Kid Pix Project

New Braunfels, TX - Comal River

New Braunfels is pretty
Originally uploaded by Terribly-Happy.

This is where I was born and raised. We spent many of days floating!!

If you love being in fresh water and have nothing to do on a hot summer day - GO FLOATING!!!

Remember, you are only allowed to bring a 18 qt ice chest and one tube per person!!!

See you on the river!!

Bourbon Street, New Orleans

Bourbon Street, New Orleans
Originally uploaded by Antre.

In February, 2007 I was fortunate enough to go to my most favorite city - New Orleans, Louisiana. I have been to the city various times but this was my first visit since Hurricane Katrina and celebrate in all the Mardi Gras festivities. We had a BLAST!! We were able to see parades, eat Muffelatas, shop at the French Quarter, take a trolley ride through the plantation homes, gamble, and of course visit Bourbon Street and celebrate the nightlife. Believe me plans for 2008 are already in the "works".

Software Evaluation

Software Evaluation #2

Title of Software: Rosetta Stone

Producer: Fairfield Language Technologies

Target students (e.g., age or grade-level of students): 1st – 12th

Proficiency level (e.g., beginning, intermediate, advanced): All Levels

Description:
This program is designed to teach a new language quickly by using the following type of activities:

*Word/picture identification – the learner must match the correct word with the correct picture. A yellow (a) indicates the response is correct and a red (r) indicates the response is incorrect and other opportunities to respond correctly are provided.
*Listening comprehension – various forms of real-life situations are provided for the learner to listen and respond by matching the correct picture with the words.
*Writing – the learner is able to listen to words, phrases and sentences (as many times as necessary) while using the keyboard to input the correct word syntax.
*Speaking – the learner is able to hear phrases and repeat what was said while a microphone records their voice.
*Reading – one of the final activities for each level is reading. This activity allows for the learner to read the text and provide comprehensible understanding by answering questions that relate to what was just read.

All of the activities are provided in the chosen targeted language and can be used as a reinforcement of particular language skills (prepositions, nouns, etc.) and each lesson begins at a basic level and increases as the learner progresses through each level.

Language skills targeted: Listening, Speaking, Reading and, Writing

Evaluation:
Overall, the program is instructionally appropriate for any level of second language acquisition. The student will be able to navigate easily through each level and an assessment is provided for teacher evaluations. The pictures are “real-world” and most students will be familiar with the photos. Some of the situational practices could be unfamiliar but with practice the students will be able to understand the vocabulary – because of the photos.

Reading Prompt #10

Technology can be wonderful assets for ELL's in various ways. Students can use different websites as extensions to particular lessons. For example,we did a lesson on circuits and this website http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/ provided students with extra practice on that targeted TEK. The website provides different English, Math and Science lessons that are all interactive, animated and very easy to navigate for all students. The students love this program!

Flickr provides students with visuals and "real-world" applications to the world outside the classroom. Many of my ELL's are limited on different experiences that are not provided in the classroom, textbooks or even picture books and the Internet can provide learners with cultural awareness and understanding of our diverse country.