QR codes and a Flipped Classroom

QR Codes

QR CODES ARE EVERYWHERE!!!!

1. Why use QR Codes?
• They connect the physical world to the digital world
• The Eliminate the frustration of long web assess
• protect children from viewing images on the website that are inappropriate 
• Todays learners are mobile learners
• activate student engagement
• differentiate through different centers in the classroom
• they give instant feed back to your students
• they implement technology in the classroom
2. How do you make a QR code?
1. go to qrstuff.com
2. choose what type of URL you want to type into the URL box- this can either be for a website/ document or for a YouTube video. The two buttons are at the top of the page for you to choose between.
3. Then you copy and paste your URL into the appropriate box.
4. Then choose a color if you wish
5. save/ print out your QR code.
3. What types of apps/ activities should I use QR codes for?
4. Educreation is an awesome app you can use and have your students turn their work into a URL then to a QR code.

5. qr voice.net is another great app to use to make it into a qr code. this is where your students can scan the code and then have directions read to them. GREAT FOR ELL. 

6. More great ways to use QR codes are:

• learning centers
• parent night
• weekly info sheets sent home to parents
• self checking for any assignment that students need feed back on
• virtual word wall
• book talks
• classroom library
• colored QR codes based on reading ability
• interactive study guides
• questions of the day- to get your students started at the beginning of their day.
• in a text book- to further instruction and help

The Flipped Classroom

A flipped classroom is where the students already learn/ know the content before coming to class or meeting with the teacher. They watch videos of the lesson either at home (out- of -class flip) or watch the video in the classroom (in-class flip). If the teacher decides to do the in class flip then they just watch the video and learn before math that day.

1) Why use this method?

- because this gives the students who struggle more time re- watching the video and more one on one time with the teacher and the students who get it the first time can move on. This is great for differentiating  instruction. 

Social Stories

Social Stories

A Social story describes a situation, skill, or concept in terms of relevant social cues, perspectives, and common responses in a specifically defined style and format. The goal of a social story is to share accurate social information in a patient and reassuring manner that is easily understood by its audience. Basically this is where student can make rules, routines, or anything that needs to be addressed into a personal story for them to review when needed. For example you could make a social story written by the student about when the teacher has a substitute. This reinforced good behavior when the teacher is not present and the students with behavior problems or autism know what to do when the school day is a little off track. 

Why use Social stories?

• Reinforces correct behavior
• information is presented in a story format
• provides a visual example
• it is a personalized behavior intervention
• works well with students on the autism spectrum and those with ADD/ADHD

******* This may also be used when students lack social skills

APPS that are good to use when making a Social Story

Little Bird Tails

- This app is free 

-user friendly

Kid in Story

-$6.99

My Story

- $2.99

- You can design your own photos then record your voice with it

Videolicious

- This app is free

- trustworthy

-user friendly

Imovie

-This app is free

- More edits are available

-little more difficult to operate than the others

STEM Challenge

I am doing my practicum this semester in fifth grade. I absolutely love this grade and had the privilege of doing a STEM challenge with my students. For those of you that are not aware, STEM is an integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Students get hands on experience about a certain topic and how it relates to the real world. For my STEM challenge I based it off buoyancy. I had my students build boats using: popsicle sticks, aluminum foil, straws, clay, sponges, and a plastic bag. The boat had to be able to float and hold at least 2-3 marbles. Here is a digital story I had some of my students make about their adventure. 

Standard: 5.5 Comstruct explanations from observations to determine how the density of an object affects whether the object sinks or floats when placed in liquid.

Digital Storytelling

Digital Storytelling

Digital Storytelling is something that can be used in all grades (starting as early as pre-K) for several different purposes using multiple apps. Digital storytelling is not only fun and engaging but also helps with students with disabilities, and students who are shy and not big on talking out in class. It can help develop critical thinking and creativity along becoming proficient with multimedia. Students LOVE digital storytelling. Some of the applications you can do digital storytelling with are down below.

1) My Story-This app cost 2.99$ but is very easy to work with and student friendly for the younger grades. - You create and share Ebooks by adding drawings, photos, and stickers.- You then record your voice to tell the story. 

2) Pic Collage
- Free- where you can upload photos into a collage and save it to your camera roll so that you can place it as a back ground in another app. This is called app smashing.

3) Tellagami
- Free app
-Up load a back ground
- Pick a character and animate that character
- record what you want your character to talk about

4) Screen Chomp
- Free
- With this app you can write, while talking, on to the picture that you uploaded onto it.

5) Felt Board

-2.99$