My observation on 2/4/13 was a lesson continuation
of my post from 1/29/13. Technology literacy
was part of the focus of the 4th grade class that I observed today. Mrs. Soghomonian ran through the objectives
of today’s lesson and reviewed what was done last week in the computer
lab. She informed the class that they
would definitely be completing the assignment this week. She established the goals of today’s lesson
immediately which were to finish typing a hand written 8 sentence document, provide
header information and generate a title.
Once done with the body of the document, the children had to make sure
that the title was centered, the body of the document was left justified, the
first paragraph was indented and that spell check was used. The children were reminded to use their
computer “tool box.” In an effort to
maximize computer lab time she was brief.
The final means of assessment was the printed out document that was
generated.
Similar to last week, the children needed login
identification numbers given to them and some assistance retrieving their
document. While this seems to be a
constant across this grade level, it is a skill that the children have only
formally learned this year and the LMS gives them an opportunity to practice
this. In comparing the 4th
grade classes to the 5th grade ones, I have noticed that by the time
the 5th graders go in the computer lab, there is significantly less assistance
needed for students to log on. This is a
wonderful indicator that growth of basic computer skills and maneuverability overall
with an additional year is occurring as a result.
The other part of my focus was on parental support
of the library program. In the course of
my time observing Mrs. Soghomonian, I saw three different
parent volunteers provide support. Each
parent came in during their child’s class and alleviated some of the clerical
aspects of the position. While Mrs. Soghomonian
was teaching, they were able to check in all of the books and shelve the books
that were returned along with any other books that were not able to be shelved
from a previous class. Unlike in the
younger grades, where sometimes multiple parent volunteers in the same class
often use this volunteer position to assist only their children and interact
with another parent, these parents did not interact with their children at all
in some instances or minimally in others.
They each worked independently and did not cause distractions of any
kind. Having these parents there
provided support for the LMS to also be able to assist children that were
looking for a particular book rather than have to check out the books.
The LMS later shared that she was grateful to have
the parents provide this clerical assistance.
In turn, the parent that I spoke with is impressed with the skills that
their child is learning and she is eager to support Mrs. Soghomonian and the
LMS program at the school. Mrs. Soghomonian
is very appreciative of her parent volunteers and as a result the PTO has been
generous with the library program as well.
By welcoming parents into the media center, Mrs. Soghomonian allows the
parents to see firsthand the value and necessity of the program. The positive publicity of the program and
goodwill provided by these volunteer opportunities is invaluable.
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