Dr. Seuss Cam!

Tried this fun and inexpensive app out today! I highly recommend it as a fun way to celebrate Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss's birthday!

Here is the link to my diigo library!  Hopefully you'll be able to access it through this link.  While I am still get accustomed to using diigo, I definitely can see the value in it.  Most of what I have saved to my library are resources for first grade or primary grade students.  I have a few technology resources and websites mixed in with some blogs and more.  I have added labels within the library, but my next task will be to organize it better through the use of lists and more detailed descriptions.

Alternative to Starfall

While I love Starfall.com just as much as the next person. It's great to have some additional resources at your finger tips. I am always looking for new site for my students to try out, so they don't get bored going to the same ones, week after week. Here is a list of some alternative sites. The one big plus is that these sites are both interactive and free :)

Teaching Keyboarding

One of my main goals this year is to help my students improve on their keyboarding skills. With a new standardized test, complete with writing prompt, all to be completed on the computer in their near future- keyboarding is an essential life skill for them!

Here is a site with LOTS of free sites to help teach keyboarding. I use some of these with my students when we visit the laptop computer lab once a week. Enjoy :)

iPhones in the Classroom

I use these iPhones with my students during word work time.  They choose five words to write in the text message lines.  Then, they read/type/spell each word they chose 5 times.  I laminate them so students can use dry erase or vis-a-vis markers.  My students could use these all day if I let them!  Great for sight words, word wall words and spelling words :)

You can download these templates for FREE on the Teachers Pay Teachers website :)

Digital Song Stories!

Found some great digital "song stories" on youtube from havefunteaching.com Check this one out on skip conting by 10's. My first graders would totally love this!  If you search youtube, you'll find plenty more!

Great to use for random motor breaks throughout the day without feeling guilty too!

NETS and Reading- Double Dipping

If you're anything like me, you are CONSTANTLY stressing over your students reading progress and development. In an attempt to stay calm and keep my head above the water, I am always looking for ways to "double dip."  Here you will find some great iPad apps that are reading specific.  Hitting both reading standards and NETS all at once :)

Too Young for Technology???

In this day and age, does it make sense to argue that preschoolers, kindergarteners and first graders are too young for technology? This is definitely something I used to think. However, now that I have become more confident in my own technological abilities and have explored many of the great resources that are available to young children, I have to say, I think my mind has changed. It's really quite amazing at the amount of programs and resources that have become accessible to young children and their families. Something else that also ccontinues to prove my previous notions and sentiments wrong is watching my 4 year old nephew use an iPad with greater ease than some adults! 

While I think I still encounter aaccesssibility issues in terms of enough computers/ipads for individual student use, it is still great to have some go to resources for those breif opportunitites and for eager parents as well. Starfall is a GREAT resource to have on hand for both parents and teachers. It's a resource that caters to those early readers. Visit both the web and  app version of this wonderful resource :)

Diigo

Here's some great additional tips, tricks and information on Diigo.  This video does a nice job describing how the Diigo tool bar is used in a clear and concise manner.  It really helped me better understand all Diigo has to offer.  Being able to have more resources right at my finger tips at all times, will only help in my quest to integrate technology into my classroom on a more regular basis!

StoryKit- An awesome app for digital storytelling

So over the past few weeks, this class along with the lack of technology that is available to myself and my students, I have been trying to pool my resources to better meet the NETS.  I have to admit that I do feel guilty at times when I think about how much my students are missing out on, in regards to adequate technology instruction due to accessibility issues.  With that said, I have been "attempting" to use my iPad to teach my mini lessons for Writing Workshop.  I have been using a FREE app called StoryKit.  So far it's been great, and I haven't had any "technical difficulties" at all with it!  This app is not only great because it's free but it allows you to write an unlimited amount of text across each page.  You can also draw the pictures or upload photos from your iPad library.  Additionally, you record your own voice reading the story aloud (which is also great fluency work).  One of the reasons I am so excited about this app is because, year after year I find myself scrambling at the beginning or Writing Workshop to rewrite and create my own mentor texts to use with the students.  StoryKit is a great place to save and update my work year after year!  Which means... LESS WORK :)




Here's one of my stories that I have been using in our realistic fiction unit.  I specifically used this piece to teach building suspense and adding in some description to people, places or things.

Character Spies Hard at Work!

Here is my very first animoto! I decided to make one to reinforce character feelings.  We have been working on "spying" and studying the characters in our books at reading time.  During this time we are trying to look for clues to find out all we can about the characters.  This unit facilitates students in retelling as well as some critical literacy skills.