Mouse Hunting....

Tonight I thought I'd share a quick, funny tale with you. I'm betting that since the subject line said "Mouse Hunting" and I am "The Original Gadget Girl" you probably assumed I'd be talking about the kind of mouse that attaches to your computer, right?

Well, this Gadget Girl learned about some new gadgets just the other night. Mouse traps! For those of you who know me, you know I've been a single mom for six years now. I have handled just about anything you can imagine! You might assume that during those six years I would have been bound to run into a little furry friend visiting my house....but I truly haven't....unless I don't know about them and that idea creeps me out....

So, the other night I hear a little rattle by a bag sitting by my computer (which I spend a bit of time by if you can't tell!) but I wrote it off to the crinkly bag readjusting itself....

Then the next night I hear a bit more, pick up the bag, and EWWWWWWW! There was that little critter staring back up at me. I stared at him, he stared and me....and I'm not a whimpy girl....but I do admit to a little screech...and stomping my feet for just a moment while saying "EWWWW".....and then I looked around, grabbed the beach towel on the dining room chair and captured him....or so I thought.....

Can you believe that sneaky critter got away while I was trying to figure out how to possibly get him out of the house?

Next stop....the hardware store for mouse traps.

(This is where the Gadget connection comes in to the story...)

Did you know there are now nifty traps that the mouse goes into, you can't see him, and it simply changes the color on the outside of the trap telling you that you've captured the invader? I didn't either! I picked up 6 or 8 of them, just in case this fella wasn't cruising my house alone....

I read the directions. I set the traps.

I waited.

And waited....

I've checked every morning (with a flashlight to see the red indicator) and every evening...

And nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch...Zero.

Do you believe that my friend asked me if I had "imagined" the critter? The gall....

So anyway, The Original Gadget Girl has learned to set the "girly" kind of trap.

Another gadget advancement!

Wait until I share about how the Gadget Girl takes on the voice activated system in my Ford
Fusion! I'll have to save that tale for another day for you....

Using Digital Cameras to Reinforce the Learning of Concepts Through Scavenger Hunts

Sending children out with digital cameras to find specific examples of a concept is an excellent way for the children to demonstrate understanding of a concept.

You might consider sending children out to photograph objects that are living and nonliving. Be sure to give the students a paper for keeping track of what they've photographed. When they are all finished, upload the photos to the computer. Either print the photos and let each pair of students write an explanation for each photo, or just show them on a large screen and let each child or pair of students explain to the class how their photo illustrates living or non living.

You might also specify geometry concepts you want your students to find. For younger students they may be looking for particular shapes such as circles, squares, rectangles and triangles. Older students will be looking for geometric concepts such as intersecting lines, parallel lines, specific types of triangles, tessellations, congruent and similar shapes, etc. All of these items can be found around the school and schoolyard. Once the photos are taken, you may want the children to create a mini book with a photo and explanation of each geometric concept. Or maybe you'd like to create a class collage and so you would put the titles of the types of geometric concepts on a bulletin board and children sort and hang their photograph in the proper location.

Another scavenger hunt idea is to have each child choose a letter from the alphabet (or a number) and then search around school or home for an object that begins with that letter or illustrates that number. Take a picture of the object(s). As an addition, or a getting to know you idea, include the child in the photo so when it is labeled the child's name is included! Compile into a class book that can take turns going home with the students.

The same type of scavenger hunt can be done for colors and shapes and compiled into a collage of your choice (whether electronic or paper.)

Try a digital scavenger hunt for rhyming words. Put the two objects together and take one photograph, or take a photograph of each object and put the photos side by side. Be sure to add the words!

If you need more cameras for your class to use, try asking parents to donate their old cameras. People are updating and getting new cameras much more often these days. Just be sure to ask for them to donate the cord along with the camera!

All of these activities are ways to engage children in their learning by using technology in a way that gets their attention and creates learners that are eager to start each school day.

