Showing posts with label math. Show all posts
Showing posts with label math. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Multiplying 1 to 10 on the Multiplication Chart



Greetings,

We hope you are doing well.  Today we will be blogging about our new Multiplying 1 to 10 on the Multiplication Chart Video.  This is a fun and colorful tutorial your child will enjoy.  Simply click on the video player above, or you can click here to take you to the video.

We have been getting a lot of feedback on releasing the multiplication chart video.  This video is for grades (2 - 5).  We hope you and your child have fun learning the multiplication facts. 

Remember you can pause the video if you need to practice remembering your multiplication facts.  We will see you next week with another exciting topic.  Take care.

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Sunday, November 20, 2011

How Many Do You See? Part 1



Greetings,

We hope you are having a Happy Holiday during this Thanksgiving break.  Today we are sharing with you more fun counting videos.  The "How Many Do You See" videos are a lot of fun.  These videos will challenge your child to practice their counting skills with animated animals.

Listed above and below are a few popular ones.  These videos are becoming popular because the videos have built in assessments.  You will here my voice assist in counting many of the animated pictures.

Most of these videos are counting animals from 1 to 10.  These videos are fun tutorials that will help your child practice counting.  We hope you and your child enjoy all 10 videos.



















Stay tuned for next week.  We will be sharing more fun counting tutorials that will review the numbers 11 - 20.  Take care.
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Sunday, September 25, 2011

Learning How to Count Video Tutorials



Greetings,

We hope you are doing well.  This week we are blogging about my new counting video tutorials that we have posted on YouTube.  If you look above, you will see a counting exercise you can review with your child.

Listed below is the Which Group Has More video in which we have grouped different shapes and objects. In the video I review how to count and identify which group has more.  This video is for your Pre-Kindergartener or your Kindergartener.



In the Counting Baby Pink Teddy Bears video watch the balancing baby pink bears balance on a ball while we practice counting to 10.  This video is for your child who is learning how to count to 10.



In the Counting with Happy Faces video watch moving happy smiley faces wink their eye at you while practice counting to 10. This video is also for your child who is learning how to count to 10.




If you were unable to play the four videos above, you can visit my web site at www.youtube.com/complabteacher   In the month of October we will be blogging about math tutorials for addition, subtraction, multiplication and more.  We will see you soon.  Take care!
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Sunday, May 8, 2011

More Free PowerPoint Games!


Greetings,

I hope you had a great Mother's Day today.  Today I will be sharing with you pre-made Elementary PowerPoint games for Science, Math, Social Studies, Language Arts and Art.  To visit this great site just click on the picture above or below and you will be directed to the site. 
Here are some fun games you will want to download for grades 4 - 5.


Here are more fun games like Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Jeopardy and Undercover for grades K - 5.


Listed below you will find where you can find the instructions to the games.


I hope you enjoy theses free games.  I am not sure how long they will be posted for free. So if I were you, I would download all of them and save them in a folder on your computer.  Don't forget you can always modify them to fit your needs as well.  We will see you next week with another exciting topic.
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Sunday, January 9, 2011

What is BrainPOP Jr.?


Greetings,

Hope you are doing all well.  I know you have all been waiting for this topic.  So let's get started.  BrainPOP Jr. is a web site similar to BrainPOP, except it is related to grades K - 3. 

The exciting thing about BrainPOP Jr. is every week they are continuing to add more animated videos.  If you look at the picture above, this is what you will see when you go to http://www.brainpopjr.com/.  Simply click on the picture above, and it will take you to there.

BrainPOP Jr. also has free videos you can preview.  Each video is on average 4 - 8 minutes long. If you look at the picture below, this is what the interface looks like when you click on the free video Science Projects.  I have labeled the video controls underneath the video screen.  Click on the picture below, and it will take you to the video.

As you can see in the picture above they have games, activities, jokes, vocabulary word walls, quizzes, drawing activities, writing samples, and more.  They also have close captioning which means the words will appear on the screen as the video plays.  You can even print a personal notebook on the video you are playing. 

Here is a list of science units that BrainPOP Jr. has to offer.  Click on the picture below and it will take you to the particular page on the BrainPOP Jr. site.   If you scroll down on that page you will see a list of the videos for science.  When you get to the web site, scroll down and click on the pictures that have a FREE Tag in the upper left hand corner and you can play the video.

