Summer Parent Night: [undercover] Learning

Happy summer, River Eves! I hope this post finds you excitedly looking forward to our summer vacation. To prepare you for the upcoming months, I have created two lists. The first is a list of apps that will engage our students during the summer months while still challenging them academically. The second is a list of web resources that perform the same tasks. I call these resources....

[undercover] learning

My Top 5 Summer Learning Apps

1. Mad Libs - test their grammar skills and create super funny stories in the process - it's an oldie but a goodie to me. 
   
2. Sushi Monster - this monster is hungry for sushi - answer the math questions correctly and keep him fed! 
   
3. Brain Pop - App that provides students with education videos on a WIDE variety of topics and even includes supplemental information, quizzes, links, etc. Many teachers use this already, and kids LOVE it!
   
4. MoMA Art Lab - App from the Museum of Modern Art that allows students to create their own masterpieces, learn more about famous artists, even create sound compositions and shape poems! 
   
5. Wonderopolis (This Day in History) -So, the last app is actually two apps because I couldn't choose which one was better and they somewhat work together. An easy idea I had to get kids learning every day, is to share these two apps as they provide information on a daily basis. Wonderopolis answers a question (or wonder) of the day with video, pictures, etc. This Day in History gives students just that - a list of events that happened on that day. Perhaps a good first thing in the morning activity while eating breakfast or a way to spark dinner conversation!
   

My Top 5 Summer Learning Websites

1. Wonderopolis (web component - see above for more information)
2. Brainpop (web component - see above for more information)
3. Free Rice - began as a tool to learn new vocabulary but has now expanded to include many different subject areas (math, science, social studies, even SAT prep!). The cool thing about this website is that for every answer your students gets correct, the website donates 10 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Programme! So you can talk about physical science AND philanthropy! 
   
4. Scholastic Family Playground - website that includes games, videos, puzzles, etc. for Scholastic books and programs like 'I Spy,' 'Clifford,' and 'The Magic Schoolbus.' The English teacher in me LOVES the fact that there are online stories as well. 
   
5. Funbrain - website that includes word and math games, interactive online texts (even web version of 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid'), and some less academic online games as well. I feel that with some parental supervision, this could really be a great online resource for those stormy summer days.     
   
   
   
   
   

*Another thought: Your students have really become masters of Educreations and (some classrooms only) iMovie. These apps are more creative, like a blank canvas for our kids to create a video/presentation all their own. I would encourage students to chronicle their vacation - from airplane rides, road trips, even day by day activities. These apps are FANTASTIC for letting your student express him or herself in a truly unique way.

So You Think You Can HIP-HOP Dance?

This week, fourth grade will be dancing in the gymnasium! It is "So You Think You Can HIP-HOP Dance" week in PE, and we are blending PE, Technology, and Dance to create a unique, interactive lesson that will get our 4th graders moving. Use the links below to help you research, explore, document, and present your project. Good luck!

STEP ONE: Research - Visit each of the links listed below to create FIVE FACTS you learned about Hip-Hop Dance.

• The Origins of Hip-Hop Dance
• What do you know about Hip-Hop Dance?
• History of Hip-Hop Dance

STEP TWO: Explore - Watch the following video that gives you a choreographed dance to Pharrell Williams' song "Happy." Pay close attention and get into it - this is the dance you need to learn! Every group member must be up and dancing.

*The BEST dancer from each group will be asked to film your group's dance routine.

Here is the link: "HAPPY" DANCE VIDEO

 

STEP THREE: Document - Now that everyone in your group has mastered the "Happy" dance, it is your time to film. The assigned group member will be in charge of using the camera feature on the iPad to film the group dancing to the song. We will only be filming through the first refrain of the song (until around the 1 minute mark).

STEP FOUR: Present - To document all steps of the process, you will create a Padlet wall. Simply, follow this link, and select "Build a Wall." On this "wall," you can type your five facts about hip-hop and upload your group's video. Be sure to include all group members' names! For an example Padlet wall, you can click here.


