November 16, 2011 fifteen budding authors from Housman Elementary gathered to celebrate their writing! "Aaah, Oooh, Wow this is fancy!" were some of the many comments expressed from the young author's as they entered the latest rage in restaurants, La Librara de Housman. While voraciously devouring the house special, spaghetti and brownies a la mode, these aspiring author's celebrated their latest publications with spirited conversation over their craft. Awards were given as paparazzi cameras eagerly flashed to record this monumental moment. As the event wound down, a splendid time was had by all.
Please enjoy a few snippets below, of this red carpet event!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tool #11: WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!
The animoto shows my favorite tools that I plan to use.
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
Penzu is one site I plan to use when I work with small groups. I think it will be a great way to build conversations through this online dialogue journal. Students will have the opportunity to dialogue with each other about what we have read. I can also work with classroom teachers so that students can complete in class at a station given that I have limited time with them.
I believe our school will be transformed from all of us taking this course. It will look very different next year. It's an exciting prospect to see classroom's opened up to other rooms and beyond. The fact that we all are taking this together at the same time makes a big difference. We all have basic understandings of the possibilities and will have each other to encourage change. Our students will become better thinkers and creaters with so many options to learn and grow from. This question would be even better asked at the end of the school year when we have all had a chance to dive in.
Journey Complete! For now...
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
Penzu is one site I plan to use when I work with small groups. I think it will be a great way to build conversations through this online dialogue journal. Students will have the opportunity to dialogue with each other about what we have read. I can also work with classroom teachers so that students can complete in class at a station given that I have limited time with them.
I believe our school will be transformed from all of us taking this course. It will look very different next year. It's an exciting prospect to see classroom's opened up to other rooms and beyond. The fact that we all are taking this together at the same time makes a big difference. We all have basic understandings of the possibilities and will have each other to encourage change. Our students will become better thinkers and creaters with so many options to learn and grow from. This question would be even better asked at the end of the school year when we have all had a chance to dive in.
Journey Complete! For now...
Tool #10: Digital Citizenship
Digital Citizenship is truly at the base of everything that a 21st century teacher will do. Teaching and modeling this throughout the year, every year is imperative. I believe that the beginning of the year time should be set up to teach Digital Citizenship and as the video below suggests, setting up a social contract with students.
Brainpop has a great video to show students. It nicely explains what digital citizenship is, why it's important, and etiquette/netiquette behaviors to follow. However, digital citizenship goes beyond just following the golden rule. Teachers must also model how to find trusted sites when researching. Teachers will need to show students how to analyze several sites for key information and not just trusting one source. Plagiarizer is another area to address as well as siting sources appropriately. Just because it's on the internet does not mean it's yours to copy and use as your own. Atomic Learning will be a go to source to aid in all aspects of digital citizenship.
Taking that last step to tool 11...
Brainpop has a great video to show students. It nicely explains what digital citizenship is, why it's important, and etiquette/netiquette behaviors to follow. However, digital citizenship goes beyond just following the golden rule. Teachers must also model how to find trusted sites when researching. Teachers will need to show students how to analyze several sites for key information and not just trusting one source. Plagiarizer is another area to address as well as siting sources appropriately. Just because it's on the internet does not mean it's yours to copy and use as your own. Atomic Learning will be a go to source to aid in all aspects of digital citizenship.
Tool #9: Incorporating Devices as Tools for Learning
Why do you think it is important to tie the technology to the objective?
Without tying technology to objectives, then there is no real purpose. Using Technology in and of it's self is not the goal in education. Learning is the goal. Technology is a tool to reach that goal but not the goal itself. It is a means to an end. Therefore having clear objectives and expectations is critical. It is not so important that students create an animoto. However, creating an animoto that shows their learning on a given topic is relevant.
Why should we hold students accountable for the stations/centers?
Accountability is the name of the game these days and that most certainly includes students. Stations/centers are an opportunity for students to practice and apply what they have learned. They are an opportunity for students to create and go beyond. They are not playtime. Therefore, it is important for students to be held accountable for this time during the day of learning. Accountability can take many paths but students should have some way to account for themselves and what they have done. More Importantly, accountability is also another assessment tool for teachers. It becomes a way to measure learning and then identify what needs to happen next for students.
