Anythink Library Cards

 Anythink Library cards were delivered this week to every student who requested one!  Students can use these cards to check out books from the public library AND to access the WONDERFUL resources that the Anythink Library offers ... such as their numerous DATABASES!!  When having your students research, be sure to remind them to use their cards to access the Anythink Databases (a link is located under "student links" on the library homepage).

Upcoming NAGC Conference

I am attending the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC) Conference November 15th - 19th.  My goal is to obtain TONS of information and strategies you can utilize as you continue supporting the GT students in your classroom.  Stay tuned for more information!

Center for Colorado & the West

"To have a strong story, you have to have some grasp of your own community, you have to have lived it, it has to be culture-based."  Sandra Osawa, Native American filmmaker

Wonderful site that offers a look into the history of Colorado along with beautiful primary source photos.

thinglink.com

This site looks AMAZING!!  Seems you are able to add "tags" to any picture that will lead viewers to either text or videos or music or ... well, you've got to check it out to see all the site offers!  I can only imagine the neat things teachers and students can do with this thinglink.com!

GeneED ... Looks like a GREAT site for Science!

 

According to Dana Abby, the Health Information Literacy Coordinator with the National Network of Librarians of Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus:

 

"The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is pleased to announce the release of a new educational resource, GeneEd. Developed in collaboration with the National Human Genome Institute (NHGRI), teachers and experts in genetics and genetic counseling, GeneEd is a safe and useful resource for students and teachers in grades 9 – 12 to learn genetics. GeneEd allows students and teachers to explore topics such as Cell Biology, DNA, Genes, Chromosomes, Heredity/Inheritance Patterns, Epigenetics/Inheritance and the Environment, Genetic Conditions, Evolution, Biostatistics, Biotechnology, DNA Forensics, and Top Issues in Genetics.

Teachers can use the site to introduce topics, supplement existing materials, and provide as a reliable source to students conducting research. The site links to categories such as research articles, animation, games, videos, interactive tutorials, and labs and experiments. 3D images, illustrations and text from NHRGI help to enrich the user experience by providing vivid imagery to reinforce genetic concepts. Text varies from easy-to-read to advanced reading levels, which makes this a versatile tool both in and out of the classroom. Specialty pages including Teacher Resources and Labs and Experiments highlight those tools that teachers may find particularly helpful.  Other specialty pages such as Careers in Genetics and Highlights allow students to see what is new and noteworthy in the field of Genetics along with links to different careers related to the science of Genetics."

Education YouTube

Tired of searching through YouTube for videos that are applicable to your classroom?  YouTube has created Education YouTube just for you!  Take a peek!  We've even created a school username ... just touch base with me for the information!

Electronic Fieldtrips to National Parks

Take your students on a field trip ... an electronic fieldtrip courtesy of the National Park Foundation.

There are a variety of field trips you can access, such as:

Socrative ... Definitely Take A Look!

Just Out ... 13 MUST HAVE Gadgets

I know technology isn't everyone's favorite thing at the moment ... but here is an article straight from THE (Transforming Education Through Technology) Journal that provides some interesting info on apps/gadgets educators can use.  My favorites are #11 and #12.

This Year's StoryMaker Contest

All entries are due by October 12th.  Click here for more information!

Eduweb

Ideal for Social Studies and Science Teachers, this site offers role playing games, videos, and information about some truly intriguing things!  Check it out today!!

PBS Nova Science Now

Looks like a great site with tons of resources!! 

Each section (bottom left column) then subdivides into even more information:

AutoRap

Oh! My! Goodness!  This is such a fun app for your phone! And I'm sure you can all think of ways to incorporate it into one of your lesson intros!!

http://www.smule.com/autorap

Tools To Create Videos

Most of us are familiar with Animoto (and if you aren't, you need to be), but there are also a variety of other sites out there that are FREE and easy to use in the classroom!  Check out this site that provides information on 8 tools you can begin using right away!!

Start The Year Off With A Podcast!

