Miss Miller's Poetry Unit

Hello there, and welcome back!

Today's post is something rather exciting. So welcome to my online classroom! This post's topic of discussion is a 5th grade English class who is currently in their poetry unit! My tool for today is podcasts! A podcast is an audio recording that can be downloaded and listened to outside of the classroom. For my purposes today I created two series of podcasts. The first discusses different types of literal imagery and the second talks about more figurative imagery devices such as similes, metaphors, and personification! As a teacher I would post this on my classroom blog and assign the students to listen to them as homework, and possibly create a worksheet or activity to go a long with the audio tracks.

Click this link to see my SoundCloud profile or listen to my podcasts below!

Pros: I love the fact that this tool is very different from the other tools we have used before on my previous blog posts. I also like that this tool is strictly audio. I feel as though it would be a nice change of pace in the classroom and would add some variety to in/out of class activities. There are several free apps you can use to do voice recordings, and several places online to upload and store you audio tracks. Podcasts are fun, you even get to feel like a radio talk show host in your own classroom! I can see this tool being very helpful in many subjects,

Cons: It took me awhile to get what I wanted to say just right. This tool takes quite a bit of preparation and know-how. However, if you are good with apps and cloud-type programs this is the tool for you!

• ISTE Standard: Creative Communicator
• I communicate effectively and express myself creatively using different tools, styles, formats, and digital media.
• UEN Content Standard: English Language Arts- 5th Grade
• Standard 4 "Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes"
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 5
• Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, presentation, web tools, digital cameras, scanners) for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom. 

The Elements of Weather

Welcome back fellow teachers!

This post is all about weather here in our 4th Grade Science class! Discussing elements from precipitation to air pressure and everything in between. I LOVE today's tool choice. Emaze is an online, web-based presentation creator that can be used to build and edit presentations on any personal computer. It is a step away from your average slide show and definitely makes the lecture a lot more entertaining! Click here to go to the website or simply watch the slideshow  below!

Pros: Its easy to use, there are tons of templates, its free, and it is SO much fun! The kids will definitely approve of this over the average slideshow any day!

Cons: It is VERY time consuming. Just like any other slideshow.

• UEN Content Standard: 4th Grade Science 
• Students will understand that the elements of weather can be observed, measured, and recorded to make predictions and determine simple weather patterns.

• Ed Tech Standard: Standard 5
• Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, presentation, web tools, digital cameras, scanners) for activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.
• ISTE Standard: Empowered Learner
• I use technology to demonstrate my learning

Butterfly Fly Away!

Hello again,

Today's topic: BUTTERFLIES. Beautiful right? For this post we are talking all about the metamorphosis of butterflies and the steps they take through their life cycle. So come on in and take a seat in our 2nd grade science class! 

Our tool up for discussion is Animoto, an online video creation service that produces video from photos, video clips, and music into video slideshows. See my examples below!

Pros: This is a cool tool to use if you cant quite find the video you are looking for. It is also a nice change from a regular slideshow presentation. The music, pictures, and video will be a fun addition to your classroom. I also think that the kids will stay focused better with the fun animations that some of the templates have. It is easy to use and it has a tutorial as well that I found very helpful.

Cons: The only way I could use the site was through a free trial, after that trial is up you will have to subscribe and pay for your account. I also found the templates to be kind of restricting. The template I used fit perfectly because it contained butterflies and I was talking about, well, butterflies! However, I can see it being an issue finding something that works for every topic.

• UEN Content Standard: 2nd Grade Science
• Standard 4, Objective 1-a. "Compare and contrast the characteristics of living things in different habitats."
• ISTE Standard: Empowered Learner
• I use technology to set goals, work toward achieving them, and demonstrate my learning.
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard 5
• Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, presentation, web tools, digital cameras, scanners) for activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.

Lets Talk Food

Welcome back fellow teachers!