To subscribe to BrainPOP Jr. click here.  Hope you enjoyed the article on BrainPOP Jr.  Next week I will be sharing with you BrainPOP ESL.  We will see you next week.
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Sunday, January 2, 2011

What is BrainPOP?

Happy New Year!

Today I am sharing with you a wonderful web site that will enhance learning for your students.  BrainPOP is an animated, curriculum-based program that enhances student learning by engaging the student through video tutorials.  BrainPOP uses animated characters, robots, diagrams and more to motivate and engage the learner.  BrainPOP also offers free lesson plans, activities and sample video tutorials to try out. 

Currently BrainPOP has a teacher community of more than 125,000 people.  They have even completed a research study on the effect of BrainPOP on studentsTo download this PDF click on the picture below:



They have hundreds and hundreds of videos to view. To see how many videos they have just alone in Science, simply click on the picture below.  If you see a pink oval shape that says FREE, then you can view the video without a subscription. To see all the videos yourself, click on the picture below and it will take you to their site.


They have over 50 free videos you can view on their entire web site. If you want to see their Science Units, simply click on the picture below.


If you have never tried out brain pop, you can vist them by clicking on the blue link: http://www.brainpop.com/  BrainPOP is for grades 4 - 8.  It is also a subscription based web site.  If you want to get it for your home use, it will be a $99 investment per year.  Well worth the investment if you use the videos to enhance learning.

Once you arrive at the site simply click on the academic area you are interested in. You can view free videos in Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Art & Music, Health and Engineering and Technology.  Once you click on the Subject area, you can narrow down your search by clicking in the content area, or you can click on the link on the left side that says See All ______ Movies.  Once all the videos pull up, look for the words free next to the small pictures and clickon it.  Once you click on it, the video will begin to load and follow the instructions on the screen.


After you click on the "Click Here To Play The Movie" you can see the video.  Most videos are anywhere from 3 minutes to 5 minutes long.  After the video you can give your students an assessment or a quiz by clicking on the following picture:


After you click on the Quiz picture, you will see the following options to choose from:


According to BrainPOP, the video tutorials are Ideal for both group and one-on-one settings, BrainPOP is used in numerous ways, from introducing a new lesson or topic to illustrating complex subject matter to reviewing before a test. Content is aligned to academic standards and easily searchable with online Standards Tool. Uniquely suited for 21st-century learning, all products are fully compatible with interactive whiteboards, learner response systems, projectors, Macs, and PCs. No downloading, installation, or special hardware is required.

BrainPOP also has BrainPOP Jr. for grades K - 3.  I will be blogging about BrainPOP Jr. next week.  Hope you have a great week.  Take care.
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Monday, December 13, 2010

Free Multiplication Tables and Games!

Greetings,

Updated: April 8, 2012: Just added Multiplying 1 to 10 on the Multiplication Chart Video.  Simply click on the video below.



Today I am blogging about sharing some valuable tools I have created to assist your students with multiplication and division.  A lot of students who have performed at a high level in math have memorized their multiplication tables all the way up to their twelves. 

You can start teaching these tables as early as second grade.  These tools will give your son or daughter a great advantage when it come to multiplication and division.  Ok, here are the resources.

Just click on the picture below to save this free Power Point. It also has a blank multiplication table so your students can practice filling out the tables.


The next PowerPoint allows you to print a pocket version of the multiplication table.  When you download this PowerPoint, you can make copies, cut them out and pass them out to your students.  Simply click on the picture below to download this one.


Now you can dowload and print a free Multiplication 12 X 12 Blank Table to practice filling in your multiplication facts with your child.  Simply click on the picture below to dowload the free PDF


The last activity was created in Excel.  When you download this activity, you will get a message to enable macros.  You will want to enable macros. It is a code that will clear all the green cells and turn them all orange, so you can play again.  Follow the steps below.

Step 1

Step 2


You will notice that all the cells are colored orange.  When you fill in the cell with the correct number, the cell will turn green. When you fill in the cell with the incorrect answer, the cell will turn red. Simply click on the picture below to download and save.  When you exit the program, do not save it again.


I hope you enjoy these free tools you can use with your students to learn their multiplication tables.  Next week I will be posting additional PowerPoints on addition tables for your K - 2 students.  See you next week!
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Sunday, October 3, 2010

What is Scholastic Study Jams?

