I KNOW we have some scuba divers out there! Even if you are not, here’s a chance to participate in a really fun “underwater” project from area ITRT, Meg Swecker. Meg is an ITRT for Roanoke County, and an avid scuba diver. She is embarking on a trip to Mexico next Thursday (Nov. 15) to go scuba diving, and is taking students with her “virtually” using Voice Thread! (If you haven’t seen Voice Thread yet, it’s the same website used to create the Galapagos Islands Show I posted about earlier.) Right now her Voice Thread is private, but if you let me know you want to participate (or at least take a look), I will add you to the list to receive an invite to the project. Then you and your students can ask questions about the underwater habitat, and she will do her best to answer through digital pictures and her voice. If this sounds like fun to you, let me know! It is very easy to do…and great for any grade level…even Kindergarten 😉 !!
Category: Salem City Schools
Kidspiration Templates
In an effort to share things across schools in the division, we have created a folder called “Common” on the K drive. It contains files pre-made templates that have been tried and tested in lesson with teachers. Both Pam Elgin and I have added some great Kidspiration activities lately. Here are a few titles…see if any interest you!
1st Grade
Past and Present
U.S. Symbols
Teach Us, Amelia Bedelia
2nd Grade
Word Sort (ou, ow)
Word Sort (ice, ace)
Communities
Native Americans
3rd Grade
Essential Knowledge Cards for Science
4th Grade
Plural Nouns
Regions of Virginia
Measurement
5th Grade
Native Americans (First Americans)
Library
Dewey Decimal System
There are also templates already built into Kidspiration, including Life Cycles, Wants and Needs, and many more. I can also create ones for you if you can’t find what you need!
A Vision of Students Today
This video, created by Michael Wesch in collaboration with 200 students at Kansas State University, is another one of those eye-openers.
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GenTech Podcast
I had the privilege of being asked to participate in a interview on the Gen Tech Podcast. If you are interested, you can listen to it here.
While you are there, be sure to check out some of the other great podcast episodes. Here is a description of their show:
“Generative Technology,” or GenTech, is a term we’re using to describe tools that allow for student-created content. GenTech includes computer-based tools like iMovie or Windows Movie Maker as well as Web2.0 software like Writely, Empressr, or gliffy. Think of it as the alternative to traditional educational software in which students are tested against a correct answer or made to practice a single skill over and over – also called “drill and kill” software.
The GenTech podcast is a weekly conversation about a particular tool or trend, and how it can be used educationally. For each topic, we’ll feature a definition, examples, and a roundtable discussion.
On the show, they share some great cutting-edge ideas for incorporating technology in the classroom.
Suggestions from a 5th Grade Teacher
It’s been a crazy week in my personal life, so not much “free time” to really surf the net…and not much time to keep up with K-12 Online Conference. But I’m not worried…that’s the great part…most of the conference (all the presentations, at least) will be there waiting for me when things are more manageable on the home front.
That said, I have had the chance to check in on a couple presentations. This one really caught my attention:
Obstacles to Opportunities Keynote: The Why’s and Wherefore’s
Brian Crosby is a 5th grade teacher in Nevada and a blogger on Learning is Messy. He shows actual projects that he has done with his at risk 5th graders…that’s why I was really drawn to this presentation (click here to see). It is really worth the watch!!
For a list of other great presentations available through the K12 Online Conference, click here. Pay no attention to dates….once the link is posted, most of these presentations will be available whenever you have the time to watch/listen. There are a few live events…but these too will be archived so you can watch later.
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Teaching with Technology 