Wall Wisher

Wall Wisher is a website that allows you to create a virtual wall where “sticky notes” can be added on any topic.  Here’s an example of a Snow Day Wall (feel free to add your own ideas)!  It’s very simple to make and add to a wall, and you can moderate everything that appears on it (making it safe to use with your students).

 

Make Your Own Wall

Step 1: visit the Wallwisher website.

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Step 2:  Create a URL for your wall, and choose your preferences.  Make sure to check the box that says “I want to approve every post before it shows up on the wall” if you want to manage posts.

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Step 3: Choose a theme for your wall.

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Step 4: Choose a picture for the top of your wall, as well as the title and subtitle that will appear at the top.

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Step 5: Enter your name and email address (use a real one because this is how you will receive a password to login and manage your posts)

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Step 6:  Click done.  Your wall is now ready!

Post on a Wall

Step 1:  Double click anywhere and type your comment.  It can only be 140 characters long, but you can link to pictures or videos on the internet.

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Step 2: To manage your posts, log in to the site.

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Step 3: Click approve on posts for them to appear.

Other Options

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To change your password, Build a New Wall, or View all your walls, click on Me > My Home.

Classroom Use

There’s a ton of ways this can be used in a classroom!

  • Use for KWL charts–have students post stickies about what they know, what they want to know, or what they have learned about a topic.
  • Gather data on a topic (especially great if you want to collaborate with another classroom).
  • Writing sentences (pick a topic, like What I want for Christmas and have students post).
  • Answering questions.  Writing Questions.
  • Birthday, Get Well, or Special Holiday Wall.
  • Facts on a topic.
  • If you have a class blog, you can embed the Wall write on the blog (just like I did above).
  • Post links for students to visit.
  • Link to pictures and videos on a topic
  • Vocabulary–post a word and have students make sentences using that word.
  • Field Trip–have students post what they’ve learned or their favorite parts.
  • Gather strategies for solving a problem.
  • Respond to a novel.
  • Book Reviews.
  • Veteran Honor Wall, Going Green Pledges, Red Ribbon Pledges, etc.

For more ideas, visit Tom Barrett’s Interesting Ways to Use Wallwisher in the classroom.

Famous People Poetry Voicethread

First of all, I cannot take any credit for any aspect of this voicethread.  I did not help with it at all, but it’s so good, and such a great example, I have to share it!   It was done by Mrs. Hudson’s 5th Graders at Clearbrook.  They wrote poetry about a famous people and used voicethread to record their poems.  Mrs. Hudson taught a few students how to use Voicethread, and they helped their classmates record on one computer in the back of the room.  After everyone had recorded, they were able to post the final product on their class blog! What a great project, and what a great way to use technology in the classroom!

Do You Have a Class Website?

I believe that in today’s world of technology every teacher should have a web presence–a way for parents, students, and others to learn more about their class.  If you don’t, here are some quick and easy ways to start a class webpage.  Once you have it finished, be sure to let your schools’ webmaster know so they can link to your site from your school’s website.  Also let your parents know.  You’ll be amazed at how happy they will be to have a way to find out information about their child’s classroom!  A class site will also give you space to show off all those great technology projects you’ve been doing this year!!

So here’s a few of my favorites:

Blogging

If you want to blog (great if you plan on updating content frequently), here’s some great choices.  I’ve included examples, but please know you don’t have to be that elaborate.  It’s fine to start off with just text! 

Edublogs 

Edublogs allows you to create a teacher blog (like this one).  You have lots of options for themes, and while you can stick to text, you can also embed lots of things into your blog.  *This does cost $40 to turn off ads, but I may be able to help with this.  Let me know if you choose this route.*  Here’s an example of a 2nd grade class blog using edublogs 

Classblogmeister 

Classblogmeister is my favorite way to blog with students because it’s free and very, very safe.  It’s a little clunky if you are just creating a teacher blog, but super for kids. Here’s an example of a Kindergarten class blog using classblogmeister.

