While I loved learning about all 11 tools, I think Wordle and Blogging are my two favorite. As a culminating project for our author's study on Eve Bunting, each on my students is going to create a wordle focusing on one of her books. The kids will need to include words about setting, characters, themes, and major events from the book. I'm so excited about this project because I feel like it is a great way for the kids to study one of her books and I feel like every child is capable of creating their own. I can't wait to see what they come up with!
After our author's study, we will begin a novel study on "Number the Stars." I plan on setting up a blog for all of the kids to respond to after they have done their weekly reading. Each week they will have a question to focus on and blog about. This will be my first class blog so I'm very anxious to see how it turns out.
I feel like 11 tools has transformed my thinking about technology in the classroom. While I've always loved incorporating technology in the classroom, sometimes I would feel discourage because of the difficulty of the programs available and the time commitment required. However, now I feel like I have learned about a ton of resources that I didn't know about and that can easily be used in my classroom.
Before beginning 11 tools, I thought this was going to be a good learning experience. However, this completely surpassed my expectations. I've learned more than I ever thought I would. I can't wait to get out there and start applying my knowledge in the classroom!!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tool #11
With technology being such a huge part of our world today, I believe digital citizenship is a topic that should not be over looked in the classroom. Kids need to learn the proper etiquette for emailing, chatting with friends online, and whats appropriate for various social networking sites. I believe BrainPop has some good videos on digital citizenship, and I also think discussing and role playing will give kids the ability to know how to deal with these types of situations. Knowledge is power!
1. First, I think kids need to know how to write an appropriate email or respond to a blog appropriately. With texting and Twitter, slang is used frequently (i.e. gr8 or def); however this type of language isn't appropriate in professional situations. They need to learn this at a young age, in order to give them a bright future.
2. Second, they need to be aware of cyber bullying and how to deal when/if they are put in this situation. I feel like I hear of a new victim of cyber bullying too often, and I want my students to be prepare to stand up for themselves and know who to avoid on the Internet.
3. Finally, I would like my kids to learn what kind of pictures are appropriate to upload on the Internet and who these pictures are appropriate to send too. Kids need to be aware that certain pictures they post online could prevent them from getting into college or getting their dream job.
1. First, I think kids need to know how to write an appropriate email or respond to a blog appropriately. With texting and Twitter, slang is used frequently (i.e. gr8 or def); however this type of language isn't appropriate in professional situations. They need to learn this at a young age, in order to give them a bright future.
2. Second, they need to be aware of cyber bullying and how to deal when/if they are put in this situation. I feel like I hear of a new victim of cyber bullying too often, and I want my students to be prepare to stand up for themselves and know who to avoid on the Internet.
3. Finally, I would like my kids to learn what kind of pictures are appropriate to upload on the Internet and who these pictures are appropriate to send too. Kids need to be aware that certain pictures they post online could prevent them from getting into college or getting their dream job.
Tool #10
Wow I had no idea how many great FREE apps there are out there! Yay! One that I really liked was called "Read Me Stories." It has an endless about of picture books for kids to read and listen too. This will be a fabulous tool for my ESL kids!
Also, another free app I've found is called "4 Letter Words." This app basically unscrambles words for the kids, and then reads the four letter word aloud to them. Again, this would be great for ESL kids. However, I've also been using this app in my classroom for a special needs student. It has been a great resource!
Also, another free app I've found is called "4 Letter Words." This app basically unscrambles words for the kids, and then reads the four letter word aloud to them. Again, this would be great for ESL kids. However, I've also been using this app in my classroom for a special needs student. It has been a great resource!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Tool #9
I'm excited to use Screencast in my classroom! I think it would be great to use to teach the kids how to use Photostory or Wordle. As a culminating project for our author's study, the kids are going to create a Wordle on one of Eve Bunting's books. It would be great to use Screencast to show the kids how to use the program.
I prefer to use Screencast over Jing because I don't have to download anything to use Screencast. Also, I don't feel like Jing is as user friendly as Screencast.
Skype is fantastic!! I was hoping to Skype with Eve Bunting, but after our SIS emailed with her we realized she doesn't Skype :( Therefore, I'm thinking we can maybe Skype with another school or group of kids that have studied Eve Bunting. Also, I'm going to look into Skyping with the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. So fun! I love Skyping!
I prefer to use Screencast over Jing because I don't have to download anything to use Screencast. Also, I don't feel like Jing is as user friendly as Screencast.
Skype is fantastic!! I was hoping to Skype with Eve Bunting, but after our SIS emailed with her we realized she doesn't Skype :( Therefore, I'm thinking we can maybe Skype with another school or group of kids that have studied Eve Bunting. Also, I'm going to look into Skyping with the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. So fun! I love Skyping!
Tool #8
Wow! I had no idea You Tube has such great videos for teachers! I found a a video on Eve Bunting's book "In the Haunted House," which I was already planning on reading to my kids the week of Halloween for our author's study. It will be wonderful to have a read aloud on video! Below is the link.
http://www.blinkx.com/videos/eve+bunting
I also found a great video clip on King Christian X of Denmark. We study him in social studies when we study WWII, and during our novel study of Number the Stars. During our novel study we also read a picture book called The Yellow Star, which talks about King Christian's role in Denmark during the war. After the read this story, I think it would be great to show this video clip to the kids. This allows them to see a live video of the king! How cool!! Below is the link.
http://www.blinkx.com/watch-video/christian-x-of-denmark-christian-10-dansk-konge/Y33Ki9xuzpKBKQnrcnxQyg
http://www.blinkx.com/videos/eve+bunting
I also found a great video clip on King Christian X of Denmark. We study him in social studies when we study WWII, and during our novel study of Number the Stars. During our novel study we also read a picture book called The Yellow Star, which talks about King Christian's role in Denmark during the war. After the read this story, I think it would be great to show this video clip to the kids. This allows them to see a live video of the king! How cool!! Below is the link.
http://www.blinkx.com/watch-video/christian-x-of-denmark-christian-10-dansk-konge/Y33Ki9xuzpKBKQnrcnxQyg
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tool #7
Wow! Photostory is great! Luckily, I've had the pleasure of working with this program the past. To wrap up our author's study on Eve Bunting last year, my students created a photostory focusing on one of her fabulous books. As a group the kids were instructed to examine how the characters/events change over time, as well as include various statistics about the important issue discussed in the book. The kids loved the project, and they were proud to show of their hard work!
Photostory could be in used in all subject areas, and it really is an easy program for the kids to use. I encourage everyone to use this in your classroom this year!
*I've had some technical difficulties getting my photostory loaded, however I'll try again later :)
Photostory could be in used in all subject areas, and it really is an easy program for the kids to use. I encourage everyone to use this in your classroom this year!
*I've had some technical difficulties getting my photostory loaded, however I'll try again later :)
Tool #6
I think the most effective way to use a Wiki in my classroom would be to have the kids write an ongoing story using new vocabulary words. This would be a great way for the kids to apply their knowledge of the vocabulary words, and I would be able to easily access wheather or not they understand the meaning of the word.
I'm a little concerned about using a wiki when editing papers in class. Does anyone have any experience using the wiki for editing? Did you have each kid create their own wiki? I would love some suggestions on how to make this work effectively. I'm open to any ideas!
I'm a little concerned about using a wiki when editing papers in class. Does anyone have any experience using the wiki for editing? Did you have each kid create their own wiki? I would love some suggestions on how to make this work effectively. I'm open to any ideas!
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