It seems today that just about every student has access to a cell phone and/or a computer.  Why not use that technology to your class' advantage?  Why not create a weekly podcast for your students?  Your podcast can be a run-down of important concepts discussed that week.  Maybe your podcast is based on a random or loosely connected topic regarding your subject area.  Perhaps it's just a way to keep connected with your kids! 

Check out this blog site for more information (and some useful sites) on how to begin your own podcast:  http://classroomtech.pbworks.com/w/page/15984809/Podcasting

Videos For The Classroom

Lengthy list and links to  variety of sites that host videos you can utilize in your classroom!

Online Historical Interactive Games

Came across these two sites while reviewing information from the 2012 ISTE conference website.  Both look AMAZING!

Webquest???

Looking to create a webquest, but still not sure what one is exactly?  Then check out this site!

Free Webinars re: Google Apps

Looking for more information on how to utilize Google Apps in your classroom?  Then check out this site!  They have FREE webinars AND tons of archived webinars available with a single click of your mouse!

Transforming Your Classroom Into a FLIPPED Classroom

Sophia offers a free certification program that will help you transform your classroom into a "flipped" classroom ... what's a flipped classroom?  My understanding (and please understand, my understanding may be totally off base) is students listen to your lectures (and/or videos) outside of the classroom and then come to class ready to practice and implement knowledge gained.  Check out this site for more information.

New Classes Via PBS TeacherLine

Schoolyard Habitat Grant

This looks quite interesting ... it's a grant that focuses on student led habitat projects created right at your school!

Human In Space Art Contest

This looks REALLY interesting!  Can be art, music, video ... check it out!

Just saw this and had to share!!

Free Webinar re: Copyright Laws

Oh ... copyright laws ... they do exist, but what do they really mean to you?  Check out this free webinar for more information!!

Interesting Article on Transmedia

Have you read either of the book series  39 Clues or Skeleton Creek? Both are in the format of transmedia!  What is transmedia!  Excellent question and here is a very interesting article that can help answer that question!!

I cannot believe how long it's been since I last posted.  Obviously this "end of the year" stuff really is all consuming.  :) I'll continue updating links and posting items of interest throughout the summer.  Here are a few things to get you started ...

The summer TIE conferences are said to be AMAZING!  This year the conference is being held

June 19th - 21st at Cooper Mountain.  Check out their website @ http://tiecolorado.org/  for more information!

Join SoRR, Stuart's very own on-line summer reading club!  We had a successful "meet and greet" this past Thursday - the kids were all very excited by what we plan to do throughout the summer and I'm sure they'd LOVE for you to join us as well!  See me if you need more information and/or to get your account for our on-line meeting wiki set up!

The library will secure a digital subscription to Flocabulary for the 2012-2013 school year.  This is an amazing resource that we hope everyone will enjoy and utilize in their classroom!!

Four More Good Math Tutorial Channels Not Named Khan On YouTube

Four More Good Math Tutorial Channels Not Named Khan On YouTube

Google Earth ... Gotta Love It!

Who doesn't love Google Earth?  Admit it!  It's a thrill to see the Earth and then suddenly have your entire screen swirl as you spiral downward to a specific location in the world!  Kids love it as well, as evident by their non-stop visitation to Google Earth while in the computer labs where they are supposed to be working on classwork.  :)  The tech guru, Richard Byrne, created an AMAZING ebook that showcases how Google Earth can be used in ALL classes (yep!  Math is in there) ... Click on the picture to be magically floated across the web to this ebook:

You've GOT to follow this guy!!

His blogs are amazing!!  I truly recommend you add him to your blog list or at least bookmark his site!

Seven YouTube Channels Not Named Khan Offering Math Lessons

Seven YouTube Channels Not Named Khan Offering Math Lessons

Looks Like An Interesting Article

Provides some food for thought.  :)

Planet Quest

Has some GREAT activities such as Extreme Planet Makeover and Alien Safari. 

http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/

Discovery Education

I am SO sad that I cannot attend this Saturday's Discovery Education event in Aurora.  Their agenda listed some FABULOUS sessions.  But that doesn't mean I cannot still share information with you!