Visit 2 of the applicable links to interactive websites or apps for your content/grade level. How would you use them as a station?
is another app I love. It is not a free app, but PTA was able to donate through an itunes card. Once you've purchased a subscription, you are able to download the app on up to 5 different devices for the same account. Tales2go has just about every book imaginable for students to listen to. It's especially good for students to listen to stories they may not be able to read yet which in turn is one of the best ways to build vocabulary. It's like a read-aloud. Accountability, again the same as above. Multiple choices for responding either through technology or paper.
Without tying technology to objectives, then there is no real purpose. Using Technology in and of it's self is not the goal in education. Learning is the goal. Technology is a tool to reach that goal but not the goal itself. It is a means to an end. Therefore having clear objectives and expectations is critical. It is not so important that students create an animoto. However, creating an animoto that shows their learning on a given topic is relevant.
Why should we hold students accountable for the stations/centers?
Accountability is the name of the game these days and that most certainly includes students. Stations/centers are an opportunity for students to practice and apply what they have learned. They are an opportunity for students to create and go beyond. They are not playtime. Therefore, it is important for students to be held accountable for this time during the day of learning. Accountability can take many paths but students should have some way to account for themselves and what they have done. More Importantly, accountability is also another assessment tool for teachers. It becomes a way to measure learning and then identify what needs to happen next for students.
Visit 2 of the applicable links to interactive websites or apps for your content/grade level. How would you use them as a station?
I looked through several websites. They are probably very good for other content areas but for reading, just ok. I am a teacher of reading and work mostly with students who struggle. The bottom line for students when it comes to reading is that in order to get better they have to read. While games and skill help have a place, spending more time on that then actually reading will not help students improve their reading. Therefore, I am not a huge fan of "reading games". It becomes too easy for students to spend more time with "games" than reading.
So as far as apps and links go for reading. I LOVE 
There are many stories, plays, and poems for all grade levels to read. The new STAAR test will include drama and poetry. This site has plenty of that. They can be downloaded to read on a device, read as a webpage or printed out in PDF. You have the option of reading along as you listen, or read it to yourself. For accountability, I usually have students respond in a reading response journal. However, other possibilities include; wallwisher, blogger, googledocs, big huge labs, and many others.
There are many stories, plays, and poems for all grade levels to read. The new STAAR test will include drama and poetry. This site has plenty of that. They can be downloaded to read on a device, read as a webpage or printed out in PDF. You have the option of reading along as you listen, or read it to yourself. For accountability, I usually have students respond in a reading response journal. However, other possibilities include; wallwisher, blogger, googledocs, big huge labs, and many others. is another app I love. It is not a free app, but PTA was able to donate through an itunes card. Once you've purchased a subscription, you are able to download the app on up to 5 different devices for the same account. Tales2go has just about every book imaginable for students to listen to. It's especially good for students to listen to stories they may not be able to read yet which in turn is one of the best ways to build vocabulary. It's like a read-aloud. Accountability, again the same as above. Multiple choices for responding either through technology or paper. I took a look at "Studyladder" and few others and they are ok. I don't think I'll use them however. For other content areas, they are great. But, again, I would rather students read, whether it is something online or an actual book or article. However, technology comes in through student responding to the literature. 
is an online journal site that students can respond to also. An account must be created. I would create 1 account for the class or in my case, small group of students, to use and treat this as a "dialogue journal". What's better though, instead of a dialogue between teacher and student, it becomes a dialogue between multiple users on the same topic. This I will use. It can also be accessed through mobile devices, so student can easily respond on an itouch or ipad. This can even be used as a follow up from a story read in a guided reading group. This becomes another way for the itouch/ipad to have a meaningful use in education. I would encourage others to give this a try.
is an online journal site that students can respond to also. An account must be created. I would create 1 account for the class or in my case, small group of students, to use and treat this as a "dialogue journal". What's better though, instead of a dialogue between teacher and student, it becomes a dialogue between multiple users on the same topic. This I will use. It can also be accessed through mobile devices, so student can easily respond on an itouch or ipad. This can even be used as a follow up from a story read in a guided reading group. This becomes another way for the itouch/ipad to have a meaningful use in education. I would encourage others to give this a try. Soaring up to Tool 10...
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tool #8: Taking a Look at the Tools
I think it's really great that classrooms will have so many devices available in the classroom. "In the Classroom" is the biggest key to advancing technology in schools. I learned how to create a itunes account through Spring Branch for the ipad I am borrowing this summer. I will be sad to give it up. I also learned about the webcam and how it works on the mini dells.