Would you like some free sample activities for using cameras in the classroom? Visit http://teachingwithcameras.com and download your free sampler.

Digital Camera Lessons: Using Cameras to Teach the Alphabet in Early Childhood

Teaching and learning the alphabet is a huge part of early childhood. Only after beginning to make sense of the letters and their sounds can a child begin to understand the world of print.

Cameras can help cement the understanding of the letters in many ways. In addition, children become enthusiastic about learning when they get to hold and use the cameras.

The most common way to teach the alphabet with cameras is to find objects that begin with each letter and compile either a class book, individual book, or bulletin board. We would see a photo of an apple, an acorn, and Ashley for the letter A. Some letters will be tricky unless you have an x-ray or xylophone hanging around! One method would be to make a page for each letter of the alphabet and then give each child a page to work on at home. Or, go on a scavenger hunt as a class and take turns taking pictures of the objects you find along the way. (Note: it is best to have the entire alphabet written down on a piece of paper, and then write down which object is for each letter. That will also help you keep track of what letters you still need to find objects to represent.)

Another more abstract way to illustrate the alphabet is to look for the shape of the letters. For instance, the wheel or steering wheel would be the letter O. An edge of a cement block or a hockey stick could make the letter L. The criss cross of a wicker chair back would show the letter x. Two fence slats with the parallel support bar in the middle could be the letter H.

The Living Alphabet is a way to involve everyone in the class. Break the class into groups of 4 or 5 children. Assign a letter to each group. Have the children lay down on the floor to make the capital letter. Take a photo. Have that group also write a tongue twister for the letter (for the more advanced.) It is best to keep a list of the complete alphabet and check off each letter as you photograph it so you know which letters are left to assign to the groups as they finish. Create an alphabet book with your printed out photographs!

When moving into ending sounds, you could photograph objects that end in each letter. Again, there are a couple letters that could prove challenging.

Taking pictures is an exciting activity for children. You may want to require that the neck or wrist strap is always worn in order to keep the camera safer. You will see children engaged in learning when you introduce these types of learning activities.

Visit http://teachingwithcameras.com to download a free sampler of Digital Cameras in the Classroom activities that are ready for you to use in your classroom tomorrow.

Body For Life Champion!!!!

Today I am writing with just a bit of personal news that I wanted to share with you.

I am so excited to announce that I have been selected as a "Body for Life" Champion by Bill Phillips!!!

Bill spoke at a conference I attended last February, MegaBooks. He offered the challenge to the audience. Do the 12-week physical challenge and write a book (not an essay) about the transformations. This includes before and after photos (which is the scariest part, I think!)

I did this. I submitted my book. I was selected as one of the winners!
Now Bill Phillips will publish my book.

The bigger prize is my overall improved health, fitness, and body shape!

Back to School Ideas for Using Your Digital Camera

School’s back in session. In most elementary classrooms around the country you find teachers taking digital photos of their students on the first day.

What can you do with those pictures? Do you need some new, fresh ideas?

Here are some ideas:

*Create a bulletin board with the individual photos and then continue to build a collage of the learning that happens inside your classroom. This could be a yearlong project!

*Take a photo on the first day of every month of each child to show how he changes throughout the year.

*Put the photos together into a slideshow to be used during Open House/Curriculum Night.

*Have each child fold a piece of construction paper in half like a greeting card and put their photo on the back. Describe themselves inside, and decorate the cover. If you keep them secret while working on them, the teacher could pull one out, share with the class, and have the class guess which classmate it is about. A great way for getting to know each other!

*Make trading cards with the photo and key information on the front, and interests on the back.

*Make a “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Who do you See?” book with the classmates. “Sarah, Sarah, Who do you See?” Students take turns taking the book home so families become familiar with their child’s class.

*Create picture schedules for the class to follow. Photograph locations in the building and classroom.

*Have students bring in photos from around home and memorable times with family and friends to keep in the writing folder to eliminate the “I don’t know what to write about” complaint.

