tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72445914472158893712024-02-06T20:34:28.339-06:00Melody's MusingsMrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-82533126643522300272015-03-20T07:45:00.002-05:002015-03-20T07:45:59.038-05:00Polish anthem<object height="300" width="500">
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Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-54034404077416420072015-03-18T15:21:00.002-05:002015-03-18T15:21:46.970-05:00Say hello in Polish<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oAgCRNAq-jY" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Practice saying "Hi! I'm (your name) in Polish!Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-45478600291607655052014-07-01T19:20:00.000-05:002014-07-01T19:20:19.661-05:00Reflections of summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I was visiting a friend recently, her husband said, "So, what's it like to have the summer off?" I laughed and said, "I guess I'm not going to school, but I still have so much to do!" I listed books that need cataloging, Bluebonnet books I need to read (so I can converse with my students in the Fall about what book they like the best), trying out new websites, and planning my maker space. Needless to say, after my conversation with him I sat down for awhile with Twitter and Pinterest until I felt I had curated enough for one evening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love summer, but NOT because I'm <i>not</i> working, because believe me I <i><b>am</b></i>! I love it because it gives me time to reflect on new learning, connect with like-minded educators, and really think about my goals for the coming school year. I have not attended a conference, big or small, this summer, and I miss it! I have tried to keep up with tweets from ISTE and ALA to catch a glimpse into what is going on in my realms of interest, but it's not the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a class="twitter-timeline" data-widget-id="484128693409685505" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISTE2014">#ISTE2014 Tweets</a><br />
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<a class="twitter-timeline" data-widget-id="484129085765869568" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/alaac14">#alaac14 Tweets</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week I will have to spend time organizing the links, tweets, ideas, and websites shared by my virtual, growing PLN. I will need more time to reflect, connect, and bounce questions and ideas off of the growing number of educators I am connected with thanks to Twitter and Pinterest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's it like to have my summer off? It's a lot of work!</span>Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-45711023848912057782013-05-20T12:10:00.000-05:002013-05-20T12:10:33.193-05:00March/April reflection - Online PLN experienceFor my online PLN experience, I participated in the <a href="http://fetc.org/events/virtual-leadership-summit/home.aspx" target="_blank">FETC Virtual Leadership Summit</a>: Leveraging Digital Learning on April 11th. I was able to view several sessions that shared many great technology applications and uses in education. Our campus iCoach was not on campus during the summit, but she was able to log in during the morning sessions, and we chatted as the speakers presented information. We shared ideas and excitement for the new web tools, Apple apps, and innovations that these experts shared. Some of the topics discussed were: "Technology Smackdown", "Walk the Talk: effective use of Technology", "iPads for Learning and Teaching", "Promising Technologies, Creativity & Teaching: 25 ideas", and "Super Secret Twitter Tips, Tricks, and Resources."<br />
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My favorite pieces of take-away information came from the "Technology Smackdown" session. I loved the web tools that John Kuglin shared. Some I had heard of before, like <a href="https://popcorn.webmaker.org/" target="_blank">Popcorn Maker</a> and <a href="http://www.thinglink.com/" target="_blank">Thinglink</a>, which allow you to layer audio, video, web links, and text to make a very interactive product. One I had not heard about yet was <a href="http://www.thinglink.com/" target="_blank">knovio</a>, which is an educational site that stores lessons made by other educators, and has an app that allows easy access for students. Flipping your classroom just became a little easier! One last one that I want to try is <a href="https://vialogues.com/" target="_blank">vialogue</a>, which is like VoiceThread, but with video. It allows students to view a video and make a comment about it to encourage discussion of the topic right there.<br />
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I really enjoyed this format, and I have signed up for several other webinars through School Library Journal, edWeb, and Edudemic that I hope to view throghout the summer. What I enjoy most about virtual webinars and session like these, is that I can connect with actual experts in the area of technology and also with experts in my area of interest, books and libraries, and on my time and schedule since most are archived for later viewing.Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-8861576182224498862013-03-31T14:51:00.000-05:002013-03-31T14:54:51.883-05:00February reflection - PLNI find that I do some of my best learning and discovering of new ideas while surfing my favorite sites in the evenings on my couch! That is the beauty of a PLN and PLE. It allows my learning to be personal and relevant to what I need in order for my teaching to grow and develop. I am encouraged to hear that SBISD is considering using a teacher's PLN as a way to give credit for professional development. It gives value to the time a teacher spends making connections outside the district, as well as encourages conversations to happen across the district while acknowledging the time commitment.<br />
