Middletown Elementary Tech Challenge

Video

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:25:12 -0400

Day #22: Podcasts, Wikis & Pinterest

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:34:00 -0400

Challenge: Podcasts, Wikis & Pinterest

Thank you for participating in the Elementary Tech Challenge! You’ll be entered to win an iPad2 or other awesome prizes by commenting on this post or any of the previous posts. The challenge for today has an interactive element. You can choose a topic you’d like to explore for today, or you could recommend your own technology resource by commenting below.

Podcasts
A podcast is an audio recording. You can listen to podcasts and also create them. Podcasts are fun to incorporate and easy to make. Try creating a podcast on Podomatic. Listen to podcasts about Space from the NASA Space Place. Also, check out the Scientific American for 60 Second Science Podcasts!

Wikis
A wiki is a space where you can create an online collection of information: text, images, links, etc. Wikis are useful because of their adaptive nature. You can set up a wiki where students can work collaboratively to add information to it. Another idea for a wiki might include keeping an online collection of data (websites, SmartBoard files, teaching resources, etc.) to share with colleagues. Wikis can be as general or specific as you want! You might consider creating a wiki to coincide with a marking period theme or a new concept that you;re teaching. A great resource for the creation of wikis is Wikispaces, which is free for teachers. Try making a wiki today!

Pinterest*
Pinterest is an online pinboard where teachers can locate creative ideas to incorporate into the classroom. The idea is to create a space online where you can organize images, websites, blog posts, etc. into pinboards that you categorize. You can “pin” (or post) things that you like, create and delete your own pinboards, and explore pinboards created by other users. There is also a social element to Pinterest because you can “follow” other pinners, “repin” their pins, “like” their pins and collaborate via comments on their pins. Although it might sound complex and foreign, Pinterest is incredibly intuitive, refreshing and inspirational.

Since Pinterest is invitation-only, you need to request an invite to join and create an account, or you can get invited by someone who has a Pinterest account. THowever, even without a Pinterest account you’re still able to gain fantastic inspiration from the site!

Pinterest has endless applications for teaching! The emergence of dialogue about Pinterest and education is apparent in Pearson’s article titled Four Ways to Use Pintererest in Education. Get ideas and inspiration for your classroom regarding:

-concept-specific teaching strategies

-centers

-bulletin boards

-holiday observations & celebrations

-classroom management

-organization

-classroom library organization

-graphic organizers

-tactile and hands-on activities

-multisensory lessons

-lesson plans

-project ideas

(*Since Pinterest is new & upcoming, it is not yet ready for use by children. This website is recommended for teacher-use only, to gain inspiration and ideas!)

Some Ideas for Integration:

Incorporate podcasts into a listening center
Prepare for Poetry Month (April) with a poem podcast
Use a wiki to organize a themed unit online
Provide an opportunity for students to create podcasts
Explore Pinterest for an idea to integrate

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:
1. Explore one of the resources mentioned above OR post your own resource to share with others below
2. Comment on this post (How do you plan on incoporating a wiki or podcast? Which technology tool featured during the challenge was your favorite? Which resources did your students enjoy?

Remember to comment below! If you have any questions, please email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org. Again, thank you so much for participating in this challenge!

Day #21: Kerpoof

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:06:36 -0400

Challenge: Kerpoof

Kerpoof is a great resource for the elementary classroom because it provides an online space where students can create movies, drawing, pictures, cards, stories and more. There is section designated for educators where you can locate lesson plans, ideas for your classroom, the Kerpoof newsletter, and most importantly, integration strategies for meeting the Common Core standards with Kerpoof activities. Kerpoof is fun to use, for teachers and students, and provides a wonderful outlet for creativity while meeting your teaching objectives.

Some Ideas for Integration:

Invite your class to make cards (for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc.)
Make your word wall interactive by using the drawing tool - have students illustrate a picture to coincide with word meaning
Publish a writing piece on Kerpoof
Incorporate Kerpoof into a center
Use games on Kerpoof as a reward for good choices or behavior
Teach a mini-lesson with Kerpoof (any subject area)
Provide an opportunity for students to create a movie as part of a PBL
Prepare for Earth Day (4/22) with this lesson
Check out Kerpoof’s integration suggestions

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:
1. Explore Kerpoof
2. Create a teacher account on Kerpoof http://www.kerpoof.com//teach?c=accounts. Teachers can easily create a free account! You also have the ability to register students.
3. Incorporate a creation tool from Kerpoof
4. Comment on how you integrated the resource (Did you like Kerpoof? Which tool did you integrate? How will you use Kerpoof in the future?)

Thank you for reading this post. If you have any questions, please comment below or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org. Tomorrow is the last day of the Tech Challenge! Be sure to comment (on any post) for a chance to win an iPad2 and other awesome prizes!

