Hello students and family! My name is Ms.

Garcia, and I am so excited to be teaching your little

one this year. This is my first-year teaching, but don’t you worry, I am confident in my skills to be a good
teacher for your student. I have plans on how to integrate technology into the classroom, how to
introduce digital literacy that will be present in the classroom, and I have strategies to actively engage
students if virtual instruction were to be implemented.

Teaching a Lesson Using Technology

A 45-minute lesson about addition, to my kindergarten class, would look something like this:

:00-:05- Review numbers and counting.

:05-25- Lesson enhanced with Video/Multimedia presentation.

:25-:40- Practice time using gamified learning.

:40-:45- Feedback.

Video/Multimedia presentations are a different way to present lessons or a way to enhance the lesson.
They can use visuals effects, photos, videos, music and more to be engaging for the students. I know
that some of these presentations are interactive, and I could use them to actively engage students in the
lesson. Ideally, I would use this tool to enhance my lesson rather than to replace it. Having video
examples or fun characters on the screen would be beneficial to a kindergarten class because it would
help keep their attention.

Gamified learning is to make a game out of a lesson. There are learning software that can be used or a
teacher can make up their own game using technology. For example, there is a website we use at the
school I work at. It is called Imagine Math and the students love to use it. They use it to practice their
math skills, but it is set up like games. I would use a website like Imagine Math for them to practice their
skills after I have taught a lesson. Websites like this typically send user information back to the teacher
therefore I can track their progress as well.

Gathering student feedback is used to assess how well the students are learning, what helps, and where
they need more review. I would use this for end of lesson check-ins. I would like to see how the students
feel about the lesson. Do they feel like they understand it? Where do they need more help in? What
part confused them? In a kindergarten classroom it is as easy as them typing an emoji to show me how
they feel. When my district was hybrid, I would see a lot of teachers use Nearpod for collaborative
responses. I never saw the kindergarten teachers use it but I am sure that it is something that the
students will feel comfortable using.

Digital Literacy

Grade: Kindergarten

Content area: Literacy. Introduction to Technology.

Literacy element: Protecting yourself online.

Steps for introduction:

1. I need to know everything that the students need to learn about online safety. I need to know about
passwords, privacy settings, and what is appropriate to share online.

2.Introduce the topic to them. Explain how we have technology for us to use for educational purposes
and we need to know what we can and can't do with it.

3. Show a video about online privacy made for kids. I will pause the video at different times to ask
students if they think it is right or wrong.

4. Go over the key points of the video. (do's and don’ts)

5. Make an anchor chart where they tell me where certain actions go. Hang it up in our classroom to
serve as reminder throughout the year.

Engagement Strategies for Virtual Instruction

To actively engage students virtually I would try to make it as interactive as possible. I would do virtual
field trips that relate to our content. Another great activity would be to do group projects, send them to
breakout rooms and give them time throughout the week to work on their project and they can present
it at the end of the week. To keep it fun, throw in a game or a brain break. They can be online games or
full body games, just let their mind distract for a few minutes before getting back to work.

An assessment tool I would use is an app like Nearpod. It is an interactive way to present a lesson. Since
it can have quizzes, polls, videos, and a collaborative board, I can assess their understanding before,
throughout, and after the lesson.

One safety concern of virtual learning is about private information. It is important that students know
not to share private information online. Another safety concern is cyberbullying. It is important to
provide a safe space for them and to not let them be at risk.

I look forward to getting to know your student and to help them do the best they can. I am excited to be
teaching your little ones. Let’s make it a great year.