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I have found several places on the world wide web that have connected me to experts, leaders, and innovators in education.<br />
<ul>
<li>Pinterest: Here is my <a href="http://pinterest.com/melodykaryn/technology/">Technology </a>board. I have found Pins for so many new websites, apps, and things to try that I need to have more time to actually go back through them and read, dig, and TRY them all!</li>
<li>Twitter: The person I make sure an read links from on my Twitter feed is John Schu (<a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link" href="https://twitter.com/MrSchuReads" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #0084b4; font: 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none !important; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><s style="color: #66b5d2; text-decoration: none;">@</s>MrSchuReads</a>) because he always has a good book to recommend! Two technology twitter feeds I frequent are Cool Mom Tech (<a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link" href="https://twitter.com/coolmomtech" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #0084b4; font: 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none !important; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><s style="color: #66b5d2; text-decoration: none;">@</s>coolmomtech</a>) and edutopia (<a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link" href="https://twitter.com/edutopia" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #0099ff; font: 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none !important; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><s style="color: #66c1ff; text-decoration: none;">@</s>edutopia</a>). Not only do I get information on the most recent trends, but notices of free apps too!</li>
<li>edmodo: This is a new tool that I have been trying to utilize more often, as there are so many great teachers and communities to connect to. The problem I have is that it is one more place I have to remember to check, and my student's posts are also in my feed, which makes finding teacher posts a little harder.</li>
<li>Flipboard: I like using Flipboard because it is a place that I can go to look at Facebook, Twitter, as well as other sources on my iPad or iPhone. I have tried a couple of other services that pull information into one place, but this is still my favorite because it is just so easy!</li>
<li>Google+: I am starting to use this as a place to connect, but again it is another place to go to and I have to sort through personnal and professional connections.</li>
<li>You Tube: I love this as a place to share information of new books, authors, and videos of how to do things! Creating my own channels to save playlists has been my favorite new thing I have added to my toolbox this year!)</li>
</ul>
I don't know if I can make a visual of my PLN, but in my head, it is all connected. When I find someone I really like, such as Kathy Schrock or John Schu, I find all the places they post information and add them to my growing PLN in as many places as I can! That way I never miss anything, no matter what I choose to look through that particular day.Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-31524903378267731692013-02-21T13:32:00.002-06:002013-02-21T13:33:29.002-06:00January reflection - tech toolbox inventoryAt times I feel like I have an abundance of technology tools and could never use any more, and then I find out about a new gadget, app, or website and I fall in love all over again. As our teaching and learning incorporate more and more digital aspects, it becomes increasingly important to change up the things we use, clean out our toolbox, and look for things to make what we do new and exciting again. So here are my current thoughts on where I am with technology at school:<br />
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My favorite tools:<br />
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<ul>
<li>iPads and iTouches - I am always finding new apps that facilitate learning, creating, and discovering. (I think I need to make a separate post of my favorite apps to use with students.) One I just found yesterday is called "Cam On! Pro", which accesses webcams across the world. You can see ecosystems, urban streets, countrysides, and businesses from Antarctica to Vietnam. I use an app called "Apps gone Free' to notify me of apps that go on sale for a limited time, and try to add those to my devices when I can.</li>
<li>edmodo - This is such a wonderful place to share information with students and teachers! I am finding more and more ways to encourage teachers to use edmodo all the time. Plus I love the fact that they have apps within the website that allow students to explore and create as well.</li>
<li>Blogs and wikis - I use my blog for the <a href="http://mwelibrary.blogspot.com/">MWE library</a> to share with parents the fun and exciting things their students get to do when visiting the library. I use <a href="http://mwelibrary.wikispaces.com/">wikis</a> to help teachers offer reliable sources on the internet for students to use when exploring a new topic or doing research.</li>
