Today's class was very exciting and lots of fun. The morning started off having groups share their "training sessions" on the various programs that help with reading and writing. Each program seems wonderful. It was nice to see that Natural Reader is available as a free demo. Our group shared the program WYNN. Throughout my exploration with WYNN I found it very easy to use, with its 4 rotating toolbars. Kursweil is very similar to WYNN and so I'm looking forward to next class when we all have the opportunity to try it out.
In the afternoon we had the chance to play around with i-Pod touches provided by our instructor. Oh what fun it was! I now know what will be on my Christmas list!! I have little experience with these devices so it was great just having the time to experiment with the i-Pods, checking out all the apps. Many of the apps were fantastic, but I have decided to mention a few here that I really enjoyed. The bubble popper was one of my favorites and is very addictive. That evening I had my husband install it on his i-Phone so he could try it out, and he too thought it was great. Cookie Doodle is an excellent app to have students follow directions, use measurements and even get to design their own cookie with sprinkles and icing. Sentence Builders is an app that would be very useful for students struggling with both reading and writing. And of course I couldn't forget Pictello. I can't say enough about how wonderful this app is and how valuable it can be in the classroom for all students.
PICTELLO
5 Ways to Use Pictello with Students:
Health Lesson - steps to show how to brush your teeth
Morning Routine for special needs student - hang coat and backpack, take message bag to classroom, sit at desk and read book, stand for O Canada
LA Journal writing - have students share a special moment
Art Activity - steps to follow: first paint the picture, next add sparkles and feathers, then cut out, and last glue on construction paper.
Math Activity - sequencing
Pictello can be used for a whole group activity where the teacher uses Pictello to demonstrate or the program could be used individually by students.
With the recent passing of Steve Jobs (co-founder of Apple) I thought it would be appropriate to include a tribute video from YouTube showing Apple's original launch of the iPod, iPhone and iPad. These devices have dramatically changed our world. They have become the new wave of technology and how we communicate.
During our second class we shared our reading task analysis. It was interesting to see all the groups' perspective on the reading process. Many ideas were similar but the organization through the programs Inspiration or Kidspiration made each look different. Being a teacher it was great to actually examine the process a student goes through when reading. Knowing this now can be helpful when working with struggling readers. Check out my groups' Reading Task Analysis, posted earlier.
In the afternoon of class we were given the opportunity to search the net looking for interactive literacy websites that could be used with students in the classroom or at home. WOW, there are plenty of excellent sites available. I was floored with what is available to students, many free of charge. I really have never taken the time to look around the internet for specific literacy websites, so I was happy to receive that time in class to explore. I was familiar with Starfall and TumbleBooks and have frequently used both. However, in my search I came across a few others I would like to share here on my blog.
Into The Book http://reading.ecb.org/ This site I thought was wonderful. Into the Book teaches students about eight reading strategies (prior knowledge, making connections, questioning, visualizing, inferring, summarizing, evaluating and synthesizing) using interactive activities. Teachers can also access the site for related lessons and resources to use when teaching these strategies. For me when teaching students about these various strategies I often thought it would be great if I could incorporate a computer activity to assist in their learning, and this site does just that. All students in elementary school learning about these strategies would benefit from using this website, as well as students struggling with reading.
My StoryMaker http://www.clpgh.org/kids/storymaker/embed.cfm Having students create their own personal stories is an activity we as teachers have all had our students do. But instead of having students write, My StoryMaker allows students to develop their own stories by picking characters, goal, setting, and pictures all completed like a book on the computer! It is amazing. The website is user-friendly and easy to navigate for young students. I would definitely use this in my classroom, especially for students who have difficulty writing or for students who struggle with developing ideas in story writing. However, this site would not be of interest for students in grades five and above, as the site seems designed for young children. The site also offers voice instructions for how to design your story. The downfall is that once the story is completed you are unable to have the voice re-read the story back to you. Despite this I think this a fabulous website that is worthwhile checking out.
Signed Stories http://www.signedstories.com/index.cfm This website offers a wide-selection of children's stories that are read in sign language. Of course persons with hearing problems would benefit the most from using this website, but all students can enjoy the stories as they are also read aloud as well. Students pick a book theme and from there select the story they want from picture titles. However, the stories offered are for students in the early elementary grades as there are no chapter books available. Signed Stories allows all children to be part of the story time experience.
