TedEd video lesson for Toontastic

This was an assignment from one of my classes. Since I have wanted to do a video for awhile explaining how to use Toontastic I am so glad several people already had examples and I just chose one and added the details for the lesson.

Since I first bought this program it is now FREE since Google bought it. So sad I paid for it but oh well. They also have different versions for Toontastic Jr such as Pirates and I saw a Shrek one but not sure if that was promotional for the movie.

TedEd link


If you want to know more about Toontastic here is the Itunes link

Bioluminescence

Long word for 2nd grade but we were reading in a Time for Kids activity about Sea Stars, coral reefs, and there was a graphic on one with depth of ocean and what plants/animals could live there. Well I remembered an app I got last year for free that I showed my 3rd graders that I thought was soooo cool.

It is called Creatures of Light (I am not sure if still free).



Well the kids were fascinated by just the section on the ocean and the giant squid and a small little box talked about Edith Widder getting the first picture of the giant squid in 2009.



So after school today I did a search for bio-luminescence and came upon a site that mentioned that Edith Widder was the first to get it on video in 2012 and showed a link to a TED talk. I was on it like a flash and OMG!!!! It was sooooo cool to see this giant squid in action and they said it was the size of a 2 story building!!!!

Here are the links to the Smithsonian Ocean Portal and the Edith Widder TED talk.

Reading Apps

 Ok a friend of mine Melanie Allison-Dean asked me what are some good reading apps for the Ipad (or Iphone). She use to be my partner in my portable and she moved to Houston (I miss you!) Sooo I thought I had some on my Pinterest or website but not much. Right now these are for read to self or whole group lessons and will add actual skill apps later. So here is what I found:

 Graphic Novels

Comics 4 Kids
  This app gives you graphic novels and comics that you can get for free (YES FREE! and good ones too!) as well as ones for purchase. The choices are somewhat  limiting but I felt pretty good and the pricing I think was competitive compared to there book format or ebooks in general. I recognized most of the series. My one minor problem is that there are some upper grade selections but those were for purchase.
 Stars: *****  A must get for your classroom!

Books in a Library program to read from:

 

 

Storia from Scholastic Free/Purchase

When you first sign up you get 5 free ebooks. I haven't used this much yet but I recognized books.   There are things to purchase and not sure if you can use Scholastic points to buy books. I will   check on this since it would make even better!

 Stars: ***  Good but could be better (for right now)

Story Beans Free/Purchase

This is shown as 1 book but it is really a library that you can get more from. The first story Giant and Kids is free and the rest is for purchase most are $0.99. You buy them single out side the app I guess? This one took some time to figure out like how to go back to the menu of books (double tap at top left corner) and if you tap some things in picture they move. The reading is good and graphics are cute.
 
         Stars: ** for figuring out it out  and having no how to use info.

 

 Books to Read on their own 
 

 

 Toy Story    Free

Yep the movie. Good pictures and pretty easy to use. Like the highlighting of words being read.

 Stars: ***** A must get for your classroom!

Kids Discover Ancient Greece  

Kids Discover The Constitution
got for free from apps gone free currently still free!

WOW! These are so cool. What I liked best is the interactive features. In the Greece one you can do a 360 view of Parthenon and in Constitution the Supreme Court. You also have questions, videos,  activites (at end), zoom in pictures with captions and more! Some content is upper level.

       Stars: ***** A must get for your classroom!

  Meet Millie  Free

This is a series of books and this is the first one. The rest of the books are various prices up to $2.00. It was cute and used real pictures. Easy to use and lots of interactive stuff along with secret sticker on each page and pull tabs/pop ups.

Stars: ***** A must get for your classroom!

Rapunzel,
Hansel and Gretel,
Puss and Boots,
Sleeping Beauty 
Ok I got them for free from apps gone free but they are now $4.99!
Excellent graphics and reading. It does have interactive games but they are short and seem to be learning based more the most part. Even if you purchase them I think it would be worth it!
Stars: **** Even though a little high in price






Ok that's it for now! Let me know what you think!

First week of School

Well it was a very busy week. I had all of my students all week and had 100% attendance!!! I didn't get ot finish setting up my class even after staying most nights to 6pm. I have Parent Orientation on Tuesday night so I hope I can finish most things by then.

I found a new way of getting in touch with students called Remind 101 that I am going to try if it is ok with the admin at school. It will allow me to send text messages to parents without me seeing their phone number or their seeing mine so I can send from my cell phone! To cool since sometimes I do work at home or forget to call parents before leaving and this way I can send a quick message like I will call you tomorrow or remind them of things like Parent Orientation.