Category: School Subjects

Voki Lesson Plans: Lesson Plans on English-Speaking Countries

Voki Lesson Plans: Lesson Plans on English-Speaking Countries

by Voki Blog ♥ 2 Comments

Last month, we introduced three lesson plans on Latin America. This month we are introducing 3 new lesson plans for our English speaking countries that your students will enjoy learning about: United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand! So let’s dive into the past with some famous historical figures from the United Kingdom, travel and explore the great continent of Australia, and test your hidden knowledge on New Zealand!

Remember:  You can use Voki lesson plans for a higher, or lower, grade than the one you teach. Also, you can adapt Voki lesson plans to fit your style, or your students’ abilities!

Autobiography(United Kingdom) – In this lesson plan, students will learn about famous historical figures within the United Kingdom. In a 2 page autobiography, students will research about their lives and their influence on society. As an additional classroom activity, students will create Voki clues on the historical figure that they researched.

 

Australia Travel Brochure – Students will learn about the geography and the different territories of Australia. Students are assigned to one of the Australian territories and will be required to create a travel brochure for the territory. A Voki will be created to introduce the assigned territory with 3 interesting facts.

 

New Zealand Scavenger Hunt– Students will go on an internet scavenger hunt on New Zealand. They will learn to locate the islands, cities, and bodies of water located in New Zealand. You will play a Voki with scavenger hunt clues and students will research. Students will be required to create a scavenger hunt Voki to present to the class.

 

We would love to hear how you are using Voki in your class! If you have send it to us at lessonplans@voki.com!

Until Next Time,

The Voki Team

Voki Activity Ideas

Voki Activity Ideas

by Voki Blog ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Looking for some great Voki activities for your students?

Well look no further! Tricia and Donna from 1001 Super Tools for Teachers made a great handout with Voki! As their Super Tool 991, they listed out some fun lesson Voki activities for different school subjects!

Reading/Language Arts

Did you just assign a great book to your students? Are you planning a poetry lesson? These fun lesson ideas would get your students to practice their reading and writing:

  • Have your students write a poem and get a Voki to recite it!
  • Create a Voki to describe the character or explain their motivation of their actions.
  • Teach your students how to identify the sequence of events in a story by creating a Voki.

Science

Teaching a science lesson does not have to be boring! Your students will have a BLAST with these Voki science activities:

  • Create a Voki that represents your lesson to explain and define important vocabulary words.
  • Are you doing an experiment in class? You can create a Voki to give directions on how to do the experiment!
  • Have your students create Voki to respond to class questions.

Social Studies

Learning about the Renaissance Era, the American Revolution, or the Meji Restoration? Having a great historical debate in class? Bring history back to life with these Voki history activities:

  • Get your students to create some famous historical figures to explain who they are and what they did.
  • Create Voki characters to have a historical debate on important subjects in history.
  • Have your students create a Voki to explain the cause and effect of some historical events.

Math

Vokis can be used in all types of subjects. Even math! These great Voki math activities will be fun part of your math lesson:

  • You can create an instructional Voki to remind your students on the correct ways to solve a problem.
  • Your students can create and share Vokis to help other solve a problem.
  • Have your students create Voki word problems and solve them in class.

Speech Therapy

Some of your students may have speech problem. These Voki activities will help them reach their language goal:

  • Create a Voki to articulate sounds.
  • If your students have dysfluency, like stuttering, have them create a Voki by recording their voice. Make sure to tell them to keep track of their progress!
  • Have your students record their voice on a Voki. Ask them to get peer feedback on how they are doing.

Foreign language

Voki offers 30 different languages! It’s a good way to start practicing your Japanese sentence structure, Spanish vocabulary, or Portuguese pronunciation!

  • Your students can create a Voki to practice their vocabulary and pronunciation.
  • Create a Voki using text-to-speech; this is a great way for students to practice their writing skills.

Thank you Tricia and Donna for creating this amazing Voki handout!

If you have some great ideas or feedback that you want us to know, send us an email at feedback@voki.com!

