Tool #4: Moving Up to the Clouds

Google Docs is such a wonderful resource for educators.  My team uses it all the time,  We found it extremely helpful when we had our planning day a few weeks ago.  We were all able to make changes and edit the document at the same time.  This was much more time-efficient and productive. I love how you are able to share documents, forms, and calendars with your students.  A calendar would be so neat to share with my class.  We could add birthdays, school-wide events, as well as outside events, such as baseball games or dance recitals.

Tool #3: Finding Online Videos and Imaging Resources

I absolutely love showing my first graders videos and clips from the internet.  They LOVE watching and singing along with whatever it is that we are learning about.  We do lots of Brainpop videos as well as United Streaming.  I really think that allowing the children to watch/sing along with videos is going to be the most beneficial for them, since they are 21st century learners.

I found this great coins video/song on Youtube.com to share with my first graders when it comes time to learn about coins and coin value.  They will for sure LOVE it! 

 

I also found this video that teaches vowels.  My kiddos sang it weeks after we watched it.  "Vowel Bat" is awesome and they will be begging you to watch it everyday, I promise!

Harry Kindergarten has AMAZING videos and songs. This video is going to be great when it is time to teach time.  I may choreograph dance moves to make it even more exciting!

Tool #2: Building Community in the Online Environment

I love being online and looking for resources to use...whether it be fashion, crafts or education.  This summer I was finishing up Masters classes, and was in need of math game ideas.  I found myself Google searching "math games for first grade," and nothing but blogs were coming up.  Oh boy, did I hit the jackpot!  I found so many fresh ideas and resources.  As I looked around on one blog, I was directed to other educator blogs.  There is so much out there for teachers. I love that teachers have each others backs.  WE are great resources for each other!

As I was commenting on fellow teachers blogs, I found many things I can use in my own classroom.  Building a community in the online environment is only going to make education stronger. Having those resources at our fingertips and sharing our great ideas with one another is how we all become better teachers.  I can't wait until my blog is one of those blogs that an educator across the country is obsessed with!

Tool #1: Getting Started - Creating your blog

I had a blast creating my blog! I love being creative and personalizing anything I can get my hands on, and my blog was no different. When I heard that I needed to create a blog, I was scared. After I got started, it became very simple and I was having a great time. The fact that I can officially call myself a "blogger" makes me incredibly happy!