Wrapping Up Another Year - Let the Fun Begin!

The end of another year has come.  I've had time to reflect on successes and failures of the year, of which, there have been both.  I finished up some school meetings yesterday, and this is my first official day off!  Guess what I did?  Well, aside from a chapter in a murder mystery, some photography, and some chores, I hit Twitter looking for new ideas for next year!

So what did I find?
Google Expeditions coming in the fall to use with Google Cardboard was an interesting read.  Where have I been?  I didn't even know about Google Cardboard.  I did play with the Cardboard app by putting my phone in my antique Stereoview.  Medium cool.  I'm on the fence, though, as to its long term usefulness.  After video-conferencing with scientists in Alaska, this seems like a step backward in connecting, but I may be wrong.  It happens... often!

In reading a favorite blog, I found the SeeSaw app which promises to be a great portfolio tool!  I am excited to use it next year.  Students can add photos of work, voice recording, video, and links to our productions.  Parents who have signed up for an account get a notification when their child adds something.  They can only view their child's work.  Awesome!  Padlet walls have been a great tool for gathering student work, but this is a very promising organizational tool...And, drum roll, please.... it's free!  I wondered why the company would offer all of this for free, so I did some more research.  Free parent accounts allow parents to view work from the last 30 days.  If they would like to pay $9.99, they have access to all of their child's work from year to year.  I guess the company is banking on parents wanting to keep things.  

I know I have told you how much I love BoomWriter, but I wanted to update you on the latest additions.  They now have nonfiction writing sections and a vocabulary piece. 

Here's what the site says about the vocabulary section:

WordWriter delivers an interactive vocabulary experience that lets students write, read, and share newly learned words in original content.

WordWriter enhances students’ vocabulary development through application into their own written work, and it provides teachers with an effective tool that allows them to gauge students’ understanding levels and provide individualized feedback.

I am already figuring how we can use all of the components next year.  I will be posting ideas as they pop in my head.

May your summer be filled with blessings, fun, rest, and a growing enthusiasm for the new year!