As far as managing the devices in the classroom. I don't have a classroom and will not have devices to manage. I will be working with teachers and pulling small groups. I have limited time (30 minutes) with the students I work with so not sure that I will be using that much technology with them. There will be times I do and we will set rules accordingly. However, in classrooms I feel setting up "Techsperts" is key. Children are quite savvy, and can help each other which will take a huge burden off the classroom teacher. It will be important of course to set up rules "How Devices are used in our Room". It will also be imperative to establish proper ways of responding. Consume, Critique, Produce (CCP) framework is the perfect way for this. Students should spend time consuming responses and then critiquing them. From there teachers can create checklists of what should and should not happen when responding. That way when students produce, they will know what is expected because they were part of creating those expectations.
Climbing on to Tool 9...
As far as managing the devices in the classroom. I don't have a classroom and will not have devices to manage. I will be working with teachers and pulling small groups. I have limited time (30 minutes) with the students I work with so not sure that I will be using that much technology with them. There will be times I do and we will set rules accordingly. However, in classrooms I feel setting up "Techsperts" is key. Children are quite savvy, and can help each other which will take a huge burden off the classroom teacher. It will be important of course to set up rules "How Devices are used in our Room". It will also be imperative to establish proper ways of responding. Consume, Critique, Produce (CCP) framework is the perfect way for this. Students should spend time consuming responses and then critiquing them. From there teachers can create checklists of what should and should not happen when responding. That way when students produce, they will know what is expected because they were part of creating those expectations.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tool #7: Reaching Outside Your Classroom
There are so many possibilities when it comes to opening up your classroom. At this point, you've left the clouds and have journeyed into the infinitas of space. With the new tools the district is providing, the only thing that can hold a teacher back is him/herself. While I don't have a classroom, I have a plan I'd like to try out this year; one with teachers.
Plan with Matt Glover
Plan with Matt Glover
- Content objective: Plan a Unit of Study via Skype with Matt Glover
- When you plan to implement: October 2011
- What tool(s) you plan to use: Skype, TodaysMeet, Google Docs.
- A brief description of the project: Matt Glover spent a day in person last year with our First Grade Team. We had made plans for him to come back this year to plan a Unit of Study with us. However, due to funding and budget cuts that is not going to be possible. I am hoping that he may be willing to donate some of his time, maybe an hour, which I think he will or perhaps for a nominal fee that we would meet with us via Skype to get us started in planning a unit of study chosen by the First Grade Team. We would continue the planning on our own and then meet back with him via Skype to share our final product with him.
Blasting onward to #8...
Monday, June 20, 2011
Tool #6: Using Web Tools to Promote Discussion...
There are many ways to use technology to promote discussion. 
Wallwisher is one of many tools for this. All you have to do is post a topic and then anyone, without having to register, can post a "sticky note" on it. It's really simple to use but quite inventive. What's more, you can add links, video's or pictures to your sticky note for anyone to view. What a great station idea. After reading a book or article, you could create a wall for students to respond to. It's especially great for students that are shy or not much into writing. They can read other responses to help them respond. As a presenter, it is also a novel way to have people respond to your presentation. This is something I will definitely use. Below is the wallwisher I created. Please feel free to post a note.
I had heard about Today's meet from my principal so I took the opportunity to explore. This is truly a great tool for meetings. As the presenter is talking, attendees can type in questions and comments anonymously. Again, this is a site that no registration is required. The presenter can answer and taylor the presentation based on this immediate feedback. You can also print out transcripts from it. What's even better is that this can be done from cell phones or any device with an internet connection.
You gotta love skype! I have a webcam on my personal computer and have skyped with my nieces and nephews in another state. It's wonderful! There are many uses for this in education. Discussing this tool with a colleague, he shared how his class got to watch baby eagles hatching from a site that had placed a webcam on a nest. My librarian often has authors visit our school but not all classes get to participate due to space. With skype, classes could tune in and watch from their classrooms if they were unable to attend.
