Blogging Poetry
Posted by Janice on June 9, 2009 in Blogging, Language Arts, Teacher Voices
Kristi Dahlstrom, Language Arts/Journalism teacher at Ingraham high school created a collaborative poetry project with one of her Language Arts 9 classes. Students have been writing and refining their poetry over the last few weeks in preparation for publishing to the class blog.
Besides learning to write poetry, students learned to write specific praise and constructive criticism for commenting on each other’s work. They practiced this element of the project on poems posted to the blog by Kristi and her student teacher. Kristi observed, “Students are now posting their own work and commenting with maturity and grace! Success!”
You can see their project by going to http://www.msdahlstrom.edublogs.org
(more…)
Ocean Reports
Posted by LeAnn on June 3, 2009 in Language Arts, PowerPoint, Science
The 2nd graders in Kayleen Diaz’s class at Lafayette study ocean animals. The classroom is transformed into an amazing underwater world! We worked together to come up with a technology project that they could do while writing their reports. The students created bubble maps, researched their animal and organized the information into an outline. From that written outline they chose at least 3 facts from the different categories to include in their PowerPoint. They were ecstatic to present their reports to their classmates and were trying their hardest to come up with questions that would stump their audience. This was the first time many of them had created a PowerPoint. You can view projects from Sarah, Henry C. and Simon here. For more information about the process read on.
Google Tools in the Classroom
Posted by Gary on May 7, 2009 in Excel, Language Arts, PowerPoint, Science, Web 2.0, Word
Nathan Hale science teachers Matt Hinkley and Karl Englert are always searching for useful technology tools for their classrooms. One of their favorites is Google Tools for Educators. Google Docs is one component of the Google Tools suite (Sites, Calendar, RSS Reader, Picasa Photos, Maps and more). Specifically, Google Docs contains a word processor, presentation, and spreadsheet application. All 3 of these are stand-a-lone applications but also integrate well with Microsoft Office. Also in Google Docs is Forms, an easy-to-use survey tool. In addition, they use Google Calendar. All of these are available with a free Google account.
Here are a few descriptions of how these teachers are using Google Docs in their classrooms…
Wiki for Student Book Reviews
Posted by Janice on April 15, 2009 in Internet Research, Language Arts, Teacher Voices
David Edelman, who teaches English at Ingraham High School, was looking for a project to celebrate and highlight student success in reading and writing. After the WASL is over, students see the end of the school year in sight and need something that engages their attention. David decided to use a wiki for an online culminating project. Each student writes a book review on the best book they have read all year, and publicly publishes the review to the wiki. The wiki becomes a repository for student book reviews year after year. This year’s class will be working on their projects in May, but there are great reviews there from past classes. David says: “Almost all students, in the end, thought it was fun. More importantly, they accomplished something they were proud of.”
When you go to David’s wiki to read these reviews keep these minimum student guidelines in mind. There must be:
- a summary,
- an explanation of why they are recommending this book,
- a description of where this book can be found which includes links,
- information about the author which includes links, and
- one or two images.
If you would like to know David’s thoughts on this project and how he set it up, click on (more…)
Writers Workshop and Future Music Stars
Posted by Gary on March 11, 2009 in Content Areas, Language Arts
As part of Writers Workshop, Coe Elementary Kindergarten teachers and students are using technology to create and share their writing and singing talents. Teachers Lonni Gunsolus, Katie Aldridge, and Christie Stabelfeldt worked with Columbia Writing Project Coach Sarah Picard to plan their “Kindergarten Song” writing unit.
Using Publisher 2007 in the Classroom
Posted by Darla on March 2, 2009 in Language Arts
Publisher is one of the Microsoft Office tools that can be overlooked as an educational resource for the classroom. As students create newsletters, brochures, posters, charts, certificates and postcards they practice the skills of gathering facts, organizing information, and communicating with others. For the next student based research project try using one of the tools from Publisher. You will inspire and motivate students to learn as they find information, explore designing ideas, become aware of the audiences’ perspectives and become conscious of their progress. By using Publisher in the classroom a wider range of students with different learning styles will be reached. Students that don’t do well with paper and pencil will have an alternative way to show their understanding and demonstrate what they have learned, plus have an equal opportunity to produce a professional looking product they may not otherwise be able to create. (more…)
Supporting a Principal’s Book Club
Posted by Abbey on February 1, 2009 in Internet Research, Language Arts, Photo Story 3, Podcasting
A book club is a great way to bring people together to share their thoughts about what they are reading. Organizing such an event for students and /or parents in your community can send a powerful message to establish yourself as a reader and as a leader in literacy. Whether you are considering developing a book club with face-to-face interaction or through online social interaction, there is a wealth of resources online which can help you throughout the process.
Mark Federman, principal at Eastside Community High School in New York, has been conducting Book Clubs for his students (6-12 grade) for the past 8 years. He advocates, “ The most doable way to create a culture of learners who value reading and to launch the start of Readers Workshop is through a Book Club.” Click More to continue reading: (more…)
There is 1 comment | Post a Comment