Until next time,

The Voki Team

Voki Tip of the Week: Storytelling – Aesop’s Fable

Voki Tip of the Week: Storytelling – Aesop’s Fable

by Voki Blog ♥ 1 Comment

Storytelling is a very useful activity in the classroom. It can be used to and improve your students’ creative writing skills! Here’s an activity that you can do with your students: ask your students to tell their favorite Aesop’s Fable or write their own fable!

They can even record their own voices on the Voki! It’s also a great activity for your students to practice their public speaking!

Note: Instructions for recording with a microphone can be found on Voki Tip of the Week: Give your Voki a Human Voice with a Microphone.

Check out our example below!

Until next time,
The Voki Team

Voki Tip of the Week: Shakespeare Activity

Voki Tip of the Week: Shakespeare Activity

by Voki Blog ♥ 4 Comments

Are you Team Montague or Team Capulet? Do you love to recite Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” speech? Do you like to play the bad guy from Othello? Or do you want to be a king like Macbeth?

No matter which Shakespeare play you enjoy reading, it would be great to recite parts of it in class! Get your students to recite a short passage from a Shakespeare play! It’s a fun way to help your student work on their memorization skills!

Check out the example below and tell us which famous Shakespeare play it’s from!

Until next time,
The Voki Team

Voki Lesson Plans: Latin America Lesson Plans in Spanish and Portuguese

Voki Lesson Plans: Latin America Lesson Plans in Spanish and Portuguese

by Voki Blog ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Are you thinking about vacation already? Well, this month’s lesson plan theme brings you and your students to three beautiful countries in Latin America.  These three new lesson plans will let your students explore the exotic culture, unique geography, and famous landmarks of Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil. Best of all, these lesson plans are translated into Spanish and Portuguese for our Voki users in Latin America!

¿Estás pensando en vacaciones ya? Bueno, el tema de este mes de planificación de clase trae a usted y a sus alumnos a tres hermosos países de América Latina. Estos tres nuevos planes de clase le permitirá a sus alumnos  explorar la exótica cultura, geografía única, y lugares de interés turístico de la Argentina, Colombia y Brasil. Lo mejor de todo es que estas lecciones son traducidos al español y al portugués para nuestros usuarios Voki en América Latina!

Você já está pensando em férias? Bem, o temado plano de aula deste mês traz para você e seus alunos  três bonitos países da América Latina. Estes três novos planos de aula vão deixar seus alunos explorar a cultura exótica, geografia única, e monumentos famosos da Argentina, Colômbia e Brasil. O melhor de tudo, estes planos de aula são traduzidos para o Espanhol e o Português para os nossos usuários Voki na América Latina!

 
Argentina Weather Forecast (Spanish) – In this lesson, students will learn about the geography and climate of Argentina. They will learn about the different regions within Argentina and the various types of weather in each region. Students will be assigned to a region to write a brief weather forecast. They will be required to create a Voki to practice their public speaking.

Pronóstico del Tiempo en Argentina (Español) – En esta clase, los alumnos aprenderán acerca de la geografía y el clima de Argentina. Ellos van a aprender acerca de las diferentes regiones de Argentina y los distintos tipos de clima de cada región. Los estudiantes serán asignados a una región para escribir una previsión del tiempo breve. Se les exigirá crear un Voki para practicar su discurso público.

Previsão do Tempo para a Argentina (Espanhol) – Nesta aula, os alunos irão aprender sobre a geografia e clima da Argentina. Eles vão aprender sobre as diferentes regiões da Argentina e os vários tipos de clima de cada região. Os alunos serão atribuídos a uma região para escrever uma breve previsão do tempo. Eles serão obrigados a criar um Voki para praticar a sua oratória.

 

Colombian Culture (Spanish) – Students will explore the different aspects of Colombian culture, customs, and traditions. Students will be assigned to one of the Colombian culture. They will create a Voki presenting their findings and what they found interesting.

