First blog with my math students

I just had my math students blog for the first time this Tuesday. Part of this was to introduce themselves to Mr. Abshire's students, and part of this was to answer prompts tailored to their classes that I posted. You can find these at http://macmathclass.blogspot.com . I learned a good deal about what works and what to do better next time. I talked with Doug Abshire about this before and he clued me in to how to turn on and off comment moderation. I decided to leave it off and have students post as anonymous, but leave their first name and last initial in the post. I then turned comment moderation on after the class. Next time, I would give the students more direction and examples of excellent work. Some students did a great job of answering the question thoroughly, but I was not explicit with what I wanted and I therefore got many responses that were extremely short and relatively pointless. I read the posts that Mr. Abshire's students left and they were more what I was looking for. He told me later that he gave the students examples of what he was looking for. So, I learned the hard way that my students will give me just what I ask for, and if I want more I need to be very specific. I graded this initial post as by full credit for a post and no credit for not posting. Looking on the global learner blog, I notice that others have come up with a rubric for blog postings. I intend on being more specific and using a rubric next time.

A Shocking Realization From our Book Blog Project

Students from my fourth grade reading class and third graders from Emily Taylor's class got a chance to "talk" about books using our book blogs. Students from the respective classes read books and posted reviews of them to our blogs. Then, they viewed each other's blogs and made comments about the reviews. At least is how it would have gone if I wouldn't have had "comments" blocked! :) You can see our lesson plans at http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcvnqm3z_14m6bqptff .

But it was a great experience anyway. One thing that I found is that as a whole, Central's students seem to be getting less computer literate than they were two years ago. Since I have students from all four of Central's fourth grade rooms in my reading class, I was somewhat shocked at the amount of time I spent just going over computer basics before we could get to our project. I understand ( I guess) that we don't have the funding for computers as a special anymore, but it is sad to see the impact it is having on our students as "21st Century learners". I think one thing that could slow the computer lit. regression for our students would be to get laptops for all teachers. That way, teachers could consistently be using projectors to model computer use. I have also made it one of my personal/professional goals to consistenly and intentionally use technology with students I have from other classes. In that way, I am hoping to fuel the technology flame from classroom to classroom. I think it is easier and less scary to try new tech when your students have been exposed to it. I know when I was trying to figure out the SmartBoard last year it was extremely helpful that my students already knew more than I did about it from using it once a week with our Math and Technology specialist (Andrew Palmer). When I got stuck the kids would just tell me what to do! :)

Please visit our book blog at http://www.4hughes.blogspot.com/ .

"keepvid.com" to download streaming videos

Hi all Here is a neat tool to download streaming videos that might not normally be downloadable (unless using camtasia or other screen capture programs). Instead of embedding a link to a youtube.com video etc, try this. Its free and works well. Doug

www.keepvid.com

Here is a video showing you how easy it is to use...

And a blog post with more info...

Also worth checking out is real player 11 which can download videos too. Click here for more info.

PS the blog http://tipsandtricks-vista.blogspot.com referenced above is worth rss...ing

"initial reflection on a collaboration project"

Hi all. Christine Mac (ACHS math) and I (ACHS science) have decided to create a collaborative blog between students in her 11/12th math grade classes and my higher math ability 9th grade science students. Today 60+ of her students wrote a short introductory statement while 10 of mine did also.

Our goals will to be:

1. create an electronic dialogue where students of similar math abilities may help each other explore math applications in real life.
2. pair up students from both classes to assist in solving homework / content type problems.
3. allow the teachers to gain skill and experience in other web 2.0 tools applicable to this project such as voicethread, wizIQ, video podcasting etc.

Although we just started this, we are excited about the opportunity to work together and to engage our students with collaborative interactions. The blog is / will be located at http://macmathclass.blogspot.com/ and we encourage you to check back every few weeks as it develops and as we gain experience in utilizing this approach between our classes.

On behalf of Christine and myself, thanks for your time and attention.

