Teacher websites

I used webnode for my teacher website and the only problem that I faced was when I went to upload pictures. I thought that webnode was fairly easy to use and navigate. Overall, I thought it was a great project to prepare us for when we are in the classroom. I know when I was in school, teachers did not utilize websites for a communication link between school and home. I think its great for parents who may not have the time to sort through the backpacks at night and could access it in the morning before work or even during work to keep up with their children's classroom.

Languages earlier in education

I've been flowing the local papers in my hometown and the debate on starting a foreign language a year earlier; starting it in 8th grade instead of 9th.

When talking about it to my mom, who works for a neighboring school district, she posed two questions, what difference does a year make and in this economy are districts really going to foot for extra teachers? Granted, a year is not that big of a difference, but if you can peak a students interest in an area earlier, why not? The bigger issue should be starting a foreign language in elementary school. I babysit for some children who attend a private school. The nine year old is fluent in French and can hold a conversation in that language-all learning done at school. Neither of her parents speak French. And to argue the second point, being bilingual would make a student stand out in job interviews over another candidate. I understand that the economy is difficult at this time but if starting languages earlier in students education is for their benefit in their future, why wouldn't find ways to make that happen?

My ending comparison was, we teach students to be computer and technology literate at very young ages, which is crucial whether a student pursues their education or goes directly into the workforce. How is integrating language into cirriculum at an earlier age any different?

Online lesson plan resources

Despite being an elementary education major, I was unaware of how many websites are out there. Normally, I just Google the topic and any sites that come up, I just click and review. United Streaming was useful because I was able to pull some lesson plans to adapt and modify for my N-6 Science unit. I was also unaware that Albright had access to an education section under the library website- that was so useful! I am definitely adding those websites to my social bookmarking project.