SnagIt Video

Below is the link to my groups SnagIt video for a tutorial on Fakebook. We used the free trial of the program SnagIt to make a video of us using the website, while we talk over it and explain. It worked pretty well, except some of the sound is a little muffled. If you do use it, make sure you always get close enough to the computer microphone and try to have absolutely NO background noise. Otherwise, a great tool.

iPad Rules Poster

To go along with our iPad unit, we were to make a poster with rules for iPads in the classroom. To make mine I actually used a scrapbook layout from a digital scrap-booking site (free and legal) but I cannot for the life of me remember which one. I then changed the backround, sizes of the rectangles, colors, etc. and added my rules, title, and created my own picture of an iPad. Lots of fun!

iPads in the Classroom

iPads are latest popular tool schools are using in the classroom! When I found this out, I honestly couldn't really believe that every student would have access to an iPad because I myself have barely used one (I'm getting old, already). Honestly I was a bit skeptical about using iPads because as much as I love new technology, I kind of hate what it has been doing to social skills, manners, and creativity. That being said, there are some GREAT apps on the iPad that can be great in the classroom. I feel that as long as I have a good balance in my classroom and give students the understanding that rules do apply to using technology, I can definitely see it fitting in to my philosophy.

One of my favorite things we were able to do in class with the iPad is use a whiteboard app. There are plenty of free ones that work just fine, but the one we used was not free. It allows the teacher to write on the board WHILE MOVING AROUND THE ROOM! I think that's pretty cool. One can write on a blank background, a website, or an image. Basically whatever comes on the screen, you can write on it, make notes, highlight, etc. I thought this was a pretty handy tool.

There are many apps for specific subjects: math games/flashcards, reading out loud, vocabulary, science facts/games, social studies, art, and music! There are some great games to help students learn new skills. A lot of them are so entertaining they probably won't even realize they are improving a skill!

Some sites I found very helpful for finding cool apps were:

100 Ways to Use iPads in Your Classroom
Apple in Education
15 Creative Apps for Kids
Apps for Teachers

Polaroid Pictures

 For this project we created Polaroid pictures! We downloaded the templates for a strip of Polaroids and one large one for a self-portrait. Then you simply use Photoshop to place your photos behind the frames (put photo layer behind the frame layer). Very easy!

Favorite Teacher Websites/Blogs

There are many different websites/blogs that I like to follow, but I will share my favorites.

http://thecutestblogontheblock.com/

First: The Cutest Blog on the Block. This website taught me how to make awesome backgrounds and headers by using digital scrap-booking supplies that can be downloaded for a small prices or free (and legal!) from their website.

Second: A website that I like to take a look at as my inspiration for a true classroom blog is Mrs. McDavid's 3rd Grade. It doesn't really focus as much on activity ideas, but serves as an inspiration for the kind of classroom website/blog I would create for my classroom and parents.

Lastly: Since there are ridiculous amounts of blogs/website to look at, I decided to talk about the site that has them all: Pinterest. Pinterest is where I find most of the blogs I follow and gives me some GREAT ideas for lesson plans, project, organization, etc. There are so many great things that can be found on Pinterest to use in the classroom.

Forms

For this assignment we were to create a form using Powerpoint and Photoshop. The form on the top was one that I had grabbed from my cooperating teacher for my 40 hour field experience this semester. I took her form and made it my own by changing the layout a little, creating a border, and changing the fonts to make it more visually appealing. I thought it turned out really well. Below that I created a worksheet based on one that I had seen on Pinterest.

Mp3 Audio Book

For this project we had to use a free program called Audacity to record ourselves reading a book. Once we recorded ourselves, we burned this file on to a CD. I thought this was a really cool idea, especially for students who may need certain kinds of accommodations when it comes to reading. I also thought it would be a good idea for center activities to record myself giving directions. Below I have provided an image of the book a link to the Amazon site.

Miss Malarkey Doesn't Live in Room 10