// Langwitches Blog

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

I have been so inspired by the work of three Kindergarten teachers at my school.They have taken facts “off the page”, as my colleague Katie B. would say, and allowed creativity and authentic learning to take place. Yes, FOR 5 YEAR OLDS!
I wanted to document their work. What better way to do that than [...]

Image used with permission. Copyright K. Tuck at www.sxc.hu
I loved this image, as soon as I saw it. Does it not scream “REFLECTION” at you? In addition, it reminds me that in order to come full circle in a project, we can’t just let it fizzle out when the last word is written or the [...]

Third Grade studied endangered and threatened animals of Florida in their science curriculum. TechConnect, together with the classroom teachers planned to take this unit to the 21st century and have students, not only research facts, but become experts in their assigned animals and make a difference by share their knowledge with others. They were to [...]

Here is a list of Podcasts that I am subscribed to in the interest of being a foreign language educator and instructional technologist.
Technology:

The Tech Teachers
KidCast: Podcasting in the Classroom
Eelementary: Technology in the Elementary Classroom
The Savy Technologist
Spanish Teacher:Notes from Spain