*When discussing class rules, take pictures of what correct behavior looks like in order to reinforce the rule. This could also be a school-wide display of proper etiquette in the lunchroom, playground, library, hallway, etc.

*Do your students work in teams or table groups? Instead of just hanging up a group name, have the group pose in interesting manners and use that as the group label.

*Put a different child’s picture in the newsletter each week and write an article about him.

These are just a few ways to start the school year with your digital camera. The camera can play such an instrumental role in your classroom.

How Fast Are You?

How fast can you type?

In this digital world it certainly has become very important.
Can't keep up with your friends on instant messenger?

I just came across this excellent typing practice game....
http://play.typeracer.com/

I thought I was a fast typer....but not so much after I competed in a few of these races! The top typing scores are double my words per minute score!

Anyway, try it out.
http://play.typeracer.com/

If you have students....I bet this would be a fun way to practice typing.

Need New Technology?

Many of you may have the same issue I do around school.....the computers and technology are old. And I mean REALLY old, not just a little old.

Tonight I was reminded of a way to bring some new technology into your classrooms and schools. Grant writing isn't always easy, but the Best Buy Te@ch awards aren't too bad to write. I've been awarded one in the past.

Here's the catch though: the project you want to support with technology must already be in place and running for at least one year. (Also, it is only open to schools in the US and Puerto Rico)

More details can be found at:
http://www.bestbuyinc.com/community_relations/teach_awards.htm

You may already have a great project started. I know this because by asking for digital camera ideas I'm now prepared to award 8 books as prizes for excellent submitted ideas! Any or all of these could be projects for the Best Buy Te@ch awards.

Look into this opportunity! The little bit of time it takes to write the application could pay off in thousands of dollars!

Photo Contest for K-12 Students

I was reminded today of a photo contest for K-12 students and thought you'd want to know about it.

In fact, I looked into the details and I'll post them below. Then, I decided that the best way to share this contest with my students would be to make a handout. See, if a child from my school wins, our school could win some cameras too! That is my incentive for encouraging my students to enter (besides growing enthusiasm in kids for photography.)

And then, since I made myself the handout, I figured maybe you'd like it too. Save you some time while encouraging kids to take pictures.

You can download the handout at: http://teachingwithcameras.com
(Yes, this is a new webpage...I haven't been keeping it a secret from you, but I had to make a new page to find a place to put these handouts but I figured I'll need the webpage later anyway when I finish the Cameras in the Classroom book.)

By the way, after asking for your favorite digital camera ideas, I now have five people who will be receiving the new book as a prize for submitting good ideas! If you didn't get a chance to send me your idea, I am still writing....send it in!

OK...power up those cameras!
You can download the handout at: http://teachingwithcameras.com
Kathy Cothran
"The Original Gadget Girl"

First Steps to Learning to Podcast With Your Students: Teaching With Technology

You've heard your students talk about the various podcasts they are downloading to their ipods, but you are wondering what it is and how it can apply to your classroom.

A podcast is a digital media file that is distributed over the internet. The word podcast comes from the two words "iPod" and "broadcast." A podcast is different from other digital media formats by its ability to be syndicated, subscribed to, and downloaded automatically when new content is added. The easiest way to understand a podcast is to think of a radio show that you like to listen to often. Instead of having to tune in at a specific time you are able to download it to your iPod and listen at your convenience. By subscribing to the show you don't have to remember to go and look for the newest shows, your computer will automatically bring all of the new shows to your computer and then to your iPod.

Podcasts began as just audio files. Now you can find podcasts that are just audio or audio, video, and combinations of media.

The easiest way to begin podcasting is to choose one topic and ask each child in the class to respond to the topic and record their voice. A simple way to do this is to use an iPod and a voice recorder. A voice recorder plugs in to the iPod at the bottom where the dock cord connects. By using this setup the child can take the iPod to a quiet location. After each child records his contribution, bring each comment into an application such as Garage Band or Audacity. The pauses and repeated words can be edited out to save time and to make the listening more enjoyable.

