Carly+Masterson

=United Streaming - November 2007=

United Streaming in reading groups
My plan for United Streaming is to use it in my smaller reading groups of 5th graders. They will be reading short non-fictions books about nature's unsolved mysteries (for example ocean creatures and space exploration). It will benefit students to read the material and then see it come to life through video.

=January 23, 2008=

United Streaming results
My 5th grade reading group really enjoyed videos I found for them on United Streaming. They are reading a series of books called Unsolved Mysteries which are teaching them about the wonders of the world (the Bermuda Triangle, Loch Ness Monster, the Pyramids, etc.). Recently we watched a video on mummies and how and why they were made. The students really responded to the footage and they got a lot from it. They began a discussion of their own afterwards that was focused and very interesting for students of their level.

My web page is coming along slowly. I want to make sure I have the time to make it user friendly before I make it available to parents.

-- Great update, I am always glad to read that the students are involved as well as the teacher. Your webpage is also coming. Sharon

=May 21, 2008=

Final Reflection
Since United Streaming hooked my 5th graders so much, I think this is the perfect time of year to try it with my 6th graders. I will be using some videos on Anne Frank and the Holocaust to involve them and spark some discussions.

I have really enjoyed learning about all the wonderful resources that are available to teachers online and how to use these resources in the classroom to involve students. Most of my students are not interested in a topic unless they think it directly affects them in one way or another. Using United Streaming and VoiceThread really pulls them further into worldly topics such at WWII, the Pyramids, Loch Ness, ocean life, etc. This is a great course for teachers who are just starting out with integrating technology into their classrooms. The first step is knowing what's out there to help us. Thanks, Sharon! I'm sure I'll be coming to you often next year for more advice :)