Tool #8 Taking a Look at the Tools

After watching the video, I learned that 1st grade will be receiving 2 more iTouches and the upper grades will be receiving iPads. I honestly think that iPads are easier for first graders to navigate because of the larger area of the screen. However, the kids are so use to using their parents iPhones, it shouldn't be a huge deal.

I am also VERY excited about the 5 Dell mini's that are coming our way. There is so much that the children will be able to do with all of the extra technology in our classroom. I can't wait to see what the years to come have to offer!!!

Unlike last year where the kids would put the iTouches on my computer desk and if one of them needed to be charged they would just plug it in after workstations or math tubs. I will manage my device by naming each one. The iTouches will all have the same "home" in our classroom. There are so many apps to download on the iTouch that go right along with the first grade curriculum.

Tool #7 Reaching Outside your Classroom: Online Digital Projects

I absolutely LOVE using Skype! I used Skype to keep in touch with my sister while she was in grad school and teaching 4th grade in Round Rock, Texas. I had great intentions of using Skype as a way of communication between our classes as well... lets just say we both got VERY busy during the school year. This year I would love to figure out a way to communicate with published authors using Skype. When we do our author study on Jan Brett the kids get really in to learning about her and her life and how she gets her ideas for her writing. If they had to opportunity to actually connect one on one with a "real live" author using Skype... I think the kids would really make leaps and bounds in their writing. Last Spring, a grandmother of a student in Meredith Ramey's class who is a published author came in and spoke to the children about writing. I feel that the children really took off in their writing after her visit. They were very confident in their writing and did not hesitate to elaborate on their ideas.
Content objective:
The learner will engage in online conversations with published authors to discuss the writing process.
Implementation:
I would begin the process at the beginning of the year and continue through the end of the year. We cover many different genres and units in first grade.

Tool #6 Using Web Tools to Promote Discussion in and out of the Classroom!

I have accounts on:
Facebook: Meg Hansen
Skype: Meg Hansen
Twitter: MM_Hansen
TodaysMeet: http://todaysmeet.com/MsHansen
GoogleDocs: SBISD login/Gmail login

I could use TodaysMeet to answer questions that parents might have after Meet the Teacher, parent night, etc. This would be a great way of parent/teacher communication.

I could use Skype to communicate with people in the community. I had great intentions last year of being pen pals with my sister's 4th grade class in Round Rock, TX... didn't happen! I thought it would be great for the kids to write back and forth and Skype as a class toward the end of the year.

I can use GoogleDocs to share documents and information with my students as well as my team.

Tool #5 Producing with Web 2.0 Tools!

My students each created a Wordle last year with help from learning buddies. They wrote a list of words that described them and put them all into a Wordle. Their work was displayed in one of our windows during the week of the authors fair.

I tried Animoto and really like how user friendly it is. I created a short slide show clip using my pictures from my vacation to Destin, Florida with my cousins.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

I used IMovie to create a movie at the end of the year using pictures that I took during our year together. The kids and parents both enjoyed this special keepsake. It will definately be a project that will carry on over the years.

I played around on Storybird for a little bit... what a neat idea!!! It allows the student to write their own story and gives them the illustration to help with ideas at the same time.

Tool #4 Moving Up to the Clouds

I created a Math Assessment in Google Docs to share with my team. I definitely think that Google Docs will help to have all of the documents we use as a grade level in one spot. For example, I plan math and I create all of the assessments and if one of my teammates needed an extra for a re-take they could simply find the document in Google Docs.


You can share documents, forms, and calendars with your students. Google Docs really make communication simple because you can access it as long as you have internet connection.