Following the rainbow onto #7
Wallwisher is one of many tools for this. All you have to do is post a topic and then anyone, without having to register, can post a "sticky note" on it. It's really simple to use but quite inventive. What's more, you can add links, video's or pictures to your sticky note for anyone to view. What a great station idea. After reading a book or article, you could create a wall for students to respond to. It's especially great for students that are shy or not much into writing. They can read other responses to help them respond. As a presenter, it is also a novel way to have people respond to your presentation. This is something I will definitely use. Below is the wallwisher I created. Please feel free to post a note. I had heard about Today's meet from my principal so I took the opportunity to explore. This is truly a great tool for meetings. As the presenter is talking, attendees can type in questions and comments anonymously. Again, this is a site that no registration is required. The presenter can answer and taylor the presentation based on this immediate feedback. You can also print out transcripts from it. What's even better is that this can be done from cell phones or any device with an internet connection. You gotta love skype! I have a webcam on my personal computer and have skyped with my nieces and nephews in another state. It's wonderful! There are many uses for this in education. Discussing this tool with a colleague, he shared how his class got to watch baby eagles hatching from a site that had placed a webcam on a nest. My librarian often has authors visit our school but not all classes get to participate due to space. With skype, classes could tune in and watch from their classrooms if they were unable to attend. 
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Tool #5: Producing with Web 2.0
Web 2.0 really is wonderful. It makes so much possible for the layman or woman or kid. It changes the classroom through projects students can create easily. Classrooms become active and engaging. It is a fantastic option to the typical writing responses to learning. While it may seem scarier for some, honestly I've found that if you show students what they can create, they are able to do it with very little technical help from the teacher. Below are several sites and projects I have used either with kids or created myself.
It revolutionizes the slide show and has the added ability to add text. The following slide show is one created by a group of Bilingual/ESL students I worked with. We had read an article about "Making Maple Syrup". Instead of having each student write a summary of their individual learning, I chose to have them make an animoto to show learning. While the final product may seem simple, the advanced learning that took place was not! Student's used the comprehension strategies I preach to teach.:) They monitored comprehension, determined importance, inferred, and synthesized. The oral and academic language used in their collaborative efforts is immeasurable!!!!!
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
This I created because my nieces and nephews are just too cute!!
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
It's kind of a scrapbook blog. Below is a Glog, several of my students created through research they were doing on the Anti-Slavery Movement. Instead of power point, they captured the essentials here to show as they made their presentation.
xtranormal is a movie making site. As the site, testifies to, "if you can type, you can make movies." Below is a quick movie I made as an example to show a blogging class how to make a movie.
Journeying forth to Tool # 6...
It revolutionizes the slide show and has the added ability to add text. The following slide show is one created by a group of Bilingual/ESL students I worked with. We had read an article about "Making Maple Syrup". Instead of having each student write a summary of their individual learning, I chose to have them make an animoto to show learning. While the final product may seem simple, the advanced learning that took place was not! Student's used the comprehension strategies I preach to teach.:) They monitored comprehension, determined importance, inferred, and synthesized. The oral and academic language used in their collaborative efforts is immeasurable!!!!!
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
This I created because my nieces and nephews are just too cute!!
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
It's kind of a scrapbook blog. Below is a Glog, several of my students created through research they were doing on the Anti-Slavery Movement. Instead of power point, they captured the essentials here to show as they made their presentation. xtranormal is a movie making site. As the site, testifies to, "if you can type, you can make movies." Below is a quick movie I made as an example to show a blogging class how to make a movie.
Tool #4: Moving Up To The Clouds-Part 2
Ah, google docs, google apps, moving up the clouds, fun, fun fun! No sarcasm this time. :) I have used google docs before. As part of a class I took this past year, I had to write summaries on books read. I used google docs to share with the instructor who then was able to critique immediately. I also used google docs at the beginning of the school year with the faculty for a district training. Teachers went in and wrote goals by grade level on the same spreadsheet. They then had to read other grade level goals and respond to them. This was all done in real time. It was a wonderful tool especially as a presenter. I could easily look on my computer and see what every group was writing. It made it easy to know which groups to go and talk to or help without having to hover over people.
Google forms was new for me. The potential here is endless. What I love most is the ability to share with colleagues and/or students so easily.
