Writing Rules with Ragweed's Farm Dog Handbook

A big part of our instructional strategy is to incorporate tech F.U.N. into our lessons.
F=foundational
U=useful
N=needed

Each year, with our Arkansas Diamond nominees, we plan lessons that incorporate Tech F.U.N. for our students. The lessons are scaffolded for our K-3 students.

With Ragweed's Farm Dog Handbook, we focused on creation with Google Draw. Google Draw is awesome for creative lessons because students can add images, text art, and clip art to create a poster. In the book, Ragweed repeats the same idea to the new dog....

You will want to _______, but don't do it. That's not your job. If you do, ______.

Third grade students created a poster that illustrated a rule at school that they wished they didn't have. They had to tell what would happen if they actually broke the rule.

Some of the students got so creative. And, some wrote some very hilarious rules.

I can totally relate to this! Sometimes I really, really want to put a beanbag underneath my desk and take a nap.

This rule cracked me up! 

This tech F.U.N. lesson focused on inserting word art and inserting an image using the search feature within Google Apps. I love that that *generally* keeps the images fairly PG and school-appropriate. If students could not find an image to use for their rule, they were allowed to use ImageQuest from Britannica. With a purchased subscription, ImageQuest provides rights free images.

What would your rule be? Would it be worth sneaking while the principal was away?

Curation: Teacher-librarian Twitter Chats

As a personal goal, I have added the AASL NSLS Shared Foundation of Curation to my PGP for next year. But, why wait when you have something in mind already?

In my recent AASL Knowledge Quest posts, I have been focusing on being a #ConnectedEducator for educators that want to become more connected and those that are new to social media.

Growing Your #PLN: Search. Connect. Grow. discussed four ways in which educators can find and follow colleagues online. The fourth tip included the suggestion to search for Twitter chats. Many chats are monthly; however, some can be bi-weekly or even weekly.

Judy Moreillon commented that the Piktochart with Twitter chats should be updated. I agree. I was unable to track down the owner; however, I have created a Padlet for you to add your Twitter chat!

Let's work together to add as many Twitter chats as we can. The Padlet is password protected. You can message me here, on Twitter (@AshleyCooksey2) or on Facebook in the Learning Librarians or Future Ready Libs groups.

Map Skills with Rufus

Each year, elementary schools across the nation read books from their state award list. While the lists vary from state to state, it's always fun to see what other states are reading and the activities that develop from those books. Pairing picture books is one of my favorite ways to incorporate tech F.U.N.*

Rufus Goes to Sea is on our Arkansas Diamond list this year, and it was one of the first books we read from our list. I cannot say enough amazing things about our tech lab teacher, Denise. Seriously. She never backs down from the crazy ideas I throw her way!

In the story, Rufus decides he wants to join the crew of a pirate ship after discovering his school was out for the summer. We inferred that he had gotten off of the bus at the wrong stop. The other kids were getting off of the bus at Summer Camp. 

The pirate captain repeatedly tells Rufus that he doesn't have the right skill to join the crew. You'll discover the skill he needs is to be able to read! They needed a map reading pirate. After reading the book, students had the opportunity to explore maps, globes, and atlases. They really love the hands-on part of our map lessons each year.

  

 

~Bonus-the Chamber of Commerce gives me a box of local maps each year. Second graders all get their own copy. All other classes help locate our school on a local map. I don't have any particular rhyme or reason why I chose second grade to get a map.~

We often use technology after a library lesson to enhance tech F.U.N. skills.

Foundational

Useful

Needed

After reading Rufus Goes to Sea and exploring with print and physical maps, students explored digital maps. They first used Google Maps to search for places around the world. Then, they were able to switch to street view to find their house or the school. Students also used an interactive map maker to create their own map. 

 

Using and creating maps us always an exciting lesson for students. It's great to incorporate more traditional (printed) maps and newer digital maps.

Fun with Weave Silk

Students have fallen in love with the Interactive Generative Art site/app Weave Silk. The opening screen says it all.

Once you click into the website, the controls will open on the top left. You can click and drag from one color choice into another to create a blend of colors. Also, you can choose to have the silk spin toward the center, spiral inward, or both.

We have had some great conversations about symmetry, color blending, angles, and design. Students have loved creating art through technology.

Weave Silk also has an app for Android and Apple devices. They're a great way to incorporate technology in to art.