Hello,
If you do not have computer speakers, please remember to budget some for next year. It is an easy thing to forget when you go to play a video for the first time on a computer. The projection systems should be going up this summer.
My Access can be used during MAP testing if there is an opening in the lab.
The netTrekker icon has been put on the desktop of the lab computers at West and South. If anyone at East would like the icon put on the desktop, let me know. I also made up some generic passwords for West and South to try and make it easier to access for our younger students
If you accidently load Google Toolbar (usually when you are loading an Adobe product) go to START---CONTROL PANEL---ADD/REMOVE Programs--Find Google Toolbar in the list--- and click remove. Sometimes it will want to take off other things you may need and you will get a message saying so. I haven't seen this with Google Toolbar though.
Remember to keep your computer at home up-to-date with virus protection and Microsoft Updates.
I am trying to find a technology workshop for elementary folks for next year. I am asking BER if they can bring one to Billings that is geared toward the elementary level. Let me know if you hear of something else close to us.
I am available to come in do some technology integration lessons at various times, so let me know what you want and when you want it.
I am still converting videos from YouTube but am going to use my USB drive until this whole Conflikker thing passes. Let me know if you have a video you need converted. I can put it on a CD or email it.
Web Sites for kids
Sites for Kids
http://www.funbrain.com/ - interactive, educational games provided by the Family Education Network.
http://www.kidsdomain.com/ - Holiday and seasonal
http://www.pbskids.com/ - Official site for the cartoons and live action shows hosted by PBS, featuring games, stories, coloring pages, music, and show information.
http://www.scholastic.com/ -Helps children to read and learn with games, an interactive book site, plus a homework hub.
http://www.sikids.com/ - The online counterpart to Sports Illustrated For Kids magazine with games, news, photos scores and more!
http://www.yahookids.com/ - Formerly known as yahooligans.com, this site offers games, music, movies, jokes, sports, e-cards and a study zone.
Homework sites to check out
http://www.aolatschool.com/ - New educational Internet search engine specifically designed for children and their parents.
http://www.factmonster.com/ - Free reference site for students featuring an online almanac, dictionary, encyclopedia, atlas and more!
http://www.homeworkspot.com/ - Designed to help students start homework assignments that require online resources, with a special section on science fair projects.
http://www.researchpaper.com/ - Topics, ideas and assistance for school-related research projects, including a refresher course in term-paper writing.
http://www.kidinfo.com/ - A well-organized homework & teacher resource site, recommended by the American Library Association.
ADD THAT PROJECTOR AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY (in a practically painless way)
. Reading/Writing- Display images, words, sample writings, etc. Demo sounding out words, finding meaning from prefixes/suffixes, etc. Model editing skills by giving demonstrations so all students can see . Oh yes, you may wish to use http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/ for some ideas. There are also some good Step-Up-To-Writing sites that Connie Reutter and Judy Harkink found. You might want to ask them about the sites.
. Mathematics Library of Virtual Manipulatives Go to my site to find the site http://www.deniseherman.wikispaces.com/ or Google Library of Virtual Manipulatives. See Thinkfinity below.
. Science Incorporate the use of spreadsheets to record and graphic data in neat little ways. Protect your eyebrows and your budget by showing videos of dangerous chemistry demonstrations. Oh yes, You may wish to use http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/ for some ideas. :-) See Thinkfinity below
. Social Studies Google Earth or when that doesn't work, try the University of Texas at Austin's Library Virtual Map Room (www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/) . It has a variety of maps when Google E is blocked. For a timer, use a simple freeware program like TimeLeft (http://www.timeleft.info/). Students will see exactly how long they've been working on a project, how much time is left, or how many days until the a project is due. Oh yes, you may wish to use http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/ for some ideas. See Thinkfinity below.
. Games and Quizzes Put some action in the class by using your own or premade Powerpoint presentations that mimic popular quiz games like "Jeopardy!" or "You Don't Know Jack." Sheppard Software (http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/) has dozens of interactive games. Google for games too. Plenty comes up when you do this.
. Board Work Standing at the whiteboard terrifies many students. Why? Writing large print on a vertical plane isn't easy for everyone. Ask students to do the work on a sheet of paper and wake up your document camera. Sharing of work goes much faster this way because so much isn't spent at the board. Plus, do you remember the days when you did your geometry proofs at the board in front of all the students and not remembered a thing because of stage fright?
. Graphic Organizers Online diagramming software like Gliffy http://www.gliffy.com/ or Bubbl http://www.bubbl.us/can make creating lively instructional flowcharts, cluster diagrams, and spider maps a simple and fun and easy to share.
. Guest/Substitute Lectures Live streaming or podcast lectures from guests will give your students access to experts around the world without footing for an airline ticket. Record your own lectures with software like Camtasia (not free) or upload your Powerpoint presentations to Slideshare http://www.slideshare.net/ or Photo Story Best of all, students can access these lectures for future reference.
. Drama/Theater or multiple intelligence opportunities for any class Want to do some on-the-fly theater? Hang a white sheet, place the projector behind the sheet facing your audience, and let your students perform inexpensive miniature theatrical productions. Project image "backdrops" from your computer and you'll have the fastest set changes in history.
Ron S. Doyle Boulder, Colorado.
Kids' Books to Listen to and Read on-line:
http://www.magickeys.com/books/links.html
Almost all fun stuff for almost all subjects:
http://sheppardsoftware.com/
There is a good Abraham Lincoln site put together by a teacher. Much of it is middle school level, but the Abe pictures are nice for younger kids to view as well as some other links that could be used with younger students. http://home.att.net/~rjnorton/Lincoln2.html
A Tech Facilitator's Site:
http://bobsprankle.com/bitbybit_wordpress/
The videos are good and thought provoking. Also, he has an explanation why all video gaming devices "could" be obsolete before long.
Thinkfinity-art, math, reading, economics, science, geography and history links
http://www.thinkfinity.org/home.aspx
Weather Links
Keep up-to-date on the latest weather.
Road Reports (WYDOT)
Local Weather with Radar
Regional Satellite Image from Intellicast
The Weather Channel
Weather USA Radar
How far you go in life depends on being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak because you have been or someday will be all of these.
