Poetry Plus: Using Web 2.0 Tools to Expand Learning

Stephanie Laird

Contact Information: Stephanie.laird@southeastpolk.orgTwitter: @SLaird2Website: lairdlearning.weebly.com

Overview

• Background Information• Walk Through Poetry Unit Infused with

Web 2.0 Tools• Web 2.0 Resources• Question, Answer and Sharing Time

Background Information

• 5th year teaching at the Elementary level• 4th and 5th Grade Title 1 Math and Reading Specialist• Co-teacher in 1:1 Classrooms

– 4th Grade 1:1 iPads– 5th Grade 1:1 MacBooks

• Masters candidate in Curriculum and Instructional Technology at Iowa State University

Poetry Unit (6 weeks)

• Essential Question– How does playing with words help us interpret language?

• Web 2.0 Tools Used:– Google Docs– KidBlog– Skype– Google+– Animoto– Flipsnack

GoogleDocs (docs.google.com)

• Paperless sandbox for student work• Promotes collaboration• Streamlines Editing Process• Easily transferred to KidBlog

KidBlog (kidblog.org)

• Student friendly, and COPPA compliant site• Teacher controls how tight or loose settings are• Students post final draft of poems and get comments

– Encourage comments from: • Peers• Parents• Administration• Collaborative classrooms

• Add real world connection through twitter #comments4kids

Skype (https://education.skype.com)

• Skyped with four poets– Caroline Starr Rose– Irene Latham– Mary Swander– Debbie Levy

• Arranged through twitter and email• Located through:

– Poet’s personal websites– http://www.poetry4kids.com/skype– http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/page/Josie+Whitehead– Personal connections

• Students generated interview questions beforehand• Sneak peek of soon to be published works

Google+ Poetry Slam Hangout

• Connected with 3 classrooms at once• Arranged through twitter• Students shared original poetry• Provided an audience other than

classroom peers• Learned new poetry types

Animoto (animoto.com)

• Digital Poetry• Students selected one poem to put to music and

animation• Posted on KidBlog for comments• Shared at Parent Poetry Cafe• Teachers-sign up for education accounts

– Free– Increases video length– Easy to create student accounts

Flipsnack (http://www.flipsnack.com/)

• Flippable eBooks• Students uploaded PDF’s from GoogleDocs into

Flipsnack• Link then posted on KidBlog and Online Portfolio

website• Easy sign in (linked to school GoogleApps

account)

Web 2.0 Resources

• Things to check out– Twitter– GoogleDocs– Skype– Google+– KidBlog– CybraryMan’s Website– Additional information on my website

Questions? Ideas to Share?