Phonics – Page 6 – iLearn Technology

ActivInspire

March 5, 2009Kelly Tenkely3 Comments19773 views

What it is: ActivInspire is a new software from Promethean that is free! The free edition is a ‘personal’ license that can be used by anyone. The ActivInspire software works with ANY interactive whiteboard (SMART, Mimio, Wiimote Whiteboard, eBeam, etc.) and even for those of you who do not have an interactive whiteboard, use the software with just a computer and projector! The Promethean Planet website has thousands of lessons and resources that are free to access and can be used with ActivInspire to engage your students. ActivInspire has two launch options, the first is to launch in Primary function. In Primary, ActivInspire is very user friendly for primary elementary students. The second option is to launch in Studio with tools that are perfect for older students. ActivInspire works on Windows, Mac, and Linux based machines. Some of the goodies in ActivInspire include interactive protractors, rulers, clocks, grids, and more. New power tools include intelligent shapes and handwriting recognition. There are themed templates for fast and easy lesson building. ActivInspire supports flash files that can be embeded in Flipchart lessons. ActivInspire can open SMART and PowerPoint files, making it quick and easy to pick up any lesson and improve it.

How to integrate ActivInspire into the classroom: ActivInspire is software that can keep students engaged in any lesson in your curriculum. The software is incredibly intuitive and makes it easy to create amazing interactive lessons. The lessons (flipcharts) can be saved and shared among colleagues. Begin building a library of interactive lessons for your students. Be sure to visit Promethean Planet for thousands of ready made (FREE) flipcharts and activities to use with the ActivInspire software.

Tips: To see the possiblities of the ActivInspire software, take a look at Flipcharts created by the developers of ActivInspire. Promethean also has a great set of support tutorials that will have you up and running in no time!

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using ActivInspire in your classroom.

Literactive

January 16, 2009Kelly Tenkely4 Comments4332 views

What it is: Literactive is an outstanding website for reading material for pre-school, kindergarten, and first grade. The program is made up of leveled guided readers, comprehensive phonics activities, and supplemental reading material that is aimed at developing reading skills in a sequential, motivating manner. To use and view the site is free. To download material you are required to register but registration is also free. The guided readers are fully animated and each comes with a breakdown of every word in the stories. The Road to Reading is an interactive journey for students that moves them sequentially though pre-reading activities, alphabet awareness, letter sounds, short vowels, CVC word blending, initial blends, long vowels, and various phonic activities. There are over one hundred learning activities that can be used for individual or whole class use that can be downloaded for free. Worksheets are available in pdf format that correlate with each reading skill. An ESL version is offered for each guided reader, stories can be translated with the click of a mouse. E-picture books tell traditional tales for early readers and e poetry is a collection of interactive poetry including poems by Rober Louis Stevenson, Edgar Allen Poe, Edward Lear, and more. The Literactive website is packed full with reading activities for primary students that will have them on the road to reading!

How to integrate Literactive into the classroom: Literactive is a complete reading program that should be included in any primary classroom. I am amazed at the comprehensive list of activities, stories, and scope and sequence of this program. Because activities are downloaded, after having downloaded them your computer does not need an Internet connection to use them. Use Literactive as a daily reading center, individually in the computer lab setting, or for whole class instruction and reading. The activities on Literactive are highly motivating and provide an excellent foundation for reading.

Tips: Register for free today and transform your classroom into a reading-rich environment for your beginning readers! Thank you to @annemarie80 who sent a Tweet about this site!

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Literactive in your classroom.

Kido’z

January 2, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment1527 views

What it is: Kido’z is a web browser specifically designed just for kids. The Kido’z browser is a completely protected environment where kids can surf web sites, watch kid appropriate videos and play games. Kido’z has an incredibly simple interface that is even appropriate for non readers and writers. The browser blocks links, scripts and other opportunities for kids to be lead to websites that have not been approved. Kido’z allows kids to safely explore “an endless amount of games, videos and other content and can enter with one click to the best kids’ sites that can be found.” Kido’z is a great addition to any pre-k through second grade classroom.

How to integrate Kido’z into the classroom: Kido’z is a great way to bring the Internet to the classroom computers in the pre-k through second grade classroom. Students can access the Internet in a completely safe, controlled environment. The interface of Kido’z is so user friendly that even your non-reader students can use the browser sucessfuly without help. Many of the video clips, games, and websites that students have access to through Kido’z are educational and offer great learning opportunities. Kido’z has provided several ways to follow developments through Twitter, their blog, or RSS feed. You are sure to be introduced to great kids learning sites that you may not have seen before.

Tips: Before you can download the Kido’z browser, you will have to download Adobe Air. Be sure to share Kido’z with parents. The web browser is a great way to keep your students learning at home in a safe environment.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Kido’z in your classroom.