I spent quite a bit of time working on google site. Through google site, I have created a website for Language Arts at Housman. I'm really, really excited about it. One thing that sets it a part is that I have set it so educators in Spring Branch can also go and edit or add to the site, much like a wiki. Therefore, I am not the loan operator. This features continues the theme of "promoting communication, collaboration, and creativity among fellow colleagues, and students" (Summers Blog Tool 4) . It is still under construction and will take a while to complete. But I'm going to showcase it here anyway because I would love some feedback. So, without further ado...Introducing The LA HOUZ! If you have time, I really would love some opinions, feedback, suggestions on the site. Or feel free, to add anything to it yourself. :) You will have to either be signed into or sign into your Spring Branch Google Account.
Moving up up and away to Tool #5...
Google forms was new for me. The potential here is endless. What I love most is the ability to share with colleagues and/or students so easily.
I spent quite a bit of time working on google site. Through google site, I have created a website for Language Arts at Housman. I'm really, really excited about it. One thing that sets it a part is that I have set it so educators in Spring Branch can also go and edit or add to the site, much like a wiki. Therefore, I am not the loan operator. This features continues the theme of "promoting communication, collaboration, and creativity among fellow colleagues, and students" (Summers Blog Tool 4) . It is still under construction and will take a while to complete. But I'm going to showcase it here anyway because I would love some feedback. So, without further ado...Introducing The LA HOUZ! If you have time, I really would love some opinions, feedback, suggestions on the site. Or feel free, to add anything to it yourself. :) You will have to either be signed into or sign into your Spring Branch Google Account.
Tool #4: Moving Up To The Clouds-Part 1
Please watch the short video and then respond to the 2 questions below. Enjoy!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Tool #3 Video and Image Resources
I discovered "Discovery Education" this year and used it quite a bit. I am a huge fan!!! I had not thought about using the videos on an itouch or ipad as a center for students to watch and respond. This is an excellent idea! It will go along well with Comprehension Toolkit. Students can watch a video and respond with an FQR sheet or other thinksheet. Another use for the itouches, yeah!
It is a shame that our district blocks so many sites that educators can use. I will say that I have been able to use youtube this year on campus. The embedded video was one I used while presenting a faculty Words Their Way training. While maybe not specifically for kids, it's pretty funny for adults. Yes, it's clean. :)
Tool #2 Devolping Professional Networks
Interesting, Interesting. Breaking 15 year old habits with something more efficent is much easier said than done. I had created a google reader under 23 things. It wasn't until I clicked the link to learn more about google reader and set one up, that I realized that. All the sites,I have bookmarked on my computer and visit frequantly were right there in one place. My goal this time is too remember that and try to use it.
I did enjoy learning about Diigo. It would have come in very handy this past year as I was researching with a 5th grade class. Again, it's remembering I learned this when it comes to that time.
I am having problems being able to leave comments on anyone's blog. Sorry, Housmanites, I've really tried. Everytime I try, it takes me to my google sign in. I sign in, and go back to the comment, and type in the word verification, it then takes me back to google sign in, I sign in and back to word verification. Round and round, back and forth, until I get tired of trying and close out. So, I can't really build any networks until, google decides to let me log in on comments.
I did find one site, I subscribed to. The Goddess of YA Literature , reviews both ya literature and pictures books. This site will be quite helpful when looking for a new book to use with a class.
That's all for now. Let the "journey" continue...
I did enjoy learning about Diigo. It would have come in very handy this past year as I was researching with a 5th grade class. Again, it's remembering I learned this when it comes to that time.
I am having problems being able to leave comments on anyone's blog. Sorry, Housmanites, I've really tried. Everytime I try, it takes me to my google sign in. I sign in, and go back to the comment, and type in the word verification, it then takes me back to google sign in, I sign in and back to word verification. Round and round, back and forth, until I get tired of trying and close out. So, I can't really build any networks until, google decides to let me log in on comments.
I did find one site, I subscribed to. The Goddess of YA Literature , reviews both ya literature and pictures books. This site will be quite helpful when looking for a new book to use with a class.
That's all for now. Let the "journey" continue...
Monday, June 6, 2011
Tool #1
Thank goodness for 23 things. I had already set up a blog when I took that course so tool #1 was pretty easy. I did add a voki since that was new from 23 things. While I enjoy learning new techy things, at the moment, to be perfectly honest, I'm not over the moon about it. As everyone from Housman, I'm sure will attest, having to move and the end of the year was incredibly stressful. Really, I just want to enjoy summer and not have to think. Maybe after a few days away, that will change and my motivtion will come back. Fingers crossed... :)
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