful, it may come back to haunt you.

Sites that are helpful for the miner in you are below:

Google.com
Facebook.com
LinkedIn.com
Twitter.com
Pipl.com
Spezify.com
Personas.media.mit.edu
Intelius.com
Socialmention.com
Zoominfo.com
Peoplefinders.com
Peekyou.com
Instantcheckmate.com
Chicago.blockstopper.com
Socialwise.biz
Spokeo.com
Kred.com

By the way there are plenty more sites out there......Happy Mining ;)

~Hafiza

                                 
                         
             140 Characters in my Tweets



Tweeting is a craze that I swore I wouldn't get involved in. Well guess what I was forced by  my instructor :). Twitter is addictive just like Facebook, Instagram, and the other countless social websites. I followed the twitter trail (also known as twitter snooping); where you read a RT (retweet) then see who it came from originally. Then you see who they follow and so on, and find yourself following hundreds of people. That was me and not to mention it's 3am; I'm tired but can't seem to quit, and I have to get up in a few hours. I swear I'll go to twitter rehab (where I deactivate my page for a day.....okay a few hours ). It's addictive!!!


My favorite tweets are about being a better teacher. Teaching is truly my passion. I need to find ways to keep my students engaged. Fun education  is a must for all students. The best way a child can fully learn is engagement, being comfortable, and having a teacher who is passionate. I HATE HATE worksheets, they are so redundant, boring, and a waste of trees.

As a child field trips were my favorite. I loved going to the Zoo, The Field Museum, and The Museum of Science and Industry. Being cooped up in a classroom and doing worksheets bored the daylights out of me. One of the reasons I became a teacher is to go on field trips forever ;)

https://twitter.com/OHschoolboards posted on twitter "Study: School field trips have many benefits for students http://ow.ly/u1Fez  #edchat #education" I truly believe that schools should focus on field trips to be apart of the curriculum. One question I know would be asked "where will the funds come from?" There are countless grants for such a thing. We should have zero excuses for our future "THE CHILDREN!!!!!"

                  Professional Learning Networks



Professional Learning Networks seems a bit overwhelming at first, however once I saw something that hit my interest I was comfortable. I joined http://twubs.com/edchat and the discussion varied. What caught my eye was @schlieske post "What do you believe are the biggest or most common mistakes teachers make? #edchat" My response was @schlieske They are worrying about the wrong things. Students are #1. What happen to the nurturing teachers? #edchat

https://twitter.com/HafizaAmina

Twitter is a very useful tool that is great for all types of people. 

           "It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."

                                                              ~Albert Einstein 

SAMR

Hi Guys!


On Thursday January 24, 2014 I listened in on a Webinar hosted by Susan Oxenvad; I want to share some key points that I think was very useful.

Susan talked about SAMR.

What is SAMR?

SAMR is a model of technology integration for educators which was designed by Dr. Ruben R. Puentedura, Ph.D.

SAMR is integrated into four steps:

Redefinition- Technology allows for the creation of new tasks, in the past it was inconceivable.

Modification- Technology allows for significant task redesign.
(These steps are apart of the Transformation process)

Augmentation- Technology acts as a direct tool substitute, with functional improvement.

Substitution- Technology acts as a direct tool substitute, with no functional change.
(These steps are apart of the Enhancement process)

SAMR also teaches educators to teach above the line. Which is most definitely needed!

For substitution it teaches you to use technology instead of the traditional pen, paper, and book.

For Augmentation it replaces such things as a dictionary (instead you will use spell check). Copy and pasting is used as well, along with creating an online collage  rather than the traditional collage where paper and pencil is used.

The modification level is above the line. With modification educators are allowed to design lessons with the tasks that are new, that are credited to the capabilities of technology. Multimedia plays a major role in modification too.

The learning process is transformed greatly. Also this collaboration doesn't end in the classroom, you can resume at home or wherever.

Redefinition which is the highest of the high. You are allowed to skype with an astronaut (if you want :)), which is way cool! As well as you can virtually  interact with students across the US. Redefinition is extremely awesome and allows educators to educate beyond the traditional classroom.

For me the Webinar was extremely informative, useful, and exciting. I would definitely use this in my future classroom :)

~Hafiza