The first podcast I ever made with a class was to ask kindergarteners to share everything the preschoolers would need to know for their upcoming move to kindergarten. One bit of advice is to build suspense with the children and encourage them to keep their ideas to themselves and to try to be different from what they think everyone else with say.

Before making your first podcast, take some time to search online and through iTunes to listen to various examples of what children around the world have shared. When you find something that matches what you teach in your classroom, try that idea with your students! Keep trying what others have successfully done to grow your repertoire of ideas and experience.

Some ideas to begin podcasting:

*Reading and recording writing pieces

*Give advice on various topics

*Ways children avoid doing homework

*Techniques for avoiding eating food you dislike

*Responses to a piece of literature

*Places in the world/country/state/city each child would like to visit and why

Once you've made a few podcasts you might want to consider some of these ideas

*Class newsletters given in an audio format with different groups responsible for different aspects of the class news

*Reporting of learned concepts about any subject of study

*Weird fact of the week

*Word of the week

*Internet safety tips

*An interesting aspect of the city or state that you live in

*Public service announcements

*Interviewing historical figures

*Literature responses

*Podcast school concerts

*Complete and Explain what clichés mean (such as "People in glass houses shouldn't.....or A stitch in time saves nine.")

Besides being great fun and an excellent way to show understanding of a concept, podcasting with your students will encourage them to read fluently when they know that their voice will be heard by the world.

Look at some podcasts made by elementary students at http://ipodsinschool.com/

The Best Night's Sleep Ever - No Pills Required

If you're like most people with sleep problems, your
mind is simply overloaded with tension and strain by
the time your head hits the pillow.

You lie there trying to relax, yet you play the day's
events over and over in your mind. You dwell on money
problems. Kid problems. Marriage and relationship
problems. You can't shut off your brain and get to
sleep, no matter how hard you try ... and the frustration
mounts up.

But imagine if you could release the weight of the
world at bedtime. Automatically, too, so you don't even
give it a thought. And without taking a single pill,
either.

Well, that day is finally here...

And I don't want you to miss out.

Today, my friend Mike Brescia of Think Right Now
International has gathered together over 100 leading
authors and experts to show you breathtaking new ways
to ease your stress, calm your mind, enjoy greater
success - including the one, best way to get the
blissful night's sleep you deserve, night after night.

Go here now to find out what's going on:
- http://www.thinkrightnow.com/cmt.asp?s=804299

Mike and the research team at Think Right Now have
just released a remarkable new program called "Tranquil
Sleep Now." But this isn't just another self-help book
or tape. It's so important - life-changing, really --
that over 100 other health and self-improvement experts
are helping them spread the word.

You see, "Tranquil Sleep Now" does what no other sleep
aid in the world can do: It corrects the root causes of
your sleeplessness, instead of just knocking you out
with brain-altering substances like drugs and herbal
supplements do.

This program has only been out a few weeks, yet Mike
has already received testimonials from dozens of people
whose sleep problems disappeared the very first night.

That's right; lifetime insomnia gone -- just like that.

It's THAT powerful.

Go here to learn what the fuss is about -- and get
access to over 100 free bonus gifts:
- http://www.thinkrightnow.com/cmt.asp?s=804299

By the way, "Tranquil Sleep Now" is NOT hypnosis or
one of those "sounds of nature" tapes. Instead, it
combines two proven mental conditioning techniques in a
unique audio format that has a remarkable track record
for success.

It breaks the chains of troubled sleep naturally by
targeting and transforming the self-defeating thoughts,
feelings, and beliefs that loom in your mind when you
go to bed.

So if you're sick and tired of waking up feeling like
you've been through an ultimate fighting match,
"Tranquil Sleep Now" guarantees a full night's sleep
every night.

No drugs. No herbs. No time investment. No ongoing costs.

You'll love it.

