Study Music Project

During writing and throughout various parts of the day, my students ask me to play music because it seems to help them focus.  I use clips from the Study Music Project, such as the one above, regularly.  I also added several clips to my class website so students can listen to the music at home while doing homework.  I definitely recommended using this in your classroom as well!

Edmodo Collaboration

Recently, the librarian at my school and I decided to create an Edmodo site to help students reflect and respond to the Nutmeg book nominees for this year.  We are asking students to read five of the ten books.  They are can read independently, with a parent and another adult, or the book can be a classroom read aloud.  We have been using Google Docs to draft and edit permission slips and notes to parents.  Using Google Docs has saved us so much time because we can work from home when it's convenient rather than meeting before or after school!  I feel extra motivated to work on this project because I am enjoying collaborating with her.  The other fourth grade teachers are going to join in on this project as well.  I love that parents will be able to read our posts because they will be able to see how we are effectively incorporating technology to support literacy instruction.  More importantly, the students are excited to read the books and to get started on Edmodo!!

Below are the appropriate standards for digital age teaching that are linked to my Edmodo collaboration with the librarian at my school.

Standards

3.  Model Digital Age Work and Learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.

a.  Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfew of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.

b.  Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support students success and innovation.

Presenting... My Animoto Project!

This course has helped me better understand just how powerful and effective technology can be in the classroom. I feel invigorated and excited to introduce my Animotos (and other new skills) to my students.  I love the power of words and images; I find my mind constantly buzzing with ideas when reading what other educators are doing in their classrooms and how I can integrate these ideas into my own classroom.   I see myself continuing using technology as often as possible and hopefullythis will lead to more collaborating grade level partners.  As for my skills in general, I am finding that simply experimenting with the progams presented in class has been most beneficial. I learn by doing and I am getting better every day!  This is a whole new chapter in my teaching career!

Dot Day is on the Way!

After reading Rachel's post entitled International Dot Day, I remembered that Dot Day is right around the corner!  I have been reading countless posts from the people I follow on Twitter on Dot Day, but I realized after reading her post that I hadn't signed up or read the Dot Day handbook.  After signing up my classroom, I was able to download the Educator's handbook and read it carefully.  I am getting very excited to participate for the first time this year!  :)

For anyone who follows other teachers and librarians on Twitter, make sure to check out #dotday to see how people are showing their enthusiasm for International Dot Day! 

Finding Copyright Friendly Images

My main concern for the Animoto project was using copyright friendly photographs.  I did a little research and stumbled upon this short tutorial on YouTube.  The clip is just over two minutes and breaks down the process of finding and downloading copyright friendly images from Flickr.  After watching the steps described in this video clip, I was able to easily locate high quality images to use for my Animoto project.

I also discovered this website for teachers to use to find high quality pictures.  I like that you are able to type in the kind of picture you need in the search box and find many pictures.  Most pictures are relevant, but bear in mind that some are not very helpful!

One more site I found is a search display for free photos.  According to this website, "These come from many sources and are license-specific. You can view a photo's license by clicking on the license icon, below and left of photos."  I recommend checking out the license to be sure that you can use the photo.

Though I am not an expert at finding photos, I am feeling much more comfortable knowing that I am not (intentionally!) breaking any copyrights laws and that I am more mindful of looking in the right places!

Please feel free comment if you know of any websites that are easy to use and offer photographs that can be used for educational purposes!

My Very First Animoto!

Though this is far from perfect, this is my first attempt at creating an Animoto.  My students were thrilled with this as an introduction to our class novel.  I was nervous to show it because Animoto is so new to me, but they surprisingly asked me to play it several times.  I am excited to continue creating Animoto presentations because my students love it!

Skyping to Discover

While poking through the sample blogs, I discovered one that really inspired me!  The teacher uses Skype to connect with other classrooms across the country, but refers to it as a "Mystery Skype."  The two connected classes have to give clues to one another to figure out which states they are from by sharing facts and fun trivia.  I LOVE this idea because we study regions in the United States and I would like to connect with classrooms in each region rather than simply studying from our sorely outdated textbooks.  Using Skype would make this unit extra exciting!!!

Click here to check out Mrs. Alaniz's Class Blog!

Growing Up Online

"Growing Up Online"

Click on the title of this post to view an extremely powerful and eye-opening website. This FRONTLINE video/article is called "Growing Up Online." You can watch the entire program from the website - I strongly suggest watching at least a few clips! The focus of this website is to clue in adults about the silent world that young adults and children are creating online and with other technology, such as text messaging. I was absolutely fascinated by the video clips and recommend watching them a few times to really let the message sink in about virtual societies.

According to the website, the film "takes viewers inside the private worlds that kids are creating online, raising important questions about how the Internet is transforming the experience of adolescence. At school, teachers are trying to figure out how to reach a generation that no longer reads books or newspapers. Fear of online predators has led teachers and parents to focus primarily on keeping kids safe online. But many young people think these fears are misplaced. Online media has also intensified the social dimensions of adolescence as teens create and play with identities on sites like MySpace and Facebook and encounter intense peer pressure in a variety of virtual worlds. Parents are confused about how to respond to the increasingly private worlds inhabited by their children, lacking an understanding of both the creative potential and the genuine risks of this new dimension of our cultural environment."

I believe as educators that it is our responsibility to be current with issues such as the untouched virtual world of students today. There is a very helpful section on the website for educators, which is complete with suggested lesson plans and more in depth analysis of internet use in different settings (i.e. home, school, etc.). Read this section and let me know if it helps you at all!

Here are some questions that I have and I would love to hear your thoughts/opinions:

-What are some ways to protect students while online?
-How can parents tap into this private tech savvy generation?
-Should parents and teachers collaborate to help control online environments?
-When is a parent or teacher overstepping their boundaries?
-What are some implications of being so dependent on technology?

I believe this is an overwhelming issue for teachers because our students will be greatly affected. For example, the website mentions cyber-bullying and how it is even more problematic than traditional in-school bullying. This website will help us start thinking proactively about issues and scenarios that we encounter in schools.

A Fresh Start

One of the greatest parts of being a teacher is starting fresh each and every school year.  Few other professions allow people hit the "refresh" button as we do as educators.  The end of August marks a new chapter as I redecorate my classroom, finish reading inspirational books, and put the final touches on my plans for the new school year.  At this point, I feel reenergized, motivated, and very ready to get back into a schedule.

Naturally, I have my reservations about diving head first back into work and another year of grad school, but my outlook is positive and I am ready to tackle the year one day at a time.  We are halfway done with our grad program, which is motivating in itself.  I have a wonderful group of students and a very helpful paraprofessional.