Ookaboo: Free Pictures of (almost) Everything On Earth!

One of the main things that I hear from my work buddies (and I agree 100%) is that our students have a VERY difficult time making connections because of their limited schema. Well, I happen to believe that technology is the GREATEST way to build up that schema. While I tend to be pretty good at anticipating that "missing knowledge," there are times when I'm blown away by the blank stares I get when I say something that I THINK my kids know. For example, we were talking about ice hockey on a lake or pond (because we were reading a story about a boy who fell through the ice) and my kids could NOT grasp it. Well, I pulled up this nifty site ookaboo.com, searched a keyword and BAM! I had a image for my kids to "think" from and build up those connections and understanding. The BEST part about ookaboo is that the images are school/kiddo friendly. There is no risk of pulling up some borderline BAD pictures when you use a search engine. I tried putting in keywords such as breasts and other male and female anatomy images and only came up with images that you would find in a health or science text book. 

The website says: "Find Free Stock Photos With Unprecedented Precision." I must say that it works preeetyyy well! 

Check it out and integrate your ookaboo images in your SMART board templates, Animoto video's and Inspiration maps! 

Inspiration: Brainstorming with my Kiddo's

Wayyyyyyyy back in my first year, I used this software called "Inspiration" with my class. It was perfect to use with my MD students to organize their ideas for writing. Somewhere along the way I forgot about using the software (funny how that happens).

Anyways, during my winter class I was reminded about how awesome the program was and I was forced to play around with it for a homework assignment.


I was once again hooked and I began brainstorming ideas on how to use Inspiration in my classroom.

Isn't it pretty? Anyways, I used it with my kiddos as a means to brainstorm for persuasive writing and they are HOOKED. At first, I allowed the kids to "play" I put them in groups and I cut them loose. Some used the software that was installed on the computer and others used the web client (software is randomly installed on my school computers). Either way, it worked great! 

(Student "Learning" Sample)

Then, I used the software to pre-write their persuasive writing essay. 

And then, I discovered that you can export the file to word and it will print both the visual diagram AND a traditional outline. Let's just say I am OFFICIALLY in love. Hopefully my printers will start working and I can stop running around my room with my thumb drive trying to get everything printed! 

Like I said earlier, I had brainstormed other ways of using inspiration in my classroom. I thought I'd share and see if anyone else has tried any of these ideas. 

• Compare and Contrast/Double Bubble Map
• Building Background Knowledge/Word Bank
• Building Test Reviews
• Classification/Taxonomy's

Have you ever used inspiration in your classroom? How have you used it? Look for future posts on inspiration. I can't wait to expand our Inspiration portfolio!