This program is like an audio knockout pill that trains
your mind to shut down on command so that you can fall
asleep anytime you want anywhere you want without any
strain or effort.

Please take advantage of this now before this special
is over. Check it out here - and claim your 100 free
bonus gifts, too.

- http://www.thinkrightnow.com/cmt.asp?s=804299

To the best night's sleep of your life every night,

Kathy Cothran

Teaching Children How to Search the Internet

Have you ever looked over a child's shoulder while they search the internet? There is so much indiscriminate clicking going on! Whatever comes up first must be what they are looking to find. Add to that interesting graphics and advertisements it isn't long before where they've ended up isn't in any way related to what they were looking for to begin with!

When using the internet with younger children, particularly third grade and lower, it is in your best interest to have a predefined set of websites selected for the students to utilize. This will focus the work time and help the students become more productive since the issue of website credibility and random searching will be eliminated. Even with older students I often tell them that they must first use the online encyclopedia before venturing into the search engines.

When learning to gather key points of information from a website I often choose a topic being studied by that class, provide a website of high content that I have located, and then ask the students to find five key points of interest and jot them down on paper. The idea of "points of interest" is always worth exploring with a class as often children choose isolated facts that are not important in the big picture of learning or even remotely interesting. This teaches the skill of scanning a web page. Often students will begin to read every word of a web page and then give up after the first or second paragraph. Learning to scan a page is a skill worth teaching and practicing.

When citing sources, a common misunderstanding for students is that Google or any other search engine is the source. They cite that they found the information on Google. Helping students understand that Google is a method for finding information and not a source requires repetition. I find that students need to hear this over and over to fully understand the difference between a search engine and an actual web page source.

Trying to teach children to determine the credibility of a website is very difficult. I begin by explaining to students that anyone in the world can make a web page on any topic. I could make a website showing that the best tropical vacation would be to visit the North Pole in December. I could show tropical photos tied to a map of the North Pole. I could mix up photos from around the world and relate them all to a visit to the North Pole. There is an excellent website to show this point about taking a whale watching expedition in Lake Michigan. An excellent lesson is to send students to this website to gather key pieces of information. See how long it takes before one of your students questions the legitimacy of this site!

Teaching students to find information on the Internet is an important skill. The earlier we teach students how to find information by scanning pages will enhance the learning for all the research projects and activities throughout the school year.

Warning: Time is Running Out!

Seems that the end of summer vacation is drawing near, much to my dismay.

Yet, that probably means that many of you are falling asleep and then waking up in the middle of the night wondering, "What am I going to do with my students to catch their attention this year?"

Will you need to create some new materials to reinforce standardized testing standards?

Do you need to create a theme for decorating your classroom?

Must you invent some new materials for "literacy work stations" or whatever your district calls the center activities you're students will rotate through?

I have an answer to some of these worries!
Why reinvent the wheel?
Why start from scratch?

You can easily harness the enthusiasm kids have for their toys and turn them into learning tools, with minimal work and planning on your part!

Yes, you read that right....minimal planning and work on your part! Caroline and I have done the work for you. We've created reproducible sheets that you can use without creating your own.

How about creating a "Webkinz Learning Log" in a duo-tang folder for each child? Then you can add the sheets that apply to your curriculum.

How many of your students would jump for joy seeing "One Webkinz pet" on their recommended supply list?

We've created enough activities to keep your students happily learning for weeks or months!

Check out the title of contents for the two books, "Using Webkinz in the Classroom" and "Hands-On Learning with Webkinz" at http://turningtoysintotools.com

These books can make your return to school so much easier.....so, if you want the paperback books before school starts, order now!! Time is running out before school starts! Order from Amazon by clicking http://turningtoysintotools.com

Developmentally Appropriate Practices: Teaching With Technology in Early Childhood

When children come to school in kindergarten you will find they have a large range of computer skills. Some will have trouble just finding an available computer to work at, some will never have used a computer and some will be able to launch the internet and look for their favorite "dot com" web site!

