Reading in 1st Grade - some inspirational methods

Submitted by Fiona Beal 

I always enjoy hearing about different ways of making reading meaningful to our young learners. I also enjoy hearing about how different technologies are used in school.  So today was a double bonus day for me! First of all I came across this YouTube video showing how a Finish Grade 1 teacher uses smart phones to teach reading. 

Then, I came across the insights and experiences of a teacher, who is exploring the use and benefits of Ipads for reading in First Grade. This teacher was the Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE) of the year in 2009, Richard Colosi, a first grade teacher in Canandaigua, is trying to set an example about the benefits of using the newest technology in the classroom. He's hoping to share his success stories with other teachers from across the country. The quote on his website is probably true of him. “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” -Alan Kay

Listen to him reporting on what he is doing.  

 

 

This video of Richard in the classroom and how he explains his interest in tablets

Here he demonstrates how his class uses echo reading with the iPad.

Visit Richard Colosi's YouTube site http://www.youtube.com/richardcolosimedia

It's time for you to create your own Blogger blog - take the challenge!

Just the other day I was showing a group how to blog using one of my favourite sites - Blogger.com - when I discovered to my shock that the new interface was now mandatory. No more hiding behind what one was once comfortable with. I then decided to get to know the new interface and made screenshots as I went along. I would really like to share these with you and encourage you to make yourself a blog. A classroom blog is one of the things you can do to transform your class even if the only computer in the class is yours - your laptop!

So, take the challenge and see if my instructions will help you.

Create a blog using Blogger’s updated interface

View more PowerPoint from Fiona Beal

Once you have created your blog there will be other questions you will come up with. So the next Slideshare looks at the following questions and provides screenshots:

1.How can people join my blog?

2.How can I add a blogroll to my blog?

3.How can I edit a post I have just written

4.How can I change my background template?

5.How can I set up my comment box?

Blogging questions

View more presentations from Fiona Beal

Well, that should keep you occupied for a while, but the end result will be something you can be proud of. If you happen to create a blog using these directions please let me know your blog address!

Wonderful Wordstash

This is a guest post from Lisa Gair who is the Technology teacher at the Rock Academy in Fish Hoek. She originally placed this post on her lovely ICT blog: http://icteducator.blogspot.com/, and since Lisa is a keen SchoolNetter I asked her if I could use her post on the SchoolNet blog. Thank you again Lisa!

A friend recently introduced me to Wordstash.  (The Wordstash website has changed since this blogpost was written and is now found at http://flashcardstash.com/).  It's very easy to sign up for and just as easy to use. I have introduced it to my Grades 4- 7 already and will be introducing it to our Teachers early next month. My desire is that the Teachers will bring their classes into the ICT Centre and allow them to create their lists each week, and the learners will be able to log on at home and either use the site to assist in learning or else create their own lists.

Another thing I enjoy about Wordstash is that it also automatically gives various definitions of the word, and allows you to either choose which definition you would like, or, alternatively, to add your own. In this way, the child is not just learning how to spell a word, they are also learning the definitions of each word.

One also has the choice of adding an image to the word. The site automatically sources images from either Wikipedia or Flickr for the learner to choose from.When playing, they are presented with a variety of games and ways to test their Spelling.

Another way that this site could be used is just for learning definitions. I am thinking specifically of things like in English that one needs to know for language or poetry.

Enjoy!