Google Image Swirl

Google Image Swirl: a Fun Toy!

I think to be able to keep up with all the cool gadgets and programs that have become available out there, you really need to stop working or decide not to sleep!! Well, I found this really neat tool today toiling around when I really should be working on the 10 papers that I have due NEXT week!!! But had I not found it, then I could not have shared it with you!! It's called "Google Image Swirl" and you can either choose from the images that they have provide or type in a subject of your own. I typed in french bulldogs because although my mother in law thinks they are ugly, I think their ugliness makes them oh so lovable!!!

My Google Image Swirl creation... a masterpiece... (not quite so...)
http://image-swirl.googlelabs.com/html?query=bulldog%20francais#91

IDEAS FOR THE CLASSROOM/ How can this be used in a classroom?

I could see this tool as being an engaging opening for a lesson on Social Studies, History, or Science. Teachers could model how to use Google Image Swirl and then children can work in groups or pairs and create projects. Students then write a sentence or paragraph (depending on their ability) to describe what their "swirl" represents. This tool is great for visual learners.

Here is the link to the site..
http://image-swirl.googlelabs.com/

How you teach READING poll?

I'm currently working on a research project on the preference of teacher's and reading instruction. If you are and elementary school teacher and you teach reading during part of the day- PLEASE answer the poll question and leave a comment regarding which style of reading instruction you think is best for students and which you prefer to teach. If you have examples you would like to share from your classroom, please do so but do not use the actual names of your students. You can, however, use the actual name of the program you are using!!!