Friday, February 28, 2014 ~ "cfy" tab on myBackpack

Happy Friday!!!!

What a week!!!!  I hope that you are all doing well!  I don't know about you, but I've been extremely busy this week!  Some of you have already seen me in regard to the APS inclement weather make-up plan and others of you will see me next week!  I promise to make the information as easy for you as possible!  :)  

Your Feel Good Friday Tip of the Week is: the "cfy" tile on your myBackpack screen.  It's the red and white tile located at the top right of your screen.

What is cfy???

Teachers, parents and students can log in to create a free account.  As the teacher, you are able to create and manage playlists and assign them to your students!  There is content available for all of your areas.

As always, if there is anything that you need please don't hesitate to let me know.  I look forward to coming and seeing you all and continuing to work with your students!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday, February 21, 2014 ~ Animoto

Happy Friday!!!!

For those of you that I haven't seen yet, I hope that you are all recovered and well rested from "Snowpocalypse 2014!"  I hope that you have all had a wonderful week!  These short weeks always seem to be so long!  But, the good news is that YOU MADE IT!!!!  

Your Feel Good Friday Tip of the Week this week is: Animoto!  You can access Animoto here: http://animoto.com/.

Animoto is a FREE online resource that allows you to make videos that can be used to present content to your kids.  Your kids can also use this resource to make their presentations to show mastery of the standards you are teaching! You can access a quick "how to" video and other information about it here: https://sites.google.com/site/middleschool544/modules/animoto

It is described as in the following manner:  When you are ready to begin creating and sharing videos, Animoto allows a user to upload photos, videos and music to produce an original video and suggests various ways to share the work once it is completed. The ease of this tool, provides even the most hesitant of users the opportunity to create professional looking videos with a few clicks of a button in a relatively, short amount of time. After explicit teaching with regards to digital citizenship and copyright, Animoto can be implemented in countless ways in an educational and personal setting.

Classroom/Library Use:

• Make any lesson come to life with stunning audio and visual.
• Use at the beginning of the year as a ‘teaser’ for what your students can look forward to in the upcoming school year.
• Students can each create an Animoto showcasing who they are through pictures and music.
• Use at the beginning of each day as a 'teaser" for what your students can look forward to during the day.
• Use to teach complex concepts in History, Maths, Science. Students will respond to new media in the classroom.
• Allow your students to display knowledge of a concept using Animoto.
• Create slideshows which demonstrate student reflection on their learning.
• Vocabulary activities are limitless. For example, pictures students take with a digital camera could  illustrate a word, a concept, or a learning activity.
• Find pictures of different geography features by using the internet or your own pictures. Label the pictures according to their feature.
• Ideal for digital storytelling in the classroom setting. Animoto is completely web-based, students can create videos from school and continue working on them at home.
• Book trailers are a great way to engage students’ interest before reading a book. Students can also create trailers to share with other classmates.
• Celebrations of student achievements create a learning environment that is conducive to learning. Spotlight the learning!
• Download the app on your smartphone. Take pictures on a field trip and create videos on the go!

As always, if you would like assistance with this Web 2.0 resource or any others, shoot me an email, call me or put in a request using the link below!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!  See you soon!