Katelyn+Knapp

Hi, my name is Katelyn Knapp and I am currently completing my practicum semester at Lake Forest Elementary School in Greenville, South Carolina. Aside from school, I am a zumba instructor at Fike on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. What's better than getting paid to work out, right? In the rest of my time I am completing a research project on the classroom "blueprint", i.e. the way a classroom is designed and managed, and how this affects the success of the students; I am writing a journal article about my finds with the help of my mentor, Margaret Warner. Next year, I hope to receive a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship for Slovakia; however, I am being realistic and keeping my options open. I also plan to apply to several Master's programs and teaching jobs around the country.

=**Katelyn Knapp's PLN** =

**Technology Tips for Classroom Teachers:** This website has links from a classroom teacher who shares links to interesting "stuff," as she puts it, that other teachers should try. There are lists for lessons and technology for each subject. She also includes a "how-to" section and free Powerpoint downloads for the lessons she includes. **The Educational Technology Blog:** This page includes all of the latest technology updates and arguments from the latest Kindles to free math applications and the educational value of gaming. **Educational Technology in the Classroom:** There is an entire section in the link bar on how to make a class blog/webpage. On the home page are suggestions for the class webpage and tips for working with children online, such as using pseudonyms, as well as using trendy technology such as texting and dropboxes in the classroom. I learned that there are a lot more //helpful// resources out there than I had originally thought, especially from current teachers. Current teachers seem to have the most useful information because they know what is popular with children right now, what their bosses want them to use and teach, and how to combine the two. I learned that a PLN is a great way to put all these resources in one place and anytime I need help with technology or ideas for a lesson I do not have to dig through Google results to find what I am looking for.

Blabberize Poem from []

 Image from: []

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2-1.6 Explain the effect of the author’s craft (for example, word choice and the use of repetition) on the meaning of a given literary text.
2-3.7 Use appropriate rate, word automaticity, phrasing, and expression to read fluently.

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First, the students will need to choose their poems. To cover standard 2-6.4, students can be told to find a poem online. After choosing their poems, the students can dissect them to determine who is narrating the poem, then pull out examples of figurative languages and sound devices and write a paragraph explaining why the author chose the language and devices she/he chose. The actual assignment on Blabberize has multiple steps and involves fluent reading by means of an appropriate pace, word automaticity, phrasing, and expression. The poems must be read using Standard American English. ======

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The assignment correlates to guiding principles 1, 3, 5, and 8. Number 1 is all about teachers creating a joyful learning experience and an environment in which students explore themselves and the world around them. This activity is fun, and because students are allowed to choose their own poems they can choose one that reflects their personalities and interests. This will also allow the students to learn more about each other. Number 3 discusses the interdependency of reading, writing, communication, and research. When actually creating the Blabberize, students must read the poem and say it at the same time. Then they will view and listen to their creation to decide if it is acceptable or if it needs to be redone. Principle 5 states the importance of providing challenging work that combines language and literacy. The teacher can make sure the poems are all at an appropriate level for the individual students so that each child can get the most out of the assignment. Also, this assignment exposes children to a different structure of literature besides stories; the poems may be written in different formations and there may be no pictures to help students comprehend the text. Principle 8 encourage teachers to use various types of media to teach ELA; this assignment uses the Internet and incorporates other technology, such as the use of the computer microphone. This assignment integrates media, technology, reading, speaking, listening, viewing, and editing. ======