Fantastic Fridays: December 10

Fantastic Fridays: December 10

1. Classroom Spotlight Project: Podcasting and Websites
Kat M. is spotlighted this week for her work in podcasting on the Mac computers. Check out her fantastic website at http://ihm-xserve.ihm-school.com/~kmanzella/aprendemosahablar/main/Welcome_.html ! Although she has done an awesome job on the website, the real value is that students are able to review what they have covered in class once they get home in the evenings. She has this website listed in her Edline classes so students and parents can access the materials easily. Please see me if you'd like to create something similar-- it's a lot of fun!

2. Student Websites: Time and Money, Open-Copyright Music

Time and Money for Lower Elementary: Technology does a very good job of allowing students to work at their own pace and providing instant feedback for simple problems. These skill-rehearsal websites for lower elementary students allow you to monitor each student's progress, while not requiring a lot of teacher involvement for differentiation. You can access this site (or I can add it to your dock!) at https://sites.google.com/site/ihmhighpoint/time-and-money

Time

1. Identifying Time to the Hour
2. Time Travel
3. Another Telling Time
4. Telling Time: Stop the Clock!
5. Willie the WatchDog Game (Play with a partner!)

Money

1. Toy Store! Find coins to make your purchase
2. Fish Money
3. Counting Money
4. Discovering Coin Values - drag coins into the cup to equal the amount in the blue area.

Open-Copyright Music: Copyright laws only allow educational use of copyrighted music for 30 seconds! All of our middle school students would love to use their extensive personal music collections for class PowerPoints and movies, but a better choice (and more appropriate!) would be http://www.freeplaymusic.com. This source provides students with a searchable database of background music. Begin by clicking on a style of music, then click on the "mp3" version of the file to download clips.

3. Teacher Productivity Tools: Computer-Based Assessments
Grading, grading, grading... it's the job that never ends! Although most assessments require personal attention (such as rubrics), some of our testing methods could be automated using computers. If you give assessments with multiple choice, matching, or T/F questions, consider using one of the following websites to ease your grading burden. Edline also has an assessment tool which we could evaluate!
http://www.quia.com/web
http://quizstar.4teachers.org/
http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/signup/education/ 

Your video this week illustrates a 5th grade field trip. Students use technology tools to record and explain their learning experiences in math, science, and history. I was personally delighted to see the inclusion of the technology specialist in the process :) Enjoy!
http://www.edutopia.org/ferryway-school-saugus-ironworks 

Fantastic Fridays: December 3

Fantastic Fridays: December 3

1. Classroom Spotlight Project: Extending Novels

The fact the 6th-8th grade students are reading novels should come as no surprise to most of us. Teachers are very familiar with the importance of "read and report" in literature classes. However, Maggie J's students are experiencing a "wrap-around" approach to novels as they explore online resources which complement their reading. Student access Edline at home and in class for maps, movies,websites, and historical references to provide an in-depth digital library to accompany their work. What a great use of Edline and digital resources to expand their perception of literature!

2. Student Websites: Travel the World

Although we would all love to take a world-wide field trip with our students, it's not always feasible. Consider the following resources for bringing the world to them through technology.

• Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/ . The satellite and street views provided in Google Maps give students the feeling of "being there" at historical landmarks and locations in your classroom curriculum. The accompanying program, Google Earth http://www.google.com/earth/index.html , is a free download, and I would be happy to add it to your computer to allow students to see some amazing features. Try going to Google Maps and looking up your favorite spot or historical destination-- it's like a mini-vacation!
• ePals: One of the ISTE standards for technology is that students learn to use technology to communicate and collaborate with students around the world. Consider using epals at http://www.epals.com to connect with another classroom around the world!
• The Iditarod: Looking forward to March, the Iditarod is a dogsled race in Alaska which some teachers have used as a learning  opportunity for their classrooms. Check out these two sites for lesson planning ideas: http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/iditarod/ , http://iditarodblogs.com/teachers/
• Journey North: Right now, we're enjoying the approaching winter season, but it won't be long until crocuses are blooming! Plan now to integrate the online "Journey North" activities to give your students the opportunity to gather data as part of an enormous project! http://www.learner.org/jnorth/

3. Teacher Productivity Tools: Christmas Science

Sometimes, the last few days before Christmas can be a challenge for planning. Of course, we all teach right up until the last bell! Just in case your students are having trouble focusing, try using these "Christmas Science" sites to keep everyone "On Task, On Target"! Or, just enjoy them for yourselves...

Chemistry Carols: http://people.bu.edu/metalman/chemistry_xmas_carols.html 

Science Stunts for Parties: http://richardwiseman.wordpress.com/2009/12/08/top-10-science-stunts-for-christmas-parties/

Glassblowing Christmas Tree: http://www.holdman.com/christmas/glasstree.asp

Super Christmas Lights: http://www.holdman.com/christmas/video.asp

The Audobon Society’s Christmas Bird Count: http://www.audubon.org/Bird/cbc/

This weeks video: A tutorial on how to create the perfect Google Map for teaching in your classroom!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhAH53HZhxI&feature=player_embedded