<li>VoiceThread - I have helped first grade classes create VoiceThreads about the US symbols and kindergarten made a VoiceThread about Texas symbols. It is a great tool that works on oral language skills and listening to one another.</li>
<li>google docs - I use this more with teachers than with students. The netbooks in the classrooms do not always cooperate with google docs, and thus cause more frustration. However, I love the tools I can utilize as a teacher when sharing documents, access websites and linking my YouTube account.</li>
</ul>
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New tools I am trying:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Go Animate! - I am using this with my first and second grade PGP group. This is an animation creation tool on edmodo. I am having them create an animated movie to teach a concept that they have learned this year. It is a great tool to help me facilitate storyboard planning, as well as encourage creativity.</li>
<li>iMovie - I am trying to use this more this year when I am creating culminating movies for grade levels or teachers. Recently I helped the kindergarten classes make 100 day of school movies. I need to work on transitions of movie clips within this program to make my finished products better.</li>
<li>Glogster - I started using Glogs last year with my fifth graders, and have introdced Glogs to fourth and fifth graders this year. Students love the freedom to create and share in this "digital poster' format.</li>
<li>Skype - My first Skype experience was this year with an author for our fifth graders. We did a Skype session with Eve Yohalem, the author of "Escape under the forever sky," and she was incredible! It was an amzing experience that did not cost a thing, but allowed these students an opportunity to have conversations with an actual author. </li>
</ul>
<div>
Tools I am not using at this time, but might again in the near future:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>animoto - It is a good tool to use as an intro or attention getter, but I have not found a good way to use the free 30 second account (and that's another issue - creating student accounts) as a culminating project. It does allow me the opportunity to introduce the idea of finding pictures that we are legally allowed to use in projects.</li>
<li>PhotoStory - I have done some wonderful projects with PhotoStory in the past, and love that it can be lengthy, uses text and voice-overs, and can be incorporated with many curriculum areas. It is a time consuming tool to use and requires hands on attention to students' questions and inevitable problems.</li>
<li>Google Reader - I have one set up, but I am not good about checking it and reading through the wonderful things I have bookmarked to follow. I need to clean out, delete, add, and update to make it something I want to spend time reading again.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Tools I want to try:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>I want to help students create podcasts, and possibly video webcasts. I have a teacher on my campus who has done this with her students in the past, and look forward to learning with her the process of making them better.</li>
<li>New bookmark websites, like <a href="http://www.symbaloo.com/">Symbaloo</a> or <a href="https://www.diigo.com/">Diigo</a>, which i have heard about, but have not used.</li>
<li>Google+ - I have not figured out if this is better than Facebook and Twitter, or if it is just one more thing for me to keep up with.</li>
</ul>
</div>
Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-74724165460187420482012-01-02T13:23:00.000-06:002012-01-02T13:23:37.453-06:00Fancy Nancy Scholastic video - from TeachingBooks.net<object id="flashObj" width="486" height="412" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=1731910628&playerID=858992059001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAFv844g~,BASb5BU03X-I8zjhaYyMRNzgkSvpc3CO&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1731910628&playerID=858992059001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAFv844g~,BASb5BU03X-I8zjhaYyMRNzgkSvpc3CO&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-35956897105119899082011-12-31T19:00:00.000-06:002011-12-31T19:00:43.735-06:00Good End to 2011Staying at "home" is underrated these days! I have totally loved playing hostess to my friends and family during my Winter Break from school. Here's a recap of my "stay-cation":<br />
December 16 - last day of school!! "half-day" for students and I finished decorating my room!<br />
December 17 and 18 - spent at home with family, put outside decorations up, and some shopping and cleaning<br />
December 19 - more cleaning, shopping, and family time (my niece, nephew, and sister visit)<br />
December 20 - Baking extravaganza!! Made fudge, chocolate chip cake, scones, pumpkin bread, and cinnamon cookies! Furnace replaced $$ Jacob's piano lesson - more Christmas songs!<br />
December 21-22 - visit Victoria, TX - lunch with mom, dad, niece, and nephew; dinner with friends (and their bible study group)followed by caroling; next day spent talking and relaxing<br />
December 23 - Steve starts his vacation time!! Put ornaments on the tree. *watched TMNT and Polemon Christmas specials*<br />
December 24 - enjoyed time at home together - watched "Home Alone", mass at 3pm, RAIN - decided not to go to family party; *watched "Polar Express" and half of "Little Women"*<br />
