There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves

Magic? In a classroom?

You betcha!

Demonstrating a magic trick would be an excellent way to not only practice expository writing but also to improve oral/written vocabulary.

In order for the trick to be successful, it is important that the student conveys exactly what they want to happen in the order they want it to happen in.  If they don't, they immediately see the results of their omission(s).

Give it a shot!  Try a few magic tricks out to practice them.
 

Idea generated from ESL Library

Let's Chirp It Out!!

When working with young learners, one of my favorite apps to use when I want to share a picture or a website that gets it to them in a tap of a button, "Chirp" comes to my rescue. It is an iPhone app but available for the iPad and its FREE. Now this app would be ideal in a 1:1 mobile device setting, which I am fortunate enough to have, but even if you have  several devices, it would be an app worth checking out. Working smarter and not harder is something I strive for everyday in my classroom. We all know that when working with young learners and technology, can bring a little frustration as they try to type a website in a browser. So two years ago, I discovered "Chirp" and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. The app must be open along with all the the students app on their device in order for it to work. It sends a magical sound frequency to all the other devices as it "chirps' out the picture or link you are trying to send. It has saved me tons of time and many headaches and gets the information out to my students within seconds. It also keeps everything you send out as long as you don't delete the "chirp". I usually chirp out a picture in science or math and have the students describe it, write about it or use it in an annotation app like Skitch or Screen Chomp and label picture with content being learned.  For example in math we study 2D and 3D dimensional shapes. I have the students label the features of a specific shape after I have "chirped" it to them. Its my all time favorite app for time efficiency and I love the way it sounds when the "chirp" goes out. Check it out and I think you will fall in love with this app like I did! It's quite magical. 

4Pics1Word...Great Word Association App for ELL Learners

I continue my search for apps that will help my students become more familiar with the English language in a bilingual classroom. Last year, one of our tutoring teachers on my campus came across a great app that helps with word associations. I am always on the hunt for apps that will help build their English vocabulary and make it fun at the same time. This app, "4Pics1Word" is a hangman type game where students must find what all four pictures have in common. They are given a certain time to unscramble the letters to make a word. The student collects a certain amount of coins if they need to use them when they get in a bind. I love this app and I use it in my Daily 5 Rotations under Working With Words. I have the students write their "new words" in their writing journal that they have learned. This is a great way to build their bank of "new" words and use these words in their daily writing. 

Free Images for Educational Use

Pics4Learning has over 35,000 images that are free to use.  An image is a powerful teaching tool for any student, not just for those negotiating between languages.

The beauty of the site is that you don't have to worry about copyright.  What more could you ask for?

Some of the many categories include:
Animals
Food
Education
Space
Countries

Digital Story Telling App

Morgan mentioned a post on Digital Storytelling last week and I thought I would share a great app to get reluctant writers writing. One of my favorite apps to use in all subject areas is called "Write About This". There is a free and paid version of this app with limitations on using the free version.  This app allows for students to record their voice when writing stories and share them via email with the teacher. This app helps reluctant writers get started with writing stories. I absolutely love this app and use it in my Daily 5 Stations for Working on Writing. Here is a student sample of how it can be used in math.

DS - Where do I begin?

So I've read the amazing post on why Digital Storytelling is an asset to my classroom, but where do I begin?

New technology is often intimidating.  We always have the best of intentions to take time out of our chaotic days so that we may learn new technology but...

Reality takes over!

There is a vast internet FULL of resources for us to use in the classroom.  It just takes time to find them.

Here is a slideshare that may provide you with a jumping off point.

Digital Storytelling Across the Elementary Curriculum from jencynwms

What are some ideas that you have to help promote Digital Storytelling in your classroom with your ELLs?