I checked out most of the writing tools you listed. I could use the “Historic Tale Construction Kit” at http://www.adgame-wonderland.de/type/bayeux.php for a creative writing assignment
for a Wordly Wise lesson. I am always looking for new ways for them to do these assignments.
I plan on using at least one of the comics writing tools. “Pixton” http://pixton.com/
seems to offer a lot of variety and flexibility, and it has a good tutorial. Both “Witty Comics” http://www.wittycomics.com/make-comic.php and “Make Believe Comix” http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/ do not appear to be as versatile but seem easy to use.
Although I probably would not use “Big Universe” http://www.biguniverse.com/ for the creation of stories with my students this coming year, I definitely want them to read some of the books for the 9-12 age group created by others. Many of these books are easily understood and are an accurate and excellent introduction to selections that we read. The one on Greece provides background for The Adventures of Ulyssehttp://www.biguniverse.com/readkidsbooks/read/74/dm
The book on Rome http://www.biguniverse.com/readkidsbooks/72/rome is a very good introduction to a short selection we read on Pompeii and also the novel The Secrets of Vesuvius.
The Solar System book http://www.biguniverse.com/readkidsbooks/348/the-solar-system and Outer Space http://www.biguniverse.com/readkidsbooks/read/345/dm are both informative review before reading a selection about our solar system “The Five Wanderers.” There is a comic book version of A Christmas Carol http://www.biguniverse.com/readkidsbooks/read/374/dm
that I think the seventh grade English teachers may want to use.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Task 4 Flicker for Fun
I viewed the tutorial and checked out Compfight. I also looked at Picture Sandbox, Big Huge Labs, Character Trading Generator, Pics4Learning, and Bubblr.
I plan to use http://www.pimpampum.net/bubblr/ for at least one creative writing assignment that I have my students do this coming year. They will create comic strips using photos from flicker.com. I do not think it will be difficult for them to use, will be fun, and they can be quite creative with what they produce.
I want my students to use Character Trading Cards Generator at http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/trading_cards/ instead of the traditional book report form when they read and report on book length biographies and autobiographies. It is an easy format to use. The student includes such things as a picture of the main character and his or her personality, information about setting, and the reader’s thoughts and feelings. Picture Sandbox http://picturesandbox.com/?d=ps and Compfight http://www.compfight.com/ would be good picture sources.
When my students write biographical poems at the beginning of the year, I plan to have them use
http://bighugelabs.com/deck.php They will upload a photo or other picture to represent themselves, create their biographical poems to accompany the pictures, and post them on the class blog for all to enjoy.
I plan to use http://www.pimpampum.net/bubblr/ for at least one creative writing assignment that I have my students do this coming year. They will create comic strips using photos from flicker.com. I do not think it will be difficult for them to use, will be fun, and they can be quite creative with what they produce.
I want my students to use Character Trading Cards Generator at http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/trading_cards/ instead of the traditional book report form when they read and report on book length biographies and autobiographies. It is an easy format to use. The student includes such things as a picture of the main character and his or her personality, information about setting, and the reader’s thoughts and feelings. Picture Sandbox http://picturesandbox.com/?d=ps and Compfight http://www.compfight.com/ would be good picture sources.
When my students write biographical poems at the beginning of the year, I plan to have them use
http://bighugelabs.com/deck.php They will upload a photo or other picture to represent themselves, create their biographical poems to accompany the pictures, and post them on the class blog for all to enjoy.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Voice Thread
For my sixth grade language arts students next year, I checked out several Voice Threads that I found either adaptable or usuable as they were. Already created Voice Threads that I would like to use are ones on prepositions and cause and effect. Both of these would be good introductory interactice activities. One idea that I thought of relating to another person's Voice Thread was for each student to have a graphic and written copy of a poem he or she had created, accompanied by a recording of the student reading the poem. Another use of Voice Thread would be for all students to respond briefly to a teacher posted openended question relating to literature. Also, I am definitely planning on having my students use Voice Thread for their first "extra" book report. It will be quite similar to what we did last year. Each student will choose a representative picture with his book title and author written on it. The student will record answers to preassigned questions relating to the books. Each student will sign up for a different book and will be asked to comment on at least two other students' books.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Task 2 Visual Learning
I explored the sites “25 Interesting Ways to Use Wordle in the Classroom” and Andy Fisher’s “10 More Ways to Use Wordle in the Classroom.” I found many good ideas that I plan to use with my classes this coming year. Among the topic are the following: writing about selves, writing expectations of the classroom, defining skill using synonyms, summarizing based upon a prompt, poll of a favorite hero from literature, comparison and contrast of literary themes, character traits analysis prereading activity for a novel or play to predict plot, characters, etc.
I have created a Wordle to use as an introduction to one of the first short stories we will be reading in the fall. It is on characterization in “My Friend Flicka.” I plan on having my students create their own Wordles on characterization and similar topics throughout the year. This can be for either an introductory or a summary activity. I have copied the URL from Gallery View and saved it as a Diigo bookmark.
I have created a Wordle to use as an introduction to one of the first short stories we will be reading in the fall. It is on characterization in “My Friend Flicka.” I plan on having my students create their own Wordles on characterization and similar topics throughout the year. This can be for either an introductory or a summary activity. I have copied the URL from Gallery View and saved it as a Diigo bookmark.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Teacher Tools
Teacher Tools
Write Rhymes
I can see this as a useful tool for my sixth graders when they are writing poetry that rhymes.
