Are You Looking for a Cool Way to Create a Word Web? Try Popplet!

One of the easiest instructional strategies for ELLs is to incorporate semantic maps.  This strategy has become rather common place so the Popplet app adds a refreshing novelty.  Popplet is usually a paid app on Apple devices but I have heard it is offered for free sometimes or you can access it on the website for free.  The free version is limited to 5 creations but you are able to share or export your popplets and save them as pdf or jpeg files.  The following video describes how to use the features of the app.  



I created a popplet on nonfiction text features to try it out.  Since the site would not let me embed the popplet I created, I decided to take a screen shot.  My awesome sister-n-law taught me how.  Thank you, Elena!!!!  

I exported the popplet as a pdf file but I don't know how to upload it in that format.  I was hoping to enlarge it so that it could be more easily seen but this seems to be the best I can do.  If anyone knows a better way, please feel free to share!

It is really easy so I plan to have my students create their own.  Some ideas for application are:

1. Building vocabulary
2. Synonyms
3. Story mapping
4. Main idea and supporting details

Can you think of anymore?

Digital Storytelling

I was so excited when I stumbled upon Larry Ferlazzo's blog because not only does he have great ideas for digital storytelling but he is an excellent resource for ideas for teaching my ELLs!!  I can't think of a better way to motivate them, to inspire creativity, to integrate technological tools, and to simply get them to write with a project based approach all while giving them an opportunity for self expression.  



Sadly, as I talked to my students, I discovered that most of them don't know their "stories."  They couldn't answer my questions about immigration or what their parent or grandparents lives were like in their native countries.  Some of them could describe some details of their native countries but not as much as I had hoped.  I will try to reach out to the families but that is difficult with the language barriers.  

Admittedly, I wanted to include many of the tools but I haven't explored enough to feel that I can choose my favorite at this point.  I promise I will update as soon as I figure out more....but I do know that it will be another way I can better integrate my iPads.  The iPads are so versatile that students can use them for photos, videos, and text.  They just need a teacher that can get herself savvy with all the tools. 
 

Flipboard

I have been struggling with ways to better integrate the iPads with instruction but it has been difficult for me to keep up with all the technological tools available as well as what is most appropriate for each grade.  The lower grades are a little easier for me because of my experience as a first grade teacher but the older grades are still challenging for me.  I loved the vimeo of first graders illustrating their visualizations of Eloise Green's poem.  I was curious what app they were using but haven't figured it out yet.  

                               

Flipboard is an app for iPads that takes RSS feeds and turns them into what is described as a magazine for kids to 'flip through'.  Thankfully, the latest Richardson chapter just taught me what RSS means, otherwise, I would not have had a clue what that even meant.  The website gives you a tour of the app to give you a better idea of what I mean.  It is available on iPads and  Android devices.




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On Judy's Integrating Technology and Literacy blog, I found a great blog on integrating iPads in the classroom for first through fifth graders.  The iPads at Burley blog gives an excellent, thorough explanation why using this app is effective.  The teacher is able to provide a wide variety of content materials based on student interests and the texts are at various reading levels both lending themselves to natural differentiation. Also, the RSS feeds are continuous making them constantly current.  All articles are authentic just as adults would read, giving students the real world application.  Thus, connecting to the first and second NETS standards provided by ISTE.  

There is a YouTube video on Flipboard that explains how to use it that focuses on social media platforms but I'm sure educational content could be substituted.  

Resources

Flipboard. (2012). Flipboard website. Retrieved from http://flipboard.com/

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms. (3rd ed.). Corwin Press.