blessingsX4

2011-08-06T19:51:00.000-07:00

All of this technology is so much fun. WOW! Im not sure what would have happened if I had all this in high school or college. Because having it now, keeps me from cleaning, doing laundry, going to the grocery store, and anything else I should be doing,,,Very addictive!!!

2011-08-06T19:22:00.001-07:00

W o w I j u s t p o s t e d t o m y B l o g o n m y p h o n eà"

2011-08-06T19:21:00.001-07:00

Seeing how this works

Now on Twitter

2011-08-06T19:01:00.000-07:00

I recently started twittering. It is addictive, and now my 2 little girls are twittering also. They love it. I am still trying to get the hang of it. We have had a good summer. We are taking Nicholas to Alvin CC on wed. to move in to his apartment. You will be able to hear me crying from wherever you are. I know he is going to do great, just not sure about me. Emily has already started volleyball, her second year on varsity. Libby and Ellie are taking piano lessons. As for me, I have been tutoring this summer and it has been lots of fun. Wish summer wasn't coming to an end, but I, I mean We are ready to get back on schedule!

Tool #11--REFLECTION

2010-07-10T10:52:00.000-07:00

1. I had lots of favorite tools....iMovie, google docs, iTouch, and delicious ranked very high. One of my most favorite tools is the iMovie. I absolutely LOVED making the iMovie that I did at the end of the year for our kindergarteners, and most importantly they LOVED watching it and being able to take their own copy home. It is such an easy tool to use. I hopefully one day will get a mac of my own. I had used photo story last year to make a slide show and it was fun to make but I had the hardest time downloading it and publishing it. iMovie was so simple. My soon to be 1st grader, was able to work on iMovie. I think this would be a great tool to use in the classroom. My students could take pictures and download them to the mac to create an iMovie on something they are learning, what a great center to have in the classroom. We could post their iMovies on our Kindergarten blog, for their parents to see.
I also liked google docs. Google docs is going to be great to use on my team to help edit our newsletter that goes home each month, and letters that go home to our parents. We are so used to passing around a paper document and having each other check off their name when they had reviewed it, and then pass it to the next person. But...how many times did I loose it on my table somewhere...LOTS! This will also help us GO GREEN...a little more!
The iTouch is something I can not wait to have in the classroom. They are going to be great to use as a center. After reading a blog that I follow, I got the idea about using them in a guided reading group. How fun would that be for the students, to use the doodle application to write a sentence.
2. Having delved into some of these tools I just have to use them in the classroom. Children LOVE technology and are so unafraid of it. It is almost an injustice if we don't expose our children to some of these tools. Technology is so much a part of their world and their world to come.
3. What surprised me(but not really) is that there is so much out there for us to incorporate into our classrooms AND many of those things are so easy for young children to learn. I just need to familiarize myself with them and make sure I use them in the classroom.

Tool #11

2010-07-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

Digital citizenship seems to me the same as manners in the techie world. Just like we teach in our classrooms citizenship-respect, obedience, trustworthy, etc, and how to be good citizens in our world.O ur children need to do the same while using technology. Having teenagers, I think one of the most important things to learn is that you have to be very careful of the things you put out in the cyber world for EVERYONE to see. Writing things that are not inappropriate, things that are hurtful, and pictures that inappropriate, are things that you can not take back once you have typed them in. I tell my children, that if you wouldn't want your grandmother reading what you wrote, then DON'T type it. (a hard lesson they both have learned....)That goes along the same lines as not giving out information, that others should not know. It is so scary as it is that we can find out whatever we want about someone, without them giving us the information personally. Being careful who you "talk" to is also so important. Just like we teach our children not to talk to stranger. It is our responsibilities as teachers and parents that we provide a safe technological world for our children, and give them the tools to be able use this WONDERFUL technology, but in a safe manner, for themselves and for others.

