Spread the “Word”press November 12, 2007

I know this entry is in WordPress but this is in hopes that people will see this entry and be more likely to choose WordPress!

I am currently using WordPress to fullfill an educational technology blog project.  However, I am so excited to share the great resources on my blog with others!  If a teacher approaches me regarding topics I have written about, I can say, “Check out my blog”!  On the other hand, if I don’t have a blog posted on a topic a teacher asks me about, I have a new idea!  I’m just too excited that I learned how to “blog”!  WordPress has made blogging so easy!!! 

My goal is to continue my blog for two reasons: (1) to continue my professional growth in technology through knowledge of the “latest” use, and (2) to help others in my school and county!  Plus, if I learn more about the topics I have already posted, WordPress makes it easy to go back and edit!  Until next time, enjoy the blogs!

Zone into Kidzone November 12, 2007

I must say that I am REALLY excited about Kidzone!!!  I currently teach and provide Math intervention for students in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades.  With only having previous teaching experience in 1st grade, it can be difficult to find and create resources to teach other grades.  HOWEVER, Kidzone has come to the rescue!  As I mentioned, this webpage is exciting because there are many educational resources for all academic areas.  Plus, there are educational resources that I can use for my daughters; in the future…they’re almost 2.  The activities used in Kidzone are very attractive, appealing and simple.  You can use them for independent practice, assessment and homework.  If you check out Kidzone, post your comments and share any other great resources that you have used.  Any resources you share will only benefit me in return. 

Google’s Image Search for Clipart November 12, 2007

I am surprised about how many teachers are unaware of Google’s image search.  Since I work with primary students, cartoon clipart is fun for them.  Sometimes, photographs are necessary, which are also available.  Either way, there are a variety of images available through Google Images.  One part that can make finding clipart difficult is that copyright images are also posted so you must be careful in the images you select.

  If you need quick images, try out Google Images and type in your keyword followed by “clipart”.  For example, if you are looking for a frog image, you can type the following:

 

• for frog clipart, type just that = “frog clipart”,
• for more images, type the plural = “frogs clipart”, 
• for clipart and/or photographs, you can just type in “frogs”

The next time you try to add clipart/photographs to your activity, Google it!

Transparalink – Im Translator November 12, 2007

I work in a school with a high percentage/population of Spanish speakers.

Ethnicity White: 22.6 % African American: 31.3 % American Indian/Alaskan Native: 0.3 % Asian/Pacific Islander: 6.7 % Hispanic: 39.1 %

Students Receiving Special Services Free/Reduced Price Meals: 63.9 % Ltd. English Proficient: 36.4 % Title I: 100 % Special Education: 9.1 %

Therefore, communication with families regarding their child(ren)’s progress can be difficult.  When I was in my own classroom, I sent home weekly progress reports and newsletter so in order to communicate important information with families, I had to interpret in Spanish.  I took Spanish in high school and college quite a few years ago and our Spanish speaking staff members may not always be available.  My sister shared this wonderful translating site that she used for her Spanish speaking insurance clients. 

Im Translator is a translating website that you do not need to sign in to access.  The translator translates in many different languages – my favorite being English to Spanish back to English.  “Back translation” is very beneficial because I can see if what I wrote makes sense.  Along with my communication to families, I have asked if they have understood what I have translated.  Families have shared that is extremely helpful and when I did not send translated material home, I would receive another request.  Since using Im Translator, my communication has greatly improved and reached my Spanish speaking families and I truly appreciate and value that in my classroom!

Flickr November 11, 2007

Flickr is a photo sharing website in which you can share photos with family, friends, and the world!  It’s free and easy to use.  Take a tour to learn about the many features Flickr has to offer.  My favorite is how you can highlight a part of your photo and add a caption.  You can even turn your photographs into books, stamps, calendars and so much more!  If you are looking for a photo sharing website for photo sharing purposes, Flickr’s ready to go. 

5 Stars for RubiStar November 11, 2007

Many teachers use rubrics to help guide their student’s projects.  There are resources on the internet that can make the process of creating a rubric a little easier.  The most common one shared by my professors and one that I found to be most simple and easy to manipulate is RubiStar. 

 is free and allows you to create rubrics for temporary or permanent use, you decide.  I haven’t accessed RubiStar for several months and just logged in and found out that rubrics I created in January are still there!

You decide everything about your rubric – category names and how many categories you have and the information within the categories to rate the project.  Also, you can use pre-made rubrics and keep them the same or modify them to fit your needs. 

Need more convincing reasons to use RubiStar?  You can access your RubiStar rubrics anywhere ~ home, school and work.  RubiStar also integrates with Blackboard (becoming more popular) and combines data for student achievement purposes.  RubiStar is an excellent resource to have!

Math Resources November 10, 2007

Are you looking for a great Math resource online?  Look no further!  While searching Google for “educational resources“, I have found a great site that incorporates all about MATH!  It’s a lot of fun!  Why re-invent the wheel when Rod Pierce has already created such a valuable resource?  The webpage includes ~ puzzles, interactive games, worksheets, dictionary (with great visuals & definitions), and resources for data, geometry, money, algebra, measurement, and numbers!    Some of the games are childhood games we grew up with (Connect 4, Checkers, Chess…).  I already tagged this webpage for my Del.icio.us account (more information on del.icio.us below) so I may reference it later.  Click on the picture below to be taken to the FUN and INTERACTIVE webpage and explore!

Technology & the Reluctant Teacher November 8, 2007

Have you worked in a school where some teachers have a lot of knowledge regarding technology?  Now think about the teacher who would much rather use paper and pencil in a heartbeat than turn on a computer?  Do you know any teachers who are reluctant to implementing technology in their everyday lives? Tonight in class, I read an article in Education World called Encouraging Teacher Technology Use, that includes ideas for incentives to get teachers involved in implementing technology IN their instruction.

What are your thoughts about incentives to teaching/implementing technology in your classroom?  What if you were told you had to implement technology in your class with at least three computer lab visits within a six week period, use your technology cart to project a lesson onto the big screen at least twice a month, etc.???  How about demonstrating the use of technology in one of your observations? 

So I ask ~ Would you follow through or more likely to become the reluctant teacher?

Please share your thoughts through comments.

BrainPOP November 8, 2007

Our school was just updated with technology, not completely up to date but much better than what we did have access to.  While exploring, I noticed BrainPOP.  I’ve heard other classmates talk about BrainPOP as a great, educational resource for all subject areas but didn’t actually explore it personally.  However, I was curious about BrainPOP so I checked it out.  Since I work with students in the primary grades, I also checked out BrainPOP Jr. which had great games and resources that you can use in school and at home.  For some of the games, you do need to have a subscription but most of the games I explored, I was able to access and play without being a member.  The games are colorful, attractive and fun!  I like how the games are “challenging” as they’re not always straight forward answers as thought has to be processed to respond to the games and/or quizzes offered.  There are also great lesson plans (like seasons, basic adding, etc.) and videos ~ even & odd numbers.  There’s a free 5-day trial, if your school does not hold a membership or you can subscribe and pay for your own subscription.  What a great tool to get students motivated about learning in all subject areas!  What are you waiting for…check it out!

You’re It ~ SnagIt! November 7, 2007

SnagIt is a great resource with a free 30-day trial that helps reduce the size of screen shots.  If you are creating a tutorial or even an educational resource for students, you can “capture” your picture to incorporate into your lecture.  In PowerPoint, you have to create the screen shot, arrow, text box…and the list goes on.  Oh, and what about changing your slide around a bit?  You have to change/move everything!  With SnagIt, you only have to move one object and you’re done!

If you have many screens shots to include in your presentation, you can reduce the size of it to carry with you on your flash drive, rather than taking your entire computer!  Explore your options by downloading your free trial today…