Thing 8 Looking at the tools

I am so excited about using the netbooks next year. I love the fact that we will have web cams so kids can actually collaborate via skype with pen pals or take pictures to create projects. I think managing the set up of my students loggins will be a bit difficult but once it's done we will be ready to dig in a use it as much as possible. I'm also excited to have the iTouches, which student's will use to review target skills on different content areas.
I will incorporate the iTouches in my literacy stations, bilingual and math stations. Students will be in a rotation in each center, if a student does not use the iTouch in a literacy station they will have the opportunity to use it in a bilingual or math station. My goal if for all students to use the devices at least 4 times a week in any given station. In the beginning of the school year I need to go over routines, how to take care of the devices and create a rotation of monitors who will be in charge of connecting them in the morning and disconnecting them in the afternoon. I think having all kids become a technology manager will be great so they can all learn how to use them and care for the devices. I'm trilled to have them and cant wait to use them with my kids.

THING 7

Every year we do a unit on Ancient Egypt. Kid's lean about the ancient traditions, beliefs system, foods, way of life and language. This year I will have my students learn about modern day Egypt. I will like for my student's to learn about a different culture. I would really like to find a classroom in Egypt to share cultural information with, and have each of my students keep a pen pal from that country.

Content Objective: TSW participate in a pen pal Egyptian project by communicating via skype with pen pal of choice.
Implementation date: Spring 2011
Tools: skype, google docs, I touches and youtube
Each of my student's will chose a student from Egypt to become their pen pal. Students will use skype, google docs, I touches and youtube to interact, share experiences and information about their cultures. My students will compare their culture with that of their pen pal and obtain information about: How they live, their beliefs, celebrations, food, and language, and school. Students will send messages and ask questions via skype, and using a survey develop from google docs student's will answer question about favorite foods, celebrations, books, sports ext..
I need to contact a teacher that would like to participate in this project. In addtion I need to teach my students how to use all tools mention, therefore they can become familiar with the tools and enjoy communicating and learning about Egypt.

Thing 6

I created a teacher skype account in which I will use it to communicate with other teachers, share ideas and create class projects. My students can have pen pals from other countries and learn about different cultures, their food, beliefs and languages. I would like for my students to have pen pals from Egypt, since we do a unit on Ancient Egypt. I am really looking forward to using this tool with my students and another class somewhere in the world. For some reason I could not link the URL from my skpe account. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can link it? I tried to link it from my posting by clicking the Link icon and copying the URL, BUT IT DID NOT WORK!


I created a wallwisher which I will be using to communicate with parents and students after school. Students will use it as part of their homework in which they can answer questions posted on the wall. They can used it as stick notes with projects or work that needs to be done at home. My first wall post is "Give me examples of Good citizens in your community".

Thing 5

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

My students will love using this tool, creating their own animoto videos on units of study. Even using them as an introduction to a new unit will be great in my classroom. Kids can create insect videos, solids, liquids and gases, or even U.S symbols videos. Just click on the animoto link you need to type your information and a password. Try to post pictures to your my picture file and post them to create the video. Add music, you have many choices to choose from. Do not pay extra, just make the free video. Great tool to use!!




http://storybird.com/storymaker/?storefront_slug=hidenseek
I tried to create a story using the images from storybird. I created a story but it froze and I could not save it. It's a great tool to use with my 1st graders, they can create a story, look at story elements, use beginning, middle end and create story arcs. I'll be using it as a literacy station, but for some reason when I tried to save it did not save, it froze. The saving process takes for ever!!

Thing 4

I finally created a Google Doc for beginning of year parent homework letter.  This is a great tool to use with my teammates when sharing documents and helping each other  edit them.  It's so neat to have someone revise and edit my document on real-time chat.  I'm very excited to use this tool with my students especially when we do the writing unit on editing our stories. For sure I will use the forms with my student parents by using the parent survey for the beginning of school.

Tool 3

Great I just finished tool 3, for those of  you it's easy to do.  Just go to teacher tube and find 2 videos on subject you might be teaching.  Once you find it copy the embeded code which is at the bottom right hand side and right click copy.  Then go to your blog and post it by right click paste.  Once you view your blog you can see the videos.  I'll be using them for the beginning of the year with my kids.  I like the vivid photographs for them to see, and they can be used as one lesson on the 5 senses.  As far as copy right laws  I am so glad I can publish content to a secure location with in the network and create and use any types of products just as long as I do not copy anything to the general public.

WOW!! This was hard to do, Picasa did not work for me we tried and tried finally the picture uploaded.  I can certainly use this with my kids when creating a class project in which they can search for pictures and  upload them.  I can use it as a 5 senses project were they can upload pictures and describe what sense they will use with this picture (see, smell) if they had a flower.