Replacement+Ideas

Resources that can replace outdated elements to provide a more engaging and motivating learning experience for students

** Pete's P﻿owerPoint ** The Pete’s PowerPoint site ([]) is a great replacement for teacher notes that students might be asked to take while the teacher lectures. This is also an alternative to having the students practice multiple examples on paper. By using these games and Power Points on a smart board, students can get excited about participating in math activities and games that might otherwise be found boring. Boys particularly like to compete, so the math games will serve as a motivator for boys and other reluctant learners. A teacher can also differentiate lessons for students by using Pete’s Power Point. Students can be paired or work separately on an interactive math game to review skills at their own level. If students are in need of some re-teaching, teachers can direct the students to one of the Power Point presentations that show step-by- step learning. Once teachers explore Pete’s Power Point, it will be easy for them to see how to replace some of their outmoded practices.

** The Flip ** The Flip Video Camera (The Flip Website) is a great tool that educators at all levels can use in the classroom. The technology of the camera is very easy to use. The camera itself can be used to take still photos or videos up to 60 minutes. Flip cameras are relatively inexpensive (starting at $149) and there are special deals for schools ordering in bulk. There are multitudes of ways in which Flip cameras can be used. Teachers can use them to record student projects so that the teacher can go back and review the projects for grading. Students can use them to record each other performing a skit, presenting a report, or take photos for projects. In Reading, students and teachers can use Flip cameras to record reading to practice fluency and expression. In Math, students can use the cameras to take photos of shapes and three dimensional figures. In using the Flip cameras, many students will be using technology with which they are already familiar. The activities featuring the use of these cameras are limitless. Replacing outdated activities is simple with the integration of this easy-to-use technology.

Tumble Books
Tumble Books is a good use of technology and can replace book boxes and sending leveled readers home for students to practice reading. Since the level of support can be adjusted, it is good for individual, small group, or whole group instruction. When attached to a smart board, the whole class can interact with the story. Sight words can be highlighted, story questions can be answered, and book reviews can be constructed using the provided templates. At home, students can access books stored on their own book shelf. This can aid students who have limited access to having adults read to them, or adults available to read to. This technology motivates students to read and builds fluency and comprehension.

Spelling City
Spelling City ([|http://www.spellingcity.com]) is an interactive educational website that can be used as a replacement for "drill and kill" approaches to studying for, and memorizing, spelling words. Student can practice their spelling words at Spelling City through ten fun and interactive flash games found in the "Play a Game" section that cover the topics of spelling, vocabulary/contextual meaning, alphabetical order, writing/typing practice, and spelling fluency. In the "Teach Me" section, students can hear their spelling words pronounced, see them spelled out letter by letter, and hear each of the words used contextually in a sentence. This feature is especially excellent for English Language Learner (ELL) students, and parents of English Language Learner students, who are not familiar with English vocabulary, pronunciation, and spelling. Spelling city also features a "Test Me" section in which students can take practice spelling tests to self-asses their current readiness for the actual test that will be held in the classroom at the end of the week. Spelling City also provides educators, parents, and students with practice handwriting sheets based upon uploaded spelling words. These handwriting sheets provide students with an opportunity to improve the quality/neatness of their handwriting if needed or necessary. Students who have lost their spelling lists may also access, and print them off, from the Spelling City website.

**﻿SMART Response Interactive System ** The SMART Response Interactive System hand-held devices are a relative inexpensive addition for classrooms with interactive SMARTboards. These tools are meant to replace dry erase board and paper assessments. After teachers provide direct instruction and guided practice, SMART response tools can be used for formative assessments to measure student understanding during lessons. Interactive lessons can be designed to replace traditional, out-dated review or test prep activities, and these devices can be utilized across all grade levels and subject areas. This technology provides teachers with a simple tool to upgrade lessons and assessments to a 21st century level.