Compare/Contrast

We read a story out of Treasures (our reading series) that was perfect for comparing and contrasting.  I created a venn diagram (to keep students from spending too much time making perfect circles and a 'perfect' diagram) using Publisher and students created text boxes to place the information.  The students continue to amaze me with how quickly they create text boxes, change the font/size, type the information and adjust the box to the perfect place and size.  But not only do they amaze me with their technology skills, they amaze me with their content knowledge.  After gathering and placing all the data on the diagram, the students created a text box at the bottom of the diagram cutting the bottom fourth of the diagram out of the picture.  Well, it was 'cut' out of the picture after students filled the text box with white.  The white text box was used to write a paragraph about the information using compare/contrast signal words.  Signal words were bolded. 

Audacity/Update on Youtube/Google

Our account was "reinstated" allowing us to upload a few videos on making change.  :)

Have you used Audacity?  This is one of my favorite free programs.  I look forward to continuing to explore the possibilities for this program.  So far I have used it for fluency practice.  Students record a passage or the week's story in the program.  Then they listen to their recording while following along.  Sometimes I time them to see how many words they can read in one minute.  Last week after students wrote and edited a passage.  They opened Audacity and recorded their writing.  They stopped the recording and played it while following along with their writing.  The purpose behind the activity was allow to students another chance to edit their writing.

Technical Difficulties

There are days I don't like technology very much.  This am was one of those times.  I needed a project to challenge some students while allowing me to work with others.  The project I settled on was another Google Search Story only this time about math.  Students created a word problem about money and making change.  When the first one finished I tried to sign in to the class Google/Youtube channel and I couldn't remember the passcode. I kept trying and eventually discovered the Google account has been disabled.  I sent Google an email to see if they would reinstate it, but I haven't heard back yet.  That was very frustrating.  I had several students ready to upload their projects by the time I discovered the account was disabled.  There's no way to save their work.  Thankfully they had everything in a word document so all they'll have to do is retype when we are able to get the account going again.  Still, it was frustrating.  Next we worked on the ABC  measurement book.  The computer connected to the scanner wouldn't allow the students to log in because the security log was full.  

Downloading Pictures/Scanner/Misc

I finally started showing the students how to download pictures from the digital camera.  I don't know why I waited so long other than we've had so much going on it has been hard to get everything done.  They are doing fabulous downloading pictures.  They are also doing fabulous scanning. 


I don't know when we'll get the text feature brochures done as the ABC books take up what little free time we have.  We also have to work in extra practice for the state test.  In social studies we are working on the three branches of government so we will make our first brochure about our government.

Text Feature Brochure

My friend Laurie just told me about her class using Publisher to create text feature brochures.  Hmmm, I think we have another project waiting in the wings!

ABC Measurement Book....Again!

We started it today.  The images in the book are expected to be a variety of clip art, photos taken by student or classmate, images used with permission from internet or illustrations drawn by child, scanned and uploaded to document. Each page will have a sentence with some sort of measurement statement and measurement units should be matched with a measurement tool and vice versa.  We are using Publisher to compile all of our information.  My para helped students scan their illustrations and it wasn't long before the students were scanning on their own.  

Before illustrating our words we brainstormed measurement words using an ABC chart when we read Measuring Penny.  We looked at posters in our room for more words.  We had to "stretch" some words in order to have at least one word for each letter of the alphabet.  I gave the students a template to help them organize their page.  I also gave each child a "half spiral" notebook for page planning.  (I bought a bunch of spiral notebooks for a nickel one year...I found a place to get them cut in half.  Make for nice little notebooks. And.....the students think they are FUN!  :)  )

ABC Measurement Book

My principal bought us a scanner to use.  I think we will use a combination of freehand art scanned into the computer along with Publisher, maybe PowerPoint to create the ABC book.  I may let the students decide which program to use.  The more I think about that idea the more I like it.  What a great opportunity to learn about features of a program and use our compare/contrast skills.  I'm thinking the students will save their pages as a PDF which can be uploaded into a student publishing company's website for actual paperback copy publication.  Because the student publishing company limits the books to 12 pages, students will have to put 2/3 letters on a page.  Should I really take this on before state testing?  One of our weaker concepts in the past has been measurement  and measurement tools.  I think we will take this on before testing.  It will be a fun project top help relieve stress while at the same time review needed concepts.