September: The Month of the Padlet

Good morning, River Eves! This month has been an exciting month back in the classroom. And our teachers and I have fallen in love with the web resource PADLET. I began taking advantage of the awesome features that Padlet offers at the end of the previous school year when we used it for our "So You Think You Can Hip-Hop Dance" PE lesson. Below, you will find the "Fragale 5" as an introduction to this amazing Technology Treasure. Enjoy!

1. What? (A brief overview of what the resource does)

In the words of Shaun Takenouchi, "When you first start to use Padlet you have a blank page where you can do a variety of things. You can drag and drop documents, images, and PDF’s from your desktop to your wall. You can also copy and paste links to videos or websites as well as use your computer’s (or tablet's) camera to take a picture to put up. Lastly, you have the option to just start typing on your page and create notes on it." When it comes to privacy on a Padlet, the teacher can make a page public, password protected, or completely private. In regards to sharing a link to a page, Padlet even creates a unique QR code for you - eliminating that extra step! It is also important to note that Padlet is a WEB resource, not an app. Therefore, it is accessible on any device with internet access.

2. Who? (Audience, which grade levels can really benefit from this resource?)

All grade levels can benefit from using Padlet, even all subject areas. Because it is a quick and easy website creator that pairs well with iPads, the possibilities are endless in our school! 

3. Where? (In what learning context would this resource be relevant?)

This resource would really work in all classrooms. A teacher could you Padlet to provide students with a WebQuest, a research assignment, in Social Studies (see below in 4th Humanities classes):

A teacher could use Padlet as a password protected writing portfolio for collaboration and peer feedback (see below in Ms. Dearborn's class):

A teacher could use Padlet as a ticket out the door or reflection piece of some sort (see below in Ms. Newton's first grade class - I know Ms. Schechter has used this in her ELA class as well!):

A teacher could use Padlet to track student progress in writing, speaking, really any skill. AND the beauty of Padlet is this can be shared with parents, relatives, any person who has the password. Those individuals have the option to leave feedback too! (see below in Ms. Donnell's Kindergarten class):

A teacher could take a video of herself in the classroom teaching, reviewing, introducing a topic, anything, and easily share this video with the class, even the world (see below in Ms. Moss's video introduction):

4. Why? (How can this REALLY help me?)

Padlet is fantastic because it eliminates unnecessary steps while communicating and collaborating with others. As teachers, we want to meet the needs of all learners, and the idea of blended learning and the flipped classroom become more attainable with a fantastic resource like Padlet.

First graders working on literary response entries; some type their
sentences while other take a picture to post of their written word.

5. How? (Basic Instructions)

For basic usage directions, follow the link below! I hope you enjoy getting acquainted with the wonderful web resource Padlet. How to Use Padlet

Welcome Back, River Eves!

Good morning, River Eves Elementary!

It's your Technology Teacher Coach, Ms. Lizzie Fragale, here, and I am very excited for the year ahead! I am thrilled to be back and happy to report that we are off to a fantastic technology start. We are SO excited to have a STEM lab in our school with a great teacher, Ms. Ally Baker. Ms. Baker and I have already been planning and researching to make this unique opportunity truly special for our kids.

In other news, Kindergarten teachers (and other grades) have been using the wonderful web resource Padlet to create student portfolios for their work to track their progress in the classroom. Padlet makes uploading videos and pictures from the iPad EASY and includes special features like QR codes and password protected sites.

Additionally, I have enjoyed getting to know our new Media Specialist, Ms. Neubauer, and we have already collaborated on a great lesson for our third graders - I just love watching these kids take the technology to research and create something special (I even get to learn a thing or two about our National Parks).

Furthermore, the grade-level iPads and BYOT program have empowered teachers to give students access to technology and the possibilities that go along with the devices. For example, 4th grade humanities teachers worked with me to create a WebQuest where students learned more about the Indigenous People of our country. Second grade teacher Ms. Schechter created a "Choice Board" for students as they learned about characterization - her kids loved the refresher course I provided on using Educreations - so pumped up about learning!

Though I have only been back for two weeks, I am quite impressed with this amazing school. From teacher QR codes to iPad centers, it's incredible to watch how our staff has really stepped it up with technology. I look forward to a GREAT year ahead!