Lake+Harbor

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Start small- choose one project or one idea to implement this year- you do not have to do it all but have fun doing it- never give up!// Using Wikis~
 * Use Wikispaces to draft brainstorming ideas with students- put a topic on the space and allow students to elaborate on ideas and collaborate with each other.
 * In Math- allow students to use wikis to do a KWL on place value for example- for example "what do you know about place value- what do you want to know about place value, and what did you learn about place value?"
 * In English Language Arts- use wikis to preview literature or use it for background information and for discussion purposes such as Freedom Train, Bridge to Terabithia, Follow My Leader, Number the Stars, etc.
 * In Science- for the science fair- students can add topics, suggestions, or tips to start an experiment, or where to start with links or websites- provide support for parents as well.
 * In Social Studies- use wikis to discuss historical elements- compare the past and present, discuss political strategies-relevancy- why is the past important- provide students an opportunity to discuss with each other.
 * Using wikis to discuss school wide issues- PBS & WOW- grade level ideas in all 3 grades

Safe Blogging~
 * Use blogging to open up dialogue on particular core subjects in Math, English Languge Arts, Science, Social Studies
 * Use blogging to journal ideas in and out of the classroom
 * Use blogging to suggest ideas to improve school climate- allow students to bring up ideas, suggestions, tips, or points - the information is being monitored
 * A safe place to allow students to discuss important issues- an outlet for students to express ideas- students can be protected- blogs do not have to be posted if they are not appropriate or are too sensitive

Global Projects~
 * Based on a theme such as __Courage and Bravery__ (Veteran's Day/Civil War/Civil Rights) My Heroes (Timeless Connections)
 * __My Town/My Country__ theme- embed your curriculum by bringing up your immigration (where do you come from- where does your family come from- International Feast), culture (ways of life- government, art, language, politics, food, recreation, economy, resources, music, etc.), connecting with other countries
 * In Science- related themes could be migration of birds, butterflies- global warming, pollution, extinction of animals, ecosystems, natural disasters, conserving energy, study of roller coasters across the world, sports/games using physics, rocks and minerals from different parts of the country/states
 * In Social Studies- __World Culture Day__- podcast/video conference with other countries- use Google Earth 5.0 to create virtual field trips (to study regions of the United States, mapping skills, volcanoes)

Google Docs~
 * Custom Google Search allows each teacher or grade level to add sites to one location. When studying topics in the curriculum, students can search the custom site you have created and only the sites you have loaded will be searched. This is a safe and controlled way to monitor searches. It also allows you to add new sites as you find them throughout the year.
 * You need to create a Google account to access this feature.
 * Google Forms allow you to create an online survey that automatically keeps track of the results in a spreadsheet. When you take your class to computer lab, students could fill out the survey.

Audacity~ Listen to Andrea's Audacity:
 * [] This can be downloaded to your computers. It is very easy to use to make a recording. Think about a boom box that has play, record, rewind, fast forward, pause, and stop on the key pad. This is what you see in Audacity. To record, you need a microphone to speak and speakers to hear. You might have to use the control panel in the start menu and select sound, speech, and audio devices and set your specific audio and voice tools so you can record and be heard. Press the red record button and begin speaking. Once you finish with your talk, you press the play button to hear.
 * You are able to highlight the sound waves and then choose edit in the tool bar. You can amplify the sound, fade in, fade out, and many other options.
 * You also have the capability to import music and sounds. It is best to use sound and wave files. MIDI are very difficult to use. Sites for free royalty free music are partnersinrhyme.com, royaltyfreemusic.com, and incompetech.com. You have the same editing capability as long as you highlight the piece.
 * To save the project you want to export and save as an mp3 file. You cannot change the file once you save as an mp3 file. Save as a project to continue editing and working on the file.
 * Uses in the classroom - teachers/students can record notes, directions for projects, homework assignments, newscasts, tutorials, spelling tests, pronunciation for vocabulary, and reviews.

media type="file" key="andrea's audacity.mp3"

Listen to Kalinka's Audacity: media type="file" key="NovemberLearningProject.mp3"