Tech Tip Tuesday- Twitter as PL!

Tech Tip Tuesday- Twitter as PL

If you are an educator and you are not on Twitter, you should truly consider trying it out. It is such a great place for Professional Learning while still in your PJ's and sitting on your comfy couch at home. No better Professional Learning than that. I really think the PL for Teacher Work Days should be conducted on Twitter, then everyone gets a chance to speak and learn at their own pace. 

I really enjoy using Twitter, because you can "follow" educational authors and companies that interest you and you will see the most current things they have to offer. You can also speak your own mind easily and share ideas with other educators around the globe. Twitter has opened the door for all kinds of learning and growing between educators.

Some Educators/Companies I follow include: Dave Burgess, Google, Google Drive, GoNoodle, Popplet, Plickers, QRStuff, edutopia, ClassDojo, TPT, Mo Willems, ISTE, WeAreTeachers, AdoptAClassroom, DonorsChoose, Edmodo, Kid President, National Geographic, RemindHQ, Arne Duncan, NEA, National Science Foundation, Roald Dahl, Jerry Spinelli, Kahoot. 

I also follow friends and teachers at my own school as well as my county's Assistant Superintendent and our English Language Arts Coordinator for the county. Twitter gives you the opportunity to feel and be involved with your county/community. 

Twitter is FREE Professional Development you merely have to join in on a conversation. I admit you could "lurk" (watch the twitter conversation, not introduce yourself and not join in on the convo) and you would also gain valuable information. I started out that way, but it is way more fun to join the convo and network yourself. It is very rewarding to share your thoughts and ideas and then have other educators "favorite" your ideas and notions. Once you start, you just can't stop. Don't be afraid to "favorite" other educator's experiences, opinions, and perceptions they tweet about as well.

I will say that when I engage in a specific "chat" and I want to follow along with the conversation easily, I use tweetdeck on my computer. You can then search a specific hashtag and only tweets with that hashtag will show up for you to view. It is easier to follow along that way. 

Here is what tweetdeck.com looks like on the computer,

My twitter name is @CasedillaCrumbs I use it for personal and professional things on twitter, I know many people have two accounts and you may prefer it that way as well. 

The main Twitter Chats that I currently have my phone alarm set for are Sunday's #TPTChat at 8:00 EST and Thursday's #gaed - Georgia Education, but we recently had the superintendent of a school in New Jersey join in on the chat, so I don't think you should feel that you can't join in. 

Lastly, let's discuss HASHTAGS!

They are extremely powerful for getting your message seen by many eyes, but also just have fun with them. I think hashtags are so fun and will often have my sense of humor shown through hashtags, because why not? It's fun and I enjoy it. #dontbetooserious #hashtagsarefun #hashtag #dontbealurker

Do you have certain Twitter Chats that you enjoy?

What is your favorite hashtag?

Tech Tip Tuesday- QR Codes!

I am linking up with Techie Turtle Teacher for Tech Tip Tuesday to talk about QR Codes!

I love using QR Codes for math stations, literacy centers, listening centers, and even during writing for research.

Yes, you have to have a tablet, iPad, iPod, or phone with a camera in order to use QR Codes. I have written many DonorsChoose projects to get the ones I use in my classroom, but you may want to consider sending a letter home to parents to donate old phones, etc. that have a camera capability that you could use in your class. You know everyone has to have the next "new" thing when it comes out and they may have their old phone of device lying around. Smart phones are basically small computers and can do many things.
Look how this school system posted about a Smartphone Giveback Program.


Now, let's talk about how I make QR Codes. I use QRStuff.com and this site is super easy to use and FREE!

On the site you have many options to choose from.

I usually use either plain text or website url depending on what I am want my students to accomplish with the QR Codes.

I use the plain text option for quick answers to questions that they will solve and then use the QR Code to check their answer.
I use the website url if I want students to view a specific website. I always use safeshare.tv before creating a link for students to view youtube videos etc. Safeshare will allow you to view the site without commercials. There is nothing worse than when you are trying to watch an educational video and suddenly a beer commercial pops up on the screen! ugh! So, as a side note, safeshare.tv is also great to use when you are just viewing videos projected up on the screen for the whole class not just for qrcodes. :)

My most recent products and uses of the QR Codes have been this set of QR Codes for Researching Zoo Animals! This is perfect for the little ones and allows for "guided" instead of letting them loose on the entire internet, the QRCodes take them to specific videos about the animal they are researching When I introduced these QRCodes and this activity I first modeled how to find the QR Code Reader App on the iPad (I use i-nigma) and then we talked about while listening and watching the video you can pause the video to take notes and write down interesting facts you learned. They really enjoyed this activity! I am now on my way to making more sets with different topics we can research!

