Using Wordle With Your Students

Each week, my students are engaged in weekly technology projects.  These projects are extensions of our weekly basal stories.  My system uses Scott Foresman Reading Street.  Since I teach 4th grade, this project was based on Because of Winn Dixie.  However, you can easily adapt it to any subject area, grade level, or basal story.

I use Edmodo to post my projects to my students.  Edmodo is a safe, social media platform (much like Facebook), but it is only accessible by you, your students, and their parents.  There is no other contact to your students, unless you allow that by setting up different groups.  The weekly projects are posted each week on Edmodo, so students have a central location for all their instructions, links, etc.  They can even access it from home, if they choose to work on their project there.

The first project we did this year was Wordle.  Wordle is a word cloud generator.  It is very simple to use, so it makes a great first project.  Each of my students have their own jump drive.  In fact, it was listed on their supply list.  Here is the project posting that was on Edmodo:

We are going to be reading the section of the story where Ms. Franny meets the brown bear. In this assignment, we are going to learn more about brown bears.

1)Research brown bears on the Internet using Safe Search for Kids.
2)Make a list of at least 25 words that describe brown bears.
3)Create a Wordle using the words you wrote on your list.
a. Click CREATE YOUR OWN
b. Type your words in the PASTE IN A BUNCH OF TEXT box.
c. Click GO.
d. You can change the font, color, etc.
e. Once you are finished, you need to save your Wordle to your jump drive.
1. Click PRINT
2. Change the name of the printer to MICROSOFT OFFICE DOCUMENT IMAGE WRITER.
3. Plug your jump drive in.
4. Change the SAVE AS to REMOVABLE DISK E.
5. Click SAVE.

Show Less

• 

  Safe Search for Kids
  

  safesearchkids.com
• 

  Wordle
  

  wordle.net

Be sure and watch this post for examples of the Wordles that my students created.  They had a lot of fun making them!

~Cara

VocabularySpellingCity App

VocabularySpellingCity now has an iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch app. What a great way for your students and children to practice their spelling words in a fun format!  Although, teachers and parents cannot log in through the app, the students' log in information allows them to access all your word lists. The app includes some of your favorite games like Hangmouse, MatchIt, and Which Word.  Your children can even take their spelling and vocabulary tests through the app.   {Click here} for information to download this cool app.

~Cara
Disclaimer: I am a paid consultant for VocabualrySpellingCity in the area of social media promotions.  However, I would never back a product that I did not love and use in my classroom.

Back to School Virtual Teaching Expo Question and Answer

Thank you so much for participating in the Back to School  Virtual Teaching Expo. I hope you learned as much as I did. I thank Teaching Blog Addict, Teacher's Notebook, and Virtual Teaching Expo for the special opportunity to present to you.  If you didn't attend today, you can still purchase a ticket to attend at your own convenience. {Click here} for details.  Feel free to download the handout for the presentation {here}.

Since recording the presentation, a few changes have taken place.  I am now working again with VocabularySpellingCity in the area of social media promotions.  This is a fantastic website to aid in vocabulary and spelling instruction.  You can personalize word lists to play in a variety of fun online games.  Students can take their weekly spelling and vocabulary tests online.
Throughout my career, I have continually searched for the best technology tools that I could use.  I also use technology daily with my students.  We have such a valuable resource available at our finger tips!  This presentation only touched the surface!

1. What technology tool can you not live without?
2. How have you used technology to make your life as a teacher easier?
3. Which webtool did you discover in the presentation that you can't wait to try?

Don't hesitate to ask me any questions about what you heard today or any other area of technology integration. I'll get back to them ASAP! I am currently enrolled in graduate school at the University of Alabama to obtain an MA in Educational Leadership.  Unfortunately, I have class today, so it may be a while until I can get back with you. Be assured that I will!  Thank you again for attending the Virtual Teaching Expo. It has been a blast!

~Cara

Back to School Expo Giveaway

It is that time of year again! Many of you have already started back to school, or you are preparing to go back soon.  Why not participate in some online professional development focused on back to school?  Better yet, why not attend by winning a FREE ticket?  For more information on the Back to School Virtual Teaching Expo, please visit {here}.

It is super simple to enter.  Simply use the Raffecopter widget to share with us your favorite back to school tip, follow my blog, follow my blog on Facebook, and follow my blog on Twitter.  That is four chances to win one of ten tickets!

a Rafflecopter giveaway ...

You must act quickly! This is a one day only giveaway. It will only be open until midnight tonight.  The winners will be announced on Thursday, August 16, 2012.

~Cara

Clean Your Dry Erase Board

My dry erase board was awful! I mean horrible!  There was a mixture of dried on blue, green, and black marker with large smudges and visible words.  Sorry, I didn't make a before shot, but I'm sure you can imagine it.  I searched for a solution, and I found it! Air freshener!

You heard me right, air freshener! I used a 97 cent can of Glade Apple Cinnamon spray.  The trick is to spray small sections at a time.  It needs to be sprayed fairly heavily.  As soon as you spray, wipe with an old towel.  It takes a little elbow grease, but the old marker comes off perfectly.  So, not only do I have a clean board, but my classroom smells good, too!

~Cara

Back to School Virtual Teaching Expo

 

I have the honor of presenting for the Back to School Virtual Teaching Expo that launches on August 25, 2012.  I will be talking to you about free technology tools that a teacher can use to make his/her life easier.  Won't you join me?


By preordering you tickets, you will save $9.95.  You will participate in five presentations covering a variety of subjects like reading success, classroom decoration, classroom environment, and math journals for only $10.00! Find details of this great event {here}.


You also have the opportunity to help a teacher in need participate in the event as well.  By donating, you will receive a free ticket to the event.  Click {here} for more details. 

~Cara

Beat the Heat in Red Hot Month

JogNog's MasterMind Challenge is a great way to keep your kids learning this summer.  It is a free competition.  Students learn as they go, so no background knowledge is required.  You many want to even check it out for yourself! Don't forget to add your school or team name once you have created your free account. 
Mastermind

JogNog has been instrumental in my classroom.  By singing their praises, I now work with them in the area of social media promotions.  I would never endorse a product that I do not love!
~Cara