Weird Square Barcodes

Weather you are shopping around town, opening up your mail, or eating dinner at a restaurant, you have probably came across those weird square barcodes called QR (Quick Response) codes.  You can scan these codes on smartphones, tablets, or webcam.  Once you scan them, it takes you right to a Web link. 

Anyone can create his or her own QR codes.  Simply go to a free website and type in a websites URL.  Here is my own QR code for my blog! 

Using QR codes is a fun way to incorporate technology into your classroom.  They lead your students directly to where you want them to go online. 

Here are a few ways you can use QR codes in your classroom:

• A QR code can be printed on your newsletter and can lead your students’ parents to your classroom website/blog to see the latest pictures of a class activity.

• You can print these codes on paper and post them around the room to allow you students’ easy access to educational websites or videos. 

• You could also post a QR code on the top of an assignment; this code could lead your students to a video that goes along with the assignment.

• Video students reviewing books they have read and put it on your class website or blog. Make a QR code for each video. Have these QR codes near the bookshelves and if a student is interested in the book, they can go to the video to find out how their classmates liked the book.

Incorporating QR Code in your classroom provides students with a fun and interactive way to access and practice utilizing important features while using technology.    

Using the WHOLE BRAIN!

I fist saw whole brain teaching through my practicum hours at King Elementary School in Deer River, Minnesota.  I would love to incorporate this teaching style into my classroom in the future.  This teaching style is a fun way for teachers to be involved with their students and keep their attention at all age levels.  The classroom is always fun and energetic.  The students are ready to learn and stay focused. 

  

Traditionally, education has been focused on right brain activity; the reasoning and rational part of the brain.  The left side of the brain is involved in creative activity.  It is being proven more and more that using both the right and left side of the brain leads to far more effective teaching.  Whole brain teaching! Using the WHOLE BRAIN!

I will discuss the Five Classroom Rules that are involved with the big seven elements.  These classroom rules involve using every part of the brain because they involve reasoning and rationalizing and also creative activity through gestures.

Rule #1:

Make your hand shoot forward

Rule #2:

Raise your hand and pull it down next to your head.  Then Make a talking motion with you hand. 

Rule #3:

 Raise your hand and pull it back down next to your head.  Then make a little walking figure with you index and middle fingers.  

Rule #4:

Tap one finger to your temple as you say each word.

Rule #5:

 Hold up your thumb and index finger on both the right and left hands to make two "Ls" framing your face.  Then bob your head back and forth with each word.  Remember to smile really big!