Mindly App In Action

Today, Mr. Krause and I were able to guide students using the Mindly App which we have concluded is a great starting point for the creative process.

Mr. Krause used the Mindly app to create the labels that students were to personalize about the script they are to write.

Team teaching is the BEST part of my daily routine!

The writing process can all be completed on the iPad.

The Writing Process - Apps To Fuel Production

This is a preliminary digital workflow for students to complete the writing process on an iPad.
View a PDF version

Mindly Free

Google Docs Free

Notability Paid

Evernote Sharing Notebooks For Partner Research

Writing a paper for a problem/solution topic in English starts with great research.  To be efficient, today our students used Evernote and the web clipper.  Because students are working with partners, we were able to share a notebook.

See how it was done.

Google Story Generator

Google Story Generator could be an incredible creative writing tool for teachers.  No log in required, but could be used to save information.

See My Example

*iPad Users!  Video works on an iPad, but no audio.

10,000 & Counting! 10 Months & Counting

March 2011!  A great month in my educational career as my application for a 21st century model classroom was accepted.  Before diving in to buy all students one digital device, our school district decided that it would be beneficial if several teachers implemented different devices throughout the 2011-2012 school year.

I was able to have the incredible iPad2!

Upon learning that I was selected, I decided to document EVERYTHING that would happen on this journey.  It was my hope to demonstrate the effective use of these devices, the wide variety of learning activities, and the fun that would be experienced throughout the year.  As I sit back and breath during my Christmas vacation, I thought it would be helpful to reflect and evaluate my "Best Of or Most..." categories along with effectiveness of activities and see how this changes by the end of our school year, May 2012.


I am also thankful that so many people have visited the iPaddiction blog for what hopefully has become a useful tool!  I would have never dreamed that over 10,000 views would be associated with this blog.

So, without further ado, my mid year awards!

Most Effective Professional Blogging Tool
My iPad2 camera and YouTube:  (387 videos and counting!) I knew that I wanted to document everything, but also knew that I couldn't type everything.  Ironically, as I sit and type, I wish I would have just turned on the iPad2 and recorded me and my voice describing all of this!  Video and the ease of posting to YouTube has allowed me to quickly share the events and activities from my educational setting.

Most Beneficial Activity and Blog Post
Integrating Technology In Education:  It frustrates me when so many great app lists come out.  It's one thing to find a great app or tech tool, it is another thing to incorporate effectively in an educational setting.  This was an idea that I had to showcase how technology should be incorporated into a 45 minute lesson.  As my technology integration director stated, "I'm not sure which is more amazing!  The fact that you incorporated so many tech tools or the fact that you filmed it all!"  Not sure either, but the process and now that it is documented is the best teaching tool that I can have to show others how I do it.

(Two) Most Successful Use of the iPad2 Camera
Writing Process and Digital Devices:  Best thing to come from this was a student telling me, "This activity made me feel smart!"  Amen!
Personalized Comments for Assessment:  This allows me to have each student receive the specific corrective teaching that they need.  It does take about 45 minutes to complete, but is well worth it!

Best of Google Apps
Raiderville:  Hands down the most in depth activity involving all of Google that we have done!  Student had some incredible positive feedback!

Best Student Comments
What I Like About School:  Speaks for itself!

Most Popular Blog Post
QR Code Check Out: Amazing!  I have really relied on a number of apps and services for professional development during this process.  The people of Twitter have helped a great deal!  It was with one Tweet that changed my productivity and effectiveness of the process for students to check in and out during team study or study hall.

Best "I Can't Keep Up With" List
Apps List:  this grows all the time and at the end of the year, I will print out a list of all the apps that have been used in the classroom.  Right now, I post a new app to Twitter when I add it to my class set of iPads

Best Use of QR Codes
U.S. Historical Documents and QR Codes with Videos:  Our curriculum requires us to teach famous U.S. documents.  Instead of just giving them a list of the documents and reading about them, I attached a QR code which linked to an additional video.  It is one thing to read about MLK's great speech, but to hear and watch it is another.  Great tool at a great time!

Most Fun
Teaching Digital Citizenship & the Process:  Lip Dub!  Our team decided that digital citizenship needed to be discussed and taught throughout our journey.  Students have really free access to so many digital tools that we wanted to teach them and not ban them from the devices.  We created a lip dub and the results speak for themselves!

Best App for Productivity:
Tactilis:  with the ability to document step by step, hand written notes, diagrams, and thoughts, this FREE app is easily the best note taking app.

Best Creative App
Animation HD:  Students loved it and hey, it's fun!

Best Advanced Math App
Graphing Calculator:  The color is outstanding and helps to understand all information.

Best Drill and Practice Math App
Math Drills HD:  Allows for students to have an individualized account for keeping track of success.

Best Tool With Textbook
PaperPort Notes & Whiteboard App:  Allows students to directly write on their textbooks!  Students have been doing this for years!  Now I don't need to tell them to erase it after marking it in their books.  Awesome!

