DoppelMe Avatars June 19, 2009
Posted by anne marie in 1.Tags: Web 2.0
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I learned of another very fun site called DoppelMe that allows you to create avatars. I found this site very intuitive and easy to use. It allows you the option of creating an avatar without registering for a free account. Creating a free account however allows you to save your work in order to make changes and also gives you options otherwise not available. In classrooms it’s a fun way for your students to identify themselves on class blogs or wikis or SMART Notebook lessons without using actual photos. 
This is the avatar I just made without registering- ENJOY!
Create an online virtual pet June 18, 2009
Posted by anne marie in ELA, Fun.Tags: ELA
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I have been collaborating with some SpEd teachers on strategies they could implement next year to motivate students to write descriptive essays. Enter virtual pets found at layoutcodez.net. Students will ”adopt” their virtual pet, post it on the class wiki and write a descriptive essay introducing their pet to their classmates- FUN! Creating a virtual pet is a very simple and quick and process (colors can even be customized). It took me a matter of minutes to “adopt” Larry my Lizard. The pets also comes complete with food and sound affects. The SMARTBoard will be used to present their work. We also discuss the possibility of having each student create their own Voki at the start of school as a way to introduce themselves on the class blog. ENJOY!
Game Templates June 15, 2009
Posted by anne marie in Games.Tags: Games
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Many teachers are wanting to create review games as part of the end of the year schedule so I thought I would share a site that I learned about from ateachingheart over on Twitter called Game Templates and More. This site offers a plethora of game templates created in Powerpoint. Find the template you want, plug in the information and play! Most of these games will present well on the SMART Board- ENJOY!
PhotoPeach June 12, 2009
Posted by anne marie in Web 2.0, Websites.Tags: slideshow
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I have been using PhotoPeach for some time now to create quick and easy slide shows to introduce or review/reinforce a concept. Today I received an email from the folks at PhotoPeach saying that they had added some new and improved features. As they explained:
1. New Peachy Editor to Help You Tell Better Stories Online!
- Choose where to show the caption on each photo (center or bottom)
- Explain your stories in more detail by inserting a blank slide with text only.
- One-Click Duplicate photos to make better explanations and transitions.
2. Fine-Grain Speed Control Options
3. Introducing the All-New Quiz Concept to the PhotoPeach service.
Adding a quiz to slide show- how coooooool is that. There are so many classroom applications! You simply type in the question and give a choice of 3 answers. Love it! The best thing is that all of the new features are very easy to use and as always the slideshows present great on the SMARTBoard and embed wonderfully in your blog or wiki.
Here’s a quick PhotoPeach I created of our gardens. ENJOY!
gardens on PhotoPeach
Update on Letter Generator Post June 11, 2009
Posted by anne marie in ELA.Tags: ELA
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Obe Hostetter over at the SMARTBoard Revolution Ning graciously shared some links to SMART Notebook files that support lessons for letter writing and the ReadWriteThink.org Letter Generator. The list was originally posted here. Thanks Obe! ENJOY!
1. http://www1.center.k12.mo.us/EDTECH/SB/templates/FriendLetterTemplate.notebook
2. http://www.lynnreedy.com/smartnotebook/friendlyletter.zip
3. http://community.teqsmart.org/download.php?view.445
Bless this Chick June 10, 2009
Posted by anne marie in Fun.Tags: Avatar
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I am loving this new (well new to me!) free Avatar generator at BlessthisChick.com It is so much fun and very easy to create your very own “Chick” that can then be used in SMART Notebook lessons or uploaded onto you wiki/blog. You email the file to yourself (or a friend) as a JPEG or PING, save it and you’re ready to go! A French teacher had a creative idea for a lesson- she was going to have her students create a “Chick”, name her and then describe her, writing a short paragraph in French! OOO La, La what a great idea! ENJOY!
Writing a Letter June 10, 2009
Posted by anne marie in ELA.Tags: ELA
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I was asked by one of the SpEd teachers for a site that would reinforce the skills needed to write a letter so I shared the letter generator site from ReadWriteThink.org. This activity reviews the parts of a letter and then allows students to write their own letter, giving them support along the way. You must remember, though that work created can not be saved so students will need to start, finish and print the letter in one session. ENJOY!
Toy Theater June 1, 2009
Posted by anne marie in SMART Board.Tags: SMARTBoard
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Happy June! I learned of this wonderful site called Toy Theater from a 3rd grade teacher. Thanks Sue! This site is filled with activities in the areas of music, math, reading and art that work wonderfully with the SMART Board. It also offers games, playsets and puzzles. If you are an elementary or Special Education teacher you definitely should take the time to pop over and take a look at this site. ENJOY!