Greetings,

I Hope you had a great week. Today I will be blogging about Study Jams. Study Jams is a web site that has streaming video and slide shows on math and science concepts/ideas for grades 3 - 5. This web site use to require a monthly subscription. Due to its popularity and use, it is now free.
On the web site you will also find key vocabulary words, songs and assessments. To access the site simply click on the picture above. You will find over 200 topics ranging from the following topics in Math and Science:
Math Categories
Numbers
Addition and Subtraction
Multiplication and Division
Fractions
Decimals and Percentages
Algebra
Geometry
Measurement
Data Analysis
Probability
Problem Solving

Click here to download a list of over 100 Math Topics
Science Categories
Plants
Animals

The Human Body
Ecosystems
Landforms, Rocks and Minerals
Weather and Climate
Solar System
Matter
Force and Motion
Energy, Light and Sound
Scientific Enquiry

Click here to download a list of over 100 Science Topics.
Hope you enjoy this free resource. These resources will help reinforce key concepts and ideas for your students. Your students will enjoy relating to the characters in the short videos. We will see you next week with another topic.
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Sunday, May 30, 2010

The 21 Best Free Web Sites for Learning


Greetings,

Today I will be blogging about a few resources I personally use with our elementary students at my school. The best thing about the sites, is they are free.

Ok, let's get started. I will list all 21 of them in no particular order. I have researched numerous school web sites throughout the country, and these are the top ones I have found. All of these sites are very excellent. You can choose which ones you like. Simply click on the link, and it will take you to the web site.

1. PBS Kids

2. Sprout Online

3. Scholastic Kids

4. Preschool Coloring Book

5. Sesame Street Workshop

6. Abcya

7. Starfall

8. Kidport

9. BBC Schools

10. TVKO kids

11. Crayola

12. Funbrain

13. Learning Planet

14. Gamegoo

15. Enchanted Learning

16. Pearson

17. Growing Course

18. Foss Web

19. Cool Math 4 Kids

20. Play Kids Games

21. Story Online

Hopefully all these sites will keep you, or your son or daughter busy learning throughout the summer months. Please let me know through email, which ones you really enjoy the best. In the near future, I will be blogging about the best paid, or subscription based web sites for learning I have found. See you next week for another exciting topic.
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Sunday, April 18, 2010

Digital Video Cameras in the Classroom: Part 2

Greetings,

Digital video can be a great lesson enhancement idea because video can provide pictures, illustrations, concepts, new ideas, innovation and steps for breaking down projects. With the new technology of the pocket digital flip camera prices pretty low.

The New Pocket Digital Flip video camera can be purchased for as little as $150. If you visit www.theflip.com/en-us/buy/Educators.aspx you can find various programs that will help you get these new video cameras for your students.

When we try to teach and reach students, digital video cameras can be used to capture their attention in an innovative way. Teachers or students can use them to create products for teaching others. When you use video it can be encouraging and motivating with students. Let's face it video usage online has gone up over the past year.

According to the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETST), effective teachers model and apply the National Educational Technology Standards for Students as they design, implement, and assess learning experiences to engage students and improve learning; enrich professional practice; and provide positive models for students, colleagues, and the community.

All teachers should meet the following standards and performance indicators. Teachers also exhibit knowledge, skills and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers can teach students how to demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations. We can communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, peers and anyone using a variety of digital-age media and formats.

Here are a few ideas of how teachers can use video cameras in the classroom.

1. Other teachers have created video clips for video blogs that teach a particular idea or concept.

2. Writing - Use videos as writing prompts. I have listed a few writing prompt that you could use: Imagine if you were the character in the video, how would you feel and what would you do in their situation? Please describe with great detail the video you just watched, as if you were teaching another student who has not seen the video.

3. Reading - Video tape yourself reading words, sentences, a story or a report to the students to demonstrate how to speak fluently or present information in front of others.

4. Language Arts - Video tape yourself using various sounds in fluency with younger children. To see an example of this fun technique please visit: Victor Borge & Dean Martin - Musical Phonetic Punctuation or click down below to see it.



5. Mathematics - Create a video to demonstrate a certain concept or objective in geometry or using word problem solving skills, demonstrating multiplication, division, and fractions. You could also demonstrate how decimals and percentages work by filming you actually going to store and buying an item that is 25% off. You can break down the process of how to figure out how much 25% off is. You can demonstrate measurement of different objects using time, units of length, perimeter and area. One teacher made a video of comparing different items in size to relate geometric spatial relationships.

