Web Search Surprises

The other day, one of the 6th graders was having trouble searching for scientific information about electrons on her iPad using Google.  She said in a frustrated manner, "Every time I want to find something out about electrons, all it gives me is way too complicated stuff I don't understand."  I answered, "Have you tried typing in the words 'for kids' after your search title?"  She hadn't, but proceeded to do so as I stood there.  "Oh," she said.  "That works!"  I hadn't even thought about what would occur when my students do a simple search on electrons and find high level science information.  This experience is making me stop and think through how much our students and I DON'T know about searching info over the World Wide Web.  I do it all the time so I've become better at problem solving my search efforts through default.  Yet, I've never had formal learning on the best way to search for information needed and, it appears, most of our students haven't either.  I wonder if our tech department would be willing to do a lesson during computer time on how best to acquire specific information using search engines and the Boolean searching methods?  Just a thought.  I have to go online now and "search" for tutorials for my students and me on the subject.   I'm seeing a trend here . . . I more I learn, the more I realize how much more I need, and want, to learn!

Eyes Are Watching . . .

This Friday marked my last day to teach 6^th grade Science/Math before moving onto 5^th grade Math.  As a thank you/goodbye gift, my team gave me a basket full of teacher supplies.  Inside the basket, there was a notebook full of student letters.  These letters were handwritten in cursive by every 6^th grade student thanking me for my time with them.  I was so overwhelmed that I started crying, and have laughed and cried as I’ve read them over the weekend.  Talk about affirming me!  It was a beautiful way in which my team showed me how important I am to my students as a teacher and how much influence I have over these students and their learning, not just in content but in character.  I will NEVER forget that fact after receiving these letters!  Students are watching me as I interact with them all day.