Tool #5

I think I will like the idea of social tagging. When we are doing research for science topics it will be nice for others to be able to look at the things we have found as well as us getting the same from others. I found a COOL science activity that I will definately be doing with the kids this year!! Car baked cookies!! Yes I am a science geek, but that is really something! Not only can they see the effects the sun has and the effects of heat, they can see first hand how HOT it gets in a closed up car! What a powerful and FUN lesson!! The other site I found that I liked was also a food activity...ok, maybe I need a snack! It was the science of cake! Fun...yummy and high interest for kids! Anything we can tie to food will be a hit and they WILL remember it! LOVE IT!! I found these using the science tag. Then I went to projects and found the cake site. After that I though I would search for others and found the cookies! Very cool! The class could use this type of bookmarking to show that they were researching during a computer station about topics we have or are currently studying in science. Wouldn't it be powerful for them to be about to find and share the cool things they found on the internet that pertain to classroom lessons? I think this type of site would encourage them to continue to research and share what they are finding at home!

Tool #4

Google Docs...very cool! I like the idea of being able to collaborate on a document without having multiple copies out there. It will save time for everyone, especially the person who is in charge of making the changes! We use a Excel for keeping track of t-shirt orders. It will be nice to have it saved where we can all add to the same document, instead of sending it back and forth. I am also lead mentor, so I created a survey for new teachers! The Google Reader was interesting! It can help stream line what you are researching or following saving time of loading and floating back and forth between pages. You can suggest feeds to others which could be beneficial if students are watching the same info. I also liked being able to link the blogs that I am watching to the feed so that I can easily see what's new.

Tool #3

I loved the Spell with Flickr! It was quick and EASY!! Love it! Use it for the believe gadget at the top of the page! I then went to the Comic Strip Generator. I very quickly made a strip but had a VERY hard time figuring out how to get it linked, down loaded...WHATEVER!! I got it onto a link on the side, but I really wasn't happy with that so I searched through the other tools. The Kid Friendly Image Generator gave the the same head ache. So...I ended up going back to the comic strip and settling for the link. It's funny! So if ya want to take a look..click the link on the side bar. Very frustrating that it was so hard to capture!

Tool #2

1. I like the idea of a PLN. We created one for the Love and Logic book study. I think it will work well if the people involved will read the questions and give thoughtful comments. We as teachers are always saying we don't have enough time to talk to each other and share ideas...well, here's a way to do it.

2. I liked the reading about how to comment. I agree that comments should be meaningful. I think a "you go girl!" should be followed by what the commentor really agreed with. Also I think it's OK to disagree professionally with someone as long as it is done tactfully without attacking the writer.

Commented on:
Hard at Work
Moultan Lava
Renee's Blog
Kimmy's 11 Tools
Life Long Learning
Jello's 11 Tools

Tool #1

I created an avatar through Yahoo for the 21 things! That was like making a Mi. I liked being able to choose from different characters! Now I have the dog and none of the mess! Blogging is fun! Even more fun to get comments on what you write...so comment folks!!