Best Public Relations Tool
YouTube Channel:  A great way to allow parents and administration into my classroom.  Grandma in Chicago was able to see what we are doing!

Best Non Digital Tool
Collaborative Whiteboard Learning Areas:  I would probably have not created these if I wasn't in the 21st century model classroom mode!  These are amazing learning environments.

Writing Process With Digital Devices

IMPORTANT: I know the post is long, the REALLY good stuff is at the bottom!

With the help of our cooperating teacher and our language arts teacher, we concluded our thirteen colonies unit prior to assessment with compare and contrast, four paragraph paper.

The Process:
A GAFE email sent to students yesterday.  We had two, two hour blocks.  We focused on following directions.  Where it says "Check In", teachers held a one on one session with the students to help with ideas and editing.  We did not help with directions.  We did write on paper, so that we could use the iPads for recording and listening to the edit and for publishing to G Docs.  We'll work on that in the future.

Today, in class you will be given some independence to follow this list of directions. Do not copy other students because directions may vary. Please complete these tasks in the following order.

1. Read through ALL the directions and information in this email! (Return to this email if you have questions about what to do. Teachers will be helping with writing- NOT DIRECTIONS! ANY questions not about your writing will cost you points!)You will be writing a 4 paragraph paper comparing and contrastingTWO (2) COLONIAL REGIONS (Pick any TWO- NEW ENGLAND, MIDDLE, OR SOUTHERN COLONIES)  

The structure will be THE SAME AS THE WAR COMPARE AND CONTRAST PAPER (see below):

(Introduction paragraph) Attention getting sentence. Topic Sentence about the entire topic.

(Second paragraph) Topic sentence about similarities OR about differences OR about one topic. Followed by three main ideas about the similarities, differences or topic WITH EXAMPLES and TRANSITIONS.

(Third paragraph) Topic sentence about ANOTHER similarity OR difference OR one topic. Followed by three main ideas about the similarities, differences or topic WITH EXAMPLES and TRANSITIONS.

(Conclusion) 1-2 sentences to sum up and bring closure to your thoughts.

(IF YOU ARE CONFUSED BY THE STRUCTURE PLEASE SEE “CC Paragraph Directions” ON ROOM 2025.)

3. Take out a clean sheet of paper. Title your new document- “Your Name’s Compare and Contrast: American Colonies” 

4. SKIP LINES- ONLY WRITE IN EVERY OTHER LINE!! 

5. Begin by writing your introduction (FIRST) paragraph- an attention getting sentence about your topic, followed by your topic sentence for ENTIRE paper check both sentences off with the teacher (Follow teacher direction to make your writing better).

6. Next, when your introduction paragraph is checked off, write only the TOPIC SENTENCE for the SECOND paragraph and flip the paper over to write the TOPIC SENTENCE for the THIRD paragraph. (Check off both at the same time by your classroom teacher- BE READY to explain the main ideas and examples you will discuss in both paragraphs).

7. Return to your desk and complete BOTH paragraphs using complete sentences, transitions and correct punctuation.

8. Once they are written out, use a flip camera or iPad within your homeroom to video/record a reading/editing of your paragraph OUTLOUD- making notes of editing that is needed while you read. Watch video again to LISTEN and LOOK for errors or confusion. Ask a friend or your homeroom teacher questions. IF YOU ARE CONFUSED ABOUT TO DO- PLEASE SEE EXAMPLE TITLED “Editing Monster” on Room 2025. 

9. The video and your editing need to be checked off by your classroom teacher. 

10. Once editing is complete, write 1-2 sentences for your conclusion (FOURTH PARAGRAPH) of your ENTIRE topic and check it off with your classroom teacher.

11. When your writing has been completed, open your Google Docs, create a new document titled “YOUR NAME’s Compare/Contrast: American Colonies” and SHARE it with Mr. Reisler, Mr. VanSchyndel and Mrs. Schwittay and after you are finished writing, POST it to your professional blog. 

12. When this is completed please read your DEAR book or study for Social Studies Assessment on Friday options for study are available atRoom2025.blogspot.com

Break will be given at the bell between 8^th and 9^th hour…DO NOT ASK TO LEAVE BEFORE OR AFTER. Ladies will be dismissed from class for break first, and after ladies leave, boys you may go. DO NOT get out of your seat before the ladies have left the room!

Grades will be given based on completion of tasks (4 check offs x 3 points each =12 total points), following directions (15 points- are lost when you have not read clearly and followed direction laid out in email), and ON TASK behavior (6 points-are lost only when you need redirection to task).

THE PROCESS:
One of the teachers in our house, allowed Frank to explain some information!

Student Comments After The Process: (GET READY FOR THE TEAR JERKER!!!"

Student #1: "Mr. R, I had fun doing this writing process."
Student #2: "This is the FIRST time that Student #1 has ever said FUN and school work together"

Student #3: "This activity made me feel smart!"