Merry Christmas to the World! A writing challenge… December 23, 2008
Posted by leewin in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
Hello fellow bloggers! Just wanted to wish everyone a very merry christmas or holiday season! I’ll be visiting with family and friends this holiday and trying to stay out of the blasted cold snap we are having here in Canada. Its been averaging about -30C for the last week or so. Yes, I know another Canadian bragging about the weather.
I know everyone has been busy with everything that goes on in the last few days leading up to break so I imagine the posts will be fewer over the break. As a challenge though, if you can spare the time, write down what has been happening over the holiday for you. It doesn’t have to be too detailed, just a few thoughts or impressions.
Take care and all the best to everyone in the New Year!
Cheers!
Mr. Winik
Written Assignment November 14, 2008
Posted by leewin in Assignments, Writing.Tags: assignment, expository, Writing
3 comments
Write an advice letter to the Grade Seven’s detailing how to become a successful student in Grade 8. What would you tell them.
2-4 paragraphs in length. Post your answers in the comments.
What in the Wordle? November 8, 2008
Posted by leewin in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
A colleague turned me onto this site called Wordle. What is a wordle? Well it is a text cloud that is created by text you have written (i.e. a blog post, a feed, or from other source document or site) and the words that appear more frequently will appear more prominently in the text cloud.
You can customize the colour, the layout, and the font of the wordle to suit your tastes.
What are some possible applications for this:
- typography -the art and techniques of arranging type, type design, and modifying type glyphs. (as defined by Wikipedia)
- using the wordle to discuss the main themes of an article, story, poem in class
- using it to help teach vocabulary in the classroom
- for fun!
- using words to create Art!
Here are a few of my own from other blog posts:
This is an example of the Terry Fox Wordle I created from one of my earlier posts. If you want to see the larger version click here.
Wordles are incredibly easy to create and a lot of fun. Try creating a few of your own and share them with others.
To create a wordle go to wordle.net.
That’s all for now! If you want to see other wordles I have made check the gallery for leewin. Cheers!
Teachers Teaching Teachers: Podcasting Part 2 and SMARTBOARDS October 27, 2008
Posted by leewin in Uncategorized.add a comment
Well, I have to say that today was a great session of professional development. I could have spent more time on each the sessions getting new ideas and playing around on the computers creating lessons and podcasts. The applications for these technologies is really mind blowing. Today we produced a short podcast, excuse me an enhanced podcast using Garageband. It really is an incredibly simple program to use and it took only a matter of minutes to create a short episode with some very good results. Time flew by very quickly, and my partner and I were discussing how we could improve the production, add and take out things. I know that this is something that would be very motivating for my students.
Also in the afternoon, we spent some time looking over how to plan lessons for the SMARTBOARD. I think one of the most important things the presenter pointed out was the smartboard should not be used as another whiteboard. Whatever you do up on the board must be used to engage the kids. I wholeheartedly agree. I know that teachers who are just now receiving this in their classrooms are not using it to its full potential.
I have come away with some great ideas from todays conference. I hope everyone out there in the edublogosphere is getting some great professional development out there as well.
As a side note, I was saddened to learn that there is no software like garageband for producing enhanced blogs. If you know of any software like garageband for windows, it would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers!
Teachers Teaching Teachers: Podcasting Part 1 October 27, 2008
Posted by leewin in education, professional development.Tags: journal, learning, professional development, teaching
add a comment
Today, I am at the gathering of local schools for some sponsored professional development. My first session if on podcasting. What is podcasting? For those of you who haven’t heard of the term before, it is a combination of IPOD and Broadcasting. It can be in a audio or video format but it is a powerful tool for learning and for collaborating.
Today, my friend Jared will be giving a session on podcasting and the tools used to create a podcast.
I’ll let you know what I have learned after the session.
Video Games: A New Form of Reading? October 17, 2008
Posted by leewin in Uncategorized.Tags: education, literacy, opinion, Reading, video games
13 comments
The New York Times had an interesting article on authors using video games to get youth to start reading. The series of articles goes on to discuss how some authors use video games to get them to read their stories. Could this be the future of reading?
The articles even talk about how some libraries are having video game parties to draw students into the library to take out books.
The links to the articles you can find here:
Using Video Games as Bait to Hook Readers
Do you think video games are good way to get kids to read?
By the way don’t forget to post your comments here and to follow the discussion, subscribe to the comments!
New Poll! October 16, 2008
Posted by leewin in Uncategorized.add a comment
Hooray! We’re back! October 14, 2008
Posted by leewin in Uncategorized.add a comment
Thanks to all the hard work for the Edublogs team for getting the service back up and running.
This is just a quick reminder that we will be creating a podcast and we need your comments and opinions. If we use you in our podcast we will certainly give you a credit or mention for the show.
Please pass this on to others you know. The more comments the better!
Our First Podcast: Calling on Everyone for Help October 8, 2008
Posted by leewin in Uncategorized.9 comments
Hello Blogosophere!
I am currently in the process of setting up our first podcast for myself and my class. However I am calling on all bloggers especially students and educators to give their opinion on something so I can use it for a little background research for the upcoming podcast.
Here are the questions ( be as honest as you can):
- As a student, how do you feel about being in or going to school?
- What would you find interesting or useful to learn about? Explain.
- Do you care about what you are learning now? Explain.
These are the three main questions I’m looking for answers on. Please let me know if you don’t understand the questions or there is a way I can state them more clearly. Educators, I invite you to answer these questions as well because I am interested in a wide variety of opinions.
World Teachers Day October 6, 2008
Posted by leewin in Uncategorized.6 comments
On Oct. 5, we celebrate those people who help to educate our future generations of children. Take a minute and remember a favourite teacher who made an impact on your life. How was this person able to connect with you to make your learning enjoyable? Say Thanks to a teacher and it will make a world of difference.