Tool #10

2010-07-07T18:20:00.000-07:00

I have used an iTouch at school. Some of the apps I looked through were ABA flashcards, ABC pocket phonics, Math drills lite, Shape builder lite, and lots more. My class loved using them. We used the application for sight word flash cards, classifying farm sounds, and a matching game also. We also used it to review letter sounds and numbers. My students also liked looking at a weather application we had on the iTouches. It is amazing how a 5 year old has no fear and can manage and use an iTouch with little instruction. They so freely explore. It is awesome to see. I can not wait to have ours in the classroom this coming year. I am going to ouse it as a literacy center and hopefully the students could learn a how to use a new application each week or so. They are going to love it!

Tool #9

2010-07-07T18:11:00.000-07:00

I have used skype before to talk to my sister who has recently moved to San Antonio. My teen age daughter uses it all the time to talk to her friends and to review and go over homework. There are so many things we could do in the classroom with skype. We could "pen pal" with other kindergartners in the district or even state. Students could discuss books and have a "book talk" over a book that both classes have read. Maybe if a class was learning about the rain forest we could skype with someone who actually had been to one or lives near one to hear about their experiences. What a fun tool to use in the classroom. I have never used jinga but looking at the video, it would be lots of fun also. Using the screencast to show the students on the other line what we are "seeing" and created. A great way to share with others.

Tool #8 Video Resources

2010-07-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

This video I found on School Tube. I just searched for gravity. I thought this was simple video that 5 year olds would like watching, giving an example of gravity. Children love videos and I think different ways of presenting information is always great. You can reach that visual learner in your class, using videos. The video below is a song about the letter sounds. I used google to find this video, and it is one on youtube. This would be something I would use at the beginning of the year. The colors and music are catchy, and grab the learners attention. This video would easily help teach the visual and auditory learner.

Tool #7

2010-07-07T17:48:00.001-07:00

This is a photostory I created last year for my daughters birthday. It was lots of fun to do and very easy. I did an iMovie this year for our kindergarten classes at the end of the year. It had all the pictures we took through out the year. It was, in my opinion, so much easier than photostory. Either program could be used in the classroom. Students could retell and react stories that they have read. They could also take pictures on our field trips and then put words to it, to retell the experience.

TOOL #6-WIKIS

2010-07-01T01:04:00.000-07:00

Last year when I did 23 tools , I created a WIKI for my classroom. I didn't ever get a chance to use it, because I created a blog and kept up with that. I can see where a WIKI would be a great place for me to interact with the parents in my classroom. By posting newletters and forms that are sent home for review, ie- monthly newsletter, permission slips, information about upcoming events. I like it because everyone can add to it. Great tool to use with your team for discussions on things we are working on in class.

Tool #5

2010-06-27T18:18:00.001-07:00

I have used Delicious before and have my bookmarks loaded. I love the fact that you can find your favorites from any computer you use. I searched for word family poems in delicious, and found a website with games, poems, and lots of other things. It was from a link from a site called Live Binder. I signed up for it, and it seems to be a place to share resources with other educators. On it I found giggle poetry- has lots of games-word searches, hangman, etc. It will be a great site for my students to "play" on in a literacy center. Here is the link http://www.gigglepoetry.com/
I also searched on Delicious for some new recipes for July 4th. I wanted something different and fruity. I found this recipe,-A fruitful crisp .http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2008/07/nectarine-raspberry-crisp-with-spiced-oatmeal-crumb-topping.htmlI am going to try it this weekend. I searched for july 4th recipes and found this site. It looks like they have all kinds of recipes and ideas.
I could see how students could use Delicious in the classroom. They could create their favorites on their delicious account, and which ever computer they are using they would be able to bring up their favorite sites. I like Delicious alot!

Tool #4

2010-06-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

I love google reader. It is such an easy place to go to and catch up on the blogs you follow. It is all there in one place. I added some new subscriptions, and realized that anytime I added a blog to my blogger, it was added in google reader. I can definetley see how a student can use this, a place to find all the sites they frequent. In google docs I created our schedule for next year and sent it to my team. I am familiar with google docs, but never thought to use it when making and sending documents to my team to approve and check over. How easy it is to use. I WILL use this tool during the school year, and with my personal documents.

