Collaborative Geometry Riddles Voicethread

This is a collaborative project between my second graders and Ms. Chamberlain's first grade class. We made some geometry riddles that describe different plane and solid shapes and posted them to Voicethread. Ms. Chamberlain's class is responding to the riddles. In this lesson I used the smartboard to review attributes of geometric shapes and to build an attribute table (see lesson).

One of the fun aspects of this lesson is the independence that my students have in using technology. I know I can just give them the video camera and they will film it and check it to see if it came out clear. We lost a file when they had to upload it to the computer but with a little help they found it. I don't know if it was a good idea but I gave them my username and password for Voicethread so they could upload the video themselves. Who could imagined that they would have this level of autonomy in second grade!

Our voicethread is below:

GT Wiki

I'm not sure how many of you are aware that our GT liaisons have created an amazing wiki with all kinds of useful tools, article and lessons around teaching Gifted and Talented students. If you're interested in this resource, it can be found here. It is constantly being updated (although, perhaps not too much during the summer), so check back frequently for new information. Also, please share if you have something you've used with your high achieving students--a lesson, a strategy--whatever! We are always looking to expand the wiki to be more useful for all subject areas and grade levels. Please also comment if there is something you are looking for and cannot find. We are also in need of feedback on how to make it better.

Thanks!

http://adams14gtresources.wikispaces.com/

Virtual Labs

During our 6th grade plant and animal unit I ran across a virtual photosynthesis lab Virtual Plant Lab
that I was able to use with quite a bit of success with my 6th graders.  It was a great way to allow students to make predictions and get investigate the properties of light and their impact on plant growth.  I started this lesson by building a notebook file that essentially walked them through the key components of the scientific method.  As a class we worked from a testable question to a hypothesis and finally into the actual experiment.

I had the students work in pairs on laptops to setup the lab and collect data.  We graphed the data in class and wrote up an analysis of the lab when we were finished.

I also set up a blog entry on my collaborative blog to allow students to post their reflections and feedback on the lab when they had finished collecting an analyzing data.  The blog entry is here Reflections on Light.


I only had a few groups get to the point of being able to post, but I feel that the entire experience was very worthwhile and is definitely something I would like to continue to do in the future. 

Voki

Where have I been? I finally tried a voki with a few students. Not only was it so easy but they loved it! Our last district writing prompt for the year was to explain about 3rd grade. It was interesting. I loved reading what they wrote! I chose two exemplars to turn into vokis as a trial run. I loved it and now that I know how easy they are I plan on using it more next year! Check out the two on my blog www.mssealysclass@blogspot.com

thanks global learners !

Hi all. As I retire from ACSD14 after 20 years, I would like to acknowledge and thank all global learners for their contributions and collaboration. I would especially like to thank Joe Miller, Dave Tarwater and Kelly Berry for their leadership! Good luck to all of you. See you in cyberspace!

Doug

Hello there everyone... I'm a little late on my April post... but here goes...

My fifth grade students made a sight word video for my younger students the week before spring break! They had a blast using the document camera and windows movie maker to make the video! They made all their own props and recorded all by themselves after I modeled for them. Here's a sneak peek:

What kind of technology should students use at each grade level?

About a week ago, at Global Learning Professional Development we discussed what kinds of technology we would like to see used at each grade level.

For kindergarten we would like to see students being able to use the two types of mice-desktop and laptop.Students should be able to collaborate and create(with teacher) digital story, voice threads, and a digital story. We want students to know how to navigate forwards and backwards on slide-show or web page, be able to close documents, and be able double click.

Every grade level would build upon the previous year. Just imagine what students will be able to do if they start using technology in kindergarten!

We are hoping that if we begin exposing our students to technology at such a young age that they will be proficient or advanced at using 21st century technology by the time they finish high school!