Smart Ed Services: SMART Sync is "Suite"

A few days ago, I had the privilege of working in a 7th grade classroom with a great teacher and a great class. I watched them use SMART Sync for collaborating on a unit that discussed the attributes and characteristics of Holocaust Rescuers and Partisans.

My reaction: "Wow!"

It was amazing to see such engagement and collaboration while learning.  I was so giddy with enthusiasm, I tweeted it to Smart Ed Services.

I was asked what my favorite features of the Smart Sync Program would be  . . I have to pick just one??!!  If I had to say, it would be a few - File Transfer to Students, Remote Desktop, and Questions.

SmartEd Services posted my "Suite" Tweet on SmartEd's Facebook Page.  Thanks, SmartEd!!

Foss Web Interactive Science Resources

Foss Web offers some great online interactive modules as resources that can supplement what you already teach in your classroom. These are visually appealing to little eyes and engaging for all.

Topics include Plants and Animals, Weather, Solids and Liquids, and Forces and Motion.
Additional Resources include "Teacher Pages" and "Ask a Scientist".

Grades K-2 Modules

Grades 3-6 Modules

Grammaropolis - Fun Grammar Games & Videos

Grammaropolis - Fun Grammar Games & Videos

Help your little learner with the parts of speech. Play class games using your interactive whiteboards, tablets, or hand-held responders!

Google Apps on Chrome

If you use Google Chrome as your web browser (and even if you don't), did you know that you could install FREE or inexpensive apps right onto your computer? What makes this so awesome is that it can be projected to your class from your computer and used with any whiteboard or tablet.

Get Chrome

Visit Chrome Web Store

My Favorites:

Google Earth: 1 Billion Downloads and So Many Uses in the Classroom

Google Earth: 1 Billion Downloads and So Many Uses in the Classroom

One World Many Stories

Get Google Earth Plug In

Free Google Apps Training Resources

Free Google Apps Training Resources

"If you’re district has ‘Gone Google’ then the chances high that you are probably looking for some high quality training resources to help keep up to date with all the latest features and uses for Google’s popular online education suite. So, here is a roundup of some of my favorites." By Jonathon Wylie

Check out these awesome web based tools to use with your students.

http://www.dipity.com/

Dynamic Virtual Timeline Creator . . Great for Historical Research and Social Studies.

http://www.toondoo.com/

Cartoon Strip Creator . . Great for Literature Lessons and Graphic Novels

https://bubbl.us/

Web Based Brainstorming / Idea Web Tool

The Best of Teachers Pay Teachers: FREE MATH LESSON - “Pumpkin Measuring - Halloween ...

The Best of Teachers Pay Teachers: FREE MATH LESSON - “Pumpkin Measuring - Halloween ..

by Ashleigh 3rd - 5th
This is one of the activities that is included in my 9 activity Halloween product. Look for Halloween Centers to see the entire product.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pumpkin-Measuring-Halloween-Measurement

Kathy Schrock's Kaffeeklatsch: iPads in the Classroom

Kathy Schrock's Kaffeeklatsch: iPads in the Classroom: http://www.flickr.com/photos/timlauer/5407980960/ As many of you know, I have created an "iPads in the Classroom" support page here: h...

The Butterfly Place

Thanks, Electrokite!

Visit Them
The ultimate resource in butterflies . . The Butterfly Place in Westford, Massachusettes.

Check out their Links

Butterfly Resources and Lessons


Life Cycle of a Buttefly Movie

The Backyard Butterfly Lesson Plan for Habitat and Life Cycle

Slideshow: The Magic of Monarch Butterfly Migration

Video Writing Prompts

Image from TeachHub.com

We've all heard it . . "I can't think of any ideas", "I don't know what to write", "I don't know where to start" . . and the most frequent response from students when given a writing assignment . . "I'm thinking!" - to which the teacher replies, "Well, 'think' a little faster."

TeachHub.com offers teachers a new way to approach writing in their classrooms. They are called Video Writing Prompts  and they are offered for grades K-12.

Take it one step further and have your students create their own Video Writing Prompt and share with other colleagues. What a great way to transfer ownership to your students and allow your classroom to become one that is student-centered!