I am excited for today's post as we step into a 3rd Grade Health Education class. Today's topic? The Food Pyramid. The platform I chose to teach this subject is called EDpuzzle. This website allows you to choose any video, upload it to the website, crop it down, add audio overlays, insert text, even add mid video quizzes or commentary! This was helpful with my topic because as the students watched the video they were able to fill out questions that coincided with that part of the video. Super helpful! The video itself focuses on the different food groups and what is included in them.

Click here to see the website or look at the video below!

Pros: This website has been, by far, my favorite tool and I can definitely see myself using it in my future classrooms. You can use it in any subject, it is fun to use (as a teacher AND as a student), it allows creativity in your questions, easy access, free, and overall it will help kids focus during any video!

Cons: The only cons I could come up with was how it might be difficult to select a video to use, and that not everyone has internet access at home.

• Content Standard: Health Education- 3rd Grade
• ***Standard 6 Objective 1.a.b. "Record daily food intake. Determine a balanced diet based on the Food Guide Pyramid"
•  ISTE Standard: Empowered Learner
•  I use technology to demonstrate my learning
•   Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 8
• Use technology resources (e.g., calculators, data collection probes, videos, educational software) for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities.

You Learn, YouTube

Hello, or should I say hola! 

Today's tool is YouTube! On this platform you can upload your own videos, watch endless content on literally ANY subject, and create playlists for your classroom. The possibilities are endless! In today's posts we are going to discuss how I decided to use YouTube in a World Language class teaching Spanish.

Click here to see my playlist!

1. For this playlist I chose to stick to the basics. Colors, months, food, you name it!I am positive you could find a video for it on YouTube. This particular video is directed towards a younger crowd and works well because it includes something that all kids love-- toys!

2. I loved these next videos. The YouTube channel where I found them covers several subjects from English to Spanish, even mathematics! 

3. This next video is one of my favorites and I can really see the kids enjoying the silly but educational video clip. Videos help kids stay focused! Break up your day-to-day routine with a quick clip. 

4. I wanted to include this video to show the different styles you can find as well. If you try a video for one class and it doesn't seem to work, try again! There are so many to choose from. This one is also quite a bit longer than the other clips I found.

5. Another way I could implement this in my classroom is by assigning the videos as homework! Don't have time in class? Just assign it for home and regroup the next day to discuss what you learned.

6. Some videos are less exciting than others however their simplicity could really benefit the learning styles of some students.

7. One of my favorite things about using YouTube is the accessibility to music in learning! Songs help with memorization of vocabulary, and they are a lot of fun too. 😉 

8. This video is specifically to learn food vocabulary. The benefit here is that you can take one particular point or objective in your lesson and find a video to compliment your other activities and routine. 

9. I included this video (also talking about food vocab) to contrast two different styles of videos you can find/include in teaching.

10. As you can see, its a nice change from the everyday teaching methods, and its easy!

Pros: This platform has many benefits. Its free, easy to use, and with a gmail account you automatically have access to your own YouTube channel. 

Cons: This site is a double edged sword. It can be SO helpful, but at the same time it can be distracting. YouTube has ads, and a sidebar that shows several other videos that might be tempting for your class to click on. However, there are age restrictions you can use to minimize the appearance of inappropriate content, and by using it as a class will also take away its distracting properties.

• UEN Content Standard: World Language- Spanish
• Learning Indicator NL.IL.2 I can occasionally understand isolated words that I have memorized, particularly when accompanied by gestures or pictures.

• ISTE Standard: Creative Communicator
• I communicate effectively and express myself creatively using different tools, styles, formats, and digital media.

• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 8
• Use technology resources for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities

Map Your Mind!

Welcome back to another blog post!

Brainstorming, Mind Mapping, Idea sharing-- All of these things are important in the classroom! Allowing your students to take there ideas and organize them into something visual will help them way beyond their school years. Today we will be discussing the idea of mind mapping through a platform called Popplet. Mind mapping is taking a central idea or topic and creating web-like branches connecting your ideas to your central thought. Popplet is a website that allows you to make an account, create a mind map, and share it with your students or classmates.

