Well this was really cool!  We are currently studying animal habitats and this thinglink is the perfect way to assess the students' studies and knowledge of the rainforest layers.  

I administered this after our weeklong unit. I had the laptops in my classroom and they had the questions/graphic organizer at their desks.  

Did they love it?  YES! 

I introduced Edmodo, before the kids were really used to logging in on the computer, and using the laptops.  I have 2 students who were so confused about just using the trackpad!  (they are proficient now however!)  That part of it was very frustrating.  I made a quiz that was titled "About Me."Yes, it was a simple 5 question quiz, but that's exactly what they needed at this point in the year.  I really didn't need the stress of them taking an academic assessment when we were still learning the basics of how to navigate to computer still! I do a unit on self esteem and "All About Me" at the beginning of the year.  We talk about ourselves and the similarities and differences we all share.  We then made a graph depicting our results.  

Creating the assessment was really easy.  It is a very user friendly process.  I like the options that it has when creating one, such as fill in the blank, and multiple choice.  This could easily be another line of evidence when tracking standards for Reading Street and Envision.  The assessment is quick to make and results are immediate.  As I am typing this I think I am going to make a followup to the Topic 3 math test we just took.  My kiddos had a hard time with 2 part story problems.  After reteaching them on Friday, I would love to see their progress on a few problems.  So, yes!  I believe that this could be a tool that I utilize in the classroom for future assessments. Especially useful after a reteach.   

I used this activity during my practice stations last week.  The kids really thought it was cool.  I had them put the headset on and do it while the rest of us were reading out of the decodables.  I'm going to admit, it is a little "hokey" as I just used the football template to design it.  IF I had more time, I would have been a little more creative.  (time seriously...need more of it!) 

 At any rate, it's all about the "process", and I did actually learn something, and was able to apply it to my slide making. I thought that it was really cool that we could jump it to the slide according to whether their answer was right or not.  

So, lesson here is:  Student loved it, even though it was cheesy.  They enjoyed the game show format, and they all did really well on the vocabulary word definitions.  
What I would do differently?  When I have more time in life I am confident that I would create a better one!  

*My Powerpoint is under my Class Projects Tab

Data Dashboard is a good "one stop shopping" for data kind of place.  For upper grades, middle, and high school, it is invaluable.  I love how it displays the the students' entire history of their CRT's.  It is so useful for a teacher to be able to track their students' patterns and progress from 3rd grade and up.  

For 2nd and below, it's got their CBM's in both reading and math, and their early on phonemic awareness data.  Nice for the beginning of the year to see who is low in some areas, and their recent scores.  

I find it a little hard to navigate around, but that could be just because I am not yet proficient in it.  When looking at the scores for my students I was disappointed to see that spring scores had not been entered yet.  That is pretty frustrating.  It is hard to make any real academic placements off of their winter scores.  I find Aimsweb to be way more useful at this point in the year.  

Dustin introduced Layar. Very cool, It would be great for reading directions on a workpage for struggling readers.  This is a screen shot of my layar I made. Below is the picture that will link you to my Weebly and to share on Facebook.  It was just a test so it doesn't mean much.  BUT it works!

Mike was great in Animoto!  My favorite.  How quick and easy.  I think my 2nd graders could even do this.  I plan on implementing this FOR SURE this year.  This is my first one about my New York trip this summer.  Enjoy!

Hey!  Look at my story I made...http://goo.gl/mKmsK4.  
Camille taught us all about it in Story Builder.

PJ had some technical difficulties, (which was great, because that's how it always is for teachers in front of the class!)  but she showed us ZooBurst and Kerpoof.  I liked Kerpoof the most.  Cute little story builder, and we could print the pages individually and make a class book. It even had a "Rock Star" theme which is what we 2nd Graders are!  :)

*Photo Editing Apps with Camille
I like changing the pictures, and so many great apps to do it with!
*Garage Band with Dustin and PJ
SO cool, bur a lot if info.  I hope I remember it all.  

Storytelling Steps
1.  Decide on the story to tell:
Kitty Guy and Boomer is what I'm thinking...
We did a 2 minute writing and I actually came up with some great ideas.
2.  Gather Materials:
Pictures, videos anything that captures the emotional feeling 
3.  Begin writing the script:
*Start jotting things down memories, feelings, practice narrating, 
Draft a short script (ROUGH Draft)
write short, get personal, trust your voice, told from my point of view, don't hold back
Read script to a friend for feedback
AFTERNOON WORK TIME!  Where to begin?  AAAAACK!

