PBL Project

The PBL project was not my favorite for this class. I do not like group projects, as I much prefer working alone. Some of my group members had trouble getting on Googledocs and completing tasks. I did not like Googledocs. It is not something I would use ever again. A PBL project is not realistic for teachers. Number one, teachers don't have time to plan for such an elaborate project. Number two, we have such constraints in teaching to the test (CRCT), plus all the pre/post tests we have to give that I don't see it being feasible have a PBL project. Number three, I don't think most teachers have had any training or even have a clue as to what a PBL project is. Do I think PBL projects are effective? Yes. Do I think my group did create a final project to be proud of? Yes. Will I ever use it? Probably not. I am glad that I learned about PBL projects and how to create one, but it was a challenging activity.

Here is the link to our PBL website:  http://groupcpbl.weebly.com/

Movie Maker

This was my second time using Movie Maker and quite honestly, I had trouble using it both times. Having to convert the movie so it can be on YouTube or Blogger was a pain since I didn't know it had to be done. I am happy with the final product of both the movies I made. I especially think the bullying movie can be used at the beginning of each school year to show my students. I saw a lot of other good examples from my classmates as well on other issues adolescents face. MovieMaker is time consuming and really only feasible to me to use after CRCT since there is so much pressure before then. It would take a while to teach my students how to use the program too. I think iMovie is a much easier program to use and I would probably use it over MovieMaker in the classroom. Anyone else enjoy iMovie?

My Bullying Movie

Google Docs

This was my first time ever using Google Docs. It is a new way of collaborating. I like that you can share and upload excel docs and word docs. I like that others can share and edit work with permission, similar to a wiki. I don't think the communication on Google Docs is as fast as say using an instant messenger or texting but it works. I am curious to see how our PBL project goes using Google Docs.So far there isn't much progress and it seems hard to get everyone logged on and working collaboratively. I hope it isn't too challenging. Is anyone having issues so far? Any helpful tips to share?

PBL Activities

This week's discussion about PBL (project-based learning) activities gave me some great ideas for how to implement this in my classroom. PBL activities take time to plan and time to implement. They involve students having the larger role in their learning and teachers being more of facilitators. I truly enjoyed reading about everyone's different activities and can't wait to try some in the classroom. I am attaching my two activities here that I created for you to view. One is a sound choice board that integrates science, ELA, and music. The other activity is a colony choice board that integrates art, social studies, and math.


PBL activities

My First MovieMaker project

Here is my first MovieMaker project on death. Enjoy!

Death Video

Voice Thread Project for European Eploration unit

This was my first time ever using Voice Thread. It is a wonderful tool for online collaboration. It is easy to use which is great. You can upload videos and photos. Anyone can comment on your Voice Thread by verbally speaking into a microphone or by writing in their comments. I used my project as a tool for review. We study six European explorers in the fourth grade: Balboa, Columbus, Cabot, Cartier, Hudson, and de Leon. I uploaded various photos that went with each explorer. The students had to identify each explorer and explain their reasoning based on the pictures. The students did a fair job with this. It showed me that it is a unit that needs to be covered again because the students really struggled with it. I would definitely use this tool again for review or even previewing. The students enjoyed recording themselves for this project which was great. :) I can't wait to see everyone else's projects! I always enjoy seeing how others' use their projects because it gives me more ideas for my classroom. Enjoy my Voice Thread project! :)





My Eurpean Exploration Voice Thread project