Alphabetimals

If you are looking for a fun resource for helping students learn their alphabet then you should check out the Alphabetimals site. They also have an app. Check out the interactive book to hear an animal for each letter. In addition, there are some great resources such as flashcards, coloring pages and wall posters. You can even type your name/words with animals and then print them out, share them via social media or even order items with the name/word. 

Google Street View Collection

Google Street View

Walls in a classroom do not have to create barriers to learning for your students. One way to flatten the classroom wall is to use Google's ever growing street view collection. It allows you the opportunity to explore regions around the US that you never thought possible. 

My first graders explored NASA. In our reading curriculum we read an informational text about astronauts and landing on the moon. The NASA collection allowed us to take a virtual field trip through NASA. 

We also used the Ocean collection when we were reading about sea animals. This gave us a first hand perspective on the habitats that sea animals encounter on a daily basis. My first graders loved taking a dive under the water and staying dry at the same time. 

If you are looking for a simple way to integrate technology into your K-2 classroom, Google Street View can be a great tool for breaking down your classroom walls.