Day #20: Animoto

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:05:00 -0400

Challenge: Make a video using Animoto

Animoto is a tool for creating videos in your classroom. It is fun for teachers to present information using Animoto because you can add images, clips, text and music to your video. This resource can also be utilized as a creation tool for students. Although making videos might sound complicated and involved, Animoto makes accomplishing this task so simple! With a fun, intuitive, and uncluttered interface, Animoto is a tech tool worth checking out and integrating into your classroom!

Some Ideas for Integration:

(Grades 3-5) Create an NJAsk Strategy Video
Add a video component to a PBL (commercial/advertisement, etc.)
Present a mini-lesson using Animoto
Introduce a new skill or concept
Share expectations for a project using a short video
Review rules and procedures using a video clip (class trip, science safety, classroom rules, etc.)
Invite students to create a digital book review using a short video
Infuse Animoto into your centers
Allow students to create Superstar of the Week videos
Make short “Happy Birthday” videos to celebrate classroom birthdays
Use Animoto to digitally depict Word Walls and create activities that coincide

To create a video:
1. Sign in and click create video
2. Select a style for your video or skip this step
3. Continue to create your video by working through the 4 tabs that read “Change Style,” “Choose Music,” “Add Pics & Vids,” and “Add Text”
4. Once you have achieved how you would like your video to appear, click “Produce Video”
5. After your video is produced, you can email it, download it, share it (on Twitter, etc.)

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:
1. Create an educator account. Animoto is free for teachers (you can create up to 50 student accounts in addition to your account). Registration is quick and simple! Click here to register for a teacher account.
2. Make a video or provide an opportunity for students to create a video using Animoto
3. Comment on this post (How did you incorporate Animoto? Did you create a video? Did your students?)

Thank you for reading this post! There are only 3 days left of the challenge so please be sure to comment below (and on any other post so far this month) for a chance to win an iPad2 and other awesome prizes! If you have a question, please comment below or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org.

Day #19: Create A Graph

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:17:53 -0400

Challenge: Create A Graph

Create A Graph is an online graph generator where you can quickly make bar graphs, line graphs, area graphs, X-Y plots and pie charts. This resource is free and user-friendly! Also, there is no login or registration so you can quickly get started using this resource.

Create A Graph is very easy to navigate. To begin, select the graph type (bar, line, area, X-Y or pie). Next, you will use 5 tabs to generate your graph: Design, Data, Labels, Preview and Print/Save. Click on the design tab to edit the appearance of your graph. Select the data tab to input graph information. With the label tab, you can add labels to your graph. Click update as your work on your graph and view changes at anytime during the creation process by selecting the preview tab. Lastly, once you click the print/save tab, you can print, download or email your graph.

The simplicity of Create A Graph makes this tool a great option for elementary school students. Graphing appears in the second grade Common Core Standards. For additional information about how to utilize Create A Graph, click here to read a comprehensive tutorial.

Some Ideas for Integration:

Conduct a survey and use Create A Graph to publish the results
Use Create A Graph to teach a Graphing mini-lesson
Integrate Create A Graph as a Math Center on laptops
Compare completed graphs (with other students, classes, etc.)
Add a graph component to a PBL

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:
1. Use Create A Graph to produce a graph
2. Comment on this post for a chance to win an Ipad2 and other great prizes! (How did you incorporate Create A Graph? How did you display your graph? Did your students find Create A Graph easy to use?)

Thank you for reading this post! Remember to comment below (and on any other post so far this month) for a chance to win an iPad2! If you have a question, please comment below or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org.

Day #18: Google for Educators

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 22:31:00 -0400

There is only one week left of the Elementary Tech Challenge! Thank you for continuing to check out the resources and tools available for teachers. Keep reading to learn more about how Google applications can be useful for educators.

Challenge: Integrate a tool from Google for Educators

Google could easily comprise a month-long tech challenge of its own! Although Google is known for their search engine, there are many other useful products offered, and although some of them have already been mentioned on the Tech Challenge, YouTube EDU, Google Maps, and Google Earth, there are many more to consider incorporating in your teaching. This post will highlight some additional tools for elementary teachers provided by Google.

Google Docs:

This is a word processor, presentation and spreadsheet creator (think Microsoft Word/PowerPoint/Excel but free and online, and of course, by Google). Once you type in your username and password, you are ready to get started creating (there is no software to download). Since everything is stored online, your documents are accessible from anywhere! Any edits that you make to your Google Docs are automatically saved so there is no need to worry about intermittently hitting save. Since this does it for you losing your work is one less thing on your mind. Also, you can “share” your documents with others by entering their email. This is great for online collaboration. Using Google Docs is easy, intuitive, and extensively useful. You might consider using Google Docs for lesson plans (access them at school, home, etc.), sharing PLC ideas, and for other collaborative purposes. Learn more about Google Docs by clicking here to watch a presentation, a YouTube video, and to learn tips and tricks!

