Reading and the Brain

Check out this video! Whether you have a child who can decode words like a champ or one who struggles to comprehend, you will learn some good information about how the brain works while reading.

Watch Reading and the Brain on PBS. See more from Reading Rockets.

My First Movie

After having some success with the DPS Technology Challenges, I was brave enough to try making my first movie using still images, video clips, and music. I used Movie Maker to develop the how-to style movie; presenting how-to make a hooded towel. Using my kids as inspiration and the help of a teacher at my school who offered a professional development on Movie Maker, I was able to complete my first movie. See how you like it...

Challenge Five Option B- Web 2.0 Wiki Edit

I just created an account at http://dpsweb2pointoh.pbworks.com/w/page/27461072/FrontPage. It was fast and easy. I was intrigued by the fact that I could use a wiki to communicate with other educators while learning more about how to use Web 2.0 tools within the classroom. I decided to go to the K-2 Science wiki. Jeni Foote had already been there and had posted a website that her class uses during their study of Balance and Motion. Since my class is currently studying that topic, I viewed the website and found it very interesting (The website shows how to use trash to create a balanced art form.). View her idea for extension and the Web 2.0 tool that I shared at http://dpsweb2pointoh.pbworks.com/w/page/27461134/K-2%20Science.

My wiki edit says, "Try showing the following presentation to help students become aware of balance and motion within their environment...
https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AawUAZRab4htZGd0cXJuejhfMTVranBma2Zr"

Using a wiki to collaborate with other teachers will help us all become more aware of what is out there for our students to experience.

Challenge Four- Sharing Creative Commons

Round and Round It Goes
I created this presentation using photos from flickrCC. I chose the topic, Balance and Motion, because my class is just beginning a science unit on the subject. The pictures found in this presentation are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic License. Creating this presentation was difficult and confusing. I am still not sure if I applied attributions correctly. I am thankful for the website, Web 2.0: Cool Tools for School. There I found online presentation tools and a link to flickrCC.
It would be helpful to use Creative Commons in the classroom to show pictures of different concepts and images from all across the world. The old saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words," rings true for many of the images available for use on Creative Commons.

Challenge Three-Web 2.0 Creation

Teachers can share their creations easily using Google Documents. I created this simple presentation as a way to present students with their learning objectives during writing...I CAN Statements for Writing.

I am looking for a new way to monitor my reading groups. If you have an efficient way of monitoring, I would love to hear about it.  You may even want to post it on Google Documents.

Challenge Two-Commenting

I commented on a post at Academic Challenge Nuture Potential. I am curious about the different technologies available to other teachers, so my comment was actually a question, "What technologies are you currently utilizing?"

I have to admit when I first posted this, I just wanted to get the assignment over with. I made a true comment today. I commented on Technologically Challenged about our similar experience with Challenge Two. It took a long time to figure out, but I'm glad that I stuck with it. The Technology Challenge has taught me so much. I have found all that I've learned to be extremely helpful and interesting. You were right...Google Reader is addicting!

Challenge Two-Connecting

I just signed up on Google Reader to view all of my favorite websites in one spot. What a great invention.
I am following some great blogs. I love to read and I am always on the look out for the lastest book for my students. For this reason, I am a follower of Jen Robinson's Book Page. I also love to eat, and some of the best recipes available you will find at Have Your Cake and Eat It Too. Little Birdie Secrets is another great site that I visit for crafting tutorials and inspiration. Don't miss these other great sites...
Reading Rockets
Academic Challenge Nurture Potential

Challenge One- Why I am Participating

I am participating in the DPS Technology Challenge in order to learn more about technologies available to enhance teaching and the learning of my students. I am excited about the idea of blogging with others about technology and education. I am looking forward to becoming more computer literate throughout this experience.