This map was created using Kidspiration. It's a great way for kids in elementary school to learn how to use a computer to create a map. It's kid friendly and is very easy to use. It allows students to search for pictures and let's them choose their own type of layout. I would highly recommend this software for teachers to use in their classrooms, however you can't do a whole lot more other than adding tabs and pictures.
This map was created by using the software from X-Mind. I thought it was a great tool to use, once I understood how to organize everything. I think it's important to be able to play around with the program before doing the actual project. It was fun to be able to put links and pictures with it right there on the map. This software also has many different types of maps you can choose from, such as the one I have here or a fish-head type one. I would recommend this software for older students who can play around with it on their own. I don't necessarily think this would be a good program for younger students to use.
After searching for an educational podcast, I found a very cool website that posts an idiom each day. It's a great way for students to hear the idiom used in a sentence and provides an explanation of what the specific idiom means. It is an easy website to navigate and lets you go to past days to hear each idiom. It would be a fun and interactive site for students to visit during their language lesson. An assignment could even be given to have the students create their own idioms or use the ones provided in sentences of their own. The podcast is simple and short and the user's voice is friendly. The music that they use for the entrance and exit is appropriate as well. It's great to know of a site that posts useful things each day for student's to be involved in!
In elementary school, jump roping was always something I looked forward to doing at recess. The rhymes and fun memories with my friends still come to my mind when I think back to this time of my life. The educational article that I found talks about jump roping. I thought it was very cool that schools in California smashed Australia's Guiness World Record by jumping in unison for 10 minutes. As I read the article, I thought how great the experience was for the kids. The opportunity provided goal setting, encouragement, and taught the importance of health and exercise. Physical education is vital for our elementary kids. I think it makes a huge difference when we can teach them fun and interactive activities they can do on their own, like jump roping. To read the article in detail, click here.
Also, just for fun...my mom sent me this video back when I was doing my practicum for my P.E. class. It just so happened to be a jump rope dance from a basketball halftime game! It's amazing how talented these kids are! It's an 8 minute video, but very entertaining!