Google Books:

Google Books allows you to access and preview or read books. In the classroom, this tool can be used to locate information for PBLs and projects. It could also be used to project a text to read whole-group and to teach a mini-lesson with examples from a text.

Google Calendar:

Google Calendar is a great way to stay organized. You can set up calendars for different uses. A personal calendar is a good tool for keeping track of phone calls, meetings, school events, class trips, school opening/closing dates, etc. Also, you might also consider setting up a Google Calendar for your students and parents with information about when projects are due, assessment dates, and classroom events (class parties, trips, etc.).

Custom Search Enginge:

This tool allows you to create a customized search engine for your students. This tool helps to provide a safe search option for students because only preselected websites (by you) will be utilized in their search.

Webinars by Google:

Google provides webinars specifically for teachers about using their products. You can sign up for future webinars or watch archived presentations.

Google Posters:

Try displaying some of these printable posters in your classroom as a reference for your students as they use Google.

Resources for teaching students to search:
Here are resources for helping students become familiar with vocabulary related to the internet and also the process of searching.

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:
1. Explore the resources offered by Google
2. Integrate one of these tools into your teaching
3. Comment on this post (Which of the Google tools do you anticipate being the most useful in your classroom? Have you used any of these tools before?)

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any questions, comment below or email katzgrauk@middletownk12.org. Comment on this post for a chance to win an iPad and other great prizes!

Day #17: Google Maps, Google Earth & Webcams

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 07:15:00 -0400

Challenge: Plan an Online Class Trip

Field trips seem to provide one of the most memorable experiences for students! Given all of the technology and great resources, the definition of class trip has now expanded to include online or virtual class trips too. Although this doesn’t truly replace the conventional class trip, online trips can be a way to enhance learning and classroom engagement. Using technology, the opportunity to “travel” beyond the walls of the classroom can be accomplished using Google Earth, Google Maps, webcams or pre-planned virtual trips (i.e. Scholastic).

Google Maps is an amazing tool. There are two ways to view the map, earth or satellite view. Underneath those buttons, you can select and deselect what you would like to view on the map. So for example you can select to view pictures, videos, and webcams for places on the map.

Another resource to explore is Google Earth. Although Google Earth requires a download, you can use some of the features without downloading anything. For example, you might start using it by exploring the Google Earth gallery.

Webcams are cameras placed at a destination that are constantly recording. These are exceptionally exciting because you can see a place in real time (so it is different from a pre-recorded video of an area).

Some ideas for integration:

Connect your class trip with your core novel (if possible, “visit” where the story takes place)
Create a cross-curricular lesson: write about a place you visit
Invite students to record virtual class trips: keep a travel journal or a passport
Incorporate trips to places with historical meaning as part of a Social Studies lesson
Calculate distances to add a mathematical element

Here are some resources to help you get started:
Take a Virtual Field Trip to Ellis Island with Scholastic (on March 29, 2012)

Google Maps

Google Earth Gallery

Archived Scholastic 17th Century Colonial America Virtual Field Trip

Here is an awesome list of webcams contributed by Michelle Grezner:

National Park Service Webcams

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium

National Zoo

San Diego Zoo

Mount St. Helens

Statue of Liberty

How to Accomplish this Challenge:
1. Select a resource to use for your online trip
2. Plan your trip and visit your destination
3. Comment on this post (Where did you go? Which tech tool did you use to accomplish your virtual field trip? Where else would you consider visiting?)

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any questions please comment on this post, or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org. Remember to comment (anytime this month) for a chance to win an iPad2 and other great prizes!

Day #16: Thinkfinity

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:17:00 -0400

Challenge: Thinkfinity

Thinkfinity is a vast online collection of teaching resources. Student interactives, webinars, videos, lesson plans, and Common Core standards alignment materials are some examples of the types of resources available. Content for Thinkfinity is contributed by many reputable partners including: National Geographic Education, AAAS Science NetLinks, EconEdLinks, Smithsonian’s History Explorer, Wonderopolis, NCTM Illuminations, and ReadWriteThink (featured in a previous Tech Challenge post). Each of these partners addresses a different subject area and offers high-quality tools. Therefore, Thinkfinity is a great resource for elementary teachers!

