Eclectic Technology

Here is one great visuals and two word lists for vocabulary. The image above is a word wheel that looks at emotions, helping students hone in on other words that may more accurately describe a character.

There is also a Vivid Verb List and one that looks at moods.

Check out tools that will help you teach academic vocabulary and also find a link to a LiveBinder that provides resources on the Common Core and Literacy Standards. 

Bill Ferriter suggests a different way to share objectives with students through the use of an Overview Sheet. What is an Overview Sheet. Ferriter states it is a  "one-page handout that includes a list of every objective that students need to master written in student-friendly language.  The handout also includes unit vocabulary and a few essential questions designed to spark thinking and start conversations."

An example of one is provided in the post (which you may download and you see part of in the image) as is a download where he shares students thoughts on self assessments. This may be something you would like to try with your students.

Yesterday I posted the top choices from the American Association of School LIbrarians (AASL) on the best apps for 2014. Today they listed the top websites in the following categories:

* Media Sharing

* Digital Stories

* Manage & Organize

* Social Networking & Communication

* Content Resources

* Curriculum Collaboration

As you review the websites you will find one or more standards that are addressed by the websites.

Although I know many of the websites, there are some that are new to me that I look forward to exploring. Below are several that I have used and really like, or are ones I have checked out and will be using in the future.

Are you looking for new tools and want ideas on how to use them as well as examples and links to learn more about the tool. Check out Remix-t, a site from the University of Notre Dame, that is chock full of great ideas and resources. Although this site is geared to college teachers the resources and examples will provide you with great ideas and you will be able to modify them for your classroom. You will find in under Content Resources.

Mixed Ink is a new site to me. It allows you to create a group of students who will write together. They may comment and evaluate the submissions and each students' writing will show up in a different color. This looks like  a great site, esp. for schools that are not using Google apps.

There are many more that I will be exploring. Do you have a favorite website? Share them in the comment section and let us know why it is a favorite of yours.

Are you wondering about the most effective way to teach vocabulary? This infographic provides 10 suggestions on how to best teach vocabulary, as well as 10 things to avoid!

With Common Core State Standards coming into play quickly the issue of vocabulary is coming into play in a new way. This post provides a look at six strategies to use with vocabulary instruction. Get a great look at the strategies and learn some of the lessons that have been learned.