Pay it Forward

Thinking about ways to use blogging in the classroom and how it can be used for global connections, led me to think about a movie I saw called Pay It Forward. It was about a teacher who gave his class an assignment to be philanthropists. One of his students gets the idea of practicing random acts of kindness with the stipulation that if you receive an act of kindness, you must pass it on and perform an act of kindness. I was always intrigued by the idea of pay it forward and think it's a wonderful thing to do. I have been the recipient of someone paying for my coffee at Dunkin Donuts. It was in the drive thru and the person in front of me paid for my cup of coffee. It made me smile all day. Such a simple gesture with such lasting results.
 So I've been thinking of how technology could play a part since it is such an engaging tool for students. I found two websites that had some great ideas, not necessarily using technology but ideas for what can be done. In terms of technology, I thought blogging about practicing random acts of kindness might be something worth trying. Students could perform some simple act of kindness on a daily basis and describe what they had done in their blog. They could read each others' blogs and respond to their classmates. The blog could be opened up to the parents who could also respond and possibly start their own pay it forward activity. It would be great for the parents to see their child practicing this type of philanthropy and be able to respond and encourage their student, or the other students for that matter. The teacher may want to open the blog up to another classroom and have a joint effort. There are many possibilities.
In today's fast-paced world steeped in technology, I feel we must be especially careful not to lose the humanity that is so needed to keep us all grounded and responsible to each other. The world is a much smaller place now with easy access to global connections. It is more important than ever that we teach our children to be kind.  Visit these two websites. I really like the Random Acts of Kindness one best.  Go to the free resources page.
http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/
http://www.payitforwardfoundation.org/how-to-get-involved/

Here is one more website with some wonderful ideas:
http://inspiremykids.com/2012/ideas-for-using-inspiremykids-com-in-your-class/

Blogs, wikis, etc.

I really had no idea how valuable blogging could be for the classroom until I read Richardson's book, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Web Tools for Classrooms. Having not grown up with computer technology, it is a struggle on my part to learn the latest advancements that occur so rapidly. Yet my students have no problem figuring how to create a movie or design a cartoon, etc., with little or no instruction. The iPad has made it even easier for the youngest of children. My 2 year old nephew started to play with my iPad and was able to find and open an app and start to play. It was amazing. Having no trepidation to using these devices is so foreign to me. I am always unsure of what I'm doing or how to use a devise. My son has little patience with me when I enlist his help. He always says, "Mom, you need to figure this out for yourself." I suppose he is right but it seems his mind is already 'prewired', mine is not. I also realize that to figure it out for myself, which I am willing to do, takes time. And a lot of it. It is a constant struggle to try and keep up with my students. It is frustrating for them when I can't even help them with a computer issue. But I am learning and am thankful for the opportunity to do so. 

Back to blogging - what is mind-blowing to me is the potential for global connections that blogging can create. I never really thought about how far one's thoughts could go to reach someone on the other side of the globe. That connection is mighty powerful. I can see the advantages for a student in terms of writing, responding, and receiving responses. How incredible is that to get to read what a student in Ghana has posted to something you said. As a learning tool I think it is incredible and should be used as often as possible.

                                                                         
                                                                            

Benefits of Graphic Novels

   As an elementary school librarian, I am always trying to find the right book that will interest a student. I am a firm believer that children should read what they want. I like to know my students so that I may find the genre they especially like. In the past few years graphic novels have become extremely popular, yet I have had push back from a few parents and teachers as well. A couple of parents directed me not to allow their child to bring home a graphic novel, and a few teachers will not allow them in their classrooms. I believe some parents and teachers feel that 'graphic novel' is just a fancy term for comic books. Well, yes and no. They are so much more.
                                                              

Technology in the Library

As an elementary school librarian, I have the joy of reading to students aloud, from kindergarten to grade 5. There is nothing better than looking up at my audience and seeing their enraptured faces when I am reading a particularly exciting part of a story. It is even better when the bell rings, and all of my students yell, "Nooooo". That's the power of good literature. Children will hang on every word and want more. With the advent of the iPad, I was thinking of ways I might utilize technology in the library and more specifically, my read-alouds. It is not a time nor place where technology easily fits in, or should. But, I discovered book trailers! There are some wonderful, engaging book trailers available on Youtube for viewing. I now choose ones that I know my students will love and I play the trailer before I read the story. We discuss if the book lived up to our expectations we developed from viewing the trailer. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. But always, the children are invested in the story even more after watching the trailer. Mo Willems is one author that has very entertaining book trailers. He's a favorite!

Intro to Alan November

   Oh my goodness! So much I don't know about technology. I really feel ancient compared to everyone around me who is so much more knowledgeable about computers. Yet, reading the Preface and Introduction to Alan November's book, Empowering Students With Technology, I feel certain that it is a powerful, motivating, and essential tool for today's students.
  What I found fascinating was the General Motors tidbit (p.2) where GM spent more money than any other private business on technology, to find that the result was a lowering of the quality of cars. What does that say about technology? Or, what does that say about people? To me it says, faster is not always better. There is no denying the allure of technology for students and the motivation it seems to perpetuate. It is a good tool but it is just that, a tool.