My students used Animoto to create videos sharing their learning on a science topic of interest. They were graded based on their ability to research student created questions on a topic of their interest, organization of their notes, and citations of their references. While this was the first time using Animoto for all of my students, they were very excited to learn how it worked and have started to ask to create videos of their interests... just for fun!
I hope to be able to do this project again later in the year when their research skills are stronger to allow for more information to be included. Some of my students joined the class late and were not required to include as much information as others.
****WARNING**** the last video is about snakes...
Showing posts with label Animoto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Animoto. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Updates
Over the past couple of weeks, I've found myself sharing ideas that I have used or plan on trying out in my classroom. I want to update everyone on the progress of some of my class projects as well as further learning based on what I have previously shared.
The first good news coming out of my classroom is our brand new fish tank! Within a couple of school days, I had a letter in my mailbox with coupons from Petsmart for a 10 gallon fish tank, the essentials, and the fish. I am excited to bring it into school tomorrow for my students the help set up! We have been using this opportunity to use our free time during the day to research fish to possibly put in our tank.
We have also expanded our computer use for free time to include Wordle and Tagxedo. Both sites create word clouds that can be specific to students interests for personal use, or based on a specific content. I am still learning about Tagxedo, but information can be used from the internet to create word clouds on specific topics. Next week, my class will be creating a word cloud to be posted in the classroom based on their brainstorm of "what it means to be American" from last week.
My last good news to share is that I have given Animoto access to my students to create independent study science projects. Each student has their own science topic and is currently in the process of creating a video for their final project grade. So far, they are very engaged and motivated to complete their work. They will be finished up by the end of the week. I can't wait to share them!
The first good news coming out of my classroom is our brand new fish tank! Within a couple of school days, I had a letter in my mailbox with coupons from Petsmart for a 10 gallon fish tank, the essentials, and the fish. I am excited to bring it into school tomorrow for my students the help set up! We have been using this opportunity to use our free time during the day to research fish to possibly put in our tank.
We have also expanded our computer use for free time to include Wordle and Tagxedo. Both sites create word clouds that can be specific to students interests for personal use, or based on a specific content. I am still learning about Tagxedo, but information can be used from the internet to create word clouds on specific topics. Next week, my class will be creating a word cloud to be posted in the classroom based on their brainstorm of "what it means to be American" from last week.
My last good news to share is that I have given Animoto access to my students to create independent study science projects. Each student has their own science topic and is currently in the process of creating a video for their final project grade. So far, they are very engaged and motivated to complete their work. They will be finished up by the end of the week. I can't wait to share them!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Book groups
I finally created my first Animoto video! For my first attempt, I thought I'd create something simple that I can use multiple times throughout the year as well as from year to year.
I am going to be doing book groups this year rather than whole class novels. I'd like my students to be able to choose books that they are interested in to encourage more reading. I created a visual list of my bookshelf for my students to view in the beginning stages of choosing a book to read. I thought it was less overwhelming/more fun than walking up to the bookshelf!
I am going to be doing book groups this year rather than whole class novels. I'd like my students to be able to choose books that they are interested in to encourage more reading. I created a visual list of my bookshelf for my students to view in the beginning stages of choosing a book to read. I thought it was less overwhelming/more fun than walking up to the bookshelf!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Animoto
I've been exploring the use of Animoto videos for my class and am having a difficult time narrowing in my focus. I love the idea of using it to teach/reinforce vocabulary across content areas. I also like the idea of using Animoto to introduce new concepts to my class.
Some of the samples I have been looking at are student created to teach other students new learning. Since I teach all content area classes with a small group, I have switched my next social studies unit to researching (much earlier in the year than planned). I'd like my students to research parts of our country that are of interested to them and complete the research necessary to then create an Animoto to share with the class. My students struggle with sharing their new learning with the class in the form of presenting, but they also strongly dislike writing. For a content area class such as social studies, I find that this may be a way to allow the students in my group to learn information of higher interest to them as individuals, and then share with the class for whole group learning. I'm still in the planning stages, but am excited to get started!
Grade 4 student work samples have been posted in Rosina's blog. If her 4th graders can complete these so well based on a chosen endangered animal, my students will definitely be able to complete this for social studies!
How are you using Animoto in your classroom?
Some of the samples I have been looking at are student created to teach other students new learning. Since I teach all content area classes with a small group, I have switched my next social studies unit to researching (much earlier in the year than planned). I'd like my students to research parts of our country that are of interested to them and complete the research necessary to then create an Animoto to share with the class. My students struggle with sharing their new learning with the class in the form of presenting, but they also strongly dislike writing. For a content area class such as social studies, I find that this may be a way to allow the students in my group to learn information of higher interest to them as individuals, and then share with the class for whole group learning. I'm still in the planning stages, but am excited to get started!
Grade 4 student work samples have been posted in Rosina's blog. If her 4th graders can complete these so well based on a chosen endangered animal, my students will definitely be able to complete this for social studies!
How are you using Animoto in your classroom?
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