My answer was that what I do is support the teachers. I don't think she believed me, but its true. Every year, in every grade, there's a sprint to teach all the standards before testing begins in the spring. There's a lot to cover, there are a lot of different learning styles, and different levels of motivation. It's a huge job.
Over the years, the teachers here have found the software that they feel helps their students the most in advancing them through all the different subjects they have to learn. One of the reasons I like working here is that I agree with all of their choices. Here are some of the main pieces of software we work with:
1) Math Arena by Daren Carstens-, transformational geometry, circle graphs, Venn diagrams, symmetry, percents, money and percent of change, number sequences, and probability. One of Margo's favorite math programs because it teaches concepts that are difficult to teach without the manipulation of figures that this program allows.
2) Math Blaster: the original ultimate drill and practice math software. Mathblaster has math facts drills that the kids actually think are fun. Days that they do either of these programs in the lab, we have to pry them out of their seats when class is over.
3) Type to Learn: We start teaching the kids some keyboarding skills in 2nd grade It's difficult for them, because their hands are too small for the keys. By 5th grade, the more skilled ones are already touch typing.
4) Kid Pix-it's a great tool to get kids enthusiastic about experimenting with what a computer can do. Book covers are a favorite project.
Colonial Williamsburg-This is actually a website, but it's a crucial part of the fifth grade curriculum. Electronic field trips, slide shows, interactive flash games-it's an amazing place to visit.We have more software (Graph club, Inspiration, Google Earth, etc.) that I'll cover another day.
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