Doug Abshire

SmartBoard Vocab Lesson

I want to show you a great activity that I found that uses the SmartBoard and Wordle to teach and reinforce word meanings. I found it on "Teachers Love SmartBoards", a blog that highlights resources and games that you can use in your classroom. I think this game addresses several of the "Cornerstones of Good Vocabulary Instruction" from this post. The video shows how to create it for yourself. Links to the SIOP lesson, the Notebook file and a worksheet to go with the game are on the Global Learners Wiki. We played it at literacy night and it was a big hit.

Technological Lesson Plan - November - Flash-Driven Gallery Walks

Hi all,

Hope everyone is getting ready to enjoy their break.

It's interesting; incorporating technology into the classroom has become such an integral part of my planning over the past year. I often find myself experimenting with older and proven methods by adding a technological "tweak" to my thinking.

To get my students to move, I have created a series of "Flash-Driven Gallery Walks." I break the students into smaller groups (around 5) and I assign them a specific topic as governed by the district standards. I'll use 7th Grade Language Arts:

(3.f) Use complex punctuation (e.g., commas, colons, semicolons, quotation marks, hyphens, end marks) with greater precision

I make sure that each group has a computer and will then assign the group a specific advanced punctuation mark with a few basic guidelines as to what they should include (exemplars, definitions, clarification, different uses). The groups have time to use the internet and their books for research and find examples as to how exactly their specified mark is used. They create a quick PowerPoint Presentation on their assigned punctuation mark. Once they are finished, we begin a group rotation from computer to computer. Each group has several minutes to watch each presentation and then move on to the next. They take a "scavenger sheet" and fill out the information as they go. I look over the sheets and ask each student to provide their own examples of each mark. I collect these and check for comprehension.

I have frequently let students who are already proficient in the assignment stay on their computer and lead the presentations themselves as the rest of the class rotates. Great opportunity for student-to-student teaching opps.

This is a versatile plan that could be incorporated and adjusted to suit your needs.

I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving; get lots of rest and enjoy your loved ones.

Justin

Virtual Sub Plans

Because of things going on in my family, I had to leave for home at the last minute and didn't know when I'd have time to complete sub plans. So I left the sub a brief note and the site of my blog, telling her to have the kids go to the blog for further instructions. I was then able to update my plans and clearly think them out once I had arrived safely back in Michigan. Because we are all so interconnected through Web 2.0, I realize that my classroom can come with me, even to Michigan. Just because I am not physically in my classroom with my students, does not mean I cannot still alter lesson plans and make adjustments as needed.

So my students will go to my blog today and tomorrow, where I have posted the lesson plans, instructions, slides to view, and reminders. My students also know that they can get in touch with me through our gaggle.net email accounts. This gives me confidence while I'm away that the lessons are still being carried out. The students have been empowered because I have given the lesson plans to THEM, and not just the substitute teacher. I hope this will help students to take more ownership for the work they create. Check out my blog if you are curious about what they are doing. Thanks!

WIZIQ

I was just going to post this on my blog I share with my mentor, but I thought everyone might benefit from what I learned as well.

About a month ago, Wesley and I tried to have a web conference with our students using WIZIQ. Being the (non)technology expert that I am, it wouldn't surprise you that we weren't completely successful. Surprisingly, our students were very a patient and captured audience. Wesley and I wanted to give it another shot and have been planning at another go. Wesley wrote about our attempt in our shared blog and our technology gurus came to the rescue.

Last Wednesday Dave Tarwater joined Wesley and I after school to fine tune our WIZIQ skills with a couple practice sessions. Here are some things that I learned that I thought might be helpful for you as well.

When webconferencing on WIZIQ:
*use Internet Explorer instead of Mozilla Firefox
*close all other applications to ensure best quality picture and speed
*connect your webcam before starting your session
*make sure to have searched for and installed all webcam updates before your session
*you can embed YouTube videos into your conference!!! (only YouTube)
*WIZIQ records your webconference session (audio and visual) and stores it for you to watch and/or use again (for up to 3 months I believe)
*and lastly, don't leave your soda in front of the projector fan! It gets warm and yucky :(

Wesley and I will be giving our webconferencing another shot the first week of December and I'm sure it will work magnificent this time! Thanks Dave!