2010-06-19T18:13:00.000-07:00

2010-06-19T18:04:00.000-07:00

Tool #3

2010-06-19T16:03:00.000-07:00

"daddy"
Click on the link above to see this word cloud at WordItOut. You may also view it on this website if you enable JavaScript (see your web browser settings).

Word cloud made with WordItOut

I think Kindergartners would love using wordle or worditout. They could use it with science vocabulary or their word wall words. Glogster could be used for pictures students take through out the year. We had our kindergartners take pictures of different kinds of rocks and then describe them according to their attributes. They could make a glogster with their pictures.

TOOL #2

2010-06-19T14:50:00.001-07:00

I love the idea of participating in an online education community. What better way to learn new things but through colleagues and people in your same profession. There is always a new way to teach something, and participating in a PLN you can learn so many different ways to do it. Most educators are continuously learning and doing new things-atleast the good ones are. I think what stands out to me as being very important when commenting on other blogs, is the simplicity of it. I understand the reason why some of us require others to sign in before commenting, but when wanting to comment quickly, this is a hassle. It my keep people from commenting just because they have to register, enter info, etc. I think being humble in your posts too is important. Nobody is perfect and many people tend to shy away when a post or blog comes across as "knowing it all", or sounding unrealistic. People like to know that they are in the same boat as others..atleast I do.
I follow many different blogs, here are some:
http://libby-looloves.blogspot.com/
http://johnsonsjourneyatmwe.blogspot.com/
http://kindermwe.blogspot.com
http://meyermuse.blogspot.com
http://mwepurplemartins.blogspot.com
http://hillskindergartenkickoff.blogspot.com
http://mweprek.blogspot.com
http://iteachilearnigive.blogspot.com

2010-06-12T23:00:00.000-07:00

Just playing around with picassa, it was so easy to create this collage. I like Picasa...:)

11 Tools for 21st Century--TOOL #1

2010-06-08T07:44:00.000-07:00

I was so excited when I knew this was going to be available for summer staff development. Creating an avatar with Voki was so simple. Last summer, I had trouble uploading my avatar. Voki was an easy site to navigate. I LOVED doing 23 things last summer. After completing 23 things, I was able to create a kindergarten blog for my team. We posted and blogged about all the happenings in Kinder at MWE. It was a great tool used to keep our parents informed and gave them a peek of what was going on in their child's classrooms. In the fall, I hope to create a classroom blog for my class. I am going to help my 3rd grader make her own blog this summer. Hopefully, by the end of the school year 2010, I might be able to have kindergartners creating their own blogs. Blogging is such a great tool to share information.

Thing #23--WHOO HOOO

2009-07-22T11:59:00.000-07:00

This Library2Play class was so much fun. I love learning new things when it comes to technology. I would find myself lost for hours searching and learning. My favorite discoveries were Delicious, Wiki, TeacherTube, Mashups, and Web 2.0 awards. I always enjoy learning new things and trying things out. So many times we are stuck in our "old" ways, and doing something a new way is kind of scary. There are so different tools to use, I love learning about them and trying them out.
There are so many things I can take away from this program and incorporate into my classroom, wiki for one example. I can not wait to use my wiki to communicate with the parents in my classroom. I really can not think of anything that you could do differently to improve this program. Everything is so self explanatory with all the helpful links posted for clarification, and different examples and explanations. I would definetely participate in another discovery program like this one, I am hoping there is another one. I love being able to work at my own pace.
Library2Play was such a great learning experience, I have learned so many different things and different tools to use in my classroom to enhance my teaching. ( I also love getting comments on my blog, and really enjoy commenting on others--I can see the importance of it!)

