Using a webcam and Skype, a few students [...]]]> How are we the same?  How are we different?  It’s easy to have that discussion among the students in our classes, but what are kids like outside Chatham?  Sandy Kelly, Michelle Monahan, and Jennifer Lehotay-Taylor have regular visits with fellow third grade students in Illinois to find out.

Using a webcam and Skype, a few students eagerly take their places in front of the computer to exchange questions and comments with third graders in Mrs. Palm’s class at the Greenbrier Elementary School in Arlington Heights, IL, outside Chicago.

The latest exchange between the students was about being responsible at home . Colin shared how he is responsible by taking out his dog, Coal , twice daily.  Michael shared that he is responsible for all the household recycling and maintaining his room, and Carly shared how she also took her dog out for walks and cared for her own belongings and room.

Mrs. Palm’s class is compiling information about the 50 United States, so each week, our students provide facts about New Jersey to their friends in Illinois.  Are you interested in interesting facts bout New Jersey?  The official state facts are here, but for things you didn’t know about New Jersey, try Hangout NJ  which is sponsored by the State of NJ.

While reading Helen Keller’s Miracle Worker, Lisa McTague had an interesting challenge on [...]]]> With six more months of school, it’s time to think about updating your teacher website, but what can you do to make it more interesting to students and teachers while using your time effectively? How about incorporating student work into your website?

While reading Helen Keller’s Miracle Worker, Lisa McTague had an interesting challenge on her website for her students. One student would use sign language to spell a word or sign a phrase while another student videotaped the sign language. Lisa then posted the video with a challenge to the students: “Send me an email telling me what the sign language video means.”

Have a look by visiting her website HERE.

 The kids didn’t get to travel to the wilds of Montana to dig, but in science class they did get to be paleontologists for [...]]]> Okay, so we’ll skip Tech Tip Tuesday today to recognize WAS teacher Sarah Gutierrez and her student teacher, Cathy Gomber, for teaching their second grade students how to narrate their fossil dig.

 The kids didn’t get to travel to the wilds of Montana to dig, but in science class they did get to be paleontologists for the day.  Their Jurassic adventure is documented in Photo Story fineness on Sarah’s website HERE.  You can double-click on the video image itself to see it full-screen.

Interested in using Photo Story with your class?  Need to know how to post a video on your Schoolwires Centricity teacher web pages?  Let Erik know, and he’ll direct you to the resources you need or even help you and your students directly!

Note: you can click the photo for a bigger image.

Back on March 11 (my [...]]]> Welcome to the newest category on the K-6 Tech Talk blog: Media Monday!  With the proliferation of audio and video in our lessons, it makes sense to take time each week to have a look at some of the aspects of technology related to audio, images, and video.   This week we’ll review Audacity.

Back on March 11 (my sister’s birthday!) we learned that directions for Audacity are in your school’s Faculty Share technology folder.  They are still there: a Notebook file with arrows and step-by-step directions for linking what you record to objects in Notebook, as well as an Audacity quick-start guide.  If you look below, you’ll be able to view a video as well.

Click here to view the embedded video.

You may [...]]]> Your voices have been heard loud and clear! United Streaming–now called Discovery Education Streaming–has returned! Teachers in the School District of the Chathams may view the video about how to create a new account by CLICKING HERE and using your regular login credentials to see the video from either in school or at home.

You may find the Notebook presentation used in the video in the K-6 Technology area of District Conferences in First Class if you prefer not to watch the video.

Remember that Discovery Education is MUCH MORE than just the video services.  There are teacher resources (lesson plans, tips, tricks), professional development videos, games, skill builders, clipart, etc.  Take the time to explore, and you won’t be disappointed!

Additionally, we have our own NJN Digital Classroom Video Server This icon on your desktop will allow [...]]]> We’re all experiencing a sense of loss with the departure of Discovery United Streaming this year, but there are alternatives! If you’re trying to find some video content for your lessons, take a look at the sources on my website.

Additionally, we have our own NJN Digital Classroom Video Server
This icon on your desktop will allow you to look at a number of videos that have been saved in the district. Check the high school and middle school areas for extensive collections. The elementary schools will be adding some VHS titles this year, so if you have a favorite library video you’d like to see on the video server, let your librarian know!