December 25 - CHRISTMAS!! Sent Steve's parents to see "The Muppet Movie" with the kids at 11:40 - time to regroup, tidy up, and cook ham lunch; lunch with in-laws and open presents. Surprised Wendy with keyboard! *finished "Little Women"<br />
December 26- woke up late! :( Parents and siblings' families come over. Still making lasagna when first group arrives! Finally have lunch at 12:45 and open presents (a little faster than I would have liked). Each set of family members helped to tie together a blanket for my grandmother who will be 90 on January 1. Visited with John, Jessica, and kids with Arby's in hand. Played Parchessi and snacked!<br />
December 27 - SFASU friends come over: Cynthia, Sean, and Henry; Eve, Richard, Megan, and Jacob; Karen, Ron, CJ, and Bobby - had pizzas and snacked our way through the afternoon. Lots of good conversation and played "Apples to Apples" with grown ups while kids played Wii and Thomas tracks and marble races.<br />
December 28 - BREATHE!! took cats to the vet, my car needed a new battery, Steve's car got new tires,*saw "The Adventures of Tin Tin" as a family; shopped at mall<br />
December 29 - testing new games and Pokemon prep day; Steve and I went on a date out to eat at Vida Loca mexican restaurant, *watch "The Help" with Steve and April<br />
December 30 - Steve and April go to City Championship in Seabrook. Both end with losing records. :( Jacob and I see "We bought a zoo" at Alamo Drafthouse for lunch, grocery shopping, Gavin spends the night <br />
December 31 - Jacob has Gavin over until 2pm, and they are great together! run errands and prepare my grandmother's birthday present (including making a Snapfish book for her of photos of us making the blanket together)<br />
January 1 - all Pokemon competitors to Magnolia to compete, I am going to see "New Year's Eve" with Kim, then to dinner with in-laws and Aunt Judy<br />
January 2 - haircut and anything else that did not get done yet!Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-32617272391479943902011-09-15T20:17:00.001-05:002011-09-15T20:19:39.170-05:00Foot fetish kittyOur girl cat, Luna, loves to rub against our feet after we have bathed! I can hear her purring from here. Crazy cat!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFeEhO3odo10JAOmYTXNhknkMCYS_VPmIYMsaYonhe1k7QpFnPOuDVQJQCwK_lg-_Akwfo1-6SE-vqOgdJBmx3wEOovuQtX2Jbf2hRkWeoYFpw5b8LVEbWHFaQpY8Gef2H9cV9GDFBWI/s640/blogger-image-1919386987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFeEhO3odo10JAOmYTXNhknkMCYS_VPmIYMsaYonhe1k7QpFnPOuDVQJQCwK_lg-_Akwfo1-6SE-vqOgdJBmx3wEOovuQtX2Jbf2hRkWeoYFpw5b8LVEbWHFaQpY8Gef2H9cV9GDFBWI/s640/blogger-image-1919386987.jpg" /></a></div>Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-66983343449503496202011-09-11T16:53:00.003-05:002011-09-16T09:32:50.776-05:00President Obama on importance of Constitution<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1543302482" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1124354276001&playerId=1543302482&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed>Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-16084453329355687342011-09-11T16:52:00.002-05:002011-09-11T16:52:52.873-05:00President Obama on the 10th anniversary of 9/11<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1543302482" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1124337409001&playerId=1543302482&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed>Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-84395919446605027142011-09-07T20:17:00.000-05:002011-09-07T20:17:42.176-05:00First Responders Day - aka 9/11To commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, my class plans to learn what being an "everyday hero" is all about. Over the past few weeks many wildfires have sparked across Texas. The firefighters, police officers, and Red Cross volunteers are the true heroes. My students will share their thoughts, admiration, and appreciation for all they do through poems, cards, and letters that we will send to them. Join the cause at <a href="http://www.911day.org/">911day</a>.Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-21801693758234735062011-09-07T20:10:00.002-05:002011-09-07T20:10:37.449-05:00More Wildfires<object id="otvPlayer" width="400" height="268"><param name="movie" value="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/static/flash/embeddedPlayer/swf/otvEmLoader.swf?version=&station=ktrk§ion=&mediaId=8343091&cdnRoot=http://cdn.abclocal.go.com&webRoot=http://abclocal.go.com&configPath=/util/&site=" ></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed id="otvPlayer" width="400" height="268" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" src="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/static/flash/embeddedPlayer/swf/otvEmLoader.swf?version=&station=ktrk§ion=&mediaId=8343091&cdnRoot=http://cdn.abclocal.go.com&webRoot=http://abclocal.go.com&configPath=/util/&site="></embed></object>Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-81540438349898750092011-09-07T20:07:00.001-05:002011-09-07T20:07:10.548-05:00Firefighters helping<object id="otvPlayer" width="400" height="268"><param name="movie" value="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/static/flash/embeddedPlayer/swf/otvEmLoader.swf?version=&station=ktrk§ion=&mediaId=8345268&cdnRoot=http://cdn.abclocal.go.com&webRoot=http://abclocal.go.com&configPath=/util/&site=" ></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed id="otvPlayer" width="400" height="268" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" src="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/static/flash/embeddedPlayer/swf/otvEmLoader.swf?version=&station=ktrk§ion=&mediaId=8345268&cdnRoot=http://cdn.abclocal.go.com&webRoot=http://abclocal.go.com&configPath=/util/&site="></embed></object>Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-88553648515459028402011-09-07T20:03:00.002-05:002011-09-07T20:03:47.760-05:00Texas Wildfire Heroes<object id="otvPlayer" width="400" height="268"><param name="movie" value="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/static/flash/embeddedPlayer/swf/otvEmLoader.swf?version=&station=ktrk§ion=&mediaId=8345159&cdnRoot=http://cdn.abclocal.go.com&webRoot=http://abclocal.go.com&configPath=/util/&site=" ></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed id="otvPlayer" width="400" height="268" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" src="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/static/flash/embeddedPlayer/swf/otvEmLoader.swf?version=&station=ktrk§ion=&mediaId=8345159&cdnRoot=http://cdn.abclocal.go.com&webRoot=http://abclocal.go.com&configPath=/util/&site="></embed></object>Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-17054863467128133322010-08-08T12:49:00.002-05:002010-08-08T13:06:00.649-05:00Tool #11 - digital citizenshipTeaching students to be responsible on the internet is important from a young age. Students need to be taught the dangers of online sites as well as how to determine websites that are reliable sources to use. Last year I used the Brain Pop videos and quizzes to teach my fifth graders about being careful users of the internet. Another fun, quick video to use with students is made by the creators of "Phineas and Ferb" on Disney called <a href="http://tv.disney.go.com/disneychannel/commonsense/">"Common Sense with Phineas and Ferb"</a> which links to the <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/rules-road-parents-digital-age">Common Sense Media website </a>that has many useful tools for kids, parents, and teachers.Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-44792410154162808702010-08-08T12:27:00.002-05:002010-08-08T12:49:12.230-05:00Tool #11 - what I learnedTwo tools I hope to add to my teaching this year are a class wiki or blog so students can have a place to "discuss" what they are reading and learning. This will allow students across classes to be able to discuss book club books and expand their knowledge and comprehension. I also want to use more of the image generators, especially Glogster as a way for students to create something representative of their learning.<br />I think more of the learning in my classroom will be done on an individual basis through the use of videos, links, and webquests through technology. I see the iTouch as a very useful tool for students to use as a resource as well. If they need to know the definition of a word or replay a video it can happen instantly through the dictionary.com app or video podcasts.<br />I enjoyed seeing all the different tools that are available for me to use, however it took a lot of time to explore and learn how to use them. I wish the course would have had more group worktimes set up so that we could help and support one another. I feel that even splitting it up into segments of one or two tools a month would be more beneficial than trying to get it all done over the course of 2 months.Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-39699575580843080322010-08-08T12:16:00.003-05:002011-09-07T20:43:42.600-05:00Tool #10 - iTouch appsI LOVE the iPod iTouch!!! I was able to use 80 iTouches with my fifth graders last year, and learned ALOT! There are so many great ways to use the apps in classrooms for research, information gathering, and practice of skills. Not to mention the podcasts that can be loaded and watched or listened to at an individual pace. During my library student internship I created a wiki of useful <a href="http://iteachapps.wikispaces.com/">apps for educators</a>. I have just started working on putting FREE and inexpensive apps on the subject pages, with every intention of adding more as we find ones that are worthwhile.Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-6661726653413286482010-08-08T11:53:00.002-05:002010-08-08T12:16:43.132-05:00Tool #9 - Jing and SkypeI can definitely see how using Jing could be helpful to show the steps for completing a technology assignment. It would be great to have a video for students to be able to access instead of having to repeat my instructions everytime. Another free download program that can record a video of what you do on the screen is Nvu. I have used it before and would like to try to make a recording of instructions to use in my classroom, possibly how to add a posting to a wiki or blog in the classroom.<br /><br />I love the idea of having authors or local celebrities read books aloud to students. It would also be a great way to bring authors to the classroom or library without spending alot of money. My big question right now is how to find other people who are willing to Skype with my class. (But I see that the article "50 Awesome Ways to use Skype in schools" is a good resource to help answer that question. I even found a page of <a href="http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/">virtual author visits</a>!) Over the summer I know that the PBL (problem-based learning) campuses used Skype to invite "experts" to their classroom so they could ask questions about what they were studying - extreme weather.Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-49694665929352183762010-08-08T11:26:00.003-05:002010-08-08T13:49:11.930-05:00Tool #8 (part 2) - Blinx/YouTubeI like that Blinx searches so many video websites at once. It makes it easy to see the options you have for the topic you are searching. However, it is a little overwhelming and would take time to look through and find exactly what I want to use. It also did not have an embedding option from this site, so I used the YouTube code instead.<br />The video I chose is from the PBS TV Series "Liberty's Kids" to use during our American Revolution study in Fifth Grade. My only concern with YouTube is that it often gets bogged down, and takes to long to load as you watch.<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GmZKyH8qqOg&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GmZKyH8qqOg&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-18182330084108420982010-08-08T11:12:00.002-05:002010-08-08T11:26:16.271-05:00Tool #8 - HuluI never thought of using Hulu in the classroom. But this is a great place to find informative videos to use in content areas. Every year I use the Time for Kids Earth Day issue to pique students' interest in doing a part in "saving the planet". So this excerpt will be great to use on Earth Day to help students understand more about the importance of awareness and the reason behind it.<br /><object width="512" height="288"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/3oRJ7ajkybldf19QEflhkg"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/3oRJ7ajkybldf19QEflhkg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="512" height="288" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object>Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-181377102467127962010-08-08T10:58:00.003-05:002010-08-08T13:52:19.363-05:00Tool #7 - my first iMovieEven though I had iMacs for most of last year, I never made time to try out iMovie on my own until now. I made a movie about our summer trips last July. It was so much fun!<br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NI3_5-OfkxA&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NI3_5-OfkxA&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-63166885237478082782010-07-23T12:23:00.002-05:002010-07-23T12:38:39.938-05:00Tool #6 - WikisI have been concerned lately while inviting students to create digital projects about how to help educate them about copyright and giving credit to their sources. I LOVE the wiki of <a href="http://copyrightfriendly.wikispaces.com/">copyright friendly sites</a>! It is a great source to use when helping students use and create mulitmedia. We need to make sure we encourage students to use information responsibly.<br />I also loved seeing all the things posted by <a href="http://jabernethy.wikispaces.com/">Mrs. Abernathy's Fifth graders</a>. It seems like her class must be self-contained, and she keeps them very involved in uploading and creating items to use in their blog and wiki. What a great melding of technology with the learning that is obviously taking place. I love all her resources and links, too. I will go back there to use some of the websites as we study historical eras during the year.<br />I have started a wiki, and have attempted to use it for posting reading responses. It was difficult for me to manage or know how much to REQUIRE or leave as an OPTION. I think I will try again this year to have this as a place for both sections of my class to post and extend their book discussions.Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-42045764374663414432010-07-19T22:04:00.002-05:002010-07-19T22:28:46.034-05:00Tool #5 - Social bookmarkingTwo new really nifty sites that I found by searching "Web 2.0" in diigo are:<br /><a href="http://web20guru.wikispaces.com/Web+2.0+Resources">Web 2.0 Guru</a><br />and <a href="http://www.mindomo.com/view.htm?m=48511abbfb7e4145a33dbe6453d0f8af">The Teacher Chronicles</a><br />Both of these sites had so many resources to explore, try out, and use in the classroom. Some I had heard of through 23 Things, my librarian classes, and 11 Tools, but some are still new to me!<br /><br />I already had a delicious account that I use with my students and had been wanting to set up another bookmark page for some of my websites for school and library resources. So this time I tried diigo. It is definitely more powerful and a little more complex than delicious. I joined 2 groups after searching "fifth grade" in the Community section. One is called "Digital Storytelling" and the other is "Learning with Computers". I think I will enjoy my "professional" social bookmarking site! this will allow me to keep adding to my students' account on delicious.Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244591447215889371.post-5549642284860377432010-07-19T21:33:00.002-05:002010-07-19T21:38:43.370-05:00Tool #4 - MWE ReaderI was already using a Google Reader to track some personnal and professional feeds. I recently installed an RSS Reader app on my iTouch so I could access them on the go. So for this tool I experimented by setting up a second Google Reader account with my SBISD email to keep track of more teacher websites and fellow MWE teachers. I added 5 MWE teachers and the 11 Tools blog. I might try out other Reader sites as well to be able to separate what I am keeping track of better.Mrs. K Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011100145518216606noreply@blogger.com0