Since there an overwhelming quantity of materials on Thinkfinity & their partner websites, here are a few resource highlights that you will help you get started:
Click here to search student interactives
Click here to search for materials by standard on Thinkfinity!
Click here to explore games

Check out some of the content partner websites for subject-specific resources:
NCTM Illuminations
National Geographic Education
AAAS Science NetLinks
EconEdLinks
Smithsonian’s History Explorer
Wonderopolis
ReadWriteThink (also featured in a previous Tech Challenge post)

Some ideas for integration:

Visit the daily wonder on Wonderopolis
Check out the “Today in History” on Thinkfinity
Use the interactive tools for centers and modeling (Like the ReadWriteThink interactives, the math online manipulatives contributed by Illuminations are excellent for keeping students engaged.)
Explore a webinar, join a discussion or get involved with professional development
Play a game (during recess, as a reward, whole group/small group on the SmartBoard/laptop/desktop)

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:
1. Explore Thinkfinity and locate an interactive resource or relevant tool to engage your students with technology
2. Integrate your selected tool into your teaching
3. Comment on this post (What types of resources did you find most intriguing on Thinkfinity? Which is your favorite resource? Have you used Thinkfinity before? Did you find it user-friendly?)

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any questions please comment on this post, or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org. Remember to comment (anytime this month) for a chance to win an iPad2 and other great prizes!

Day #15: Twitter

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:42:00 -0400

Tweets. Followers. Hashtags. Tweetups. If Twitter had a word wall, these terms would definitely be on it! Twitter is a great resource that is a valuable tool for educators interested in both gathering and also sharing information.

Tweets:
Twitter is a space where you can easily and efficiently create posts, called tweets, to share online. There are two ways to tweet: by simply posting your message or by tweeting at someone. (This comes in handy — for example, I tweeted @StoryBird with a question about their product and they quickly responded!).

Followers:
You can follow people on Twitter: people you know, work with, experts, etc.

Hashtags:
Hashtags, which are simply a pound sign (#) with a string of characters following it, which are used in posts to make it simple to search for topics (our district hashtag is #mtwnchat). When you create a tweet, you can type in the hashtag at the end of your message.

Tweetups:
Tweetups can be described as twitter meetups or live chats. They are scheduled ahead of time and you can participate in them by using a hashtag. These events typically last an hour. For example, on March 1st, there was a #mtwnchat live chat where a discussion was hosted online and individuals participated simply by tweeting with those hashtags appended.

Although all this might seem complicated, Twitter is really very simple to use. It is much less involved than many other apps and other social networking sites. Since tweets are limited to 140 characters, posts are inherently brief.

Twitter has a great role in the exchange of information in the 21st century. It has become a mainstream method of interacting with others online, sharing news, and reaching out to people or companies.

Create a Twitter account to get started! When you register, consider creating a name that is related to what you do or incorporates your name (i.e. I use @MrsKatzgrau specifically for teaching-related purposes).

Next, find others to follow. Marc Seigel (@DaretoChem) provided a great link on the Secondary Challenge blog for accomplishing this, http://cybraryman.com/plnstars.html.

Here are some tweeters from Middletown:

Twitter can be a great tool even if you decide against creating an account. Click here: https://twitter.com/#!/search-home to search for topics related to education.

Check out this article for a hashtag dictionary: http://edudemic.com/2011/10/twitter-hashtag-dictionary/
Some useful education hashtags to get started with include: #mtwnchat, #elemchat, #edtech, #ntchat

Some Ideas for Integration:

Search for experts (i.e. @nasa) to locate current information and resources

Tweet about happenings in your classroom or school

Tweet to ask questions and get answers (tweet at an author, scientist, etc. to access knowledge)

How to Accomplish this Challenge:

Explore Twitter: create a Twitter account OR utilize Twitter to search a topic relevant to teaching
Use Twitter to follow fellow teachers, participate in a live chat, tweet about education/teaching, etc.
Comment on this post! (Did you create an account on Twitter or use it to search? How else can Twitter be applied to teaching?)

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any questions please comment on this post, or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org. Remember to comment (anytime this month) for a chance to win an iPad2 and other great prizes!

Day #14: Glogster

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 07:19:16 -0400

Challenge: Create a Glog

Glogster is an interactive poster creation tool. Although Glogster has been around for about 5 years, Glogster EDU is a more recent edition that debuted in 2009. This school appropriate version provides a great option for teachers and students. The products (posters) of Glogster are called Glogs. These are fun and simple to create and provide another way for students to interact with technology in your classroom.

An account is required to get started with Glogster. The free option for is simply called the “Single Free” account. This option will allow you (or your students) to individually create and save glogs. The free option is a great place to start with Glogster EDU and there are many ways to creatively incorporate this resource into your teaching!

Fun Features:

Search through the “Glogopedia” for glog ideas and inspiration
Upload files from your computer (videos, text, photos, etc.)
Insert text, images, graphics, video, sound, and more
Auto-save feature

Some Ideas for Integration:

Create a Spring or an Earth Day glog
Make a poster to introduce a skill, concept or idea (i.e. onomatopoeia, similes, metaphor, etc.)
Try creating an interactive word wall poster
(Grades 3-5) Create an NJASK strategy glog
Create a glog about a field trip, assembly, or upcoming event
Invite students to co-create glogs with you (maybe use a rubric to assess their glog)
Review for an assessment with a glog
Make a lesson multi-sensory with a glog
Provide an opportunity for students to create glog collaboratively (PBL, math/science investigation, etc.)

