Web 2.0

Glogster

Glogster was so easy and so much fun.  Not only am I excited to implement this into my lessons, but i'm pumped to have my students create a Glogster.  This is a fun and creative way to formatively access students...Check point!

Pinterest

Wanting to add a little spice to your lesson?  Pinterest has been such an easy way to find lessons and activities that keep students ENGAGED.  This social outlet...or inlet for some, helps bookmark ideas to enhance your ability to differentiate your lessons.  From creative anchor chart ideas and fun projects to sample assessments and quizzes Pinterest is sure to help out every style of teacher.  

My Pinterest

Google Drive 

WOW!  Want to stay in touch?  Want less papers to commute from the classroom to home?  USE GOOGLE DRIVE.  This has been one of the most successful tools I have used with my students.  Its easy, and safe.  Students can share work and you can monitor students progress.  Teachers are able to give instant feedback and students can edit work easily.  It wonderful for group projects.  The best part is that its EASY to use.  

Communication... it doesn't get much better than this.  I share google docs with parents with sign up lists, field trip information, and even use it as our weekly newsletter.  You have the option to allow editing or disable editing.  Google drive has changed the way we create in the classroom.  

Here is a sample project I assigned to my student in the beginning of the year.  I am able to check students progress at any time and can leave individualized feedback.  This example will show you how I not only shared project details with my students, but also how my students will communicate with me throughout the project... The best part is they can't lose papers!  

Genre Project



RSS

RSS, rich site summary's... Or what I like to call my teacher toolbox.  This is a great way to organize all your resources.  Often we find so many tools or resources on the internet we forgot about them.  Using a source such as Feedly is a great way to keep organized, keep relevant, and keep in touch.  My experience still lies on amateur status, but with constant integration my skills and knowledge can only go up.  Our library uses RSS with the students and it amazes me to see how well    its working and how students have become so efficient.

WIKI 

Wiki is a great way to collaborate with your colleagues and keep the information  flowing and informative.  I created a Wiki as though I was planning our 4th grade field trip.  This will help the planning process, makes sure everyone is "in the loop", and allow input from all.  I'm thrilled I had the opportunity to lean a new source, but I think their are a lot of other collaborative resources that are a lot less confusing and possibly even more convenient.  Currently we use a source from the Google Apps that allows the exact has the same functions as Wiki.  I think with more detailed training on Wiki I could become more confident in my skills.  For the overall point of this course, I understand it was to show a sources that make collaboration more effective and more convenient.  My Wiki

Digital Story

WOW!  This was so much fun.  I'm in tears reflecting back on my last years class.  I made a a digital story using Photo Peach and it was easy as pie!  I used several photos I collected from the school year to show differentiated learning in every content area.  This was so easy that I am confident my 4th Graders will have a great experience creating videos for projects.  Creating videos that correlate with lessons will be a great attention grabber for students and will increase students interest in learning.  I'm so excited to use digital story in my classroom and everyday life.  What a great experience! 

Check out my digital story of my Firstie's

Flocabulary 

Flocabulary is a great way to differnitiate and enhance students' learning in the classroom.  This is an awesome website that I use for students at every level.  We have used these in so many different ways in our classroom.  The beat is very catchy... I even heard a student humming the tunes during a test.  The site is easy to navigate around and easy to find videos that cover so many different content areas. They never get old and I promise your students won't ask to use the bathroom or go see the nurse during this.  :) It was very relavent and age appropriate.  This video shows a mini lesson covering context clues.  

Other AWESOME Bloggers

Check out these awesome bloggers for more fun and creative ways to teach.  

Ventura's Blog  Check out Mia's blog.  She is an elementary teacher. 

Jennifer Gilbert - This blog used a slightly different format, but was still easy to navigate through.  I really liked her additional web 2.0 source! 

Cera  - SO relatable.  Cera is also a 4th Grade teacher.  I was so much fun watching Cera's blog bloom.  She sound's like she is doing wonderful things for her 4th Grade students.