Getting started

Well, I'm finally getting started on the Ladybug project. I teach second grade in central New York and Ladybugs are a part of our science curriculum. There's a strong possibility that I'll be teaching computer classes next year instead of second grade which I think will be a fun change of pace. Because of this possible change I've decided I need to become more proficient in using PowerPoint and I need to learn how to use our interactive whiteboard in our computer lab.

So, I'm combining all this into my unit. I'm working on a PowerPoint presentation to introduce the unit on the interactive whiteboard. I want the children to research the life cycle of the ladybug and learn the names of its body parts. My goal is to have links on the PowerPoint to pictures of projects that have been done previously to give the children some ideas on what they can do. (Songs, reports, PowerPoints, drawings, poetry, puppet shows) Being able to select how to research and how to do a presentation on their own is a new concept! However, I think this time of year will be a great time to give it a try. In central New York we're in school until June 22, so keeping the kids involved in learning can be a challenge at times. I haven't been observed yet so I asked my principal today if will observe my introductory lesson when I'm ready and he said he would.

We can get ladybugs with our science kits but they come as adults so basically we watch them crawl around and then die. So, this year I'm going to order the larva through a website so we can observe more of the life cycle. We watched monarch caterpillars in the fall so that will be a nice connection.

If anybody has any other ideas for me I'd be happy to hear them.

Nedra

Ladybugs Activities

Holidays are always good for exploring new things without pressure. I took a careful look at the work done by Susan’s graduate students on ladybugs. I always appreciated the power of PowerPoint but this time I was really impressed by the creativity in using this program as to create Ladybugs Activities. Great work!

Dana

UDL

I just discovered this Webinar. Dr. David Rose discusses Universal Design for Learning. Share this one with your colleagues!

UDL Book Builder - VERY CUTE!!

I just discovered a great site for UDL Book Builder. The story about the Tadpoles may give you some ideas for your students.

http://bookbuilder.cast.org/

Take a look and let me know what you think.

Introduction to Lucky Ladybug blog

This blog is to for us to talk about the Lucky Ladybug project. If you have ideas, questions, information to share this is our 'discussion board'.

To get us started as participants join us, we can introduce ourselves here. Let us know where you are from, what you teach, and a little information about your students and your school.

Posting to blog

You can see the tab for Posting at the top left. Click on Create right below. You will see a screen like the one on the left.







Then enter your title of the posting.
Then you can type your message in the window.

A toolbar is across the top for customing the font and align the text.











The final step is to click the publish button.

Our RSS Feed URL

Here's a way to be notified when there are new entries on our blog.
This is our rss feed url.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/LuckyLadybugs
If you would like to be notified when new content is posted on this blog, copy this url in your feed reader.
My favorite feed reader is Bloglines.
http://www.bloglines.com
You can set up a free account and download their notifer.
Yahoo and Google also have feed readers.
Once you begin to use a feed reader, you'll begin to wonder how you ever lived without it!