Cultura Colombiana (Español) – Los estudiantes explorarán los diferentes aspectos de la cultura colombiana, sus costumbres y tradiciones. Los estudiantes serán asignados a un aspecto de la cultura colombiana. Se creará un Voki para presentar sus hallazgos y lo que encuentren interesante.

Cultura Colombiana (Espanhol) – Os alunos irão explorar os diferentes aspectos da cultura colombiana, costumes e tradições. Os alunos serão atribuídos para um aspecto da cultura colombiana. Eles vão criar um Voki para apresentar seus resultados e o que acharam interessante.

 

Brazil Expedition (Portuguese) – This lesson will take your students on an expedition around Brazil. Students will learn new vocabulary words and the five different regions in Brazil. Students will be separated into groups for a six day expedition in one of the regions. Each student will be responsible for one Voki log.

Expedición Brasil (Portugués) – Esta clase  llevará a sus alumnos en una expedición por todo Brasil. Los alumnos aprenderán un nuevo vocabulario y las cinco regiones de Brasil. Los alumnos se dividirán en grupos para una expedición de seis días en una de las regiones. Cada alumno será responsable de un registro Voki.

Expedição Brasil (Português) – Esta lição vai levar seus alunos em uma expedição pelo Brasil. Os alunos vão aprender novas palavras e as cinco diferentes regiões no Brasil. Os alunos serão separados em grupos de uma expedição de seis dias, em uma das regiões. Cada aluno será responsável por um registro Voki.

 

Remember:  You can use Voki lesson plans for a higher, or lower, grade than the one you teach. These Voki lesson plans can be adapted and customized to fit your unique style or your students’ abilities!

 

Recuerde:Usted puede utilizar la Planificación de Clase Voki para un grado superior, o inferior, a la que enseñe. Estos planes de estudio Voki se pueden adaptar y personalizar para adaptarse a su estilo único o habilidades de sus alumnos!

Lembre-se: Você pode usar os Planos de Aula Voki para um grau superior, ou inferior, do que aquele que você ensina. Esses Planos de Aula Voki podeM ser adaptado e personalizado para adaptar-se ao seu estilo único ou habilidades dos seus alunos!

 
Have a fun lesson plan that you want to share with us? Send it to lessonplans@voki.com!

Tiens un plan de clase divertida que quieras compartir con nosotros? Envíalo a lessonplans@voki.com!

Você tem um divertido Plano de Aula que você deseja compartilhar com a gente? Envie ele para lessonplans@voki.com!
 
Until Next Time,                         Hasta la próxima,                         Até a próxima,

The Voki Team                            El equipo de Voki                         A Equipe Voki

Voki Lesson Plans: Holiday Lesson Plans

Voki Lesson Plans: Holiday Lesson Plans

by Voki Blog ♥ 1 Comment

Welcome back to school! To kick off the school year, we have prepared 3 new lessons plans your students are sure to enjoy!

This month’s theme is Holidays! Do you think it’s too early to talk about holidays? Well the folks at Voki don’t! It’s never too early to start preparing lessons for the holiday season.

 Remember: The grade level assigned to each lesson plan is not set in stone. You can use Voki lesson plans for a higher, or lower, grade than the one you teach. Feel free to customize the lesson plans to for your needs. These Voki lesson plans can be adapted to fit your unique style or your students’ abilities!

Halloween – Scary Stories (Middle School) – Students will learn about the history of Halloween, including the origin of trick or treating, costume wearing, and pumpkin carving. In this lesson, students will learn the elements that go into writing a scary story.  Then they will learn how to write their own scary story and share it with the rest of the class.

Thanksgiving Poem (Primary School) – In this lesson, students will learn about the origin of Thanksgiving and how the first Thanksgiving was celebrated. They will discuss what they are thankful for and what it means to be thankful. Then, they will write special cinquain poem about what Thanksgiving means to them.

Christmas around the World (Middle School) – Students will learn about the different Christmas traditions and customs from different countries and how it is different from their own tradition. They will discuss about the legend of Santa Claus and the different symbols that represent Christmas.

