Making Connections with apps

Posted on May 23, 2014 by juliab

Making connections….

with what we do in the JS Library and what is possible in the classroom.

I believe that FOTOBABBLE is an excellent tool for Lower Primary classrooms as it is simple to use as it uses image and audio to create a shareable moment.

It is also web browser friendly, iPad friendly (using an iPhone app) and free!

This is an example of a fotobabble about new resources in the library and the connections to the PYP.

This tutorial about using FOTOBABBLE in the classroom explain the features, as well as some uses for FOTOBABLE in the classroom.

National Simultaneous Storytime

Posted on May 20, 2014 by juliab

Tomorrow is National Simultaneous Storytime where students around Australia read/listen to the same book.

The book is Too Many Elephants (shortlisted last year). We have three hard copies if you would like to borrow one to read to your students tomorrow. Alternatively watch the video below or the view book trailer. ALSO, the book is also translated into other languages – including Japanese (perfect!).

Book being read in Japanese

Book Trailer

Too Many Elephants being read Jane Kennedy (scroll down to the video)

Audio books will be available in the following languages courtesy of SBS Radio.

• Arabic
• Cantonese
• French
• German
• Greek
• Hindi
• Italian
• Japanese
• Mandarin
• Punjabi
• Swahili
• Somali
• Vietnamese

Have fun!

Show me how!

Posted on May 19, 2014 by juliab

Year 6 have been learning the process to create a presentation using the Show Me app or the Explain Everything app. These are excellent tools that will be useful to help prepare for the Exhibition later this year.See below for the first two students who have submitted their tutorial or presentation.

See the ICLT4ME Student Reviewed Apps for more examples.

More will be added to our WONDER WALL(s) in the JS Library as the students complete them.

These display spaces in the JS Library are Showcasing student work and reflections, or support resources for the UOIs. They are activated by QR codes and the Aurasma app.

PREZI

THE YEAR SO FAR…

Posted on May 18, 2014 by juliab

Want to have a play?

Posted on May 6, 2014 by juliab

Bee Bots supporting inquiry

We have spent some of our reward points from Scholastic Book Fairs and we have purchased some Bee Bots. Bee Bots are some programmable robots that are excellent to use across the curriculum (lower primary). These are hassle free ICT tools for supporting the Technologies curriculum as well.

In the JS Staffroom we have the Bee Bots on a world map ready for your explorations. We have ordered more maps – just waiting on delivery!

Bee Bots in action

See this blog post Beebots Downunder for some ideas about how these are being used in classes.

Great for literacy, maths, problem solving and geography! (Perfect for mapping UOI Year 2/3).

Name our beebots

We have six Bee Bots and they need names!

Please come and have a play with your class and suggest a name (and reason why).

Post your responses below.

Exploring Refugees through picture books

Posted on April 29, 2014 by juliab

Teaching about refugees

The use of the picture book can be underrated as a resource once students are beyond Year 2 or 3. In my mind picture books are useful as teaching and learning tools even in Secondary School and beyond.

Currently Year 6 students are inquiring into the life of refugees.

The following resource is designed around picture books suitable for this inquiry and age group.

Picture Book Evaluation

The Picture Book evaluation page has been structured for students to consider the purpose of the book and to try and consider from the perspective of the refugee.

The students examine each picture book for the following elements.

Who are the main characters?

Why are they leaving their country?What tells you this in the story?

What events forcedeach individual toflee their homeland?

Consider the linguistic features – imagery, emotive language, personification, symbols, exaggeration, puns and sarcasm.

This simple resource sheet is one way to analyse a picture book.

This PPT file explains how to analyse a picture book.

Teacher Resources

Teaching about refugees and migration through picture books

Global Education wiki

Resource Kit – Refugee

Useful resources – Refugee Council

Picture Book list

Screencasting in Literacy Rotations

Posted on April 28, 2014 by juliab

Year 6 students will be exploring two apps that are sometimes known as Screencasting apps.

See Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Screencasting here and an iTunesU screencasting collection.

Students will consider the features of the apps and select one to create a demonstration video on a topic of their choosing. We will then share these with other students using Augmented Reality and add to a tutorial wall with student recommended apps.

The two apps we have identified are ShowMe and Explain Everything. There are many more that you could use to create a similar result. Both apps allow you to annotate, animate, and narrate a presentation.

See this guide for Teaching and recording a process using an iPad (@iPadWells).

Before students actually create their tutorial they need to plan their presentation using a story board.

Read this post before you start Steps in Creation.