Yum Yummm

I wonder if everyone loves pie? I know I do not like some pies but put a Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie on the table and I will now be interested. My biggest problem is I am not much of a cook and do not know how to make a Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie. It is strange that even though I have cookbooks I never get around to looking this recipe up. However, when I accidentally came across it on the internet I now feel like I have a chance to make it. At Family.go.com I found not only found the recipe but a video directions on how to make it. Maybe this was my problem, I like having a visual how-to rather then just a recipe. If you feel the same way check out the video on how to make it or maybe find a video on how to make you favorite pie. By the way, what is your favorite pie?

What is your Christmas tradition

In today's busy world we seem to forget what is important. Take this time to reflect that we are not the only people around and that each community has different traditions. In the melting pot of America the idea that anyone celebrates differently can slip our minds. However, the celebration of Christmas is truly a world wide experience. It is not just a fairy tale based on fiction that Santa circles the Earth in one night. It comes from the idea that we all have a tradition for celebrating the Christmas season. Check out this web-site "Christmas Traditions Around the World" that gives a link to the traditions of the world. It also has a link that lets you see how other nations say Merry Christmas as well. Enjoy your Christmas and keep you heart open to all the people of the world who in their own ways will be celebrating with you.

Games What Technology?

The educational games sites are a useful tool in the classroom. During the elementary level we will spend various days indoors and need to have activities generated for our students to use. Many enjoy playing computer games (even educational ones). The site Academic Skills Builder has a variety of games that teach things like states and capitols, parts of speech, comparing fractions, and ratios. There are other sites like Cool Math Games which have some games that seem less educational but we must remember all people learn differently. You may have educational games on CD that you have not been able to use because of copy right issues on your school computers. The fact you bought it for a single use in your home means you will not be able to use it for the many students over the years you teach that may use it. There are many free online sites that have similar learning games you can use. Even during a unit, for instance on language or math the numerous games at academic skills builder are perfect. What a great break from the “norm” and an exciting, enjoyable way for children to learn.

Google - Who Needs More!

Google, not just a boring search engine. Things we do not know about Google is vast. Where was I when the turnip truck stopped because I missed the whole thing. I cannot think of a reason to go anywhere else but Google. As a digital immigrant I guess I just do not click around sites very much, which can be a big mistake at Google. When we are teaching our students about Google posters come in handy go to Google educators/posters and find for FREE what you need there. Google is not just for Web, Images, Video, News, or Maps - click on that more drop down that comes next and see what is there. But, don't, stop at that go to even more at the end to find the amazing variety of uses Google has for you. Down the second column is a tool called Translator. If, you have a student that speaks a different language or more specifically their parent does not speak English, you can type a document in the translator and it will come out in your target language. Also, if the parent writes you, copy the text into the translator to discover what it says. Not a fan of Wiki's try Google Knol is is in the more, even more section too. Tell us what you know is the idea, and discover things on many different topics. Another excellent use of this Google technology in the classroom is developing your own Google search engine. This allows you or your collaboration team to copy and paste web sites appropriate for your topic without the fear of students stumbling around on the web into places we do not want them. Besides, by having a pre-build search engine you know the information they find will be accurate. Listen to this presentation about Google from Classroom 2.0 Live and select the listen to full version you like best, to learn even more.

Phonics! Let's Read and Write

Ability Level-Grades K-3 • Interest Level-Grades K-8
Struggling readers, in my district, get held back at the second grade level for Reading Recovery. What if, we "recovered" these readers before they had to repeat a grade. I know that my son had to repeat second grade because of a failure to learn to read. Which, I might add did not truly happen until the end of fourth grade. I have seen other kids with a disability respond the same way. I pushed and pushed to get an IEP for him but that did not happen until the last month of third grade. This was after being in second grade twice. One of the major issues we had was his reaction to his spelling tests. Every week the teacher would tell me how he "melted down" and I had to deal with the crying the rest of the day. I begged her to just stop telling him how he did. It did not matter if he missed 9/10 or 1/10 (and generally it was many errors) he still reacted the same way. What if, the school had found out about WordMaker, follow the link and check it out. This piece of technology used in classrooms today would definitely help those struggling or not. It has many excellent features, like following the class plan so the students being pulled out for help will not fall further behind. There are set-ups for your regular education class, resource room class, or the self-contained class. When my son could not learn to read he could not learn to spell. This spelling and decoding software has the advantage of individualized instruction and corrective feedback that many teachers do not have time for on a one-to-one basis. The "techy" design of the program allows for its use with the older students as well. In our district, we have spent large amount of money to help the high school student who still has very low reading levels. Encourage your school district to spend a little on software like WordMaker and we may not still be trying to recover teenagers who lacked the access to the technology we have access to today.

The World of Video!

The idea of teaching and interacting with the class at the same time has its advantages. Besides, what student has not shown enjoyment of seeing themselves or any other member of their class, including the teacher, on television or video. The excitement in the classroom is a great starting point for developing fun ideas and creating interest in the subject. As long as you are having fun your students will be having fun also. Making this video, I will admit, was scary at first. However, once you have done it and discovered how easy it can actually be you will be eager to do it again. Then, try letting your students make videos. They might even be able to show you tips. I always recommend that we as teachers have a comfortable understanding of how software works first however. There is nothing worse then having a student ask you a question and it take twenty minutes to figure out what the answer should be.

One issue that can be hard to determine when it come to video or other image use in the classroom is copyright. This site has many guidelines and places to look for information concerning PodCasts or where to get images like Pics4Learning.com. Visit Video's In The Classroom.com and visit all the heading links to the site. There is a variety of excellent information and demonstrations.

The Power of Excel

What limitations you set for your self are shonw in your desire to use technology in a new way. My project was created in an Excel document. For early learners the exposure to new programs designed in a fun and interesting way helps them to understand the function of the program without being overwhelmed by the experience. By disguising the background as a colorful sheet rather then an abundance of columns and rows makes using and learning from this tool not only easy but fun. Is your school one of those transitioning to the hand held learning, if it is or if you are interested in learning something else interesting to do with hand helds and Excel follow this link. My hope is that while you explore how I and others have used Microsoft Excel in the classroom you too will be given the spark of creativity you are looking for. The following video demonstrates a wonderful idea for making posters. Making a poster in a word document results is a single 8 1/2 by 11 piece of work. Try this demonstrated technique with your class, letting them explore their creativity and develop their technological skills.

What a WebQuest!

A WebQuest is not to be taken lightly. Many others I know seem to wait until the last minute to create the WebQuest. Sure, this can be done with any project; however, this is not my suggestion. How interesting can any assignment, for your students, be if you are not interested in it yourself. Creating vibrant and interesting projects almost assure your student will be keyed into what you are saying and asking of them. What could be easier then students that are paying attention, interested, and eager to learn.

Making a WebQuest seems overwhelming the first time. You are not just making a lesson plan but a visual representation of it as well. Setting the individual parts onto specific web pages allows for the attention to detail needed when designing an internet based research project with a tangible outcome. However, like most things in life once you have done something it becomes easier each time. One thing to remember, is that there are many WebQuests already created you can find by simply googleing WebQuest. Once you use a prepared quest a few times and discover how they work for your classroom you will be drawn into building one of your own. There are blogs designed around WebQuests as well. This blog What is a WebQuest gives you on outline to starting a quest. Follow some of the links within this blog and enjoy all the information (even the award winning WebQuest).

Kidpiration: Chickens

This Kidspiration lesson is designed for third graders to discover through internet usage a variety of ideas. These students are learning to search the internet for specific information. With a little guidance in the right direction through links in their Kidspiration project they will investigate and define the three questions asked. Under the writing view they have the opportunity to create appropriate responses or reflections on their findings.

The Kidspiration software has helped add our classroom to the world of technology our students know. I urge any teacher reading this blog to explore each opportunity you have to incorporate technology. The days of only book and paper have been infused with the excitement offered by technology. The higher the interest of the student the more they will learn throughout their lifetime. This link demonstrates the versatility of Kidspiration beyond your "average" student.

Like we ask of our students keep exploring and keep learning.

Where We Are

This is the first, welcome to where I am! Tell me where you are!! What is your favorite time of day sunrise, mid day, or sunset? Maybe, you are a full moon, midnight kind of a person. There have been nights where I walked around in my back yard enjoying the solitude. This is the place to share any thought, keep it appropriate please, that you might have. Enjoy my site and post me a comment if there is something you want to share or want me to share.