Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Magnet song

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Tool #11 Reflections

I am always glad to be reminded of tools that are waiting for my use! I need to take advantage of all tools to help me organize myself and use less trees.

Students with dysgraphia should be some of the first to teach organizational techniques and ways around using pen and paper, such as Google docs, Wikis, Jing, and blogs. Perhaps we will have a classroom blog with student reporters.

This is simple, but I hope to use my iGoogle page more this year as a ready-made station. I created it years ago originally to study the phases of the moon, and forgot to use it this year. It has Sudokus, puzzles, photographs, calendars, weather, etc.

Tool #11

I would explore what being a digital citizen means by having a discussion to assess prior knowledge and experiences. Then I would share my experiences and actually show them where I am a digital citizen professionally. Then I would lead a discussion of possible pitfalls, to see where the knowledge base is. Then I would offer examples of my own pitfalls (insulting people without realizing it, thinking I had participated when I hadn't, forgetting passwords, etc.)
I would also show examples of other mistakes and how to rectify the mistakes.
We could decide how our Tribes Agreements (or Love and Logic rules) apply to digital citizenship and make agreements with set consequences. The consequences would vary with the infractions.

I'm not sure how far I need to take this with 2nd graders, but I will give it some thought and definitely implement my plan this year.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Tool #10

We've used Apps during our library time using I-touches, such as
Kids Math Ace Lite Free – Grade School Adding Subtracting Skills Games – Brain Counts

Another one is: FlashCards Lite by James Harris. It is free, and covers a variety of subjects. I had fun changing the background colors and learning how to study state capitols, silly jokes, counting coins, and movie quotes. It's possible to change type of questions to multiple choice, which 2nd graders need to practice. Flashcards sometimes had audio.

I am taking an I Pod and Apps course on 6/14. I have a lot to learn!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Tool #9

I have not been able to get the icon for Jing, although I've downloaded it twice. The "sun" is not showing when I peruse the internet. Any suggestions?
Update: The sun is now showing...here's the link to a magnet page:
http://screencast.com/t/NTBmM2RmO
We are writing the science curriculum for 2nd grade and in need of more info on magnets...so it's on my mind. http://screencast.com/t/NDU0ZTFiOGYt




Experimenting with Digital Story telling Tool #7

Resaved according to the guru. Thanks!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Tool 7

I used Photo Story and enjoyed comparing it to Power Point...however, I can't seem to upload the movie any time soon. I have researched it online and through Blogger Help, and haven't found solutions. It is not larger than 100 MB, and the file type is good.
I remember this happening 2 years ago with videos uploading on the 23 Things.
I'll leave it on overnight and see if it takes.

Tool 8 musings

Sid the Science guy reaches 2nd grade curriculum in talking about tools (magnifying glass) and making educated guesses. When I give students assignments that include estimating, they later try to "fix" the original estimation, or they "wait" until they've discovered the right answer. This would be good to show at the beginning of the year to set the expectations of making best guesses for the benefit of activating the brain.

Tool #8 again SID THE SCIENCE KID | "My Best Guess" Music video | PBS KIDS

Tool #8 SID THE SCIENCE KID | I Magnify Music video | PBS KIDS

SID THE SCIENCE KID | The Magnification Investigation | PBS KIDS

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Tool #6

I actually started a Wiki with this assignment. It reminds me of the value of Google Docs, where collaboration can occur on a document with no emails flying back and forth. This would work well for the team.
Some of the wikis I looked at had file cabinets, ongoing editing of student work, and charts. I would like to use the table making page...but I lost it! I'm going to have to watch the tutorials again.

Later: I did it~I entered a page and a table in my Wiki! It's nonsense at the moment, but I can see how it works.

Tool #5

I have now dusted off my Delicious account. I looked for 2nd grade science, and instead found it under Primary Science...but it is all subjects for primary:
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/
I might use it for phonics, math, timelines, as well as science.

I also looked up home remodeling, and found this: http://www.hgtv.com/
It has videos and redecorating of everything from patios to inside. I thought I didn't find the way to bookmark it on Delicious, but it's there.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Tool #4

I had forgotten about Google docs, even though I made an extensive scrapbook for my friend's grandson. Now I need to remember to use it at work! Teachers coordinate documents such as letters to send home to parents, lesson plans, duty schedules, and more. Why not free our limited email accounts up in favor of using Google docs?

Also, I could have students work on editing their writing creations without either of us losing their documents. I could also have students go to a Morning Message and edit one correction, followed by another student editing another correction. It might get complicated, or it might be quiet and fun.

Also, I already follow plenty of blogs, but I added 5 more from the 11 Tools list. This should be fun! I don't know 3 of the people, but I will find out more and learn from them as I go. I'm grateful for the 2 other bloggers on my campus. It's surprising more employees haven't started this yet.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Tool 3# Daniella's dreams by Melanie ** made with Bubblr (PIMPAMPUM)

Daniella's dreams by Melanie ** made with Bubblr (PIMPAMPUM)

Click on the link to see a comic strip about my classroom bunny. She only made it to class once this year, due to student allergies, but she was still a sensation.

Tool #3

Signs

Make thousands of free clipart images online without having to install any software (web based applications)! You can make banners, buttons, forum avatars, comic strips, logos, blog pics, safety signs, email sigs, personal flags, vanity license plates, warning labels, book covers, e-cards, celebrity deface, brand name parody/satire, controversial pix, etc. We supply the basic picture layout, you supply the funny text (famous quotes, slogans, jokes) to customize the captions! BUY as personalized gifts (fridge magnets, postcards, stickers).

Tool 3

Make thousands of free clipart images online without having to install any software (web based applications)! You can make banners, buttons, forum avatars, comic strips, logos, blog pics, safety signs, email sigs, personal flags, vanity license plates, warning labels, book covers, e-cards, celebrity deface, brand name parody/satire, controversial pix, etc. We supply the basic picture layout, you supply the funny text (famous quotes, slogans, jokes) to customize the captions! BUY as personalized gifts (fridge magnets, postcards, stickers).

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Tool 2

I enjoyed reading 5 blogs--2 from my Westwood colleagues, 1 from Sherwood, Hollister and Tiger Trail. We have contrasting and creative expressions going on.

I hadn't thought in terms of the video, that we must MODEL and model again, proper behavior online. I use many networks to help me with teaching ideas. When I started in the district, no mentors were available. It didn't matter, because my mentors were online! Wonderful, experienced teachers shared knowledge and resources with me. There was no way to pay them back, but pay it forward.

One teacher in an online group shares ideas and personally made lessons more than any other member. She encountered some problems with aging relatives, and an expensive subscription to clipart used in her creations. We all pitched in to diminish the costs of sharing with us.

I hope everyone can experience the comradarie of communities online.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Tool #1

I first posted the Voki as a regular post...then noticed the directions to add a gadget. I am getting quicker at editing!

11 Tools for the 21st Century

I am resurrecting my blog used for 23 Things. I am looking forward to new understanding of blogging and technology.