Click here to see my mind map!

Pros: Something I love about this site is the freedom. It literally starts with a blank canvas and you can go about choosing colors, font size, thought bubbles, etc. It really allows you or your students to be creative and expand upon your own thoughts. I love that it is free to use as well as easy! This platform is user friendly as well as kid friendly. All of those features are great, however, my favorite feature would have to be the "share options" you can even add a collaborator and work in groups! 

Cons: To be honest it was hard for me to come up with something I didn't like about this site. One thing that I wish could happen would be a way to print or save a PDF of your project so you could have a physical copy of it. My reason being, if you don't have access to a computer you wouldn't be able to see your project. 

• UEN Content Standard: 5th Grade Science
• Standard no. 2 objective 1 & 2 "Students will understand that volcanoes, earthquakes, uplift, weathering, and erosion reshape Earth's surface." 
• ISTE Standard: Global Collaborator 
• Broaden perspective, understand others, work effectively in teams.
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 5
• Use technology tools for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.

Timeline Tiki-Toki Presidents:

Welcome back!

Our post today is teaching our 5th graders more about Social Studies! We are focusing on the presidents of the United States. Our tool of choice today is the online platform Tiki-Toki. This tool was new for me however I was impressed by its usefulness. This platform allows you to create timelines for whatever subject you need. Like I said, choosing social studies, I created a timeline teaching about the first 15 presidents. It has a brief intro to the presidents on the timeline and if you click on the icons a screen will pop up telling you more. There is even a place to link videos or other materials!




Click here to see my Tiki-Toki

Pros: A benefit to using this website is its adaptability. Timelines can be useful in almost every subject we teach. It also has you create an account so you can save or edit the project you make as well as keep all of them in the same spot! Thumbs up for staying organized!

Cons: I feel as though this is a tool that would better benefit upper grade elementary students. It might be difficult for the younger kids to understand or navigate. It also takes a good chunk of time creating each timeline.

• UEN Content Standard: 5th Grade Social Studies Standard 5 Objective 3
• Identify leaders of social and political movements 
• ISTE Standard: Knowledge Constructor 
• Critically select, evaluate and synthesize digital resources into a collection that reflects learning and builds knowledge.
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard 8
• Use technology resources for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. 

Once upon a time...

Today's post is by far one of my favorites!

The tool I chose for today is called StoryBird and has been one of the most fun and creative learning platforms I have ever used. It is an online work station that allows you to create your own stories by selecting different images and writing your own content. How exciting is that! The story I created will teach my classroom the importance of attitude and self-acceptance!
Click here to read my story book!

Pros: It allows creativity and gives you the opportunity to create a book that specifically covers your needs in the classroom. With this tool possibilities are endless! It is easy to use, all online, and comes with all the images you would need to create your very own children's book.

Cons: It took me quite some time sifting through all the options they have available. There are so many options for art style, and then even more options in each folder. This can make the creation process difficult if you don't know exactly what you are going for.

• UEN Content Standard: 3rd Grade Health Education. Standard 1 objective no. 2
• Determine the benefits of accepting self and others. Determine the benefits of having positive attitudes. 
• ISTE Standard: Global Collaborator 
• Broaden perspective, understand others, work effectively in teams.
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 5 
• Use technology tools for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.

Queridos Amigos!

Hello! ... Or should I say HOLA!
This week we dove into a World Language class learning more about the beautiful Spanish language. This week's tool was the ever so handy Google Slides. Each day a teacher must provide new and stimulating material. However, its nice to mix things up and change your approach. This could be a great option!

Click here to see my Google Slides!

Pros: This platform is one of Google's many wonderful and useful tools. A major plus for this tool is that it is free, easily accesible, and can be stored on your google drive. It can be saved and accessed from any computer with a WiFi connection. Google Slides may become a useful tool in your classroom. 

