Webquest #2

I created a webquest for kindergartners to help them learn about 3D shapes. Since kindergartners cannot read very well yet, I designed this webquest to be done whole-class using a projector.
3D Shapes Webquest

Website

I created a website to help beginning travelers who are considering a trip to Guatemala. I used photos, videos, and information from my own experiences in Guatemala.

Please visit my website So You're Going to Guatemala...

Video

 I created this video so my students could learn more about snakes since we were not able to have a live snake come visit our classroom.

Animoto

This is a video about a trip I took to Honduras a few years ago.

Using Film

I chose to watch the video "Did You Know?" This video illustrates how quickly the world is changing through technology. I liked the video because it contains amazing statistics. As a teacher, it makes me think about how different my students' childhood is compared to my own, and I am not that old! If teachers want to really connect with their students, they need to be utilizing technology in the classroom. I believe that hands-on activities are important, but teachers also need to be incorporating technological experiences into their daily lessons. This video was a good reminder to keep working on using technology in the classroom to bring effective lessons to my students.

I like the website Watch Know Learn. It is basically a directory of free educational online videos. It was very easy to find age-appropriate material sorted by subject. My biggest regret about this website is that most of the videos are hosted on YouTube, so I would not be able to access them at school to show my students.

I also explored the Teachers TV website which features a huge collection of videos that could be used for professional development. Some of the videos have been removed and some cannot be viewed outside of the United Kingdom. However, many videos are accessible and can help teachers with lesson ideas, classroom management strategies, and much more.

Go Animate

The book I will be introducing in my video is The Little Red Hen. This book is appropriate for kindergartners because it is simple to understand and is repetitive so the children can read along, especially on a second reading. The book also teaches a lesson about doing your share of the work which can be helpful for some children. This book ties into our plant unit because we learn about how we use plants as food. We have a presenter come to my school and do a "Little Red Hen" presentation about wheat. The children actually get to thresh their own wheat, grind wheat into flour, and taste foods made out of wheat. This book is perfect to give them some background information about wheat before the presentation.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.2 With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.



The Little Red Hen Book Introduction by cmshryock on GoAnimate

Animation Software - Powered by GoAnimate.

VoiceThread

I think that kindergartners could use VoiceThread to record themselves giving an oral description of a familiar person, place, thing, or event. In kindergarten, we have lots of speaking and listening standards, so this would be a neat way to incorporate some technology into the teaching of this standard. Three standards on which this lesson will focus are:

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.4 Describe familiar people, places, things, and events and, with prompting and support, provide additional detail.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.

All of these standards could easily be addressed by using VoiceThread since it has a visual component, as well as the audio piece. Many students are motivated by the use of technology so I think using VoiceThread for this project will interest them. Kindergartners also like novelty and I have never used VoiceThread with them before. See the VoiceThread below to see an example of a student project. Student artwork could also be uploaded for the children to describe.