August 18

SMART Start to School

It’s about that time  when the excitement of the new school  year begins. Students of all ages buy something new to start the year to help them feel energized. Teachers decorate their classrooms to motivate their students and set new professional goals . Technology integration is often a goal but where to start and how to do it becomes an obstacle. This summer I had the amazing opportunity to spend a week at SMART Technology headquarters in Calgary at the SMART Exemplary Educator (SEE) Summit surrounded by people that make this goal more achievable. Below are a sampling of the sites that will help you get started…

 

 

  •  Mr. Smart Trainer-scroll down and look on the right side of the screen for many ready-made lessons that features holidays and sports teams, to name a few
  • Mike’s Technology Closet-Notebook lessons and how-to videos, free resources, blog full of ideas, 45 in 45 presentation that highlights 45 great sites for the classroom and he is an avid geocacher (I highly recommend everyone trying it at least once. You will be addicted with the first cache you find plus, it’s a great way to see a new city.)

Have a fabulous start to your school and keep on inspiring!

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July 4

Getting Ready for the Research Project

Today’s students will be conducting all of their research online. With all of the state standards that need to be taught, how do you teach them how to do the research? Library Learning Commons has developed quite a few good resources to assist you. The site is divided into 14 sections. Some of the sections are geared toward older students will a base knowledge of research, but with the help of an adult younger students can be successful in developing questions, selecting the types of items to find the research, locate the important information and create a project based on their findings.

The note-taking one is where I have found most useful. Under this section, it is divided into 4 areas-reference, book, journal and website source. Below each of the section is a template found in pdf and Word format that allows for modification.  The template is something that can be adapted to fit the needs of many students of various ages and abilities.

Another section that caught my eye was Developing Questions section. The available attachments are easy to follow and understand. By following the graphic on the document, students of all ages are able to create their own research questions.

This site does seem to be one that will be an additional piece to help your students. It is not one where the kids can work independently on a computer. The teacher will need to select the items that are most beneficial to their class.

 

 

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April 13

The 5th season-Testing

Now is the time of year that the “crunch” has begun. Teachers finish teaching their curriculum and begin the review. For some grades the review includes the current year, however other grades include multiple years of a subject. Many educators spend a lot of time creating games for in-class use, but what happens when the students leave? Worksheets? Paper copies of a vocabulary sort are wonderful but can only be used so many times. A great review will include a variety of items. This is where technology comes in to play and Study Stack is the place to go.

Study Stack offers the ability to review vocabulary and concepts in a variety of ways, including games. The teacher will create their free account and enter the information needed to study. Students can access the site from any computer with internet access or view it on a handheld device after the app has been downloaded. Activity options are listed below.

Like the idea of review games online, but you would prefer a different site. Go to the bottom of the Study Stacks’s main page to find other websites that offer similar study options.

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April 11

Storytelling Comes Alive

When children learn to read, they are simply speaking the words on the page. Throughout the elementary years, they are told to put more feeling into their words-become more expressive. The question is…How can a child learn to do this without examples?

Storyline Online is a fabulous site that has well known actors read children’s books aloud. The viewer will watch and listen to a video of various stories. This can be used as a teaching tool discussing intonations used for different words as well as voices for the characters in the stories. Additional activities for each story are also offered.

To extend this one step further, after you have watched the videos, have the students create their own video library. Select a story that you are currently working on in class. The student can practice reading the story to a friend, small group or the whole class. Use a webcam or a handheld video recorder to tape the story. From here, save it to your local server or external device to share with the class.

Another idea is to partner with a younger class to record a story. Choose a story they will be reading and the recording can be used as a listening center. Partner an older child with a younger child to read the story together.

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February 23

Jackpot for Writing

Children today are expected to compose online, which includes the entire writing process.  The class sits down at their computer, opens a writing program and stares at a blank screen. The direction: write about anything you want. Some children begin writing while others fiddle with their mouse or look around the room while searching for a topic. Story Starter has solved that dilemma if you are looking for a fiction story that’s a little out of the ordinary.

Story Starter is a fun way to help a child choose a writing topic. The screen shot above is how your next prompt will be decided. Click on the “spin” lever to make all four wheels go and will stop at random times. If one section is not desired, simply click on the “spin the wheel” button that is aligned with that section. At the top of the window is the full prompt. Beware that the topics are less than ordinary as the prompt above states Write a letter to a million-year-old cantaloupe who stars in a TV show.

Another feature that is beneficial is that the language of the topics is age appropriate. Before pulling the lever, you will have the option to choose your grade level ( K-1, 2, 3 and 4-6).

The next step is the writing of the topic. The author will select from four options: notebook, letter, newspaper and postcard. Each option will have a text box and an option to add a drawing, using a pencil, various colors, selection of line thickness and an eraser-if needed.

There is not option for the work to be saved making this activity a one class project.

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