6. Science - Document the growth of a plant or animal, the changing seasons, weather conditions, science experiments. One teacher created a science experiment using soda pop and mentos. For new teachers, you can borrow a sample of a science board from other experienced teachers to show your students ideas on how to construct a science fair project on a three fold white card board using the following: Purpose, Hypothesis, Procedure, Research, Data, Materials, Results and Conclusion.

I personally created a video with pictures from a digital camera for second grade students last year on living and nonliving matter. I showed pictures of items made of matter on the screen and added my voice as the narrator. The students had to identify the items being displayed as living and nonliving using a double bubble graphic organizer. Click on the play button down below to see this idea.




The students were mesmerized, because they could actually hear my own voice on the video. You can also who how to set up arrangements or a science experiment or safety practices for a discussion. We had a science fair last December at our School, and I used the digital camera to interview the winning students in grades Kindergarten thru fifth grade. They enjoyed the experience of describing their science fair project to me, as if I was a news reporter. Once you record it, you can put it on a DVD and give to the student to treasure.

7. Social Studies - Create video essays on historic locations and show clips of different facial expressions and emotions for students to create a book. You can interview a person of interest, maybe a war veteran and bring the video back to the students. Students could also take notes and document what they are learning from the war veteran. You could also have the students reenact a significant person, event, or speech in history such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Barrack Obama, Cesar Chavez, Susan B. Anthony, Helen Keller, Florence Nightingale or others.

8. Art - Video a student artwork portfolio or you can show the various steps on how the art project evolved over a time lapse. You can also create a video of interviews of artists in the community enhancing an idea, concept or technique in art.

9. Physical Education - Show how to videos and step-by-step procedures to explain a technique or a game. You can also video tape a sporting event and create a discussion about the event with your students. You can also interview coaches or athletes on a particular strategy to teach an idea or a concept.

10. Music - Video student shows, programs, plays, acts and speeches. I used my flip digital camera to record the Holiday program in which prekindergarten and kindergarten students were dressed in a holiday manner while singing songs together on stage. You can video performance techniques, such as the correct placement of fingers for certain chords if you’re playing a guitar, piano or other musical instrument.

11. Speech - Video record speeches and give constructive feedback to students.

12. Business - Video a business and how to operate it as if you were the CEO.
Hopefully these ideas will help you come up with more innovative ideas on how to use the video camera. I know when I was younger I use to watch the Mr. Wizard show, and I would get ideas for science experiments that I could reproduce. I only wish I could have recorded them back then. Other ideas for instruction can be found on the following web sites:

Digital Video Project Ideas
www.chesapeake.edu/library/com101-VideoProject/ideas.pdf

Digital Video in the Classroom
www.zardec.net.au/keith/digvideo.htm

Digital cameras are so common these days. However, it is very important to obtain Parental permission to take and use videos of student due to privacy concerns. You want to not use any identifying information in the video of your students. You also never want to post videos of students online.

Other forms of permission may include the following, securing arrangements with venues and locations to video buildings, performances, artifacts. You may want to contact the place you plan to visit before you get there to learn about photography or video policies.

Digital footage can be used in multimedia products. However when you add different forms of media such as music or text the products become more engaging and exciting! The Educational Multimedia Fair Use Guidelines provides the a list of guidelines you can follow regarding how much of various types of copyrighted works can be used without infringing on copyright laws.

Make sure to include citations and credits in the project. It is always best to get permission for products that will be shared beyond your school. Remember never post videos of students online or on any social networks or any online services. The following online resources provide a wealth of information on this contemporary topic:

Copyright and Fair Use in the Classroom
www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html

The CCUMC, Consortium of College and University Media Centers
http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/tutorials/copyright/

The UT system Copyright Crash Course
http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/ccmcguid.htm

Social Media in Plain English
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpIOClX1jPE

Next week I will be talking about how to use the pocket digital video camera, including the various parts, set up, specifications, basic operations and some helpful hints and tips. So I will see you next week. If you have used a digital camera for instructions and wish to share your wonderful ideas, please email me at mybarra@verizon.net and I will add it to this blog post. Thanks again, and have a great week!
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