Why I’m Happy To Be In Grade 4! Podcast

Grade 4 students have been working on the process of recording their first podcast the past couple weeks and we are finally done! Students were asked to think about why they were excited to be in grade 4. Their responses were creative and varied. Some thought about favourite subject areas, favourite school activities or what they were looking forward to throughout the year.

The recording application used for this podcast was Audacity. This 'easy-to-use' application is great for recording and editing audio files. Using a microphone and a laptop, small groups of students took turns recording their voice, listening to the quality of the recording and rerecording their audio file if necessary. After the recording process was completed, the audio file was uploaded into PodBeam. This free web tool converts the Audacity file into a podcast sharing format available for upload to the school blog.

Powered by Podbean.com

Introduction to Podcasting

If podcasting is a new technology term for you, I recommend watching Podcasting in Plain English created by Lee LeFever at Common Craft. This video gives a simple explanation of podcasting whether you want to create your first podcast or you simply want to listen to podcasts. LeFever lists three reasons in the rising popularity of podcasts:
• Podcasting is a digital medium accessible for all computer users
• Podcasts are available through subscriptions making following favourites an easy task
• Podcasts are just not limited to listening on computers, there are numerous mobile gadgets that serve as portable listening devices (ie. iPods)

What influence and implications do podcasts have on education for students…for teachers?
• An exciting Web 2.0 format for engaging learners
• Provide differentiated instruction by adapting content in response to student learning profiles
• Supports verbal-linguistic learners
• Allows students and teachers the ability to have access to professionals and educational experts worldwide
• Facilitates professional development and distance learning for educators
• Asynchronous learning that allows listeners to review, replay and revisit information

Ms. Tonhauser

Welcome Back!

It is the first day of school and we are excited to have the halls filled with enthusiastic students here for another year of outstanding learning!

On Tuesday, September 1st, Sturgeon School Division hosted Powered Up 2009 “21st Century Teaching for 21st Century Learners” professional development day at Guthrie School. All the teachers in the division came together for a day of learning, sharing, and collaborating through a wide variety of technology topics. Some of the sessions included technology infused instruction through:
• Web 2.0 Tools
• Digital Storytelling
• Promethean Boards
• Online Reference Centre
• Gaming

We are powered up and ready to move towards more digital learning!

Ms. Tonhauser

A Year In Review

The school year is quickly coming to an end. There has been a great deal of enthusiasm about technology-infused lessons and learning this year, and it is sure to continue in the fall. Before summer break begins, it is worth reflecting on just a few of our technology highlights from the 2008-2009 school year:
• New wireless mobile lab
• Introduction of document cameras and Promethean boards
• Videoconferencing projects throughout the year
• January 29th PD focused on technology in-servicing for all staff
• Creation of the Camilla School blog
• May 15th PD day included Promethean board demonstrations

Camilla’s technology learning for teachers and students is a work in progress. Teachers will continue to be dedicated to providing cutting-edge learning opportunities through current technologies and 21st century tools.

Have a wonderful summer vacation!

Ms. Tonhauser

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

(Image from http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html)

2009 marks the 40th anniversary of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Eric Carle is an acclaimed author and illustrator of over seventy innovatively designed children’s picture books. Grade two students at Camilla recently studied this beloved author’s works by reading a few of his books including:
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar
• A House for Hermit Crab
• I See A Song
• The Very Lonely Firefly

The main focus of the author study was The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Students followed the main character’s incredible life-changing journey through the book as well as studying Eric’s various illustrative techniques on each colourful page. Eric produces different textures on coloured tissue by using a variety of brush and fingerpainting techniques as students discovered by watching the author give demonstrations through an educational video. Students were now ready to digitally create their own version of the very hungry caterpillar character.

Using Microsoft Word, students were guided through the creative process by focusing on drawing skills such as:
• Inserting appropriate shapes
• Copying and pasting shapes
• Colouring and shading
• Adding detail to the character (feet, hair, facial features, anntena)

Ms. Tonhauser

Gr 2 Caterpillar 2009

Promethean Professional Development Day

Today is professional development day at Camilla. The School Instructional Leadership Team (SILT) organized the day to include morning sessions dedicated to learning about our new Promethean boards. All teachers gathered together for an introductory session led by Leanne McMillan from Central Office. Break out sessions followed, grouping divisional teachers together providing them with the opportunity to explore the instructional possibilities of the technology.

Promethean boards combine the power of the Internet, computer, projector and software all together into an engaging, interactive environment for teaching, learning and collaborating. The full colour boards bring e-learning to a whole new level. Promethean boards can assist instruction through:
-Demonstrations
-Brainstorming
-Interfacing with school software
-Navigating on the Internet
-Displaying teacher and student presentations
-Virtual field trips
-Allowing students to participate directly in lessons
-Accommodating various learning styles

We are looking forward to new and exciting teaching opportunities through the use of Promethean boards.

Camilla’s Mad Scientists Videoconference with Columbus, Ohio

On Wednesday, April 22nd the Junior High Mad Scientist option watched a live knee replacement surgery via videoconference. The surgery was performed at Mount Carmel Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Students prepared for this experience by performing a mock knee replacement surgery of their own online, as well practicing a variety of surgical procedures in the classroom. During the surgery, which was narrated in real time by a lead surgeon, students from across North America were able to ask the surgical team questions in the Operating Room. This shared learning experience was very rewarding for our students and we hope to be involved in more new and exciting videoconferences in the future!

Mr. Moore