Kohls Cares

Kohls has this great program called Kohls Cares, most teachers are probably already aware of it :).  But, I think it is amazing!  They sell popular children's books and a character plush toy to go with it! You can get both the book and the toy for only $5 each...I think that is a steal!  They usually sell a different book and character each quarter.  I have previously gotten Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat and Pout Pout Fish. The latest one I bought was Curious George. 

                              

He is too cute!  They even offered a few different Curious George books to go with him.  I usually purchase these online through Kohls because sometimes the store doesn't have it all, and most of the time these things are sold out in a week or two. Parents and teachers go crazy over these things. I use them to decorate my classroom, and also let the kids use the toy as a reading buddy. We also do a different book and character each month. The kids love it.

Educational Web Tools

I am currently doing a research web based project for my Learning Technologies masters class.  We needed to research 3 different web tools or apps and write a short review on them.  Below are the web tools I thought I could incorporate into my classroom to promote creative learning.  Let me know if you use any of these in your classroom and what your personal review would be.  Thanks!  

1. Prezi (3 in all rubric areas)

This web tool allows you to create engaging presentations.  It is almost like an interactive map that can include photos, videos, and text.  It is very simple to use, and would work for any subject.

url: http://prezi.com/

2. iMovie (3 in all rubric areas)

This app allows you to create meaningful videos/presentations.  It has many different features that allow you to personalize it and to make it your own- such as photos, video clips, text, images, music, and more.  It encourages creative thinking and promotes student assignments that are oral and visual instead of just text.  I have made videos with my first grade students and they absolutely love it!

url: www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/#sthash.QCLZEiPY.dpuf

3. Little Story Maker (3 in all rubric areas EXCEPT use in multiple subjects-2)

This is a great app to promote creative writing in your classroom that works for many grade levels.  It allows students to create their own stories using pictures and text.  They can even record their own voice narrating the story!

url: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/little-story-maker/id508287659?mt=8 

4. Student Publishing (3 in all rubric areas)

This site is amazing!  It promotes creative writing, so it would be great to incorporate with Writer's Workshop or any writing program you are using in your classroom.

url: http://www.studentpublishing.com/