Resources I Use: Scoop It (@scoopit)

Today I'd like to share a site I used this spring.  After EOG testing, my students do a nutrition poster project. (Yes, it is a paper poster, don't judge us.)  I needed a better way to organize the sites they could use for research. (This was a HUGE disaster last year. I ended up sitting with each group as they researched.)  After poking around, I found

Here is a video from ScoopIt that describes what they allow you to do.



I installed their tool into my browser then just visited the sites I wanted students to be able to use.  A few clicks and the pages showed up in my Scoop It site for the project.  Super simple for me and for my students.

They don't offer embedding, but there are a few different gadgets and widgets you can put on your site.  If you are looking for a simple way to collect content for your students, I encourage you to check this out!

Random Reading Stuff

If you have read the Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller, you'll love this.  She has an interest survey in her book that she has the kids complete at the beginning of the year.  Last year, I discovered the beauty of doing surveys with Google Docs.  So I put her survey in and can share the link with you.  You can view my document but you can't edit it.  You'll need to save it to your account - then you can edit it, publish it, have the kids complete it, and see how Google analyzes the results.  It is pretty slick.  Enjoy!

Reading Interests Google Doc Survey

I participated in the #Daily5 chat on Twitter last night! It was amazing - the first Twitter chat I've done.  I had a hard time keeping up.  Thankfully, the chat is posted in the archive on the Daily 5 wiki.  Here is a link to that, along with some of the other cool stuff I discovered during the chat last night.

• Daily 5CAFE Chat Wiki
• The Daily 5: Cafe - site run by a teacher with lots of good info
• Bouncy Balls - mouse or microphone activated bouncing balls.  Good for volume control in the classroom. (The louder it is, the crazier they bounce.)

 Last, I'll leave you with a link I discovered yesterday in some random web surfing.  It came from a LiveBinder all about the Daily 5.  I've already downloaded a bunch of good stuff. Check it out!

Teachers' D5 Share and Swap Stop - there is TONS of good info here, just check out the topics in the left sidebar

Enjoy! Maybe it is time for me to make a "Links" tab where I can put all the links like this so they aren't lost in the archives...

Do you have any resources that apply to doing Daily 5 and CAFE in the upper grades?

Animoto in the Classroom

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?

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?

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...

     

Source: sarahyoude.com via Melissa on Pinterest

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...

Source: blog.craftzine.com via Laura on Pinterest

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?