Challenge 5 - Wikis

I didn't intentionally skip Challenge 4. But I just wanted to mention Wikis. I have a Wiki that I created to share with other first grade teachers in the district. Last year K-5 teachers had the opportunity to participate in math professional development for the upcoming quarter. These sessions were called Jump Start. I facilitated Quarters 3 and 4 and created activities for teachers. I used my wikispace for teachers to gain additional insight and to share activities in the future.

This wiki is a work in progress. At this time I don't allow anyone to join, because it's a way for me to store information without using a flash drive. Sure I store things on Google Doc, but the Wikis are so much easier to organize.

I've had a few people ask why don't I let them join my wiki and my response is you don't need to. You can peruse the activities you're just not allowed to add, delete, or edit. I know there are options to add people and limit their editing abilities but that seems like an unnecessary middle-man.

But here's my wiki it's primarily K-2 math education.

http://www.altman-lewis.wikispaces.com

I'm in the process of updating my wiki so I can share it with other teachers. Now that I'm not teaching 1st grade anymore I think I might actually create an AIG Wiki.

Challenge 3 - I Created a Voki and Challenge Four

I created a Voki today and I remember seeing them on a commercial a few years ago and I thought how amazing they were.  I have no idea what the commercial was advertising, but I do remember the Vokis.

Here's my Voki with my voice and all.



I'm trying to think of the many ways to use Voki in my class next year.  Perhaps have students create their own blogs and use a Voki to give a brief intro about themselves?  Book reports? Persuasive arguments? I'm not sure but I'm keeping an open-mind because I will be teaching grades K-5 next year.

How would you use a Voki in your class?

Happy Blogging!

Update...Update...Update...I didn't realize a month ago when I posted this assignment that posting to my blog was actually assignment four.

So happy posting and I hope you enjoy my Voki.

Challenge 2 - Following Blogs

I've been following blogs before via gmail and I realized all the blogs I followed show up on google and are not connected to this blog.  I need to change that, because right now I'm following a lot of first grade blogs.  Albeit, I won't be teaching first grade next year, but I still love love love first grade.  Despite my love of first grade, I'm participating in an online book study which is via several first grade blogs.

Happy Blogging Everyone!

P.S.
I need to complete this assignment by following blogs created by other members of this course.  So I can get credit.

Blogging for kids?

This upcoming school year I plan to introduce blogging to my students.  I found a cool blog for kids that doesn't require them to have an email.  If you get a chance check out http://www.kidblog.org


http://kidblog.org/MrsAltman-LewisClass2/

DPS Technology Challenge

Hi,
 
I'm so excited to participate in the DPS Technology Challenge.  I decided to partake in this endeavor because I love to learn new things...especially when such things are free and allow me to work on my own time schedule.  This summer my schedule is really really really really, (did I mention really) hectic?????? 

This summer I have a fellowship at DPI developing a math replacement unit for the new Common Core Standards.  I think this challenge will equip me with new concepts and activities that I can include in the replacement unit. 

Happy Blogging Everyone!
A-L