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

After watching the video on how to “Wiki” and reading the articles that were posted, I now have a much better feel as to how to use a “wiki”. I understand how it can be much easier than an email going back and forth about something specific. I also can see the advantages of getting different feedback from people on a certain topic. One teacher posted how her first graders are learning to write and offered others to help edit it. Now that my students are beginning to understand what a “sentence” is, I think we might be able to try some creative writing activities as well. I just have to figure out how to go about the whole process.

I also do a unit on making igloos. I wonder if I could create an assignment where the kids have to come up with all the items/materials they need to do this. I could split them in groups and work together on “editing” the page as it gets written on. Another idea I had was to use it with my colleagues during team teaching. For example, if we were working on a Character Education lesson, we could go back and forth on a Wiki page on different items to discuss or materials we would need for the presentation. I could also make a page for planning class plays with colleagues listing again the characters, props, etc. It seems as though the possibilities are endless......

Summer Is Calling!

Week 2 Assignments Cont.

Assignment 3: Here is my link from 2 Cents Worth http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/?p=1673#comments