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!

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