Education Podcasts

After listening to some of the Podcasts on The Education Podcast Network, I found them to be very entertaining. I found some adorable sights of First Graders reading their stories and sharing information about themselves. As I get more familiar with all of this “technology,” I really do hope to apply some of these things in my own classroom.

I particularly love how it’s the voices of the children sharing what they have learned or what they are interested in. From experience, I have seen the reaction of the children when they just “see” themselves on the television or computer screen. Now to put their voices online, this could lead to a whole new eruption of excitement in our classroom! Can’t wait to try it out!

First Grade Snowman Pictures

Voice Threads

After viewing the Voice Thread website, I was able to listen to many different examples of specific first grade projects. For example, one of the threads was titled "If this Rock Could Talk". Another one was called, "Thanksgiving Turkey Project". I have embedded the actual website as well as a specific one called "First Grade Snowman". I loved how they used KidPix on the computer and then named and described what the snowman was doing. A great link for new ideas!

http://voicethread.com/q+first+grade

Final Project Video Revised!

I played around with my video, picked a new song and tried out the different options. I liked this one better.....

http://www.rockyou.com/show_my_gallery.php?source=ppsl&instanceid=134624020

Video I Made For My Final Project

After learning about the different types of clouds, my students created them by using cotton balls. We got a little sticky, but had lots of fun labeling and constructing the clouds.

Here is the link to my video.

http://www.rockyou.com/show_my_gallery.php?source=ppsl&instanceid=134622275

Using Social Bookmarking

Most of the sites that I have composed consist of information for our science units. They can be useful when I want to further extend the lessons. Many of the sites offer craft ideas and other "fun facts" about the things we are learning in these units. I also found a site for igloos and the Inuits. I do a separate unit about the Inuits and how they build igloos. The link to my Delicious Account is: http://delicious.com/norlando

Using Google Docs in My Classroom

Some ways I could use this type of program would be to work with the students on creating stories and building from each students' own ideas. I could also make a slide show presentation using pictures of different projects we've done and the students can work on their own page. For example, when we learn about the different types of clouds or about the water cycle, or when we grow plants, I could post pictures of their individual projects and have the kids write about what they learned.

Digital Story about Clouds

In first grade we teach a weather unit. One of the things we focus on is the 3 different types of clouds. After viewing actual photos of the clouds and sorting them accordingly in class, students will also get to make and sort their own clouds using cotton balls. I thought I would take pictures of their work and post them in with the video of the clouds.

A friend of mine is a local meteorologist for Channel 5 and he visits the kids every year and presents a lesson on the water cycle. I thought I could take pictures or video the presentation and post it alongside their actual water cycle projects that I do with them.

Types of Clouds Video