Educreations

I am using Educreations to have my students reteach the scientific process.  I have paired up the students and each pair has one part of the process .  It is their responsibility to define and give some sort of example.  This has been a big hit. The students are engaged and doing a great job of reteaching and coming up with different ideas for examples.  I will be doing this with other units in science.

Flip Chart - Weather

I found a great flip chart that I used in class regarding Meteorologist and their tools as a introduction into our Weather unit.  The students loved the flip chart and it start some great conversations regarding our local TV weather.  Many students stated that they had heard many of the weather tool names but had no idea what exactly they were used for.  We have hardly just begun but they appear enthused to learn more.

Free Space - IPad Apps

I have been on the hunt for 5th grade apps that are Free and related to science.  I have been having some problems finding these types of apps  I keep thinking of different ways to search but I am still having little or no luck.  I will continue to look because  I am wanting to use the IPads in class.  I know they are still new but I am struggling a bit.

One thing I found very helpful was when Colin came for our Early Release PD he showed us how to put websites on our home pages of our IPads.  This was big because I have many websites I can use at this point.  Therefore I will keep looking for apps!

Flip Chart Tutorials

The first flip chart tutorial I watch was converting a Smart Notebook file to a flip chart.  I really like this because I used many different smart notebook files in my previous district and I am so glad I have a way to convert and use them in my current classroom.  I am so glad I can use them again!!

Second video was searching Promethean plant for flip charts.  I have been searching for flip charts on certain topics and not always having luck.  The tips in the video will help me to narrow down my search and find useful flip carts to help expand my lessons. 

Last video was editing an existing flip chart.  Wow I could have used this a couple of weeks ago when I was trying to edit a flip chart I was trying to use for science.  I did not realize this was so simple.  Now I know and will definitely use this in the future. 

BYOD

I just watched the video on BYOD.  I do like the idea of BYOD but I am still unsure at times about incorporating into my everyday instruction.  I would like to incorporate it more and more I just need to be more confident and let go.  The students at Carson MS seemed very comfortable with using the technology at school.  Several were using BYOD to take notes or to create flashcards.  I do agree that the technology definitely causes student engagement to increase.  We are starting an investigation in science and I think I will have the students bring in their devices for the next few weeks and use them during class.  They can use them for research, videos, create data tables and graphs etc.  I will be anxious to see how it all works out. 

Promethean Planet Hunt

I downloaded a flip chart on the Water Cycle.  It was a great resource I was able to use to introduce the Water Cycle.  It had the basic definitions for each part of the cycle.  I had the students create a foldable as we were going through each slide.  The flip chart had short videos incorporated and it also connect us to Study Jams through Scholastic.  The students were engaged the entire time.  There was also a short quiz which was a great formative assessment.  All in all in worked out really well with all 4 science classes.  I will be looking for more. 

Writing Re-Launched: Teaching with Digital Tools

Writing is such a difficult task for so many students.  I always hear I don't know what to write about.  I don't like to write.  I like the idea of using technology to help spark those students imaginations. 

As teachers you still need to teach the basic steps of writing but then what.  You still have those students who hate to write.  From videos to storyboards kids are given opportunities to express their thoughts in other ways then just writing them down on a piece of paper. 

Blogs and wikis are giving the students opportunities to collaborate with their writing.  All of these new ideas and strategies are giving students the confidence they need to be better writers.  It is alleviating some of the pressure students are feeling about having to write paper/pencil.  This is just another way as educators we are preparing students for the future.