Tie BLog #2

Today, I completed my 4th lesson plan and incorporated my VoiceThread with it. I felt overall the lesson went well and  the VoiceThread  was new and exciting for the students to explore with. I did not have all the students record their VoiceThread, I only had students I had worked with the day before because I wanted them to record on their own. Also because I had multiple  activities planned within my lesson and I was afraid I would not be able to complete everything on time. So to help with time , I let the students practice recording a couple of times and they thought it was so cool to hear their voice! Today during the lesson  the students had to write 4 different sentences. So for my students that were going to record my plan was to give them a strip of paper that was numbered so they knew when to record and it would be in sync with the powerpoint. Instead, I actually checked their sentences and told them when to go record. I let them do it on their own and did not watch them. I told them to raise their hand if they needed help. They all accomplished it successfully! Also I had a few different students that were not on my original list record. I showed them once and then let them record. I added to my original powerpoint  some of the elements from the actual lesson. If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask! I am no expert however I survived my VoiceThread today, a huge accomplishment for me!!!


What worked well? For me, it was teaching them ahead of time how to record a VoiceThread. Also recording with  a handful of students.  I had it in my lesson plan that I was going to teach all the students how to record and model during my lesson plan. However, I was thinking about it and that would take up too much time. Since they are in first grade I would not feel comfortable allowing them to go to the computer and record when they wrote their sentence.  So the day before one at a time I selected a few and let them practice. The day of my lesson I just checked their sentence and told them to record. I let them get the headsets, use the mouse and do everything independently.

What would I have done differently? I would have liked to involve more students in the VoiceThread. I think also I could have let some doodle. I am still not sure about typing because they don't know where letters are on a keyboard or how to spell. I tried my best and played different scenarios in my head so I think it went pretty well and I was happy with the results.

I made a power point to tell the whole story of my lesson rather than just my Voice Thread. After viewing my Voice Thread, do you think this helped you understand my whole lesson better? Did you like seeing all the pictures and samples of the students work? What do you think I could have added to take my lesson to the next level? Thank you, I appreciate the feedback!
Good luck on your next lesson plan and VoiceThread! Here is my Voice Thread, enjoy!!!


Here are the three peers I commented on: Rachel, Mindy and Evelyn   I want to say Great Job to everyone in our class! I know we started off rough but we made it through!  Remember: Only the strong survive!

Directions for VoiceThread

I thought it might be helpful if the students had a list of directions they could look at while recording their VoiceThread. Since I have first graders, I put pictures so they could see exactly what it should looks like. Feel free to use this add to it, update it or whatever helps you with your lesson plan and VoiceThread. I am going to put mine inside sheet protectors and have one at each computer.

Story Board: Power Point for Voice Thread

Howdy Partners! I am uploading my power point I am going to use for my lesson plan with my VoiceThread. I plan to have each table with a different color. Example: The red table will have a red construction paper on it and so will the computer their group will be using. I plan to have simple instructions on the computer and one class helper from each group monitoring everyone's progress. Before they begin I will have each power point on the slide that begins "If I were a cowboy/girl I would eat." Each student will be responsible for writing about all the topics but only record one. I plan to give them the construction paper strips to write their sentences and one will be labeled and numbered "record" so they know when to go up and which sentence to read. Then they can go back and make their paper chains.

So hopefully I am on the right track and it goes well, wish me luck! I also plan to upload more pictures of my materials and what we accomplished. Hope my lesson plan and power point are useful!

Tie #1

Since I plan to do my 4th lesson plan before spring break, I thought I would upload what I will be using during my lesson plan. So I am going to start off by down loading my 4th lesson plan. I also included my MI table and affordances.  I highlighted my Bloom's and Multiple Intelligence questions. I also plan on uploading pictures along with  my power point  that will incorporate the questions that the students will answer during their Voice Thread. So check back, more to come soon!

Today I learned some new things about Google Docs. I learned  how to upload and share documents in it. It took me a while because I was in someone else's account because they forgot to log off the laptop I borrowed. Funny thing is, I know her! So I'm going to have to let her know I was using her account for a while! I also learned a little more about VoiceThread and how to upload pictures and videos. Thank you to my team members for helping me, I was kind of lost for a while! My team and I created this video, so hope you guys like it!!!

Technology Integration Experience (TIE) Thoughts

The first VoiceThread I think I could use in my classroom is the "I Am Thankful" one used in a kindergarten classroom. I think because I am in a first grade classroom we would be able to do something similar. I think the students would enjoy working on a project like this and so would I! The second thread I saw was "Exploring Bodies of Water" and I think we could use this in a first grade classroom as well. I think having students get into groups will work well for first grade. They will be able to have individual parts while still collaborating their efforts as a team.