Random Ramblings

Ever have one of those weeks when it is difficult to put two coherent thoughts together?  Well, this was one of those weeks.  There is no theme or unity in this week’s Friday Five.  Hopefully, those two coherent thoughts can turn in to five and Friday Five makes sense and provides something you can use.

1.    Splurge:  This Fluency Finder App is not cheap ($6.99) but it is a timesaver.  This app makes progress monitoring for fluency EASY!  Add students, select appropriate grade level passages and begin assessment.  You don’t have to watch the timer because you have the student read the entire passage, click the mistake button every time they miss a word.  The app calculates the WPM and saves them until the next time that student reads. You can go to their website www.fluencyfinder.com to print out the passages. 

2.    Hopscotch:  This free app is similar to Scratch.  It is a click block programming app.  Students can create programs using the simple code.  Stack Lego like blocks to make characters move. The possibilities are as varied as a student’s imagination.  This is a great way for students to improve their critical thinking and problem solving skills while playing and creating. http://www.gethopscotch.com

3.    Padlet:  Wallwisher is now new and improved and called Padlet.  This is a collaborative digital notepad.  It allows groups of people to work together and add notes to a virtual wall.  It is as simple as using a Post-It.  This can be used as an exit slip to post an answer to a question.  It can also be used as a KWL Chart. These walls can be set to public or private. You can also set it so that posts have to be moderated before they go live on the wall. http://padlet.com/

4.    Another way to go Paperless:  The Answer Pad and the Tap It app  work together to create a student response system that doesn’t require extensive prep work.  All you have to do is create a virtual answer sheet.  You can also assign a common core standard to each question.  Students have the ability to show their work in the scratch pad.  There are a variety answer types that can be included on the answer sheet.  The teacher dashboard updates in real time as students answer questions. http://theanswerpad.com

5.    Smile:  If this is the way you are feeling right now, just know that tomorrow is a new day!

 

Have a great weekend !

What's the Matter?

This week is all about matter.  Having fun and learning can go hand in hand.

1.  Steve Spangler:  Steve Spangler has been my go to for several years when it comes to science videos.  His website offers a variety of videos related to different science topics and experiments.  You can use the videos to show in class or you can get down and dirty and try some of the experiments with your students.  Either way it is a lot of fun and learning.  He has an entire section dealing with experiments related to the states of matter.  One of my favorites is the Ivory Soap Soufflé. 

http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/cms-category/1/031

2.  States of Matter App: This is a free app.  According to the iTunes store students can discover the fundamental nature of matter and understand different kinds of matter. 
Based on classical learning, it explains three states of matter and tells you about the property of the state. 
You can read, listen and assess your learning on states of matter. Simulation tells you about the motion of atoms within the particular state. 
By using this App, A children can easily figure out solid, liquid and gas. Atom’s density clearly shows the difference of these 3 states. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/states-of-matter/id580760824?mt=8

3.   Go Animate: Anytime a student can explain his or her learning in a fun way it is a win-win for everyone.  Go animate is a web-based video- making program used to create short animated movies.  Students can use the software to express themselves through a fun, visual writing tool. They use their creativity to design characters, backgrounds and props and add text in speech bubbles to tell a story. This activity allows students to hone their skills for conveying ideas concisely, sequencing a story, and communicating and collaborating with others. In the free version you can add up to ten lines of dialogue.  There is also a limited amount of background choices in the Quick Video Maker.  My students used the Hamburger and Soda background to have the characters discuss the three states of matter.

http://goanimate.com/videomaker

4.  Path On:  This is an app that allows you to type text directly on your photos.  This would be a fun way for students to illustrate with words the states of matter.  They could take photos and use this app to write text on the photo.  The spiral writing option would look really good illustrating the gaseous state of matter.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/path-on/id596696015?mt=8

5.    Screen Cast Apps:  There are many screen cast apps available.  Some of my favorites are explain everything, screen chomp, and educreations.  Any screen casting app or software is a great way for students to explain what they have learned.  It is also a great tool to save to share with students that were absent or are struggling in class.  Let the students teach each other. 

http://www.explaineverything.com

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/screenchomp/id442415881?mt=8

http://www.educreations.com

Have a Great Weekend!!