Interactive Writing

One of my all time favorite literacy teaching strategies in K-1 is Interactive Writing. After I read McCarrier, Pinnell & Fountas' book Interactive Writing: How Language & Literacy Come Together, K-2, I couldn't wait to try it in my own room and wasn't disappointed. Although it can be hard to implement, I truly believe it is the best method for teaching early writing skills, phonics, and conventions in the primary grades. When I saw on Challenge 5 we had to find a topic "we know a lot about" I started trying to brainstorm things that I might be able to provide accurate information on for Wikipedia. After searching through a few Wikipedia sites, I happened to search for "interactive writing."

I was actually surprised at what came up. Although there was a definition of interactive writing, with some sources and text cited, it wasn't the interactive writing I was familiar with. What was there talked more about using interactive writing as a method for a writing response such as through letters or a writing journal where the teacher and student write back and forth to each other. Another piece I thought was interesting is that in this form of interactive writing, the students are encouraged to use inventive spelling in their writing without too much concern for grammar and conventions. However, the teacher serves as the model for the students by using correct grammar, spelling, conventions, etc., in their response. This of course also differed from "my" interactive writing in that I was always taught that the joint student/teacher message reflected correct writing to serve as a model for students.

I decided this was an area I could add to Wikipedia as something I at least knew a little about. I was actually surprised at how easy it was to make changes. Honestly - it almost seemed too easy! Now I understand what everyone means when they say that Wikipedia, although helpful, is not necessarily the most accurate research site. It is good to know, though, that in the future if I see errors or feel there is something I can add to a Wikipedia site now I know how to do it.

Uncommon Opportunities

After learning a little bit about Creative Commons, this seems like a great way to tie together some of the other technology tools I am experimenting with (Animoto, Little Bird Tales, etc.). I like the fact that although there are obviously some guidelines and restrictions on the images, there is also the desire to share with the outside world. As teachers we are notorious for breaking copyright. This tool seems like it could be easily adapted for student use, as well as teacher use, without some of the traditional copyright issues we usually have to be aware of.

When I was looking at the images on Flikr, I was amazed first by the number of images but also the wide variety of images and types of images online. When I was trying to decide how I could use Creative Commons, I was thinking about a conversation I had with one of my friends. She has a daughter who is currently in fourth grade in Wake County and as part of the social studies curriculum, fourth grade students create a North Carolina portfolio. It seems like the images on Creative Commons could be a great way to for students to illustrate or document pieces and parts of North Carolina as part of their portfolio. I downloaded a bunch of images from Flikr and used Animoto to create a short portfolio of North Carolina images. The one thing I couldn't figure out with Animoto was how to add a slide or an image at the end so I could site the artists from Creative Commons. I know in some tools like Windows Movie Maker or Google Picasa you can edit the film a little more, but Animoto was really, really easy to use. Basically you just upload your images, select your music, and you're done. Super easy - which is always nice! Here is the link to my North Carolina video.

Google Maps: A Different View of the World

One of my favorite social studies units when I taught first grade was helping students learn to read and create maps. We used to make maps of the school, of our homes, of the classroom. I loved to see the kids' creativity and how they viewed the world. When Google Maps first launched, I was amazed at how detailed the maps were and how you could see satellite images of the world. I remember the first time I saw the satellite picture of my house - I thought "Wait, I live there!" (I think I also thought my grass looks a lot better from space.)

Today I worked on learning more about Google Maps and creating my own maps. I made a map of my hometown, Sayville, New York. Here is the map. It was really fun to mark the different landmarks and personal spots while writing a short description of each location. I could easily see how this could be used in the classroom in many different ways to help extend students' knowledge and understanding of the world around them - while being really fun for the teacher as well!

Blogging and Cooking

I set up my Google Reader account today so I can subscribe to my favorite blogs. One of the first ones I attached (after the DPS Technology Challenge, of course) was The Pioneer Woman. She is this lady who lives in the midwest and posts about lots of different things from photography to homeschooling, but the reason I follow her is her recipes. They are incredibly unhealthy but absolutely delicious!

I am not a good cook. Really. And what is sad is I really try - I think I like cooking, but most of the time (unless a significant amount of butter is involved) my food just doesn't turn out that well. What I love about The Pioneer Woman is that the recipes on her blog and the ones in her cookbook have about a million pictures to help you when you are making the recipes. As someone who is not exactly sure what "simmer" and "brown" may mean, pictures are incredibly helpful. If you like to cook, I definitely recommend her site for some yummy dishes.

On a totally different point, I love the Google heading (banner?) for today. It is a series of guitar strings in memory of Les Paul. You can actually use your mouse to "strum" the strings. What a great job it must be to create and design all these different headings. Just like coming up with the crazy names for new nail polish colors. :)  

Twitter, Tweeting, and bears - oh my!

Twitter has been around for a while now. Although I know what Twitter is, I still don't really understand it. Often times on people's blogs you can see their "tweets" running down the side of the page: "Just ran to Walmart to get some milk." or "Can't wait for dance lessons tonight." or "Pizza for dinner - woohoo!"

After watching the video on the DPS Challenge Page about Twitter, it made Twitter seem really nice - a way to connect with people in between blog postings, phone calls, emails, etc. I guess what I keep thinking though is  "Does anyone really care that I watched DC Cupcakes last night or that I really hate the fact that I can't get grass to grow in my front yard?"

Maybe I am over thinking this? Maybe I am overly self-conscious? I'm not sure. I like the idea of Twitter - learning more about people or staying close to those you may not see everyday, but I'm just not sure I'm meant to be a Twitterer.... Tweeter.... oh well - who knows!

Stepping into the Blogging World...

For years I have followed the blogs of friends, family, and complete strangers. I love to see what my sister is doing in New England or learn a great new recipe, but have never taken the time to start my own blog. I think it's kind of like Facebook: I like to see what everyone is doing, but don't take the time to update myself. I found out there is actually a word for this - "antisocial networking." Wow.

I am excited that the first assignment for the DPS Technology Challenge is to create a blog. It seems like an educational blog would be a great way to communicate with teachers, parents, students, and educators around the world to share ideas across classroom and school boundaries. I am hoping that participating in the DPS Technology Challenge can help me learn some different ways to use technology both inside and outside the classroom.

And, hopefully by stepping into the blogging world, this will help me with my "antisocial" issues.