Smurfy Summer

Summer time is always a time to reflect and rest! I do get tired of people saying you are so lucky you are off all summer. That is not the case. As teachers we are always working and thinking about how we can become better. I think we as teachers are always searching, seeking, and hoping to find some 'new' idea that we can use in our classroom.
I am going to share my AR Bulletin Board that I used in my classroom last year. I divided up the bulletin board in 4 sections for 4 goals. The goal is for the students to reach their 4th goal by the end of the year. I love the Smurfs so I incorporated them into my classroom. Here are some pictures so you can get the idea. This concept really worked this year it was a great visual for my students and their parents. Each Friday I would allow students to move their Smurf to the appropriate goal.

Summer Summer Summer Time!

Who doesn't love summer break? I know I for one do! It gives me a time to reflect upon the year. What went right, what went wrong, what could go better, what changes I am going to make next year! It also gives me time to search the web for new ideas and new strategies. It also gives me time to really put some time and make my own blog. I started it because I had to in Grad school and I never really continued it. Now I am going to start slowly building it.

The first thing I am going to put on my blog is a unit that I designed for my 3rd graders on European Explorers. This is a tough unit to teach but all the students mastered it! I hope you enjoy it!
The link below will take you to the link to download it. you will have to have Smart Notebook Software on your computer!

Revamp Explorers

Digital Video

We worked on digital video in class this week. We based our digital video on my latest game obsession "Family Feud".  I was actually surprised that we all agreed on a concept and we made the digital video pretty quick. It was a fun project and I enjoyed working on it. The editing was pretty simple. I guess I say that because Amanda did all the editing. :) Our video turned out quite cute and very funny. 

Podcast Say What?

This week in class we created our own podcast. I really enjoyed learning how to make them. I feel a podcast probably has some educational benefits but I feel that they are.... how should I say this?  BORING! Some of my classmates did create funny ones but I just thought they were still boring. Maybe I am just not an auditory learner? Okay, I am not an auditory learner. I challenge you to make a podcast that I could use in my third grade class to engage my students and to keep me from zoning!!! Happy podcasting!!!!

Wiki's

Question: How do you use successfully use Wiki's in your classroom? I have not used Wiki's for classroom instruction. Although I do have a Wiki set up for my classroom website. I know already that they are very easy to use and easy to access. Wiki's in my classroom though how could I engage my students to use them successfully? I think that I could use Wiki's to create an online text for my curriculum for my students to contribute to. I am teaching explorers so I think it would be useful for students to be able to contribute to a Wiki on European Explorers!

Blogging Say What?

I am not new at following blogs but I am going to be honest I have never used a blog in my classroom. My favorite blogs are educational blogs. I love finding new ideas and new strategies. Okay I admit it I also love finding the free deals too! Who doesn't like a good deal right? I am sure my students would love blogging and I am going to implement it in a way to make students actively engaged. It will take time for students to gain the knowledge of using blogs. My first activity is for students starting to read blogs. I will give them a list of blogs that are appropriate and are good reads. This will allow for my students to realize that good blogging starts with good reading! Wish me luck!! :)