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:
1. Make an account on Glogster EDU (scroll down to where it reads: “Register Free”)
2. Create a glog or provide an opportunity for your students to make a glog
3. Comment on this post (What was the subject of your glog? Have you used this resource before? Did you find it user-friendly?)

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any questions please comment on this post, or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org. Remember to comment (anytime this month) for a chance to win an iPad2 and other great prizes!

Day #13: TeachersPayTeachers

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:33:00 -0400

Challenge: TeacherPayTeachers

Have you heard of TeachersPayTeachers? It’s an online space where educators can share ideas and resources. Although TeachersPayTeachers is designed for teachers to buy, sell, and exchange resources, an extensive amount of free material is available. There are approximately 25,000 free resources to explore — from classroom labels to hands-on centers and interactive SmartBoard flipcharts. This website has a diverse collection of materials, contributed by teachers, that can be searched by subject, type, and/or grade level. You can even browse by location of the contributing teacher! There are over 200 from New Jersey.

In addition, there is a rating system associated with the site, with 4 stars is the highest rating. Teachers can rate resources to make accessing high quality materials more efficient. This website truly has an overwhelming amount of awesome teaching resources.

Some ideas for integration:

Find a FlipChart or interactive lesson for the SmartBoard (if available) and edit it to meet your objectives
Explore center options to create and incorporate
Browse holiday and season-themed resources (i.e. Spring, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc.)
Contribute your work to TeachersPayTeachers if you would like to share it

How to accomplish this challenge Item:

Create an account. An account is required to download resources. To quickly create an account, go to https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Login and complete the registration procedure.
Find a resource to incorporate or contribute a resource you would like to share
Comment on this post for a chance to win an iPad2! (What type of resource did you find? How will you incorporate it? How else could TeachersPayTeachers be integrated?)

Day 12: Edmodo

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:56:44 -0400

Thank you to Michelle Grezner and Lindsay Topolewski for contributing their expansive knowledge of Edmodo to this post!

Day #12 : Edmodo

Challenge: Create an Edmodo account

Edmodo is a tool designed to enable teachers and students to use a safe social networking environment to elaborate on daily classroom activities. Teachers and students can use Edmodo during class, as well as after school. Creating an Edmodo account is uncomplicated and worthwhile. Edmodo is a great choice for the elementary classroom because it’s user-friendly for both teachers and students!

Fun Features:

Have an online class discussion at any time from any place
Collaborate with each other as well as other classes if you choose to invite them to the group.
Since the appearance of Edmodo is similar to Facebook, it is intuitive and seemingly familiar
Insert YouTube videos, pictures, student work to spark conversations both among peers and family
Edmodo allows you to create quizes, calendars, poll questions, library features, assignments, and create smaller focus groups

Some Ideas for Integration:

Encourage students to join your class group
Host a discussion about the core novel on Edmodo
Create a poll question about the day’s topic
(Grades K-2) Post an article or book into the group library and have students reread at home with parents
(Grades 3-5) Create an assignment where students have to post their responses
Make a calendar to keep students and teacher organized for NJASK milestones
Brainstorm on Edmodo for PBLs
Provide Homework help at a designated time…for students to pose questions about a homework assignment they may be struggling with
Check out blogs about Edmodo and the possibilities it holds!

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:
1. Create a class account on Edmodo
2. Incorporate Edmodo into your daily class discussion both in school and at home
3. Comment on this post (How did you use Edmodo? What are some ideas for integrating this resource? Did you find Edmodo easy to use?)

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any questions about Edmodo, please comment on this post, or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org. Remember to comment (anytime this month) for a chance to win an iPad2 and other great prizes!

Day #11: Word Clouds

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:26:00 -0400

Wordle & ABCYa!

Challenge: Create a Word Cloud

Word clouds are fun to make and can also be aesthetically appealing. A word cloud is simply a collection of terms, and there are several different tools that can be used to make them. This post is going to focus on two: Wordle and ABCYa!. Wordle has been the standard for quite a while because of its simplicity. The interface is basic and intuitive. ABCYa!’s word cloud creator is a tool specifically for kids, and with bright colors and cool fonts, it’s fun and very user-friendly. There is no login or username required on Wordle or ABCYa!, and both websites are free. Creating a word cloud is incredibly quick and easy! Here is how you can make one:

To create a word cloud on Wordle:
1. Click this link: http://www.wordle.net/
2. Click on create (the second tab in from the left)
3. Enter text (type it in, paste it from another document, etc.)
4. Hit go (a basic black and white word cloud with your words should appear)
5. Edit font, color and layout using the buttons in the blue toolbar (or click
“randomize” to see a random representation of your words)
6. You can then open your word cloud in a new window, print it or save it to the public gallery

To create a word cloud on ABCYa!:
1. Click on this link: http://www.abcya.com/word_clouds.htm
2. Enter text (type or paste it in)
3. Click on the arrow ->
4. Like Wordle, you can click “randomize” or edit font, color and layout using the toolbar
5. You can print your word cloud or save it (to your computer, memory stick, etc.)

