Reflections After Voicethread

The voicethread was an overall success. The younger learners loved working with technology. They loved the new idea of voicethreads. However, because of their age (four years) it was difficult to get each student to understand the process of how to post their voice. I had to sit by each child and walk them through the voicethread step by step.  Because I was able to sit down with each child it was completed, however, if I was not able to sit with them they would have not been able to go through the entire process by themselves. The information on the voicethread came easier to the students since I had already gone over the information of the life cycle of the turtle during my lesson plan. Once the group was done the students were ecstatic to hear their voices and see the final product. I would not recommend to do a voicethread with younger students unless someone is able to sit with the students and walk them through the steps, because I was able to the voicethread was a success for me.

My voice thread

 Here is my voice thread over tortugas with bilingual kindergartners who speak Spanish., including my technology lesson plan.

Voice Threads In the Classroom

Voice threading is one of the greatest tools a teacher can use to monitor, assess, and even guide students in instruction. Using voice threads in kindergarten is a great way to assess students without raising their affective filter. A great example on how to incorporate voice treads in the curriculum is Ms. Lee's family project which integrated the use of technology within the Social Studies curriculum. I loved that the students drew a picture of their families and then were able to voice what was going on in their picture. Then the teacher extended the lesson by having someone else like a parent or peer  respond to their voice thread. The teacher did a great job of incorporating HOTS from every level into this project.This is a great example for any grade level, but especially younger students who can't write yet, since they are able to verbally communicate to others what their picture represents.

Google Docs

Although I have never been exposed to Google Docs prior to this class, I think it is one of the greatest tools there is out there for schools, teachers, and students.The drawing tool is great to use for kindergartners. Most  students are not writing this age and since we are not supposed to force them to write it is a great tool to allow the students to create work on their level. I think it is also a great way to assess  what stage students are in the pre-writing stages. Google Docs helps incorporate the DiAl-e  Framework into the classroom, which helps teachers create activities to engage students in meaningful tasks.
                                              

HOTS Blogs For Teachers

Blogs are a fun and easy way to incorporate technology in the classroom. One blog that specifically deals with kindergartners is a great resource to help students compose their own work. This helps kindergartners build their fine motor skills. Another great  blog that has many resources for teacher's is one that helps students classify items by sorting. Classification is a HOTS that is important in any grade level. This blog specifically focuses on kindergarten activities that have to do with sorting. Click here, or on the image below for more information about hots, including teaching tools, blooms taxonomy list, and resources.

Pre Voicethread Plan

I plan to complete my voicethread with kindergartners over the life cycle of the turtle, in Spanish. I will have four slides, each asking one Higher Order Thinking Skills questions. The first slide will  introduce to the students what we will be discussing and instructions for the additional slides. The second slide  will have pictures of other animals that lay eggs, I will  ask the students "What are other animals that lay eggs?" The questions are typed on the slides as well as voiced. The third slide will have pictures of  other offspring that come out of eggs and asks the question, "What do you think happens when the offspring come out of their eggs?" The last slide has pictures of animals in their surroundings and the question " Where do the the animals live after they hatch?"

My Tie Plan

See my Tie Plan