Go Animate Videos

So, here is the newest addition to the websites and resources I have found for our class. These videos were made from a website called, GoAnimate.com. The website was very user friendly and best of all...FREE to join. All you need is an email address, and you can get access to a free account. The free account only allows certain features, but overall, I enjoyed the time making these videos and it took very little time to do. I have not done a ton of research as to what else is on the site, so use at your own discretion.

In History, we are currently studying the routes European explorers took to get to the New World. Here are two videos that will help students with reviewing the important information for John Cabot and Juan Ponce De Leon. Hope you enjoy! I would love to hear some feedback on the effectiveness of the videos.


GoAnimate.com: Ponce De Leon by ncatania



GoAnimate.com: John Cabot by ncatania

Forces and Motion

Here are some fun and interactive links to support the understanding of forces and motion!

Further Reading: Forces and Motion

Forces and Motion Spy Game

Force Quiz

Further Reading: Friction

Friction Spy Game

Friction Quiz

Tropicana Speech

I wanted to let you know that I added a new page that explains how the Tropicana Speech Competition will work this year. It outlines the requirements, due dates, and provides some pointers in completing the speech. Please refer to the "Tropicana Speech" page for more details. I will be introducing this assignment on Monday with the students. Stay tuned for more details....

My Next Project...The Voki

Below, you will find an interesting new addition to our blog...A Voki. A Voki is an interactive avatar that can be customized with voice, looks, and sayings. So, here is my first Voki! He doesn't have a name yet, but I would be happy to take suggestions! It was so easy to get this Voki created. All I had to do was start a new account on Voki.com and in a few simple steps, I was ready to post! The problem came when I tried posting the Voki to my blog and I wasn't able to do so. After many trials and errors, I have FINALLY figured out what I was doing wrong. For the future, it will be VERY easy to get a Voki avatar added to a post. I look forward to experimenting with different characters, formats, etc. Enjoy!

Beginning of The Year

Beginning of The Year

Check out the Slideshow I created with a few of the pictures I have from this year. This slideshow was made using Animoto, a free moviemaker website application. Overall, the program was pretty easy to use and all I had to do was choose my pictures, a template that was already created, and add the song of my choice (from their online library). I don't LOVE the application, as the Free version only allows a 30 sec. video to be made, BUT uploading this video was really simple. All I did was click the Blogger icon, and VOILA... the video was embedded in this post. Enjoy!

Expect Some Changes...

As many of you know, I am currently taking classes to receive my Master's of Education from The University of Tampa. As part of my studies, I am going to be journaling my successes and struggles as I ATTEMPT to integrate more and more technology into my batch of resources. Most of the work will be done updating and enhancing my blog in a way that makes it more interactive for both parents and students. My hope is that I can find a way to get my students more involved. I hope you will continue to support my blog as I work to improve it throughout the next few months. Keep an eye out for new features and gadgets throughout the site. I enjoy gaining ANY and ALL feedback on what you think works and what is useless (or boring). Thanks for taking a ride on this educational journey with me! I look forward to building my academic toolbox as I work through these next few months.

First Day Jitters

Here are some of the letters the students wrote during their first day of fifth grade.