I teach K-2 Computer classes along with middle school. We use Garage Band for podcasting in middle school, and it's a big hit. though I haven't done much of it in K-2 yet. However, I think they would love it. KidPix and Kidspiration are the big favorite programs of all of my little ones. We recently made slide shows in 1st grade using Kid Pix. The students created an imaginary zoo animal by combining 2 known animals that they researched. They added sounds, music, and writing to their drawings and then together we put them together in a slide show for the whole class. After that, the students created a concept map in Kidspiration, adding pictures and words about their imaginary animal's habitat, food, hobbies, and friends. Finally, they used the writing tool to write sentences about each concept from the map. You could use this idea for a wide variety of subjects, and these programs help prepare students for applications like PowerPoint as well as helping them to learn early writing skills.

Hope this helps you :-)

Hi Martha,

With your districts interest in Web 2.0 tools, I recommend you take a look at Wiziq's virtual classroom and authorstream's power point presentation platform. Both are web based platforms, have a bunch of features and free basic service.

Glad to meet you. We are a MAC school system too. I see you use PowerSchool. We just got PowerSchool this year and we are training this week. Any tips?

Some of my favorite web 2.0 tools are Twitter, Nings, Google Reader, Google docs, Skype, Wikis and blogs.

Mark Miller on this site has a portaportal site with LOTS of web links you might check out. I just bookmarked it:
http://guest.portaportal.com/mmillergrade1

Another great way to incorporate global learning is through ePals. You can connect with other classrooms around the world through safe and secure email and blogging:
http://www.epals.com/

Do you have cameras on your computers?

Hi Martha. I was wondering if you have educator contacts who would be interested in participating in a nationwide SAT Vocab Video Contest @ MIT university. You can view contest details at BrainyFlix.com Please let me know. Thanks!

Hi Martha! I knew you did a Skype lesson, but I didn't know who you did it with or any other details. That sounds awesome! Now I need to get some WGMS teachers on board with it. If i can tell them what you all did, they will do it for sure. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Terri

Would still enjoy skyping to your 1st graders. My third graders would love it. Just let me know.

Hi Martha,
I'm in MN and my kids would love to Skype with yours. I teach tech, grades 1-6. Contact me in Skype - saune1...

Hi-sure we can chat to figure something out. Feel free to email me at jcuellar@fairview.dist57.org, as I am not always able to go on classroom as frequently as I would like.