First days of school

School began last week. No netbooks yet, but we are hoping next week.  We will be going to the Computer Lab this week to learn how to use Edmodo, so at least that will be out of the way.  I have my Wiki up and running, but I will need to wait on Google for the students to get them logged in.  I am afraid this will be a slow process this year, but I am hopeful for success.  The students will have their own Wiki to use for portfolio purposes, which was a minor battle won.  I am still excited about what this school year can hold!

The Beginning!

It all begins on Monday!  I am really excited over what the school year holds in store for the kids and for me!  I know we won't get the computers until well into September, and that bums me out a little, but I will forge on somehow.  I also know the first week or two after we get the computers will be devoted to learning Edmodo, Google and Wikispaces.  We have decided to have each kid set up a Wiki, through Wikispaces to use as a portfolio of the work they are doing throughout the school year.  We will have an e portfolio this year!  That is great news!  I have my wiki ready to go, and I have mastered Mentormob.  Savid works great for You Tube videos.

What I have been working on....

Things seem to be going well.  I am working on the picture books Wiki and next week I will upload the videos for using technology into my Edmodo library.  We are back to school in less then three weeks, so I am really getting excited about flipping!

I had an epiphany!  We will read what we want to read and use edmodo in small groups to discuss out books.  I think this would give us the best bang for our classroom buck and help the kids read better.  I will still have some of my direct instruction using videos and will use Edmodo for grammar (Caught Ya) and warm up poetry.  I think I have found the perfect way to run the class this year!  Now to get the kids and forge forward.  I am really excited about all of this!  I am using what I have learned in workshops this summer and blending it with what I already know.  Wonderful!

Zondle and LearnBoost

Wow!  The day was not a total bust!  I have the makings of a class that might function this year!  I will use Flocabulary, poetry, fliipping for direct instruction (when I can) and still have time to read Literature Circle books for 20 minutes or so.  Sound like a lot, but I think I have it down pat.  Time will tell.

Found two new websites to use one for flipping and games
Zondle

and one that allows me to lesson plan using the web and it will use my Google Calendar, share to Facebook and Twitter.  LessonBoost has an app on Google Chrome as well.

LessonBoost

Both great and I hope to use them this year!

Flocabulary

Working hard on the Wiki we will use this year.  I have created pages that will go with what we are learning and that students can use for review.  I have created play lists on you tube, and I will upload videos (I am hoping the wiki will take the size of some of the videos) on each page so that the kids can view and review each topic.
I have found a lot of good stuff on Flocabulary.  Since I have an account, I intend to use this as well.  I really like the Word Up, Grammar and Literature links.  I just need to figure out how all of the raps will fit into my classroom.  I am thinking of using them much as I did last year.  I will begin the day with them but this year instead I will follow the lesson plans so that the kids learn the raps, vocabulary and grammar.  I need to make sure I am leaving at least 30 minutes each day for reading or writing.  That would leave me more then enough time to have a mini lesson or direct instruction.  I need to whittle this down to what I am going to use and how I want my day to progress.  Perhaps it would be best to drive everything through Edmodo and use the Wiki for review and remediation.

E books for flipping

I have found a couple of sites that I think might help me flip.  At least I am hoping I can upload a few picture books onto the wiki for the kids to watch and review.

 I had some ideas about pages on the wiki including anchor books, poetry, and grammar.  I am thinking that these pages could be used as review and remediation pages for all students.

e-book library
http://en.childrenslibrary.org/

Tumblebooks