Thing #22

2009-07-22T11:50:00.001-07:00

I enjoyed looking at the different Ning's. There are all kinds of them to browse through.I could see how Ning's maybe a great social networking site for educators or others of different professions. I came across a blog on Ning about smart boards. This site could be so beneficial to share ideas and learn new ones from others in your same profession. A great site for sharing information and meeting others who do what you do.

Thing #21

2009-07-22T11:09:00.000-07:00

Photostory was so easy to use. I could have played with it for hours editing each page. I can definetley use this in my classroom-photostories of our field trips and special events. My students would love it. Then I could post it on my wiki page...I think, for the parents to see.

Thing #20

2009-07-08T21:14:00.001-07:00

OMG, I love Youtube and Teachertube...I for the first time posted an animoto on youtube...How fun...what a great resource for the classroom...to find videos to enhance and reinforce your teaching.

I love using Animoto, here is a YOUtube video on how to create an animoto.

Here is an animoto I created for my mother for Mothers Day...

Thing #19

2009-07-08T20:43:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! I love the Web 2.0 awards list--it has all the best sites on it, and many of the ones I keep hoping not to forget to bookmark on my delicious site, ones that I want to remember for when school starts. I have tried many of them- ....Craigslist, Facebook, Twitter, Google Docs, Google Earth, Google Maps, Monster, Careerbuilder, IGoogle, Bebo, just to name a few. I really liked the LULU site, for publishing books. That is definetly something I could use in my kindergarten classroom, my children are always "publishing" their books, and now we could actually put it in hard back- great site. The LULU website would be very useful in our school and our library too. I really like Pageflakes, I like the layout and the easy to read format.

Thing #18

2009-07-08T20:33:00.000-07:00

I opened Open Office on my home computer and it seemed to work fine. The biggest advantage I think to these online free tools is that they are free! You didn't have to buy a program and download it to your computer. Personally, either one is great to use, whether you are using a program downloaded to your computer or using the free program. I used Google Docs and it was very easy to use, I downloaded a document I already had on my desktop. I changed it up and it was easy. Another advantage of the free online programs is that you can access it from any computer..that makes it compatible to where ever you are. I do love my microsoft office on my computer, it is also very easy to use and access.

Thing #17

2009-07-05T23:01:00.000-07:00

http://rollyo.com/search.html?q=dinosaurs&sid=559803
I created a rollyo for dinosaurs. It was very easy to do and I can definetley see what a great use it would be. The video that BGoodner did was an awesome explanation of how to use rollyo. What a great tool!

Thing #16

2009-07-05T22:27:00.000-07:00

I added my thoughts on the sandbox of sbisd library future wiki. I had no problem using it. I really liked the YOUtube video on wikis that was presented in plain english and very easy to understand. I could see where I could use wiki in my classroom to communicate with parents on organizing our different fun activites we do in Kindergarten, ie: our thanksgiving feast, field day, rodeo day, storybook parade. I could use it along the same lines as the example of the camping trip.

Thing #15

2009-07-05T21:07:00.000-07:00

Library 2.0??? Well, I have definetly seen a change in the role of the library in the past few years. Because the needs of our students change year after year, our role as teachers change also, and what is expected of us. As teachers we are constantly learning new ways to help children be successful, life long learners. Therefore, it is not a surprise that the role of a librarian, and library are changing also. In this age of computers and information at our fingertips, it is important that our libraries and librarians have knowledge on helping its users access this. I liked the perspective..To a Temporary Place In Time...It mentions that our libraries are just not books and card catalogs like we once knew them, but they are centers, or communities in which we go to learn and find information that we need. I like that the author says that libraries are participatory--they provide global access to books, catalogs, etc. I also like that she said, Library 1.0-the libraries we grew up with, then Library 2.0, then 3.0, then 4.0, they do not each replace the other, but are absorbed into each other. As information becomes more accessible we will need those who are able to guide us to the info we are seeking. Library 2.0 means that our libraries are going to be not only equipped with books but computers that allow us to search the web for research, photos, etc. The librarian will be the one to help the students find different programs and sites to create their research and their projects. She will be the "tour guide" so to speak. She should be aware of the different programs that can be used to learn information and to organize it. I think it is very exciting. I liked the YOUtube video on the vision of our students today. It was so real and so very interesting. As much as adults do not want to admit it, our children do spend many hours on the web, whether it is myspace, facebook, flickr, youtube, etc. WE spend hours on the web searching for things, and finding info. ( I can not tell you the last time I looked up a phone number or address in the phone book.) In the age of cellphones, PDA's, laptops, etc....we have information right there with us all the time, we can make connections, we can organize, we can research, at any time. School libraries are not going to be the place where you go to check out books anymore...they are media centers, equipped with computers that are linked to the internet. They are places where students will go not only to study but also to research information they need and will be able to have a librarian there to "guide" them to the correct places to find their information or the different ways to organize and present their information. To me it seems very exciting!

