November, 2004

SLM 521

I used Google’s Search Engine and I typed in Elementary class schedule.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=+Elementary+class+schedule&btnG=Search

Results:

I came across this teacher’s website http://hanna.ocse.schoolinsites.com/ScHoOLS/AL%2FOxfordCity%2FCEHannaElementary/Default.asp?PageName='TeacherPage'&Page='ClassSchedule'&StaffID='2375'

Ms. Cindi Lynch is a gifted education teacher at C.E. Hanna Elementary School in Hobson City, AL. On her web page, she lists her credentials, her experience and info. about herself.

Here are the links she has listed on her website. In her photo album, she has personal pictures about herself and her family.

Assignments	Class Schedule	Announcements
Supply List	Class Activities	Calendar
Forms	Photo Album	Other Class Info

Even though, Ms. Lynch has a well organized and an informative website, I have more recommendations than commendations.

They are:

Ø More pictures need to be displayed of her students or at least their student work

Ø I don’t think it’s a good idea to post so much personal information about herself and her family in the photo album. This is a great opportunity to post pictures of her class, student work and activities instead of herself. I realize that parents want to know about their child’s teachers but this is a “little too much information”. As a parent, I think I would enjoy seeing my child’s work rather than his/her teacher’s dog.

Ø On the announcements link, this would have been a marvelous opportunity to have photos of the work that student did to win those awards.

Last, unless you have parental permission to post photos of children via the Internet, I still think there is no harm in displaying their work. Also, they could have some input as to the design of their class website, especially if it’s a GT class.

************************************************************************

Next……

I typed in Elementary Class Sites under Google’s Search Engine

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=+Elementary+class+sites . Among the many links that came up, I clicked onto one school’s site which had all of their classes websites on their webpage.

Here is the URL listed below for the Prairieland Elementary School…..

http://www.unit5.org/prairieland/students/classes.shtml

I clicked onto Ms. Fisher’s name to get to her class site. http://www.unit5.org/prairieland/2/fisher/

On her site, it opens with a “catchy title”, “Hot Happenings in Room 39”. She gives a great overview of class expectations, a schedule, the grading system and an overview of her background. She also seems like she will capture the students’ and parents’ attention when mentioning how birthdays are celebrated. Ms. Fisher has also posted important information about the communication lines, Friday folders and her classroom management system. This is extremely important information to post.

Recommendations:

I reiterate the need to add some pictures of student work and activities. This helps with capturing students’ and parents’ attention, along with helping to develop an interest in the work of her class.

Commendations:

Ms. Fisher did a wonderful job of displaying important information about the class expectations. Even though she also included personal information about herself and her family, it was pertinent to the message about the class activities. Most importantly, she focused more on the class.