Some Ideas for Integration:
-Students could create word clouds using word wall words as a center
-Create themed word clouds (for holidays, seasons, etc.) to use on bulletin boards
-Play a guessing game using terms as clues (guess songs, poems, topic, famous speech, etc.)
-Incorporate a word cloud into a mini-lesson (i.e. synonyms/antonyms, homophones, transition words, parts of speech, etc.)
-Provide writing prompt ideas using a word cloud
-Select a character and make a word cloud using character traits
-Create a word cloud using the names of students in your class/school
-Display overused words in a word cloud and coinciding cloud with better options
-Present a question, have students generate a word cloud to respond

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:
1. Create a word cloud using Wordle or ABCYa! and provide an opportunity for your students to create one (either as a whole group, in teams, or independently)
2. Comment on this post (Did you use ABCYa! or Wordle? Which application did you prefer? How did you incorporate a word cloud? Or, how do you plan on integrating word clouds?)
Thank you so much for reading this post! If you have any questions please comment on this post, or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org.

Remember to comment (anytime this month and as much as you want) for a chance to win an iPad2 and other awesome prizes!

Day #10: Arcademic Skill Builders

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:26:00 -0400

Challenge: Play a Game on Arcademic Skill Builders

Arcademic Skill Builders is an awesome, fun website where you can find arcade-style educational games. The use of gaming in education (think BrainPOP’s GameUp and Globarloria) is becoming widespread. This website provides a great option for the elementary classroom because it is user-friendly, engaging and effective. Arcademic Skill Builders is free and your students can get on and start playing right now by simply going to this website: http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/games/.

Several features of Arcademic Skill Builders are available to assist teachers. Although not required, there is an option to create a user account and there are some benefits to this. For example, you can easily create student usernames and passwords, assign games, and track student performance. Also, you can search through the games by grade level or subject area. Although most of the games are focused on math concepts, there are games related to Language Arts, Geography, and Typing.

To get started, find a game, click on it, then click play. This will bring you to an overview of the game with directions about how to play. Since many of the games are multiplayer students can either select to play a public or private game. (If they select private this means that they can enter a password and play only with users that they share this password with. Aracdemic Builders is safe and secure, and perfect for your students! You can read more about Aracdemic Skill Builders note on Student Safety here).

Some ideas for integration:
Play a game whole group on the SmartBoard (if available)
Incorporate a game into centers
Reward students with game time
Indoor recess on a rainy day

Also, you can get the Arcademic Skill Builder App for iPad or on the Andriod Market!

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:
1. Visit Arcademic Skill Builders
2. Find a relevant game to play with your class
3. Play the game
4. Comment on this post (Which game did you play? How did you organize this task? What device did you use to play the game? Was it effective?)

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any questions about Arcademic Skill Builders, please comment on this post, or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org. Remember to comment (anytime this month) for a chance to win an iPad2 and other great prizes!

Day #9: Popplet

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:57:00 -0400

Challenge: Create a Popplet

Popplet is a tool designed to visually organize ideas. Teachers and students can use Popplet to make timelines, graphic organizers, mind maps, storyboards, presentations, galleries, diagrams, and more! Popplet has a user-friendly vibe, and a fun interface which makes it an excellent choice for the elementary classroom.

Fun Features:

Easily insert content from Flickr, YouTube (please keep in mind that some videos from YouTube may not be appropriate) and Google Maps
Collaborate with Popplet (adding a collaborator is quick and simple)
View your Popplet in presentation mode
Use Popplet with a SmartBoard or get the app for an iPad

Some Ideas for Integration:

Encourage students to create a Popplet (as part of a PBL center, homework, etc.)
Present with Popplet - incorporate it as part of a mini-lesson
Create a Popplet as a study guide for an upcoming assessment
(Grades 3-5) Generate an NJASK test taking strategy Popplet
Use Popplet to introduce or provide closure to a lesson
Create a picture prompt gallery for writing with Popplet
Make a timeline to teach a historical concept
Organize a digital word wall with Popplet
Share and collaborate on PLC ideas
Brainstorm on Popplet

Click here to watch a quick video demo about Popplet!

You can create up to 5 Popplets at a time. Popplet works with these Browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox or Safari (please note, some features of Popplet work in Internet Explorer but it is not recommended to use it with this browser).

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:

1. Create an account on Popplet

2. Incorporate Popplet (Present a Popplet, co-create a popplet with your class, collaborate on popplet, etc.)

3. Comment on this post (How did you use Popplet? What are some ideas for integrating this resource? Did you find Popplet easy to use?)