Cons: It does take quite some time to make. There are templates which help, however, entering in your content, finding videos, and inserting pictures does take some time. Also, if you use this tool too frequently it can become boring in the classroom. Don't fall into a rut! Get creative and inspire your students!

• UEN Content Standard: World Language- Spanish
• Learning Indicator NL.IL.2 I can occasionally understand isolated words that I have memorized, particularly when accompanied by gestures or pictures.

• ISTE Standard: Empowered Learner
• I use technology to set goals, work toward achieving them, and demonstrate my learning.

• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 8
• Use technology resources for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. 

Dear Parents: Newsletter!

Each teacher is different, however, every teacher can agree that learning in the classroom is just as important as learning at home! It can be difficult as a parent to stay caught up with what is happening at school, one way to get around that issue is by sending home a newsletter in your students' backpacks.

Newsletters are a great way for communicating all kinds of information. Whether it be for the parent or the students themselves it's a helpful tool that every teacher should have in their tool belt!

Click here to see my example newsletter! 

Pros: Newsletters are great for many reasons. First off, there are so many programs you can use to create them! Word, and Google Docs are probably two of the more common and easier to use programs. Also, using a template can cut your work time in half. Newsletters are versatile and can be used for many different things and hold a substantial amount of information.

Cons: Printing may be considered a con depending on the amount of copies you desire. Also, it can take some time coming up with ideas and making them all fit onto one sheet of paper.

• UEN Content Standard: N/A 2nd Grade. I focused on Language Arts (reading/Spelling) but didn't specify a certain content standard due to the purpose of the newsletter.
• ISTE Standard: Creative Communicator
• The ability to communicate with your student (and the student's guardian) will be easy and more frequent with this tool.
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard No. 5
• Use technology tools for communication for audiences inside and outside the classroom.

Help is on the way!

Math can be a subject of frustration for many students, especially as they begin to learn more complex subject matter.

My solution for this problem was to provide the students with an opportunity to seek additional help.
After school math programs are common and can be very beneficial. Once you get it approved, what do you do next? How does word get around? How about we start with some flyers!

Click here to see my flyer!

Pros: Flyers can be a great resource when working in a school setting. From field trips, to book fairs, and anything in between you are able to get your point across in a simple and easy way. Also, if you want to save on paper just send it as a PDF file through email! I like the simplicity of it because it can draw attention yet get its point across with colors, pictures, and very few words. Another benefit is that there are many options for creating flyers such as google doc, word, and many more!

Cons: If emailing isn't an option flyers may take up a lot of paper and ink.

• UEN Content Standard: 5th Grade Math
• Strand Mathematical Practices ***Become mathematically proficient in engaging with mathematical content and concepts
• ISTE Standard: Innovative Designer
• I solve problems by creating new and imaginative solutions using a variety of digital tools.
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 9 ***Determine when technology is useful and select the appropriate tool(s) and technology resources to address a variety of tasks and problems.

Calling All Scientists:

Today you will join me as we step into the world of 4th grade science class!

Learning all about the water around us and the cycle it goes through can be difficult. Not only for students to learn, but for the teachers to plan for! What happens if you want some sort of activity or worksheet that is not available to you? You would be left to make your own! Luckily for us the platform we discuss today will help us with just that. Today's assignment focuses on the google tool called Google Docs.

Click here to see the worksheet!

Pros: This tool is probably my most recommended so far. I love how versatile the program is and it is easy to use. Any teacher for any grade level or any subject could find a use for this resource. For example, you could make worksheets, newsletters, fliers, print out directions for games, visual aids. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination! The program is also free, you just need to sign up for a gmail account and you are good to go! Also, another plus is that you can access it from any computer and save it right onto your account.

