YouTube Playlist ~ Matter

I created a playlist on my youtube chanel with some videos that related to our unit on matter. My students enjoyed viewing them on their devices. For those who did not have their own device, they used classroom laptops. I wasn't sure how to get them logged into my channel without broadcasting my password, so I ended up putting it into all their devices myself, which was a pain and took a little time. I had a small reflection page that went along with the lesson that helped keep them on track.

There were three videos on the list. One was silent and they had to read short prompts about what they saw, one was put to music with written prompts also, the third was a scientist talking about matter and showing the different states. Most of the kids enjoyed the video that was put to music (which also showed glass in its liquid form).

They enjoyed using the playlist, but due to having to log them all in, it may have been just as good as a whole class activity with showing it on the whitebaord. The advantage of them having it on their devices was that they could rewind anything they may have missed and they were in control. All the reflection pages had good responses and they all rated the lesson a 10! I will use the youtube playlist again!

Photos and Anchor Charts Shared

One of my goals was to keep my students' parents "in the know" of what we are learning in our classroom. It is a whole new world from when I taught 16 years ago. I know as a parent that I always appreciated teachers who used technology to keep me updated on what my kids were doing. In the beginning, emails were great. As technology grew, I loved seeing the pictures and videos some of them put on the web. Now that I am back in the classroom, I want to do my best to let parents see and enjoy what we are doing. Here are a few pics I have shared. It is definitely an area I need to grow in. I definitely have "blog envy" of some of my colleagues and even of people I've never met! I am confident that as my handle on our curriculum grows, so will my ability to communicate it.

iPad Updated - awesome app!

I found an awesome app when I attended a Christmas break iPad session. The app is APPSGONEFREE. I spent a lot of time after I loaded this app on my iPad getting my iPad classroom/center ready. My students love all the new apps I found. My third grade team also has benefited as we spent some time during our last PLC working together and sharing what we had found.

The top three apps I have found recently are:

Animal Kingdom HD
Math Ninja
Opposites

I have organized my apps into folders on our class screen. My students are having a much easier time navigating the iPad now. Bring on the classroom iPads!

Audio Consumptin on the Web - Wilma Rudolph

My students really enjoyed the book Wilma Unlimited. It tells the story of Wilma Rudolph. I found this youtube video that tied in perfectly. By just watching this 11 minute video, we were able to compare/contrast what we learned from the book and the video. We also compared the differences of reading the book vs watching the video. Most of them said they enjoyed the book more, which I was happy to hear. Another huge advantage was reaching some of my lower readers and autistic students in a way that they related. (They made up most of the group that said they liked the video better.)Here's the link to the story Wilma Rudolph Story.

I am also going to add the digital book I found to my iPad. Here's the link Wilma Unlimited, youtube digital book . A possible center project??

Reflection on article "Why Kids Need Schools To Change"

I read the article "Why Kids Need Schools To Change" by Tina Barseghian. She bases most of her article on research done by educator Madeline Levine, author of Teach Your Children Well.
:She sites the five areas of change  that "Challenge Success" brings to schools and attempts to modernize the obsolete system in place today. Challenge Success is a school training program at Stanford that’s been incorporated into about 100 schools across the country  The five criteria are:
PROJECT BASED LEARNING (stress collaboration)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT (show what they know in different ways)
SCHEDULING (later start time for school to allow needed sleep time -she suggests 10 am! - and coordination of test days)
CLIMATE OF CARE (especially in large public schools)
PARENT EDUCATION (keep kids within their developmental zones and manage time)

She begins her article with the point that really ties into what has been a focus of our Elite training - that the job market is changing and many jobs are becoming obsolete. (A point that hits home to a wife of a marginally employed glazier!) We need to make sure we are preparing our students for success in this rapidly changing world so that unemployment isn't their future.

I also really liked her point that classrooms should mirror what our kindergarten classes look like - active and constantly engaging. What a dream for students of all ages! Who didn't love kindergarten?? Definitely got me thinking about revamping a couple things in my room.

An interesting article with some great links. The author has some nice archives on the
Mind/Shift How We Learn wesite.
 http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/author/tbarseghian/ 

"8 ways to use Facebook to enrich class" blog post

I read the blog post "8 Real Ways Facebook Enriched Ms. Shoening's First Grade Class" by Lisa Nielson. I also checked out some other posts on her "The Innovative Educator" blog. She posts daily. Most of them are short and make good points. The Facebook post was one of my least favorites, but I did find some uses for her tips. I am glad I went to it because she does have a good blog.

The worst thing about the Facebook blog was that blogspot stopped responding and the webpage had to be recovered every time I tried to scroll down! It was also written in July 2010 when Facebook was becoming more popular. As an older adult/educator I feel not many older parents are using Facebook. I feel that all eight points can be accomplished through my blog that the parents who do use technology are accessing.

The eight points she highlighted were:

1. Providing Families a Window to the Classroom
2. Celebrating Student Work
3. Sharing Events and Announcements
4. Using Facebook Notes to Update Parents
5. Using Facebook Notes to Share Student Writing
6. Having Private Conversations with Parents and Families
7. Use Videos to Share Tips, Advice, and Lessons to Parents and Students
8. Connecting with Other Classes

Other than the "Facebook Notes" tips, I feel I do these with my blog. Granted, I need to get better and post more, so these are points I want to be sure I am covering. I love using my blog to post pictures of student work and I have received great feedback from my parents on this. I also have a shutterfly account linked to my blog where they can view/order pictures for the scrapbookers out there! I want to include instuctional videos - this is my next blog goal. We will be starting multiplication soon. I think this would be a great place to start!

I think the use of the word "private" was not appropriate because I feel nothing on the internet is private. I questioned Ms. Nielson's credibility, which is what led me to her more recent posts. Nothing else has jumped out, so I will keep up with her blog.

My only other concern is with students getting on Facebook. I know many parents who do not want their younger children on it. I feel my blog is a safer place that parents can be more confortable letting their kids access.

Diigo List!

I enjoyed working on my diigo list during elite today. My favorite part was linking it to my blog so my students and parents can access recommended websites. I've been looking for a way for my students to get to where I want them to go more easily. I made a Web Resource tab on my blog and I feel this will solve that issue. I only have a few sites listed per subject area as of now, my trusted favorites. I'm debating on how much is the right amount. I think a few more would be good, but too many could overwhelm.

Still loving working with diigo. I have installed the button on all the computers I work on. I haven't received feedback from any parents of my students yet, not sure if this is a good sign or bad. I do think it is a great resource, almost as good a Pinterest (that was for you, Collin!). I do like the safety net of how the sights I use will be saved if a computer crashes - and not having to take the extra h drive step.

Here is my diigo link:My Diigo Library