Kindergarten is the perfect age for teaching children how to manipulate a mouse and enhance eye/hand coordination through drawing skills. In many instances students benefit from hearing a story and then extending the story by a response on the computer through drawing and typing a few words.

Beginning typing skills at this age simply include finding the letters, learning how to capitalize, and adding ending punctuation.

When thinking about having young children draw with the computer it is vitally important to keep developmentally appropriate practices in mind. For instance, if you want a child to draw a "hand turkey" on the screen then be sure that he has made one before by tracing around his hand and coloring it in. Gage their experiences with initial discussion. If there are children who appear to not have experienced this, then back up and make the concrete model. When asking a child to do this electronically, I find that the best way is to have him hold his non-dominant hand on the computer screen while using his other for drawing with the mouse.

Another developmentally appropriate practice includes practice. During the first interaction, give support and help the child and then when she returns for the next computer class or independent work time, then she can create the project without assistance. An example of this is in trying to draw overlapping circles to form a snowman. Show them how, hold their hands on the mouse while they try, and then let them try alone. By scaffolding the computer instruction in this manner children will find success. I often find that when giving free choice time when they've competed an assignment, the children will choose to retry a project we've done previously.

Some of my favorite projects with kindergarten include drawing characters from literature, their families, snowmen, penguins, and constellations. I often print the projects in color and staple to construction paper to make every piece seem special.

Visit http://kindergartentechnologyideas.com for specific technology ideas and samples of student work.

Webkinz Olympics

With the Olympics starting really soon, my girls and I took the opportunity today to play Webkinz Olympics. These Olympic games are taken from the newest books, "Hands-On Learning with Webkinz" and "Volume 2 of My Webkinz Companion Guide."

We had a great time in the backyard today!

In order for you to share in some of our fun, we made a short video so you can easily imagine how much fun you could also have!

You should be able to see the movie below.

You can also view our movie a few different places and link to the books from there....
First, on my webpages:
http://teachingwithwebkinz.com
http://turningtoysintotools.com
http://playingwithwebkinz.com

And also on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA8sAushM_k

Questions?

As I shared earlier about the launches of my new "Hands-On Learning with Webkinz" and Volume 2 of "My Webkinz Companion Guide" I have been writing and publishing articles on this topic. You can view these on my blog: http://originalgadgetgirl.blogspot.com/

At this point, I'd love to know if you have any particular technology or writing/publishing questions that I can address for you? Often I just write on whatever topic comes to mind, but I'd also like to answer any and all questions you might have on your mind (within reason of course!)

For instance, some of you have written and asked me about the logistics of selling ebooks online.
Others of you have wanted to know the online publishing process to get to paperback format on Amazon.
Many of you have sent me questions about particular technologies (some of which stump me!)
Yet others have questions about how to integrate the technology into lessons.
Some of you want to know what to do if all the computers at school are really old and worthless.
Others want to know how to teach students how to make decent presentations.
And still others want to know what we should be teaching students about presentations. What types of requirements.

So, what do you want to know?
I've been answering these questions on an individual basis but I realize that if someone is asking a question, then probably others have the same questions.

I will do my best to answer all questions and post answers on my blog for reference.

Let me know what is on your mind so I can help you along this journey....for which I am learning about every single day!

Kathy Cothran

Webkinz in the Classroom

Are your students more interested in their toys and their life outside of school than they are with what you are teaching them?

Watch the faces of your students light up when they see that they can play with their favorite Webkinz pets and learn at the same time.

Your students will be eagerly awaiting the start of every school day when you harness the enthusiasm they have for their toys and turn those toys into learning tools.

This video was made by Kate, a 10 year old, to highlight the uses of Webkinz in school.

