Activity 10, Free Choice, Live Binder

Beginning Reading Instruction


I am going to be teaching the AFT course Beginning Reading Instruction in August.  Putting together all of our reading articles in a Live Binder is an excellent way to share our articles!  I found it very easy to put the articles that I have into the binder.  I love the idea of a "3 ring binder" in the clouds for me to use!

Activity 8, Polling & Data Collection Reflection

Thanks to the YouTube video.......I now know how to embed it!  Love it!!  The Poll Everywhere was very easy to set up and *now* easy to put on a blog.
I am not sure how I would use it in school but I would guess as things went on I would think of things I could ask.  I believe I would use it more for parents but my students would get a kick out of doing it, also.

Activity 8, Polling & Data Collecting

Activity 1, Blog Bling Reflection

How could a blog be useful in your classroom or professional life?  If you're not sure of the potential benefits, do a Google search for something like "using blogs in the classroom".  

I would love to have a classroom blog.  I have tried different things in the past and I like the ease of a blog.  I think it is a great way to connect with families so they know what is going on in school.  If they have a more "up-to-date" idea of what goes on in school then they can ask better questions about their child's day.  It is so important to strengthen the ties between home and school.

After checking out some of the other blogging sites, which do you think would be the best option for you?

I tried Edublogs this past year and I really like Blogger.  Maybe because Summer Camp has made me play around with it and taught me how to do more but I like it!  The ease of it being tied with Google is the selling point with me!  I like it all in one spot and I think that will help to make me update and check it more frequently.

Activity 5, Reflection on YouTube Channel

I never knew this was a part of our Google accounts.  Love when you can learn more about the full capacity of what you already have!  I thought this was very easy.  I will most definitely use this in the school year.  I have a classroom iPad and love to take videos of what we are doing.  I have been limited to the length of the videos by sending them via email so this is perfect!  I love to take video of kids reading or doing a reader's theatre and I know parents would LOVE to see them.  The 2nd graders also put on a big Ladies Day show in May so it would be fun to post some of the videos I take.
I think a big link to getting families involved in school is helping them understand what we are doing in school.  This is an easy way to bring school to them.  It is also a very fun way for the kids to be motivated to show off for their families!  I think using a YouTube channel could benefit my teaching in many ways!

Activity 5, MV You Tube Channel

Activity 10, Free Choice, Animoto

Got myself in trouble.......had to do another video for the other child!  I can easily see how you would want to upgrade Animoto.  I take tons of pictures so it just captures a little bit with the free version.  It would be fun to do the whole song.
I love how easy it is to use your own songs.  Great to personalize each video.


Create a birthday video at Animoto

Activity 10, Free Choice, RubiStar Rubric

I also tried Rubistar.  I haven't used it since I was in college and I forgot how easy it is to use.
I made a rubric for letter writing.  We do a big unit using the book Flat Stanley.  I only had to change it a bit (I took out that it should be typed).  They are very easy to make.  It only took me about 10 minutes.  Gotta love easy sites that make a teachers' life easier!!
You can search for it using this: Rubric ID: 2331452
Letter Writing: Flat Stanley

Activity 10, Free Choice, Animoto

Create a birthday video at Animoto

This was SO easy and super fun!  I could see doing this with any group of photos!!  Parents and kids would love videos of field trips or class parties.
My only complaint is that you would want to upgrade to have a longer video.
Love it!

Activity 3, Digital Story Telling, ZooBurst

Not really loving this one.....quite boring, I think.
I am NOT an author.......
Kids would probably enjoy making a ZooBurst.  I thought it was easy to use and quite kid-friendly.  I think it would make a fun activity and I think most kids could teach themselves how to use it.

I first tried Storybird......a little frustrated on finding illustrations.  I want to do an alternative Cinderella story.  Maybe it will come later.  Stay tuned......

Activity 2, Pimp my Presentation......PREZI

I had fun with Prezi!  It reminded me of the Steve Jobs biography & how he HATED power point presentations and would walk out on them.  It definitely adds a bit of excitement to presentations.  I thought it was easy to use.  I don't think I would have students use it at the 2nd grade level but something I would use.  I am not sure on the best way to put it into a blog, though......comments??

Thanks for the help......now my Prezi can be right here!!

Activity 1, Blog Bling

Looking for a fun summer activity?
The Twin Cities River Rats Water Ski Show Team put on FREE shows every Thursday night in June, July and August!
They ski on the Mississippi River in NE Minneapolis.  (94 & Broadway)
Shows are Thursday nights at 7:00 pm (Junior Development show starts at 6:30)

My husband still skis for them (look for "Big Tom") and I used to.  Send me a message if you are going......I would love to see you!

For more information check out:
www.tcriverrats.com