sutton007

Every now and then we all need a second chance !  Wait til you see the difference another chance made! We recently finished a Unit on Place Value in Math.   While students are exposed to Place Value in earlier grades, they make a giant leap in fourth grade.  They need to be able to read, write, compare, order and round numbers to the nearest 100,000.  This is the first time students are working regularly with such large numbers.  One of the most difficult concepts (CCSS 4.NBT.1; 4.NBT.2) asks students to "recognize that in a multi-digit whole number, a digit in one place represents ten times what it represents in the place to its right."  To examine this concept, I worked with students in small groups using Base Ten Blocks. Using the place value blocks, students could clearly see the relationship.  Students worked very hard to understand this concept.  Before the actual test day there were Quick Checks along the way including a Review Day. ...

At the 2014 MassCUE conference held at Gillette Stadium in October, I attended a session presented by  +Greg Kulowiec   on "Advanced iPad Video Creation." He immediately caught my attention by talking about " app smashing " (the idea of mixing apps to create content!). Well, one of the apps Greg shared is called ChatterPix , which is an app that "can make anything talk"! ChatterPix is so easy to use, just take a picture, draw a line to create a mouth, decorate the picture & add your voice! Share it through email or upload it to Youtube. It's quick and fun!  (Of course there is one catch:  You only have 30 seconds!)  ( There is an app called ChatterPix Kids but the drawback is the inability to 'share' the creation. ) Something I especially liked about this app is that students can create content (across the curriculum) which can be shared globally via Social Media but doesn't necessarily contain their image. In ELA this week the skil...