Fantastic Fridays: May 27

Fantastic Fridays: May 27


1. Classroom Spotlight Project: Documenting and Remembering the Year

Our 8th grade students are treated to a film recapping their time at IHM, courtesy of our middle school teachers. Jim L. does an awesome job of compiling and finalizing that film. As we wrap up the year, how have you documented and remembered it with your students? Some classes make memory books or photo books. As you plan for next year, how could you use technology to make the year meaningful for your class?

2. Student Websites: End of Year Reflections

 Educational research indicates that reflecting, drawing connections, and evaluating prior learning is key in "concreting" concepts in our students' minds. The end of the year, in all of its anticipation of the relief of summer, is a natural pause to reflect on our year. The "sharability" and engaging nature of technology can encourage deep reflections from our students. Here are some great resources

• If you haven't used http://www.wordle.net/ yet, it's a great way to present concepts and language visually. I have used it with students as young as 2nd grade.
• Create a timeline of the year! http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/timeline-30007.html 
• Compare and contrast subjects, grade levels, or experiences with a Venn Diagram: http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/venn-diagram-circles-30006.html
• Create a comic strip to summarize your favorite parts of this grade level: http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/ 
• Create a personal goal statement for next year-- "Begin with the End in Mind". Students can use PowerPoint or Keynote to write 3-5 personal goals, narrate it, save it as a video, and take it home!

3. Teacher Productivity Tool: End of Year

• Free certificate creator: http://www.certificatecreator.com/main.cfm 
•  Great EOY article from Scholastic: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3756 
• Printable "Summer Packets" for K-6: http://school.familyeducation.com/back-to-school/skill-builder/62428.html
• Parents asking for practice websites? Send them here to pick their favorite skills: http://www.internet4classrooms.com/parents.htm

Videos of the Week:

First, a video presentation of Taylor Mali's "Miracle Workers": 
http://www.taylormali.com/index.cfm?webid=56 (Poem Text)




Also, as we move forward on planning for the new building, here is a reflection on learning spaces for children.