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any questions about Popplet, please comment on this post, or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org. Remember to comment (anytime this month) for a chance to win an iPad2 and other great prizes!

Day #8: ReadWriteThink Student Interactives

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:23:11 -0400

Challenge: ReadWriteThink Student Interactives

ReadWriteThink is a great resource! On this website, you can locate student interactives, online professional development, lesson ideas, an online professional library, printables, and more. The student interactives are exceptionally useful! Every student interactive that is featured on ReadWriteThink comes with a collection of resources: an overview of the interactive, lessons that use the interactive, and related classroom and professional development resources. Click here to view to all of the student interactives!

Here are some ideas for integration:

Teach a new concept whole group with a student interactive on the SmartBoard (if available) and then have students work complete an interactive (independently, pairs, teams, etc.)
Print interactives and use as a writing graphic organizers
Create a ReadWriteThink student interactive tech center with laptops
Assign an interactive component as homework
Create cloze-style assignments
Use an interactive as an assessment

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:
1. Explore the student interactives on ReadWriteThink
2. Select one and use it to teach an objective
3. Comment on this post (Which interactive did you use? Was it effective? Did you find it easy to use? How did you incorporate it? What technology/devices did you utilize?)

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any questions please comment below, or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org. Remember to comment (anytime this month) for a chance to win an iPad2 and other great prizes!

Day #7: YouTubeEDU

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:18:00 -0500

Challenge: Engage Students with YouTube EDU

YouTube is somewhat of an internet classic at this point! There are so many ways that it can be applied to education and these uses are expanding. One of the most beneficial aspects of YouTube for teachers is a recent launch called YouTube for Schools, which has made it exceptionally user-friendly and school appropriate. Similarly, YouTube Teachers has made accessing relevant content to use in your classroom a quick and simple endeavor. Both additions to YouTube make this resource a great option for engaging your students.

There are many great applications for YouTube in the classroom. YouTube Teachers allows you to create and account and a “channel” where you can post videos and playlists (a series of related videos) on a specific topic. You can easily search for videos by level, subject and concept with YoutTube Teachers. This search feature is extremely efficient in terms of time! Additionally, there are premade YouTube Partner playlists available that are aligned with the Common Core Standards (access them here http://www.youtube.com/user/edupartnerplaylists). YouTube Partners that contribute videos include Kahn Academy, PBS, TED, and Stanford.

Some Ideas for Integration:

Create a YouTube center in any subject area on any device (iPad, laptops, etc.)
Insert a YouTube video in a Prezi or SmartBoard Lesson
Create a YouTube Channel to post playlists
Use a premade playlist from http://www.youtube.com/user/edupartnerplaylists
Add your own videos to your YouTube Channel highlighting student work
Make YouTube interactive by having students complete a video quest
Use a YouTube clip to introduce or provide closure to a lesson
Provide a cloze style activity or graphic organizer to be completed while students view
“Flip” your classroom by providing a video for students to view (on a concept or skill at home) so that they can use their time in class applying the skill or practicing the new concept

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:
1. Go to YouTube Teachers: http://www.youtube.com/teachers
2. Search for a video that will help you meet a learning objective and preview it
3. Share it with your class (whole group, in teams, as a center, in pairs, etc.)
4. Comment on this post (What video did you present to your class? How did you choose to show it (whole group, in teams, as a center,etc.)? What technology did you incorporate? What are other ways that YouTube could be integrated?)

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any questions about YouTube, please comment on this post, or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org. Remember to comment (anytime this month) for a chance to win an iPad2 and other great prizes!

Day #6: Storybird

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:21:07 -0500

Challenge: Integrate Storybird

Storybird is described as “art-inspired storytelling.” It is a fun online resource that integrates animation, writing, and art. This is how it works: artists contribute their work, you browse through their pieces, and when you find one that sparks a story, you begin to write. In addition to composing stories, you can also read through featured and completed Storybirds to gain inspiration. It is an exciting and interactive approach to writing.

Although you can create Storybirds without having an account, your work will not be saved. Creating an account on Storybird is advantageous because it’s free, and they have special features for teachers. Sign up for an account here: http://storybird.com/teachers/. Additionally, you can create accounts for your entire class which will allow you to create assignments, generate an online library of their pieces, have an online discussion, and organize a fundraiser.

This website is very intuitive and user-friendly. Check out these Storybirds on using this tool in the elementary classroom for implementation strategies and ideas: Animation in the Elementary Library and Classroom and Storybird in the Classroom.