Speakaboos

December 12, 2008Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment3861 views

What it is: Some websites are so impressive that I immediately spam all teachers in my address book with them. Speakaboos is one of these sites for me. I learned about the site from the Free Technology for Teachers blog (I highly recommend it for middle and high school teachers). Speakaboos is a collection of online children stories read by celebrities (although this is not what impresses me). Each story is read aloud with flash illustrations and the words on each page for read-along. The stories are captivating and include popular titles like Arthur and Curious George. This highly engaging website has some other features that make this one of my favorite website finds of the year. When you sign up for a free membership, Speakaboos offers a free story download. The download is a swf (flash) file but can be converted with a site like Zamzar to make it iPod ready (aka mobile learning!). They plan to add more free downloads throughout the year. Parents can also purchase individual stories iTunes style for $0.99. Speakaboos has a feature coming for parents, students, grandparents, teachers, etc. to record their own stories! Speakaboos offers several activities for students including a diary to write in, a place to create their own story, games, ecards, and printable coloring pages from their favorite stories. Speakaboos is in beta version right now so some of the above features are not yet active.

How to integrate Speakaboos into the classroom: Speakaboos stories and activities are a fun and engaging way to develop students reading, writing, and speaking abilities while learning basic computer skills. The Record your own Story feature is a wonderful way for students to practice fluency, it is also a great feature for struggling readers who can listen for mistakes that they make during reading. Older students could make recordings for their younger reading buddies to enjoy. The ability to download select stories for free is amazing for an iPod reading lab. Speakaboos is a great reading or writing center for students to visit in the one or two computer classroom. It would also make a nice whole class read along using a projector. Speakaboos offers free story guides for teachers to help lead discussions on each story. The guides come complete with themes to help reinforce the story message and offer questions to check general comprehension, discussion, and personal extension. There are also printables that you can use with your class in conjunction with the Speakaboos site.

Tips: Membership on Speakaboos is free and provides access to the free downloads.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Speakaboos in your classroom.

Tools for Educators

December 5, 2008Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment2515 views

What it is: Tools for Educators is an awesome site, so awesome that I am surprised I haven’t run across it sooner! Tools for educators offers templates for teachers to create their own board games, word searches, dice, cross word maker, bingo cards, domino maker, spelling and reading worksheets, handwriting worksheets, certificate maker, vocabulary handouts, listening test worksheets, and word bank worksheet. All templates are extremely customizable, fast and easy to use. And did I mention it is all free?!

How to integrate Tools for Educators into the classroom: Tools for Educators is obviously a great site to use to customize worksheets, games, etc. based on your classroom curriculum. Even though the site is geared toward educator use, I have had students use it last week to create their own custom board games, dice, and dominoes. The students loved creating games, rules, and question cards for their games (they made these with a Pages template I created). We have a parent day where families can come and play the games the students have created. So much fun! Definitely check out this site, I know you will be inspired to create something wonderful!

Tips: There are a lot of Google ads along the right side of the screen. When using with students, use the opportunity to teach them about web advertisements.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Tools for Educators in your classroom.

Voice Thread Update

December 5, 2008Kelly Tenkely3 Comments4174 views

What it is: Voice Thread is an amazing site that just keeps getting better! Voice Thread is the site that makes outstanding web 2.0 slide shows interactive and collaborative. You can read my original posts about Voice Thread here. Voice Thread came out with an outstanding new update yesterday, the ability to take your Voice Thread’s with you via an iPod!!! Whenever you export a Voice Thread, you now have the option to download a full sized, high resolution movie version or one that has been formatted to go directly onto you iPod, or iPhone- how sweet is that?! Additional new features include the ability to clone your Voice Thread so that you can have a backup copy or a copy of the same Thread to use with different audiences. Voice Thread now supports Microsoft Office 2007 formats when uploading into your Voice Threads with Microsoft Photo Story 3 video supporting coming.

How to integrate the Voice Thread Updates into the classroom: So, why am I so excited about the new Voice Thread features? The ability to save a Voice Thread onto an iPod or iPhone opens up a whole new realm of possibilities in the classroom. Now you can create learning activities with Voice Thread that are portable for your students. You can extend your students learning day with a Voice Thread based on your curriculum and the students needs using an iPod. Math explinations, sight words, phonics, and read alongs can all be created with Voice Thread and uploaded onto the iPod. Create a reading buddies program with pictures and sound using Voice Thread. To find out more about the Reading Buddies program click here.

Tips: If you haven’t used Voice Thread in your classroom yet, now is the perfect time to sign up for a free account and start!

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Voice Thread in your classroom.

Jump Start 3-D

December 3, 2008Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment1997 views

What it is: I got the tip off for Jump Start 3-D from a tweet by Kevin Jarrett (@kjarrett) the other night and have been having a great time exploring ever since. Jump Start is the popular software title that makes educational home and school software for pre-k through 2nd grade. Jump Start 3-D is a highly interactive virtual world for kids. Each location within the Jump Start 3-D world offers fun learning adventures focused on math, reading, and critical thinking skills. Students start out by creating a character avitar that represents them in the virtual world. Registration is free on Jump Start 3-D for access to the basic world. Membership for $7.99/ month has the added benefit of new games and activities added monthly, grows with students (as they get better at the games, new more challenging games are added). I was very impressed with the free version!

