The Phases of the Moon

Link to the Phases of the Moon eMaze

6th Grade Content Standard 1: Explain patterns of changes in the appearance of the moon as it orbits the earth.

EdTech Standard 5: Use technology tools for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.

What I loved about eMaze was the templates they had to choose from. There were some for every subject that included images and transitions which went along with the theme. It was easy to create a eMaze on the phases of the moon because they had a space template all ready for me to add information. This is a great tool for self conducted learning and for outside the classroom instruction. I plan on using this at the beginning of my lesson plan to familiarize the students with each phase before we go into more detail.

The Solar System

The Solar System Popplet

6th Grade Content Standard 3: Describe and compare the components of the solar system.

EdTech Standard 8: Use technology resources for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. 

Popplet was my favorite tool to use so far. It was accessible, fun, and fool proof! Any standard or subject would be easy to teach by creating a popplet. It is also great for students because they can navigate through the popplet themselves by clicking through the map. My students can access it at home for further learning, and also to exercise self-directed learning strategies. I plan on using this at the end of my lesson plan, just so students can refresh and reinforce what was taught. Overall, popplet was an exciting tool to learn how to use!

Music Monday

Music Monday is coming up! Please click on the following link to learn more about the details of this exciting day!

Music Monday Flyer

Content Standard 2: Develop expressive use of the voice.

EdTech Standard 6: Use telecommunications efficiently and effectively to access remote information and communicate with others in support of direct and independent learning and for pursuit of personal interests.

Flyers are a great way to spread the word about a classroom event coming up! Music Monday is a great way to teach content standard 2. Students can come with their favorite songs and nursery rhymes to share and sing with each other. It also promotes social interaction, which is important for students to learn and be comfortable with. It was easy to create this flyer, and makes for a creative, bright way to spread the word!

The Three Types of Rocks

Click on the link below to learn about igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks!

Rocks Glogster

2nd Grade Content Standard 2: Describe the characteristics of different rocks. 

EdTech Standard 8: Use technology resources for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities.

Using Glogster was a great experience! It could be used for any content you need to teach, and is a creative way to display information. Incorporating this Glogster in my lesson plan, will better keep my students attention and curiosity. Having bright images and videos keeps the lesson fun and entertaining. It was quick and easy to create, and as always will be available on my classroom blog for further understanding if my students need it!

Nutrition

Link to video

3rd Grade Content Standard 3: Describe how proper nutrition impacts health and physical fitness.

EdTech Standard 6: Use telecommunications efficiently and effectively to access remote information and communicate with others in support of direct and independent learning and for pursuit of personal interests. 

This is a great tool to use to add variety to any lesson plan! Videos are a fun, entertaining way to learn. However, creating this video did take a lot of extra time. I would only use this tool in my classroom and/or in my lesson plans if I had that extra time to put one together. So, overall Animoto was easy, but time consuming. I think this video will help students recognize the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods as well as why it is important to include carbohydrates, fat, and protein in their diet. Being able to embed videos is also convenient for outside the classroom student access. 

Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Recently finished reading a book? Fill out the reading comprehension worksheet to understand the key details you read about in your story! Click on the link below!

Reading Comprehension Worksheet 

2nd Grade Content Standard 7: Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.

EdTech Standard 8: Use technology resources for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. 

  Reading comprehension is a skill that will be used throughout the rest of a student's school years. Learning and practicing this skill over and over will allow for understanding, and mastery of the content of what he/she is reading. Filling out this worksheet can also be done while a student is reading the text which will help them follow along with the plot, theme, etc. Also, students can refer to this worksheet at anytime to assist them before, during, and after reading.

Civil War Timeline

I used the tool Tiki-Toki to create a timeline outlining the events leading up to, during, and after the Civil War. Click on the link below to learn more about the impact the Civil War had on U.S. History! 

Events of the Civil War

5th Grade Content Standard 4: Evaluate the course of events of the Civil War and its impact both immediate and long-term.

EdTech Standard 8: Use technology resources for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. 

I found Tiki-Toki to be a complicated to use at first, but once I became more familiar with the program it became easier. My favorite thing about using Tiki-Toki is being able to insert images, videos, and links; it helped me add in more information, that I didn't know, about the American Civil War. I really like the idea of teaching History outside of a standard textbook. Using this timeline in my lesson plan, allowing students to take a break from their textbooks, is a great way to engage and expand learning. Also, having the timeline linked to my blog provides extended learning for those that need it outside the classroom.