Other features of Storybird:

Storybird can be used for fundraising - teachers earn $5 for every parent order
Students can collaborate to write
Storybirds can be easily embedded in blogs, websites, etc.
Everything is stored online and accessible from school and home (but it can also be downloaded)
Storybirds can be emailed to parents

Some ideas for integration:

Storybird as a writing center (nonfiction and/or fiction)
Incorporate Storybird into minilessons (using the Smartboard; a projector) by modeling strategies and concepts
PBLs
Writing math story problems and word problems
Reading and then editing, improving or rewriting Storybirds created by other students

How to Accomplish this Challenge:
1. Create a Storybird account
2. Model how to create a Storybird with your class
3. Provide an opportunity for your students make a Storybird (independently, in pairs, in teams, etc.)
4. Comment on this post (How did you use Storybird? Did you find it user-friendly? Are your students enjoying this resource?)

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any questions about Storybird, please comment on this post, tweet me @mrskatzgrau, or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org. Remember to comment (anytime this month) for a chance to win an iPad2 and other great prizes!

Enjoy Storybird!

Day #5: Prezi

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:38:00 -0500

Day #5: Prezi

*Comment on this post for a chance to win an iPad2!*

Prezi is an online slideshow creation tool. Presentations created using Prezi have a captivating zooming effect. Since Prezi is cloud-based, all content is stored online and this makes it incredibly simple to access your Prezis from any device, anywhere without taking up any space.

Prezis are so easy to create! You can insert text, images, and videos (i.e. YouTube, Discovery Education, etc.). To get started, create a username and password. Click on “new prezi,” enter a title, and a description (optional) and once again, click “new prezi.” You will be provided with different templates to choose from, select one and click ‘start editing.’ Next, preview the theme and then begin editing your presentation by adding content.

In addition to making new Prezis from scratch, there is a extensive collection of “Prezis for Education” available. You can search for Prezis to incorporate by using keywords. There are millions of them available and so many great options to explore.

Things to try with Prezi:

Explore Prezis for Education http://prezi.com/explore/education/
Create a new Prezi, print it and use it as a handout
Use Prezi with a SmartBoard, projector or as a center on a laptop, iPad or other device
Invite students to create a prezi (as part of a PBL, as a center, in teams, etc.)
iPad users: You can get the Prezi Viewer on the App Store

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:
1. Go to http://prezi.com/index/
2. Create a new Prezi or search Prezi for Education (an account is only required for creating new prezis)
3. Use Prezi into your classroom
4. Comment on this post (How did you incorporate this in your classroom? Which presentation did you or will you use? What are your thoughts about Prezi?)

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any questions about Prezi, please comment on this post, or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org.

Day #4: Ta-da List, Remember the Milk and Google Tasks

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:02:34 -0500

Challenge: Create an Online Task List

Lists are awesome for productivity. They keep you on-task, organized and provide a sense of accomplishment when you complete something on it. The classic “to do” list if often scribbled on a post-it, the back of a hand, or a piece of scrap paper. An easier way to keep a list is online. You can access it on the internet from anywhere - your computer, phone, iPad, iTouch, etc. (You won’t have to worry about losing your list, having your list travel through the washing machine, leaving your list at work, etc.). An online list might be helpful for students, too. If some of your students use checklists, you might consider sharing them online so that they can access it from anywhere.

There are many options for keeping an online task list. Some of the best include: Ta-da List, Remember the Milk, and Google Tasks. All three are free and simple.

Ta-da List is probably the most simplistic of the three task lists. It allows users to create lists, add tasks, reorder tasks, edit them, and check them off. Some other useful features include the ability to email the list to yourself and also share it with others.. This is a great tool for collaboration because you can share your list with others simply by entering their email addresses. Create an account here: http://tadalist.com/. (Also, there is a Ta-da List app on iTunes called All Done, it costs $0.99.)

Google’s version of the online task list, Google Tasks, requires a Google Account. This is an excellent tool because it can be integrated with a Google Calendar. You can email your task list to yourself, print your task list or view it while logged into your Google Account. A slight drawback of this option is that presently, there is no collaboration feature (however, Google Docs, Google’s online word processor, provides this option which is very useful). Learn more about Google Tasks here: https://mail.google.com/mail/help/tasks/.

Remember the Milk is a more detailed option than Ta-da List and Google Tasks. It allows you to organize your list into categories and prioritize tasks. Like Ta-da List, Remember the Milk also features a public/private sharing functionality. Remember the Milk can be synced with a Google Calendar. (There is a free app on iTunes for the iPhone, iTouch and iPad.) Sign up for an account here: http://www.rememberthemilk.com/signup/.

Save time, use an online task list!

How to Accomplish this Challenge Item:
1. Create an account for Ta-da list, Remember the Milk, or Google
2. Comment on this post (How do you plan on using your online task list? Will you use it to keep a list for yourself or for your students? Is this something that you found helpful?)

If you have any questions about this, please comment on this post, or email me at katzgrauk@middletownk12.org.

Thank you for reading this! Remember to comment and get entered in to win an iPad2.