Kidblog, iPods, & laptops!

So I recently discovered this wonderful site that allows teachers to create a safe blogging environment for their students! I created an account for our class, which includes a blog for me and for each of my students. The blogs are free and private... you can only access them if you have a login and password, so my students (and their parents) can see their classmates' blogs, but no one else can see them. My first post asked students to reflect on their favorite memory from our recent college field trip and they LOVED going on and posting comments! Their next assignment is to post a book review to their own blog. They can even upload a picture of the book to their post! They are so excited about writing their book reviews and being able to read and comment on their classmates' posts and I am thrilled that they are so excited about writing! I am so excited for what else is in store for their blogs, including Wordle creations, Voki character talks, Animoto videos, and character education videos... I will post more about them as they come along!

Also, I recently found two old iPods that I cleaned out and we are now using in our classroom! Some of the apps that my students use the most are Fast Facts (great for multiplication practice because they can choose which facts they need to study, along with how much time they have to answer!), BrainPOP, and Dictionary. We also use the timer for our power writes, Lightning Rod multiplication tests, and to time transitions! I have begun my search for more great iPod apps for the classroom, so definitely let me know if you have any recommendations!

I Education Apps Review is a great resource for finding great apps for the classroom!

I also have two (newish) laptops for my students to use in the classroom now! I am so excited for our technology overhaul after months of only having 2 computers with no hard drive or flash! Hope you all had a great Monday off!