App of the Week: Creative Book Builder

Are you looking for a fresh way for your students to publish their work?  Wouldn't it be cool for them to write their own book?   If you think this is something that your students would be interested in, check out this app!

What is it?

Creative Book Builder is a fantastic app that allows students to create books in epub format, which can then be exported to iBooks and shared with others. There are a variety of instructional uses for this app, from using it as a publishing tool for project-based learning to a summative assessment at the end of a unit.  Students can embed images, audio files, video files, and write text.  The advantage of an epub document over a PDF document is that all of the media will be preserved and available for readers to interact with when the final product is published.  

Who is it for?
I can see this being used at all different grade levels, from a class book to students or groups of students creating their own books.   This can be use across subject areas as well - with an exciting way to share information.

One of other ITCs has also created a Google Folder with helpful how-tos on how to use Creative Book Builder in your classroom.  Click here to view her helpful tutorials.  Thanks to Amanda Pelsor for sharing!   I also found a very helpful slideshow in getting started with Creative Book Builder.  Check it out below.   Of course, if you want help, just ask!  I'm eager to try out this app with a class!

Check out How to Use Creative Book Builder by Penelope Doyle on Snapguide.

ABCya

This is one of my very favorite educational game websites to be used on the computer.   I was reminded today working with a few teachers of why I think it's such a great resource.

ABCya.com is the leader in free educational kids computer games and activities for elementary students to learn on the web. All children's educational computer activities were created or approved by certified school teachers. All educational games are free and are modeled from primary grade lessons and enhanced to provide an interactive way for children to learn.

Grade level lessons incorporate areas such as math and language arts while introducing basic computer skills. Many of the kindergarten and first grade activities are equipped with sound to enhance understanding. Fun children's Holiday activities are available in grade level sections!  This could be something great to check out for Valentine's Day!

This site can only be used on the computer, laptops, or SMART Board.   The website does not currently work on the web browser on the iPads - however we do have some of their apps.   

App of the Week: Sonic Pics

App of the Week: Sonic Pics

What is it?

SonicPics makes digital storytelling fun and easy! Turn your photographs or pictures of student drawings or work into narrated slideshow movies to share! 

• Add images from your photo library or snap new ones with your camera. 
• Arrange your photos however you would like. 
• Record a voiceover narrating your images as you swipe through them. 

Once you are finished, you have a movie with your images synchronized to your narration. You can share your recording with students and parents. 

What can it do?

• Create and narrate custom photo slideshows.
• Records your voice while you flip through your images. 
• Automatically synchronizes your images to the audio recording.
• Present your stories on the SMART Board or projector
• Make movies of your images and narrations from the iPad.
• Record up to 60 minutes per session! 
• Easy image selection and editing. 
• Give images unique names and descriptions that can optionally be shown during recording.
• Build slide shows with photos from photo albums, camera roll or built in camera (great for taking pictures of student work). 

Who is it Good For?
This app is good for all ages.   Students in primary can take pictures and reflect on their work or build slideshows multiple images (pictures taken or drawn).   This app can be used more complex in intermediate with inserting images from the internet, students own photos, or drawings.  If you are interested in trying this with your students, let me know!  I'm happy to help!

CCSS Connection
Click here to see the connection to CCSS for ELA.

ELA CCSS

Today I had the pleasure of presenting to the 2nd & 3rd grade teachers (as well as some support staff) about the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards.   It was great to have the opportunity to present about ELA standards and give teachers some great examples of the shifts.   I know that the information can be overwhelming at first glance, but luckily, there are lots of great resources out there to help us as teachers absorb the information and figure out how we can make these shifts in our instruction.  Here are two to help you get started!

• District 64's Reading & Language Arts Page
• This site is maintained by Curriculum Specialist Meghan Keefer and has AMAZING resources on it.   Be sure to check out the links on the left hand side, especially the online resources.
• CoreStand 
• This great website for teachers to collaborate with all things common core. After creating a free account you'll have access to free resources, best practice videos, blogs, and more.   They also have a great weekly newsletter that has some great ready to use activities in it. Check out this week's newsletter and look at the great activity on page 2 (Elementary Template).
• You will notice that the activity has great kid friendly "I can" statements so students understand the standards as well. 

Doodle for Google

Did you know that Google has a yearly contest where students can draw a Google logo to be published and shared with people everywhere?  Google has just announced it's sixth Doodle for Google Contest. The theme for this year's contest is "My Best Day Ever..." The contest is open to K-12 students in the United States. The winner will receive a $30,000 scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for his or her school. Entries must be received by March 22, 2013. The complete contest rules can be found on the Doodle 4 Google contest page.

