Week 5: Tune into Technology

I'm back for a fifth installment of Tune into Technology hosted by iTeach1:1 and Learning to the Core.

Organizing Key Areas of Technology

Laptop/Doc Camera/iPads- My district has slowly been trying to increase technology within our classrooms.  WAHOO!  To store these devices, the district purchased the black cart featured below.  The bottom of the cart has a great open space for locking up technology, but it's not ideal for keeping it organized. 

Enter...Pinterest!

This would be perfect for the bottom of the black cart so that every iPad would have a proper place to be stored.

Headphones- At first, I had students keeping headphones in Ziploc bags with their student number on them.  By the end of the year, the numbers had faded and the headphone bin had exploded.

Enter Pinterest!

This was a huge success this year and everyone was able to find their headphones even on the last day of school!

Managing Technology

Designated Time- Ideally, my students spend most of their time using technology during literacy stations.  Therefore, I've designated that certain stations will use an iPad to complete their task.  Just by doing this alone, I've eliminated the race for an iPad.  

Colored Cases- Each iPad in my room has a different colored case.  This is a great way for students to keep track of what iPad they were working on.  The only time that this is a problem is when we've had to lend our iPads out.  The district purchased the same colored cases for each teacher.  Therefore, I solved that problem by taking a picture of the nameplate above my classroom door to help ensure that our iPads make a safe return.

Enjoy,

iPad Giveaway-TCR

I was reading my Bloglovin entries yesterday when I stumbled across a post about Teacher Created Resource holding a

Back to School iPad Giveaway!!! 

For the life of me, I can't recall whose blog that I found it on, but I thought that I would share because who doesn't love a giveaway and the chance to win some technology!

Click Here... to enter the giveaway and you just might WIN an iPad for yourself and a friend!

Good luck,

Week 3: Tune into Technology

It's Thursday and it's time for Round 3 of Tune into Technology with iTeach1:1 and Learning to the Core.

iPad...oh iPad, what did I ever do before you?  Its officially been a year since I was first introduce to an iPad.  I know...can you believe it?  Last year, our district decide to offer us a teacher iPad to practice on over the summer.  In the fall, they added three more iPads to our classroom and I instantly fell in love.  I can't even understand how I was "tech-savy" before.

Here's some of my favorite apps that I use in the classroom regularly...

Background: Yellow and Blue Scribble

Enjoy,

Week 2: Tune into Technology

I know, I know, it's not Thursday, but it's the first chance that I've had to sit down and focus on my blog.  I'm liking up with iTeach1:1 and Learning to the Core for a second week of integrating technology.  Here it goes....

Week 2 Theme: Integrating Technology into Math

Here's two easy ways to integrate technology into your daily math:

1. Sumdog - I've talked about Sumdog earlier and it's one of the easiest ways to incorporate technology into math.  I've been using Sumdog as a tool for summer math practice, but I'm excited to have my new students use Sumdog during the school year as a math station.

2. ShowMe Interactive Whiteboard- It's Monday morning and you're fresh off the weekend only to discover that you have a student with not one, but two broken wrists.  What are you to do?  Don't laugh....it happened!  Enter the app, ShowMe.  I had the student use the ShowMe to complete our math lessons without missing a beat.  He enjoyed using the app and so did the rest of the class too!  They loved the fact that they could write on the iPad and have it appear on our projector.

Enjoy,

Tune Into Technology: Integrating Technology into Reading

I'm linking up with iTeach 1:1 and Learning to the Core to share some exciting ways of incorporating technology into your classroom.

Week 1 Theme: Integrating Technology into Reading

For reading, I use the guided reading format in which the students are either reading with me for 30 minutes or they're at a literacy based station for 30 minutes.  

Top 5 Ways to Integrate Technology into Reading-

Literacy Station Style

1. Edmodo (Technology Station)

It's the safe, school version of Facebook allowing students to post questions, comment on questions within their feed and even message the teacher directly.  We use Edmodo to post our reaction to our latest read aloud book.

2. Spelling City (Word Work Station)

I use Spelling City to personalize spelling lists for students who may need additional practice.  This has been a excellent tool to use when trying to differentiate for the needs of my students.

3. BrainPOP (Research Station)

Love it and so does my class!  My students watch the featured video (which changes daily) and follow-up with a summarizing activity in their Literacy Notebook.  It's so exciting to see their responses because BrainPOP offers high-interest topics that the kids love! 

4. National Geographic Kids (Research Station)

Similar to BrainPOP, my students use the National Geographic Kids to watch high-interest videos on a topic of their choice.  Before watching the video, students make predictions and summarize their factual findings at the end.  

5. Google Drive (W.E.B. [We Enjoy Books] & Response Station) 

This spring, I was lucky enough to pilot Google Drive with my class.  Students created a Google account that allowed them access to only Google Drive.  (This was thanks to the technology department within my district.)  The students used Google Drive to work on their typing skills by sharing their weekly literacy response with me.  This was a huge hit and I can't wait to get it up and rolling again in the fall.  

Join the fun and link up to share your ideas! 

Enjoy,

Sumdog

With summer quickly approaching, I was on the hunt for ideas for summer practice for my kiddos. My best friend, Christy (who happens to be a third grade teacher), recommend the website Sumdog.  I had never heard about it before so I decided to check it out and see what it's all about.

Here's what I've found:

1. It offers fun and exciting games that kids across the world or within your school can play together.
2. The questions that are offered are geared specifically for a students to improve on weakness areas.
3. As the teacher, you can set goals for students by choosing from specific grade leveled skills aligned to the Common Core.
4. They can earn coins that will allow them to dress up their uniquely created avatar in the Sumdog store.

