Tamara Nazario
Grant Proposal
Four Computer Classroom
Grades: 4-5 (all subjects)

Rationale:
In designing the room layout for a room with four computers, the options seemed almost endless compared to a room with one computer. Three of the four computers are located behind the student’s desks and this is to be less distracting for the students. Two of the computers are in the very back of the classroom and are designated as “The Computer Lab”. The computers would be, most likely, a station for the students to participate in and then rotate to a different location. The rotation of the computers is important for each child to get practice on the computers available in the classroom. The printer is also located in this “Computer Lab”, and will be used for students to print off completed work or assignments. One of the computers is located on a table that is out-of-the-way of the student’s desks and this computer would be implemented as a “Math Lab”. This computer will be used by the students that are having trouble with the math concepts being taught and need more help with specific topics. The computer is distant from the other students and not facing toward the class, to let the practice be less threatening. This computer will also be used for the overflow testing on Accelerated Reader. The teacher’s desk was placed in close proximity to this final computer. This was the teacher can monitor the students that are working with the technology in the room and he/she will have access to it as well. All of the student’s seats are facing the board in the direction of the data projector. This way the students do not have to move or strain to see what is on the data projector. The data projector is also positioned where I, the instructor, can face the students while teaching with the data projector.

Available Technology Plan:
The data projector in the classroom will be used in most of the subject taught, specifically math. The teacher will be at the data projector facing the students while teaching. There will times designated by the instructor, according to the schedule, that the students will use the computers in the room. Since there is one computer, completely designed for students to take AR tests, this computer will open to the students at all time during the day. (Appropriate times, not during instruction) The “Math Lab” computer will be used by specific student during math and at other time by students needing to take AR test. The “Computer Lab” will be used by the students during one the centers they rotate to during the day. This will also be used for AR testing when necessary. The other parts of the day the students would be limited to using the computer only when given permission from the teacher. The students and teacher will utilize the printer, located in the “Computer Lab” for various purposes.

Software:
The main software that would be used in the classroom would be The Accelerated Reading Program. (The program will not be used as a grade, but as a progress tool.) Any other “student-friendly” sites that have been previously chosen by the teacher will be implemented, as well. Some of these websites are KidsSpot, NickJr., or Instructional Architect. The Internet is an extremely useful tool for instruction if there is a connection and it has the adequate spy ware and security settings. There are several sites that I use at this time. However, older students can be allowed to use the Internet more freely than younger ones. These students will be responsible for doing research on different topics throughout the year and will be allowed to do this research using search engines. (Google, Ask, etc.) The main use of computers for upper elementary students is to prepare for middle and high school. The computers will also have typing programs to assist students in learning to type. There are so many other types of software that are available and I, as a teacher, would be constantly changing and implementing different types of software.


Acceptable Use Policy:
1. No food or drink allowed at any times!!!!!
2. One student per computer. (Unless approved by the teacher)
3. Students will only go to programs and websites approved by the teacher.
4. Students will only be allowed at the computer at designated times.
5. Students will ONLY use search engines for assigned research. Students that search for material not assigned will be responsible for writing a 2 pages essay on the research found. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!!!


***If these rules are not followed students will be removed from the computer and computer use will be restricted.

***Rules are subject to changed at the teacher’s discretion.

Tamara Nazario
Grant Proposal
One Computer Classroom
Grades: 2-5 (all subjects)


Rationale:
When designing the set-up for this classroom, I tried to keep the room as simple as possible. All of the student’s seats are facing the board in the direction of the data projector. This way the students do not have to move or strain to see what is on the data projector. The data projector is also positioned where I, the instructor, can face the students while teaching with the data projector. I positioned the one computer in the classroom behind the students, in the hope that this computer would be less distracting. The teacher’s desk was placed in close proximity to the computer. This was the teacher can monitor the students that are working with the technology in the room. The final piece of technology associated with this classroom is a printer and it is located on the same table as the computer. This makes the computer area convenient for the teacher and students to have access.


Available Technology Plan:
The data projector in the classroom will be used in most of the subject taught, specifically math. The teacher will be at the data projector facing the students while teaching. The one computer in this room would have scheduled times that the students will work on them. An example of this schedule would be: The teacher would have the computer for the first part of the day, because she would need to use it to submit his/her attendance. After he/she completes this part of the morning, the students will be allowed to take Accelerated Reading Test or other literature and reading games during the 90 minute reading block. During the reading intervention time, the students that do not participate will have scheduled time to play math games or work on other math material. The other parts of the day the students would be limited to using the computer only when given permission from the teacher. The printer in the classroom would be limited to only materials selected by the teacher. Although this arrangement is not ideal, it can be put into action.

Software:
The main software that would be used in the classroom would be The Accelerated Reading Program. (The program will not be used as a grade, but as a progress tool.) Any other “student-friendly” sites that have been previously chosen by the teacher will be implemented, as well. The internet is an extremely useful tool for instruction if there is a connection and it has the adequate spy ware and security settings. There are several sites that I use at this time. Some of them are on a page I made for a first grade class. The pages and games that I attached only deal with mathematics but the websites that they are associated with have programs and games across the curriculum. The website to this page is www.ia.usu and the students would sign in as a student with my initials (TEN). They can access any page that I attach through this site and it allows the students to not engage in internet searches.


Acceptable Use Policy:


1. No food or drink allowed at any times!!!!!
2. One student per computer. (Unless approved by the teacher)
3. Students will only go to programs and websites approved by the teacher.
4. Students will only be allowed at the computer at designated times.

***If these rules are not followed students will be removed from the computer and computer use will be restricted.

***Rules are subject to changed at the teacher’s discretion.

What????

So, I just watched "Made of Honor" and I hate to be anti-whatever, but these romance movies are not realistic. I have had it!!!! We are raising the future to believe that everything always works out and everybody lives happily ever after. I hate to break it to you, but everything doesn't always work out and my life has never reminded me of anything "happily ever after"!!!!

This is not to say that I don't believe in true love, because I do. But it's not as easy as they make it look in the movies. I have spent the majority of my adult life looking for a prince or a "knight in shining armor" when I know that these things DO NOT exist!!!!!!!

This is not the way that I feel all of the time, but after seeing that movie I decided that I was not going to continue believing the relationship propaganda that is thrown at each of us everyday. I believe that there is someone out there for me and that he will be perfect.....for me and no one else. I'm just not really sure where I am supposed to be looking?????

I know that there are other people out there that feel the same way that I do......I just don't understand what has changed in the previous years that makes it so hard to find exactly what you are looking for.

The Beginning of Classes

So, today is June 3, 2008 and I am starting my blog. Granted this is for a class that I am taking but I have started it nonetheless. I look forward to using this a vent from the frustration that I feel is fast approaching after my class this morning!!

Anyway, Leslie and I have already decided to go to a movie as soon as class is dismissed!!!! So there is something to look forward to today.