Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Barb is Awesome!!
OK, so Barb presented a lot of great teaching ideas and resources today. What is ONE of the things she discussed that you're thinking, "Oh my gosh. I'm so going to apply that in my current situation (teaching, home, library). I can't wait!" Remember, she said to start with one thing and then build. Give us some details!!
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I used a number of her links on my diigo groups, especially ones for free time fun. I'm also going to put a link on my web page for the Google Search for Kids and Teens. My kids always want to search, but I never let them use Google, as we have no filter. Rachel
I am most excited to use the Read, Write, Think site. It reminds me alot of the New York Times Educational Program where they have lesson plans that go with stories. It is so fun to search (okay, surf, browse) through the wide range of really creative well worked out plans and find ideas that match up with my curriculum. So I am very much looking forward to that exploration.
I am going to be tutoring a 2nd grader this summer (who I also tutored last summer). I am quite impressed with all the resources on the Read, Write, Think Website. I think some of them will come in quite handy when I am developing my lessons that I use with him this summer. Thanks Barb!
I also really liked browsing through Read, Write, Think. When Barb was introducing that tool I noticed a link for a "Comic Creator" that would be great to use during a pre or post writing activity, as well as during our political cartoons unit. However, I did notice it requires the most recent version of Flash software - I'm not sure if we have that on our school computers or not...
Rachel, I just found an interesting search engine: www.KidsClick.org. It has all sorts of fun categories set up with pathfinders.
It was great to meet Barb in person, as I've visited her website more than once. She is amazing! So, where to start? I know that I will utilize her resources for our assignment #3 - as you suggested. I plan on using the "Read Write Think" ideas for exploring genres and poetry. The Book Cover Creator and Character Trading Cards will excite and engage students.
She reminded me of the Read Write Think website (though I think you mentioned it yesterday, too); I immediately found a short story mini-unit that I will use with students next year. It has not only lessons, but links to the stories themselves, a variety of learning activities, assignments, and assessments that incorporate discussion ideas that should inspire some heated debate, which I consider desirable in the classroom!
I was especially interested in the Calendar software. We stress community service in my school and we're always looking for ways to raise money to support certain charities, and I thought a St. Bernard's Calendar would be a great way to raise money for a good cause.
I am excited by the Fact Monster search engine. I have always tried to get my kids to do research, but have found it difficult to identify kid friendly sites. This comprehensive site seems to have a lot of information on a variety of different topics.
Mark Richards
First of all, ReadWriteThink is pretty cool. I've used several lessons from them with great success. I was just amazed at what Barb showed us and I later realized that what I will most apply in my new position is the need to recognize that the noun "librarian" is part of the title. I found myself watching Barb and thinking "I sure can use that in my classroom." But a librarian's "function" (loving the process lingo!) is info services and that means I have to watch for cool stuff for all the other teachers too... what's the best way to "see" what might be good for other teachers? (And when you find such material,in what context(s) do you offer it to other teachers?)
I liked the Flip Book idea, which I can use with my students as an alternate way for them to introduce themselves to their teachers.....that's one of the last assignments I do with them in the spring (for next year's teacher) and pick up again in the fall....I've done some brief podcasts for them to use this fall, but I do like to explore different formats. The flip book sounds fun, like it would be motivating for the kids, and could be jazzed up with digital photographs.
By the way, Guy, I thought during class when you were talking about doing flip books with your poetry unit, the students could illustrate them with some digital photos maybe?
I think the flip books also have a lot of potential to be useful in a variety of assignments--almost like a powerpoint presentation, with one idea for each page. The teacher-librarian could have flip books of instructions on how to do various information literacy tasks....locate books or look up a website.
I don't remember if the flip book was from the R-W-T site or another one of her links, but that was the website that 'stuck' in my mind too that I want to begin to explore with my students this fall!
Like a number of other folks, the tool that leaped out at me was the Read, Write, Think. I can see using it even this summer to keep my kids busy and intrigued. I can't wait to share it with teachers too. Otherwise, I can't wait to have the time to just play around with her site and all it's neat links. Her visit reminded me yet again that the number one source of ideas and inspiration is other teachers!!! In this case, teacher librarians.
I'm still processing all of this information and surfing (or browsing) the links. The read-write-think has some great books lists, as does her site. I am not teaching right now, but some of these resources will inspire my teaching as a parent.
Susan - You got your picture to show. Well done!
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