Thing #14

2009-07-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

I really like Technorati and Delicious--sites. I like Technorati and can definetley see using it to find blogs about different information, and not just blogs...videos, pictures, websites, etc. What an awesome site!! I really like Delicious. I am able to load my bookmarks and be able to access them from any computer. It is also fun tagging new sites and love the Delicious toolbar. I claimed my blog site, and also added a technorati widget to my blog-pinging-that was so easy to do. Tagging at first seemed so overwhelming and just too much. I am getting the hang of it with practice and playing around. We always say information is at our fingertips with the internet, with tagging, you just put in a word and find sites with the info you need. That is just amazing to me. I have been playing around adding different tags to my bookmarks. I like the idea that you can add as many tags as you want to describe the site.

2009-07-03T08:11:00.001-07:00

khjpcizg3x

Thing # 13

2009-07-03T07:51:00.000-07:00

Wow...the possiblities with tagging, Delicious, and all the other social bookmarking websites. It is so overwhelming. There is SOO much to explore I could be on the computer for days, while I should be doing SO many other things. It is lots much fun and there is all kinds of information out there. I do like how I was easily able to import my bookmarks and tag them. I like being apart of the Delicious site. The bookmarks are right there for me to use and I am able to find them easily. I can see where librarians and teachers can easily share their favorite bookmarks with their students. For example if a student is reseraching a topic, they could look for info on this bookmarking site. This would have been great to have had during HS and college.. how easy it is to find information on things we had to research. My children are going to have it so much easier, when looking for information for research papers and projects.

Thing #12

2009-06-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

Two points that I see most important when it comes to commenting on others blogs' are: 1. make it easy--having to sign in each time to comment, makes me not want to comment. 2. comment on the comments people leave you, interact with those reading your blog, acknowledge them, thank them etc..for leaving a comment.
I regularly try to comment on a couple of blogs that I keep up with. The two blogs I follow are of friends from church. One of the ladies has/is going through cancer and she keeps us updated on her blog to her progress. The other blog belongs to a friend who does public speaking and her blogs are just so real to life, and seem to minister to me quite often. I also like to keep up with my principals blog.

2009-06-29T11:13:00.001-07:00

Thing #11

2009-06-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

I liked using Library Thing. I made a list of the recent books I have read, and also joined a couple of groups. I could definetely see where this site is beneficial for avid readers. There are so many different kinds of groups and members. If you are trying to find a good book to read this is a great site. It gives you recommendations and reviews. Great tool!!

76231155129recentr.jpg hosted at ImageShack.us

2009-06-29T10:21:00.001-07:00

Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!

Thing #10

2009-06-28T20:32:00.000-07:00

I loved playing around with different online image generators. My favorite was the image chef site, and of course the big huge lab site. I loved browsing my pictures and making a mosaic, christmas ornament or even a jigsaw puzzle. I also loved the image chef site where I could type in words and make an image. They let you pick colors, fonts, texts, etc...So much fun. I could spend hours, more than I already do, playing with these sights. I think my students would love downloading their pictures and making mosaics or typing in words in the image chef and picking a symbol to put the words in.

