I've used an ACTIVboard for the last 3 years and I just love working with it! My students get better at using it every year and we continue to incorporate it into every subject area. Last year, I was finally able to get the district to install ACTIVstudio onto all of our lab computers and it worked out great! My 3rd graders were able to use the program to create flipcharts to present the findings from their animal research projects. They really created some outstanding items. We held a Technology Showcase, invited others to attend, and many of them chose to show their ACTIVprojects (some chose their motion tech projects instead which were either an original motion narrative or a motion food chain) and I was so proud of them when I listened to them explain their projects to our guests. So, if you have ACTIVstudio on your campus and you haven't had it added to your computer lab and student classroom computers, I would highly recommend you do so. The kids were terrific at interacting with ACTIV lessons and at creating their own flipcharts.
Another way I am thinking of using mine this year is to take attendance in the morning. I want to put all of their pictures up on one side of the board under an "At Home" label and have them move it to the other side under an "At School" label; thereby saving us some valuable learning time that's not being wasted on taking attendance.
Do you have any suggestions for how to use ACTIVstudio or any other kind of interactive board to help students or teachers? Please share them. I can't wait to hear your ideas!!
That's right, tape + eww factor = motivation. Sounds weird, right? Well, one of the best motivational strategies in my arsenal has attained success with the majority of my students every year...letting them clean the floor. I know, I know...you're thinking, "Yeh, sure", but I'm telling you the truth. I know it's nearly impossible to get kids to clean up after themselves, let alone get them to clean the floor of all it's little bits of pencil shaving, tiny pieces of paper, etc. However, add a piece of masking tape into the equation and let the fun begin!
The first time I introduce this tape idea, I let the whole class participate so they all get a chance to try it out. I show them a long piece of masking tape. Then, I teach them how to wrap the tape backwards around their hand so that each pass is barely attaching to the edge of the previous one and the tape gets a wider surface with the sticky side out (this is often the most difficult part for the kids to understand and sometimes needs to be repeated a couple of times). After they have all received their strip of tape and we have it wrapped around our hands, they are ready to get started.
We establish safety and manner ground rules...you can't bother any other classes with your sound, don't interfere with anyone else's cleaning, and check for "trash" on all of the floor area (including under desks, tables, etc. I don't know what is so fascinating about getting under the desks, but they love it). Finally, they are all poised and I give a "Ready, Set, Tape!" send off. Away they go on their hands and knees scampering around the floor. It's not long before you see the smiles and hear the giggling. Then, they pause to look to see what their tape has collected and the "Eww Factor" kicks in. After a close examination of the "eww" on their tape, they happily return to cleaning the floor and often want another piece because their piece is full. The best, is when they stop to compare their "eww" (maybe I'll have them write a comparison paper on it this year?) because they want to get more than their classmate.
Now that they have all had a go at it, I've got them hooked! So, when Devontae decides he doesn't want to finish his Math paper I say, "That's too bad, because I was hoping you would tape the floor when you were finished. Oh well, I guess I'll have to find someone else to do it." Usually, he would say that I don't need to find someone else because he is almost finished and gets back to work. Of course, the work has to be neat and done to the best of his ability or I won't accept it and he'll have to redo it. This keeps him from rushing and putting down any old answer just to get finished. This also motivates the kids near Devontae because there might be a chance of more than one taper being picked.
I know, this idea smacks of manipulation, but if that is what it takes for Devontae, and all the others like him, to concentrate seriously on class work, then I'm ok with that. Of course, it doesn't hurt that "taping the floor" is fun to watch. I love to watch my kids smile. :^)
While waiting for my turn at the hairdresser last week, I came across a really interesting sounding web site, called Freecycle , in a magazine I was scanning. I quickly wrote down the web address on a scrap of paper I had because I knew I wouldn't remember it later when I wanted to do so (Not because I often have a mind like Swiss cheese, but because I like to practice speed writing on tiny bits of paper as often as possible in places where others are lathering, rinsing and repeating). :^)
When I went to the site, I thought, "Wow! What a great idea!". This site is dedicated to reusing all the good stuff we have that we just don't want or don't have room to store. People can list things they would like to get rid of or things that they would like to receive. This is not trashy stuff, people. This is great stuff that is still usable that this organization is trying to keep out of our overflowing landfills. There is no "buying" of items; these are purely "gifts" that we are giving and receiving from each other. You can narrow your looking area to your surrounding community by typing in a city and state.
Now, come on, admit it...you've got a lot of "stuff" that others could probably use. Don't trash it! If it's in good condition and usable, "gift it" to someone else. I think this site could become a teacher's best friend. :^)