Tool #11-Reflection

WOW!! I never thought I would make it this far. I have learned some valuable information and tools over the summer. One of my favorite tools was learning how to use the Photostory. I plan on using this one several times throughout the school year. I plan on using to sequence events of a story. Students can also narrate their own stories. Another exciting tool we will have this year at our school for each classroom will be a set of Itouches. There are so many apps. out there that my students will benefit from. I also enjoyed the Bookr, where you can pick your photos and add your own text to create a short story book. A lot of tools, when I read them seemed difficult to complete, but when I completed them I realized they were not difficult at all. It was time consuming to read all the information and tasks and to go step by step. Now that I am aware of all the tools available to me personally and professionally, I plan to take full advantage of them this year. Wish me luck! It's going to be an exciting year.

Tool #11-Digital Citizenship

While the digital world is advancing everyday it's also very important to teach safety on the Internet. The digital world is a world on it's own, therefore it needs to have it own rules/policies and standards. I know digital citizenship will be taught in my classroom throughout the year. It's something that students need to be reminded of year after year. The Internet and other tools are powerful and students must first learn how to navigate around them. Through classroom rules, discussions, tips the teacher can create a safe "digital world" learning environment in the classroom. As a 1st grade teacher, I believe it is ex termly important to teach students Internet safety at an early age. They know so much more than you realize and they absorb information quickly. Students will want to practice good digital citizenship when they feel they have had a valuable learning experience. I will show my students how technology impacts their learning by making connections to the real world around us and showing them how successful it can make them in their future. I think once they have mastered good digital citizenship they will realize they have a "passport to the world" right in front of them. The possibilities are endless.

Tool # 10- Apps.

I came across the following free apps that can be used in my classroom

First Words- This app allows students to increase their everyday vocabulary and practice sight words. You can even add your own words and images/pictures.
World Countries (All In One Free)- this app. provides facts and images of countries/continents that we may be studying. Students can compare how other countries are alike/different from the USA. Students can also learn about the countries famous landmarks.
Read Me Stories- this app. will provide students with the opportunity to practice their reading skills.

I can't wait to use these and other apps with my students as I know it will definitely enhance their learning experience.

Tool #9 Sharing Info.

Jing and Skype provide the students and the teacher the opportunity to bring the WORLD to the CLASSROOM. Students would be able to make REAL connections with the WORLD. Students will be able to communicate with other students their age that live in other parts of the country. Students can share their personal experiences, ideas and thoughts. I can see my students sharing their opinions and thoughts on a book with other students/friends down the hallway or throughout the district. This tool will engage the students and they will find it truly enjoyable because they are having fun learning!

Tool # 8 - Video Resources

Throughout the past year I located several different websites with videos about topics that were being discussed in the classroom, but my favorite website was www.PBSkids.org . Most of the videos were for Science & Math. I would show my students the video to introduce them to a new lesson. The students enjoyed this and you could tell it captured their attention. I love the videos from PBS because the show real kids conducting small, short experiments. My students could relate to them. Once the video was over, we would discuss it as a class and then do a similar activity in the classroom. The lesson was successful because the video gave us of an example of what to expect. Below are two videos that I used in my 1st grade classroom. Both videos are from www. PBSkids.org



BODY MEASURING http://pbskids.org/curiousgeorge/video/video_pop.html?clip=interstitials/218B&title=Body%20Measuring&ar=16:9&filetype=mov&bandwidth=_hi



WHAT DISSOLVES? http://pbskids.org/curiousgeorge/video/video_pop.html?clip=interstitials/103A&title=What%20Dissolves?&ar=16:9&filetype=mov&bandwidth=_hi

Tool #7

I created a Photostory of a trip my husband and I took to Lake Tahoe. I simply picked the pictures I wanted and added them to the story. I love this tool and can't wait to use it when I have my baby to share all his pictures with friends and family.