BigHugeLabs: Do fun stuff with your photos

2009-06-28T20:28:00.001-07:00

BigHugeLabs: Do fun stuff with your photos

Posted using ShareThis

2009-06-28T20:11:00.001-07:00

2009-06-28T19:56:00.001-07:00

2009-06-28T19:53:00.001-07:00

ImageChef.com Flower Text

Thing #9

2009-06-24T22:28:00.000-07:00

Google Blog Search and Technorati Tutorial were the easiest RSS feeders search enginges, to use. The most confusing I found was the Syndic8.com, it was very hard to follow and find RSS feeds. I found a couple of feeders that I added to my reader list. One of them was the Cool Cat Teacher Blog. I really liked that one and found it very interesting and helpful.

Thing # 8

2009-06-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed finding RSS feeders to post on my blog. It is so much easier going to my google reader page and catching up on the blogs that I follow and the websites that I like to visit. It definetley saves time. I can use this in the classroom by putting the websites that my students go to onto my google reader and they can go to those sites easily and quickly, all they would have to do is just click on the feeder. In my personal life all the sites that I visit will be in one place, I don't have to type and look for them each time I go to visit. RSS feeders and google readers is such a benefit to those searching the internet for their information-it makes it so easy!

Thing #7

2009-06-19T18:40:00.000-07:00

I created an IGoogle page and Google calendar. I like having an IGoogle homepage with certain newsfeeds on there and weather. In the classroom we have used Google Earth, and my children at home like using Google Earth also. It is just amazing to me the technology that is out there to help us learn, teach, and just help us to live. Google is an awesome tool to use.

Thing #6

2009-06-19T15:43:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed using flickr to make a trading card, puzzle, and a picture with speech bubbles. It is fun to create different things and I could spend hours doing it. I think the trading card would be a fun tool to use in the classroom. My kindergartners could pick a dinosaur or a plant and describe it using the trading card program. They could then print theirs and trade with each other. It is such an easy program to use. Using flickr you have SO many choices of photos or you can use your own. Big Huge Labs is now one of my most favorite websites. I can't wait to use it next school year.

2009-06-12T20:17:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Thing #5

2009-06-10T03:49:00.000-07:00

Using Flickr was lots of fun. It is AMAZING how you can find ALL kinds of pictures. What a great tool for the classroom. Whenever you need any kind of picture to show as a visual to what you are teaching, it is right there. What an awesome tool.

I found downloading the image very simple and easy to do. I chose a picture of a dinosaur egg. Our last science unit that we teach is Dinosaurs. It always amazes me how much 5 year olds know about dinosaurs. They teach me something every year. It also baffles my mind how they always know the names of the dinosaurs and can pronounce the name better than me. Children are a wonder!

Thing #4

2009-06-08T19:46:00.001-07:00

Ready and registered and ready to explore!

Thing #3

2009-06-08T19:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I worked on getting the avatar that I wanted for about 2 hours but would never download the avatar I had saved to my favorites...It gave me one with a mohawk, that is definetley not me but I will have to work on it. There were so many choices and I tried to make one that best represents me....

Thing #2

2009-06-08T16:07:00.000-07:00

I definitely think I am a life long learner. I LOVE trying new ways of teaching in my classroom, and learning new things with technology. I had read Stephen Coveys book a long time ago, and went through an inservice talking about the 7 habits of highly effective people. I would say the habit I have the most trouble with is beginning with the end in mind. I don't always slow down to think about a goal and a plan, I just try to get to my goal without thinking it through. The habit that I feel like I have a good handle on is teaching/mentoring others, so that I am able to reinforce my learning, and I enjoy volunteering to serve others.

Thing #1

2009-06-08T15:32:00.000-07:00

I love learning how to do new things on the computer. I especially like being able to teach my teenagers something they don't know how to already do. After reading about the program I wanted to get started right away. This is going to be fun!