Join #Skypeathon! - Global Movement - Sign up!

How fun is this global movement?!
What a great way to collaborate with classrooms across the world!
Be part of this global movement to travel 1 million virtual miles in 2 days!

Looking for a class to Skype with . . .  I created a Google Sheets sign up to help classrooms find others interested in Skyping.

A word from Ellen . . .

Step 1: Schedule a Skype Session, a Virtual Tour or Talk with a Guest Speaker
Sometimes the hard part is finding classes to Skype with . . . so if you are interested . . .
click ----> Google Sheets sign up to register for a Skype session.

Ideas for Skype sessions . . .
Mystery Skype
Share a classroom pet
Play a game of guess my word (using Google Docs)
20 questions
Share book recommendations
Guess our number
Share town celebrations

Or . . . try a . . .
Virtual Field Trip

Step 2: Show How Far You Traveled!
Use #SkypeaThon to share creative photos through Twitter or Instagram!

Don't miss out! Sign up now!

Write, Direct & Star in Your Own TV Show!

Have your student write, direct & star in their own TV show with the TeleStory app!
TeleStory is an augmented reality video camera that has face-detecting costumes and special effects.

It includes themes such as The Band, Star Adventure, Eye Spy, and The News.
It was perfect for the weather unit our 2nd grade students were starting.

TeleStory is a ton of fun! It is the perfect app that inspires students to be creative.

TeleStory has numerous templates for students to use to write their scripts. Students type the script and then it appears as they record.

For the weather unit, our students selected a city to investigate the weather.  Using weather.com they looked up the temperature and wind speed. Then, they had to determine the type of clothing to wear and fun activities to do in that type of weather. After completing the script, they worked on fluency.
Click {here} for the template.

TeleStory has "spot on" steps for creating a broadcast!

Creating a TeleStory TV show is as easy as . . . 

1. Pick a theme, then mix and match over 30 animated scenes to film your own story

2. Craft a script using our playful TV tropes (or write your own)

3. Dress up in 50 different digital costumes with face tracking

4. Perform and record your own show with animated settings and special effects

5. Broadcast your by exporting it to the camera roll.

There are so many themes that encourage students to really write a unique tv show.

Happy broadcasting!

Padlet for Showcasing Student Work

Padlet is a great tool to use to post student work!
Using the iPad students create using any number of apps (depending on the task) and save it to the camera roll.
Then, they use a QR code reader to access the Padlet so they can post to the wall.

Thankful for . . .
I had a wonderful time in Stephanie's (@LearninginTX) second grade class.
Students wrote about what they were thankful for in their life. Then, using the Doodle Buddy app, students created a picture and saved it to the camera roll.

Stephanie then posted the Padlet QR code so the students could quickly access the wall.
On Padlet they uploaded their picture and wrote a complete sentence explaining the picture.
It was fun to watch their eager little faces as their work popped up on the screen. They were so proud of their work! Copy the URL and share with parents!

Click {here} to see the finished product.

To help students stay on track with multiple step directions, we create checklists.
Below, you will find several of the different checklists we use.
Click {here} to access the folder with all the checklists.

and an answer document.

Have fun!

November Currently!

Hello, November!
It's Currently time! I am thankful for Farley's monthly currently. It is such a great way to connect with other bloggers and see the wonderful things they are doing in their classrooms.

Welcome to my November Currently . . .

Listening: I love Blue Bloods!

Loving: My daughter just finished her first year on the Cross Country team. I am super impressed that she got up super early to run at 6:30am every morning. Love her coach! He created  scavenger hunts! Had the kids bussed over to the high school to run and joked about running the Starbucks triangle!

Thinking: I can't wait to see Eric Sheninger! I get to attend Eric Sheninger's Digital Leadership sessions this week! The other Instructional Coaches and I head out tomorrow for 2 days of inspiration and learning!
My well loved book, a bit water logged (it fell in the pool) is marked up . . . tagged, dog eared and sticky noted! There are so many amazing parts that I really had to stop myself . . .
I reference the book when I'm meeting with some of our administrators.
We are going to use the book for a book study! A call to action!

Wanting: We keep looking at the lake for that perfect property!

Needing: Ugg! When life drops an opportunity in you lap . . . change is hard!

Yummy! My mom's cheese bread! I really need to laminate the recipe. Preserve her handwriting...

Have a wonderful November!
Head over to Farley's Currently cuz she is so good about bringing bloggers together!
Stop, read and write to bloggers!