Author: Alexa de Freitas

Welcome to my portfolio of all the work I have done throughout this class. I have learned so much about different tools and websites to use in my classroom. I look forward to using many of my posts and others in my classes to better my future students. It is so amazing to me to think of all the websites and apps that have helped teachers this past year with the pandemic to engage students as much as they can online. This has been a crazy busy spring semester, but I have some amazing people in this class and leave with such a great knowledge of teaching resources! In this post I will highlight some of my favorite activities we did in this class.

Screencast Assignment

I had been wanting to learn how to record my screen and since we learned about screencast I have used it in some of my lesson plans for my different classes. For this assignment I recorded myself reading the book Are You My Mother which was my childhood favorite!

Are You My Mother?

Google Earth Assignment

I enjoyed creating a habitats lesson for students using Google Earth! It is a great tool to use to make virtual field trips for students or looking at specific places.

Let’s Explore Different Habitats!

Google Site Assignment

For this assignment I created a Google Site for parents or students to use so they can have access to classroom resources. It also allows for other teachers to use some resources on the website for their own classes and even to connect with me. I also include a list of my classroom library books!

Classroom Google Site

Featured Image:Photo by Martin Adams on Unsplash

For this assignment of using book creator I decided to make a sample of an introduction book the students will make themselves on the first day of class as an assignment. I was thinking since most schools have been online since the school started this would be a good way to introduce themselves to their peers virtually. I would use this for any grade to be honest just because most schools started online at the beginning of the year. My book below would be the example the students could use to come up with some ideas of what they could put in the book. During the first class I would read the book to the children or they could listen to it since the website does it for you as well. I also added at the end of the book my google site link so the students and parents could use it as a resource as well as a google form checking in with how they are feeling with the school year starting up again!

These are screenshots of the book pages as well!

Featured Image: Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash

I decided for my screencast I would read the story Are You My Mother by P.D. Eastman which as a kid was one of my favorite books. The video can be used to have kids follow along with the book or even used in a online classroom since its a little difficult to read picture books online and make sure the kids can see the pictures. I would use this screencast for either a kindergarten or 1 st grade class to help teach them their phonics as well as learning how to read simple sentences. Below is the video and the slideshow of the book as well!

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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ml2jN5Bsh04ZMU77alDz_2_2agmzEGi31LdqwigyFaU/edit?usp=sharing

Featured Image: Photo by Laurent Peignault on Unsplash

I treated this assignment as me creating my own website that I could potentially post my own content even after this class. I recently opened an instagram where I have posted a couple of things about teaching and have been gaining quite a few followers and have been wanting to design a way to share my work so I am really glad we were assigned a project like this. When you first get onto the google site you see a welcome page where I talk a little about myself (1st image below) and the main sections I have that people can choose from are lessons, classroom books, more posts, and contact me which you will see below!

When you go to lessons you will find my second grade habitats lesson which is divided into its own subpages which allows it to be easy to access everything I have that can be used for a lesson on habitats. For the lesson tools, activities, and videos I provided two options for whoever looks at it so they change the lesson to what they want to focus on! You can find the link for my google site just below the pictures to see everything yourself.

Link for my google site!: https://sites.google.com/view/missalexateaching/home

Featured Image:Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

I used google earth for this lesson and would use it for first graders. The google earth would be used to allow students see and learn about different habitats and the different animals in each. This would help them visualize and be able to look at the habitats without leaving the classroom, enjoy! Below I have Images of each habitat pinpointed on the map as well as I have the link so everyone can use this google earth lesson.

Grassland Habitat

Polar Habitat

Desert Habitat

Rainforest Habitat

Forest Habitat

Mountain Habitat

Link For Google Earth:

https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1klGFtDZxkJxr2QowlNkw_o0OfJJ6rYpF?usp=sharing

Featured Image: Photo by Ali Kazal on Unsplash

This assignment would be for either kindergartners or first graders and this would be used for a math lesson on addition. I would use this google form after I introduce adding into their math lessons and this form would be used as a formative assessment so I can see if they are understanding the material at hand. The students will be tasked with watching the video link I put in the google form and then have them answer the questions I have. This google form would achieve this goal of seeing how they are understanding the material because I can see what they get wrong and base it off of that as well as at the end of the google form I have a question asking how they are feeling with adding, if they understand or not? Below you will find the form itself which you can fill out and just below that there is a link for you to view it as well!

Link for Google Form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbnl3ZW2TQOHNb6Eoww5HqAcDzvwsK-p2rzaxfMOQPNrIoCg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Featured Image:Photo by Crissy Jarvis on Unsplash

Target Group

I would use this lesson for either 4th or 5th graders for a math lesson on area!

Lesson, Instructions, Goal of the Lesson

This would be used after I introduce students how to use the different formulas of area for squares, rectangles, and triangles. The google drawing shows different shapes they need to find the area for and I would give students about 10 minutes to solve the problems on their own paper. Once the time is up I would work through each shape with them and put in the answers to the problem. The main goal of this lesson is to make sure they understand how to use the formulas and to identify which numbers to use in the formula. By using google drawing I can make a more colorful and visual image so students can solve the problems as well as I could also have them fill in the answers themselves since people can join the document! Just click below on the link to get your copy of the lesson!