Want to share your own lesson plans with us? Just send us an email at lessonplans@voki.com!

Until Next Time,

The Voki Team

Voki Lesson Plans: Ni Hao! Let’s learn Chinese!

Voki Lesson Plans: Ni Hao! Let’s learn Chinese!

by Voki Blog ♥ 1 Comment

Dà jiā hǎo!

Summer vacation is finally here! We prepared 3 new lesson plans to keep your students thinking during vacation or incorporate into the next school year.

The theme of July’s lesson plans is basic Chinese language. It’s a great way to explore a new language and culture! This series of lessons are unique as they work well individually as well as a way to build on previous knowledge.

Getting to know people in Mandarin – In this lesson, students will learn how to introduce themselves and few simple Chinese phrases, including “Good morning”, “Nice to meet you”, and “Good bye”. They are taught the different between difference phrases between the different tones used in Mandarin Chinese. Students will take turns introducing themselves to other students. Using Voki, students will create a Voki introducing themselves in Chinese.

Small Talk in Mandarin Chinese – Students will review the phrases taught in the previous lesson. They will learn the difference between the formal “you” and the informal “you”. Students will learn short phrases, such as “How are you?” and “Are you busy?”. They will practice the phrases taught with other students. For homework, students will be required to create two Vokis using the phrases taught in class.

Counting in Mandarin Chinese – In this lesson, there will be an extensive review of the phrases taught in the last two lessons. In addition, students are taught how to count in Chinese. Teachers will show the different hand gestures related to each number and the different counting rules for Chinese numbers. Students are taught simple phrases using the numbers taught. Students will introduce themselves with a Voki utilizing all the phrases taught.

Check out our Voki Lesson Plan Database for more interesting ways to teach! If you have a lesson plan that you would like to contribute, please send us an email at lessonplans@voki.com.

Until Next Time,

The Voki Team

Healthy Living Lesson Plans with Voki

Healthy Living Lesson Plans with Voki

by Ashley Chaney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Being healthy is a lifestyle habit that requires guidance beginning at a young age. With some schools serving lunch options  that are highly processed and lacking in nutritional value, students may be confused as to what “good food” actually is. In addition to the difficulties of making healthy eating decisions, students have to balance their personal life with school work, which is often the source of major stress.

In an effort to help students learn how to maintain a happy and healthy life, we have created 3 lesson plans that touch on important health topics. Middle School and High School students will learn techniques on how to cope with stress,  create realistic body image expectations, and understand the potentially harmful effects of some common consumer products.

Stress, unhealthy eating habits, and a lack of regular exercise are a combination that threaten the well-being of many students. These topics deserve much more attention in school than they currently receive, so open up the discussion in your class and let your students share their ideas with Voki!

Remember: The grade level we assign to each lesson plan is not a requisite – you can use most Voki lesson plans that were written for a higher, or lower, grade than the one you teach – if you think they fit! Also, remember that you can adapt Voki lesson plans to fit your style, or your students’ abilities.

Coping with Stress (Health, High School) – Students explore the issue of stress in school and daily life, and understand that it is an issue many people have to cope with. Students make lists of things they have to do in the week and organize them in a way to try and reduce stress. The class discusses different ways to cope with stress and decrease it in daily life. The teacher will lead the students in a meditative yoga practice at the end of the lesson. Students will create a Voki that talks about how they plan to deal with stress in the future.

Body Image and its Influencers (Middle School, Health) – Students think about and discuss body image and where body image ideals come from. Students explore different body image influencers, such as the media, family, and culture, and compare and contrast these ideals with reality. Students will analyze their own perceptions and use Voki to talk about positive perceptions of their, and others’, appearance.

Voki Health PSA (Middle and High School, Health) – Students are assigned various popular consumer products and supplements to research and evaluate. After viewing examples of different health PSAs online, students will have the chance to create their own using Voki. Students will learn about how to maintain good health and the insider information on products that should be avoided or reduced. Students will think about healthier alternatives to the products they research.

