Literacy Project

My literacy project is underway and almost complete.  I have one student left to record and then I will have it up to share.  I brought together a Science unit and Literacy unit through this project.  Students were working on animal research projects, where they chose an animal, conducted research by exploring the internet and reading books, and then shared their learning though a VoiceThread.  I focused on reading skills, fluency when recording and comprehension when reading research and in science focused on animal habitats and adaptions, just to name a few.  I have used VoiceThread before and struggled a little with getting my students to speak clearly but I am hoping this time, since they have grown as reader and in their vocabulary, they will be able to present their information successfully.

Digital Story Project

 This digital story fits into my district first grade reading curriculum where we study nonfiction stories for content and exploration of their difference from fiction stories.  This story also fits well in our non-fiction writing unit where students explore, read, and then write their own non-fiction books on a topic of their choice.  

      I have shown my students this story when beginning and have asked my students input along the way to completion.  I will use this project numerous time to enhance student learning of nonfiction books.  This enhances the curriculum because rather than always having students read nonfiction books from the classroom or school library I now have a digital story to share.  I am also hoping that students will use and view this not only in whole group setting to enhance my reading and writing lessons but also during center time when in the i-pad center exploring and reading digital books.   I will also use this to spark students interest to creating their own digital story rather than 'paper' copy of their story for their nonfiction writing piece.  I would like to use this as a guide to exploring other digital story tools, not only in writing but all content areas, to spark student interest on trying some on their own.  My hope is that students will take the initiative to completing one on their own, of course with my guidance!  

Dalmatians

Diigo

I have been using my Diigo account a lot.  I am exploring resources at home for my classroom and putting the links up on Diigo and then going back and accessing them easily at school!  I have found this very useful reversed as well, I find resources at school that I want to revisit later and then access it at home later to spend more time exploring.
Here is a link to my Diigo account. Enjoy!

Diigo- R.Field

VoiceThread

While exploring VoiceThread for an upcoming Science project with my first graders, I came across many ideas on how to use VoiceThread to display the final product of our Animal projects.  Below are a few samples that I have starting showing my students as examples to how this project can be used.  My students are eager to begin.  They are in the process of writing their scripts and some have begun creating their pictures to do with their work.  Let me know what you think of these examples and which one you think would work best with first graders.  There are many great ideas that I am having a hard time deciding which format to use.

 Animal ABC's

Animal Research Projects

Animals

Animal Facts

Google Reader

I have been using Google Reader for over a year now and find it very helpful in reading rather than browsing through multiple websites.  I check my reader every morning like I would read the newspaper.  This is a great way for me to know what is happening in the Education world and hear what is happening in other classrooms.  Currently I am subscribed to over 40 blogs.  Most of the blogs that I am subscribed to are other teachers who teach at the primary level, technology specialists, like Stump the Teacher, and professional organizations.   I completely agree with Krysta's blog post where she stressed how useful the tools was and how it is the central point to checking everyone's blog posts as they are posted rather than looking through their whole blog.  Krysta, I am glad you are enjoying using Google Reader!  Once you start you will be hooked!
Krysta's Blog

Wiki Project and Digital Storytelling

    I am really enjoying this Wiki Project.  It is a wonderful way to collaborate with each other.  I have learned many new things from all of the tabs that could be used in my classroom regularly.  I really enjoy the tab where we can post our digital story projects and classmates can view and offer comments or suggestions.  The comments that I have received so far have been very helpful as I have taken them into consideration while making adjustments to my project.  I also like the tab that was created where we offer our topic five websites off of our Diigo.  That was a great idea.  I have found many more sites that I enjoy and have added to my own Diigo account to use.

    Using the Wiki project I have used recommendations on my Digital Story to make improvements to my project.  I have added more sentences to my story and took Lisa's suggestion of adding more about how to care for a pet dog to my piece.  Originally, I found myself being focused and having a one-track mind on how I want my project to look now I think I have opened up and am beginning to explore more options to make my story better.  I used a wonderful resource- Amalia on Purpose-Storytelling to help organize my ideas and further plan my project.  This also gave me a clearer understanding of what digital storytelling entails and how to move forward.  I feel like this has given me more ideas and guidance.  

Diigo

Her is a link to my Diigo site.  I just figured out last week how to add the bookmarks without adding the Diigo tab to my tool bar so it is a working progress.  I have been trying to add at least on bookmark a day.  I have some many bookmarks on my personal computer and then on my work computer so I am working to put them all into Diigo so that I can access them from both places!  What sites do you find most useful?

Diigo-RField