Choice Lit Topic: Digital Literacy
Thoreau once wrote we are in danger of becoming the “tool of our tools,” but it’s doubtful he envisioned a day when there would be so much technology hardware and software to distract and empower us at the same time. Teachers who are grappling with iPads, laptops, kid blogs and cellphones in classrooms share their triumphs and struggles here.
Results
Walls, Displays, and Invitations Early in the School Year
The first few weeks of school are my very favorite time of the school year. A new community is forming, and we are all getting to know each other. For...
Capturing Student Learning with Evernote
Sometimes it amazes me to think I have been teaching for over 20 years. I would have thought that at this point I'd have this profession down to a science....
The Power of Powerpoints for English Language Learners
I'm in love with lesson planning. I'm equally enamored with creating and organizing, so filling a binder with unit plans, multi-colored tabs, and pretty post-it notes is basically a dream...
The Affect of Tech on Splrs
"The spelling of English words is not fixed and invariable, nor does it depend on any other authority than general agreement. At the present day there is practically unanimous agreement...
Using Video to Build the Home-School Connection
Kelli Demonte reaches high as she teaches in a diverse, urban setting. She is a third-grade teacher looping with students since second grade. Last year she won a grant that...
What Can You Learn from Slice of Life Writing?
Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. —Jim Ryun Writing on a regular basis is a tough habit to develop. There are many things vying...
The Power of Games for 21st Century Learners
When we think of 21st Century skills for students, our thoughts often go immediately to technology. Although our school has many technology tools, we know that these important skills are...
Improving Poetry’s Rap
The groans of the naysayers drown out the timid cheers of the few poetry lovers in my class. I have just announced that it's time for "Poetry Friday." My students...
Top 10 Technology Tools for Teachers
Technology to some teachers means email, grading programs, and school webpages. It may also mean programs that students must use to accomplish skills. Too often that is all technology provides,...
Wild Facts
I love discovering high quality digital reading resources for my third and fourth graders to use in our classroom and for home reading. I love it even more when it...
Adventures with Author Skyping: Nuts and Bolts from My Fourth-Grade Classroom
When I was in elementary school my favorite time of day was read aloud. I loved hearing about the adventures of Ramona or Fudge, and I couldn't wait to find out what was...
Image of the Week: Building a Classroom Community Through Visual Literacy
A nonfiction routine and ritual that my students love is called "Image of the Week." Each Wednesday, an image of interest is posted in the center of a whiteboard in...
Teaching Poetry to Teens with the William Stafford Archives
William Stafford, a white poet born in 1914, might seem like an unlikely candidate to inspire my classroom of diverse 21st century thirteen-year-olds. I'll admit that even I was skeptical...
Fact of the Day
Children, crows, and chipmunks are collectors. Chipmunks are driven by instinct to find and store food for the cold winter months. Crows hoard stolen items thieved from humans like pirates...
Skype an Author with Kate Messner (PODCAST)
Kate Messner is one of those amazing women who are capable of handling a few full-time jobs at the same time. She is a middle-school teacher, the author of fine...
Wonderopolis: Nonfiction, Technology, and Web-Based Independent Learning
Wonder questions bring life and energy to learning. This school year, I started using a powerful digital website called Wonderopolis. Each day, my students and I visit this site during Morning...
Digital Reading: Another Facet of a Classroom Library
My students enjoy a variety of digital resources in their learning lives, and are exploring digital books and resources for reading workshop and independent reading at home. As we looked...
Updating Reading Interviews: Technology and Changing Habits
Ever since reading Nancie Atwell's landmark book In the Middle 20 years ago, I have used reading interviews as a way to get to know my students. Ideally, I like to sit...
5 Easy Steps to Becoming Active in the Blog Community
If you've started a blog, you're going to want to build a readership larger than just your mother, your spouse and your best friend. One of the best ways to...
Born Wonders: Tapping Student Interest in Animals, Babies, and Books
Children love to read and learn about animals of all sizes, shapes, habitats, and species. As parents, learners, and teachers, we understand why kids are fascinated with small creatures: Animals...
Patrick Carman on Books and Multimedia (PODCAST)
In this podcast, Franki Sibberson chats with Patrick Carman about multimedia books and the challenges of teaching and learning in an age with so many media distractions. You can visit...