Using Technology For A 21st Century Pedagogy - Edudemic

Using Technology For A 21st Century Pedagogy - Edudemic

Interesting reading!

If you like to learning about the direction of technology in classrooms today .. check this out.

Innovative Educator Consulting

Innovative Educator Consulting

Check it out . . wonderful resource!

Step into 2nd Grade with Mrs. Lemons: 2, 4, 6, 8...

Here's Blog Post from Amy Lemons that shared a very cute idea for my second grade cohorts out there.  Kiddos always have trouble getting the hang of "skip counting", but this offers some wonderful ways to help them remember . .  good 'ole retention!

Step into 2nd Grade with Mrs. Lemons: 2, 4, 6, 8...: "Just a quick post to share my skip counting (2's and 5's) feet/hands that I have on my Math Bulletin Board (picture shown below). I copied ..."

Getting to Know You Activity

Here's a fun activity that helps you and your students to get to know each other at the beginning of the year. I've used it for years with my second graders and they absolutely love it.

Title:  "What's in the Bag?"


Materials:
One brown lunch sack for each student
5 items that tell something about you

What to do:
Provide each student with a paper sack to take home (donations from parents are always helpful). Tell them to fill the sack with 5 objects that something about themselves. For example, crayons might say, "I like to draw pictures and do art projects," and a golf ball says, "I am a good golfer."  I model for them by sharing my own sack, which includes 5 objects that tell about me  . . I have them guess what those objects "say" about me before I actually tell them.  This really creates a lot of good dialogue and they love getting to know me as their teacher and a person.

When they bring them to school the next day, we spend time sharing our sacks' contents with our new friends. The best thing that happens is that my students find others in our class with similar interests . . thus making lifelong friends. What a great icebreaker for meeting new people!

Click HERE to get the pdf instructions sheet that I send home with the kiddos.

Facebook and Twitter 101 for Educators

Facebook and Twitter 101 for Educators

Assessment Apps - RTI (Response to Intervention) by Vicki Windman

Assessment Apps - RTI (Response to Intervention) by Vicki Windman

Math Adventures with Fizz and Martina

Since I've taken on a new role with my school district as Educational Technology Trainer and am no longer in the classroom, I get asked several questions time and time again. Did you get huge bonus? . . No. Do you have to work more days than a teacher? . . No. And, the one I get asked the most: Were you tired of the classroom? . . Definitely a "No".

Over my 16 years as a teacher there were so many lessons that I really enjoyed doing with my students, and I know they like them, too. I never looked at what I did as simply "going to work". I loved being in the classroom working with so many bright, little minds. But my all-time, favorite activity was doing Tom Snyder's Math Adventures with Fizz and Martina. I have my husband to thank for that because he is the one who introduced me to the program. He had used it with his 3rd and 5th graders.

Fizz and Martina is math simulation activity that allows students to solve problems based on the story line encompassed into 4 engaging "episodes". Students work in collaborative groups and learn how to EXPLAIN their math solutions rather than just writing them down without really articulating the process.  Teams can earn award cards if their explanation meets the rubric's criteria. It is fun and motivating way to help students learn the importance of explicit explanations of the math processes.

Now, I've just learned that Tom Snyder Productions no loner markets Fizz and Martina on the website . . sad news. But, they have Go Solve which is a math program that presents situations to students to solve. Anytime you can get your students talking and working together in their learning environment it's bound to be a good thing.

Some other Tom Snyder Favs  . .
Scholastic Keys (Word, Power Point, and Excel for kids)
Reading for Meaning
Science Court

Kerpoof!

Look what I made using Kerpoof!

"What is it" . . you say? It is is online drawing and design studio for kiddos (and adults) that is so much fun.  Give it a try for yourself . . visit Kerpoof!

41 Websites for Integrating Technology

Integrating technology into all those daily lessons can be challenging. If you have resources and support services at your fingertips, then you're in good shape.

Need some additional ones?  Visit Jacqui Murray's site to learn more: 41 Websites for Teachers to Integrate Technology into Classrooms.

iPad Apps for Kids

It's all the range and if you've not jumped on board with using Apps with your students . . now is the time to start. Here is a list of some great FREE apps that work wonders for motivating young minds through the use of centers, with the classroom reading specialists, or home-use for parents.  Check them out!


