Fold a US Candidate

 

What it is:  Fold a US Candidate is a fun site that has paper foldable puppets of the US candidates for the 2008 election.  (I am very entertained by this right now!) Both presidential nominees are featured as well as their wives.  There is also an election day count down on the site to let your students know how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds they have to wait before the big day.  This is a fun site to get your students interested in the upcoming election.  

 

How to integrate Fold a US Candidate into the classroom:  Students of all ages are sure to get more involved and interested in the election after visiting this site and making their own president puppet.  These would be fun to use as you are discussing the upcoming election in your classroom.  While the site is chock full of facts about the candidates, the paper puppets would add to learning about the election and the different candidates.  Split your students into groups and assign each a candidate to study.  They can find out what the candidates believe about some key issues in the upcoming election.  Then they can have a mock debate using the puppets and the research they have gained.  

 

Tips:  Print out and fold your US Candidate today!  🙂

 

 

Leave a comment and share how you are using Fold a US Candidate in your classroom.

 

 

ipopetz.tv


What it is: ipopetz.tv is a fun web 2.0 site that your students will love to use.  Students can create their own 3-D mini cartoon show by selecting a puppet, creating and recording their show (with their own voice) and then sharing their show.  The puppets that students have to choose from are a lot of fun.  The shows are easy to create, students make their 3-D puppet move by using their mouse and keyboard and record their voice using the microphone.  The puppets lip sync to the words your students say!  

How to integrate ipopetz.tv into the classroom: The ipopetz.tv puppets would be the perfect way for students to display knowledge.  They can use their ipopetz character to give a book report.  Instead of standing up in front of the class and reading off of their book report, students can “advertise” a book using an ipopetz puppet.  Because they can record their own voice and manipulate their puppet, they display their knowledge in a new and fun way as well as become the directors for their own 3-D cartoon.  So much fun!  Have students create shows about any subject.  For example, students could create a show about a current science topic.  Instead of studying from a text book before a test, students can watch eachother’s informational cartoon shows.  If your students are like mine, they can’t recall facts from a textbook at the drop of the hat but they can all quote Kung Foo Panda.  Let them create and learn in a way that they love.  I garuntee this will be a huge hit with your students!  It is easy enough for as young as first grade but will hold the attention of students through middle school (maybe even through adults…I am throuroughly entertained!)  Create your own cartoon to teach a subject for a change of pace, it will give you a break and the students will enjoy something new.  You can create your show, save it, and use a projector to teach the whole class.  If you are lucky enough to have a projector in your classroom you could even start out each day with a message or brain teaser for your students.

Tips: ipopetz.tv does require a download plugin for Quick Time.  It is a quick and small download.  Make sure to download the plugin for every computer that you will be using ipopetz.tv on.  Also be aware that this site has advertisements, be sure to use this opportunity to teach your students about online ads and set up the rule that they not click on them before you start a project.

Leave a comment and share how you are using ipopetz.tv in your classroom.