Weebly Website

This week's Monday Media Minute is a double whammy!

I wanted to show you www.Weebly.com.  Named one of TIME's 50 Best Websites, Weebly gives everyone a surprisingly easy way to create a unique site for free.  The Simpson Media Center website was created using Weebly (FYI, Weebly works best with Google Chrome).  The tool is very user-friendly and offers many easy-to-use options that can really enhance your current site.  If you choose to use Weebly to create your website, you can simply link it to our school website.  Also, you can create a website for specific projects or events.  For example, I created a Book Fair website earlier this year and linked it to the media center site.

I also wanted to share another example with you...  I am currently working on a biography research project with 1st grade.  Students chose a person, researched them with books and PebbleGo, and now we are using Blabberize to present their findings.  I was looking for a good way to showcase their work for parents and each other to see.  So, I created a Weebly for the project.  Please click the link below to check out the Weebly.  This site is a work in progress as the students complete their projects.  Notice what a cute project the Blabberize is!!!  I have already shared Blabberize with you as a Monday Media Minute, but I thought you might want to see some projects from our own students!

http://1stgradeblabberize.weebly.com/

I would be thrilled to get to work with you and/or your class using Blabberize or Weebly.  Both are exciting tools that can really get your students motivated to learn and show off their learning!

Colonial Times Interactive Website

Did you know???

There is a neat interactive website (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/colonialhouse/history/) that focuses on Colonial times.  What was it like to live in 1628 Colonial America? To find out, go to this interactive site by PBS and discover the people, food, clothing, houses and ways of life for Colonists, indentured servants, and Native Americans. The site contains a variety of learning activities including audio, video, quizzes, maps, dress the colonist, and an interactive journey across the ocean. Colonial House is sure to make learning about colonial life more fun and engaging for your students.

Test Prep Help

Did you know???

There is a fun Web 2.0 tool that might come in handy during CRCT prep or any kind of review and practice you are doing in the classroom.  FlipQuiz (http://flipquiz.me/) is a FREE tool that was created to provide educators with a quick way to create gameshow-style boards for test reviews in the classroom. The tool is similar to Jeopardy, but I find it much easier to use than Jeopardy templates I have tried before.  Also, boards can easily be shared across grade levels!

Click here to see a demo of one of the gameboards: http://flipquiz.me/demo

Please let me know if I can help you with this or any other media/technology tool!

Seriously Amazing Website

Did you know???

Smithsonian has created an exciting website that spurs curiosity in children and adults!  At http://seriouslyamazing.si.edu/, they've created seven quirky characters to symbolize the questions the Smithsonian asks and answers every day:

• The Wild represents the diversity of the animal kingdom 
• The Green reflects the wonder of the natural landscape 
• The New is where technology and creativity collide
• The Masterpiece embodies artistic expression
• The Storyteller is about America, its people and the tales they tell
• The Discoverer explores our world and the universe

Seriously Amazing links the knowledge and resources of the Smithsonian Institution and sparks a spirit of inquiry for students in grades 3-12.

Tip: Challenge students to select one of the 6 areas of exploration and learn 5 new facts to share with the class.

If you need help with this or any other media/technology tool, please let me know!

Create a Graph!

Did you know???

There is a cool online tool created by the National Center for Education Statistics where students can create bar, line, area, pie, and XY graphs.  The tool is very user-friendly.  Students simply choose a type of graph.  They are then offered blank fields for titles and labels.  They can also choose colors and values.  Try it out at http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx.

If you need help with this or any other media/technology tool, please let me know!

Free Online Study Tool

Did you know???

There is an excellent online study tool available for free called Quizlet.  Quizlet is a free website that offers six different study modes:

Flashcards - Flip through to become familiar with material.
Learn - Track progress and review incorrect answers.
Scatter - Match words to their definitions.
Speller - Type what you hear (multiple languages).
Test - Take an automatically graded quiz.
Space Race - Type words before their definition disappears from the screen.

Users may find or create the material they need to learn.  Teachers can also create quizlets for their students.  You could even post a link to the quizlet on your website.

Click this link to see a sample quizlet on the Revolutionary War.  Be sure to try out all six modes!

If you need help with this or any other media/technology tool, please let me know!

Comic Strip Creation Tool

Did you know???

There are several free comic strip creation tools available online.  You can create your own comics to use in your classroom, or you can engage your students by giving them the opportunity to create their own comic strip on a content area topic.  The comic strip creation tool recommended on Gwinnett's Teacher Connection Technology Resource page is www.MakeBeliefsComix.com.  To try out the tool, I quickly created this silly comic strip.  Take a look: http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/?comix_id=6151390C1189537

If you need help with this or any other media/technology tool, please let me know!