Today, we were unable to get the computer cart during our reading time, but we were lucky enough to be able to use 12 iPads!

As we read our book, Wonder, we needed to complete a Character Analysis on Via, the main character's sister.  I already had the page set up prior to the lesson and I just wanted my students to "Comment" on the blog when they discovered new character traits for her.  (See my students' comments here.)

Ideally, my students would type quotes that provide evidence of the trait along with the page number, but since we are reading it whole-class on our projector, we were unable to allow for that.

This particular character is not fully-developed at this point in the story, so this assignment was really challenging for my students.  They really had to analyze the events in the text to find something that they could use.  I liked seeing them think hard for this activity, because earlier in the week they had no trouble doing a Character Analysis of Julian, a more developed character.

My students had little trouble using the iPads for this activity, but the projector did limit my students' to what they remembered from the text instead of being able to look through the book to find information.  Ultimately, I think that was a positive, however, since it takes quite a bit of time to let children look back through a book for specific information when they have some of that information memorized.

Today, I introduced my students to our spelling program on spellingcity.com.  I began using this website last year, and was so pleased with the free version, that I splurged and paid $50 for the premium games and gradebook features.  I have continued to be happy with it (and the customer service).  The 4th grade teachers at my school are also using it this year.  Yay! 

Last year, I spent time each week entering the spelling words from our district-adopted spelling program into the SpellingCity database.  I also took the time to enter challenging words for students needing differentiation.  So this year I am reaping the benefits!  Fortunately, SpellingCity has pre-programmed sentences and definitions for 95% of the words that I used, so I didn't have to do too much work each week anyway!

My students (this year and last) have expressed appreciation for using games in the classroom instead of the typical worksheets for spelling practice.  Although its novelty wanes after a few weeks/months, students still enjoy the format as compared to more traditional methods.  I also use SpellingCity when introducing vocabulary for special events or new units.  The website helps students understand words that would otherwise be difficult to understand.  I highly recommend the website to others.  Please comment if you use it or if you have any questions about our use!

I've decided to start the year with a whole class novel entitled, "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio.  It is a new book, just published this year, that chronicles the life and times of a boy named Auggie who has some severe facial deformities. 

I chose this book because it meets some of the requirements of the Common Core, as it is a rich and complex text that deals with issues that my students are facing such as bullying and peer relationships.  I didn't have the funds or the time to purchase 25 copies of the book, so I decided to buy the Kindle version and project it onto our whiteboard.  This has made for a nice, intimate setting for reading and discussing the book. 

Since it is on the Kindle (I use Kindle for Mac which is a free download), I am able to highlight important sections in order to discuss them, add sticky notes that contain links that we can visit, and we can double-click on words to find out their definitions.  Some of the links I have used are a YouTube video that shows who Mr. T was (so the students understand that section of the text), same with Doogie Howser, and links to explain some of the idioms that are mentioned.

I have enlarged the text so that we can all see it and follow along.  I also made the reading column much more narrow than typical, which makes it easy on the eyes.  I have a different student each day controlling the computer while I read aloud.  So far, this has been a successful way to read a book in class.  I highly recommend it!  :)

Today, students in our class used what they learned in our previous lesson on "What is Energy?" and "What Isn't Energy?" to create Energy Collages.  Here's how we did it!

First, students set up two folders on their desktops and labeled them, "Stored Energy" and "Energy in Motion."  We then signed into schools.clipart.com (thanks to Joey for remembering the correct password!).  Students were given the task of finding images that represented various forms of energy, but they were not allowed to use the search terms: energy, stored, or motion.  Once they found images that demonstrated energy, they needed to deposit them into the correct folder.  Students were asked to find at least seven of each type.

Finally, students created a Word document (Google Docs had some trouble formatting my images) and dragged all of our images onto it.  After creating a title and subtitle, we saved it as a PDF and tried (unsuccessfully) to post it onto our e-Portfolios.  Once I realized that we needed to save them as JPG's we were out of time and decided to continue it tomorrow.  So check out the students' e-Portfolios tomorrow to see their wonderful creations!

Today, our class learned about the issues facing this year's presidential candidates.  We individually and privately took sides on each issue and learned which candidate we should endorse based solely on the issues.  This will help us when we try to run for president later in the week.  The different political parties will be recruiting some of us!!!  Students posted their findings on their blogs.  Feel free to check out their discoveries by hovering over "e-Portfolios" and selecting some students' blogs.

I feel as though my students have a pretty solid understanding of how difficult it is to be president, because as we looked at all the issues there were definite dilemmas!  Students really had to weigh the pros and cons to make decisions, but few felt confident with their decisions!

I decided to do the old classic, "Two Truths and a Lie" with my kids this year on the first day of school - but in a 21st Century way.  Now, of course that doesn't just mean using technology, it means that this lesson taught the underpinnings of several major 21st Century Skills!  Some of the topics covered were: Following directions, collaborating with peers instead of the teacher, Silly is OK but don't be inappropriate, etc.

Along the way, we learned our first Web 2.0 tool of the year: Voki - a great FREE avatar-maker.  We will use this tool a few more times in the year when we begin new social studies units.  Check mine out above by clicking on the PLAY button in the lower left-hand corner.

Just like I am posting this in my blog, my students will also be creating a blog entry and embedding their Voki into their ePortfolios.  Be sure to check them out and leave comments if you like any of them!  You know how important it is to have a real audience to show off your creations!!!

I'll report in the comments below how it went once we get to do it in class.  Wish us luck!  :)  Feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions as well.

P.S. Two Truths and a Lie asks children to come up with three stories to tell about themselves (or their summer), but one of the stories needs to be untrue.  They have to try to convince everyone that all three stories are true, but everyone will guess one that they feel is untrue.

P.P.S.  All of my "stories" in my Voki have a video/photo component that I will show them after they've made their guess as to which one of my stories is the lie.  (Spoiler alert... my lie is the third one.  Those two rugrats are my niece and nephew.)