Personalized Photo Cards Using Smilebox
Personalized Photo Cards Using Smilebox
Personalized Photo Cards Using Smilebox
Smilebox is an awesome Web 2.0 Tool that every teacher should try at least once. When you need to think of an activity that will demonstrate to parents what is happening in the classroom Smilebox would be the perfect choice. A personalized greeting with a photo of a student sent home would bring a smile to the face of a proud parent. Then realizing that their child created the card would just be icing on the cake.
Subjects
Literature Keywords
cards, photos, smilebox Grades
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 >12 Objectives:
Objectives:
o The students will analyze the Web 2.0 tool Smilebox.
o The students will be able to use creative skills to design and create a card.
o The students will be able to collaborate with each other to decide what products will be used as a fundraiser.
o The students will be able to collaborate within a group to determine the profitability of the fundraiser.
o The students will be able to use critical thinking skills to collaborate to create a sales plan for the fundraiser.
o Students will further master their ability to organize their creative work into a finished product.
Materials:
Materials:
o Smilebox.com is a Web 2.0 tool. Teachers can choose to use a 14-day free trial or purchase a membership for $5.99 a month.
o When using Smilebox there are options to send invitations, cards, photo collages, calendars, and e-cards. So you need a computer and Internet access.
o Smilebox products maybe printed or sent via email, Facebook or linked to a blog.
o Photo paper
o A printer with color printing features.
o Envelopes for the photo cards.
o A variety of paper sizes for calendars and collages.
o Paper cutter
Melinda Javier
About the author
Procedure:
Procedures:
o Using a search engine on the Internet go to Smilebox.com.
o Sign-up for the free 14 day trial to use Smilebox.
o Take the time to carefully look at all the options on the website.
o Be sure to have photos already loaded on your computer, this will make it easier to make the various products.
o After choosing a particular product, such as a birthday invitation, choose the design you want to use.
o Add your photo or photos.
o Personalize card using your own words.
o Save your work.
o Spell check and then verify the information on the card.
o Print the card on photo paper.
o Cut the cards using a good paper cutter.
o Other options include sending the completed card to Smilebox and the printing will be done for you. AT AN ADDITIONAL COST.
Assessment:
The students will use a rubric to assess their work. They will also write a reflection in their Writing Journal. I will also comment on the rubric.
Technology:
Emerging Technology: Web 2.0 Tool SMILEBOX a. Smilebox.com b. Personalized photos cards and invitations
Reflection:
One type of reflection that I will use is a rubric. Each student and I will use the rubric to assess the completed work. The students will use their Writing Journal to write a reflection entry describing the experience of using Smilebox for this project. As a group we will also reflect on the experience. I have found that group discussions can be a powerful method for students to share with each other. Teachers may want to have each group work together to write a reflection. Filming and editing a movie about the project is another wonderful way to reflect. After completing this assignment, which begins with introducing Smilebox to my class, and weaves all the way through to reading student reflections I would analyze what aspects of the lesson worked well and what did not work well. Using the rubrics and the written reflections along with the completed Christmas cards I would be able to understand to what level each student succeeded with the assignment. These indicators would show me what areas I needed to improve the lesson and the implementation of the plan.
Audience:
I will be teaching the Web 2.0 tool Smilebox to 7th & 8th grade students.
Making Connections:
Making Connections: i. The students have used iPhoto and other programs to edit photos and create slideshows. They will be able to use that knowledge along with the new experience of learning Smilebox and create a finished product that is much more complex. ii. The project we are doing with Smilebox is relevant to the students because their interest in technology and the use of their creative talents are going to be linked to fundraising. They will feel proud of the success we all achieve together while working on this project. iii. The connection the students will have with the other families at our school will reinforce their previous experiences of customer service. We operate a store and bakery every Thursday morning, and the students bake, serve the food and do the bookkeeping for the store. We will be meeting the needs of our school families by offering the Christmas cards for them to buy.