Activity 3 - Part 2 - You Tube Version of my Screen Cast

Activity 3: Part 2 You Tube

My screen cast is now uploaded to You Tube.  Whew!  I have always wanted to learn how to do this! I am glad this class is helping me figure out the steps for using these great tools.  I had never accessed a You Tube channel either.  I love the history feature because I can keep track of what I have shown my students.

Activity 3: Part 1 Screencasting

I used Screenr to create a screen cast for students in my classroom to learn how to access my website and bookmark it for future use.  I also was able to explain how to use the different tabs on my website.

How to Access My Website and Bookmark

The process to create the screen cast (after I figured out how to download Java) was really easy!  I will definitely use this to do flipped classroom assignments, especially in math.  I have always wanted to do these type of screen casts, but using the equipment at school always seemed so difficult to figure out.  This was super easy and very intuitive!  I think using this screen cast will make my lessons even more interesting because it is a different and therefore, engaging way to communicate information to students.

Activity 2: Pear Deck Presentation

One of the fourth grade math lessons that I teach every year is about determining the maximum, minimum, range, mode, median, and mean for a set of numbers.  I created a presentation using Pear Deck that will be highly engaging for students as they review and learn these vocabulary words.  I love that the students will interact with me as I present the concepts.  This format allows me to check for understanding during the lesson and modify as necessary.  I tried this out on my fourth grader at home, and he loved it!

The only downfall of using this type of presentation format is how long it takes to create!  It reminds me a bit of Kahoot, which I have used many times, but it is even more versatile and allows the teacher to ask questions that are more complicated than just multiple choice.  Kahoot, however allows you to make your presentation public and share it with others.  I don't spend time making many of the Kahoots I use because  I can use one that was already created by someone else.  It would be nice if Pear Deck would allow you to see or even use the presentations created by others.

Pear Deck Presentation - Maximum, Minimum, Range, Mode, Median, Mean

Using a Blog in the Classroom

Using a blog like this in my 4th grade classroom would be a great way to communicate with parents and students.  Currently, I use a Google website, but the blog format allows for so much more.  Parents and students would be able to interact with me and the rest of the members of the class by commenting on my posts.  I could also use the tabs at the top for the different subject areas.  I could link assignments and homework.  Parents and students would be able to access the blog on their mobile devices and computers which would be convenient.


I'm worried about the restrictions on blog use because my students are younger than age 13.  It would be highly engaging for students to create their own blog, but I'm not sure if this is possible.  Students could keep a journal on their own blog page.  Peers would be able to read their posts and comment.  I think that students would become better, more confident writers using the blog format  I'm interested in coming up with other ways to use the blog to create learning opportunities in the classroom.

Math Videos

I use these videos in my classroom to get kids excited about math.  They are catchy songs that help the students to do the math in a fun way!

MODE, MEDIAN, RANGE TOADS

STEPS TO LONG DIVISION SONG

 POLYGONS