VoiceThread

Good morning to all you Beach Bums and Surfers out there! :) You can pick which one you are. Today I am a total beach bum. I have a serious case of bed head and totally am totally content vegging out on the couch with my coffee and laptop. :)

Today I thought I'd share another fun Web 2.0 tool with you called VoiceThread. VoiceThread allows you to create a collaborative presentation using visual and audio media. You can upload scanned pictures, documents (like Powerpoints), or video. Other VoiceThread users can comment on your work as well. In general, VT is free, but there is a paid membership option which gives you more bells & whistles to work with. I've embedded my research project for my Master's degree as an example for you guys. I apologize in advance if I stutter or flub up my words. ;)

So you know what time it is now! It's comment time! How do you see yourself using VoiceThread in instruction? For me, I think this would be great as a way for students to collaborate in a digital storytelling project. Each student can illustrate a page of their story and tell it on the VoiceThread. 

It's your turn! And.... GO! 

I Have an iPad.... Now What?!

I'm so excited! The new school I am going to issued me an iPad to experiment with over the summer so I can use it with my new 4th graders in the fall. So... I am wondering if my bloggy friends can help me out by suggesting some "must have" apps to use in the classroom with the kiddos. Here are a few I already have...

• Dropbox
• Pinterest
• GoodReads - I don't know much about this app, so I will be playing around with it to see what it will be able to do for the classroom.
• iBooks - No books yet, but I plan on purchasing some!
• BrainPop - This app is just for their movie of the day. Good for enrichment, maybe?

I'd love your suggestions for great math, literacy, or even productivity apps. It's my hope as I become more familiar with the iPad I can begin to write some posts geared towards using it in the classroom for instruction. I look forward to reading your comments, suggestions, or ideas! Have a great night!

WallWisher

After reading a few past posts, I've felt convicted because there wasn't a lot of educational "substance" behind them, so I'm breaking the "one post a day" rule. Tonight I thought I'd also write about WallWisher - a fantastic collaborative tool with endless possibilities! WallWisher allows users to post virtual sticky notes to a fancy wall that can be embedded into a blog or website. Students can even upload audio or video into their stickies! Best of all, it's completely FREE!

Instead of reading all about it, let's take this chance to "play" with Wall Wisher! I've embedded a wall down below and have posed a question in the description. Add your ideas and thoughts to the wall by clicking the pink "Post a sticky" button below. Take some time to read what others have posted, too! 

Don't be shy! Add your sticky with your great ideas! I can't wait to read them all. :)

Summer Bucket List

There are a lot of things I want to accomplish over the summer and I noticed a Summer Bucket List linky going on, so I thought I'd jump in and participate!

Click the pic to go to Miss Kindergarten's Blog!

1. Revamp my class website - Since I am moving to a new district, I need to update some things and I want to make my classroom site a little more beachy to reflect the Beach Brains theme. 
2. Work on organizing my new classroom space - I won't be able to do this until July, but I have a feeling I will be reading a lot of the Clutter Free Classroom's blog for ideas!
3. Turn our office into a nursery - My wife and I are very excited about this! While we're waiting for our future son & daughter, we're going to have fun making preparations. I wanted to put a picture up of the office now, but I would be threatened within inches of my life if I did that. It's a little a real big a disaster area right now.
4. Some "light" reading - I am going to make time to read some books that I've wanting to read or re-read. There are several books I'd like to read, but here are a few I know I will get to this summer.

5. Add to my TpT Store - I am going to use TpT to raise money for our adoption! I am brainstorming some products and have one product in the store already. Click the badge below to visit!

What are some of your summer bucket list items? Leave a comment down below! I'd love to hear from you!

School's OUT! & Currently

<breaks out air guitar & sings>

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!! Doesn't feel good to breathe that sigh of relief as you are walking out of the building and heading home? Rest & relaxation is finally here! Today was a bittersweet today, though - saying goodbye to kids & co-workers, yet looking forward to the challenges and opportunities coming in the fall. Our district holds a year end BBQ where they give out service awards and I was presented with my 5 year plaque today. It's always nice to get a pat on the back and an atta-boy!

Do you have any big plans for your summer? I have a few things going on - I will be working at my church for June & July helping them with our 4th & 5th grade kids camp. Even though it's a summer job, it is relaxing and fun to hang out with the kids from church. I'm hoping to get a couple weekend trips and back yard BBQ's in there somewhere. We shall see what happens!

Now that I'm done with school, I took this opportunity to get my May Currently done for Farley's linky party!

Click the Currently pic to go to Farley's  blog! :)

This summer will also consist of my wife & I working through the adoption process. We haven't been paired with anyone yet, but we're still only beginning the process and will be journaling about it in our adoption blog called Bringing Baby Bennett Home. Check it out if you have a moment!

Ok, it's time for me to get ready for church! I'll be blogging more often so check back for updates soon!