The ideas are taken from the book: "Using Webkinz in the Classroom" which is available at http://teachingwithwebkinz.com and http://turningtoysintotools.com

Volume 2 "My Webkinz Companion Guide"

Today marks the launch of Volume 2 of "My Webkinz Companion Guide" on Amazon. This book has sold tons of copies as Volume 1 and Volume 2 is filled with twice as many activities! Over 85 pages of fun for kids to have by themselves, with their siblings, at a birthday party, sleepover, or just a fun gathering of neighborhood kids.

Order your book from Amazon today:
My Webkinz Companion Guide: Volume 2

There are even Webkinz Bingo cards to tear out of the back of the book!
There are more games that you can put together to play outside (even Webkinz Olympics--perfect for this month!) and some for playing online and recording your scores. If you know a kid that likes to mix things up in the
kitchen, there are even cooking activities to do online. Will you make something yummy or will it be Gak?

With Volume 1 there was a contest to submit an idea for me to use in Volume 2.
If I used it then you would win a copy of Volume 2! There are two winners: Maddie and Devon. We used their ideas and there are pages in Volume 2 thanks to them! If you submit more ideas, you could win a copy of Volume 3. We are constantly staying up to date with all of the new aspects of Webkinz to include in our next books.

Order your book from Amazon today:
My Webkinz Companion Guide: Volume 2

This book is an excellent birthday gift idea for any child who owns a Webkinz pet (and I find it very hard to located any children these days that don't have at least one pet....most have twenty or more!)

I co-authored this book along with the newest teacher book "Hands-On Learning with Webkinz" with Caroline Laurin-Young. Caroline had purchased my first book, "Using Webkinz in the Classroom" and then planned on using it for the basis of her summer-school program. She needed to add some activities to what I had written, and many of those are what you'll find in this newest book.

I am sure you'll be pleased with these newest books in my "Turning Toys into Tools" collection.

Finally, I've been writing and publishing some articles lately about how to use the Webkinz pets for learning. You can read these on my blog: http://originalgadgetgirl.blogspot.com/

There's also a sampler of webkinz activities available for no charge at: http://turningtoysintotools.com

Enjoy the day! The girls and I are heading out for a bike ride and picnic at the park!
Kathy
"The Original Gadget Girl"
http://theoriginalgadgetgirl.com
Visit my blog at:
http://originalgadgetgirl.blogspot.com/

My other sites:
http://howtopublishonline.com
http://turningtoysintotools.com
http://teachingwithwebkinz.com
http://playingwithwebkinz.com
http://technologylessonsforteachers.com

Learning about Animals using Webkinz Pets

The study of animals takes place throughout the elementary years. Imagine the enthusiasm in children if learning about animals included using their favorite toys?

Within the world of Webkinz, there are animals of all sorts; dogs, cats, farm animals, wild animals, reptiles, birds, etc.

Thinking about the types of content expectations that range through the grade levels there are easy applications for hands-on and multidisciplinary learning with the Webkinz pets. Whether you are studying habitats, predators, types of animal coverings, or food chains I can show you how to harness the enthusiasm kids have for the Webkinz pets to increase the learning in your classroom.

Let’s start by thinking of simple sorting exercises. There are an endless number of ways to categorize the Webkinz pets. This may depend upon which animals the children bring with them to share in this activity! But, since most children I talk to have more than twenty pets, I bet you could gather an extensive set of animals to work with in your classroom without investing in them yourself. Note: Before having children bring their pets to school, be sure that each pet is labeled with the owner’s initials and all secret code documents removed.

Use hula hoops on the floor to compare the animals. The hula hoops simulate the circles of the Venn Diagram. You might use two hoops or three depending upon what characteristics you are comparing. For comparing more than three characteristics you might use meter sticks to make columns for animals instead. Some suggested classifications for sorting include: omnivore, herbivore, carnivore; color; jungle, forest, farm, or house; mammal, reptile, bird, amphibian; feathers, scales, skin, or hair; legs or wings; how many legs; pet or not pet; long hair, short hair, no hair.

During or after classifying the animals on the floor students can transfer the information onto charts or venn diagrams.

