Project Summary
For this project, I prepared materials to introduce students and parents to the class at the beginning of the school year. Acting as if I was a kindergarten teacher, I wrote a newsletter (what would be the first of a series of newsletters sent home weekly over the course of the school year) introducing myself and my plans for the school year, and including a list of materials students would need and ways that parents could volunteer. I translated the newsletter into Spanish for Spanish-speaking students. Next, I created a Prezi that I could use at an Open House night at the beginning of the school year, introducing parents to me and my class. The Prezi includes the class rules, daily schedule, the standards that will be covered in each subject over the course of the year, special events that will take place, volunteer opportunities for parents, and more.
Sample Teacher Newsletter
Sample Open House Prezi
Standards Met by This Project
North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards
Standard II: Teachers establish a respectful environment for a diverse population of students.
A. Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults. Teachers encourage an environment that is inviting, respectful, supportive, inclusive, and flexible.
E. Teachers work collaboratively with the families and significant adults in the lives of their students. Teachers recognize that educating children is a shared responsibility involving the school, parents or guardians, and the community. Teachers improve
communication and collaboration between the school and the home and community in order to promote trust and understanding and build partnerships with all segments of the school community. Teachers seek solutions to overcome cultural and economic obstacles
that may stand in the way of effective family and community involvement in the education of their students.
Standard IV: Teachers facilitate learning for their students
G. Teachers communicate effectively. Teachers communicate in ways that are clearly understood by their students. They are perceptive listeners and are able to communicate with students in a variety of ways even when language is a barrier. Teachers help
students articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively.
ISTE Standards
1. Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity
a. Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
3. Model digital age work and learning
a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations
b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation
c. Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media and format
4. Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility
b. Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources
d. Develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital age communication and collaboration tools
21st Century Skills
Information, Media, and Technology Skills