Now, this is only what I've found out from my first time exploring, but I'm sure that the website has way more to offer.  It appears that most of their math games are free, but some also require a subscription.  They do offer a language arts and a writing component (available soon), but I believe that these areas may also only be available through a subscription. 

I'm planning to introduce my students to this website this week and let the exploring and practice begin!  I'll keep you posted and hopefully this will be a HUGE SUCCESS!

Ps...Click under the teacher tab and you'll be provided with a video and more information about what they have to offer.

Enjoy,

 

Google Drive

I'm happy to say that my directing days have come to a close for this year.  We just wrapped up our final performance on Saturday of Once Upon A Mattress.  The cast and crew did a fabulous job and I was so honored to be apart of all of it!

I was recently asked by my district to participate in a technology pilot for Google.  We're planning to use Google Drive as our means for sharing and Gmail as our district email.  I'm 100% on board for the use of Gmail, but I'm still trying to figure out how to use Google Drive with 4th and 5th grades.  Does anyone out there have any ideas that they've found to be successful?  I'd love to hear them as this is all new to me. 

Thanks for sharing,

Changing Blog Font

Everyday I find myself learning something new about blogging or learning how to add personalized touches to my blog.  This is very exciting for me since I've built my blog from the ground up by watching helpful videos or reading about tips from other bloggers.

Today, I'd like to thank Christi over at Ms. Fultz's Corner for showing me how to add a unique font to my blog.  Blogger does have a variety of fonts, but sometimes they just don't seem to have what I'm looking for.  Thanks to Christi's helpful video and few clicks I was able to change the font of my blog. The name of this font is called Happy Monkey.  :)

Be sure to check out her video if you're interested in learning how to add a unique font to your blog.

Happy Fonting,

Technology Tip Tuesday-Educational Websites

1. Edmodo

Edmodo is a wonderful website to use with intermediate aged students.  It's a safe and secure way to use the idea of Facebook within the classroom.  

Click the picture to watch an informational video about what Edmodo is about.

Within my own classroom, I've used Edmodo to post questions to students about our read aloud, likes/dislikes and classroom decisions.  I love that students can personally message me if they have a question and that parents can even create their own accounts.

2. Tagxedo

Tagxedo is a fantastic website to use to turn your words into word art for any classroom project.  My class loved using this website to create word art for their biography presentations.  It's very user friendly and simple enough for intermediate students to use on their own.  

3. BrainPOP

BrainPOP is a great website to use when looking for kid-friendly informational videos.  Tim and Moby (the main characters) take educational topics and turn them into exciting videos that capture a given concept in just a few minutes.  BrainPOP does require a subscription to have access to ALL of the videos, but they do offer free ones.  In fact, BrainPOP offers a featured video for FREE!  This video changes day to day and normally corresponds with what's going on in the world or the special meaning of that day (Labor Day, Lincoln's Birthday and so on).

I'm posting for Blog Hoppin' for Teacher Week.

{if you want to link up too, just right click the picture and save it to your computer}

 

Enjoy!

eduClipper is READY!

It's official.  I just received an email this morning that eduClipper is open and ready for pinning.  In case you're not sure what eduClipper is be sure to check out the video below.

eduClipper is your educational pinboard that will allow you to "Clip anything and Share Everything"....aka a Pinterest for Teachers.

You can sign up using the link below.  What are you waiting for?  Get started pinning now!

eduClipper Sign Up

Enjoy,

Pinterest for Teachers

Yep! You heard me right... a version of Pinterest for Teachers is in the works!  Well, it won't actually be called Pinterest, but it will be called eduClipper.  Adam (from eduClipper) is currently putting the finishing touches on this lovely website that is going to allow teachers to clip anything and share everything.  I'm so excited to have a teacher version that will completely be dedicated to the teacher and the classroom!

Be sure to check out the informational video on eduClipper.

Sign up now so that you'll be the first to know when eduClipper is READY!

Sign Up for eduClipper

Enjoy!

Another One Bites the Dust... Linky Party

Today was M Day of our ABC countdown which means that we have 13 days left!  I'm so excited that summer is right around the corner, but I have a TON of work to get done before that!  EEEKK!

I thought that I would join in on the fun of a Linky Party thanks to Amber at Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher.  Here's my Great and NOT so Great from this year.

The Great

1. Technology

It's been an amazing year of patience and trials with my new technology.  I wouldn't change a thing though.  The kids love it and it has challenged me as teacher to learn more about technology and the power behind it.

2. Shared Reading

Mid-year...my teammate and I decided to make a change for the benefit of our students.  We ended up changing our schedule so that we'd be teaching shared reading lessons 5 days a week versus the 2-3 days that we originally had it scheduled.  I love the change!  Our discussions are stronger and the kids are spending more time talking about great text.

3. Blogging

I didn't learn about blogging until January when I decided to take a "Cool WEB tools" class through my district.  Since then I've become...okay, I'll admit it....obsessed!  It's amazing what you can find and the amazing ideas that teachers have to share. 

The NOT so Great

1. Reorganize and cleaning my classroom

This summer I will not only be moving classrooms, but I'll also be changing grade levels.  Instead of teaching 4th grade next year, I'll be teaching 4th/5th multi-age.  I'm very excited for the change for multiple reasons.  One reason being the chance to reorganize and create a clutter free classroom with the help of Clutter Free Classroom.

2. Continued Education with Technology

I'd really like to work on creating more lessons with SMART notebook that I can use in the classroom..

3. New Curriculum

 

My district is making the move to adopt a newer version of Everyday Math and the Traits Writing program. This means that I'll been spending time around the pool trying to learn as much as I can about this new curriculum before August!