Snapz Trial Run

Here's my 1st attempt at using Snapz. 

It really does look okay on the student computers.

Drip

Several weeks ago when studying solids and liquids, I told my class that when it snowed we'd make a movie of a snowman melting. Last Wednesday there was enough snow to make a miniature snowman, but I was at tech cadre. By Thursday the snow had melted, but the kids hadn't forgotten the missed opportunity.

Instead we made a movie of an ice tube melting by taking a picture every minute for 50 plus minutes. This was after securely fastening the camera and clearing the area of all kids except those rotating in to push the camera button. If the camera is securely fastened, how does it move? I have no idea, but the kids' level of excitement might have something to do with it. Next up, adding audio.

As much as they enjoyed today's ice tube melting, the kids haven't forgotten the promise to make a melting snowman movie. One of my kids told the class, "Now next time it snows everybody needs to wear gloves." I don't think he's planning a miniature snowman either.

What It All Means According to Will Richardson

Chapter 9 of Will Richardson's book Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for the Classrooms talks about the now what.

Some of the areas that sparked my interest:

• Authentic, collaborative work and learning by all students-bye, bye busy work
• Reading is becoming a more active process-gear up the higher level thinking skills
  
• The definition of writing is changing-not just pen and paper
  
• 5 C's for teachers: Connectors, Content Creators, Collaborators, Coaches and Change Agents (I especially like the idea of being a connector.)
  

Change even at the 2nd grade level which of course means excitement, anxiety and work for teachers and students alike.