Mimio Interactive Wireless

This is new equipment I ordered after attending the Macul Techology conference in Grand Rapids. The mimio attaches to the existing whiteboard and turns it into an interactive board. I really wanted a smartboard, but I saw the Mimio demostrated and decided it would be a cheaper alternative to the smartboard and essentially does the same thing. So, I came home and ordered the mimio. It just came in and we haven't had much time to use it. I am in the process of getting lessons ready so we can start using it next week. I am making some activities and there are a lot of lessons available on the internet. The kids were excited to use it.

Daily Message on the Digital Notebook

We have started to do the morning message on the digital notebook. The student of the day writes the message while the other students are eating breakfast. When we begin class, we start by reading the message. I save the message and then we can print the message and they can take their message home. We can also make copies for everyone and can do many activities with the message. We circle sight words, find punctuation, point to the date... The students love to write on the digital notebook.

Digital Notebook

Sometimes the best lessons happen spontaneously. Today, Julia asked to stay in from recess. I don't usually allow them to stay in so I asked her what she thought she would do if she stayed in. "Well, I thought I could write on that paper that shows the writing on the computer (digital notebook). My first thought was "Yeah, she wants to write," and then I thought "why not try it". So, she stayed in and I set her up on the computer and notebook, but before I walked away to do prep work for the next lesson, I pressed the 'record' button. She did not even know the computer was recording her pen strokes and she just wrote away (she wrote for 20 minutes without stopping. When the kids came in from recess, we gathered on the carpet and I pressed the 'play' button. To her amazement and her classmates, her writing started to show up on the screen. We saw how she formed her letters, paused to think, edited her writing and so much more. From just watching her free writing, I could tell what she knows about writing. She knows to make her letters from the top down (very important), she uses known sight words and beginning, middle and end sounds, knows "ing", leaves spaces between her words, writes from left to right, rereads what she has written and edits, knows that it is ok to change her mind and start over, and I could go on and on. Of course, now everyone wants to do it. I am thinking that I will let one person each day stay in to write and record their writing. I will be able to assess everyone's writing and learn what they know about writing. It is much less time consuming than my old assessment technique. The other benefit is that I can save their writing and look at it when I record grades. The next thing to think about is how I could create digital portfolios that can be shared with parents.

Computer Talk

I am to the point that I have technology fully integrated into our day. The students are becoming proficient computer users. At the computer lab the student conversation sounds like this: "Mrs. Sian I lost the icon to our class on my screen", "Hey, how did you get there?", "Show me how you did that?", "Can I print my story?", "I forgot how to maximize my screen (a friend will ultimately help), " Can I print my starfall story?" "You're not supposed to turn the hard dive (monitor, headphones, etc. ) off (kindergarten students love to tell on each other), "my monitor won't come on".
It is amazing to me how children who did not have much experience on the computer when they came to school have picked up the terminology and are using it appropriately and are able to problem solve and confidently move around to different programs. I introduce the programs in class and give them an overview, but they figure out what to do through trial and error. Today I just stepped back and watched. Everyone was engaged and excited about what they were doing. In the beginning, they would ask to get drinks, go to the bathroom, would ask when are we done..., but now they are engaged and can't wait for computer time. The best part is they are learning and problem solving!

Macul Conference

AWESOME! That is the only word that can describe the conference. I learned so much and I can't wait to share the new technology I learned with the students. I learned that I was not using my iPod to its full potential. I did not realize all the possible uses in the classroom. I learned how to fine tune my podcast (expect a new one soon), millions of ways to tie the curriculum and technology together. We saw and heard about what other teachers were doing, learned about the Michigan E library, the top 10 uses for Web 2.0, where to buy more gadgets (I REALLY want a smartboard), digital camera tricks, a ton of sites that support the standards and GLCEs and so much more. I will definitely attend this conference again and highly recommend it to others.
Everyone was so nice in explaining things. I was actually surprised to discover how much I already knew. Considering I knew nothing 2 years ago. Thanks to Marilyn Western for inspiring me to use technology in the classroom. Marilyn is the technology teacher of the year and she definitely deserves the award. If you get a chance to take the Cool Tools through our RESD, I highly recommend it. She is so enthusiastic about technology. I left saying "I HAVE to do what she is doing!" Technolgy is my new soapbox. If you teach in my district, I would be more than happy to help you get started.

Read Around the Planet

We participated in the Read Around the Planet program for reading month. Kay Hauck from the RESD brought the equipment and made the match for us. We were matched with Rusk Elementary in El Paso, Texas. They did a presentation for us and we had a presentation for them and had a chance to ask each other questions. The program itself is great, but when you take the time to embed it into the curriculum and build lessons around it, it is that much more meaningful.
We started by going to Google Earth and looked at where we live and then we "flew" to their school. We were able to use that experience to talk about the difference between city and country. We talked about the different landforms in Texas and Michigan and the climate. The students were given a map of the USA and colored in Michigan and Texas. They could draw a line for their flight plan if they wanted to.
Another day, we looked up Michigan and Texas on the internet and found the state symbols. We printed them out, cut the pictures out and used them to make a double bubble map to compare Michigan and Texas. We talked about what was the same in Texas and Michigan and what was different. Libby realized that she had a state stone at home and brought it in the next day (her own connection and idea)!
We also had to plan a presentation. We read Dr. Seuss' book "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut" and decided to make our own "I Can Read Book". We made a bubble map to show all the places we could read in Michigan and the students each chose a location. They made their illustrations and wrote their sentences. When we presented, they each read their page. It turned out great and I plan on having them read the book again and videotape it. I wasn't able to videotape it that day. I was too busy watching the other class and helping my students know when to go up.
We spent time over 4 days learning about Texas and Michigan and preparing for our presentation. The students kept talking about it and asking "when are we going to talk to the kids in Texas". It was a great experience and the students were very involved and engaged. We also had to think about the question and answer time. We talked about what they could ask (although when the time came they were all too shy to ask them) and talked about what we could tell them about Michigan. It was a valuable learning experience and I encourage other teachers to try this. I will definitely have my students participate every year.

A side note-The thinking map training has proved to be very valuable. We find many ways to use them. The students even make them on their own during writing workshop without being prompted. One student made a circle map at home on her homework. The thinking maps really help the students focus on what we are discussing and help them to organize their thinking.

Our Circle Maps

My creation
Originally uploaded by julisian

I am taking a professional development course at the GIRESD. After the first 2 sessions, I came back to school excited to implement thinking maps. We started with the circle maps and the kids loved making them. They are making circle maps for everything. It was amazing how fast they caught on. This week we are adding bubble maps. They look forward to making maps now. It was a great training and I highly recommend it.