I haven't blogged in 4 months!!

So, I haven't blogged in 4 months because school is over. I've finally convocated and I'm starting my new life without school. It's a weird concept. I don't remember my life without school, so it's something i really have to get used to.

On another note, I'm getting a puppy today!! That's her... her name is Sophie. I just thought I should share!

Tapped In

This Saturday I went to the Religious Educators forum on the Tapped In website. I thought that the whole experience was fantastic. Not only was it informative, but it was really neat to be able to talk to other people about religious education and share resources. I intend on teaching in the Catholic school system and so this was a great way to talk to and learn about other people teaching religious education around the world. There weren't too many of us present at the session, but just enough to have a good conversation.

Blue's Clues Preschool Learning System

This game came with 2 CDs and one DVD. In the beginning, we were unsuccessful at getting the actual software to load on our computer, but we DID get the Reader Rabbit DVD to play. This DVD had an educational game attached to it that Megan and I found to be very interactive with fantastic instructions and 2 levels of difficulty. The video was about an alphabet race. The animals in the movie were all making different vehicles, all of which represented different letters of the alphabet. This game directly related to the movie, and has the kids driving the capital letter cars into their correct parking spot (putting the alphabet in order). Before the game starts, they review the letters. They also have the alphabet on the top for quick reference. The game has great graphics, and as we stated above, easy to follow, thorough instructions. Another thing we liked about the game was that when the letters were driving to their spot, they make the sound of the letter. This is great for phonemic awareness.

Some downfalls we found with the video were that it was definitely American (saying 'Zee' instead of 'Zed'). Also, the DVD didn't have any trace of Blue or Steve from Blue's Clues. It was all unknown animal characters. If the software showcases Blue's Clues we thought that perhaps the DVD should as well.

After trying it out on the PC, we got the software to load. We played Blue's Clues ABC Time. The software showcased Blue and Steve. We thought this was good, because the DVD did not. This software focused on rhyming words.

One of the words was "aardvark." We felt this was a little advanced, considering they are 3-5 year olds. In all honesty, Megan and I didn't even know what an aardvark was. Thank goodness for the pictures that accompanied the word! (In case you live in a box like Megan and I, an aardvark is a rat-like, ant-eater animal).

The game also focused on the alphabet. There was lots of repetition, which we felt was a great for pre-school children.

Those were our findings! Enjoy!

Children's Technology Review

It's been a really long time since I've actually blogged. I was searching on the internet and I found a fantastic website called Children's Technology Review. They claim that they have "Unbiased reviews, by educators, of commercial interactive media products for ages birth to 15." While looking at the website, I realized that they have a lot of good resources for teachers and students. They even break everything down into age groups.

In order to view the whole magazine (online) you must be a subscriber. It's $96 to subscribe to it electronically (sent as a PDF file) and $144 to subscribe to it paper AND electronically.

Here's a quote from the website to give you an idea of what types of things the magazine includes : "The April issue was sent last night to subscribers as a PDF, with 67 new reviews, 167 links (in the PDF version), a first look at Disney's new MMOG (Pirates of the Caribbean) and a LittleClickers column called Amazing Flowers, to help celebrate spring."

As a teacher, I think this is a great resource to keep yourself up to date on the latest up and coming technology for your students. It also gives you great web resources. This month, for example, they gave a list of resources and online handouts about trees (probably because Earth Day is on the 22nd).

I have posted the link above! Take a look and enjoy!

SLOTHS! haha

too cute...

St. Patrick's Day rules!

Yay, St. Patrick's Day!