A Little Bit About Myself . . . .

• Academics . . . My area of academic interest is curriculum and instruction at the elementary level.  I am particularly interested in children's literature and improving my reading instruction through the selection of "good" books that promote engagement, a life-long interest in reading, and developing strategies for comprehension.  The primary purpose/goal of my graduate school work is to improve the quality of my student's education.  They deserve the best I can give them!  Along with reading, I have taken some courses on the meaningful integration of technology within the classroom in order to improve my lessons and to provide my students with the technological experiences needed to prepare them for the real world!

• Interests and Hobbies . . . . I am a very active person.  I run long distance everyday, as well as, take advantage of every opportunity to be outdoors.  I have a goal of running in a marathon before the age of 30 (which gives me three more years)!  I also love art and being creative.  I do a lot of photography on the side.  I hope to one day have a small weekend business with photography, including weddings, senior pictures, parties, etc.  

• My Classroom . . . As mentioned above, I am currently teaching fourth grade in a self-contained classroom.  I teach all subject areas using provided programs, including balanced literacy, Words Their Way, Everyday Mathematics, Pennsylvania history, and science.  My school  actively promotes innovation and collaboration, which creates a positive environment for both the teachers and the students!

• Technology . . . My classroom was recently fitted with a Smartboard and LCD projector.  In addition, our district has recently purchases several Senteo Responder sets which allow the teacher to electronically test the students using the Smartboard.  Although I only have two computers in my room with internet access, there is a lab that is available throughout the week.  Having a Smartboard also provides access to the internet for my entire class.  

• Projects . . .  The projects I will be completing throughout this course will be intended for a fourth grade elementary classroom with the assumption that my students will have weekly access to a computer lab, as well as, visual demonstrations using a Smartboard and LCD projector.  My projects will focus on social studies and science since those are two subject areas that tend to be neglected in my classroom!

My Bookmarks . . .

To view and share my bookmarks on www.delicious.com my username is:  brandikalgren

Links to My Projects . . . .

All of my grad school projects and work can be found on my blog site:  http://brandigradschool.blogspot.com/

You may visit my blog space and browse my projects, or you can use the following chart to find specific projects and assignments.  Enjoy!

LINK	Description of Project
Table of Methods	Table of Methods:  This table outlines and provides resources for three methods of teaching that I use within my classroom to effectively teach, engage, and motivate students.
	Website Classification System:  This chart serves as a classification system for organizing websites that can be use for instruction and learning.  In each category, I have listed websites that would be useful for my own classroom use, as well as, other teachers!
Access and Digital Divide	Policy Brief:  This policy brief will provide a definition of the issue, how it affects educators and school districts, and options for implementing policy regarding access to technology and closing the digital divide that exists among grade school students.
Copyright of Internet Resources	Policy Brief:  This policy brief will provide a definition of the issue, how copyright and fair use guidelines affect teachers and students, and options for implementing/creating a new policy and steps promoting awareness of the issue.
Validity and Accuracy	Policy Brief:  This policy brief will provide a definition of the issue, how invalid and inaccurate information on the Web affects student research/study, and options for implementing/creating a new policy and steps promoting awareness of the issue.
Security and Privacy	Policy Brief:  This policy brief will provide a definition of the issue, concerns regarding privacy and security when using the Internet, options for updating the district's current AUP, and steps for promoting awareness of the issue.
Classroom Webpage	Learning Object 1:  This is a website that I have created to open communication with parents and students from other schools, to support collaboration and cooperative learning, and for students to post/share their work with others outside of our own classroom walls.
Book-talk Blog	Learning Object 2:   For this learning object, I have used Web 2.0 tools to enhance a book-talk activity that is already a part of my classroom routine.  I utilized Slideshare and Blogger to post one of my student’s PowerPoint book-talk presentationas on a classroom blog site entitled “Fourth Grade Book-Talks.”
PA WebQuest	Learning Object 3:  I utilized the Filamentality WebQuest template provided by Pacbell to develop this personalized learning tool.  The purpose of this learning object is to provide my students with a cooperative learning experience on-line that will promote student responsibility for learning in order to explore the prominent landmarks and appealing qualities of Pennsylvania, present and past.