Xtra Normal
Xtra Normal looks interesting and would be fun. The kids love dramatizing. I talked to Judy Callahan about it, and she recommended that if the sixth graders did it, it should be done during class.
Wallwisher by Nik Peachey
There were several “tools” that I found interesting and may use next year.
At Phrasr, www.pimpampum.net/phrasr one can visually illustrate as many words as one wants for a phrase or sentence. There are a number of picture choices for each word. This would be especially helpful for poetry writing.
Creating Comic Strips http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/ would be fun for a vocabulary activity.
Ediscio http://www.ediscio.com/ is a good site for creating and sharing flash cards and other knowledge. One can even add pictures and videos
Write Rhymes
I can see this as a useful tool for my sixth graders when they are writing poetry that rhymes.
Xtra Normal
Xtra Normal looks interesting and would be fun. The kids love dramatizing. I talked to Judy Callahan about it, and she recommended that if the sixth graders did it, it should be done during class.
Wallwisher by Nik Peachey
There were several “tools” that I found interesting and may use next year.
At Phrasr, www.pimpampum.net/phrasr one can visually illustrate as many words as one wants for a phrase or sentence. There are a number of picture choices for each word. This would be especially helpful for poetry writing.
Creating Comic Strips http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/ would be fun for a vocabulary activity.
Ediscio http://www.ediscio.com/ is a good site for creating and sharing flash cards and other knowledge. One can even add pictures and videos
Friday, June 5, 2009
Task 1 Exploring
I would define Web 2.0 as Web development and design used to interact in various ways: communicating, sharing information, and collaborating. Examples are social networking sites, video-sharing sites, wikis, blogs, and folksonomies.
Three important things I have found out about 21st century learners are (1) the You Tube Generation has grown up in a new digital landscape, constantly exposed to digital media. (2) Digital is their language of choice. (3) Their cognitive structures process information in a parallel or simultaneous manner, not sequentially like ours.
Twenty-first Century skills that are important are mastery of core subjects and 21st century themes. In doing so, teachers must move beyond lecturing and search for new ways to engage students in the learning process. People in the 21st century live in a technology and media-suffused environment, marked by various characteristics, including: 1) access to an abundance of information, 2) rapid changes in technology tools, and 3) the ability to collaborate and make individual contributions on an unprecedented scale. To be effective in the 21st century, citizens and workers must be able to exhibit a range of functional and critical thinking skills related to information, media and technology. Teacher must provide opportunities for students to develop these skills. Some 21st century skills are being able to read and write; speak, listen, and view; think critically, act creatively and collaboratively; manage, analyze, and synthesize multiple streams of simultaneous information. All of these skills are quite important, but for someone of my generation, the last skill is the most difficult.
I am trying to make my assignments assess higher level thinking, and I am also working to incorporate technology in a relevant and memorable manner. In relation to our Wordly Wise vocabulary study, I have my students use a core group of words for each unit to do creative writing assignments, in various genres. This coming year I plan to have them add a colored picture to the poetry, narrative, and descriptive assignments to illustrate the figurative language they create. This past school year, in relation to our study of The Adventures of Ulysses, my students used a Google map for an oral presentation of the route Ulysses took on his twenty year return trip from Troy to Ithaca. Each student had a particular site on the map and researched on the Web information pertinent to the site. Each student gave a brief plot summary of the book for his or her site. The students were also able to use the map to show just how far it was from one place to another. The students were very engaged in the research and presentation of this material. Next year, when we read Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, I am planning on using a blog (rather than our usual study guide and some of the class discussion time) to share ideas about social issues,.
Three important things I have found out about 21st century learners are (1) the You Tube Generation has grown up in a new digital landscape, constantly exposed to digital media. (2) Digital is their language of choice. (3) Their cognitive structures process information in a parallel or simultaneous manner, not sequentially like ours.
Twenty-first Century skills that are important are mastery of core subjects and 21st century themes. In doing so, teachers must move beyond lecturing and search for new ways to engage students in the learning process. People in the 21st century live in a technology and media-suffused environment, marked by various characteristics, including: 1) access to an abundance of information, 2) rapid changes in technology tools, and 3) the ability to collaborate and make individual contributions on an unprecedented scale. To be effective in the 21st century, citizens and workers must be able to exhibit a range of functional and critical thinking skills related to information, media and technology. Teacher must provide opportunities for students to develop these skills. Some 21st century skills are being able to read and write; speak, listen, and view; think critically, act creatively and collaboratively; manage, analyze, and synthesize multiple streams of simultaneous information. All of these skills are quite important, but for someone of my generation, the last skill is the most difficult.
I am trying to make my assignments assess higher level thinking, and I am also working to incorporate technology in a relevant and memorable manner. In relation to our Wordly Wise vocabulary study, I have my students use a core group of words for each unit to do creative writing assignments, in various genres. This coming year I plan to have them add a colored picture to the poetry, narrative, and descriptive assignments to illustrate the figurative language they create. This past school year, in relation to our study of The Adventures of Ulysses, my students used a Google map for an oral presentation of the route Ulysses took on his twenty year return trip from Troy to Ithaca. Each student had a particular site on the map and researched on the Web information pertinent to the site. Each student gave a brief plot summary of the book for his or her site. The students were also able to use the map to show just how far it was from one place to another. The students were very engaged in the research and presentation of this material. Next year, when we read Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, I am planning on using a blog (rather than our usual study guide and some of the class discussion time) to share ideas about social issues,.
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