Web 2.0!!

Where has the time gone?  EDUC 584 has been quite an adventure learning all of the ins and outs of technology use in the classroom.  Animotos, Weeblys, Wikis, oh my...Digital Stories on iTunes and Blogging...the list is never-ending!  In just several "quick" weeks, I am proud to say that I can apply many new innovative ideas in my classroom.  Learning should be enjoyable and fun, and incorporating student-made digital stories...that very much engages students, and strive to succeed in the classroom!  Thank you, Judy for a fun and hand-working 8 weeks:)

Compliments to Voki--Fun with EDUC 584:)

Literacy Project...Autumn Favorites

After running into technical difficulties (and now, finding out that the upload on YouTube became successful a week later..) with the Connecticut Digital Story, I decided to keep working on iTunes, but on my iPhone.  Using my iPhone was very easy!  My students loved the fact that they could upload their pictures of their work on to my phone, as well as speaking into it.  I think it made them more comfortable using the iPhone because it was just as if they were speaking to someone on the other end of the phone.  I am very happy and excited to share this Literacy Project, and very proud of my grade 3 group.  They were very excited to share their work on this fun digital outlet, so that their homeroom teachers can see their final products.

Enjoy!

Autumn Favorites

I did it!!!

I do not know how this happened all of a sudden...but my final digital story appeared to have worked on its own!  I noticed today (after many failed attempts last week) that the audio copy is now successfully working!! Here is the official final copy:)

FINAL VERSION

Not-so-Final Copy of Digital Story

After many, many attempts to upload my Digital Story successfully with visuals and audio...I opted to upload my visual version:-/

Connecticut

Does anyone have any solutions, or had any problems with the audio attaching with the video when uploaded to YouTube?

Survey for Digital Story

Please take my Survey!

YouTube Rough Draft...

Here is my rough draft on my grade 4 students upcoming Social Studies unit on...Connecticut!  I have not put in any voice overs, nor the audio pieces.  I, also, still have to polish the transitions and times, as well as, some additional slides!

I hope you enjoy the "rough " draft of my "All About Connecticut" Digital Story:)

All About Connecticut

Weebly Creation!

Weebly is an interesting site to explore!  I never considered using a different resource, such as Weebly, to construct a teaching website for parents, colleagues, and students to view!  There were a variety of templates to choose from--it was neat, but overwhelming!  If I could redo anything from my classroom site, it would be to redo the template, so it could be more appealing to the elementary students. 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy looking through my "Double Dose" site!  Feel free to make comments, ask questions, or even suggestions:)

Ready4Reading:)

Engage with Classroom Managment

New school year, new classmates, new teacher..the school year has begun and is in full swing.  The essentials needed to build a community of learners are: rules, routines, trust, and student ownership. Now, the reason I decided to run a little shpiel on classroom management is because a co-worker of mine is struggling with respect in the classroom.  I believe that it all starts with maintaining positive classroom rituals.  The constant "stop it's" and "don'ts" are what shuts down students..negative connotation puts doubt in their minds, as if there is no faith in them.  Well, with a little positivity, a classroom can turn their frowns upside-down...

Here are 10 tips for classroom management

1. Build Community
2. Design a Safe, Friendly, and Well-Managed Classroom Environment
3. Include Students in Creating Rules, Norms, Routines, and Consequences
4. Create a Variety of Communication Channels
5. Always Be Calm, Fair, and Consistent
6. Know the Students You Teach
7. Address Conflict Quickly and Wisely
8. Integrate Positive Classroom Rituals
9. Keep It Real
10. Partner with Parents and Guardians

       

If something is not working, then fix it.  Together, you and your students can work together as a team to make the classroom a safe and fun place:)

Virtual Field Trips..Yay or Nay?

"Don't forget to wear sneakers, bring a jacket, and a packed lunch bag for the field trip tomorrow!"  Remember prepping for that big day--checklists of handouts of reminders, supplies (medical and class/group lists), and coordinating chaperones!  It is a headache for such preparation to and from the school.  What if there was an easier way to be a part of a field trip, yet not have to travel away from the classroom?

