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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Tried It Tuesday {Tumblebooks}

I think I can...I think I can! Three more days and this girl is headed to Disney for the first time! Ahhh!! I still have lots of packing to do (ok, I haven't even started!) and Valentines to work on tonight with my daughter but it always seems to get done somehow. Even though we are maxed out with snow days right now, I can't help but think that I could really use one! :)
Last week I wrote about using Folktales in my classroom here and here. As promised, I posted a new Facebook fan freebie here with a fable rubric to use if your students write their own fables.
It's time for Tried It Tuesday! :)
What have you tried recently at school or home?
My Tried It:
Tumblebooks
I wanted to share another website that I came across called Tumblebooks. I had never heard of this site before and our library purchased a subscription to it (there is a 30 day free trial though!). If you like it, you could ask your library media specialist if there are funds for the subscription. Tumblebooks is basically an online site with digital story books, chapter books, and nonfiction stories. There are activities that include language learning, puzzles, games, and videos.
Disclaimer:I have no affiliation with Tumblebooks and they did not ask me to write this post. :)

This is the screen you see when you first go to the site:
 If you click in the the Tumble Library, you can easily register for a free trial membership.



 Here are screenshots of samples of story books:


 Once you are logged in, this screen shows you options at Tumble Library:
Here is a screenshot of library choices for chapter books. 

 As the students listen to stories (this one is from the chapter book, Noodle Up Your Nose from above), the words are highlighted as they are read.

 This is a screenshot from TumbleBookCloud which also has a free trial.

 I thought this option of writing a Tumble Book Report was neat too. Students always think it is more fun to write using the computer! It guides them through the process step-by-step and when they are done, they can select print and you can have a printed copy.










I will be leaving for Disney this Friday!! Wahoo! We have a split break this year instead of a two week spring break in April. That means we have a week off in February and a week off in April. I would rather have the two week break in April and this is the first year in a long time our school has went with the split break. The NYS testing schedule for grades 3-8 doesn't lend itself well to the two week break since we would have to take the math test the week coming off of two weeks off. Anyway, we decided to make the best of it and booked a trip to FL last summer! I have never been to Disney and we have been waiting for the kids to be old enough to enjoy it. 

Tried It Tuesday linkup will still be posted next week but I can't promise that I will have much to blog about. I am going to try to stay in vacation mode and not open the computer too much! :)

Have a great week and all my friends getting hit by storms, stay safe and warm!!

14 comments:

  1. Tumblebooks looks amazing - may have to keep that in mind when we submit our budget for next year. Have a great time at Disney! We have been to Disneyland several times and Disney World for our honeymoon! You will have a great time!

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  2. I love Tumblebooks and our parish has a subscription we can use. I never knew about the reports though!!
    Have a GREAT time in Disney! We're going over our Spring break in April (only one week for us.. but we DO get Mardi Gras so I can't complain...). I can't wait to see photos! Oh and HEY - be sure to drop by JCPenney. Ours has some REALLY CUTE Disney clothes I've been buying up to outfit our kids for the trip. I have all boys but those girls clothes are SUPER cute.. like boutique-style cute!!
    Enjoy!
    :) Erin
    I'm Lovin' Lit

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  3. Is Disney for work or play? Sounds fun!

    I have 5 until I leave for Vegas!!!! PURE FUN!!!! I cannot wait!!!

    oh, and Tumble books are great!! I use them with my own children!

    Elizabeth
    Hodges Herald

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  4. Ahhh! So exciting. I LOVE Disney and we will be taking our first family trip in August! I can't wait to see pics! I've never been on TumbleBooks, but it looks awesome!
    Theresa
    Pinkadots Elementary

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  5. Disney, Disney, Disney! Fun, fun, fun! Please tell me you are going to get to hang out with Joanne. I'm super duper jealous!! We have Tumblebooks at our school, but I very rarely use it. There is no excuse. I better not see you on the internet during your vacation!!!
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

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  6. Ok, seriously jealous of your Disney trip! My old school had a subscription to Tumble books and I loved it! I need to investigate it again especially for non-fiction reading for science and social studies! Thanks for reminding me!

    Rissa
    Keep Calm and Hoot On

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  7. My kids too love tumble books-thanks for the reminder to get kids back on it (especially with all of the nonfiction reading!) Have so much fun on your trip-enjoy and relax! Disney sounds like a fabulous idea!

    Amanda
    Learning to the Core

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  8. I have used Tumblebooks for a few years. It is a great way to have the kids listen to fluent readers, especially for my ELL students. When I am super busy or not feeling well, Tumblebooks makes a great read aloud when projected on the SMART Board.

    Have a great trip! I'm so jealous!!

    Jennifer
    Mrs. Laffin's Laughings

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  9. I've never heard of Tumblebooks, but it looks like an excellent site-I like the book report option. I'll have to share this with our media specialist. Thanks for hosting a fun party!
    P.S. I can't wait to meet you Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

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  10. I love tumblebooks and my kiddos love it too! We have one book a week that they all have to listen to and take and AR quiz on, but other than that they use it a lot for listening. It's great so I don't have to worry about tape/cd players. They just go online and pick what they want to listen to!!! :) Have so much fun in Disney! I hope we see a crazy new ride that you try for your post next week!!!
    Ana
    Mrs. Bentin's Blackboard

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  11. I've never heard of tumblebooks, but I will definitely check it out! It seems to be the perfect thing - especially for my reluctant readers and writers! :) Thanks for the great idea.

    Have a fabulous time in Disney, my dear friend! I have next week off as well, but my plans are nowhere near as exciting as yours - I plan to sleep in, shop, and bake to my heart's content :)

    ~Jessica
    Joy in the Journey

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  12. We have TumbleBooks but I didn't know about writing the book reports. Great idea! I will definitely look in to it.
    Have a great time in Disney!
    Jane
    Learning in the Little Apple

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  13. I had never heard of Tumblebooks so I am grateful to you for this post! I live in the Disney area and am an annual passholder + DVC member which means we go to Disney A LOT. If there's anything I can help you with, please let me know! :)

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  14. I love Tumblebooks!!! And may your Disney dreams come true!! Oh, and I saw your hanging out with Joanne! That'll be a blast too!
    Rachel
    A Tall Drink of Water

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