And you are finished! Remember to fill out your worksheet that includes the QR Code to this blog and space to take notes on the three websites. 

From Sketches to the Google Homepage: Live from Google Headquarters

Today, Wednesday, March 5, select 4th grade students will be attending a VIRTUAL field trip to Google Headquarters in California! This field trip, sponsored by Discovery Education, is in support of the Doodle 4 Google contest (find more information about THAT here). This AWESOME opportunity is interactive as students are able to ask the Google Doodlers questions about their job, their doodles, and life at Google. We are all very excited about his opportunity. You can learn more about our field trip and even watch the broadcast at the following link: From Sketches to the Google Homepage



 

NETS Standard: Research and Information Fluency

Today's Instructional Technology Committee Meeting will focus on the third NETS standard, "Research and Information Fluency." Below you will find information and notes to help teachers meet this standard. Documentation will be due by the end of February.

The ISTE Standard for Research and Information Fluency (#3) includes the following description:

•  Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.

1. Plan strategies to guide inquiry.
2. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media
3. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks
4. Process data and report results

Most of us teachers will complete some sort of research project with our students at some point in the school year. This is a great way to meet this standard. Below, you will find some FABULOUS resources to help you in the process.

 

* Infotopia ( http://www.infotopia.info/ )

According to their website, "Infotopia is an academic search engine accessing only trusted websites previously selected by librarians, teachers, and library and educational consortia. Infotopia is recommended for students, teachers, and, especially, homeschoolers." This is a great way to minimize those moments where students find inappropriate material by just using google to search.

 

* iBrainstorm App

The iBrainstorm App is simply a blank canvas that can serve as a way to prewrite and plan essays, projects, etc. You can simply draw with your finger or you can add sticky notes. Once you've completed your brainstorming, you can easily share your plans via email or saving the image as a photo on your device. I really see this as beneficial for upper grades in collaboration and group work.

 

 

 

* WebQuests ( using Zunal )

In my classroom, I was always a big fan of WebQuests as an easy way to meet the research standard on a more regular basis and introduce a new subject matter in a more exciting way. I have since discovered Zunal which is an online WebQuest builder and even better, a source for finding WebQuests that have already been made for you! You can search by grade level (either K-2 or 3-5) AND subject area. I would suggest browsing around to see if one can work for you. Love, LOVE it. Also, listed below, I have three other EASY WebQuest ideas. As an ELA teacher, I get so excited about March and Dr. Seuss's Birthday. Hopefully, you do too :)

1. Dr. Seuss WebQuest for Non or Early Readers - I was inspired by this link which requires students to simply use Google image as a search engine to match the Seuss character with the appropriate book title. If this seems like something that would be of interest to your class, just let me know, and I can create a worksheet for the kids.
2. The Rhyming Man: Dr. Seuss and His Books - This WebQuest is already linked to the standards and completely finished for you. The focus of this WebQuest is 1st-3rd Language Arts. It is well-planned but seems like it would need quite a few days to complete the entire project.
3. Dr. Seuss WebQuest for Older Students - Here is a link to a WebQuest that is already created that looks at the biography of Seuss and has students answer questions. Link: Seuss WebQuest

 

* Wonderopolis ( http://wonderopolis.org/ )

I am new to Wonderopolis, but I think I am in love. Every day, the site poses an intriguing question and explores it in a variety of ways. According to the website, "with multi-disciplinary content that purposefully aligns to Common Core State Standards (CCSS), the STEM Educational Quality Framework, and Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy, we’ve earned a place in K-12 curriculum and in classrooms worldwide. Teachers can use the daily Wonder to jumpstart their students’ critical thinking, or dip into our ever-growing collection of Wonders for content that relates to specific themes and student interests." There is even an educator resource ( here ) where teachers can search for content based upon common core standards and grade level. *I thought this one would be great for today: http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/have-you-ever-been-in-a-spelling-bee/

My idea for a quick and easy way to incorporate this resource into your classroom would be to have a "Wonder Wednesday" every week where you explore questions the students have or simply open the website and see what the wonder of the day is. Then, you can have authentic conversations with students in which you discuss how to find answers, brainstorm, and even research. Pretty cool!

