James Tynan's Blog

 Blog Posting #7 - Coding For Kids Introduction to Scratch Coding Link to Lesson Plan This lesson plan could be used to introduce students to coding and to the Scratch program.  Introducing students to useful technology skills at such a young age could spark interest and curiosity which would be beneficial to them longterm.  Possessing skills such as coding are valuable in today's opportunity landscape, and would be attractive to any future employer.  

 Blog Posting #6 - Using technology to explore the natural world Lesson title: Why are bees important?  Technology (Ipad) will be used to photograph an image of a local plant species that depends on bees for its survival.  Students will be required to use that image afterwards to create an original sketch in their inquiry journals.  Link to lesson This lesson can be used in either grade 1 (needs of plants and animals) or grade 2 (small crawling and flying animals).  I would use this lesson if I ever get the opportunity to teach either grade as I believe bees to be a fascinating topic that students would enjoy inquiring about.  This lesson also interconnects science, art, english, and technology outcomes into one interdisciplinary lesson plan.

Blog Post #5 - Creating a Virtual Field Trip Location : Sintra, Portugal Points of Interest:       1.  Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle)     2.  Palácio da Pena (Pena Palace)     3.  Quinta de Regaleira I could use this virtual field trip in my teaching practice for showing the students architectural concepts and variety that occurred over centuries in the same place.  It can also be used as a starting point to explore the history of Portugal. Link to Field Trip