How to integrate Jump Start 3-D into the classroom: Jump Start 3-D is really geared toward home use, however, I think it would make a great center in the one or two computer classroom. The site is an awesome way to familiarize students with computer skills like mouse manipulation, clicking links, using arrow keys, etc. As the students are playing in the virtual world they will also be building reading, math, and critical thinking skills…just what they need for a great 21st century literacy base.

Tips: Even if you don’t have room in your curriculum for the Jump Start 3-D virtual world in your classroom, be sure to let parents know about this fun site. It is a great alternative to other video games that students may be playing at home because of all the learning skills packed in. This site is highly interactive including video clips, highly interactive games, and sounds. You will need a high speed connection for this site. Jump Start 3-D does require an Internet plugin called Utility Web Player.dmg. The install is very simple and fast directly from the Jump Start website.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Jump Start 3-D in your classroom.

Webspiration

November 30, 2008Kelly Tenkely2 Comments2009 views

What it is: You have most likely heard about the popular visual thinking software called Inspiration (or Kidspiration). Webspiration is a new online version of the visual thinking outlining and organizing. Webspiration has many of the same features as Inspiration but is free to use and allows for collaborative visual thinking. Webspiration is perfect for planning, organizing research, and completing projects successfully from beginning to end. Brainstorming and outlining tools help students organize thoughts for papers and research projects. Collaboration on Webspiration documents is simple and allows for same document contributing, posting, comments, and viewing changes. Concept maps and diagrams are created easily with Webspiration. Visual diagrams and graphic organizers, such as those created with Webspiration, help students retain information.

How to integrate Webspiration into the classroom: Webspiration is a great tool for the classroom. Teach elementary age students how to visually organize information using concept maps, venn diagrams, and KWL charts. Basic outlining skills can also be taught in the elementary classroom using Webspiration. As students get older, Webspiration helps them take control of and organize their own learning. Teachers can create concept maps and invite students to collaborate and help fill in information. These online graphic organizers are wonderful for students, they contribute to filling it in and can access it from any Internet connected computer, iPod, or phone to study from later.

Tips: Webspiration is currently in beta, if you notice any glitches or have ideas for additional features let Webspiration know!

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Webspiration in your classroom.

Kid Thing

November 20, 2008Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment2255 views

What it is: I could have sworn that I had written a post about Kid Thing in the past, but after running several searches on my posts, I came up empty. Kid Thing is a secure digital media player for kids in grades k-4. Kid Thing accesses the Internet but is not a web browser. It is more like an iTunes type environment designed specifically for kids. There are no advertisements on Kid Thing and because it is not a web browser, there is no place to type a web address where students could inadvertently stumble on inappropriate content. The Kid Thing player is free to download and they often have free downloads of learning and interactive activities for students. There is also a Kid Thing store where additional books, videos, games, and creative arts can be downloaded to the Kid Thing player. Everything in the store is very reasonably priced. Right now Kid Thing is offering a free download in addition to the player, a 25 day Countdown to Christmas. Each day students will get to open a new kid thing Surprise with a game to play. After the game has been opened, it will stay on the Kid Thing player to be played over and over again.

How to integrate Kid Thing into the classroom: The Kid Thing player would make an excellent reading center, or learning center for phonics, language arts, and math. The player is very user friendly for students. Start each morning with the free Countdown for Christmas, let each student have a turn to be the one to open the Countdown for Christmas surprise. Throughout the day, let students visit the Kid Thing center to complete the new activity for the day. Kid Thing is great for the one or two classroom computers, a computer lab, a projector or interactive whiteboard, and for home use. Encourage parents to download Kid Thing at home and add books and games that are appropriate for their child.

Tips: At the moment Kid Thing only runs on PC’s running Window’s XP and Vista. There is a Mac version in the works (hooray!!) and if you visit the download page you can sign up to be the first to know when the Mac version is available.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Kid Thing in your classroom.

Free Reading

November 6, 2008Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment2472 views

What it is: Not all technology resources require students on a computer, some technology resources are specifically for you, the teacher, to enhance curriculum or for professional development. Free Reading is one such site. This incredible open source instructional program helps you teach early literacy. Free Reading provides a 40 week scope and sequence of phonemic awareness and phonics activities. The goals of Free Reading are to help you teach kids to read, to make quality research-based instruction for reading free, and to provide a community of educators with a common goal of reading intervention. Free Reading is really, truly free… downloads, prints, teaching materials are all completely free!

How to integrate Free Reading into the classroom: Free Reading is ideal for the reading intervention classroom, or for small guided reading groups. The program is an excellent reading program for kindergarten through third grade and for pullout programs for struggling readers. Even if you have a reading program in place, check out Free Reading. You will find excellent tools and materials that can be integrated into the current curriculum.

Tips: Free Reading has some great live sessions, be sure to check one out! (It is, of course, free!)

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Free Reading in your classroom.