Solar System Animation

One of my latest discoveries is Animate on ABCya.com. Using this great tool, my third grade students are creating animations to illustrate concepts as we study the solar system. A friendly tutorial shows students how to use the available tools to build their animations.

Our first step was taking time to experiment. Students selected a scene and at least one object to move through it. Most students really were motivated to go beyond the requirement and create a full story with many moving characters and props. They were very excited to show their work. Fortunately, the finished products can be saved and run in any browser.

As we studied the sun, planets and moons, students created animations which illustrated a planet revolving around the sun. They were also able to show the rotation of the Earth with a person or animal being pulled by gravity. Some showed the phases of the moon as it orbits Earth. 

By using this tool along with simulations, artwork and videos, the students were able to create a product that helps them understand some sophisticated concepts.

Using technology to differentiate

I believe that using technology can really help teachers differentiate instruction. I am currently working with a group of first graders who need extra help with addition concepts and skills. On some days, they are joined by others (who I quickly discover) have higher skill levels.

After some whole group work, I differentiate instruction to meet the needs of each learner. I can only do this quickly because I know of many resources at my immediate disposal.


Here is a plug for a new tool to help you find websites and apps. Check out graphite at graphite.org. (I am one of their Common Sense Educators!)

Since I am familiar with lots of digital resources, I can quickly have students who still struggle with number recognition and order playing a game that helps with those skills while...

other students can increase their addition fluency by challenging other players online...

while others select their own difficulty level (guided or directed by me) to find combinations of addends...

at the same time that a final group needs to be challenged at a much higher level!

Using digital drawing tools

I value drawing. It is an activity that many children feel they can not do. I can encourage students to draw and create using digital tools.

When introducing any new application, I give students time to explore the tools. As they become familiar with the features, I increase my expectations. I  also try to connect the drawing experiences to literacy and other subjects.

Kindergarten students use Tux Paint and ABCYa Painting to create shapes with many tools. They are able to label their work.

First graders can create simple maps. They can create pictures and write text to describe them.

Second grade students use their drawing work to show their understanding of concepts or topics.

Third graders can combine images and text to record information from their research.






Many students are able to illustrate concepts
with more detail and experiment with various

art techniques.

Student Requests

I am now seven weeks into my second year as a Technology Specialist. One aspect that I am really enjoying is having many of the same students returning to my lab. They often come in asking, "What are we going to do today?" They also ask if they can repeat some of the activities from last year, citing iMovie, Scratch and other applications. As I only teach each student for nine weeks each year, I want to expose them to as wide a variety of projects/applications as possible, which I explain to them.

I am also finding out some of their favorite websites that they can go to during Academic Choice time. Some of the most requested are Kerpoof, Manga High and ABCya.

I described our use of Kerpoof in my March 14th, 2012 post. My third graders used it to create a picture book or movie last year. Now, as fourth-graders, they are going back to their accounts during Academic Choice time.

Manga High is another free website in which teachers create classes and student accounts. It offers a wide variety of math skills games and challenges. Returning 5th and 6th graders are enthusiastically challenging students from other countries when they have completed their daily assignment.

My youngest returnees are now in 1st grade. They can't wait until Academic Choice time to revisit their favorite games and activities. One of their favorites is ABCya, where they play with letters, numbers, shapes, art, keyboarding and more! It is really rewarding to know that students enjoy the learning experiences I have introduced them to.