As always, we would love to hear how you are using Voki in class. If you have a lesson plan that uses Voki (or that can be adapted to incorporate Voki) and you would like to share, please email us at lessonplans@voki.com.

Sincerely,

The Voki Team

The Voki Favorites of 2011

The Voki Favorites of 2011

by Ashley Chaney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

We are always impressed to see what educators and students can come up with using Voki. The year 2011 was a good one for Voki as was apparent through the emergence of class videos demonstrating Voki in action, well developed instructional videos for newbies, great lesson plans coming from all over the world, and so much more!

We decided to collect our favorite ways of using Voki here for all to see. Please browse through the list to learn more about Voki and how teachers from around the world use it to make class a virtual blast! Hopefully you will be inspired to come up with other ways to make Voki a part of your class. Below is a short list of some of our favorites but believe us, there are so many more out there!

10 Ways you can use Voki:

  1. Improve Confidence
  2. Learn Chinese
  3. Voki Introductions
  4. Interactive Instruction
  5. Break Barriers using Multiple Means of Engagement
  6. Become Digitally Literate
  7. Voki Dictation for Language Class
  8. “Pass it On” Buddy Method
  9. Update Students and Parents on Class Blogs
  10. Make Learning Exciting!

Thanks to all who made this list possible and to everyone that has made Voki a part of their classroom! We look forward to the new year and to hear back from you about the fun and innovative ways you use Voki in your lessons. Who knows? You and your students may find yourselves and your Vokis on our blog!

Happy New Year to all! May your 2012 be filled with happiness, gratitude, and new experiences!

Say Goodbye to Writer’s Block: Writing Lesson Plans

Say Goodbye to Writer’s Block: Writing Lesson Plans

by Ashley Chaney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Another year has come and gone and so has the winter vacation. Students may be coming back to class clinging onto the remaining visions of sugarplums and fairies; but instead of trying to overcome their rapacious imaginations, work with them! Now is the perfect time to engage your students in exercises that bring out their excitement and indulge their enthusiasm.

Below are a few Writing lesson plans that will enable students to write freely and use their imaginations with confidence. Many middle-schoolers consider writing a dreaded task, and tend to suffer from Writer’s Block. Too many times, students are required to write technical and analytic essays, at the expense of developing their creative writing skills with prose and short stories.

The lessons below are designed to help students gain confidence writing out their thoughts by using repetition and creative topics. Each exercise encourages individual perspective, unique ideas, and thought with little imaginative constraint. By introducing students into an atmosphere that is largely dictated by their free thought, writing will hopefully become an approachable subject that will enable students to handle writing assignments ease and fluidity, no matter what the topic.

Remember: The grade level we assign to each lesson plan is not a requirement – you can use Voki lesson plans from a higher, or lower, grade than the one you teach – if you think they fit! Also, remember that you can adapt Voki lesson plans to fit your style, or your students’ abilities.

Paragraph Practice (6th Grade Writing) – Students gain writing practice with a regularly scheduled, one paragraph writing exercise using Voki. By doing this exercise once a week, students will write in different styles and voices and will also be more accustomed to writing without preparation. At the end of the year, students will be able to listen to their paragraphs and evaluate their improvement in class.

Creative Writing Crunch (7th Grade Writing) – Students draw a prompt from a bag and have 15 minutes to write a creative narrative. Once the 15 minutes are over, students will use Voki to introduce their creative story and then take turns sharing their Voki and reading their work. This exercise will help students develop confidence in writing and technique. By using light-hearted prompts, students will have fun using their imagination.

Character Guess Who (8th Grade Writing) – Students will create a Voki and write a paragraph that describes their favorite book or movie character in detail.  Students will be encouraged to write using imagery and descriptive details with the goal of painting a picture with their words. After each Voki presentation is given, the classmates will try to guess who the character is.

As always, we would love to hear how you are using Voki in class. If you have a lesson plan that uses Voki (or that can be adapted to incorporate Voki) and you would like to share, please email us at lessonplans@voki.com.

Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

The Voki Team