Link for Copy

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1s64RrJORHbElCI94cVfWU7fP0SPrakkW5fuTttoe5jE/edit?usp=sharing

Featured Image:Photo by Firdaus Roslan on Unsplash

I would want to present this lesson either to a second or third grade class. The overall lesson would be to teach students what goes in the recycling and garbage bins and then eventually add on into the lesson later how certain items can be composted. This Jamboard would be used after teaching them about what is recyclable and what is supposed to go in the garbage. The activity would allow them to test their knowledge on information I just gave them as well as let me see what I need to go over again to make sure everyone understands

Instructions for Jamboard Activity

1. After having a lesson on what can be recycled and what is garbage I will split the class into 4 groups
2. Each group will have their own slide with 2 column saying garbage and recycling, there will also be a leaf where different items are seen
3. Each group is to move each item to the column they think the item should be in (garbage or recycle?)
4. I would give the students about 5 minutes with their group to do this activity and then as a class we would go through each groups slide to make sure they understand the lesson.

https://jamboard.google.com/d/1WDpRpRKjvH1wD-_LzIbY2xrVNXp3E3gglw3l4zsJVsU/copy

I hope to use this lesson in my own classroom in the future as well as Use Jamboard because I think its a great tool to use in the classroom whether its virtual or in person!

Featured Image: Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash

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In my life technology has played such a key role in keeping my relationship with my family who are essentially across the world from me. Many of you might not know I am first generation American, my mom and dad are from South Africa and moved to America over 20 years ago. That is where all my family is and I have grown up apart from them my whole life. I am lucky enough to visit them usually every two years and spend a month with everyone there. Below was the last time I was able to see them and I got to spend my first Christmas with them! I will forever treasure those memories of being able to decorate a Christmas tree and being able to open presents together.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Br3JA9YnRGt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

I grew up always speaking to my grandparents and family every weekend on the and I still continue that to this day. As well as for my birthday they call and sing happy birthday to me all together and celebrate with a chicken strips dinner to celebrate my favorite dish my family makes! I am also constantly on my phone texting them pictures of every day life and just hearing about their day. Even with the time difference I always know I can count on them to be there even if they are in a different continent.

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I am so grateful that technology allows me to stay connected with my family and don’t know what life would be without having technology to help keep my connections with them!

Featured Image: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

In the following post I will outline 2 image-based lessons on the purpose of the sun and the moon which can be used for lessons in the classroom.

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Sun Lesson

The sun is the largest object in our solar system and is the closest to the earth. The sun is seen as the heart of our solar system and is essentially a hot ball of glowing gases. It provides us many aspects that help our daily lives, can you think of any? Below are some examples of how important the sun is to our earth.

Photo Sources:

1. https://unsplash.com/photos/9pRjY4d7nJE?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink
2. https://unsplash.com/photos/Px3Jjwi0mak?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink
3. https://unsplash.com/photos/zrj-TPjcRLA?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink

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Moon Lesson

The moon is a natural satellite and the 5th largest moon in our solar system. The moon has a very thin atmosphere and the entire surface is cratered. Just like the sun the moon also provides us a lot to our earth, are you able to think of any examples?

Photo Sources:

1. https://unsplash.com/photos/yEauzeZU6xo?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink
2. https://unsplash.com/photos/K5DxztpY1O8?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink
3. https://unsplash.com/photos/D149m67-Nio?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink

The moon provides a way to help birds and other animals to know when it is time to migrate. Another example is that the moon contributes to the oceans tides. The last way the moon is important to our life on earth is that it stabilizes our wobble as a planet which stabilizes our climates.

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Hopefully these two lessons can help guide a classroom lesson and help facilitate learning about the sun and moon and how important they are for us!

Featured Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/xp-tY7kTiaA?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink

2020 was a crazy year for the whole world and myself, but I wouldn’t have gotten through it without music. Music brings me so much joy in my life and I decided to showcase my top five songs of 2020 so let’s begin!

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5. Lose You To Love Me: Selena Gomez

Every time I listen to this song it makes me feel so powerful and empowered as a woman that you need to love yourself first before loving someone else.

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4. Yummy: Justin Bieber

I love the song and the music video is so fun and colorful so why not!

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3. Don’t Start Now: Dua Lipa

Hands down she is a queen! 👸

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2. Blinding Lights: The Weekend

I feel in love with the album this song is on and would love to see him concert one day🙀

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1. Wonder: Shawn Mendes

I have been a fan of him since he started on Youtube a long time ago and have fallen in love with the song and how beautifully made the music video is.

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There are still so many amazing songs that were released in 2020, but these are just a few and I have created a collaborative playlist on Spotify so my readers can share some of their favorite songs from 2020! Feel free to add as many songs as you want so we can jam together!🎸

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0baM58xCP9PuoibR0CYUcY?si=bkOyqtNvSzGVXgYTStlpEQ

Featured Image:https://unsplash.com/photos/fi3_lDi3qPE?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink