I think teachers and students will really enjoy Wordle. It's an online toy that helps you create instant "word clouds." Check out my Van Buskirk Library Wordle. The activity takes just minutes and has a variety of applications: research, design, presentation, marketing, and more.
Ask me for ideas and/or try it out for yourself. If you save your Wordle to the site's public gallery, post a link here so we all can check it out!
3/28/2009
3/24/2009
Creating Your Avatar
Making your own avatar is fun! Several students have asked me how to make their own. In this post, I'll share with you some of the sites I've used. Be forewarned that some of the sites are easier to use than others and some require downloads that our school does not allow.
Meez allows you to make an animated 3-D avatar and place it into a background. Tip: Find and use the free items in order to build your avatar.
At planetcreation.co.uk, find Create Your Picture to make a simple facial avatar.
Yahoo Avatars is another site where you can build your avatar step-by-step, as well as add a background of your choice. I have a Yahoo account, so I was able to save my avatars.
If you are a Simpsons fan, you might enjoy "Simsonizing" yourself at SimpsonsMovie.com. You have to enter the site to create your avatar. Ask me for help to save your creation without registering.
Build an avatar quickly and simply with DoppelMe. Again, you don't need to register to save your picture; use print screen or screen capture with a photo or paint program instead.
Want to make a painting into an avatar? Try Mr. Picassohead.
Bitstrips doesn't afford as many options as some others, but you can build an avatar quickly. You can also create comics and scenes featuring your avatar and one you made of a friend.
Make yourself an avatar out of a lego with the Block Head Iconizer. It's probably not going to be very realistic, but it's still fun. You can add a body, props, and a background at its companion site, Mini-mizer.
Did you every wonder what you might look like with fangs, wings, or a tail? Try Build Your Wild Self. You can add animations and a background, too. Would you like a demonstration? Watch this YouTube video to see how easy it is.
If you like Manga, you might have a good time constructing a mangatar at FaceYourManga.com. This one seemed to take me awhile to finish, as there are many options, and not all of them are free. At Tektek.org, create a Dream Avatar that also has manga features.
At WeeWorld, make a cute little version of yourself. Change your face, hair, clothes, props, and environment as you like.
Are superheroes more your style? Marvel's Create Your Own Superhero can help you build the costume you've always wanted. Superpowers not included.
Lots of you really got a kick out of my talking Voki on this blog. You can do the same, but it is a little time-consuming. Build your avatar, record your voice, add a background, then publish.
If you have an actual photo that you'd like to turn into an avatar, try BeFunky or Shrink Pictures.
I look forward to seeing your avatars. Let me know which ones you try and the one you like the best.
If you find any other avatar-creation sites, please leave a comment so we can all explore it.
Thanks. :)
Meez allows you to make an animated 3-D avatar and place it into a background. Tip: Find and use the free items in order to build your avatar.
At planetcreation.co.uk, find Create Your Picture to make a simple facial avatar.
Yahoo Avatars is another site where you can build your avatar step-by-step, as well as add a background of your choice. I have a Yahoo account, so I was able to save my avatars.
If you are a Simpsons fan, you might enjoy "Simsonizing" yourself at SimpsonsMovie.com. You have to enter the site to create your avatar. Ask me for help to save your creation without registering.
Build an avatar quickly and simply with DoppelMe. Again, you don't need to register to save your picture; use print screen or screen capture with a photo or paint program instead.
Want to make a painting into an avatar? Try Mr. Picassohead.
Bitstrips doesn't afford as many options as some others, but you can build an avatar quickly. You can also create comics and scenes featuring your avatar and one you made of a friend.
Make yourself an avatar out of a lego with the Block Head Iconizer. It's probably not going to be very realistic, but it's still fun. You can add a body, props, and a background at its companion site, Mini-mizer.
Did you every wonder what you might look like with fangs, wings, or a tail? Try Build Your Wild Self. You can add animations and a background, too. Would you like a demonstration? Watch this YouTube video to see how easy it is.
If you like Manga, you might have a good time constructing a mangatar at FaceYourManga.com. This one seemed to take me awhile to finish, as there are many options, and not all of them are free. At Tektek.org, create a Dream Avatar that also has manga features.
At WeeWorld, make a cute little version of yourself. Change your face, hair, clothes, props, and environment as you like.
Are superheroes more your style? Marvel's Create Your Own Superhero can help you build the costume you've always wanted. Superpowers not included.
Lots of you really got a kick out of my talking Voki on this blog. You can do the same, but it is a little time-consuming. Build your avatar, record your voice, add a background, then publish.
If you have an actual photo that you'd like to turn into an avatar, try BeFunky or Shrink Pictures.
I look forward to seeing your avatars. Let me know which ones you try and the one you like the best.
If you find any other avatar-creation sites, please leave a comment so we can all explore it.
Thanks. :)
Tucson Festival of Books Field Trip
On Sunday, March 15th, a school bus pulled up to Van Buskirk Elementary school, and twenty-two teachers, parents, students, and family members boarded bound for the U of A campus Mall. We were greeted with beautiful, warm sunshine and white tents as far as the eye could see. People quickly dispersed to find their own personal areas of interest.
We used cell phones to keep in contact, especially when one of us discovered that the fine folks of Reading Seed were generously giving away new and gently used books to anyone who visited them. When they found out that my assistant and I worked for a public school library, they gave us a bag to fill up with as many books as we pleased. A librarian's dream!
At the end of the day, both kids and adults seemed really pleased with how they spent their day. Many of the little ones carried bags with free books, toys, and crafts they made themselves. They told tales of the shows, stories, music they had heard and seen. Many connected with people they knew, and everyone was smiling.
All in all, I think our field trip was a success. I'm looking forward to next year's Festival of Books and hope we're able to triple the number of people we bring along.
If you attended the Festival this year, what did you think of it? What was your favorite part? Which booths or areas would you recommend to others? Do you have any suggestions for those who brought the Festival to Tucson?
We used cell phones to keep in contact, especially when one of us discovered that the fine folks of Reading Seed were generously giving away new and gently used books to anyone who visited them. When they found out that my assistant and I worked for a public school library, they gave us a bag to fill up with as many books as we pleased. A librarian's dream!
At the end of the day, both kids and adults seemed really pleased with how they spent their day. Many of the little ones carried bags with free books, toys, and crafts they made themselves. They told tales of the shows, stories, music they had heard and seen. Many connected with people they knew, and everyone was smiling.
All in all, I think our field trip was a success. I'm looking forward to next year's Festival of Books and hope we're able to triple the number of people we bring along.
If you attended the Festival this year, what did you think of it? What was your favorite part? Which booths or areas would you recommend to others? Do you have any suggestions for those who brought the Festival to Tucson?
3/11/2009
Tucson Festival of Books
This weekend, the Arizona Daily Star is sponsoring the Tucson Festival of Books on the University of Arizona's campus. The festival will host hundreds of exhibits, poets, authors, workshops, performances, demonstrations, and vendors. The literacy event promises to host plenty to see and do for children and adults of all ages.
This Sunday, March 15th, we will have a bus full of Van Buskirk students, staff, and their families heading to the event. If you would like to join us, contact Mrs. Mayersohn in the library by Friday, March 13th.
This Sunday, March 15th, we will have a bus full of Van Buskirk students, staff, and their families heading to the event. If you would like to join us, contact Mrs. Mayersohn in the library by Friday, March 13th.
3/05/2009
RIF @ Van Buskirk
Hey kids!
RIF (Reading is Fundamental) book distribution is next week. Every student at our school will receive a free book~ one that you choose for yourself and get to keep forever!
What's your favorite part of RIF? What kind of book are you going to be looking for this time?
Do you participate in the RIF activities? If so, which ones do you like the best?
Can't wait to hear from you and see you in the library for RIF next week!
RIF (Reading is Fundamental) book distribution is next week. Every student at our school will receive a free book~ one that you choose for yourself and get to keep forever!
What's your favorite part of RIF? What kind of book are you going to be looking for this time?
Do you participate in the RIF activities? If so, which ones do you like the best?
Can't wait to hear from you and see you in the library for RIF next week!
3/02/2009
Dr. Seuss' Birthday
March 2nd is the commemoration of Dr. Seuss' birthday.
Visit Seussville to find out more about the author and his work, play games (both printable and online), or create your own story.
Looking for more lesson plans or activities? Try the following sites:
A to Z Teacher Stuff has a long list of activities that coordinate with many Dr. Seuss books. The range includes book making, discussion topics, coloring pages, lyrics, and studying word parts and language. Pre K to intermediate grade levels are covered.
The author of Hubbard's Cupboard shares some easy ideas to use with primary students connecting literacy and math to many Dr. Seuss favorites. Some objectives are rhyming, graphing, drawing, coloring, and discussing. A nice list of related online resources is found at the bottom of the page.
Vicki Blackwell's Internet Guide for Educators hosts a full page (plus!) of Dr. Seuss stuff. There are links to online games and lessons, arts and crafts ideas, reading areas, and much more to expore. Kids of all ages should be able to find something worthwhile via this site.
Web English Teacher's Seuss page breaks resources into lesson plans and teaching materials (further categorized by story) and biography and miscellaneous sites.
Last updated in 2005, this Kentuckian educator's Seuss page lists interactive activities and many links by grade level. There's also math and science fun with Oobleck, lesson plans from Eduplace.com, and general information on Read Across America.
NEA sponsors Read Across America each year on or near Dr. Seuss' birthday. Check out the digital downloads and other resource materials from the National Educational Association.
If you have a favorite Dr. Seuss activity, link, or lesson, please feel free to share it in your comment. Thanks!
Visit Seussville to find out more about the author and his work, play games (both printable and online), or create your own story.
Looking for more lesson plans or activities? Try the following sites:
A to Z Teacher Stuff has a long list of activities that coordinate with many Dr. Seuss books. The range includes book making, discussion topics, coloring pages, lyrics, and studying word parts and language. Pre K to intermediate grade levels are covered.
The author of Hubbard's Cupboard shares some easy ideas to use with primary students connecting literacy and math to many Dr. Seuss favorites. Some objectives are rhyming, graphing, drawing, coloring, and discussing. A nice list of related online resources is found at the bottom of the page.
Vicki Blackwell's Internet Guide for Educators hosts a full page (plus!) of Dr. Seuss stuff. There are links to online games and lessons, arts and crafts ideas, reading areas, and much more to expore. Kids of all ages should be able to find something worthwhile via this site.
Web English Teacher's Seuss page breaks resources into lesson plans and teaching materials (further categorized by story) and biography and miscellaneous sites.
Last updated in 2005, this Kentuckian educator's Seuss page lists interactive activities and many links by grade level. There's also math and science fun with Oobleck, lesson plans from Eduplace.com, and general information on Read Across America.
NEA sponsors Read Across America each year on or near Dr. Seuss' birthday. Check out the digital downloads and other resource materials from the National Educational Association.
If you have a favorite Dr. Seuss activity, link, or lesson, please feel free to share it in your comment. Thanks!
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