Sarah+Kniss

=Sarah Kniss' Home Page :) = Clink Me For Useful Links! My role as an educator is to guide the learning process to provide as a safe and engaging classroom environment. I believe active, hands on learning is an important developmental method. Children learn best by exploring their world through play. As children manipulate objects in their environment they acquire and internalize new skills. Learning is constructive. Children learn new knowledge and build off the foundation of previously acquired skills. Piaget and Vygotsky have influenced my thoughts on education. Their research supports my idea that children develop in different stages. Children learn at different rates and in a variety of ways. Children learning styles need to be identified to provide and optimal learning experience. Teaching strategies and lessons can be adapted to match each students specific needs and strengths. Through teacher observations, work samples, skilled checklists and parental feedback educators are able to assess every child's needs. Instructional technology is an important component in today's curriculum. To incorporate technology into the classroom teachers need to be knowledgeable and willing to learn themselves what exactly instructional technology is. Technology is an important tool and when used correctly can enhance lessons to guide the learning process. It is important for hands on learning while catering to different learning styles. Students need to be educated as to how to be safe, and the appropriate uses of available technology. The curriculum found in schools is crowed and busy, but I believe teachers need to begin to incorporate technology so students may grow into successful individuals. **FOTOFLEXOR**: ** LESSON PLAN: **
 * WEB 2.0 TOOL: ** [[file:Skniss-Twiddla.pptx]]** BEWARE ASSIGNMENT: ** [[file:Skniss-BAWARE Assignment.doc]]
 * ESSENTIAL QUESTION-INSECTS: ** [[file:Skniss-Insect Powerpoint.pptx]]**MICROBES :** [[file:Skniss-Microbes.pptx]] **CYBERBULLYING: **[]
 * XTRANORMAL VIDEO: ** http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/11559744/earth-day-pawz/?listid=21545556** SCOPE EXPLORATION: ** [[file:Skniss-Scope Exploration.doc]]
 * PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS :** Too large, On WebCT** VIDEO: ** Too large, On WebCT** SPREADSHEET/GRAPH: ** [[file:skniss- Graph.doc]]