Students can create their own personalized story of their summer vacation or a field trip. Students will be able to narrate their own story as well. I know the parents will enjoy watching the videos as well. This tool would be perfect for narrating and/or demonstrating a Science fair project and acting out a Math word problem. I hope my video loads up and you are able to view it. Onto Tool #8........

Tool #6 WIKIS

Today I discovered what a WIKI is and how it is used. This may work well for a writer's workshop lesson (introducing the writing process steps). Together as a whole class we can write a story. Then enter the short story in a wiki. Once complete, students can visit the WIKI at a workstation and edit the story to make it more interesting. Students will truly enjoy the editing process by adding or deleting any wording. Finally we can read both stories and vote on which one they like better and we can share the story with other classrooms at our school. This will allow all students to participate and it's collaborative. LOVE IT!!!

Tool #5 Bookmarking

Today I was able to visit both the Delicious and Diigo websites. I liked the fact that you can view your bookmarks from any computer not just your personal home computer. I think this will make it easier and faster for my students to get to the correct website. Students can view pictures or plays games on various topics we are learning about. I bookmarked the following websites which I believe will create an exciting and engaging learning environment for my students.

Delicious bookmarks:
( tags: hands on, math, games) http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html

(tags: maps, continents, games)
http://www.softschools.com/social_studies/continents/map.jsp

Tool #4 Google Tools

Today I created a Google Doc. title Book Review. I think my students and yours would enjoy it. I will try and add the link below so that you can view it. Basically the students respond to questions regarding the book they just read. It took me a while to create because this is all new to me. Now that I am aware of all the tools Google has to offer I am going to take full advantage of them. The great thing is they are FREE!





I think the most difficult thing is going to be teaching the students how to use all these tools. It will not happen in a day or two. This is something that has to be taught slowly, little by little, throughout the year. As a first grade teacher, my students are always excited to work with a computer so as time consuming as this maybe I know it will truly benefit my students future and further their success in the classroom.





I was able to setup my Google Reader fairly easily and subscribe to several blogs. I simply copy and pasted the website (URL). Now I don't have to visit each website one by one, instead I just open my account and all the website are there in one location.





And one last thing....THANK YOU to all the comments you all have posted on my blog. You all are helping me along this journey!

Google Doc-Book Review http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHljYnNJMDJHaFl6cUlBRXZYdmZIU2c6MQ

Tool #3

Today I worked on creating my Wordle and my Bookr. The Wordle is easier. The Bookr took me a while to figure out. I thought you had to use your own pictures or download them from Flickr, but you can use the pictures of other people that are already uploaded.

I decided to make one for my dog, Puggy. First, I located pictures of different pugs ( I located these by people's username) and wrote down the ones I liked. Then I simply added them to the book with text. I love this tool. I will be using this tool in my classroom. I can visualize the students really being engaged in creating their own books on various subjects we are studying and then adding their own text. The pictures are great, because they are REAL.

You can see my Bookr at the bottom of my blog. My Wordle is at the top. ENJOY!
**Credits for photos used:
Dunechaser
Zoomar
Vonschnauzer
Nic Launceford

Tool #2

I attended a training a while back,( I forget the name of it)that was an eye opener to me. I realized that we are teaching a different generation of students. Students whose everyday life centers around social media. They are influenced not by their family, values, religion or morals, but by the social media and technology. Therefore, we as teachers, have to teach in a different way. Our teaching has to improve year after year.

Participating in a Personal Learning Network is beneficial, in that it allows us to share our ideas on teaching. I learn alot from the teachers around me, they provide me with great ideas that I am then able to share in my classroom. A PLN will allow me to share and gather thoughts from not just my co-teachers, but from teachers around the country.

Tool #1

Creating my blog was easier than I thought. However, I did encounter some difficulty in creating my avatar. I registered on the Voki website and went to click on my activation link. Once I clicked on my activation link it gave me an error message. Finally, I was able to create my avatar today. I know my students would enjoy creating their own! I am on to step 2. Wish me Luck. :)