Padlet and Thinglink to Support our Learning

Learning about Biomes 

We recently wrapped up our unit of inquiry into Biomes. We did a lot of group and individual research throughout this unit using Padlet and Thinglink. Here are the results of our learning.

Prior Knowledge and Questions

To begin our unit, we used Padlet. I created four different Padlet Boards, one for the ocean, the artic tundra, the desert, and the rain forest. We used eight iPads and placed the devices with the Padlets around the room for students to begin their journey.

Students visited the different biome tables and added what they
already know or what questions they had about the biome.

Students added their thoughts and ideas to each biome. I projected them on the white board throughout the activity. When we were done, we read through them, answered questions, consolidated like-minded thoughts, and made notes for our upcoming learning.

Here are the links to the four biomes. Our oceam biome Padlet is displayed below:

Ocean Biome    Desert Biome     Forest Biome     Arctic Tundra Biome

Created with Padlet

The Final Project

After our six weeks of study,  we took our research and each student compiled their learning into their our own interactive display using Thinglink. The excitement over creating their own digital display engaged everyone and encouraged them to do their best. 

We examined real desert plants
to understand the adaptations
needed to service in the habitat.

We took a trip to the Denver
Aquarium to study habitats
and adaptations.

Over the course of the three days, students completed their ThingLinks. They worked together to problem solve and show each other how to add text, take pictures, search for images online and post them. They consulted their science notebooks for research, used their previous small research projects for information, and gave advice to others based on their learning. 

Here are the projects we completed:

Ocean Biome ThingLinks

 

Desert Biome ThingLinks

Forest Biome ThingLinks

Rainforest Biome ThingLinks

Prairie and Grasslands Biome ThingLinks

This turned out to be a great culminating project that encouraged us to collaborate, use previous research, and learn a new tool to integrate into our day-to-day learning.

Changing Classrooms (and grades) ...Again

Well it's June and here I am getting ready to to head over to school to do some more unpacking! As most everyone knows, Mrs. Crosby is moving the Cool Cats to 2nd grade next year. It's a lot of work getting a classroom in order from scratch, but I am excited for some new decorations, designs and a new space. 

This is what the classroom looks like right now: 

The view when you walk in the door.
How did I get so much stuff!!!

The view from the back of the room looking towards the door.
You can see my old fashioned desk that Mrs. Smiley gave me.

Looking at the back corner of the room.
These are the "soft comfies" my students love to use during Daily 5.
I have to remember to sew a few seam rips in them before the school year begins!

Looking at the mountain of stuff from a different view.
This will be "the back of the room" when I am done.

Looking out from over my desk. Yikes!

And finally, the GORGEOUS window I now have.
I will be making curtains this summer.
I think curtains make a room more comfortable. 

Hopefully after today I will have made some good progress and will have updated classroom pictures to share!