 

Here is an example from a teacher's classroom that she uploaded on her Twitter account.

 

 

 

* Evernote

I know that I seem to keep coming back to Evernote, but it is just because I LOVE it. In regards to research, Evernote is a great way to keep track of information and easily share it with classmates, teachers, and parents. A teacher can simply create a folder for each child in which she can take notes, copy links, etc. At the end of the period, these notes are sent to parents or a partner if collaborating, and saved in the Evernote folder. Or if the student has a unique login, she can access her notes from iPad, computer, or any other device with the Evernote app.

 

If you have any other research resources that you want to share, please send me an email at Fragale@fultonschools.org. Have a great day!

Technology Tip Tuesday: December 17, 2013

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK: Skype (in the classroom)

To review this resource, I will give it the "FRAGALE 5."

 

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

According to the Skype in the Classroom website, Skype is a software that allows you to speak to, see and instant message other people who have Skype accounts wherever they are in the world. It is an application you download which allows you to make calls and send messages via the internet. In the classroom, Skype can be used to collaborate with other classes, no matter where they are; find guest speakers and invite them into your classroom; and take a virtual field trip anywhere in the world.

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

Skype can be used in every classroom. In our school, classes have held “Mystery Skype” lessons, collaborated across the globe, and even taken a virtual field trip to the Channel 5 News Studio! This is NOT a resource for only upper grades – it is really for everyone J

 

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

Below, I have listed some ways to use Skype in the classroom. This is just a sample of some ways to use the resource, but really the possibilities are endless!

·         “Mystery Skype” - a lesson in geography, research, and collaboration to determine the location of the class with which you are Skyping.

·         Virtual Field Trip - visit a zoo, museum, explore oceans, mountains, and faraway places – no money, buses, or parent permission forms required!

·         Guest Speakers - connect with an author, historian, or an expert of some kind to learn more about a particular subject.

·         Literature Circle - meet with another class to discuss a reading assignment.

·         Story Hour - be the readers or the listeners in your own online “Story Time.” I’ve seen this used for ‘Read Across America’ on Dr. Seuss’s Birthday and one idea that I absolutely LOVED was having a “Grand-Friends and Fairytales Reading Hour,” a time for elementary classes and elderly people in the community to connect and share with each other.

 

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

Using Skype in the classroom can really transform the way you reach children. It has the possibility to take students places they have never been and teach them in ways that seemed impossible. It is FREE which just makes everything better, and with the use of AirServer, Skype can be projected on your interactive whiteboard without any cords!

5. How? (Basic instructions)

The following link directs you to a basic “getting started” packet for Skype in the classroom:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5GoWygcrC1RdnVHRVptWEhiNTQ/edit?usp=sharing

 

If you are interested in a one-on-one or small group tutorial, please schedule a meeting with me at your convenience - simply fill out a Technology Coach Request form on my website (https://sites.google.com/site/reestechcenter/teacher-technology-center-requests).

In closing, I will leave you with a video that gives a brief introduction to a “Mystery Skype” lesson from a Connecticut news program. Enjoy, and have a great holiday J

Technology Tip Tuesday: December 10, 2013

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK: AirServer

 

To review this resource, I will give it the "FRAGALE 5."

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

According to the website, AirServer is an AirPlay receiver for Mac and PC. It allows you to receive AirPlay feeds, similar to an Apple TV, so you can stream content or Mirror your display from your iOS devices or Macs running Mountain Lion or Mavericks. In regards to the classroom, AirServer allows teachers to show content and to the class and engage students using an iPad. With AirServer you can wirelessly beam your iPad display to your Mac or PC and from there to your projector or interactive whiteboard. This gives you the freedom to move around the class with your iPad in hand. * AirServer also supports multiple simultaneous connections, so one or more students could mirror their iPads to share their ideas and their work with the rest of the class.

