Different Ways to Learn

I spent a day at the Christa McAuliffe Tech Conference this week.  As usual, I was both overwhelmed and exhilarated by the wealth of resources available to infuse both teaching and learning with engaging, exciting and educational activities.  The keynote speaker, Dr. David Rose, spoke eloquently on "Meeting the Challenge of Individual Differences in the Digital Age:  Universal Design for Learning."
One example he used to illustrate a point was a music composition by J.S. Bach.  Here are three ways to present Bach's "Little" Fugue in G minor.  Your objective?  Understanding that a fugue has a theme that repeats in different ways.  Post a response on which way worked best for you!

Do you understand fugues best by looking at the sheet music?

Do you understand fugues best by listening to the music being played? 

Click here to listen to the audio file:

Bach's "Little" Fugue in G Minor

NOTE: This will open in a new window.

Do you understand fugues best by listening to the music being played 

AND 

watching a visual representation?

Click here to see a dynamic combination of visual and auditory representation:

Visual Representation of Bach's "Little Fugue in G Minor"

NOTE: This will open in a new window.

NOW - Post your response!

Thinkfinity Resources

Thinkfinity is a free, comprehensive digital learning platform designed to improve learning in traditional settings and beyond the classroom by providing high-caliber content and professional development needed to improve student achievement – anytime, anywhere, at no cost. The resources are phenomenal and you should definitely check it out:  www.thinkfinity.org

QR Code

Did you get to this Library Link by scanning a QR Code?  If so, good for you!  You are officially part of the Digital Connection!  QR Codes ("Quick Response") are popping up everywhere, from museums and businesses to restaurants and shops.  Scan a QR code and get a coupon!  Scan a QR code and learn more about an exhibit!  Scan a QR code and read a menu!

Now...create your OWN QR code at one of the following websites:
Kaywa.com
Mobile-barcodes.com
Keremerkan.net

and let me know how it goes!

Culture Corner

     We've set up a "Culture Corner" in the Library Media Center.  Here we can feature a holiday tradition from other cultures, particularly those of some of our ESOL students.  Amidst all the celebration of American holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year, etc., it is nice for some of our Underhill students to see familiar items from the traditional holidays of their countries of origin.
     This month, we featured the holiday of DIWALI, a celebration in India popularly known as the "Festival of Lights." For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil.  One of our students brought in several beautiful clay lamps, decorations, and other items to put in the Culture Corner.  We added an information sheet for K-2 students and several books from our library collection.
     If you have a student in your class who celebrates a holiday tradition from another culture, let us know and we will feature it in our Underhill "Culture Corner"!
    

Learning in Hand

How to use iPads in the classroom is the hot topic on many educational blogs.  Everyone seems understand the "Why" of iPads; they're great devices for learning at all levels, and in many ways they level the playing field since they are so easy to use at every grade level.  But many are struggling to catch up with the "How" and "What" aspect.  "How should we use them?"  "What should we use them for?  Which apps are best?"
Tony Vincent has put together a great website with lots of practical resources for working with iPads in the Classroom.  Click on the link to check it out, then share something on this blog!
Learning in Hand

Brainstorm and Brownies

On Wednesdays from 11:30 - 1:00, you can stop in to the Underhill Library and grab a delicious, homemade brownie!  The price?  Your ideas, questions or concerns.  This is a time for you to ask questions, from simple "How do I . . ." questions, to more complex "What could I . . ." questions.  It's a chance for us to bounce ideas about research projects, ways to integrate the arts, or implementing 21st century learning strategies.  Here's what yesterday's B & B session participants wanted to know or discuss:

·      How to join a wikipage

·      How to edit/save on a wikipage

·      How to send an attachment on an e-mail

·      How to open an attachment on an e-mail

·      How to use keyboard shortcuts for editing

·      How to open a wikispaces account

·      How to check the percentage of battery left on a laptop

·      Ideas for a lesson plan using 21^st century strategies

·      Preliminary plans for a class keynote slide presentation

·      Ideas for integrating the arts to support classroom curriculum

·      How to reserve a room/equipment on the Intranet

·      Preliminary planning for an IIM Research unit using 21^st century learning

·      Starting a class blog

 Next week, come in and share your ideas, thoughts and questions.  And, oh yes - there will be brownies!

 

Word Cloud

Like using Wordle?  Try this kid-friendly website for creating Wordle-like word clouds:

You can find it at: www.abcya.com/word_clouds.htm
Post your opinion!