ABC Phonics Animals - get it at Brain Counts Education. This great app features the alphabet with animals. What kiddo won't love this?!


1st Grade Reading - I Like Writing - get it at Grasshopper Apps Education. Great for early first grade or those kiddos receiving support for Language Arts.


Animal Farm Addition - get it at Brain Counts Education. Fun and motivating way to practice basic addition.

Website vs Blog

Websites and Blogs each have their place in education. They both can have their purpose . Many school districts have websites and encourage teachers to create their own classroom or grade level pages, but with the ease of creating a Blog and it's interactive features they seem like a viable choice as well.

What's your thought?  Websites, Blogs, or Both?

Google Apps Training

Want to learn more about how you can use Google Apps?  Visit Google Apps and watch this simple tutorial that  will give you a brief overview of what it does.

Glogster

Check out Glogster.  It is an engaging, interactive, and digital way for students to demonstrate an understanding of curriculum content through creating an online "poster".

Here's some Top Glogs:
Hurricanes
Louis Armstrong
The Water Cycle

ICE Convention

Transforming Education  . . Focusing on the Future!
October 13 - 14, 2011

Topics: STEM, PBL, differentiated instruction, multimedia, free open source software, NETS standards, Google Apps / Docs, and tons of hands-on workshops.

Visit:  ICE INDIANA 2011 Conference

Word Clouds

Kids love making Word Clouds for projects and reports using Wordle.  Check it out for yourself by visiting www.wordle.net .

Testing Google Docs Post

Link to Mr. Wrong / Miss Right Google Doc.

Simple K12 Webinars

In an era when Professional Development dollars are at a premium, yet teachers want to stay abreast of the latest trends in classroom technology . . try taking a webinar. Simple K12 offers a multitude of webinar topics, and they are ever-changing. It is "simple" to register, "simple" to participate, and they show how "simple" it can be to integrate technology tools and resources that will enhance your students' learning experience. Make it twice the fun and invite a friend.

It's true . . it is Simple K12 .

Read Write Think - Interactive Activities

Read Write Think Student Interactives
Many of us have an interactive whiteboard tool. Whether it is a SMART Board, Mobi Tablet, or responders, we are all looking for fun, easy ways to engage students and make our lessons interactive to build their retention.  These Student Interactives provided by Read Write Think are a perfect way to do just that! Simply click the link and select the activity that meets your needs. If you like them, bookmark the site by adding it to your Favorites in your internet browser. Enjoy!

Video Writing Prompts

Teach Hub offers a unique approach to those infamous writing prompts.  We've all had those students who reply, "I'm thinking. I'm thinking . . " when reminded to keep working on their journal assignment.  Well, why not try something different?  These video writing prompt topics are motivating and relevant to today's students. Visit Teach Hub to view video prompts for K-12.

Jacobs Educator Award Program

As I visit the 6 elementary schools and 3 middle schools in my district, I am amazed at the quality teaching that occurs everyday with the use of technology. My job is so satisfying because I get to help teachers succeed at using these tools in their classroom, which then helps the children succeed.

I was recently forwarded this information on the Jacobs Educator Award and thought of the many teachers in Lake Central that would be very deserving of this award.  In this climate of negativity surrounding the teaching profession, I believe that it is important to take the time to recognize those who truly work hard at making the learning experience in their classrooms interactive, engaging, and meaningful.

Do you know a teacher who uses technology to support innovative classroom activities?  Then visit this site to nominate them. Click here.

Teacher's Favorite Twitters

Some look at Twitter as a personal “social networking” forum, but did you know that it could also provide a plethora of professional information, too?  Follow these . . .

Simple K12                    eSchoolNews                  SmartEd Free-Tech

TeachersNet                 SuperTeacherWks             Scholastic Teachers

Diggin' the Document Camera

They aren’t just a “glorified” overhead  . . Give these innovative ideas a try!

Science: demonstrations, experiments, microscope, digital imaging.

Math:  measurement - temperature, linear, volume, time, shapes.

Language Arts: read alouds, note taking, vocabulary in context.

Art projects: demonstrate steps in process, designs, patterns, texture.