Instead of YouTube...

We all know that I love YouTube. However, because it is not really filtered, I do not encourage my 3rd graders to use YouTube as a resource, without my supervision. Rather, I use it whole group, where I have control of what is being viewed.  Because of this, I am always on the look out for other resources containing kid-friendly educational videos that align with the curriculum.

Here are some of my findings:

Kideos is a database that is more appropriate for primary-aged students. Some videos are just for fun like this one, and others are educational like these. Another awesome database that contains resources is NeoK12. I have used this site many times in my class. Finally, here is a new site that I have been introduced to recently. It's called ZuiTube and it's basically a kids version of YouTube.

Happy watching!

Music Music Music!

I think I was made to be a teacher. I can't imagine any other job that would allow me to sing as much as I do as a teacher. And mind you, I am as close to tone deaf as you can get. It all started when I discovered YouTube-- a long, long time ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Ok, not that long ago, but it really feels like it! Songs and videos that align with almost all concepts I teach are located there! Bill Nye, Tom Leher, and the Electric Company are frequently found playing on my computer. Why? Well, it's simple. It makes learning fun. Who doesn't learn more when they are engaged? Or what about that song you can't stop singing? Music makes learning fun.

Case in point: The "LY" Song. You might catch me whistling this song around my house. My kids like it so much that when I say the word "eager," they break into song... eagerLY, eagerLY, eager...LY!!!  Listen to the song. You will be hooked. I'm not embarassed to admit that I like this stuff. I really do. And most importantly, my students know that "ly" is a suffix that changes an adjective (root/baseword) to an adverb and holds the meaning "being."
 
I love my job.

To be a teacher...

...you must lose your inhibitions. You are probably wondering what I mean. Well, last week at my school, we celebrated Character Day. Character Day honors literary characters from all different genres. Students and staff come to school dressed as, for example, Cinderella, Cam Jansen, and the Cat in the Hat. After much thought, I decided that I was going to dress as Geronimo Stilton, a savvy mouse. Geronimo is very popular with the 3rd graders so I thought it would be perfect. I came to school in a shirt and tie, mouse ears and a tail. Ok, no big deal, right? I felt pretty good. Well, little did I know that I was going to be interviewed by the communications "guru" to be put on WTV for ALL of the district and surrounding districts to view.

I love teaching because in no other profession would it be socially acceptable to be interviewed dressed as a mouse. But here I am, on the television completely decked out in "mouse gear." Another reason to add to my list of why I love being a teacher!

Anyway, here is my resource for the week! It's called Herd a Word. I always explore the online resources before showing them to my students, and this one sucked me in. I couldn't stop playing it. Visit the site...if you like Scrabble and Boggle, you will love this.

Happy almost spring!