Sight words 2

One problem I hear a lot is children is great at sounding out words, but when it comes to sight word and automaticity, there is a problem. Sight word 2 app is great practice for that!

There are different grade levels, K-2. You can then choose a difficulty level as well. There are five different games that can be played.  One is spelling it out, one is clicking on the correct word that is said, a word scramble, Bingo and memory game. There is also a section for what's called red words, where the words a child is having difficulty reading, can be put there to focus on and practice. It's definitely worth a try!

eBook-Rocket Learns to Read

When I saw this as an eBook, I got so excited! I love this story! If you can't tell why, look at the picture on the right. I have a spotted dog named Rocky, so I can totally make a text to self connection with this story!

Each time, when you first open the ebook, a  new word appears on the chalkboard for a student to read. If you click on it, the word is read aloud. You have two options: read yourself or have it read aloud to you. The neat thing is either way the story is read, you can touch a word and it says it outloud to hear.

There is not too much text on each page, and there is no option to have the pages turned for you. This definitely helps to keep a reader focus and not get too distracted.  Some pages have automatic animation, like Rocket running, but it is not too much. If you click on Rocket or bird on the pages,the most they do is turn their head or wag the tail.

On the pages with the banner of the alphabet, you can click on the letters and the letter pops up with something that begins with that letter. Also, on the pages with the chalkboard, you can click on the chalkboard and the txt is read aloud.

The coolest and my most favorite part are the pages with Rocket running and writing letters. You can trace over what he is writing and practice forming the letters and words yourself! You can then go back to the main menu when the story is over and play some games. Definitely an eBook to try!

Podcasting and the writing process

Do you ever go through the writing process and your students struggle to come up with ideas and topics? Well try podcasting! Thinking back to multimodal learning, students can think their ideas out better and not feel the pressure it has to be perfect.

Before, podcasts have been used as the end result of a writing piece. But now research is showing, it can help students and guide their thinking as a way of talking out their ideas. We know part of prewriting as brainstorming, clustering, freewriting, and journaling. But now they can be used at a later stage in the process. Students do not have that fear of thinking while talking out their ideas. This also gives them confidence and ways to assert themselves.

Students can perform their podcasts in different ways. Some may choose report form, some interview styles, and some multiple roles, where they have other students fill out roles. You want to try this out early on in the year, and have students work together at first. You can even have them write out their script so they have an idea what they are going to say. They should make sure it's not too long and just give an overview of their topic. To make it even more fun, you can use a program to work with and add sound to it. Once they are made, it's a good idea to listen to them in class, so the students can help each other and give advice.

It's definitely something to look into and try out! You may even want to join in the fun and make one yourself for a lesson you are going to teach!

The latest and greatest in comprehension

So you want to stay up-to-date in different teaching strategies right? You want to keep the students interested? Well you have to make sure you are using comprehension skills when working with multmodal texts in different content areas.
I know what your thinking...what the heck is that?! Well it's probably something you already do and don't even realize it! They are different types of visuals such as models, diagrams, photgraphs, videos that demonstrate what you are teaching about. It's a lot like teaching with the multiple intelligences. You don't want to teach the same way all day long because students learn different ways.
For example, when teaching sound to my students and echos, we look at our science book which shows a model of an echo bouncing off a wall. I have them feel a radio at different volumes to feel the difference. At a later time, when we happen to be walking in the stairwell, I stop and ask them why it's so loud. For once, I'm not looking for the answer "because we are talking." They usually pick up on it and able to infer because their voices are bouncing off the walls causing echos.
We then wrap it up with a Magic School Bus video to compare our information. The students often comment on their own if it's something they already learned.
So next time, when you are planning out your lessons, keep these in mind. The students will love it and I guarantee they will learn!

digital storytelling

Do you like telling stories? Do you like reading stories? Well then you have got to try digital storytelling! If you want to keep up to date with your students, this is the way to go! Keep your students engaged!

Just like any type of story, there are certain elements that are needed. First, you need to have a point of view and dramatic question. The next important elements that stand out are the emotional content, your voice, to make meaning, and the soundtrack sets the mood. Another important element is the economy to balance between the uditory and visual track. Finally, make sure you have pacing to keep the attention of the audience and rhythm of the story.

Dreon, Kerper, and Leon mention how this helps cognitive, interpersonal, organizational, and technical skills. But in order to teach students how to do this, teachers must first know how to do it as well. It's one thing to learn how to integrate technology into your classroom, but you also need to know how to model and integrate it into different content areas.

Just like we teach our students, don't be afraid to try it! Chances are other teachers feel the same way. While it is important to use this in your classroom, be aware of the socioeconomic background and learning needs of your students. They may not benefit from this or have access to some of these tools at home.

Well you're reading this blog...have you ever thought about Blogging yourself?! It's as easier than pulling a rabbit out of a hat, once the blog is all designed!

Zawalinski suggests to first, explore different blogs online. Then set up your own blog from one of the websites. There are simple blogs such as classroom news blog, mirror blogs, which reflect, showcase blogs, and literature blogs.

 If you want some HOTblogging, or Higher Order Thinking, there are more details about this type of blogging. HOTblogging is a great way to get the students involved in the blogging, as well the readings they are doing.  This really helps them look into the different perspectives of a reading piece and allows them to question texts, think about the author's message, and synthesize.

First, just like any type of reading, ask questions or have activities to build the students' background knowledge. Then the students read, synthesize and give ideas by posting their findings, while having other classmates comment. Next, the students have to read each others comments and share the others's comments in class. During this time, they take notes on each others findings to help them with synthesizing all the information that has been gathered.

  While the students are synthesizing information, look to see if the posts include a summary of other students' posts and comments, new thinking, organization and focus, and reflect inferential thinking that is deeper than simple recall. You can then take it another step and include the entire class in a discussion about one comment or post. You can even model this for your students first.

Don't be afraid! Try this with your class and I guarantee your students will love it! Feel free to leave comments after you try it and let me know how it goes!

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