Make or Break

Happy almost Spring Break!!!
I don't know about everyone else, but I am ready for a mini vacation. While vacations are a time of relaxation, spending time with family and friends, I think it is also a good opportunity to grow.
I am not requiring any of the activities I am posting in this blog, but I think that they could be fun for you and your family. This link is to an outdoor activity you can do with your family that will be educational and fun in relation to science! I also have another activity link that is done outdoors and involves getting a little creative with feet and paint. I encourage you to check the activities out and do them over break.
The other activities I have found can be done on a computer, your child or you can play along with these fun games that incorporate different educational ideas

• Weather Wheel 
• Vegetable Harvest
• iSense
• Character Journals

Be sure and check out the other activities on the website and if you have any questions feel free to contact me by email rachel.r.ryan@gmail.com and have a wonderful spring break!

Reaching for the Stars

Sometimes as a parent it is hard to distinguish what your role in the classroom is. I think that your role is important, if not the MOST important. I say this because you are setting the example for your child. If you want to be engaged in the technological side of the classroom, they will see that, but if you chose not to, they will also see that. As a parent, I am not going to make anyone do something they don't want to do, but with the simplicity of different internet sources, I think it is a GREAT way to get involved without it being just another thing in your day.

The main resource we will be using is Google. IF you DO NOT have a Gmail account, I encourage you to set one up to make things easier. The main website you will be visiting is My Portfolio which has all the links and tools to have a successful year with your student technologically. 

I look forward to meeting everyone and don't forget to take the poll on the right side bar! Here's a little thought from Joyce Maynard before you go.

It's not only children who grow. Parents do too.
As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives,
they are watching us to see what we do with ours.
I can't tell my children to reach for the sun.
All I can do is reach for it, myself.
-Joyce Maynard 

Jump Start

Hello everyone!
I don't know if you've ever had your car break down, but when it does, you normally have to get, what they call, a 'jump'. After this happens and if it works successfully, you then get to drive your car and the battery is almost as good as new. This is a blog that will give you fresh new look at technology and the benefits it can offer a classroom and parents at home.
The point of this blog is to engage those INside the classroom, OUTside of the classroom. Technology has a way with completely sucking us in and swarming our minds with distractions, but this blog is supposed to help be-rid of distractions that are unnecessary for education and focus on the necessary.
Don't get me wrong, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Foursquare, Tumblr, ect. are all fun, socially interactive internet sources, but for the purpose of learning I want this blog to be fun, but educational at the same time.
You can bookmark the blog page rachelryanteaching.blogspot.com to have quick and easy access to this blog! Also, I always love feedback and improvement, so be sure and take the poll on the side bar to the right! Thanks.
I hope this gives you a good jump start look at what I have in store for you this year. Thank you.