ITRT Play of the Week

2012-01-25T10:30:00.000-05:00

Check out this great new way to organize your web resources. The video below is an intro into symbalooedu.com

Enjoy!

http://www.screenr.com/xg5s

TerraClues

2012-01-16T07:30:00.002-05:00

TerraClues is the ultimate Google Maps scavenger hunt game! Your students can follow clues to find hidden locations on a google map. Students can enter the public classroom and play anonymously. Here are just a few of the hunts you can check out.

Grades 5 and under: continents, oceans, longitude and latitude, age of exploration
Grades 6-8: origin of North American settlers, satellite image find, North American landmarks, seven wonders of the ancient world
High school: American Revolution, famous quotations, natural wonders, American History

Teachers, you can create a private area for your students with hunts relevant to your age group and course matter. You can talk to other teachers in the forums and you and your students can create TerraHunts that can be played by students around the world. This is a fun way for your students to solve problems, search the world, learn about new places and learn about a variety of cultures.

Check it out at this link: TerraClues

Zoo Burst

2012-01-09T10:28:00.003-05:00

Create your very own pop-up books, either using your own photos or images already saved. Zoo Burst allows you to create a book that is 3-D. What a great way to review content or introduce a new one! Visit Zoo Burst to learn more about how to create a pop-up book. Registration is free but of course, if you want more bells and whistles, there is a cost. A free subscription gives you the ability to create books that have up to 10 pages.

Go!Animate

2012-01-02T10:14:00.005-05:00

Looking for a way to get your students' creative juices flowing? Why not have them create a movie using Go!Animate? Go!Animate is an online tool that allows students to create simple cartoon movies on any subject imaginable. The site is very easy to use. Students simply choose a setting and characters and then they create the dialogue. This can either be typed in or recorded. Although a full version can be purchased, you can make simple movies using a free account. Here's a sample movie:

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

2011-12-13T10:21:00.001-05:00

Although we might not have real snow on the ground right now, you can still make it snow on your computer! The Make-a-Flake snowflake maker lets you create your very own unique flakes without all those pesky peices of paper all over the floor!

And don't worry, it's not just for fun...
You can use it:
as a planning activity before you actually cut out paper snowflakes
as a introduction to symmetry
to explore acute, obtuse, and right angles
to introduce the concept of unique crystalline structures in nature!

or you could just use it on the SMARTboard to grab your students' attention while they are thinking ahead to the break!

Check out Make-a-Flake:
http://snowflakes.barkleyus.com/

Enjoy!

1300+ Apps to Explore

2011-11-28T12:18:00.003-05:00

We've all heard there's an app for that. This website may well prove it.

APPitic is a directory of apps for education by Apple Distinguished Educators (ADEs) to help you transform teaching and learning. These apps have been tested in a variety of different grade levels, instructional strategies and classroom settings. The apps are sorted in the following areas: Preschool, Themes (includes subject areas), Multiple Intelligences, Blooms Taxonomy, and Tools.

While you are exploring, you might want to check out our iTEACH blog for more ideas and suggestions.

Have fun!

Can You Solve It?

2011-11-21T12:43:00.001-05:00

Problem Solving Apps

Way back when I was in school, the way we learned to use critical thinking was to figure out how to convince our teacher we needed more recess time! Now there are many ways we train our students to think outside of the educational box. These games can create a fun way for students to analyze new solutions.

Finger Physics Free - Students use shapes to build a solution to each challenge. They may have to put their eggs all in one basket or reach for the stars! If building a structure, it must endure the test of time. Not only do they have to build it, it must stay upright until the timer goes off.

Toobz - This is another challenge oriented game. Throw in problem solving (create a tube system), add a dash of environmental reality (water), and a hint of competition (timer) and you have the recipe for a fast paced game!

Cut the Rope - Unwrapping a present has never been so fun or complicated. You must feed the creature its candy! In order for the creature to get his candy, you decide which rope to cut. There are spiders, spikes and other traps! Glad you don't have to worry about solving these puzzles before opening your next birthday present!

Educational apps can add a lot to your classroom whether on an iPad or iPod touch. Many connections can be made whether using an app, video, pictures, etc!

Happy apping!

Toni

Interactive Graphic Organizers

2011-11-14T08:00:00.010-05:00

Preparing our students for writing online has been a topic of many conversations lately. The past two weeks, Stacey and Cherie have shared resources on this topic. This week, I am sharing a website with lots of online graphic organizer options.

I worked with some elementary students last week and this age group seems to want to spend a lot of time setting up the title and changing the size and font style. Their teacher was concerned about this and I am sure this has probably been in the thoughts of other teachers as well. Online graphic organizers do not typically give students these options, so more time is spent on the actual writing process. The downside is that most of these need to be completed and printed out in one sitting.

Check out these online writing options at this link: Interactive Graphic Organizers

Comic Fun

2011-11-07T08:45:00.005-05:00

Everyone loves comic books. Charlie Brown, Dennis the Menace, Superman, Lil' Abner, Baby Blues, Pickles--the list could go on and on. But did you know that Comics are being used in the classroom? Check out the article "A Teacher's Guide to Comic Book Creation" to see how to incorporate comics in the classroom. Whether you use it to recreate the classics, a how to paragraph, or even an interview with a historical character, it engages them to write and have fun because they do not need to worry about the drawing part of it. The 3 websites below provide templates for backgrounds, characters, objects and speech bubbles so all the students need to do is focus on the content and be creative.

Scholastic Comic Maker

Make Beliefs Comix

Professor Garfield (an entire book can be made or a short strip)

A Teacher's Guide to Comic Book Creation (a good resource for teaching comics)

Storybird for Collaborative Storytelling

2011-11-01T10:15:00.003-04:00

Storybird is a collaborative storytelling site. Students start with either an image or a theme and then create a story to go with it. The images are donated by various qualified artists. Students can choose to invite other students from a class to collaborate on a story. Students can also comment on each other’s stories. Teachers create a class and student accounts(student email accounts are not needed). This creates a closed, private environment for publishing. The teacher can create assignments for the class or simply let the students write and publish what they choose. The site is easy to use for both teachers and students. Video tutorials are available to help you get started. See more at www.storybird.com.

Answer in the form of a question.

2011-10-28T21:24:00.000-04:00

Is this a website that features an easy to use Jeopardy Game template?

Wouldn't that be helpful?

Does it give you a link that you can post in portaportal or on your website?

Could that make it easy to use?

Does it also feature a library of premade jeopardy games that others have shared?

Is that something that you might find useful?

What makes it so easy to use?

You've heard of Flash animation haven't you?

Why so many questions?

This is Jeopardy, isn't it?

___

Check out the online jeopardy game creator, here
http://www.superteachertools.com/jeopardyx/editor.php

And, check out the Game Library, here:
http://www.superteachertools.com/jeopardy/gamesearch.php

As with many sites these days, there are several sneaky ads that look like download buttons so just be careful!

Enjoy!
~Alan

Making Connections

2011-10-09T16:10:00.005-04:00

What can you do on a professional learning community? Check out Edutopia. This site is dedicated to sharing information about innovative, evidence-based practices that improve learning and student engagement.

Here's some suggestions to get you started.

Read a blog. Twenty Tips for Developing Positive Relationships with Parents.
Explore valuable resources for new ideas. Check out the Big List of Technology Integration for some new ways to use technology in your class.
Join a group and share ideas or ask your own questions. iPads in the Classroom
Examine core strategies such as problem-based learning.
Watch videos on best practices and timely issues.
Network with teachers around the world!

Teaching is no longer just what happens in your classroom. Explore and learn!

eBooks for checkout! Coming to a library near you!

2011-10-03T10:10:00.002-04:00

Do you have an iPad, Kindle, or Nook and need some tasty new items to add to your book list? The Massanutten Regional Library is here to help! They have just launched eBooks for checkout. These are great for your device, but can also be a great resource for students. eBooks can give access to students without the ability to get to the library. Books on mobile devices are also a way to let students who need read aloud support read higher level content, age appropriate content and pleasure reading without struggling!

You can check out books or place them on hold. These books are issued just like a standard library book. One borrower at a time can check them out. If there is a hold on the book, you aren't able to renew. The book will stay on your device for a two week period unless you renew.

The downloading process is user friendly and simple. If you do not have a device, you can simply download to your computer and use Adobe EPUB ebook reader.

So check one out today & happy reading (or listening)!

Click on OverDrive eBooks to access the eBooks library.

Poll Everywhere

2011-09-26T08:00:00.006-04:00

Mobile devices are everywhere. Students of all ages are successful using them. Last week, I pushed in for a small group rotation in a second grade Math class with iPads. A student in every group asked me if Angry Birds was on the iPad! Another told me that she was addicted to a game that she plays on her mother’s cell phone. Each building has their own set of iPads and some have iPod Touches. Imagine what would happen if the apps we share with students in our buildings would start showing up on their families’ devices. Just think, we can start influencing how students are spending their freetime!

In addition to the many apps we have been sharing with our students, why not try this quick on the fly way to gather responses from students?

Go to: Poll Everywhere

You can set up an account or you can create a quick “poll” without even setting up an account. When you “poll” your class, you will notice that students can either text their response or they can send their response through the url listed. This is one way you can integrate student use of cell phones during a lesson. Note: For seamless integration, this link can be added to the Home Screen of each iPad/iPod with a simple click on the arrow icon after you type in the url: http://PollEv.com

As always, you can ask your friendly ITRT if you need support in setting this up!

Happy Polling!

Edmodo-A Safe Social Networking for Students

2011-09-19T09:25:00.004-04:00

Although Edmodo has been mentioned before, I felt it was worth showcasing again because of new features it has added. If you didn't know, Edmodo is a social networking site that is private. It is a great way for your students to communicate with people all over the world or even if it is just across town with another group. You can join Edmodo Communities to talk to teachers to share ideas or work with them to do an Edmodo lesson. You can create assignments and have students work on them during class. You can even upload short movies so if a student is absent they can watch the video and complete the work needed. Edmodo is a great social networking tool that helps incorporate the technology standards required by our students. Ask your Friendly ITRT for ideas or help getting your students involved with Edmodo.

Kidblogs are Safe and Simple

2011-09-10T10:37:00.005-04:00

Are you looking for a safe and simple way to get your students composing online? Then Kidblogs may be the solution. Kidblogs was created by teachers in order to give their students a safe and easy environment in which to post ideas, collaborate with peers, and participate in online class discussions. The teacher creates a class account. This account includes a blog for each student as well as a class blog. The account is a closed, private environment, meaning the members of the class can view each others blogs, but the outside world is excluded. A username and password can be created to give parents a way to access blogs, but not comment or post on blogs. The teacher can control what is posted by requiring that all posts and comments first be approved. Not sold yet? Here are a few more benefits: students are not required to have email accounts, the site is free of annoying advertising, and the account is totally free! Visit Kidblogs to set up your class and get your students writing online.

Telling Their Stories

2011-09-06T09:10:00.008-04:00

My dad sure could tell some "stories"... you might know the ones... walking to school in the snow... uphill... both ways... It didn't occur to me until much later in life, that my dad lived in Mobile, Alabama... where there are no real hills to speak of, and I'm not sure he ever even saw snow before he moved to Virginia!

And truth be told, I guess I told a few "stories" in my day... The "big parties" that I went to in high school... well, you might think I was going to listen to music and flirt with girls while someone's parents were out of town... but the sad reality for me was that I was sitting around a friend's house talking about comic books, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and drinking an insane amount of Dr. Pepper!

But aside from my lame high school "parties" and my dad's "terrible" walk to school, there are people that have great stories to tell. Stories of bravery... Stories of overcoming adversity... Stories of witnessing great atrocities.... These are stories from which our students can gain great perspective and insight.

Telling Their Stories is a website that shares some of these great stories. Stories from Holocaust survivors, World War II veterans, participants in the Civil Rights movement, and Japanese-Americans who had been placed in Internment camps. These are stories that are sometimes hard to hear, but they help us to understand the importance and gravity of these events.

This collection of videos can also inspire you and your students to create your own interviews with family members, and local men and women who also have important stories to tell!

Check it out:
http://www.tellingstories.org/

Play of the Week--QR Codes

2011-08-27T05:19:00.001-04:00

Quick Response Codes or QR codes are popping up everywhere. You see them in magazines, coupons, billboards, business cards, and items in the grocery store. Just what are these funny looking squares of dots? A QR code is just like the bar codes you see on merchandise. Each QR code is embedded with information that can be scanned by a smartphone, iPod Touch, or iPad 2 that have cameras and a QR code reader app installed. You simply download the app (QRafter is one of my favorites), open the app, and scan the square. What happens next is based on what the bar code was programed to display on your device. It could be a URL, text, picture, phone number, email address, or calendar date. It is a quick way to get information into your mobile device. QR codes are even popping up in the "dating scene" to get your 411 to the next person's smart phone.

So, how would you use a QR code in your classroom? Imagine setting up a scavenger hunt where the students take an iPod touch around the school and scan for interesting facts about a historic figure. Or Get to know your school and school personnel by having QR codes throughout your building for students to find out who and why they might need to visit specific areas of the school. Create a worksheet that allows students to research using the mobile devices without having to type in complicated URL's or doing open searching. Create QR codes that take students on a virtual field trip.

How do you create your own QR code? Actually it is very easy to create a QR code. Simply go to a QR code generator such as qrstuff.com and create. Print out your codes to be used in word documents or websites.

Resources: Apps: qrafter, qr reader. Websites: qrstuff.com

(this qr code will take you to qrstuff.com)

Enjoy!!!!! Teachers who have created QR code activities have found that the students were completely engaged in the activity. If you need help creating a QR code activity, please see your friendly ITRT for help!!!!

*** Four Ways QR Codes Could Revolutionize Education

Shake, Rattle, and Roll

2011-08-24T12:32:00.003-04:00

Yesterday's surprise earthquake provides a great learning opportunity. Here are some useful sites to explore.

Earthquakes in the Past Week maps the earthquakes that have occurred in the past week. This is a great way to show the tectonic plate boundaries.

Earthquakes and Earthquakes for Kids, both from the USGS, also display real-time data about earthquakes, along with animations, seimogram displays, and other information.

Measuring Earthquakes from Scholastic describes how earthquakes are rated.

Enchanted Learning and Mountain Makers, Earth Shakers offer information on Plate Tectonics.

2011-06-02T12:21:00.003-04:00

Reading only has meaning if our students are able to comprehend what they read. That is why we work so hard to teach students reading and learning strategies such as visualizing, summarizing, synthesizing, making connections, using prior knowledge, inferring, evaluating, and questioning. Into the Book is an interactive website that teaches all eight of the strategies and gives students real opportunities to use the strategies while receiving feedback. Students receive a simple login so that their progress can be tracked. Audio tools make the strategies accessible to struggling readers. These activities are great for one-on-one practice, but they also work well on a SMART Board during whole group instruction! The teacher site offers songs, videos, and printables for use in the classroom. This site is excellent!

Visual Thesaurus

2011-05-23T08:36:00.003-04:00

Here is a great way to help students get rid of their over-used words. Many times, students use the same word over and over again as they write-whether they are writing in science, social studies, math or English. This web site is a lot like Wordle but it provides synonyms for the words in the student's text. It can also give the student the part of speech and examples of its use. Click on the link below to see how you can take a text and create many new words for your students' writing.

Visual Thesaurus

My Favorite Jams

2011-05-15T22:32:00.006-04:00

You may not know it to look at me, but I love all kinds of jams... and not just the fruit kind! In fact here are some of my favorite jams...

Favorite preserved fruit that my Gramma made: Strawberry Jam

Favorite pep rally music: Jock Jams

Favorite Old-school Hip Hop DJ: Jam Master Jay

Favorite movie that combines Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes: Space Jam

Favorite 90's "Grunge-Rock" Band: Pearl Jam

Favorite Bob Marley tune: Jamming

Favorite Futuristic Michael Jackson Video with appearances by Kris Kross and Heavy D: Jam

Favorite kind of shorts to wear in middle school: JAMS

Favorite online collection of Math and Science learning resources: Study Jams!

Study Jams! features quizzes, songs, videos, diagrams, slide shows, and more, on lots of math topics like place value, pictographs, creating equations from word problems; and lots of science topics like photosynthesis, weathering and erosion, atoms, and simple machines.

Check it out: Study Jams!

(Note: The video streaming is blocked for students, but teachers have access so plan on using a projector for the video)

Linkable

2011-05-09T07:30:00.011-04:00

I have been doing some spring cleaning! I have several Portaportals on different topics and was thinking about combining them. I found a new tool for organizing all my bookmarks.

Check out this sample: My Linkable

Once you set up an account, you can download a button for your browser taskbar. When you come to a link you would like to add to your Linkable, you click on this button. You can choose the category where you want to add the link. No more copying and pasting urls! Once you have the links in a category, you can drag and drop them in that particular category, to another category on each tab, or you can put the link in your Inbox and slide it into a category on another tab!

Create your own: Linkable

Enjoy!

Play of the Week--Present.Me

2011-05-01T22:30:00.008-04:00

Looking for a way to make your powerpoint presentations more "powerful"? Want to add a presentation with voice, sound, and recorded video to your website?, Want to become a "talking head"? Then try Present.Me. Present.me is a free resource that allows you to record a video presentation next to your powerpoint presentation. There are great, professional, examples located on their website, but here's one that I created (quick and easy....should do more with my make-up and lighting...but who has the time?..giggle). Record, Stop, Publish!

A Quick Example

For better examples, watch some of the videos right off their site!!!!

This would be a great way for parents and students to "meet the teacher" at the beginning of the school year!!!

You will need an account to presnet.me, a webcam, and a working email address. As with all websites outside our Harrisonburg.k12.va.us domain, please preview content carefully to make sure it is kid-friendly before letting students use the site.

Enjoy!!!!! Summer is a-comin!!!!

Ignore the Title, It's Just for Teachers

2011-04-25T11:26:00.005-04:00

Teen Learning 2.0, brought to you by the California School Library Association, is designed to help teachers learn about some of the new web 2.0 tools. These tutorials allow teachers to explore online tools and resources while considering the legal, social, and ethical issues involved in their use. Topics include: Blogging, Avatars, Fun with Books and Reading, Photos and Images, Presentations, Animations and Videos, and more. Work through the tutorials or just explore the resources and think about the fun ways that you can incorporate these tools in the learning process. It's our students world!

2011-04-18T07:27:00.002-04:00

Most of us are familiar with Skype and how it allows us to communicate with people throughout the world for free. But did you know that there is now Skype in the Classroom? Skype in the Classroom is an online community where teachers can connect to share resources and knowledge. It is also a place to find a collaborating class for an online project. Teachers can join the community for free by using an existing Skype account or by setting up a new account for free. As a member, you can post projects of your own or search through the directory for a project that fits your needs. Find out more at http://education.skype.com/.

Capzles

2011-04-11T10:37:00.002-04:00

Time lines are a great way to show events and give students a perspective of when things happen. Now with Capzles, you can create a time line using photos, text, videos, & audio. This could work in all academic areas, showing the events of a story for Language Arts or even the development of a character. In math, you could record the steps of how to do a math problem. Science and Social Studies, the possibilities are endless. Below is a link to a Civil War time line I created and then below that is the actual link to the web site. You will have to create a user name and password and then it walks you through the steps on how to create a time line.

Civil War Time Link

Capzles

The Wrath of Khan?

2011-04-06T11:06:00.003-04:00

As a bit of a Sci-Fi geek, I'll have to admit that I loved Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Ricardo Montalbán was a great villain, and the ending was both heroic and heartbreaking...

If you feel the same way about this great cinematic triumph, be sure not to be fooled by the web site Khan Academy. It is NOT a fan website for Star Trek II, Ricardo Montalbán, or Science Fiction movies... Instead, it is a great site that provides free, instructional videos.

The creator Sal Khan started making videos to help tutor his nephews who lived far away, and after he received a few YouTube comments from strangers who also found the videos useful, decided that he would create more videos and share them with the public. He has since created the Khan Academy website to provide teachers and students with lots of free instructional video resources.

In addition to the great resources that are offered on the site, you can take some time to watch the TED talk that Mr. Khan gave, about why he loves using videos with students. It is pretty inspirational, and if after watching it you feel motivated to try your hand at video creation, check with your ITRT about using SMART Recorder, or some other screen capture program, to create your own instructional videos for students.

Check it out at http://www.khanacademy.org/

Note: To videos are housed on YouTube, so you must be logged in as a teacher to be able to view them.

Enjoy!

National Children’s Poetry Day is March 21st

2011-03-21T07:00:00.005-04:00

Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

It’s been awhile since I sat and read poetry.

How about you?

Here are some fun sites to read, listen to, or create poetry.

There are also some sites for all you serious poets out there!

Shel Silverstein—Fun for kids 5-105

Fizzy Funny Fuzzy Poetry

Types of Poetry

Famous Poets

A Great, Searchable, Video Resource--WatchKnow.org

2011-03-13T01:56:00.003-05:00

Need a fast re-play? Looking for Game Film? Searching for videos to use in your classroom to engage the team....then take a look at WatchKnow.org!!!! The videos are searchable by subject or topic. The videos are kid friendly with an age range of 3 to 18 years of age. (As with all videos, preview BEFORE using in the classroom!)

From their website:
"WatchKnow has indexed over 20,000 educational videos, placing them into a directory of over 3,000 categories. The videos are available without any registration or fees to teachers in the classroom and to students at home 24/7. Users can dive into our innovative directory or search for videos by subject and age level. Video titles, descriptions, age level information, and ratings are all edited for usefulness. Our Web site invites broad participation in a new kind of wiki system, guided by teachers. We have had a tremendously positive response from educators to the website. If we continue to work together, we can create an incredible, free, educational resource for students across the world."

Digital Literacy and Citizenship

2011-03-08T13:11:00.003-05:00

Infinite Learning Labs has interactive lessons and, yes, apps for the iPad on internet safety, cyberbullying, and media literacy starring Professor Garfield. Teacher materials and parent tips are also available. This is a fun way to help your students learn more about internet safety.

2011-02-28T07:29:00.002-05:00

Celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday just got easy with the wonderful site Seussvile.com. Here, you can browse through Seuss’s books by age-appropriateness or character. You can read information about the author and learn more about his beloved characters. You can watch videos and play games that go along with some of Seuss’s most popular books. There are also sections for parents and educators with lessons, printables and extension activities.

Here are some more links to sites that offer lesson plans, printables, craft ideas, and background information:

http://pbskids.org/catinthehat/

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/dr-seuss-birthday/

http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/marchholidays/l/blmar2nd.htm

http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/Dr__Seuss/

Writing SOLs Are Just Around the Corner

2011-02-21T09:50:00.004-05:00

Help your students prepare for the writing SOLs that are coming up in March. Even in math, social studies, and science you can talk about what is needed when writing a paragraph and of course the grammar expectations needed in a good paragraph. Below are some websites that will work on writing and grammar so students can be prepared for their writing SOLs.

Writing Personal Narratives

Grammar Review (Grades 2-5)

More Grammar Review (older students)

Mad Libs

In the Shape of a Heart

2011-02-14T08:09:00.000-05:00

There are many reasons that people dislike Valentine's Day... The phony romance, the constant chocolate eating, the confusion of physical attraction for love, the commercialism, Chaucer's total mis-characterization of the feast of Saint Valentine's Day... need I go on?

But as for me, I am a romantic... In fact my wife still has the plastic flowers I gave her last year for Valentines Day... and if you've ever seen me with a sleeve of Thin Mints and a gallon of milk, you know how much I love chocolate! And hey, commercialism is good for the economic recovery, right?

No... for me, the thing that wrecks Valentine's day is the gross misrepresentation of the human heart... you know what I'm talking about... cute, pink, and symmetrical... Well let me tell you something, the human heart is neither cute, nor pink, nor symmetrical! We are sending our students off to med school and on the first day of Heart Surgery 101 they won't even know what a heart really looks like!

If you want to help stop this travesty against the real shape of the human heart, check out The Virtual Heart. It give you a great 3D view of what the human heart really looks like!

Happy Valentine's Day!

100 Seriously Cool Classroom Blogs for Teaching Ideas and Inspiration

2011-02-06T19:49:00.000-05:00

In honor of our 100th day of school this week, why not check out this website?
100 Seriously Cool Blogs
Check out the descriptions to find a blog appropriate for your grade level or content area.

Happy 100th Day!

Voki--add a talking avatar to your webpage!!!!

2011-02-01T13:04:00.000-05:00

Voki has been generating a lot of buzz regarding their re-launch geared specifically towards education. After asking educators for their suggestions on how to make Voki a better experience for all, Voki is pleased to announce an education connection.

Go to Voki.com to create your own Voki and embed it into your SOS webpage!!!! An example of a voki can be found at the bottom of the HHS home page

A couple of things to note: you can add your own voice by phone, but you have to give out your phone number...I DO NOT RECOMEND DOING THAT!!!! Also, if you are off the HCPS network (for example, you are at home), you can add your own voice by recording it to the voki.com website. You can also upload an audio file that you create using GarageBand or Audacity.

The Voki website also has lesson plans and activity suggestions how how you might use Voki in the classroom.

Once you have created your Voki, it can be embeded into the HTML code in an SOS website or any html editor. Here are some educational uses suggested by their website for Voki:

Digital Technology and Social Media in the Classroom

As younger kids become more immersed in social & digital media, even very young learners can begin to learn using Voki. Two influencial educators, Ozge Karaoglu and Esra Girgin Akiskali sat down to share how they use Voki in the classroom:

Voki for Young Learners

If you want to use technology with young learners, Voki is a great tool to enhance and facilitate learning and improve different skills that you want to build on. There is no doubt that the children love creating their own Voki avatars and using Voki for different activities in lessons. It's fun, user friendly, colorful, animated and engaging for them. Here are some examples and ways to use Voki with your young learners.

Class Mascot: You can create a Voki avatar to use as a class mascot or a puppet. You can decide on the character with the kids or you can create a suitable avatar for the children. You can change the background and it can be your classroom picture. You can decide on the name of your puppet with the kids or the puppet/mascot can introduce himself/herself to the class. Before the day starts, you can make the puppet/mascot talk about the weather, day, month, seasons or it can talk about the activities that they will be doing during the day. When the children are familiar with Voki, you can assign one student everyday to make the puppet talk using text-to speech feature or recording his/her voice.

Treasure Hunt: You can play treasure hunt with your students. Your Voki avatar can give the directions to the kids to find the treasure that you have hidden in the classroom. You can write the directions at the same time by using text-to speech activities or you can record your voice beforehand.

Interact: Use Voki avatars to ask questions to the kids or make the kids ask questions to Voki avatar. It's a great way to practice the learnt language and improve speaking skills. Children love interacting with a Voki avatar other than answering the questions you ask them.

Journal: Children can create their own avatars and keep a journal by recording their own voices or again using text-to-speech application. You can place (embed) all the avatars on one page and you can ask the kids to change the recording of the avatar every day and talk about what they did on previous day. Each child can listen to each other. It's a good speaking activity and a good way for kids to hear their pronunciation.

Teamwork: Children can do pair work and they can exchange their Voki avatars or they can be like online pen friends for each other and they leave messages to each other every day/week by recording their voices. You can also collaborate with other teachers to find e-pals for your kids.

Story Telling: Create a Voki and start telling a story and ask the children to write the end of the story. They can also create Voki at home and record their voices by telling the end of the story or retell a story you did in class.

Holiday Wishes: Children can leave messages for special days such as birthdays, Christmas or they can record their wishes for Mother's Days or Father's Day.

Class Blog: If you have a class blog or a website, you can create a Voki and welcome children or the parents to the blog. You can talk about yourself and what you aim at using the blog or you can remind their homework by a Voki avatar.

Songs: You can ask the children to sing songs and you can have a song contest. They can record their voices while they are singing their songs and the children can vote for the ones they like most.

Discussion: You can ask the children to talk about their likes, their favorites or simply about anything you teach in the classroom.

Projects: Instead of asking children to create a project on paper, you can ask them to tell their projects using a Voki avatar and it's certainly more eco-friendly.

News Reports: You can ask the children to report news as if they are the newsreader. Each child can take turns in being the newsreader.

Voki Quiz: Create an avatar and record your voice beforehand. Show the Voki avatar to the kids and write some questions about the avatar such as "How old is she?" "What is her favorite color?" etc. and ask the children to write down their guesses to those questions. When they finish writing, they can read aloud their guesses. When they all finish speaking, let the Voki avatar speak and check who has got the true answers to the questions.

Announcements: You can use Vokis for announcements about class or praising the kids instead of giving them certificates, stars or stickers.

Here's another example of a Voki....but I think he needs to work on his timing!!!!...giggle!!!!

Have fun with Kerpoof!

2011-01-23T18:41:00.000-05:00

Kerpoof offers free multimedia software that is available online to teachers and students. Provided by the Disney company (yes, I said free!) this site allows students to create stories, original artwork, animated movies, and greeting cards.

Suggestions for classroom use and a variety of lesson plans are available for use with elementary and middle school students. Foster student creativity while allowing students to express themselves with this great site!

2011-01-20T19:19:00.000-05:00

Want to spruce up your next poetry unit? Trying to inspire reluctant writers? Have students that need more support during writing? The Instant Poetry Forms web page may be just what you are looking for. This site offers a variety of interactive poetry forms. These forms are similar to Mad Libs- the students are asked to complete a template with very specific information in order to create a poem. The forms highlight different styles of poetry and cover a variety of topics. Are you teaching about famous Americans right now? Instead of another research report, why not have your students create a biography poem? Give it a try!

Story Starters

2011-01-11T12:41:00.000-05:00

So there are 15 minutes left of class and you have finished all your plans so what to do? Or you have a substitute and you want an activity that is quick and easy for them to follow. Here is the solution. Story Starter is a website that gives you a quick, easy writing prompt for students to do a journal write or even a practice SOL. Click on the link below and click in the button that says "Click here for your story". You can keep clicking and get different story starters, but I did notice they are very similar. The Original Story starter is for older students. Started Junior Stories allows stories to be published by the teacher. There are directions on how to publish on this site. Enjoy!

Story Starter

Jackson Pollock

2011-01-06T14:36:00.000-05:00

Have you ever seen the drippy looking artwork of Jackson Pollock and said, "I could've done that!"... Well you're in luck... because now you can! Check out JacksonPollock by Miltos Manetas to try your hand at creating your very own Jackson Pollock inspired artwork!

You start out with a blank page, and as soon as you move the mouse you start dripping paint. To change the color click the mouse, and to adjust the thickness of the paint change the speed of the mouse.

Enjoy!

Farmers' Almanac

2010-12-13T10:13:00.000-05:00

What seems to be the topic of a lot of conversation lately? The weather! I have heard that we are supposed to be having a milder winter this year. How do people get this information? Speaking of cold weather…which is colder, the North Pole or the South Pole? Did you know that the lowest temperature ever recorded was not at either location? So, where was the lowest temperature ever recorded? To find out the answers to all these questions, check out:
Farmers’ Almanac.

While you are there, check out the 2011 winter outlook, the Farmers’ Almanac accuracy report, compare today’s weather to what the weather was like last year, check out videos, and view a blog. You can even sign up to have a newsletter sent to your webmail each Wednesday that offers weather information, natural cures, gardening tips, everyday advice and more.

Happy weather watching!

Finding the Right Books!

2010-11-29T06:39:00.000-05:00

Looking for just the right books for your students to read? Scholastic Teacher Book Wizard offers a leveled search tool that lets you search for titles by interest level, reading level, subject, genre, and language (English and Spanish). The Teacher Book Wizard includes levels for Grade Level Equivalent, Lexile meaures, Guided Reading and DRA. This would be particularly helpful for matching interest levels with reading levels. Happy Reading!

Tag Galaxy for Picture Search

2010-11-16T17:09:00.001-05:00

Looking for a way to search for images that is out of this world? Then look no further! Tag Galaxy is the site for you. Just type in your tag or topic, and Tag Galaxy will help you locate photos to meet your needs. You can do a broad search, or narrow your topic. Search results are presented wrapped around a 3-D sphere or “world” which is way too much fun to navigate. Once you find an image that interests you, simply click on it to obtain photo and licensing info. All photos are provided by Flickr. Give it a try!

Go Green - Print Only What You Want

2010-11-08T13:08:00.000-05:00

This great website allows you to select the areas that you want to print, saving paper and toner; thus, making so many people happy. You will have to create an account, (it is free) but once you do, saving our resources becomes as easy as one, two, three.

First, click on the Bookmarklet icon at the top.
Second, drag the link they provide into your toolbar.
Third, go to a website you want to print and click the link you just put in your toolbar.
You'll be able to select the areas you want to print.

Print What You Like

Sumo Paint

2010-11-03T15:16:00.000-04:00

Channel your inner Sumo with Sumo Paint, an online program that lets you create drawings from scratch or upload images to edit online, and when you are finished editing and creating, you can save your creation back onto your computer!

You could use the shape tool to create math resources, you could use the pencil tool to work on letter formation, you could use the paint bucket tool to change the color of music notes, or you could even use it to create some pretty cool original artwork!

Now you can attack your image creation problems like a Sumo Wrestler!

Happy Painting!
http://www.sumopaint.com/app/

Wall Wisher

2010-10-25T10:13:00.001-04:00

Here’s another free Web 2.0 tool to check out!

Once you register, you can build a “wall”. This becomes your own online notice board; you can invite folks to stick an electronic post-it note to your wall. You can hold a virtual meeting, voice opinions, or explore a new idea.

Here is the link: Wall Wisher

Try it out with colleagues and then decide how to integrate into your curriculum.

Here is a link to a pdf file with directions and some samples for you to view:
Wall Wisher Directions and Samples

Here’s a sample of folks sharing their ideas about interactive whiteboards.

Feel free to add something yourself at this link: Interactive Whiteboard Discussion

Enjoy!

180 Tech Tips--at your Fingertips!!!!

2010-10-16T08:14:00.000-04:00

This week's Play of the Week is not just one play....but an entire game's (year's) worth of technology tips. You can subscribe to receive an email for 180 days from September until June or just scroll to the bottom of the page and choose a quick tech tip from the list of 180 items. It's like an all-you-can-eat buffet of tech tips!!!!

From their website:

"180TechTips.com offers 15 hours of free computer training in 180 easy to follow 5 minute lessons. This isn't a boring 15 hour lecture. We aren't going to lock you in a computer lab for 2 days of ineffective staff development training that leaves you more confused than you were when you started. This is the kind of relevant and uncomplicated computer training everyone needs."

Stay Safe Online

2010-10-07T11:44:00.000-04:00

Federal agencies and the technology industry teamed up to create OnGuard Online to provide practical tips to help you be on guard against internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information. There's lots of great information for teachers and parents.

Check out the games and videos for a quick and easy way to engage your students in learning about internet safety. Games cover topics from spam to social networking to online auctions. Remember that all teachers are expected to include internet safety in their curriculum. Review the internet safety curriculum for targeted topics for your grade level, but be sure to take advantage of those "teachable moments" to engage students in discussions about internet safety.

ReadWriteThink: Interactive Graphic Organizers

2010-10-04T11:54:00.000-04:00

Just like me, you may already be a fan of ReadWriteThink; but if you haven’t been to the site for a while, it’s worth a revisit. ReadWriteThink now offers tons of interactives such as these two graphic organizers:

The Persuasion Map allows students to organize and plan for persuasive writing. Students begin by entering a goal or thesis. They then give three reasons to support the goal, followed by facts or examples for each reason.

Biocube is a fun way to write a biography or autobiography. This could be a great for historical figures, book characters, or even as a get to know you activity.

Click here to check out lesson plans and other exciting activities from ReadWriteThink…or click here to do a search with Thinkfinity.

Tween Tribune

2010-09-27T07:44:00.000-04:00

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it! Newspapers are a great way to inform students about what is happening in the world. But as we all know, they also have material that isn't appropriate or the reading level is a little too hard. But now, there is a newspaper just for students. It has interesting articles that are relatively short and easy to read plus you don't have to worry about getting the black ink all over you. Tween Tribune is designed for students to encourage them to read about world events. You can use it two ways: one-just have students go to www.tweentribune.com and read an article and comment in their journal or two-sign up as a teacher and create a class. Then have your students create their accounts and select your class. They will be able to write posts and comment on other posts. You have control of their posts and they do not get uploaded to the web until you okay it. They also offer lesson plans and ideas on how to use Tween Tribune. For younger students, reading it as a group is a great way to get them involved in real world events and thinking about solutions to world problems.

So check it out: go to Tween Tribune and see for yourself.

DocsTeach

2010-09-20T09:29:00.001-04:00

Primary source documents can be a great way to teach historical events, and the National Archives has created a tool that lets students view primary documents straight from the National Archives on a computer screen. DocsTeach has access to primary source documents, but it also has pre-made activities, and it gives you the ability to create your own activities based around primary source documents.

My favorite one so far lets you compare a draft version and a final version of the Constitution! It is nice to see that even the framers of the Constitution had to use peer-editing!

By the way, the site does seem to work best in Firefox.

Enjoy!

Safe Searching

2010-09-12T16:00:00.000-04:00

Where did we go for information and images before Google opened up its doors in 1988? Today, the first place we tend to go when you want to find something is Google. Working with elementary students, I am concerned when I hear students talk about using Google, especially if they are looking for images. Some folks use Google’s strict filtering. Did you know that this does not work when you do multiple searches? How can you be 100% sure that images and links found on Google will not be illicit and that the links will provide authentic information? This is a concern for our older students as well!

Where else can you turn? Your school librarian’s web page is the first place to look. There are many links that students can use that do not involve Google and your librarian has many suggestions. Your librarian can also share a research bookmark with your students to take home so parents are aware of safe research links as well.

In addition to your librarian’s suggestions, older students might try:
GoGooligans
alltheweb
Squirrel Net

Younger students might try using links from this portaportal: hcpsresearch

Here are good sites to share with parents.
For older students:
Net Cetera
Tips on mobile phone safety, social networking, file sharing, cyberbullying, sexting, protecting the family computer, and parental controls

For younger students:
safesearchkids

May you have a great year of safe searching with your students!

Play of the Week--Testing 1 2 3--Create Tests the Easy Way!!!!

2010-09-05T07:20:00.000-04:00

EasyTestMaker is a FREE online test generator to help you create your tests. With Easy Test Maker you can create multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, matching, short answer and true and false questions all on the same test. You can also insert instructions and divide your test into multiple sections.

EasyTestMaker automatically generates alternate versions entirely randomized and master answer sheets with a single click! Just click the "Generate Alternate Versions" or "Print Answer Sheet" link when you are done creating your test. It's that easy!

Click Here to Go to Easy Test Maker

Google and More Google

2010-05-24T11:38:00.000-04:00

If you've just used the first window in Google, you are missing out on lots of different ways to locate and display information.

Google News Timeliner is great for students researching current events. Results come from Wikipedia, Time, USA Today, the New York Times, and a variety of other news sources and are displayed chronologically so it is easy to see how the story has progressed. It's also fun to see what the headlines were on important days in history, such as the day you were born!

Google FastFlip lets students flip through pages from magazines and newspapers for popular, controversal, headline, or recent news.

The Google Search Options page from the Springfield Township library in PA has many other options for you to try.

2010-05-20T12:44:00.000-04:00

Looking for online activities that are age appropriate and cover content? Need a joke or brain teaser to brighten your day? Like access to safe websites for your students? Want to make an online quiz for your students to complete? Do all of these things and more at one convenient site-Prongo.com . As the site claims, “Prongo.com is a Fun, Interactive, and Educational way to Learn”.

The activities on the site can be viewed by age ranges, so you know the activities will be appropriate for your learners. The Quizstation allows you to make online quizzes that your students can take. Creating a quiz is easy and the students receive immediate feedback as they complete each quiz.

This site has a host of interactive activities on such topics as addition, money, economics, space, and dinosaurs. Play games, put together puzzles, connect the dots, or even do word finds. Fun stuff for review at the end of the year! Click here to check it out.

Discovery Education

2010-05-10T10:19:00.001-04:00

Summer is almost upon us and as we all sit and ponder what to do over the summer...the first thing that comes to mind is "Discovery Education" and what it can do for you. So as you relax and sit by your computer, pull up the "Discovery Education" website and find a wealth of great ideas, videos, images, writing prompts, quizzes, and much much more. You can set up classes and have them take quizzes on line. Just go to "My Classroom" and it will walk you through it. You can build quizzes, assignments, and writing prompts or use what is available. Click on "My Builder Tools" and pick what you want your students to do. You can also search for exact SOLs in the search box. Then you can pick what you would like--maybe you need a game, clip art, a video or an assignment. There are many options to choose from; although we don't access to some of the choices. "Discovery Education" has added many more options for us to use to help with a variety of learning styles. Check it out! Click on the link below and if you don't know your username and password, contact your friendly ITRT!

Discovery Education

Create A Graph!

2010-05-06T10:49:00.000-04:00

This always happens at report card time. I feel like I have been looking at pages full of numbers for days now! If only there was a way for me to visualize data in a more meaningful way... to turn those numbers in to easily understandable shapes...

Well, come to think of it , I can just use Create A Graph! This online graph maker lets me create Pie, Bar, Line, Area, and "XY" graphs... and I can even enter my own data, colors, and labels.

And just think about all of the uses... I could use it for weather, for studying elections, for looking at student opinions, examining M&M colors... in fact I guess I can turn almost any data into a graph!

http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/

Enjoy!

Piki Wiki

2010-04-26T08:40:00.000-04:00

Why not give this Web 2.0 tool a try? Check it out at: Piki Wiki
Click on the 10 things you can do with Piki Wiki link to start thinking of ways you can use this resource.
I hope to use the Piki Wiki to have students record what they have learned after doing research on plants. This is a sample of what it might look like. The link to your Piki Wiki can be put into your Portaportal. Students can login and upload pictures and add their comments. The images on this page were downloaded from pics4learning.com.

If you take any field trips before the end of the year, you could upload pictures and have students comment on them. What a great way to give parents a glimpse of your trip and how it related to your instruction! Note: You can set this up so that the wiki can be edited or you can lock it after students are finished editing and then you have a read only web page.

Feel free to post a comment and share how you could use Piki Wiki with your students!

Play of the Week--Awards for the Winners!!!!

2010-04-18T09:32:00.000-04:00

Looking for a way to create free award certificates??? Go to 123 Certificates and start creating!!!

"FREE printable certificates, recognition awards, and blank certificates, certificates of appreciation, honor, and merit from 123certificates.com Use this certificate maker to print rewards for students, friends, family, party guests, anybody. Reward the student of the week, the player of the game, the spelling bee winner, teacher of the month, employee of the year, a student that has worked hard, you can even reward yourself! It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Reward somebody today!

Need Some Inspiration?

2010-04-12T07:43:00.000-04:00

Are you looking for a way to help students organize their thoughts and communicate ideas? Check out Kidpiration and Inspiration software. All elementary schools have site licenses for Kidspiration and all middle/high schools for Inspiration. Both of these are excellent for meeting the diverse needs of your students by providing support for various learning styles. Students can express their thoughts in pictures and/or words. Great for your English language learners! These also work well with those new SMARTBoards so you can get your students up and moving!

Using Inspiration, students can create diagrams, outlines, and mind maps using words and/or pictures. This is wonderful for brainstorming ideas, organizing thoughts and communicating ideas.

Kidspiration is also great for mind mapping and sorting activities.

Many activities are already available in the templates under each subject area. Be sure to look in the SOLResources folder or the TEACH Clearinghouse (link is only available on division computers) for activities created by Harrisonburg teachers. Examples and lesson plans are also available at

http://www.inspiration.com/Examples/Search

Smartboard as Assistive Technology?

2010-04-05T14:27:00.000-04:00

Now that you have that new, shiny Smartboard mounted and ready to be utilized, how do you use it to reach all of your learners? The Priory Woods School page may be able to help you get started.

This website features hundreds of lesson plans, programs, and activities that are ready to be downloaded and used with your Smartboard. It also features programs that are switch accessible or work with pointing devices.

Try one of the Interactive Talking Story Books. The stories are brought to life through sound effects and interactive features that get the students involved in the story. Or try one of the Useful Educational Programs that cover basic math and language art concepts. And who couldn't use Lesson Plans and Teaching Ideas that include all students and are ready to download and use?

Click here to start exploring.

SMARTBoards: Here They Come

2010-03-22T10:37:00.000-04:00

The SMARTBoards have arrived and are getting hung in classrooms as we speak. Classes are going to be anxious to use those boards and teachers need some time to find a lesson. Well, I have the answer for a fun way to end your week before spring break. How about going to SMART Exchange for many ideas and lessons for the SMARTBoard and even the SMART responses (if your school has them). You can type in the the grade level or subject area and you will have a bunch of ideas at your fingertips ready to use. Even if you don't have a SMARTBoard, you could still use these activities with your computer and students would love them.

You can also put in your SMART lessons and talk with other teachers about using the SMARTBoard. So click on the link below and GO SMART!

SMART EXCHANGE

Does Life Imitate Art?

2010-03-17T08:48:00.000-04:00

In Celebration of Youth Art Month you can turn yourself into a Picasso!

Mr. Picassohead is a creative way to bring more Picasso into your life, and really who couldn't use a little more Picasso in their life.
Mr. Picassohead

For Youth Art Month I've also include links to several art museums and resources:

ArtsEdge

The Smithsonian

The Louvre

The Museum of Modern Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

The National Association for Music Education

Creative Drama

Enjoy!

Music Based Teaching...♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫

2010-03-11T06:16:00.000-05:00

This is a Play of the Week Extra....

Sing with your students....IT'S SOOOO MUCH FUN!!!!

CLICK HERE!

"This blog is meant to be a free resource for teachers and provide the following:

- Standards-based songs about elementary, middle, and high school topics
- Worksheets/activities to enhance the songs
- Discussion around the use of this curriculum"

ENJOY!!!!

Pirate Pad

2010-03-08T06:51:00.001-05:00

Ahoy Mateys! What Web 2.0 tool have you used lately? Check out this quick and easy way to communicate, collaborate, create, and contribute. Avast ye! This is appropriate for a group of colleagues, friends, and your students!

Pirate Pad

All the facilitator of the group needs to do is simply click on this link and type in a name. No signup necessary! Click on “Share this Pad” and you have the link to share with folks you want to enter your pad. As facilitator, you can type in the sidebar and direct participants when they should respond.

Share this “booty” across the curriculum! This example shows students creating a story when prompted by the facilitator. Students could be sent to a pad to share what they think they know about a topic. They can do research and type in what they found out about a topic. They can take turns providing prompts and asking other participants to respond as they review content. You will think of many more uses as well!

Concerned about what your lads and lassies might be typing in the pads you set up around the room? Blimey! All pads can be saved and you can return to the link to read over their responses. The pad can also be exported as a text file so that you can be sure each pad was shipshape.

So, weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen as you try out this Web 2.0 tool!

Play of the Week--PREZI

2010-02-27T16:03:00.000-05:00

PREZI

Tired of PowerPoint presentations, try Prezi!!!

“Prezi is zooming sketches on a digital napkin."
"It's visualization and storytelling without slides. Your ideas live on stage and on the web.”

To get started, you will need to create an account. Make sure you choose the educator account—it’s free and has added features!!!! On the website you will also find "how-to's" and great examples. Start with a small prezi, then as you feel more confident, you can go crazy!!!

Go to prezi.com to get started!!!!!

Here’s an example of a Prezi to honor Dr. Seuss. Click on the presentation window or the arrow key to go through the presentation. (I'm not fond of the background, but liked the information.)

Dr. Seuss Biography on Prezi

Announcing Projectables!

2010-02-19T14:58:00.000-05:00

You may already be familiar with Reading a-z and Science a-z, but now they have even more to offer! They have added a great new feature called Projectables. With projectables, you can open a book in full screen to show on your whiteboard or, even better, on your SMARTBoard. Interactive tools are available that let you:

underline or highlight key words and concepts
mask parts of a page and ask students to fill in the blanks
frame sections of a page to draw students' attention
project Graphic Organizers, Process Activities, Quizzes, and Discussion Cards for whole-class instruction.

Projectable Teaching Tips offers lots of suggestions for ways that you can use this resource to deepen your reading and science instruction. To view any of these resources in the new format, chose a unit and look for the projector-screen icon beside each resource.

Watch for an email from your friendly ITRT with a short video introduction to this great resource!

2010-02-15T11:49:00.000-05:00

Looking for a fun way to make student stories and artwork interactive and fun? Then Scratch may be the program for you. Scratch is a free software that is created by MIT and sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The software allows students to use simple programing language to create all kinds of interactive projects. Once completed, students can then share their projects by posting them to the site. Click here to take a look at student projects, find out more about Scratch, or download the software for free.

Come on Down, You're the Next Contestant ...

2010-02-08T09:38:00.000-05:00

With more and more cuts in the budget, how about creating some exciting and fun filled games for reviews? You only need one computer and a projector to have students get involved with their learning. These websites have many templates to create your own games or use one that is already created. Need help? Contact your local friendly ITRT and create a classroom sensation for your students.

Game Show Templates

More Game Show Templates

Still More Game Show Templates

Worksheet Works

2010-02-01T10:13:00.000-05:00

When I grew up, we hiked through the snow on our way to school, and when we got there we started writing on our purple-inked worksheets (man, did they smell good!). Little did we know that the worksheet was on its way out! Over the years, they have been replaced by "Graphic Organizers" and "Note Taking Guides."

But wait, one website is bucking the trend! Worksheet Works.com helps you create, dare I say it, WORKSHEETS! Sure, there are KWHL charts, and patterns for creating paper polyhedron models, but there are also practice worksheets like, the fabulous "there, their, and they're" worksheet, the classic "states and capitals" worksheet, and the ever popular "basic math facts" worksheet.

Never mind that you can create custom worksheets with your own vocabulary words, and never mind that you can differentiate the look of the worksheet to better suit your students... And never mind that you wouldn't be using them as busy work, but rather as a follow-up activity to your regular classroom instruction, they are still worksheets... Aren't they?... Well... the more I think about it... I guess these worksheets are an awful lot like graphic organizers and note taking guides after all... oh well... I thought I had discovered a worksheet revival. Well, I'm still gonna call 'em worksheets just for old time sake!
--

Check out Worksheet Works to find all sorts of customizable worksheets for lots of different subject areas!

Now the fine print: You are allowed to make 50 copies from each worksheet you create, and you can't redistribute them, or save them on a server, and please remember to print only one and use the copier for the rest.

Enjoy!

Business Cards

2010-01-25T06:52:00.000-05:00

In this time of budget cuts, we can always take advantage of the resources we have at hand. Why not have your students use business card templates in Microsoft Office to demonstrate content? Students can trade cards, have a set of flash cards for review, or they can be used for card games.

Play of the Week--Project Gutenberg

2010-01-18T06:29:00.000-05:00

If you are sitting on the sidelines and need a book to read, take a look at Project Gutenberg.

"Project Gutenberg is the place where you can download over 30,000 free ebooks to read on your computer, iPhone, Kindle, Sony Reader or other portable device."

If you have screen reader capabilities or software, then your downloaded electronic book can be read to you or your student.

With over 30,000 books from which to choose, I hope you find something to enjoy reading!!!!

Project Gutenberg

Be a Superstar!

2010-01-11T07:41:00.000-05:00

Magazine Cover from Big Huge Labs will let you create a magazine cover with picture that you upload. You create the headlines! Now you can be the superstar that you've always wanted to be. You can even find fun educational uses. Select a year and let your students decide on a historical "Person of the Year" and write an article justifying the selection. This could also be a great way to review famous Americans for the SOL tests. Have fun!

Word Talk and Power Talk

2010-01-04T12:57:00.000-05:00

Do you have students who struggle with reading and writing? Looking for assistive technology that is free and easy to use? Word Talk and Power Talk may be just what you're looking for!

Word Talk is a free text-to-speech plugin for Microsoft Word. It will speak any text that is created or pasted into Word. The program highlights as it speaks so that students can follow along. It also contains a talking dictionary. Word Talk could be used to allow students with reading difficulties to access grade level material, such as text books. It could also be beneficial for struggling readers who could benefit from hearing their writing and could use the assistance of the talking dictionary.

PowerTalk is a free program that automatically speaks any presentation or slide show running in Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows. This saves the hastle and time of doing a voice over yourself!

Teaching Students to Skim for Information

2009-12-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

Do you hear your students moan and groan when you tell them to find the answer in their textbook or on a website? Is it because they think they have to read the entire textbook to find what they need. Fear no more, here is a fun way to show students how to skim. This is a murder mystery where students decide on which information is best to help them find the killer. They gather the evidence and then decide who killed her and why. It's best to do this as a group activity but print off the worksheet for everyone and then as you click on each place to go, let them decide what information is important to help them find who killed Angela.

Who Killed Angela? A Reading Mystery

Note: It does mention the word Lover as one of the suspects so it may not be suitable for young children.

FlockDraw

2009-12-07T09:19:00.000-05:00

Which is better, Flock of Seagulls or FlockDraw?

Let's compare:

1. Interactivity -
FlockDraw is an online whiteboard that lets up to ten computers collaborate on a drawing at a time. Flock of Seagulls sang "I Ran" which was a cool song from the Eighty's that ten people could dance to at one time, if for some reason you could find ten people who wanted to dance to Flock of Seagulls.

2. Style -
FlockDraw is easy to use with standard drawing tools, shape tools, and text tools. Flock of Seagulls had that awesome hair!

3. Educational Value -
FlockDraw could be used to let students collaborate on a variety of projects where they could share ideas and projects. Flock of Seagulls could... well I guess that you could use "I Ran" for an anthem for the Cross Country team if push came to shove...

Check out Flock Draw to see how you could use it with your class today!

By the way, if you if you are too young to remember Flock of Seagulls, they were a band in the 80's with great music and even better hair. Check'em out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Flock_of_Seagulls

Library of Congress

2009-11-30T08:08:00.000-05:00

Did you know that the pilgrims did not celebrate the first Thanksgiving? Here’s what I found out on the Library of Congress website: First Thanksgivings

There are a multitude of resources to enhance your instruction at this website. Library of Congress homepage

Looking for some quick opener for your Science or Social Studies lessons? Click on the Kids and Family link from the home page and look for these links: Today in History, Everyday Mysteries, and Places in the News.

Be sure to click on the Teachers link for resources bookmarked just for you! Enjoy!

Convert Files or Download Videos with Zamzar!

2009-11-23T06:30:00.000-05:00

Need to convert a file or download a video to use in your classroom? Try Zamzar. I find this website to be one of my "most used" websites. Simply upload your file, or give the website URL, follow the 4 steps on the screen, and zamzar will send you an email. The email will contain a link where you can go to download your converted file within 24 hours. You do not need to sign up for an account. (I use Zamzar to download YouTube videos for classroom use.)

As always, if you need help converting a file or capturing a video, please see your friendly ITRT!

and also.....(Just for fun!)

(The above video was created at BubbleJoy)

2009-11-10T09:06:00.000-05:00

Tar Heel Reader is a collection of free, easy-to-read, and accessible books on a variety of topics. Books can be read online or downloaded as slide shows in PowerPoint. They can be speech-enabled and accessed using a variety of formats, including touch screens, Intellikeys, and switches.

These books are intended for readers of all ages, so there may be some inappropriate content for younger readers. The site describes how you can use a Favorites page to offer appropriate choices for your students.

Another great aspect of this website is that you or your students can easily create and submit your own books and even see where in the world their books are being read! Teachers need to register and a code a required. See your ITRT for the code.

Fact Monster for Research

2009-11-09T10:02:00.000-05:00

Looking to do some online research with your students? FactMonster.com is an online almanac, dictionary and encyclopedia all in one place! The text is age appropriate and easy to access. You can search for information by concept or by reference source. It even offers homework help! Have struggling readers in your class? Using FactMonster.com in conjunction with Read: Outloud will give your students the option of having the text read to them. Happy researching!

Clip Art & Mini-Movies for Math, Science, & Social Studies

2009-11-02T10:11:00.000-05:00

Would you like to show your students what letters have right angles or things in nature that have symmetry? Visit the website below and you will find all kinds of mini movies and clip art to use for math, science & social studies. It gives directions on how to download the mini movies to use in a SmartBoard activity and the clip art, which are links found in various places, can be saved and inserted in a document, powerpoint, or SmartBoard activity. Of course, your friendly ITRT will be available to help you out if needed.

Mister Teacher

I'm the Map!

2009-10-26T10:47:00.000-04:00

Scribble Maps lets you draw on top of a Google Map. Trace the boundaries of the regions of Virginia, use it to highlight the setting of a story, trace parallel lines or polygons on the map, draw the borders of a watershed, circle your school, find the shortest route to a coffee shop, or draw a happy face on the Atlantic Ocean!

Happy Scribbling!

Evernote

2009-10-18T18:37:00.000-04:00

Evernote is a free website that you can use with your choice of device and platform.

It is the perfect place to clip a webpage, type up notes, and post to do lists or reminders.

Complete a simple registration form to get started: Evernote

I have found the best success using Firefox. To clip a website, go to this link and find the icon that says "Drag it to your link bar" and do just that! Web Clipper

Keep important notes here and access them from anywhere. Enjoy!

SOL Released Tests in Power Point, Mimio, and Writing Prompts

2009-10-12T05:37:00.000-04:00

Download Released SOL tests to use in your classroom. You will find the released SOL tests load into Power Point or Mimio...Just click on the test and format you want. If the test does not start to download for you, please right-click (windows) or control-click (mac) to start the download process. The Power Point tests work very nicely with the "clickers" or for direct insruction and review. Enjoy!!!

Released SOL Tests

BOO!

2009-10-07T12:18:00.000-04:00

You don't have to be afraid of boolean searches IF you use this website. It helps students locate information AND learn how to build effective searches. They do NOT have to worry about learning complicated search strings.

Boolify offers a simple drag-and-drop interface that allows students to build searches using operators like AND, OR, NOT. Students can see immediately how modifying the search changes the results, which helps them understand the logic of the search. With the vast amount of information that is available to our students, they need to learn how to be effective and efficient with their searches.

Glogster- Poster Yourself

2009-09-28T15:11:00.000-04:00

Glogster EDU is a website that allows your students to create exciting multimedia projects. This site takes poster to a whole new level! Image your students making a product with text, images, sounds, and even video. Or, have teams collaborate on a project. Not only does Glogster foster development of the 21st Century Skills, it also allows for differentiated instructional activities.

Clicking on the link above will take you to the home site. From here, you will be given the choice to either try making a glog of you own or set up a class. When you set up a class, your students are registered as your "friends". This will allow your students to publish private glogs that can only be viewed by you, the teacher.

So, get your creative juices flowing and give it a try! Check out my glog by clicking here.

Last 10 Minutes of Class

2009-09-21T09:37:00.000-04:00

Professor Garfield

You have 10 minutes left in class and what do you do? How about going to the website Professor Garfield and create a comic strip to review the concept? It is very easy to do and students love comic strips. I skip the intro and turn off the sound by clicking on the left side quiet mode. It still allows for you to move the cursor and have each activity read aloud. Click on Comics Lab. Log in. When you log in, it saves everything you do to that computer so if you try a different computer, you won't have any of the things you created. Click on Comic Creator. Then click on one of the "edit this panel". There you can change the background, characters, props, and write in a speech balloon or even create your own character. When you are done with that panel, click done and create the other 2 panels. Once you are done with the review, click on print or save and you have a wonderful review for the day you can post on your whiteboard so students can review. If you do print it, make sure your printer is on landscape, not portrait. The first couple of times, you can create the comic strip, but eventually let the students create it. What a great way to check for understanding and help with the last ten minutes of class.

Hit the Jackpot!

2009-09-15T20:27:00.000-04:00

Here's a fun way to choose student names at random! Just enter the names and hit the "Fruit Machine" button to create a Vegas-style random name picker! You can also enter in different choices for activities, student jobs, project topics, or vocabulary words to create a cool random word chooser. You could even enter numbers for a real-life probability experiment.
Here's the link:
http://classtools.net/education-games-php/fruit_machine/

Enjoy!

Interactive Whiteboards

2009-09-07T14:10:00.000-04:00

More of you have an interactive whiteboard available for fulltime or part-time use this year. Some of you have access to a SMART Board; some of you have access to a Mimio. With either type of interactive whiteboard, you have software with many options to keep your students engaged in learning. Even if you do not have an interactive whiteboard fulltime, you can still explore the options that the software offers you. This software can be downloaded on your computer at school and at home. Ask your ITRT for more information about this.

I have been asked where to go to look for resources already created with interactive whiteboard software. There are many resources available. I have listed just a few to get you started. Note: In order to view these resources, you will need to have the appropriate software downloaded onto your computer.

SMART Board Resources:

Search for links to resources by grade level and SOL from SmartTech

Google Custom Search

Links to Resources

Links to tutorials, Smart Responders (Senteos), and lessons for Elementary, Middle, and High School

Mimio Resources:

Mimio Connect

Link to Tutorials and Resources

Links to Resources

Of course, you can always explore the software and create something to fit your needs like the vortex sorter displayed above. Again, your ITRT would be happy to assist you!

THE PLAY OF THE WEEK--Collecting Stats: Using Forms in Google Docs

2009-08-31T06:35:00.000-04:00

How to create a form using Google Docs

You will need a google account before you get started.
Once you have logged in, click on the "more" menu on the Google.com page. Scroll down to Documents and click. Now you are ready to create a form.

-Click on New, then form.
-In the form template that opens, you can add any questions and options you'd like. Save the form.
-Click Email this form once you've finished adding your questions.
-Add the email addresses of the people to whom you want to send this form. ( I usually just send this email to myself, then from my HCPS email, I mail out an email that includes the web link to those who would need access to the form. Or, I post the link so that students can access the form.)
-Click Send.

As your form is filled in, the responses will appear in a spreadsheet that you can choose to share with others or keep for your personal records. You can also export the spreadsheet to excel.

Here's a sample form for you to see and try if you would like: Sample Form

I few things that I have learned from using google doc forms:
-If the URL to the online form is really long, use TinyURL to convert the long link to a shortened version.
-Select different themes to create a different look for your online surveys and assessments.
-Keep survey's short.

Also, Google Docs has many other wonderful tools that can be used in your classroom and for classroom management. Try sharing a document or spreadsheet within your department or grade level. I only wanted to highlight using forms. Feel free to ask your friendly ITRT for help in setting up an online form or any of the other google tools.

So...for this week's Play of the Week...you have a way to gather your stats for the big game!!!!

Have a great year!!!!

Learn a New Language

2009-06-10T08:18:00.001-04:00

Why not spend some time this summer learning a new language or honing your skills on one you already know. Remember that all HCPS staff have access to the Rosetta Stone software through our partnership with the company! New languages have recently been added - you can see the list of available languages on Tech101.

You will need a computer with high-speed internet and either a headset with microphone or speakers and microphone. Email Karen Campbell (kkcampbell) if you are interested in an account. Indicate the language that you would like to learn. The software only allows one language at a time so you'll have to choose!

Have fun!

iTunes for summer reading and listening!

2009-06-01T19:56:00.000-04:00

Get ready for summer! Would you like to recommend some summer reading (or listening!) to your students? Or perhaps you need some books to listen to as you travel! This web resource has stories that can be downloaded to your iPod or Mp3 player: Lit2Go

Readings are sorted by reading level and with supporting materials, such as printable text of the readings and ideas for reading strategies. Links from the home page reveal the extent of these public domain files! Thanks to Jeremy Aldrich for sharing this rich resource!

End of Year Fun!

2009-05-26T07:39:00.001-04:00

You have twelve more days…you are probably not looking for great content integration ideas at this point in the year. You may be looking for something new and simple to catch your students’ attention. With this week’s Play of the Week, you can have some fun at the same time!

Check out this website: Fodey.com

Find out how to create animated clip art, a clapperboard like the one seen above, or use the newspaper clipping generator.

Warning: As with any free websites, you find some great resources, but there may be one thing that is not appropriate for your students. Unfortunately, there is also a link off this site to create writing for a pack of cigarettes. Therefore, you may choose not to use this with your students, but you can have some fun getting their attention with the animations, clapper boards, or newspaper clippings with messages to enhance a lesson, worksheet, or newsletter.

Note: An alternative to the newspaper clipping generator that you could try with your students is the comic creator found at this link: Comic Creator

So, have some fun with technology during your last days of school this year!

Rhymes with Orange

2009-05-18T10:33:00.000-04:00

Write rhymes is an interactive website where you can easily write poetry. What if you get stuck with and end rhyme, you ask? Don't worry, Write rhymes helps you easily find rhyming words.

Type in your poetry, and when you get stuck on a word you need to rhyme, hold down the ALT key and click the word you want to rhyme and Write rhymes give you a list of rhyming words.

When you're finished writing your poem, you can copy and paste it or print it out to share.

Give it a try here: http://www.writerhymes.com/

Enjoy!

INSTANT REPLAY--Animoto

2009-05-08T09:04:00.000-04:00

Make your digital pictures come to life!!!!! Create a class project using digital images set to music. Add Text...and poof...a video is produced! To use Animoto, you will need an email address. Upload your pictures, choose music (or upload your own), add text and let animoto do the work. See the website for examples: animoto.com

A great,but"not-so-school" related example:
http://biz.animoto.com/mothersday.html
(Happy Mother's Day)

From the web:
Animoto is a Web application that automatically generates professionally produced videos using patent-pending technology and high-end motion design. Each video is a fully customized orchestration of user-selected images and music. Produced on a widescreen format, Animoto videos have the visual energy of a music video and the emotional impact of a movie trailer.

Experience History

2009-04-30T13:06:00.000-04:00

Where can you go to read Thomas Jefferson’s personal copy of "A Summary View of the Rights of British America" written in 1774 or to watch a video of immigrants landing at Ellis Island from 1903? These websites let you learn about history from the words of the people who lived it.

The World Digital Library brings together some of the earliest written works along with photographs, films, and audio tracks. The site offers page-by-page viewing of the original works that were scanned by participating libraries, often with narration by the curator.

American Journeys lets you read the words of the explorers, Indians, missionaries, and traders in more than 18,000 pages of eyewitness accounts of North American exploration. The teacher section adds topic ideas, lesson plans, and research advice.

TimeToast Timeline

2009-04-26T15:40:00.000-04:00

Timelines can be a useful method to organize material, and with review time coming into full swing, students and teachers alike may find TimeToast to be just the thing for a great overview! Users can create a time line, add public domain photos and descriptions, and collaborate with others on shared timelines. Free accounts can be created at http://www.timetoast.com/

Create a Word Cloud!

2009-04-20T07:02:00.000-04:00

Check out this website to make your own “word clouds”: Wordle

You can paste or type in the text for your cloud. If you want certain words larger than others, type them in more than once. If you want two (or more) words to be joined in your cloud, do not put a space between the words. You can randomize your text to make many variations of word clouds.

A word of caution: You can print out your word cloud and/or you can save it to the Wordle gallery. There are folks of all ages creating word clouds, so the gallery may include inappropriate text. If you are using with your students, particularly at the elementary level, ask for support from your ITRT to ensure that students enter the site here: Create a Word Cloud
Once their text has been added, they can click on Go and Randomize, but they should not click on the back arrow because this will take them back to the Home Page and they will see the “latest created by others” word clouds and there is no way to be sure that these word clouds have appropriate text.

TIME OUT!!!!

2009-04-13T05:30:00.000-04:00

Whew...spring break has come and gone!!! Just another reminder of how time flies! This week's play of the week has to do with time! The first link below will take you to an online timer. Simply type in the amount of time you want to count down and click go. The website works like an egg timer! The second link is to a power point slide show that you can download to insert into your own presentation or use it alone to help manage classroom time. If you have any trouble downloading, using, or inserting the power point slide show, please contact your ITRT for help!!!

ENJOY YOUR TIME!!!!

Online Egg Timer
(http://www.e.ggtimer.com/)

Count Down Timer Power Point Slide Show (you will need your email id and password)
(http://www.harrisonburg.k12.va.us/hhs/teacherstuff/private/timer/timer.ppt)

Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign!

2009-03-30T09:08:00.000-04:00

Need something to help kick off a lesson or grab the attention of your class. This fun website features "sign generators" that will let you create church signs, soda cans, official seals, cassette tape labels, concert tickets and more!
Use it to advertise a class project.
Use it to reward a teacher who has been working hard.
Use it to add an interesting picture to an old PowerPoint presentation.
Use it to create a writing prompt.
Use it to start a class discussion.
Use it to ... well you get the idea.

Please note that there are also signs for liquor stores and unsavory restaurants, so you might not want to let your students use this site, but for teachers this could be a fun place to find a great attention-grabbing lesson introduction.

Enjoy: http://www.says-it.com/