The link to the product is HERE!

Here are some other ways I use QR Codes in my class:

HERE

HERE

HERE

HERE

HERE

HERE

Tech Tip Tuesday- Blabberize

I am linking up with Techie Turtle Teacher for Tech Tip Tuesday

A great way to publish writing is to use Blabberize!

My students love it!  They get so excited when I say we are going to make their pictures TALK!

I recently read If I Had Animal Hair by Sandra Markle

Students then wrote about which kind of animal hair they would want and why. Afterwards, they illustrated a picture of themselves and I used the website blabberize.com to record their voice and attach the voice to their image and shared it on my class website. 

Here is one example:

We also used this site this year when we learned about Pilgrims and they told the story of Pilgrims coming to America after illustrating a picture of a Pilgrim. 

I used Blabberize in third grade after studying American Heroes, students created an illustration of the American Hero and I recorded their voice reading facts about the American Hero that they researched. 

So many options for this great site! Please let me know if you use it and how you used it with your class. 

Tech Tip Tuesday- GoNoodle

Linking up with Techie Turtle Teacher for Tech Tip Tuesday!

Is it cold outside? No problem, just have recess inside with GoNoodle! It's so much fun and your students will absolutely love it!
 

Good to know:
1.) It's free! There's a premium version, but so far I use the free version and it is great.
2.) It is super easy to set up an account. It will take you about 2 minutes to set up.
3.) GoNoodle uses a game-like experience to engage students to participate during indoor recess or for brain breaks. You class chooses a Champ, that becomes your mascot and appears on the main screen with fun messages. Every time you "gonoodle" your class earns minutes/points for the Champ. Every 15 minutes earns a level up and the Champ will grow (students love this part).
4.) I really like that GoNoodle gives you many options for movement and students do not tire with one activity. You can participate in ZumbaKids, KooKooKangaroo (these super crazy guys that students request everytime!), Kidzbop, run with us, and youtube.


All of the brain breaks above (and a lot more!) are included in the free version of GoNoodle!  The brain breaks that are currently available on GoNoodle are free and will always be free; however, teachers may also opt to subscribe to GoNoodle Plus for $99 a year.  The Plus version of GoNoodle includes Common Core aligned brain breaks that focus on ELA and math standards!  

If you are interested in creating an account go HERE!

Tech Tip Tuesday- Voki!

Tech Tip Tuesday- Voki!
Hosted by Techie Turtle Teacher

Today I'd like to talk to you about using Voki.com. I use Voki for students to publish their writing. On the site students can create an avatar and then record their voice or type their own writing and pick a computer automated voice to read their writing. 

I used Voki in Third Grade after reading The Sweetest Fig by Chris Van Alsburg

This story was very intriguing. Here is the amazon description: "These figs are very special," the woman whispered. "They can make your dreams come true." -- Thus Monsieur Bibot, the cold-hearted dentist, was given two ordinary-looking figs as payment for extracting a tooth from an old woman's mouth. Monsieur Bibot refused to believe such nonsense and proceeded to eat one of the figs for a bedtime snack. Although it was possibly the finest, sweetest fig he had ever tasted, it wasn't until the next morning that Monsieur Bibot realized it indeed had the power to make his dreams come true. While dragging his poor dog, Marcel, out for his walk, he discovered that his strange dream from the night before was becoming all too real. Determined to make good use of the second fig, Monsieur Bibot learns to control is dreams. But can he control Marcel? Once again Chris Van Allsburg explores the mysterious territory between fantasy and reality in an uncanny tale that will intrigue readers of all ages.

I then had students write a story about eating something that would make their dreams come true.

Here are some examples of how some of their Vokis turned out:

 


        I hope you enjoyed our stories! There are so many options for how you can use this site for students to publish their writing. You can then upload these stories onto your website to share with their parents, families, friends and other classrooms.

