Why do we use technology?

I was trying to convey to my students one of the biggest benefits of technology is that we can solve problems that are too expensive, time consuming or dangerous to solve in real life! They finally got it when I asked them to research the cost of sending a rocket into orbit one time, and then we played this game called Gravity Launch. Totally fun for them and it served my purpose. As we were playing the game I asked them to record into a spreadsheet each "trial" that they did with their rocket. In the end they had to multiply the number of "trials" by the cost they found! We're talking massive amounts of money were wasted in my classroom today, good thing we had technology!

BLOGGING with Students

Today my students and I are starting a blog. I never knew before that you could set your blog to private readers. This way my students are not exposed to the world. Also, they can make comments are partake openly and honestly, without fear from retribution. I'm excited to start our private blog. I'll let you know how it goes. In order to accomplish this just set your settings in your blog to private. Next, add writers to the blog! Voila!

Technology and PINNING!

OK. so who doesn't love Pinterest! Pinterest is truly other teachers using technology at it's best "wink" You can find links and shortcuts to great teaching ideas at the blink of an eye. It is information at our fingertips that other teachers can recreate their own way! I joined my very first #DIY #Pinterest party last night and found a couple of bloggers with these great ideas worth sharing. First things first, a blogger with a talent for cookies!

Adorable kid gifts!

Witch Push UpS!!

If you still do Halloween parties here is a creative game for your parents to do!

If you want to join a pinterest party check it out here.

Science with Younger Kids-Wild Kratts

I just love the Wild Kratt brothers! Their TV show is super educational and the kids are mesmerized. I turn the show into a science lesson and we talk about the vocabulary words included in the show. We then open #kidPix and try to draw our own version of the animal of the day. We annotate the picture with descriptive words. Most of the time just by watching the show the students learn animal adaptations and habitats, and with the older kids we practice sentences. The PBS show does a fantastic job teaching Science and keeping the kids interest! Visit the PBS website to watch Wild Kratts online.

CYBERSAFETY

Cyber safety is one of the most important topics a teacher (or parent) can discuss with their children! Please visit this 21 Things site for the cyber safety unit.

Word Clouds

Do you love #wordle and #tagxedo but find it gets blocked in your school? There is a new word cloud option for school kids. I haven't had any issues with this site being blocked in the school. Click on the click to go to ABC YA website to start creating your art.

Practice Typing

Fun typing game that mimics the ever so popular Fruit Ninja videogame. Click here to visit KEYBOARD NINJA!

Welcome to TECHNOLOGY!

Welcome to our class blog.  On this blog you will find reminders and interesting sites that I think you might want to try out.  Some things aren't feasible to do in our class, but that doesn't mean you can't learn it at home and teach a friend!