My First Voki

Yes, I know they have been around forever but I probably have created one before but really what I want to do is be able to download it so I can use it in another application.  As you can see, I am able to add it to my webpage because it has HTML.  But what if a student is using MovieMaker?  How could he/she a Voki to that?  I guess I'll have to research.  Probably won't be successful without the free version.  :(

Ceremony of 12

Have you ever read the book The Giver by Lois Lowrey?  I have not but its definitely on my list now. Evidently its about a fictitious idyllic community where citizens are not given any say on who they will marry, or if they will have children, or what job they will have.  In the book, there is a Ceremony of 12 in which the 12 year olds are assigned their life assignments.  Our 6th Grade Literature teacher assigned this book and then simulated the Ceremony of 12.  One of the students was assigned the Director of Technology position so he reported to our Tech Office.  For a full hour he went through the mice we used for our ERB (standardized tests) in the Spring and made sure they are all in working order.  He also made a spreadsheet.  I'm not sure if he liked his life assignment but it sure was great for us.  One task off the list for the spring!  

If you would like to view his assignment 

CLICK HERE

StopMotion in the Science Classroom

OK.  I am going to post one thing before Christmas.  I belong to an awesome group called Houston Area Independent School Collaborative (HAISC)   We are meeting four times this year and we have been charged to bring a "Show and Tell" to the meeting (this afternoon).  If anyone likes my presentation, I want to direct them here to get the materials.

Bottom Line, our 6th Grade Science teacher did two projects last year where we made StopMotion Videos - Sea Floor Spreading and Clouds.

Below is the video and below that is a link to my Google Folder of the original idea from the Pearson Prentice Hall Textbook, my notes on how to make it a StopMotion Video and my own video of the students making it as well as some examples.

Hope you Enjoy!

STOPMOTION VIDEO INFORMATION

I'm Back!

I'm Back!!!!  Sometimes I think if it wasn't for Bad Luck I wouldn't have any Luck at All.  That is of course not true but 2015 has been a tumultuous year to say the least.

The first week of school I took a tumble down the stairs and well.... this lovely boot has been my foot attire for the past 3 months.  My 3rd doctor and 2nd specialist told me I had a horrific accident and it will take 12 - 18 months to heal.  Sigh.....

But, I go back to the doctor next week and I'm so hoping to get rid of this BIG Boot for a smaller one. I also hope to be walking and DRIVING by Christmas!  I'll keep you posted.

I am limping along now both personally and professionally so I plan to start up (AGAIN) with my blog.  (Well, maybe  not until AFTER the Holidays!)

PK 4 Mimes

HERMAN THE WORM

Do not Judge Harshly

(After all they are only 4 years old)

OK.  As you can see by the title and the video these cutie patooties could have used more practice.
I had previously gotten together with the teacher and told her I wanted to do a mime in her class.  I had taken a Paper Slide and Mime class at TCEA a few years ago and she was my willing victim - I mean participant.  :)  Since it was my first one I think it was awesome.  But, next time, we will practice a little bit more - especially at the end.  I wish I had them practice all coming back together at the end - hence the 3 boys on the far right.  But.... as I said they are Four!  

Wax Museum

EARLY ROMAN EMPIRE

We recently had a Live Wax Museum at First Baptist Academy.  We have been doing this for several years but this was one of the best we have had.  The 6th Grade History and Literature teacher chose different eras to represent and each of the eras had a table.  As you can see on the above picture, these two girls represent the Early Roman Empire.  The gorgeous young lady on the left represents Theodora who lived from 500-548 AD and the adorable young lady on the right is portraying Vibia Perpetua who lived from 182-203 AD.  

The girls had to do much more than dress up as characters.  As you can see they made a backboard (with velvet curtains no less) as well as pictures and other significant pictures of the era.  If you notice, hanging below the curtain is a timeline of significant happenings during their time period and on the table they have some books, a food item that was popular during the Early Roman Empire, and a laptop.  (You knew I wouldn't be posting about this if there wasn't some part of technology.)  Each group made an Animoto video which represented more significant facts about their time period.

Below are a few more groups representing the Middle Ages, the Reformation, the Roman Republic and Ancient Greece. These kids are awesome!

Digital Story-Telling

STUDENT DIGITAL STORY-TELLING PROJECT - Favorite Bible Story

Tuesday, I gave a PD class on Digital Storytelling.  I honestly wasn't sure what Digital Storytelling was - I mean - its bringing the age old tradition of storytelling into the digital age.  Right?  As I began researching, however, I was blown away.  I had NO IDEA there are so many resources.  I began compiling my list which I will definitely share but just in a nutshell,  I can categorize them into four types.

*  Video with Pics, Music, Text and/or Narration
*  Animated Video
*  Flip Book
*  Comic Strip

Almost everything I found online is Free.  Of course they all want you to Upgrade for more features for a price and then some are free for Education - like Animoto.
I don't know everything about each of the web 2.0 tools I found but I gave a short 1 minute demo of all the tools I found and asked the teachers to take notes.  Then, I pledged to them that if they would pick out their favorite one to use in class I would do all of the extensive research and set up the students and write/teach a tutorial.  So far two teachers have responded to my follow-up email.  YES!
I have the following resources I would like to share: 

DIGITAL STORY HANDOUT

Copywrite Resources

Storybook Template 

I think this has been my best class yet this year.  I would love the opportunity to present at TCEA or any other Tech PD Conference.