It's Almost That Time Again...

So, August has rolled around...not really sure where July went, but it sure flew by awfully fast.  I took a hiatus from the blog-o-sphere after graduation and for the summer to cool my heels a bit...but figured it was time to start up again.  I will start with some back-to-school ideas for technology integration the first week of school.

 Picture from www.edudemic.com

• Have the students create a digital story of something they did over summer vacation.  This can be done in numerous different ways using many different types of software.  I personally prefer Pixie from Tech  4 Learning.  However, here is a list of different software for digital storytelling. 

•  Use a video camera to have students do a brief interview stating their goals for the year.  Refer students back to their videos at the start of second semester, and then again at the end of the year.

• Set up a blog for discussions students can have throughout the year.  Begin the first discussion thread as a get-to-know you activity.

• Have students create an avatar in Voki.  Have them say three to five facts about themselves and have the other students try to guess who it is. 

• Have students create their own name tags using Word or a graphics program, print them out, laminate them, and then stick them on the student's desks.

• Use Kidspiration or Inspiration fro students to brainstorm ideas for classroom rules.  You could then compile student responses into a Wordle so they can see the most common rules thought up.

• When creating a class contract, create it on an interactive board (Promethean, Smart) rather than on chart paper.  Have students sign on the board and then you can print out a copy to send home with each child.

• As students tour the school to get familiar with new places and faces have them take pictures of who and what they see along the way.  Then create a classroom book about important places and people in the school. 

• As a get to know you activity, have students use the Smart Response system (Activotes for promethean).  Set up a quiz ahead of time on favorites (favorite color, favorite food, favorite sport etc...)  Have the students vote and view the graphs of things they have in common.

If you decide to use any of these ideas let me know how they worked out, or feel free to share some other ideas you may have!  Stay tuned for some helpful technology teacher tools for throughout the year...