Playing Catch up

On this past Monday, we had a teacher work day and I offered to help a colleague set up their smartboard, projector, and laptop. I had been going on and on about how sweet it was and how use full it will be. I helped them get it working and showed some ways I used the smartboard and I was told that they do not see using this very often and that they give it a C. How do you encourage those who are not easily interested in technology that it is worth it?

Smartboard Galleries

The other day I was trying to explain why you cannot combine (through addition and subtraction) terms in an algebraic expression with different variables or different exponents. My students were just not getting it, and I was faced with the frustration that only math can foster in students' attitudes. I then remembered that there were some algebra tiles in the smartboard gallery. I popped those on the screen so that the equation was not just numbers and letters, but tiles of different colors and sizes. The students could then clearly see that x squared can't go with x, they are different. Thank the lord for smartboard!

"read to feed" a student initiated solution to poverty

Over the past few weeks, my 9th grade science students have raised their awareness on the global issue of poverty. This has been an ongoing activity to support the IB MYP criterion "One World" which will ultimately lead to 9/10 science

• to describe ways in which science is applied and used
• to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of the application of science
• to discuss the ethical and moral issues arising from the application of science
• to discuss how the study and practice of science is subject to cultural influences
• to understand how the various science disciplines interact and how science in general relates to other disciplines
• to treat science as a cooperative activity

With thanks to Teri Dahn, librarian at ACHS, we have been invited to join AVID classes to participate in the "Read to Feed" program. Teri has been the "anchor" for this program over the past few years and has been instrumental in its success! I am excited to join her in this endeavor.

The "read to feed" program supports the heifer.org program by having students read selected books and obtain sponsorship of (at a minimum) a penny a page read. The money collected will go to the heifer international organization which will purchase livestock and/or plants to create a sustainable economy at the family / village economic level.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From Wikipedia.org

"The"Heifer International is a nonprofit charitable organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas, dedicated to relieving global hunger and poverty. It provides gifts of livestock and plants, as well as education in sustainable agriculture, to financially-disadvantaged families around the world.

Today the organization gives gifts of cattle, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs, honeybees, pigs, llamas, water buffalo, camels, alpacas, yaks, horses, chicks, ducks, goats, geese, fish, other regionally
appropriate livestock, as well as tree seedlings. As of 2006, these animals and plants have been distributed in more than 125 countries around the globe. Each gift perpetuates Heifer's interest in agroecology and sustainability.

Heifer International is mainly funded by alternative giving: Donors may purchase "shares" of a gift or pay for an entire animal. Heifer International's listed price includes the purchase price of the animal itself, as well as the cost of its veterinary care and transport to the village. The recipient family's training in animal husbandry, sustainable agriculture techniques and business practices are also rolled into the listed price.

Today, rather than shipping animals overseas, the organization purchases them in the country they are destined for. This puts money into the local economy, reduces transportation costs and promotes better health for the animals because they are already accustomed to the local climate, food and diseases.

Heifer International works to ensure that the gift of each animal will eventually help an entire community to become self-sustaining. Animals such as goats, water buffalo and camels are "seven M" animals: they provide meat, milk, muscle, manure, money, materials and motivation. Once its immediate needs have been met, a family is free to sell any excess at market. Heifer International provides a breeding animal along with the gift animal so that it can produce offspring. Participating families are required to "pass on the gift", that is: they must give at least one of the female offspring to a neighbor who has undergone Heifer's training. In time, that neighbor will pass along one of the offspring of its animal, and so on."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

On behalf of my students, I am soliciting your support in the "read to feed" program. If you are interested in sponsoring one (or more) of my students for a minimum of a penny a page read, please email me at doug.abshire@gmail.com for details.

Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter.

Happy Thanksgiving!

