New Thing 5

carrot sticks

Carrotsticks is an online multiplayer game that improves math skills for students from the 1st - 5th grade. It is a visually interactive game I think younger students might be able to comprehend better math skills by playing these games.

Step 1: Hit TRY NOW to begin playing math games.

Step 2: Create your avatar that best represents you and click DONE.

Step 3: Pick what kind of math you want to use between addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Step 4: Put digits in to collect points.

New Thing 4

http://www.e-learningforkids.org/

E-Learning for kids is a site that focuses on ages 5-12. There are many visual games associated with math, science, computer skills, english and many more visual learning experiences.

How to use e-learning for kids

Step 1: From the main page choose your grade or subject you would like to enter. For this example choose science.

Step 2: For this example I choose WEATHER. Add your name and listen to the introduction.



Step 3: Listen to the instruction and click icons when prompted. The video takes the user through what weather is and asks questions during to video to stimulate learning.

This is a great visual aid for younger students and I think it would keep their attention along with learning and interactivity.

New Thing 3

MakeBeliefsComix

Encourage writing, reading , and storytelling. With this tool, students can create online comics.

This site allows people to make comic strips which I think could be a good learning tool for children and a fun activity as well.

Here is a step by step method on how to create a comic strip within makebeliefscomix.com

Step 1: Select how many panels you want to use in your comic

Step 2: Select the first panel along with the character and desired balloon for talk or thought.

Step 3: You can edit any object within the panel by scale, move, bring to front, flip and delete. Choose background colors if desired.

Step 4: Once a strip is completed it can be printed or emailed.

Here is my example

New Thing 2

artpad

Artpad is a tool that would be a great way to introduce children to painting and art. It can show students the use of colors, different brush sizes, and opacity.

How to use Artpad

Step 1: Select the color and size of the brush.

Step 2: Paint lines or a desired picture.

Step 3: Mix opacity and experiment with different hues over the canvas with the mouse.

Step 4: When the painting is completed the user has the option of selecting frames, hanging in a gallery, save and send, or viewing other paintings.

This seems like a fun program to get children interested in painting. Here is my masterpiece

New Thing 1

Ediscio is a collaborative flashcard tool. Allows both students and teachers to create flashcards with video, charts, and many other options. Allows for scheduling, shows statistics and even has a mobile application.

Here is a step by step on how to create a series of flashcards.

Step 1: Sign up and login to http://www.ediscio.com/

Step 2: Create Cardbox to create a new flashcard

Name, Topic, Description, Optional Information, and Settings



You now have created a cardbox for flash cards.

Step 3: Create personalized flashcards with video, audio, math formulas or just plain text. A full HTML editor is available inboth the Question and Answer boxes.

Step 4: Once your flashcards are complete you can preview your flashcards by the url given. Here is an example.

flashcard

Step 5: Click "LEARN" to start the flashcards

Cards may be personalized and edited to suit any subject matter and cards may be listed by school, class, or sent through a url link.

New Semester

Here's some more blogging

New semester is underway, and now for more posts.

Goodbye Granddaddy

In a bout with cancer that has lasted almost 2 years the disease final took him around 1:30 on Good Friday. I got to see him and I held his hand because I didn't really want to say goodbye. He had grown weaker and weaker over the past year but I am grateful to have known him my whole life and I am glad he does not have to suffer anymore. He couldn't speak, he was running a 103 degree fever and seemed to be struggling for breath while he slept. I left before he passed but mom called me an hour later to tell me that he had left us. It didn't really hit me until I called into work to see if I had to come in and the last thing my boss said is "I'm sorry for your loss." This struck me as weird because he is new and I haven't met him yet so how can he be sorry? He doesn't even know me yet. But then I realized I did lose something and at that point I realized that he wasn't coming back. Thats when I cried. He taught me how to smile, he made me laugh. I learned about the simple pleasures in life from him and part of him will always live as part of me. So I guess this is my way of saying goodbye. The funeral is tomorrow and I hate funerals. I hope my family can celebrate his life and cherish his 80+ years on this earth.