Tool # 8 Two things I learned

As I mentioned in a previous post, most of the resources that generally were found online as PC platforms are now moving towards I tunes store as applications to support their video streaming or as books, the first example that I plan to implement as quick as possible is Brain pop. It can be either consulted on the blog and individually as an application in the Ipads/Ipods.

Recently reading A-Z also moved a selection of their guided reading leveled books. This is especially important because it can be applied also during independent reading time as a motivator for students reading below grade level.

Tool # 7 Poetry Project

Last year during the fourth nine weeks period second graders consume and produce poetry in Spanish. We took some poems from different online sources from around the world, some from Spain and a few others from Mexico, resulting in a fun reading/writing experience, especially for the vocabulary differences. It would be a good idea to collaborate & present poesy through Skype in real time along with another Spanish speaking class.

Topics could be alike considering similarities between curriculums and related to other subjects for example Plants (science) or Heroes (Social Studies). Ideas brainstorming/discussion would be important as part of the development of the project. A whole class introduction is necessary, however individual communication using personal devices (like IPods) is ideal to achieve a closer collaboration.

In general, this represents a challenging multidisciplinary project, however it ‘s been demonstrated that most of the times kids are talented using technology and we tend to underestimate their actual skills.

Tool #6 Skype & Face time

Personally I like to use Face time for the sharper video and the clear audio it provides, nevertheless to take part of a Face time conversation you must have an apple device or a Mac. On the other hand Skype can be installed in almost any PC and it gives you a lot more options like having a multi-video conference with up to 4 of your contacts.

Tool #5 Badge

Badges are necessary during field trips here is an example. You can create them online, save them as a JPG file and then just print them out.

Tool #4 Google docs drawing.

I have created  and shared with 2 members from my team a drawing made in Google docs. It is actually an edited picture. As I explained this can be used by the kids to illustrate social studies or science projects.
Here is the example.
https://docs.google.com/a/springbranchisd.com/drawings/d/15HLZryOoOpI4avDGKUvvnPa8Z1EBgrfRnT4IXRnRsUs/edit

Sharing video resources (Tool #3)

In second grade we commonly use videos in our lesson plans from different resources, the next are just a few samples.
My favorite is Brainpop Jr. It's very kid friendly and it has a large variety of topics.

Brainpop
Parts of a plant.


Discovery Education has the largest academic videos collection available for different grades and topics.
United Streaming
Plants life cylcles.
With the help of a friendly scarecrow, students identify the basic needs of plants. They learn how seeds grow into plants and that the plant goes through changes called a life cycle. They witness each step as seeds germinate and grow into flowering plants which produce seeds that eventually germinate and grow again.