Finally we have put together NyGirl’s power point presentation into our VoiceThread account. 

I will add, she did this project completely on her own (after a few lessons from me on how to create the Power Point slides).  She also took off on the remaining voice narrations after showing her initially how to do the first one in Voice Thread.  It was a fun project, and I think we’ll be doing a good bit more of these kinds of online presentations for our upcoming lessons.

Take a look (and don’t forget to press the play button):

Enjoy!

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We are still studying the solar system, and NyGirl has been enjoying some fun computer projects to show what she’s been learning.

Here is an image she created using Tux Paint.

In case you haven’t checked out Tux Paint, you might want to consider downloading this free computer art tool for kids.

Here’s a small excerpt from their site about what their software does:

Tux Paint is a free, award-winning drawing program for children ages 3 to 12 (for example, preschool and K-6). It combines an easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and an encouraging cartoon mascot who guides children as they use the program.

I have had a blast using this with my daughter.  I may have to create a video  showing some of its features and how we’ve used it in our school.

This solar system project is really coming together with all of the online tools we are finding to help solidify her knowledge of each planet.  In my next post, I’ll attempt to show how we create a slideshow in VoiceThread using the Power Point we created on planets.

Until then…

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NyGirl has really been interested in planets lately. We have a full unit covering the solar system in her Houghton Mifflin science book…but it is very limited when it comes to techie ideas (though the book offers a supplemental website with additional quizzes and games that accompany the unit).

So I decided to create our own unit.  I thought about lapbooking and then scanning in the images to create a slideshow…until i found VoiceThread.  So instead, I ended up creating our own Solar System unit in which NyGirl will create a complete Power Point presentation to upload and narrate via VoiceThread.  In the process, she is getting some typing practice (we use Sense-Lang.org for typing lessons), and a general overview on how to use presentation software and become familiar with computer icons, commands, and tasks.
So far I have taught her how to select slide templates and styles, add slides, add transitions and effects, change fonts, and add clip art.  The easiest part was typing  the information in for the planet Mercury.

This is going to be a fun project, I can already tell.

The thing is, once younger students are introduced to the concepts of productivity and presentation software, they can run with it and leave us in the dust.  I think it’s hilarious when some educators scoff at the idea of showing children in the lower elementary years how to use these types of software.  It’s perfectly do-able and absolutely equips them with ways to express their ideas and thoughts, making school projects all the more fun for them.

Anyway…I’ll be posting more updates on this project and the completed project at my VoiceThread account once it is finalized.

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Wow…

Okay, July was lightyears away.

Here we are in November…two days away from Thanksgiving, to be exact, and I’m JUST NOW digging up these wonderful recordings that we did way back in the summer.

But no worries…no longer shall we wait to expose the fact that we began our year-round school in early July.
While we splashed in water fountains and beaches, we had school in between. Those summer days were AWESOME.

Below are TWO recordings we did for our podcast.

1. The first one is a Memorial Day recording we did.  Very quick and simple cast.
2. The second is a lengthier cast that showcases all that NyGirl had learned that day as a wrap-up for the entire week’s lessons.

For the second cast, she wanted to watch me piece all the bells and whistles together to form a podcast.

I showed her how I:

1. grab royalty free audio clips for sound effects and jingles
2. record each individual segment
3. piece the audio clips and segments together in sound recording software to form one seamless sound file

At which point she thought I was done…then the uploading part came.

I can already tell I am going to have so much fun teaching her how to create and upload her own audios at some point. 

Until then…enjoy these 2 audio clips!

 

 Memorial Day: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Weekly Cast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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I guess this would be considered science!

The girls are just looking out the window, observing nature around us, when suddenly we saw three small deer scurrying throughout backyard.

BabyZ is really enjoying this sight while NyGirl squeals with delight.

I couldn’t take a decent picture through the window, but I would have quickly snapped the shot if I could have.

It was just so cool to see those beautiful deer up close so near to our home.

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