Grammar, Language Development and Singing

In the site discussing grammar, students can use information from Create Image Books . This is a site where students can create their own interactive books. As we all know, grammar is so important in a students learning how to read and write. This offers students the opportunity to practice grammar skills in a different way. When students create something of their own, they have ownership and pride in what they created. Students can also appreciate partner and group ideas as well as other classmates creation. This site uses bookr to help create and share the students photobook. Have fun!



In the site discussing langauge development, Text to Speech Movies for EFL ESL can help a student speak a little more and have more confidence. This site offers the students an opportunity to make videos, choose (animated) characters and backgrounds. This site offers creativity and gives the students a chance to feel comfortable.


In this site discussing music, Karaoke with a Social Network offers students to sing songs already on the site or upload familiar songs. Music always makes learning fun, so this site is worth the time to check out. There are background tracks and lyrics appear for the students to sing. Songs are very motivating for all learners and takes the "guard" away especially when you add a little karaoke.



http://nikpeachey.blogspot.com/

African American History

It is always exciting to share African American History with young children, but especially now with the recent changes that have occurred in the United States of America, there will be a different type of excitement. We now have a new President who is the first African American President - Barack Obama. In the site, The Best Websites To Teach & Learn About African-American History, there are many titles that will assist in the teaching of this subject. For my younger students, I look forward to visiting the site named Kulture Kidz. This site discusses the contributions that different African Americans have made.

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/about/my-best-of-series/

Creating Slideshows

The site http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2008/05/06/the-best-ways-to-create-online-slideshows/ shows different ways to create a slideshow. Creating a slideshow for your students can be a creative way for students to view their great work. Along with the students great work and pictures taken during the year, can creat a great end-of-the-year slideshow to show the progress of the students and the great time they had the past school year. Memories can last a lifetime, especially in a slideshow.

Reading Is Fun!

Learning how to read can be a difficult task for young learners, especially students who are learning to speak and read English. This site http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/about/my-best-of-series/ has a great topic listing eleven different sites that a early reader can enjoy. The eleven sites can be found at The Best Websites To Help Beginning Readers. I enjoyed number five Leading to Reading, however all of the sites are worth taking a look. This site will read stories to beginner learners and because there is more than one site to look at, it provides a variety for the learner. One of the best things about the eleven sites are most of them are free. Try it out and enjoy!

Wiki Knows How....

Wiki knows how to provide different information for everyone's curiousity. Being able to contribute your own ideas and reading others is a neat way to share information. It reminds of the saying "Two heads are better than one". I especially liked the featured articles that related to me (and my family). Some articles that I enjoyed the most were: Teach Kids About Money, Make a Baby Slogan T-Shirt and Saving Food During a Power Outage. A few of the topics had information that I was aware of, however it is great to get confirmation (of what you may know)and read new information. I also found that on the left side there were other articles with similar topics. For example, the article about kids and money also had an article discussing about a possible financial crisis. This helpful information can be found at www.wikihow.com/Main-Page.

Information about Web 2.0

There is plenty of information about web 2.0 in the Cool Cat Teacher Blog titled, Basic for Beginners: What is Web 2.0?. If you want to get practice, there is an assignment for beginners.

The Phases of Blogging

In the article, Thinking about Teaching Blogging to your Kids? , JBlack discussed an important part about blogging. She discussed the fact that there is a process in blogging and there are phases that a person may experience. According to the phases, I am definetly in phase 1 and I feel no shame. I am glad to know that I am not the only one taking their time in creating a blog. When you decide to blog, take your time and enjoy the process. : )

Twenty Reasons to Blog

Blogging is something new (to me), especially in the classroom. In case it's new to you , there are 20 reasons to blog in the classroom. Take a look and try it out.

Change is Coming

Did you know, there are many changes occuring in the world with technology? After watching this video it definetly enlightened my thoughts about the whole world and technology. The United States is not the only country who uses the internet. The whole world has the opportunity to embrace the interent. After watching this video it also encourages me to introduce technology to my children, students and anyone else that is listening.

Should We or Should We Not Use Blogging In the Classroom?

According to Anne Davis, she says "yes." But before taking this class and learning more about blogging I probably would have said "no" and asked "What is the purpose?" Now that I have a little more knowledge, I feel differently. I now can see how blogging in the classroom can be beneficial.
First of all, it helps the students and teachers to become more aware of technology. Second, it "broadens the students horizon" in a way of keeping them in contact with other students (like them) and it gains their interest in the topic of what is being taught in the class. It offers students to be creative in creating individual blogs, to express themselves and to reflect on their own thoughts as well as their friends thoughts.
Before I knew what blogging was about, I kept myself distant. About a year ago, one of my friends sent me their blog which captured my interest, however I never considered it in a classroom setting. I always saw it used as a personal or social communication. Now after learning more and more, I see it can be used in many ways, personal, social and educational.
What do you think?

Technology In My Classroom

In my pre-kindergarten classrooon, there are three computers for students to use. The students use the computers during their center time or recess (indoor). As the teacher, I have access to a laptop computer that I use with the Interwrite Board and LCD projector. When needed, I do gain access to a visualizer which is another great tool to use for technology.