(and remember that there are more than a billion people who will be without…)

Doug

PS Previous student blog activity can be viewed here

_________________________________

Diigo Educator Accounts

In our training, we discussed social bookmarking sites. Some of us have Delicious accounts and some have Diigo accounts. (I have a Diigo account.) Diigo has just announced educator accounts. From the announcement below, it looks like they have payed special attention to creating a platform for class and student Diigo accounts.
Diigo educator accounts

Student blogging

Everytime I think that technology may be too far advanced for young elementary students I find something contradictory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkefDQDAPHQ

What great things students can do when we give them the resources!

Room24 Leadership Summit

Global Learners, we have been learning all about leadership in Room24 at Alsup in the fourth grade! Now it is time for our second annual Leadership Summit on December 5th from 10:00 to 11:30.

The Leadership Summit is a chance for fourth graders to reflect on what it means to be a leader. They will be reflecting on these four questions:

1. What qualities to leaders have?
2. What problems exist in my school or community that could be solved if I were a leader?
3. What obstacles stand in my way that prevent me from being a leader?
4. What goals can I set for myself to get past these obstacles?

We need your involvement! Here's how:
We will present the answers to these questions on December 5th in three ways. First, we will publish them on the room24 blog. The questions will be posted and students will be commenting. You can comment too. Second, we will Tweet them (follow room24). What is Twitter? It is a way for students to respond online through 140 character "micro-blogs". We will also invite anyone to join us in a live conversation via WiziQ where participants can address these questions themselves, thinking about themselves when they were young, giving advice to Room24 or sharing a story of a great student leader. Sign up for this free session here.

We look forward to sharing all that we have learned. --Jeff

More time?!?!

This title would seem to be quite appropriate once you all realize this is one of the first posts of the year. I cannot believe that it is November already! It feels like we were just sitting in summer training with all of our wonderful plans and ideas we were going to implement in our classrooms. We were eager, excited and full of energy.

Now, I still have many great ideas- but all of them are quickly followed by "When??" When will I be able to take time out of my already paced curriculum to create and use these technology projects?

YES, I understand that technology is supplementary to the learning in the classroom, but what if we could make it more of the core? What if I could create more engaging, constructivist-based learning using more technology and less mandated curriculum? Would that be less appropriate for my students? Would I spend my eternity in an extremely warm location?

... I suppose I will soon find out.

Connections

I am currently working on my Masters through an entirely online program. My current course is Integrating Technology in the Classroom. It has provided some great crossover for me and I have talked about Global Learners and trainings and discussions many times. Now it’s time to share with you some of what my class has been discussing. We began by looking at a recent set of articles about Classroom 2.0 where leaders weigh in on opposite sides of the issue. The blog is on the Encyclopedia Britannica Blog. Among the points raised by classmates were teaching students to search for reliable sources online and notice bias on the internet, access to the internet by our students’ families, teacher webpages, and technology for the sake of technology. The biggest discussion centered around teachers learning, embracing, or resisting Classroom 2.0. Obviously this is a topic dear to our hearts. Many people agreed that teachers need time to play with technology and be trained and supported in that technology before it can be expected for them to infuse it in their teaching. We found that younger teachers are often quick to embrace and learn new technology because it mirrors their outside lives. Of course, we know that more experienced teachers, given time and opportunity can also become Classroom 2.0 leaders, but there are many who are quite reluctant. It has been helpful to see a group of educators from a diverse set of populations struggle with the same difficulties we have discussed here in Commerce City.

Podcast on Google Site

Hey all,

Most of you likely know this, but I was trying to figure out a way to get a podcast on my Google Site. The easiest way I've found is just to convert it into an MP3 and attach the file at the bottom of the page you want the MP3 to appear on.

Any different ways?

http://sites.google.com/site/mrdavisclassroom/Home

Effective Vocabulary Instruction

Greetings Global Learners!

I've had the opportunity to serve dual roles as a global learner and a STAR teacher. One of the focuses (besides, of course, technology) is vocabulary instruction and building background. I've used the SmartBOARD now consistently for giving my first time vocabulary instruction a "kick," and since this is one of the focuses of the recently implemented district strategies plan, I figured I would attempt to serve as a liaison between the two programs and talk a little bit about what I do.

