I got an email this morning reminding me to renew my Animoto Education account. The email also said that they are reviewing this process - I hope they don't take it away! I love Animoto - it is a really simple way to make super-professional music videos out of video clips and still pics. Here are a few I have made.
I always do an introduction of myself to my students using Animoto. It is a neat way for them to meet my family, see what I did this summer, and get an idea of my personality. (If you use Animoto in front of parents, it impresses the heck out of them.)
You can sign up for your own standard Animoto account or an Education Animoto account.
How do you use pictures and video in the classroom?
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Reading Plan Redux
So, just Monday, I posted that I was proud and excited about being ready for 6th grade, right? Welllll, I discovered today that that plan has to change. I was under the impression that our 6th grade used Reading Street by Scott Foresman, just like the rest of the school. Au contraire, they don't. *insert your favorite cuss word here*
So, after a few hours of near panic, and a couple emails to key folks, I've got a new game plan. I've got several folks looking throughout the district for leveled readers (at least) and the Reading Street materials (at best.) My curriculum contact has given me the go-ahead to plan to implement a "Reading Workshop" approach at the beginning of the year.
As you know, this is fine by me! I've got resources for that - I'm just worried things will change AGAIN. So while I am looking at random things for implementing Reading Workshop, Daily 5, and even CAFE into my 6th grade reading class, I'm a little cautious. I'll be able to get my hands on materials next Wednesday. I'm holding off on revising my plan until then. I'll leave my original documents up on the Documents Tab (you noticed it, didn't you?) for future reference.
Do you have any favorite resources for Reading Workshop in the upper grades?
So, after a few hours of near panic, and a couple emails to key folks, I've got a new game plan. I've got several folks looking throughout the district for leveled readers (at least) and the Reading Street materials (at best.) My curriculum contact has given me the go-ahead to plan to implement a "Reading Workshop" approach at the beginning of the year.
As you know, this is fine by me! I've got resources for that - I'm just worried things will change AGAIN. So while I am looking at random things for implementing Reading Workshop, Daily 5, and even CAFE into my 6th grade reading class, I'm a little cautious. I'll be able to get my hands on materials next Wednesday. I'm holding off on revising my plan until then. I'll leave my original documents up on the Documents Tab (you noticed it, didn't you?) for future reference.
Do you have any favorite resources for Reading Workshop in the upper grades?
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Home Office Organization
I need to get a Pinterest fix, so I'm going to share some inspiration I've found there. I need to seriously look at the organization in my home office, as I'll soon be bringing home about half of my teaching resources. I need to find ways to store all my math, science, and social studies materials where they can be accessed if a colleague has a need. Here are some ideas I liked...
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This room is about the same size as mine, but has much smaller windows. What I really love is the cubbies on the left. That is exactly what I need - but I can buy it right now. So I'm looking for more ideas...
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Are we beginning to see a theme? More cubbies.
My main problem is - of course - cash flow. I can't buy cubbies, boxes, or cute bins. I've got 3 mismatched bookcases and that's it. Here's a before picture. There is lots of space - but I worry about overcrowding the poor shelves!
When I start to bring home stuff, I'll post more pictures. Maybe being accountable on here will keep it from turning into a disaster area!
Do you have a home office with teacher materials? How do you have it organized?
This room is about the same size as mine, but has much smaller windows. What I really love is the cubbies on the left. That is exactly what I need - but I can buy it right now. So I'm looking for more ideas...
Are we beginning to see a theme? More cubbies.
My main problem is - of course - cash flow. I can't buy cubbies, boxes, or cute bins. I've got 3 mismatched bookcases and that's it. Here's a before picture. There is lots of space - but I worry about overcrowding the poor shelves!
When I start to bring home stuff, I'll post more pictures. Maybe being accountable on here will keep it from turning into a disaster area!
Do you have a home office with teacher materials? How do you have it organized?
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Using Prezi in the Classroom
I am a die-hard PowerPoint user. It has been my go-to tool for YEARS. Thinking about not having Powerpoints ready to go for my Reading Street stories is enough to make me twitch. Now that I've learned Prezi - and love it - I find myself going to it more and more.
Prezi is great because it isn't just a linear, flip-flip slide show. You can set a path and zoom in and out - the results are really amazing! Here are a few Prezi shows I've created.
These all had specific purposes. Some I used with students and some with adults. My favorite Prezi is this last one. I used to do a PowerPoint show each morning. It guided the students and made sure they were ready to start the day. I think this shows the path setting and zoom features best - What do you think?
Now I'm thinking about how to compensate for all those Reading Street PowerPoints I no longer have. I'm debating between doing Prezis or Glogs or maybe a combination of both. Or maybe neither?
What other uses do you have for Prezi? How do you introduce stories from a basal textbook?
Prezi is great because it isn't just a linear, flip-flip slide show. You can set a path and zoom in and out - the results are really amazing! Here are a few Prezi shows I've created.
These all had specific purposes. Some I used with students and some with adults. My favorite Prezi is this last one. I used to do a PowerPoint show each morning. It guided the students and made sure they were ready to start the day. I think this shows the path setting and zoom features best - What do you think?
Now I'm thinking about how to compensate for all those Reading Street PowerPoints I no longer have. I'm debating between doing Prezis or Glogs or maybe a combination of both. Or maybe neither?
What other uses do you have for Prezi? How do you introduce stories from a basal textbook?
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sixth Grade Reading Outline
So, thanks to Shannon's lovely website, I got my act together! I feel so good - practically giddy. In fact, if I didn't have a migraine as I typed this, I'd probably be downright giddy! I'm that happy, relieved, excited. I could go on, but I won't. Without further ado, here is my outline for the new school year!
I made it in Word, printed to PDF, and took an image capture from there. The images should enlarge a good bit if you click 'em. The scroll-y box above is the Google Doc - who knew you could embed it?! I just wish the box was bigger! Here is the link to the file on Google Docs - Sixth Grade Reading Outline.doc. If you'd like to see the original doc file (or my month-by-month year long plan that is VERY specific) just post a comment or find me on Twitter.
I need to investigate more options for linking doc's and things. Any ideas?
I need to investigate more options for linking doc's and things. Any ideas?
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