iCLUDING tECHNOLOGY

I know I don't have many followers yet, but I wanted to share a new way that I am including technology with students.  Sometimes it is hard to implement technology...I know for a fact that having enough computers has been a great struggle for me!  We have a computer lab, but it is used for classes all day and then the library computers well we'll just say they are ALWAYS booked!!  Anyway I have made due to with my 4 classroom computers and the students are raving about it!!

Honestly technology is my love...I think and reflect on my lessons each week to see how I can involve the students in technology.  We all know that that is as real life as we can get.  Any way I decided I was going to have the students to use Voki.  If you have not heard of it basically it is a free website that allows the students to create talking avatars. 

 I made sure that I had about 4 students who were Voki experts so I didn't have to troubleshoot all by myself and they were on their way.  I put together a guide sheet, directions, and a rubric for expectations and let the students go.  SUCCESS is all I can say.  In a nut shell they were to take their book they had been reading and create a Voki on the main character.  They made the background of the voki look like the setting of the story, the voki itself had to resemble the character as much as possible, and then they had to make the voki tell a summary of the story.

After everyone had completed their Voki we viewed them as a class.  Talk about motivating, exciting, and learning all rolled into one.  We all enjoyed them so much and the students got some ideas for new books they are excited about reading.  My next step is to actually load them to our classroom wiki so that students can view them whenever they like.

If you are interested in more information about this lesson I have the guide and rubric posted on my Teachers Pay Teachers website, just click below.  I promise you will not be disappointed!!

Hint - When typing in voki you can slow down the voice by putting extra spaces between your words! (a lovely student figured that one out!)



~Dana

I've been Boo'd!!

I've been BOO'd...who's up for a little fun!  

I've been boo'd by Jessica over at Joy in the Journey blog.  

We are linking up with Cynthia from 2nd Grade Pad!!  

This is a blog "linky party" being hosted by Cynthia at 2nd Grade Pad. What a great way for us to do a lot of blog hopping! I love learning from all of the amazing teachers out there!

• Here's how to play. Choose a fellow blogger that has MORE followers, another that has about the SAME number of followers, and last, someone that has LESS followers.
• Highlight their blogs with links to encourage others to check them out. Don't forget to let your fellow bloggers know that you shared about them.

I am excited to be boo'd and to participate in this fun linky party: 

Here are my three...

The blog that I love that has LOTS more followers is "Heather's Heart"!  

Heather's blog is full of wonderful ideas, an interesting story about "Hoovers" (hint we all have them!) and is just overall INSPIRING~~ I {PUFFY} HEART IT!

The blog with about the same number of followers is "Young Thinkers, BIG Ideas" .  This blog is full of great ideas about being an innovative teacher and creating students who are innovative thinkers!  Check it out!

YOUNG THINKERS, BIG IDEASwonder, imagine, connect, reflect, innovate

Last, but not least is the blog with a few less followers...that blog is "Little Miss Primary"!

Little Miss Primary just joined the blogging world, but is full of ideas to share with all of us!  Go give her some love by clicking on her button below!

All of these blogs are one of a kind!  GO AHEAD CHECK THEM OUT!!

~Dana

Live Learn Teach for Life

EvErYoNe NeEdS a LiTtLe LoVe SoMeTiMeS!

As I was busy being excited about my newest follower I went to check out her blog.  Awesome is all I can say!  It is unbelievable how much she has to share and how much the first post I read on her blog touched my heart so much I had to post about it.  My "newest follower" Heather from "Heather's Heart" shared an amazing you-tube video about the heart of a teacher.  All of us have our share of bad days, all of us have our share of accomplishment, but few of us slow down to actually think about what we do each day!  I have the video below it is short and sweet, but says so much!  Check it out along with Heather's blog.  Her button is below!  Amazing!

~Dana
Live Learn Teach for Life