We had Jane E. Nelson-MacColl present on the "Cornerstones of Good Vocabulary Instruction." Here are a few tips that she shares...

• Vocabulary instruction MUST be intentional and systematic
• Choose vocabulary words thoughtfully
• Teach students a process for learning new words
• Provide students with a system of keeping track of the words they've learned
• Collect evidence to indicate what students have learned
• Model higher-level vocabulary on a daily basis

From a technological standpoint...generally, I deal with about ten formal vocabulary words a week. A break these into several five minute mini-lessons throughout the week and create PowerPoint presentations that start with the word itself, usually in WORD ART format. I then show a series of pictures or videos without the definition. Each new picture reinforces the older one and allows students to place in context to figure out what they mean. I then give them a few formal definitions and we lead discussion, build examples, etc.

What vocabulary ideas do you have and use? How do you incorporate technology into the mix?

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts and sharing them with STAR teachers.

UPDATE - Kidspiration Math Project

First grade students are amazing! At least 15 students successfully completed the previously discussed KidSpiration Project. (They were donut makers and had to make enough donuts to feed their customers. Then they rolled two number cubes to find out how many actual customers they had. Finally, using subtraction students figured out how many donuts they had for the next day!)

Positives: student collaboration, critical thinking, motor skills, and a mountain of other skills applied by students.

Challenge(not a lot): The template boxes changed or moved, saving to a central drive (working with tech. services on this.)

The positives far out weigh the negatives. It was a great experience for everyone and we'll be coming up with more!

Global Education Collaborative

Hi, everyone. Just found out about a site that might be worth getting involved in: the Global Education Collaborative. I signed up for it just a few minutes ago, so I haven't really scoped it out yet, but it seems right up our collective alley. The sign up is free, and the district filters don't block it out, so that's a plus. I think it definitely holds some real potential for us! :-)

textthemob.com

No offense Regina...but I really like going to Roller Doll matches to watch the textthemob screen. Its great! The premise is the the audience can text messages that appear on a huge screen in the arena. Most nights some unsuspecting dude stands in front of the screen while people send messages about him.

I walked into first block on Monday -- 7:15 AM.
"Everyone take out your cell phones or go sit by someone who has one"

Odd glances went across the room as they TIMIDLY pulled out their devices that were previously banned!

"Tell me what you know about the Design Cycle"

I had them post their thoughts by texting them to the specified address.

It was a great success! I had students who are typically quiet respond to the question. While I only had three responses. They really enjoyed it!

I can see that if they had a couple of more times to practice more people would have been more successful, they would have been quicker and I believe they would start responding to one another!

They were really engaged .... I can see this as a great opportunity for secondary teachers!

Why is education important?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A recent assignment in my 9th grade science class is as follows:

In terms of our ongoing dialogue about poverty and as part of the "through" for today, your assignment is to complete an 11 sentence paragraph 'template" and then write out the 11 sentence paragraph and publish it as a comment to this post.

Consider this quote to guide you:

"Think about it: Every educated person is not rich, but almost every education person has a job and a way out of poverty. So education is a fundamental solution to poverty.
-- Governor Kathleen Blanco "

Your prompt is "Why is education important?

Below are some excerpts from the students comments. The complete post / comment section can found here. Some are a bit rough in terms of literacy but all are heart-felt.

Sometimes we (I) don't think that our students are aware of or appreciative of their educational opportunities.

But they do & are!

Thanks, Doug

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Education is important because it's the best long- term solution to poverty.

Without an education the whole world would be in trouble and have a hard life. Education is what keeps the world going because we use our knowledge and education.

When kids are not attending school the are not getting there education correctly.In some places kids dont get the chance at an education or even to attend school

Sometimes people focus more on educating the boys that the girls.

Education is consideed a vaccine for hiv/aids. If people don't know what these deseases are they can't avoid it.