There is!

Museums, parks, and other education foundations have conformed with the modernization of social media and internet use as a great part of the classroom.  Virtual field trips have allowed teachers to coordinate field trips with their grade-level curriculum without having to leave the classroom.  The expenses are not as great as if you and your students, along with chaperones, were to travel by bus and pay for admission to (i.e.) Old Sturbridge Village!  Many factors play roles in deciding wether virtual or actual field trips would benefit the class.

What is your take on virtual field trips?  Have you been on any? If so, where have you and your students "gone"?

Virtual Field Trips

Solids, Liquids, and Gases--Oh My!: My First Animoto

Thinking up ideas for my first Animoto was pretty tricky, especially considering that I do not have my classroom...just yet.  So as I was conjuring thoughts, a lightbulb flicked on in my mind when I decided to put together an Animoto on MATTER!  Solids, Liquids, and Gases is a wonderful unit I taught my second graders last year; I will have to pass this along to my grade 2 friends to share in class!  This Animoto would be a great introduction to the unit, and could be used for refreshers throughout the unit.

I tried to slow down the pace as much as I could, especially for the written parts added in the mini-video.  I, also, included 3 books I have used in the classroom for students to read and put in book bins, or I made worksheets that went along with each book.

Enjoy the world of Matter!:)



"Blended" Learning through Technology

"Blended" Learning--the combination of traditional face-to-face learning classroom experience with new, innovative learning technologies that have the power to democratize learning.  Jessie Woolley-Wilson, an eLearner leader, is a firm believer in an adaptive learning technology where the student learns from the program, as the program learns from the student.  She gives a motivating example where a student shares the correct response to a mathematics problem--counting manipulatives to 48.  The child counts to 48 by 1's, which is correct, but the program may enhance learning by teaching a mini lesson on how to count to 48 faster with 5's and 10's.  The program truly learns from the student!  It is amazing to hear about such an advancement in technology for the classroom.  I am excited to explore more into these programs, and how beneficial they are to our students' learning.

Blending Technology and Classroom Learning: Jessie Woolley-Wilson at TEDxRainier

Would you consider the use of "Blended" learning in your classroom?  Do you already implement "blended" learning in the classroom?

"If students cannot learn the way we teach, we must then teach they way they learn." --Margaret Mead

The Breakdown of Reader's Workshop

Rick's Reading Workshop video tutorial is a wonderful outlet for teachers to observe, and possibly revamp their workshop routine in the classroom...especially for the start of the new year!  Rick has proven how effective the Reading Workshop is, and how his approach is influencing students to become better readers.  It is also just a nice opportunity to actually observe an elementary level teacher in their element in the classroom without having to find a sub to pop in for an observation of another colleague!

Overview of Rich Klein's Reader's Workshop

"What Kind of Teacher are You?"

As I prepare myself for teacher interviews--in search of outlets to review,  I stumbled across this blog created by an elementary school teacher who was asked the question, "what kind of teacher are you?" by a parent whose child will be in her class this coming school year.  She was stumped by being put on the spot, but knew deep down "what kind of teacher" she truly is--a Responsive Classroom teacher.

Please feel free on how she establishes herself as a teacher, whether she is in the beginning of the school year or the end...she remains consistent and compassionate throughout.

Responsive Classroom Teacher

What would you say if a parent asked you "What kind of teacher are you?"

First Night of 584...

As the beginning of school year begins, I find myself still on the job hunt with potential positions on the horizon.  For the past year and a half, I have taught grade 2 at West Hill elementary in Rocky Hill, CT.  I had the most amazing experience with my kiddos last year--always sharing many laughs, cries, and outrageous stories that I have to joy to look back on:)  
It is funny how fast time truly flies by..now, after a wonderful, relaxing summer (missing my Bahamas trip!), I am embracing the beauty of the start of another school year.  This is the BEST time of the year (I am sure some teachers would agree to disagree)--a time to start new, a time to start fresh.  That is what I look most forward to.