WHY STORIES?
*entertainment
*memories
*understanding
*healing work
*future vision
*community building
It's important to use these for 21st century skills.
6 Elements
*Living inside your story
-what you feel, told through the heart not the head.
-a personal experience using your own voice to narrate
*Unfolding lessons learned
-personal meaning to how this event impacted your life
*Developing Creative tension
-told at the beginning, having a hook
*Economizing the Story Told
-get to the point using the shortest path
-no more than 3-5 minutes/script one page, or 500 words
-PRESERVE the essence
*Showing, not telling
-vivid details, paint the picture 
-use music, sounds, video
*Developing Craftmanship
-incorporate technology
Seven Steps
1.  Writing the Script-(Hook, Climax, Resolution)
2.  Planning the Project
3.  Organizing Project Folders
4.  Production Phase Recording the voiceover
5.  Gather, create, and edit media resources/mindful of copyright materials
6.  Post-Production= rough cut first, and final cut last
7.  Applause, Applause

*GOOD DAY!  Lots of info but useful.  

I am just heart sick and speechless after watching those 2 videos.  I don't know how anyone can truly PREVENT them, but we can educate our children more about online behavior.  It is so easy for people (predators) to act, say, and pretend to be somebody they are not.  My husband and I tell this to our children, even when they are on sites like "Club Penguin"  where it should be kids just having fun.  You never know.  

I did some additional research on Megan and was dumbfounded to see that a bill was introduced to Congress for it, and that it died and was not enacted.  I keep thinking about Megan's parents and how her mom had a "gut feeling" that something wasn't right.  My first thought was that she could have restricted any further communication with Josh, but that may have resulted in the same ending.  As for Amanda, her video was on YouTube.  I have some questions about it.  Was it her channel?  Did friends and family see it and intervene?  I feel if that were the case, she could have been saved knowing that someone was on her side and cared about her.

Steps we can take...KNOW and MONITOR what our kids are doing online.  Facebook, Instagram, etc...Go through friends lists and dump all of the contacts your child doesn't know.  Make sure your children and students know that you are there for them and can report anything that makes them feel uncomfortable as well as report anything that a friend might be doing that is inappropriate.  

• What do you feel should have or could have been done to prevent these horrible tragedies?
• What steps should be taken by parents?  by teachers?

Digital Security (self-protection):   electronic precautions to guarantee safety. 
I see this a little differently at this age, as they aren't in control of locks and virus scanners on the computers they have access to. They do have control over protecting themselves when they are online however.  This is really important to teach at a young age.  My second graders are so innocent ,(most of them anyway!) and are very trusting of others.  It is so important that they understand that even in our online world that there are people who aren't so good. My job is to educate them into not give out any personal information when they are online, and to get an adult immediately if anything "pops" up and makes them uncomfortable.  
 Digital Access:   full electronic participation in society. 
In the past few years, this has become one of the biggest things in education.  From online homework to research and writing, students are exposed to all kinds of tools to use.  Most students have access at home but even this past year I had two students who did not.  I offered opportunities to those who did with Pearson, but did not dock the students who didn't have acesss.  During mobile lab time I gave those students opportunities to see and do what the students at home had done. 
Digital Communication:   electronic exchange of information. 

Yesterday was our first day here.  I miss our lab.  Our first assignment pretty much took ALL day.  Wow.  Today we made our initials in a park with our GPS devices.  We have downloaded them and it's quite a process.  It's interesting that the whole room is using PC's and we are on our macs.  It's weird.  Don't they know how cool mac's are?  Have they ever been to the Apple Store?  :) 

Well, I am officially a geocaching fool!  Really cool.  It's really something I think I will introduce to my students as well as my own kids at home.   

2nd Day - So it's official.  We ARE nerds.  We got way into the geocaching after class.  It was HOT and there we were running around looking for the treasures.  We saw some things we would have never seen had we not done it.  Locks of Love was one.  It was a great little place.  We were on a roll, and then the last two were unsuccessful.  Frustrating.  

Earlier in the day, we met at a park and made tracks.  Did our initials.  Wet and swampy but uploading them was pretty cool.  Students would love to see their initials on the map that they made.  I think that police should use it to determine if someone is under the influence!  See how they are are at making a straight line!  

Worked on our projects today.  I really have liked doing mine, and think it will work well for my 2nd graders.  Lots of new ideas in my head about different kinds of maps and uses.  It's exciting and overwhelming at the same time.  Lots of information!

3rd Day - Went to the park and used GPS to set waypoints to mark our trees.  Amy was my partner.  We got the short end of the stick and had to do the perimeter of a parking lot.  Definitely 15 degrees hotter than the lucky ones in the lovely grass area. Lots of ants too.  Ew.  Setting waypoints is easy.  Came back and downloaded our data from our GPS.  Worked on a spreadsheet to input everything.  

Good working day today.  We sure put personality into the class in St. George!  I think for the most part it went well.  Instructors were helpful and the rest of the participants were nice!

Highlights:   Geocaching!  Swig= sugar cookies and dirty Diet Cokes.  Hanging out with my 3 friends, and enjoying ourselves without responsibilities of taking care of children after we got home!