Education i important because if you dont have an education you wont get anywhare in life. You wont have a good job and you will have no money

If every single person in the world had an education we woulden't have to worry about world huinger. Education is also the key to world hunger because with education we can use it and camoe up with a solution.

With education we can make a difference in this world.

Education is important because it help you get a career that will pay you enough to support a family…

I think the education is important, because some people or girls don't get a chance to go to school. About 113 million kids can't go to school…


…education is good so that you can teach others your knowledge. It is good for others to know so that we keep it going

Education is important because kids are the future and they need to be educated…

Education is also important because it helps get rid of the boundary of boys vs girls. Both genders are the futures of the world, but without education, especailly to girls, it'll make one gender look weaker to the other, when they're nearly the same…

Education is important because its the best way to earn money, get into college, and get a good job. If you have a really good education you can get good money

Families that are deep in poverty often find it difficult to send their children to school.

Education is very important all around the world because it can give you three things that everyone wants,respect, knowlege,and a life with no darfur in it

education is important because it can take you further not only persmnal but wisely, the more you educate your self the better person you'll be and by that you can help others arround you too

Education also helps people get equal rights.

Why is education important? Education is key to economic advancement. Having the basic skill of literacy contributes to helping reduce poverty

Education is important because it helps kids get through life when they are older.

Education is important because it helps you be aware of what happens in daily life

Education is important because you can learn necessities, improve literacy, and even improve health. Education helps one learn

Education improves health. By going to school one recieves nutrients otherwise not obtained.

If the majority of the world is educated then there will be more minds working together to solve problems on Earth

every year a kid goes to school it increases their salery by 10 percent. indeed education is very important to every person.

Education is important a lot everywhere because it helps you learn, survive and teaches you to survive.

Not to mention, more of our youth needs health to have knowledge. Education is important because it helps get you through life and also to make it easier.

Knowledge is power! The more you know about diseases, the more likely you are of preventing them. Getting an education will benefit you into being healthy and not making bad choices.

People who are adapt to their enviroment know what is wrong and what they can do, so if they are educated, they can help.

Education is important because we can all better our health and other features that can aid us in becoming all that we can be.

The UN says that every one in the world has the right to an education. Over 1 billion adults in developing countries lack the basic skill of literacy. Education is important because it could help create more jobs and improve the economy in a developing country.

Education is so important because you could communicate with the world by reading and you could be someone on the world or even change the world.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Game On Man!!!

I think it is vital to be well informed about the technology the students are using. I have compiled a list of the most popular and best games for most console systems. You would be amazed at the level of student engagement when you begin to drop those critical references and show your mastery of gaming technology. Let the games begin!
Atari 2600
Pac-Man
Pitfall!
Intellivision
Las Vegas Poker & Blackjack
Astrosmash
Xbox
Halo 2
Fable
KOTOR
Grand Theft Auto Double Pack
Xbox 360
Gears of War
Assassin's Creed
Madden NFL 07
Ninja Gaiden II
Nintendo Entertainment System
Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Mario Bros.
The Legend of Zelda
Metal Gear
Metroid
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Mario Kart
Street Fighter II
NBA Jam
Nintendo 64
GoldenEye 007
Star Fox 64
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
WWF WrestleMania 2000
Nintendo GameCube
Metroid Prime
Pokémon Colosseum
Resident Evil 4
Soulcalibur II
Star Fox Adventures
Mario Party 6
Wii
Wii Fit
Wii Bowling
Wii Tennis
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Game Party
Game Boy Advance
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
Frogger's Adventures: Temple of the Frog
Finding Nemo
Sonic Advance
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Nintendo DS
Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!
Mario Kart DS
English Training: Have Fun Improving Your Skills!
High School Musical: Makin' the Cut!
Sega Dreamcast
Soulcalibur
Crazy Taxi
PlayStation
Gran Turismo
Tomb Raider II
Metal Gear Solid
Crash Team Racing
PlayStation 2
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Ratchet & Clank
God of War
SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs
Tony Hawk Underground
Resident Evil 4
Mortal Kombat
Guitar Hero
The Sims
Dance Dance Revolution Extreme
PlayStation 3
Resistance: Fall of Man
NHL ‘09
Bio Shock
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Heavenly Sword
PC
The Sims
World of Warcraft
Doom 3
EverQuest I,II
Battlefield 1942
Civilization III
Quake
Railroad Tycoon II