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

All grade levels can benefit from using AirServer. If you use the iPad in that subject area, you will LOVE AirServer. This could be anything as basic as a game to a higher order thinking “product creation” app like Educreations or VoiceThread.

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

This resource would really work in any learning context. AirServer could display a math problem solving app during one part of your day. Later, AirServer can allow the teacher to move around the classroom while displaying a dramatic presentation of a text in reading. Furthermore, AirServer gives teachers the ability to FaceTime and Skype using the projector, thus involving the entire classroom and allowing them to actively participate.

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

AirServer gives teachers the freedom to move around the room (manage behavior!) while manipulating the interactive whiteboard. In this regards, the iPad becomes like a slate giving the classroom projector access to all of the wonderful tools that you can use on the iPad.

5. How? (Basic instructions)

 

You can find a starter guide for AirServer here. I will be activating every class’s AirServer account if I haven’t already done so. During this time,  I will also give you a tutorial. If I have not already done so, please schedule a meeting with me at your convenience - simply fill out a Technology Coach Request form on my website (https://sites.google.com/site/reestechcenter/teacher-technology-center-requests).

In closing, I will leave you with a video that gives a brief introduction to AirServer. Enjoy, and have a great week J

 

 

 

Technology Tip Tuesday: December 3, 2013

APP OF THE WEEK: Educreations

To review this resource, I will give it the "FRAGALE 5."

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

According to the website, Educreations is a recordable interactive whiteboard that captures your voice and handwriting to produce video lessons that you can share online. Students, colleagues, parents, and really anyone (given a permission like a login or a link) can replay your lessons in any web browser, or from within our app on their iPads.

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

All grade levels can benefit from using Educreations. This product creating app is fantastic for both students and teachers to use. It is fairly user friendly, and, in our school, I have personally seen Kindergarten, Third, and Fifth really utilize this wonderful resource.

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

This resource would really work in any classroom as a way for teachers and students to create presentations, therefore demonstrating higher level thinking. Also, this resource could be a great way to keep track of classroom instruction, providing you with the opportunity to then upload the lesson onto a blog for student review.  This could give absent students access to missed instructional time and even differentiate for struggling learners.

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

This app is an easy and effective way to boost student interest and activate genuine excitement about learning. Also, this technology will help teachers organize teaching and differentiation, a great way to show just what a dedicated teacher you are. In addition to personally created presentations, there is also a public directory (http://www.educreations.com/browse/) that displays other teachers’ presentations from which you can borrow and use to address the wide range of learners in our classrooms.

5. How? (Basic instructions)

 

You can find a starter guide for Educreations here (http://www.cvisd.org/cms/lib/TX01001642/Centricity/Domain/23/PDF/educreations.pdf).  I am also available to give you a tutorial at your convenience - simply fill out a Technology Coach Request form on my website (https://sites.google.com/site/reestechcenter/teacher-technology-center-requests). In all honesty, there are some little quirks with Educreations. To create a lesson, you MUST record audio and the lesson must be completed in one sitting. You are NOT able to save and finish the work at a later time. However, with a little practice and patience, Educreations can really become a favorite app in the classroom.

In closing, I will leave you with a video that gives you a hands-on look at Educreations in a first grade classroom. It’s pretty amazing! Enjoy J

 
*BONUS LESSONS LISTED BELOW*

- Here is a link to a sequencing activity for Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? that uses Educreations. Pretty neat! http://zigzaggingedtech.blogspot.com/2013/09/brown-bear-educreations-task-card.html

- Here is a link to a Kindergarten Math Activity using Educreations to demonstrate proficiency in CC standard K.MD.A.2 to describe and compare measurable attributes in which they compare to see which group has more than or less than. http://www.iteachwithtechnology.com/2013/10/ipad-lesson-educreations-math-for.html?spref=tw