Reader's Theatre Video

Reader's Theater Video

Digital Images and Instruction

Students can use digital images to demonstrate their knowledge and personal expresssion. The use of these images creates motivation and allows students to use technology to enhance learning. Learning activities can incorporate digital images in a variety of ways. Through slideshows, blogs, websites, and wikis, students are able to display evidence of learning in non-conventional ways. Today's generation of students are accustomed to using technology for social purposes and it is our job as educators to utilize the same tools for instruction. Educational slideshows and virtual tours are great ways to start a lesson and engage students from the beginning. These images also appeal to students who have difficulty comprehending from only a text. By using multiple modalities in the classrrom, all learners are being targeted and scaffolded for success.

Diagrams, Maps and Webs in the Classroom

Visual organizers are wonderful tools to use in the classroom. They allow students to organize their thinking and guide others who need extra support. Concept maps can be used for brainstorming a writing topic or to activate prior knowledge. Webs are a great resource to develop higher level thinking skills such as analysis and synthesis. A storyboard is another visual tool that will help students to cite evidence from text and support their ideas and conclusions. Overall, visual tools are useful to different ability levels and diverse learning styles.

TTCR: starfall

starfall interactive website
Starfall is a great phonics website that offers interactive games and stories. There is a writing component to some stories. This website is highly motivating and will be cherished by all different ability levels. Some stories include poems and tongue twisters to help build reading fluency.

TTCR: pbs.org

Lion Phonics Activity
This interactive website helps students identify site words with a fun activity. This site can be used for phonics instruciton and practice. The words are read aloud for support.

TTCR: dictionary.com

Online Dictionary
Dictionary.com is an online dictionary that is free. You can type in a word and then recieve the meaning as well as examples. There is also another link for a thesaurus. I plan on using this website with my students for story vocabulary, definitions, and synonyms and antonyms.

Review of Interactive Spreadsheets

Interactive spreadsheets are highly motivating for students and offer a competitive component. Students can type in their answers to a question and automatically see if they are right or wrong. These spreadsheets are also quick asssessments for teachers to review and aid in planning instruction. The website offers different spreadsheets across content areas that are already created. In addition, there are directions to create your own. I am very interested in creating my own interactive spreadsheet to enhance my literacy instruction.

Review of Center for Engineering and Science Ed

This website offers multiple resources for collaboration and meaningful projects. Students can register for a content-driven, age-appropriate project with other students nation wide. There are projects that focus on natural resources, water conservation, and oceanogrophy which provide standards-based activities and life-related objectives. These collaborative projects offer opportunities for students to come together and work towards a real-life experience and apply critical thinking skills. The projects are high interest and offer lesson plans for teachers as well.

Review of Create a Graph at Kids Zone

This is an interactive website that is useful for teachers as well as students. As a teacher I would use the site to create visual representations of data ranging from test results and progress monitoring to displaying results gathered from student interest surveys. Students can utilize this website to create a variety of their own graphs and then can print their graph when it is complete. The creation of the graphs seem a little confusing therefore it would have to be modeled for all students and may not be applicable for lower elementary students to complete independently. The examples of the different kinds of graphs were helpful.

Chapter 10 Website reviews

Create a graph at kids zone
Center for Engineering and Science Ed
Interactive Spreadsheets

Word Processing Assignment

Reading and writing go hand in hand and word processing tools are an important means to demonstrate literacy skills. One way to integrate word processing into literacy instruction is by using it for a response to text. Students can read at their individual ability level and respond through word processing and the use of visuals such as clip art from Microsoft Word. In addition, word processing tools are highly motivating. However, the time it takes to complete a response through word processing is a concern that I have. If anyone has any suggestions on time management I would appreciate the support.