Collaborate - Google Sites
The theme of this week was exploring Google sites with an emphasis on the importance of creating sites that are visible, multi-modal, and multi-textural.
Exploring Google Sites
The most valuable tip I learnt today about Google Sites, was how to plan a Google Site. We spent time with pencil and paper planning the layout and design of our sites before clicking "create new site". I found that this helped my site to come together easily.
Here is my planning:
Here is the multi-textual and multi-modal site that I created. It is a site aimed at year 1/2 learners with access to iPads. It explores the theme of "keep trying" through the topic of Matariki.
Rebecca's Matariki Site
In reflection, when I create a site for this purpose again I would keep the layout the same with an engaging home page followed by pages for "Learn", "Create" and "Share". Next time, I would use Google Keep to gather all my ideas and create buttons and banners before beginning to create the site.
I am curious to know how other junior school teachers (especially those in new entrant classrooms) use multi-textual learning with their learners.
I am thinking of using quality picture books read by teacher with class discussion of the vocabulary and story. I also think using images, youtube videos, and songs would be effective ways of exposing new entrant children to new vocabulary, ideas and to make links between texts to deepen their understanding.
Any thoughts?
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ReplyDeleteAnother fantastic blog post Rebecca! I really love seeing your site development from the planning stage on paper, through to the link to the site itself - awesome job! Your site works really well and seems really logical, just check your permissions for the forms on the share page if you want us to be able to see them :)
ReplyDeleteI will go back and check the permissions of the Google Forms. Thanks for your comment Matt!
DeleteAwesome planning for your site! And your provocation at the end is so important - how do we provide multi textual learning for learners especially our youngest lovelies!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was working in a Reggio Emilia inspired preschool last year we provided space where we put out a variety of texts that related to an area they were interested in. Eg some learners were very interested in water play so we collated some multi textual books from myths to the water cycle.
Like you said, the vocabulary and communication opportunities from these stories just took off and the learners ended up getting interested in sea monsters so we went on a learning journey about Taniwha - singing songs, watching and hearing stories about it, making clay monsters of their own 🐳
Excited to see where you take your learning about this Rebecca! 📖💡
I love the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching. My eldest went to a Reggio Emilia inspired kindergarten - there are many aspects we can adopt as primary teachers especially in the junior school.
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