Blogger

Blogger is not my favorite way to create a blog because of the “Next Blog” button at the top of site which could lead your students to who knows what…but there are ways to turn that off.  And it’s really easy.  If you want to do a blogger blog, let me know, and I’ll give you the directions for disbling that pesky button at the top.  Here’s an example of a Kindergarten class blog using blogger.

Wikis and Website Builders

Want something a little more permanent?  Try a wiki or a website:

Wikispaces

Want more of a static webpage?  Try a wiki!  Wiki means “quick” in Hawaiian, and wikis are quick ways to make a website.  My favorite is wikispaces.  They offer ad free wikis for teachers.  Here’s an example of a fourth grade classroom page created with wikispaces.

Weebly

Weebly is a super simple webpage creator.  I know lots of teachers that use this service!  Here’s one example of a classroom website made with Weebly.

Google Sites 

Google sites also lets you create a simple webpage.  All you need is a google account (which is great to have for lots of reasons!)  Here’s an example of a classroom site made with google sites.

Here are some other sites I’ve briefly viewed, but have not used extensively.  If you choose any of these, check and see where links on these pages go, and check for ads.  They appear to be okay at first glance, but it’s always good to check frequently since webservices sometimes change.

Yola

SchoolRack

ClassJump

Hipero

Third Grade Subtraction Voicethreads

Students in Mrs. Devlin’s Class have created these voicethreads to practice subtraction, teach others how to subtract, and see if anyone has a different way.  Check them out, and feel free to comment with your own method! 

Subtracting Numbers without Regrouping

 
Subtracting Numbers with One Regroup

Subtracting Numbers with More than One Regroup

Subtracting Numbers Across Zeros

Note:  We did realize that you could keep the writing from fading towards the end of the project.  To see how, read how to increase writing time in voicethread.

Oliver the Geobug Update

Just wanted to let you know that the Oliver K. Woodman Geobug is now in a travel bug hotel in Portland, Oregon!  He has already traveled 2254.5 miles!! 
A travel bug hotel is a geocache that is located near a highly traveled place–like an interstate.  This one is located outside a hotel near the Portland airport.  This allows lots of geobugs (travelbugs) to move in and out of the cache quickly and travel far.  We’ll cross our fingers that this will happen for Oliver!
The Oliver K. Woodman Wiki

The Oliver K. Woodman Wiki

I’ve updated the info on the Oliver K. Woodman wiki  and included the note the geocacher left too.  You can find it under Pictures and Videos.   

Ruler in Google Earth

Ruler in Google Earth

If you are following Oliver with your class, take a second to view his map on the wiki.  You’ll even see a link where you can open it in google earth.  Once in google earth, you can use the ruler tool to measure the distance he has traveled.  You can also measure how far he has left to go!
 

Just One Thing

 Mike Fisher created which this presenation which answers the question, “What is just one thing teachers need to know about instructional technology?”  I love it, and it’s so true!! (Hint: Click on the play button and then use the forward arrow to move through the show.)

Here’s the text:

You don’t have to be an expert…

to affect student achievement.
to motivate your students.
to establish a digital pedagogy.
to move from rote to refreshing.

You don’t have to be an expert…

to integrate technology in multiple ways. 
to be Effective

It could be this thing. 
Or this thing. 
Or any one of a multitude of technological things that will make a difference in your classroom and for your students!

You don’t have to be an expert…

if there is such a thing

You just have to be willing.

Increasing “Writing” Time in Voicethread

Blenna Patterson just emailed me the solution to a problem that has been baffling me for awhile now…how to keep the writing from fading in Voicethread.  I am posting it here in case others have similiar problems.  The solution is so easy.  Here’s a Voicethread showing how:

Pretty much all you need to do is click the center button in the color palette before you start drawing!!

Voicethread Color Palette

Voicethread Color Palette

If you haven’t tried out Voicethread, it’s a wonderful online digital storytelling tool that can be used across subject areas!