Mr. Millward's Intermediate Class

Thanks to Ms. Beal in South Africa for suggesting this platform. I am exploring how my class can use it as we work though our Global Citizens Unit. Below I have attached a video outlining what  a voicethread is. Enjoy!

Where did the summer go? We are now back at school and the blogging will start in ernest again. I chose not to do anything but hang out with my family over our two month summer break. To my partners in South Africa and Argentina, I am so sorry for being so quiet. I am looking forward to another year of collaboration. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ms. Beal in South Africa for winning the technology competition. Enjoy your trip to Brazil.

Toondoo is pretty easy to use, and most importantly, it is fun. I just created a three panel cartoon of an interaction I had with a grade 8 student earlier today. Another student of mine created a book in toondoo in order to write his persuasive piece on what time school should start in the morning. What a great tool for those reluctant writers.

Our class tried using etherpad yesterday during our literacy period. I put students in groups of four and had them participate in an activity called circle writing. I provided each group with a choice of topics to choose from. It was an interesting experience to say the least. My level 3-4 students worked independently and really used the platform well. My level 1 students needed la lot of guidance and support, but got the hang of it after a while. One student had to work on a computer in an adjacent resource room, but this did not present any problems as she could keep in touch with her writing group via the chat option. We will continue this adventure tomorrow. Enjoy the video montage created in one true media.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We have spent the last few weeks exploring the blogosphere, and I see a need to improve some of our commenting skills. To this end, I have come across this comment challenge through edublogs and it may be accessed by clicking the link below. We will be working through each challenge as a class for the next 31 days.

http://commentchallenge.wikispaces.com/31+Day+Comment+Challenge+Activities

I would like to thank Ms. Ale in Argentina for this writing idea.

What type of person comes to your mind when you hear somebody talk about a “Real Hero”?

My hero is not known internationally and is not recognized internationally for all his efforts. He has quietly gone about helping those around him without asking for anything in return. He teaches his values and morals through his actions and always encourages one to live up to the highest moral standards. He is the one who has, and continues to teach me, the value of hard work. He is the one who has taught me the value of education.  He is the one, along with my mother, who has laid a solid spiritual foundation for my life.  He is my everyday hero who does what he does because it is what he was called to do and to be….my FATHER. 

I would like to thank Ms. Beal from Cape Town, South Africa for directing me to  this platform. Below is a link to the the etherpad webpage. You will find a video there that will explain the platform and how it can be used. I will definitely be using this platform for shared writing, guided reading etc. etc. WOW! Have I said that before. I am learning so much from other people it is amazing. I hope that I can give back to them in some way as well. I would not have learned what I am learning if I had not started blogging and making connections with people around the world. I am so excited about teaching and where we are going with all of this next year.

http://etherpad.com/

I have a dream that every student in my class will have a laptop on their desk someday. I could use a platform like synchroneyes to disseminate work and to monitor student work patterns as well. WOW! I have been saying this quite frequently this evening as I have come across so much. Once again, thanks to mrkp in Britain for directing me to this technology tool.

Thanks to Mr. KP in Britain I am now able to use this online learning wall myself. It allows everyone in the class to post any questions they may have about blogs. I can create a different wall for another topic – Simple Machines for example. I am wondering if this can also be used as a word wall? Why not! Neverthelesss, stay posted for a follow-up task to your questions my dear students.

I managed to upload the grade 8 claymation project to youtube. I did this in order to access the code so that I can embed the video in the blog. I am wondering if audio can be added to the movie, however? I have learned another wonderful skill, namely, how to upload a video to Youtube, and to retrieve the code to embed in my blog and wiki. I have learned so much since I have started blogging. In fact, I just completed a response to a teacher in Cape Town, South Africa, but when I tried to send it I discovered that I had lost everything that I had typed – boggles. What I am trying to say is that this medium has opened up a doorway that is allowing me to potentially collaborate with other teacher around the world. This can only enhance my teaching practice.