Great Educational Technology Website

As the school year has gone on, I've found, once again, the hardest thing for me has become finding the time to plan for and successfully integrate Educational Technology into the curriculum. I have found a website, Education World that has many of the same kinds of ideas I had in mind already started for me. Much of the planning and organizing part of each lesson can be found here, and it can be changed however I need it to fit. It's been a great tool for my 5th graders in finding WebQuests, Templates, Educational Websites, Worksheets to print, etc. As an example, I am planning on using this Thanksgiving WebQuest as a Writing Center. There are many other great activities much like this one.

Collaborative Book Reviews

Fourth graders at Central and third graders at Alsup created book reviews, posted them on blogs and read book reviews written by other students. They left comments for each other, read comments left to them, and left comments to respond to those left for them.

This was my first collaborative Global Learners project with Kathy Hughes who teaches fourth grade at Central. We kept it relatively simple for our first project. We decided to focus on reading and student blogging.

My students were really excited about blogging! They loved using the laptops, reading book reviews, reading comments, and leaving comments for each other. They also learned a lot about blog etiquette. Students wrote interesting, thoughtful comments to each other and responded well to comments left for them. It was a good project to start with, not being too complex, and incorporating reading and writing skills. It took longer than we planned and because the third graders were not able to leave comments for the fourth graders until the blog was adjusted and it took students a long time when using the computers for the first time for a project like this.

Throughout the rest of this school year students will be completing more book reviews to be posted online. The classes can continue to read each other’s book reviews and leave each other comments. Please visit our blogs and leave us comments, or visit with your students! We'd love to get more comments about our book reviews!

Alsup Third Grade Book Groups
Central Elementary Book Reviews
Lesson Plan

Comments Needed!

Hello All,

Please check out my blog and comment on the post about diversity, our nation, and the elections. We need as many points of view and perspectives as possible in order to facilitate a meaningful discussion for our unit. The post is titled "United We Stand..." Thanks!

Kidspiration and Word Problems

Addition and Subtraction are the main math GLET's for first grade from September through November. I have regrouped my math students with another teacher from my grade-level. She has experience with touch-math and has agreed to take students who need more assistance. I have the kids who "get" math and need further practice in mathematical fluency, word problems, and place value.

I struggled in the beginning of our regrouping with what to teach these students so that they would not become bored. Here is a project we're working on:

I have made a kidspiration template which allows students to create their own word problems. The file begins with students creating enough muffins for the day (15). Then they roll two number cubes to find their customers. Finally, they figure out how many muffins they have left over. They work through green, yellow and red boxes to fill in the missing word problem pieces. Ultimately, they will work on changing every aspect of their "real life" word problem!



I have spoken with tech services to get permission (and a file) to upload my template to a server so my students can access it on all computers. As soon as we work through the projects, I will post the results. We had a technical glitch last week, so this week I'm hoping students can complete at least one problem in groups of two! Sorry about the picture (The green box doesn't show and yellow is the mustard color). I'm happy to forward the template to anyone interested.

Xtranormal Storytelling

Just found Xtranormal on Twitter (from @NikPeachey) and made this movie in about 30 minutes with their "text to movie" feature. The movies are very simple to make which is good for younger students, but don't have a ton of options like Photostory. Xtranormal reminds me of a more complex voki and it is free, for now. It could be an interesting way to put instructions for students on a website or wiki. I tried it on my class wiki here.


By the way, Twitter is so great for finding these kinds of tools. I am following about 90 people on my personal account, mostly educators, so there are lots opportunities to hear what people are doing in their classrooms. And, since twitter is only 140 characters, people are much more likely to share ideas they might not otherwise blog about. I think I get more ideas from Twitter than just about any other resource.