How about building a food chain or food web by laying the animals out on the floor. After creating the web it can be transferred to paper or computer (especially with a mapping software such as Inspiration or Kidspiration).

Other animal study ideas include choosing a Webkinz pet and making a brochure that is about that real animal. A tri-fold brochure could include five sections about the animal in real life. Then one segment could be about the child’s Webkinz pet. This could include a digital photo.

A writing activity could include the topic, “Make Me Love Your Pet” and the child uses descriptive writing to captivate an audience with the antics of his or her pet. Or, with a photo of the pet on top, children could write Missing Pet advertisements, acrostic poems, or animal adventure tales.

These are just a couple of activities that can make learning exciting within your classroom by using the enthusiasm kids have for their toys and turning toys into learning tools.

Newest Book Available on Amazon!

What is really exciting for today is that the newest book for learning with webkinz is now available on Amazon as paperback! It is called "Hands-on Learning with Webkinz" and is over 85 pages of activities ready for you to use with students, enrichment groups, scout groups, or any assortment of neighborhood kids! The activities within this book range in level from K-6 (although many could be adapted to any level!)

Access the book directly:
Hands-On Learning with Webkinz: Turning Toys Into Tools: Teaching with Technology

Or visit: http://turningtoysintotools.com and click on the Amazon link for the book.

Later this week you'll hear from me again when I announce the release of Volume 2 of "My Webkinz Companion Guide" which is the edition for children to write in. This is due to arrive on Amazon any moment now!

Enjoy the day and hurry out to Amazon to pick up a paperback copy of the newest learning with Webkinz book!
http://turningtoysintotools.com

And, if you happen to be on Facebook, look me up and let's become friends on Facebook! I've been hearing from some of you out there!

Enrichment Classes based on a Webkinz Theme

Are you looking for a way to add excitement to after-school enrichment classes that are offered at the elementary level?

Why not use toys that kids are excited about? How about having a Webkinz themed class?

This Webkinz class could be one session or it could be a weekly session for 10 or 20 weeks! That's how educational the land of Webkinz can be for children.

There are books available that allow you to reproduce the pages to use as handouts for the children with activity tips and suggestions for the leaders.

Within the world of Webkinz some games are really just arcade games. Others actually facilitate learning. If you have a computer lab available there are many specific activities that students could do. For instance, children can spend some time in the kitchen creating recipes and testing them. Will they create something delicious or will it turn out yucky like Gak?

Making two-minute skits/movies highlighting the pets could easily consume a two-hour enrichment session. Students could make commercials or music videos based on a given theme. Planning, practicing, and then performing for the rest of the group would be fun for all.

Another enrichment day could focus on measurement. Measure all the dimensions of the various pets. Which pet is the widest? Tallest? Longest?

The focus of another enrichment session could be based on animals. Comparing and contrasting the various types of animals. Are there carnivores? Herbivores? Omnivores? Do we own more house-type pets or wild animals? What are these animals like in real life? Would they make a good pet?

Webkinz craft ideas could include a gem hunt, making charms, creating trading cards, iron-on shirt decals, and a multitude of other animal crafts.

Trivia games could be played (using BrainQuest cards) as an adaptation to Quizzy's Questions.

With the Olympics taking place, Webkinz Olympics would also be a great way to enjoy the outside, get some exercise, and play with pets.

How about a fashion show with pets and kids? By using dress-up clothing for the children and doll clothes for the pets, the combinations are endless. During the fashion show you could take photos of each combination. Then, with a craft project, children could decorate frames to hold the photo.

So, whether your enrichment class is for one session or for the entire school year, there are endless options for creating enthusiasm for learning by using the Webkinz pets. Kids will be begging for the next activity to begin!

Kathy Cothran is an elementary media specialist committed to helping teachers turn toys into learning tools. Her vast teaching experience ranges from preschool through Master's level education classes.

You can find a free "Webkinz Activity Sampler" to download at http://turningtoysintotools.com