Google has made this easy for teachers to incorporate into a lesson as well.  Click here to be taken to the lesson plan resources Google has created for teachers to integrate this into their instruction. 

Here is a pamphlet that can be printed and distributed to students as well.If you would like me to come and and co teach this lesson with you, just ask!  I'd be happy to come on in!

I will be trying to set up a bulletin board somewhere on the first floor during open house to advertise this opportunity as well to all students and make the forms accessible to students.   Let me know if you would like any more information, and I'd be happy to help!

 

App of the Week: Comic Life

What is it?
Comic Life is an awesome app on the iPad that allows users to create comics from a variety of templates, or allows you to build your own.  You can integrate photos, drawings, pictures, and text to create the perfect comic.

Key benefits of using comics in education

- A great visual Representation of Knowledge
- Presents what is essential
- Easier to remember a visual graphic containing key information
- Engaging through thinking, creating and writing.
- Perfect avenue for writing dialogue
- Incites students with low interest in writing
- Helps organization through storytelling and storyboarding
- Using visual images convey meaning to a story or topic
- Develops creative and higher level thought processes
- Develops composition techniques through visual-verbal connections
- Enriches reading, writing, and thinking
- Serves as and assessment and evaluation tool
- Sequencing promotes understanding

Who is it good for?

This really can be used at all levels and across various subject areas.   Students can collaborate on comics or work alone.  Once the comics are finished, students can print them to display. 

If you are interested in giving this a try, let me know and I'd be happy to show you or model making comics in your classroom!

StoryBots

Today, while helping at teacher with a holiday project for her class I stumble across a great resource called StoryBots.   Storybots is a site that is dedicated to making learning fun for kids, created by the talented guys you created Jib Jab.  There are various different resources on Storybots to help kids learn about letters and various songs including printables to help students learn their letters and videos with songs about each letter.  The printables and videos would be great practice or great station work. However, the most fun thing on the site is Staring You, giving you the ability to create videos by inserting your (or your students') head.   Then they are actually in the video!   All you need to do is upload a picture and play the video.   This site is worth checking out... as our their alphabet videos.  

If you'd like help using Storybots in your classroom, please ask!

Google Docs in Education

Since our district is going Google, we are trying to promote Google and all of the amazing apps that it offers for our students and teachers.   I just ran across this article on Pinterest, and thought it was worth a share.

There are so many ways to use Google Docs!   Let me know if you need my help and I'll walk you though it!.

Record MP3

On Wednesday, I attended a conference geared towards primary students and using technology.  In the coming weeks, I'm looking forward to sharing many of these awesome resources with you.

Record mp3

This site allows you to record your voice or your student's voice.  It then turns the recording into a web address which you could turn into a QR Code that can be scanned on iPads, Smart Phones, etc. or you can keep it as a web address to share with parents.

My mind is racing about how to use this in the classroom!   I've spoken with a few teachers about these ideas...

• Recording a reflection on a piece created in art, then posting a QR code that can be scanned to hear the artist's reflection - OR even about an art style/concept learned in class and how they applied it in their piece.
• Recording a student's singing to be shared
• Recording a student's fluency passage 
• Recording a student reading a piece of their writing
• Recording directions to give to students... or homework!

The possibilities are endless!  Do you think you could have a use for this?   Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!  If you'd like help integrating this into your classroom, please let me know!  I look forward to sharing a sample in the future.

App of the Week: Barefoot World Atlas

Barefoot World Atlas

What is it?

Barefoot World Atlas is a magical interactive 3D globe that invites children to explore the regions and countries of the world, discovering hundreds of fascinating features and immersing themselves in the rich wonders of our planet. 

Who is it good for?

This is an interactive atlas for the digital age. This engaging and educational app vividly communicates how all parts of our world are interconnected and reveals some of the ideas and initiatives that are helping to shape a sustainable future. Young children will delight in playing with the 3D globe and exploring its features; while older children can delve deeper to discover a wealth of facts and insights including live data for every country from Wolfram|Alpha.

CCSS Connection?

Click on your grade level for the CCSS connection. 

1st grade

2nd grade

3rd grade

4th grade 

5th grade

Want to see more?

Click here to see a  3 minute demo on You Tube of Barefoot Word Atlas or click here to see what kids are saying.    I’ll will be doing a demo of Barefoot World Atlas on Tuesday morning at 8:20 in the LRC.  I’d love to see you there!!!  If you can’t make it, contact  Coach Caroline if you’d like to set up a time for me to show it to you.