Cons: The templates to choose from can be kind of basic and don't always work with what you have in mind. That being said, sometimes you will need to start with a blank page to build up a worksheet/project and it could take some time. Some skills needed would definitely be patience and creativity!

Overall, I can see this tool being useful in many aspects of the classroom. I am glad I have become more familiar with this resource because I am confident it will be well used in my future projects.

• UEN Content Standard: 4th Grade Science 
• Standard 1 Objective 2-b ***Describe the processes of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation as they relate to the water cycle.
• ISTE Standard: Innovative Designer
• I solve problems by creating new and imaginative solutions using a variety of digital tools
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 9 ***Determine when technology is useful and select the appropriate tool(s) and technology resources to address a variety of tasks and problems.

Green Thumb? Answer Garden!

Get up and move! What's your favorite form of exercise?

Today's post will take us to P.E. (Physical Education class) as we discuss the pros and cons of AnswerGarden. This platform allows us to work in a group and collect data at an easier level. My question posed was specifically thought up with a 5th grade physical education class in mind. In a class of different abilities, different levels of athleticism, and different likes or dislikes I found my question "What is your favorite form of exercise?" a simple (yet important) one. 

Check out the results here!

Pros:

My point in using this tool was to analyze as a class the physical activity we do outside of the classroom and identify the health benefits they have for us. Something I found particularly useful with this resource was how easy it was to use. It also has either a 20 character maximum or a 40 character maximum which gives the students a chance to express themselves in a concise manner. AnswerGarden is free as well allowing access from any computer.

Cons:

Although counted as a "pro" I would also count the character max as a "con" in a sense that it can occasionally limit someones ability to say something. So although it may be more convenient for the teacher it might not always bring the in-depth conversations we may want in the class room.

As a whole, this tool was helpful for my specific purpose. By giving me a fast, easy, and concise way to brainstorm I would be able together information about my students' physical activity without embarrassing or pointing out anyone in particular. 

• UEN Content Standard: Physical Education Grade 5
• Strand 3 Standard 5.3.1 ***Analyze physical activity outside physical education class, identifying the fitness benefits.
• ISTE Standard: Global Collaborator
• Broaden perspective, understand others, work effectively in teams.
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 8 ***Use technology resources (e.g., calculators, data collection probes) for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. 

Let's Put a Pin in it.

Welcome to my online classroom!

The world of online information is endless, and can be a great source of ideas or content for our future classrooms! Today I was able to focus on the wonderful platform of Pinterest. I compiled several ideas spanning from access to worksheets, learning games, teacher prep, and even videos to show students in a classroom setting. Would I use Pinterest in my future classroom? If so, why? Let's find out.

Pros:
Pinterest was a great way for teachers to find tools and new ideas. My focus on this board was to find content that would help a second grader with reading comprehension. I was able to browse the already compiled information icons (also known as "pins") to find lesson plans and activities. All ready at my fingertips! This platform is easy to use, has endless content, is free, and can cover nearly every topic. By the end of our class period the students should know how to identify the who, what where, when, why, and how of a simple story line!

Cons:
On the other hand, Pinterest is a double edged sword so to speak. With its never ending content comes hundreds upon hundreds of pins that are either unrelated or not useful. It can also be a tad bit time consuming in a sense that if you don't really know how to phrase what you are searching for it could take some time sifting through other information.

Overall, I find Pinterest to be a tool that is very useful but isn't my "go-to" for every need I foresee in a classroom. Finding videos, read-a-longs, hands on activities, all of these things and more can be found on this website.

Click here to see my Pinterest board!

• UEN Content Standard: English Language Arts Grade 2
• Reading: Literature Standard 1 ***Understanding of key details in a text (i.e. who, what, where, when, why, how)
• ISTE Standard: Knowledge Constructor
• Critically select, evaluate and synthesize digital resources into a collection that reflects learning and builds knowledge.
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 8 ***Use technology resources (i.e. videos, educational software) for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities.