// Langwitches Blog

I have added a new visual to the “Skill Set” of ” It’s not about the Tools, it’s about the Skills“.
Digital Storytelling Skills

Many times, I see eyes glazing over, when I excitedly speak with parents or administrators about blogging, skyping or podcasting with students. Many of them, unfamiliar with the tools, will immediately feel uncomfortable. Some will automatically and immediately steer the conversation back to what they know:
What about learning the basics, like reading, writing, math and [...]

One of our first grade classes read the book Flat Stanley by Jim Brown. They sent paper Flat Stanleys to relatives and friends around the country and received images and stories back.
Then, inspired by the “worldwide” success” of the “other first grade class’” podcast episode of the Magic Tree House, the six year olds wanted [...]

My 5 year old niece lives in Brazil. I don’t get to see her much… Over this winter break, I was able to share some precious time with her though Skype. I read her several stories as I was showing the accompanying illustrations to her through the webcam. She also read to me in her [...]

The Year: 2010
The Challenge: Take one photograph every day for 365 days.
Display them on my 365/2010 Challenge blog and on my Flickr 365/2010 set.
Joined the EdTech 365/2010 Flickr Group
Purpose: Digital storytelling through photo blogging and to grow as a photographer
Equipment: iPhone and Canon Rebel XS

If you are participating yourself in a 365 Photo Challenge, leave [...]

Cross posted on TechLearning Advisor Blog
Podcasting has been around for a while now. It has also made it’s entry into the world of schools. Teachers of younger students are venturing into the world of digital storytelling in the classroom and are recording their students digitally.
The benefits for students to practice skills such as the following [...]

If you have not thought of podcasting with your younger elementary school students, I encourage you to think again.
The first graders at my school had listened to the second grade podcast about animals, and had really enjoyed their story.They were especially thrilled that the second graders had received so many comments from teachers around the [...]

Using visuals to create and support stories is a skill we should encourage and nurture in our students . It should be obvious by now that I consider storytelling an integral part of a teacher’s toolbox. You can read about the Need for Storytelling and Why Storytelling Can/Should Be Anywhere/Everywhere and will understand why storytelling [...]

Mrs. Z’s 4th & 5th grade math class read the book “The Math Curse” by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith.

The plot summary of the book from Wikipedia describes it nicely:
The book, which is told by a nameless female student, begins with a seemingly innocent statement by her math teacher- “you know, almost everything [...]

Second graders at my school are studying animals in their science unit. They learned about the different characteristics of mammals, reptiles and birds.
If their parents ask them tonight at the dinner table if they learned anything today, the students probably will tell them that they recorded a podcast today!

Will the parents know that they practiced:

Collaboration [...]