Put It Into Practice

I decided to put my new found info to the test and use it with my students. I used a Google Earth path I created called "De Truscott Hasta Mexico". I wanted to take my first graders on a visual tour from Truscott to Mexico and then show them the places we've talked of and to explore the many environs of Mexico, particularly the valley to where the eastern Monarchs migrate.
The computer lab is open on Friday's so I arranged to have them join me there. Day 1, the projector wasn't in it's place so we rescheduled. Just as well because I found that the notation pins I made on the original path didn't transfer to the school computer (?) so I had to reset the pins on the computer room's computer. Ultimately, it was wonderful! The kids were engaged and excited and interested. It was great to give them visual cues to the words and places we had studied. Hopefully, I have a better handle on the technology (still miffed with Google Earth) and can more easily use it in the future.
I also ended a unit on insects by showing a video of the many strange and funky insects in the world. Unfortunately, neither of my second grade classrooms have projectors and the computer lab is in use during both their classes. I tried showing the video on the lap top. Arrgh! 26 second graders trying to shove and jockey for position which means "touching" and scootching into others' personal space and, "He's not sitting on his bottom. I can't see.", etc.... Fifteen plus minutes to show a 4.5 minute video!Can't say I'm anxious to do that again. We can hope we'll have more classroom projectors in the coming years.
Yes, there are a great many resources available through social media and Web2.0. I will be more willing to try and integrate them into what I do with my students. These programs can be a wonderful way to ignite learning and interest. Maybe part of my goal needs to be sharing these resources with my students' parents. Maybe I can prick the student's interest and encourage a shared activity with their parents.