Tech Tip Tuesday- Kahoot!

Tech Tip Tuesday- Kahoot!
Hosted by Techie Turtle Teacher

KAHOOT!

If you have not used Kahoot, then get ready to start and love it all at once!

First go to getkahoot.com

Then you create a Kahoot with content you would like to review. One great thing is that many Kahoots are already uploaded and you can search them at the top once you have signed in under "public".

Students will need to have an iPad, tablet, or computer to interact with the quiz. They will need to go to Kahoot.it to sign in with a PIN number the quiz generates once you start playing it. You also need a projector to show the questions to the entire class. This is something everyone must play at once. 

Below is an example of what the questions will look like to your students. Of course it will be the questions you set up or the Kahoots you choose that are relevant to what you are teaching/assessing. 

After students answer the question, everyone will be able to see how many people/groups chose the correct answer. It will not say who answered correct/incorrect. 

 After each question, you will also be able to see who is in the "lead" on the scoreboard.

I use Kahoot in kindergarten with beginning sounds and CVC Words.
I do not have an iPad for each child, so they play in groups.
Here are some Kahoots I have already created for CVC Words:
https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/74120c4d-53c8-416e-af12-c66021d488fe
https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/544e5d23-e4fe-4e2c-bd79-7fbef1213e55
https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/f738ef12-7c96-4f76-9abc-46a0c273dacf

I conducted a faculty meeting to share Kahoot with my colleagues and you have never seen such an engaged group of teachers at a faculty meeting! I made a Kahoot all about our principal including favorite food, color, most embarrassing moment, work in college, etc. It was so much fun and the winner received a jeans pass for work. I had no idea teachers were so competitive!!

If you would still like more information check out this USER GUIDE

Please share any Kahoots you have made as well or any additional thoughts on the subject.

Tech Tip Tuesday- Using Google Drive for Common Planning!

Tech Tip Tuesday- Using Google Drive for Common Planning!
Hosted by Techie Turtle Teacher

At my school we have Common Planning time. Each Tuesday afternoon the Kindergarten teachers meet in my classroom and we share ideas, tips, discuss SST, CFA data and plan for the following week (well we are usually two weeks ahead). For my team to use this time efficiently, we come prepared with ideas to share that relates to the standards we are teaching the following week. The absolute best thing I ever did for this was start using Google Drive!

Google Drive has made our lives so much easier! Everyone can type and edit the document at the same time. We can open the document from our home computers or at school and add our ideas for the upcoming planning session.

First know that everyone will need a gmail account. To access your Google Drive you need to sign into gmail and then press the "bingo button" (that's what my husband calls it) at the top right, basically the square with 9 squares within it. You can then select the green, yellow and blue triangle with the word "drive" under it.

I made a folder for Planning Ideas and then shared it with the others on my grade level. I made a table with subjects and standards for the following week. My team can view the table and add ideas before we meet. Here is a screen shot of the set up we use at this time. As you can see, we can add photos and links easily.

I cannot express how much my team loves using Google Drive to share and we don't have to take notes during the meeting because we can always refer back to the document. 

Something else we started doing at the meeting was while we discuss each idea from the planning ideas I type these ideas directly into a lesson plan in Google Drive as well. 

Each teacher can adjust the lesson plan later to their liking, but you have somewhere to start without having to start from scratch when you work on your lesson plans. All the standards and EQs are already there and all the ideas we shared are on the plan. Teachers just may want to do something on Thursday instead of Tuesday, read an alternative math text as a math opening, or add a movie clip they found later on to a specific part of the plan. 

I am telling you, common planning and lesson plans have never been easier to work on and keep everyone on the same page. 

Here is a screen shot of the lesson plans we leave with and then as I stated before each teacher can then access these plans on Google Drive and adapt them for their specific classroom need and liking.

I truly hope this was helpful. If not please ask any questions you have, and if you have a better way to use and plan with Google Drive I'd be very interested in hearing about it. 

I even use Google Drive for my shopping list also. I have a document that I share with my husband and we can both add items to it. If either of us goes to the store we can check the document and get the items needed without having the "list" from the front of the fridge. We each have the Google Drive and Docs app on our phone. The Doc I made looks like this, but you can make it however you would like. 

And just for fun-