Videolicious Vocabulary

Use the Videolicious App to reinforce vocabulary. Here's an example:

Here's how we did it:

1. Determine your vocabulary word - it can be a Science word, Math word, unknown word in a library book, etc.

2. Complete the frayer model web diagram and complete the narration template.

3. Choose what type of images you want to use with your video. Perhaps the images portray the example of the word and the non-example.

4. Practice reading the script a few times before trying to video yourself.

5. Doing this activity with a partner is helpful, also. One student can manage the iPad while the other student reads from the script.

6. Visit the Videolicious website for more tips on how the app works. 

Graphic Organizers on your iPad

Next time you want your students to demonstrate understanding of their vocabulary words, try this frayer model iPad activity. 

This activity was simple to set up. Here's how to do it:

1. Open your Safari browser on your iPad.

2. Visit http://tinyurl.com/dfkg64 for the web template. I chose the one called "Web Diagram" for this activity.

3. Once you have the web diagram open full screen, in the top right of your screen, it says, "Open in Explain Everything." Click that:)

4. If you don't have Explain Everything (app) on your iPad, you can take a screen shot of the web diagram by holding down the home button of your iPad and clicking the power button. From there, you can insert your screen shot into a screen-casting app, such as Educreations:)

5. For me, since I have Explain Everything, I open the diagram in Explain Everything, then start adding text on top of the circles. Super easy!

6. In the middle circle, I typed the vocabulary word. I labeled the other circles with Definition, Example, Non-Example and Characteristics or Synonyms.

7. Model this activity with your students a few times, then assign to them in a station on a regular basis. They could look for vocabulary words in their library books, in their Science notebooks, Social Studies text, or any content area.

TCEA LMS of the Year Nomination

Just before the Winter Break, I received a call from TCEA. I was told that I am a TCEA LMS of the Year finalist for this year! I am beyond excited and am looking forward to TCEA (Texas Computer Educator Association) more than ever! I am passionate about my job as a media specialist (and BTW, our job title is changing...we're now Media Resource Specialists (or M.R.S. - ha!) I am so blessed to work with an amazing group of teachers at McGowen Elementary, where our innovative and creative ideas are welcomed and many times implemented! Not only do I have wonderful teachers to work with, there are approximately 700 precious students that walk the halls of McGowen every day. I love everything about my job - the students, the teachers, my administrators, and yes, the technology that MISD is so blessed to have. I am honored to be recognized as a TCEA LMS of the Year and will be excited just to be in the same room with all the other nominees. As a nominee, I am well aware that I am representing my campus, my district and other MRS's who work for McKinney ISD. There is NO WAY I would be where I am without the amazing team of media specialists that work with me. Talk about a team full of creative and brilliant minds! It is quite the challenge to keep up with everyone and all the ideas that flow every time we meet (or don't actually meet - maybe we're chatting on Twitter!) I am simply honored that I am allowed to work alongside these people and they keep letting me come back! Maybe I'll start blogging more...this sure is a great way for me to get some of these thoughts outta my head and out to the world!

Cat Secrets by Jef Czekaj

My first graders LOVE this new book! I read it aloud to them to introduce them to our "Terrific 2x2" program at McGowen. This book is in high demand now, so I must a few more copies:) Here's a link to the website: catsecrets.com And the awesome book trailer:

Pete the Cat...Four Groovy Buttons!

It's here!  I can't wait to get a copy of Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons! I am a huge fan of Eric Litwin's Pete the Cat series.  These books just bring pure joy to anyone who reads them and hears and sees the book trailer.  Check out the super fun book trailer!  I can't wait to share this book with my friends at school:)

1st Book Swap at McGowen Elementary

The week of May 14 - 17 will be McGowen's first book swap.  Here's how it will work:

Starting Monday, May 14^th students and teachers may bring in up to five (5) books in gently used condition (no rips, tears, bent edges, missing pages, or messy books) to the library to use in the swap.  For each book brought in, one ticket will be issued; tickets will be exchanged for books on Thursday May 17^th!  Only 5 tickets will be given.  If you choose to bring in more than 5 books (no more than 10 total), the extra books will be considered a donation to students at McGowen who are not able to bring books to swap.  Leftover books will first be offered to teachers for their classroom libraries.  Any remaining books at the end of the exchange will be donated to Samaritan Inn of McKinney.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to contact me at mburford@mckinneyisd.net or call the library at 469-742-7517.

Book Review: Boy + Bot

Book Review: Boy + Bot

Author: Ame Dyckman
Illustrator:  Dan Yaccarino
Publisher:  Knopf (Released April 10, 2012)
Source: Personal Copy
Audience: Ages 3 to 7
Fiction * Friendship * Imagination 

Description from publisher's page:
One day, a boy and a robot meet in the woods. They play. They have fun. But when Bot gets switched off, Boy thinks he's sick. The usual remedies—applesauce, reading a story—don't help, so Boy tucks the sick Bot in, then falls asleep. Bot is worried when he powers on and finds his friend powered off. He takes Boy home with him and tries all his remedies: oil, reading an instruction manual. Nothing revives the malfunctioning Boy! Can the Inventor help fix him? Using the perfect blend of sweetness and humor, this story of an adorable duo will win the hearts of the very youngest readers.

Check out the book trailer for Boy + Bot: