Join the Movement: Bring YouTube To Schools

This NEEDS to be brought to the attention of all schools, principals, district tech personnel ... it is THE WAY to allow educationally related videos posted on YouTube into the classroom!

For more information, check out this article!

Lesson Plan Ideas for Clickers

Here is a direct link to some ideas on how to incorporate clickers in your classroom!

Looks So Cool!

A fellow librarian forwarded this link to me today.  It really looks like a lot of fun.  Could see it being used to create props for anticipatory sets (opening activities), webpage engagment, and much MUCH more!  Take a peek!

Powerful "Anti-bullying" Message

Reminder ... We Have an ELECTRONIC Subcription to the DENVER POST

Just want to remind everyone that Stuart has an electronic subscription to the Denver Post.  Our subscription allows the newspaper to be brought up on every one of the computers in the Cavern and the Bay.  It is password protected ... just see me for the password!

Planet Challenge -- Looks GREAT for MS students!

Think Disney only makes movies?  No way!  They also provide neat experiences for teachers and students!  For example, check out this site for an interactive challenge your in which your students can partake! 

The deadline to register is quickly approaching,

 so check out the site and requirements TODAY!

The 21st Century Learner

Interesting Article: What If We Taught at Hogwarts?

Interesting article written by Peter DeWitt, a school principal, about the lessons taught at Hogwarts and how our students could benefit from being taught like Harry was.

DonorsChoose.Org

Just heard about this ... a non-profit organization that has the goal of HELPING TEACHERS bring their students materials to enhance their learning. 

Sign up today!  Then Describe the Project You Hope To Be Funded!

Beginning your own PLN (personal learning network)

Came across this site today.  Thought it has a nice layout of how to begin building one's own PLN.  Take a look when you have a moment.

PBS Teachers

PBS ... not only is it a WONDERFUL television station it is a company that TOTALLY supports education!  Check out their site that provides spectacular resources!  Also, in case you weren't aware, PBS is the sponsor of PBS TeacherLine that provides online learning opportunities (I've taken a few of their courses and was quite pleased with the instruction and information).

3D Civil War

Just "tore" this out of a great blog by Richard Bryne.  Follow this link to his blog AND a link to the 3D American Civil War site.  Not only is there some great information, but it is a fascinating way educators can utilize google tools!

Water Life

Came across this quite by accident.  It appears interactive and allows access to the documentary that screened across this and other countries.  I've only begun to peruse the site and am already blown away!

A "Taste" of What I Encountered at Recent Conferences

Here are some links to sites/resources I learned about at a recent conferences.  Recommend taking some time to explore and then, if you'd like, please stop by and discuss how I can help you incorporate these resources into your classes!

Use this site to highlight "important" items on a webpage.  THEN, ask for a "unique" link ... when the link is used, the highlighted page is brought up on your screen.  EXCELLENT way to engage students, especially if you have THEM do the highlighting to verify their understanding.  Could be a fun, interactive formative assessment.

Site that hosts stories of Americans.

 Have you ever wondered what google has to offer to you specifically?  Wonder no more!  Click on this link to learn about all types of stuff google has to help you in your classroom!

Whether you teach science or not, this is one COOL site!  You can even help locate undiscovered stars and planets!  Check it out today!

Create a Customized Google Search Page

Did you know you can create your very own customized google search page?  That's right!  And what's more, it is FREE!  Simply follow this link and begin to create your own page.



Still need more information?  Like, what are some of the differences between a customized google search page and regular google?  Glad you asked!

o   Kids search only via the websites you have already reviewed

o   Kids can get to this search page through a link provided on your own webpage

o   When it comes up, it looks JUST LIKE an actual google page

o   Can add link by link or in bulk

§  Can even state include all pages from that site or only that specific linked page

Discovery Education Tech or Treat Event

I so wish all of you could be here at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science this morning!  This FREE mini-conference sponsored by Discovery Education (aka United Streaming) is amazing!  I will be sure to post links later this week!

In the meantime, sign on to your United Streaming/Discovery Education account and join DEN ... the Discovery Educator Network!  It's an excellent resource available for educators around the world!

New Links Added To Library WebPage

I added three new links to our library webpage.  The following two are listed under "Student Links".  They are each sites where students can access pictures/photos to use in projects for free:

The third link is listed under "Teacher Links."  I'm still reviewing the site, but it looks like an organization uploaded a variety of pictures that can be used with a variety of classroom lessons. 

 



Artifact Kits

Did you know teachers can check out "artifact kits" through the History Colorado Educational Programs?

Yep, that's right!  You can "put history IN YOUR student's hands"!

The following kits are available:

* Cliff Dwellers
* Mountain Man
* Colorado Miners
* Grandmother Trunks (turn of the century)
     - American Indian
     - African American
     - Hispanic
     - Japanese American
* Boom or Bust: Denver's History

Checkout period for each trunk is 2 weeks. 
Cost is $30 + s/h (if they mail kit) OR $10 +s/h (if you pick it up)

Call 303-866-4686 to reserve a trunk today!

Sampling of Books In the Professional Development Section of Your Library

Bringing YouTube to Your Classroom

Here is a site that provides links to various YouTube videos to use in your classroom.  While I haven't looked at all of the links yet, the ones I have visited seem pretty good.  Some are funny.  Others are quite educational.  And others are educational, but a "tad" on the boring side.  I'd strongly recommend reviewing the videos prior to using in your classroom.

Just for fun, here's a "humorous" link to a video that could be used with Social Studies' Egyptian Unit ... "How To Make a Mummy"

Sign up for a FREE subscription!

This seems like an interesting on-line magazine regarding technology and education.  Check it out and see if it fits your needs!

Oh My Goodness! So MANY great things to share from the GT Conference!

I just got finished attending a two day GT conference and it was amazing!  I have TONS of things to share with everyone that can be applied to your GT kids as well as your classroom as a whole!  I cannot wait to share!!

Hopefully I will have the opportunity to do so in the next few weeks!  Meanwhile, I'll probably contact some of you privately to share ideas and tools that apply directly to your classroom.

~ Dawn

P.S.  Okay, have to share these two sites I learned about today:

myfakewall.com .... have your students create FAKE FACEBOOKish pages for class projects ... famous world leaders ... mathmeticians ... musicians ... scientists ... planets ...

fakeiphonetext.com  ... TOO COOL!  Create a "fake text" conversation to illustrate understanding regarding a world event, conflict in a story, a math concept ...

Incorporate Google Earth with Literature Circles!

What a neat idea!  Follow this link to a brief article regarding using Google Earth to help students interact on a deeper level with literature!  The article also has a direct link to Jerome Burg's Google Lit Trip site!

It's been a while ...

It's been a while since I last updated this blog!  Have kept myself way too busy managing everything in the library and district assessments.  But never fear, I'm back!

Congratulations to Lynelle, Chelsie, and Elizabeth for each winning a FREE BOOK OF THEIR CHOICE from our fall book fair!  I'll be doing something similar in the spring, so keep your eyes open!

A quick reminder to take some time and peruse through the "older posts" ... there are some really good resources listed on this blog!  I'd hate for anyone to miss out!

In October the library will be showcasing books of a "creepy" theme ... monsters, vampires, zombies, ghosts ... you name it we'll have it out and about!  Would love to host some reading contests during that time as well, so I'll be sending out information later this week to be shared with Monday advisory classes!

And now for a couple of  resources:

 Looks like a wonderful Math resource.  Let me know what you think.

Looks like an interesting site for Social Studies and Science teachers to peruse! 





I'll post some more links later this week!

Really Neat Lessons Available Through United Streaming & Discovery Education

You've GOT to check out these lessons and activities!!!

Writing Contest for 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders!

Historical Newspapers Available for Checkout!

We have a set of "seven reprinted newspapers" highlighting the various events:

• Frank Leslie's Illustrated, 1865, covering the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
• The Chicago Evening Post Extra, 1871, reports on "Chicago in Flames".
• The Illustrated Christian Weekly, 1886, celebrating the Statue of Liberty's completion.
• The Boston Advertiser, 1929, detailing the Valentine's Day massacre.
• The Daily Record, 1935, covers the death of Dutch Schultz in a gang shooting.
• The Evening Star, 1963, covering the assassination of President Kennedy.
• The Evening Bulletin, 1969, reporting on the Apollo 11 lunar landing.

Feel free to check them out for class use!

 

"Curiosity In the Classroom"

Just received this in an email today from Discovery Education.  The site provides FREE RESOURCES that can be used "on a variety of topics ranging from robotics to artifical intelligence."  Take a look!

Join TeachersFirst!

Great resource that is totally FREE!  Check this out today!

Make Science Real

Interesting article! 

	look inside > Make Science Real
LEARNING CONNECTIONS

Looks like a great site for SOCIAL STUDIES

This looks like a really neat site for social studies teachers!  Has links to lesson plans, resources, music, database games ... take a peek!

Chance to Win A Free Book!!

The first five teachers to come into the library and say “Ya got some good information here, Sunrise!” will win a FREE book of their choice from our Fall Book Fair in September!
~ Dawn

Tips About PowerPoints

Life After Death By PowerPoint ... HILARIOUS video that rings so true!

• 10 Tips for PowerPoints That Don't Suck Part I

• 10 Tips for PowerPoints That Don't Suck Part II

• Top Ten Slide Tips

Some Interesting Articles and Videos Related to Technology

Sixth-Graders Create Their Own Math Videos!
Discusses the creation of videos that teach math to other students.

NMC Horizon Project: Report > 2011 K-12 Edition
Very Interesting!  Discussing emerging technologies and their impace and use within education and the world!

Which Technology Tool Do I Choose?

Six Scaffolding Strategies to Use with Your Students

Why You Should Encourage Collisions Between Students

Web Tools Collective: Collecting, Organizing, and Making Sense of Information

Getting Started with Technology Integration in Your Classroom

Free eBook with 77 ed tech resources for all content areas
This guy has an AMAZING site!  This is just a sample of what he has to offer!

What Is Information Literacy???  Check Out This Video For the Answer!