My school has used Voki for the past couple of years for our morning meetings. Before that time, 200 elementary students would pile in the gym and we'd recite the pledge, school motto, read birthdays and other school announcements. The morning meeting process was pretty quick and dirty, but lining up 200 students in a gym showing 1, 2, 3. (1-Voices off 2-Hands and feet still 3-Eyes on speaker) isn't always easy! Not to mention after morning meeting time, my students would have to walk across the school to the second floor. I don't like wasted time!
Then we decided to go digital and use the help of Voki. Each day our administrator or secretary would record a morning meeting Voki. The teachers loved it! No more piling into the gym for morning meeting. Every teacher could access the Voki from the school's website. We teachers could now show the morning meeting Voki whenever it worked best for us. Here is an example.
Another way I'd like to use Voki is to announce my weekly Panther Club Winners (similar to student of the week award) I think the students would enjoy a Voki personally recognizing them! I could even email the link to their parents!
Finally, I'd love for the students to use Voki. If you haven't checked out the Voki Lesson Plan Page, it's a great place to start!
At the beginning of the year, I often have students create some sort of "All About Me" poster/presentation. How cool would it be for students to each make a "All About Me" Voki? I can already see a mini lesson on run-on sentences and fragments! LOVE it!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Glogster
I can't believe I'm just now hearing about Glogster!
Glogster is a fantastic site that allows you to create interactive posters. A "Glog" short for "graphics blog" is an excellent way for your students to reach the creation stage of Bloom's Taxonomy.
Be sure to check out the Glogpedia Library for thousands of example Glogs. I spent hours in Glogpedia just getting ideas before I created my first one.
It's nothing fancy... but here's my first attempt at a Glog!
I used Glogster to create directions for my classroom assignment. I'm pretty excited to see what my students come up with for their Nebraska Glogs! Check back later in the year to see my students' creations!
Glogster is a fantastic site that allows you to create interactive posters. A "Glog" short for "graphics blog" is an excellent way for your students to reach the creation stage of Bloom's Taxonomy.
Be sure to check out the Glogpedia Library for thousands of example Glogs. I spent hours in Glogpedia just getting ideas before I created my first one.
It's nothing fancy... but here's my first attempt at a Glog!
I used Glogster to create directions for my classroom assignment. I'm pretty excited to see what my students come up with for their Nebraska Glogs! Check back later in the year to see my students' creations!
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
TED Talks
Have you heard of TED talks? If not, it's a must-see website!
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design. The non-profit company was started back in 1984 and has grown through the use of social media.
Basically, it's a hub for inspiring videos that you can narrow by topic.
Even better for education is the TED-ED site - lessons worth sharing. Check out this video for a tour on how to use TED-ED in your classroom.
I have found numerous videos on the TED Talks website. Fourth graders' attention spans are extremely short, so I'd encourage short videos to encourage your students' thinking. Most of the time, I'd use these videos to activate prior knowledge and build some background to the lesson. But, with that said, there are some great instruction videos as well. Check out this video of the 3 branches of government.
I don't know about your students, but my students would must rather watch a video about the 3 branches of government than simply read from their textbooks. Once you view the video, the students could use clickers to answer the comprehension questions that follow the video. I love the use of clickers to gauge lesson progression. If the students know the material, move on to a project or use the "Think Deeper" questions. If the students failed the comprehension quiz, provide additional instruction and resources. Great for the flipped classroom!
TED Talks - "ideas have the power to change attitudes, lives, and ultimately the world."
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design. The non-profit company was started back in 1984 and has grown through the use of social media.
Basically, it's a hub for inspiring videos that you can narrow by topic.
Even better for education is the TED-ED site - lessons worth sharing. Check out this video for a tour on how to use TED-ED in your classroom.
I have found numerous videos on the TED Talks website. Fourth graders' attention spans are extremely short, so I'd encourage short videos to encourage your students' thinking. Most of the time, I'd use these videos to activate prior knowledge and build some background to the lesson. But, with that said, there are some great instruction videos as well. Check out this video of the 3 branches of government.
I don't know about your students, but my students would must rather watch a video about the 3 branches of government than simply read from their textbooks. Once you view the video, the students could use clickers to answer the comprehension questions that follow the video. I love the use of clickers to gauge lesson progression. If the students know the material, move on to a project or use the "Think Deeper" questions. If the students failed the comprehension quiz, provide additional instruction and resources. Great for the flipped classroom!
TED Talks - "ideas have the power to change attitudes, lives, and ultimately the world."
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Hi, I'm Meagan and I'm addicted to PINTEREST!
It's true... Most evenings after I put my darling daughter to bed and my husband is watching baseball, I sit and pin.
I, like many Pinners, starting using Pinterest to pin ideas for interior decorating and tasty new recipes. This drives my husband crazy, as he now thinks I have unrealistic expectations for our home. (Okay. Maybe SOME of my pins are a little unrealistic :)
It wasn't until after I developed my PLN and started following some great educators, that I saw the benefits of using Pinterest in the classroom.
My Pinterest boards are now 70% educational pins. There's so many great ideas out there!
When teachers visit my classroom, they often ask, "Where did you get that idea?" or "That's neat. Did you make that?" My response is usually... "Pinterest!"
I'm also a proud pinner to our NPS Panther Pinners boards. Check it out sometime!
I, like many Pinners, starting using Pinterest to pin ideas for interior decorating and tasty new recipes. This drives my husband crazy, as he now thinks I have unrealistic expectations for our home. (Okay. Maybe SOME of my pins are a little unrealistic :)
It wasn't until after I developed my PLN and started following some great educators, that I saw the benefits of using Pinterest in the classroom.
My Pinterest boards are now 70% educational pins. There's so many great ideas out there!
When teachers visit my classroom, they often ask, "Where did you get that idea?" or "That's neat. Did you make that?" My response is usually... "Pinterest!"
I'm also a proud pinner to our NPS Panther Pinners boards. Check it out sometime!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Class Badges
I'm so excited to try class badges in my classroom this year! Haven't heard of it? Check out this video by +ClassBadges
I've already created five awards for my students to earn in Class Badges, but I keep thinking of more.
- A badge for each educational standard mastered in the classroom
- A badge for completing quality homework on time
- A badge for showing kindness, respect, honesty or other social skills in the classroom
- A badge for reading books (Caldecott, Newberry Honor books)
- A badge for mastering math fact levels
The possibilities are endless! I'll have fun with this!
What ideas do you have for creating classroom badges?
I've already created five awards for my students to earn in Class Badges, but I keep thinking of more.
- A badge for each educational standard mastered in the classroom
- A badge for completing quality homework on time
- A badge for showing kindness, respect, honesty or other social skills in the classroom
- A badge for reading books (Caldecott, Newberry Honor books)
- A badge for mastering math fact levels
The possibilities are endless! I'll have fun with this!
What ideas do you have for creating classroom badges?
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