 Remember you can join DEN as part of our license with Discovery Education/United Streaming ... this is a GREAT resource for all educators!!  Simply log in to your Discovery Education account and then click "DEN" in the top ribbon.

Scholastic Instructor: Spring 2012

My Spring 2012 edition of the Scholastic Instructor magazine showed up yesterday in my mailbox.  (Yes, I still receive stuff via snail-mail ...LOL) 

Normally I find most educational magazines contain, on average, two really good articles and then a couple that are interesting.  This edition?  Wow!  I found so many GREAT things in it! 

First, SCIENCE TEACHERS ... go to scholastic.com/instructor and download free copies of the Scientific Method Posters.  Colorful!  Simple! AND FREE!!

Next, Scholastic Instructor is hosting a poetry contest for grades 4-8!  Information and rules can be found at scholastic.com/instructorpoetrycontest!

Some really intriguing ideas regarding STEM (written for younger grades, but could definitely be adapted for middle school) such as having kids design a knee brace or working together to determine what materials create the best membrane. 

And finally, a controversial article (in my mind at least) on how texting improves spelling.

The Spring 2012 edition isn't available yet on-line, but it should be soon!  In the meantime, feel free to borrow my copy!

Primary Sources = FREE workshop

UNC is offering its Essential Exploration workshop this April!  This FREE workshop introduces you to the variety of primary sources available via the Library of Congress website AND offers ideas on how to incorporate these valuable resources in to your lessons.

Sign up today!! 

Quantum Teaching

Looking for a good read?  Something that will reinspire you as a classroom teacher?  Something that will allow you to continue strenghtening your teacher skills?

Quantum Teaching has some great ideas!  AND I have my notes from the specialized training session given in conjunction with the book.  Stop by to talk and I'll be more than happy to let you borrow my notes AND my copy of the book!

Did you know???

Studies completed by the Learning Forum in California recommend using posters to "time frame" your classroom!

Place posters in the front that are current (present day)
Place posters on the left that are from previous days (the past)
Place posters on the right that are for future days

Pictures/posters that are placed "ABOVE" eye level help students "look up" and create visual pictures for future memory.

Affirmation pictures (words/thoughts) should be set in the room at ear level.  The most important word you want them to say is the "brightest/boldest" word on the page.

Dropbox

Jake shared this resource with the language arts team the other day.  What's extra cool (besides the fact you can save all of your files and access them from anywhere) is you can SHARE your dropbox with others! 

ISTE -- Join Today

ISTE is a wonderful resource!  Check it out!!

Update Coming Soon

I had planned on having TONS of things to share from the 2012 Teacher-Librarian Day, but, alas, the event was cancelled due to our snow storm. 

Not to worry, though!  I'm in the midst of updating the blog with some really cool tools you can use in your classrooms!  All will be updated this coming weekend!

Let's Work Together To Become A ROCKIN' Kitchen

“The traditional library is viewed as a grocery store.  21^st century libraries are viewed as the kitchen” – Joyce Valenza

Mashpedia

If you find yourself always googling or using Wikipedia to complete your research ... try using MASHPEDIA instead.  Mashpedia provides a forum that provides "real time" results from its search ... real time meaning you get the latest updated tweets, facebook posts, news releases, PLUS videos and so much more!  Try it today!

Interesting Blog

Although this blog article address high school students, the concept is quite interesting and might be neat to try at a "basic level" in middle school.

Teacher Pranks Students

Great use of humor and technology in the classroom. 

I truly cannot recommend this FREE opportunity enough!!  Primary Resources are a great way to teach concepts and get kids involved. Each workshop I've attended has been WONDERFUL!  And did I mention the workshops are FREE???? 

The next "essentials exploration" workshop is January 21st.  Check out this site to sign up today!

Technology and Inquiry Project Based English Classroom

While I understand this might not work for everyone, this seems like a great starting point for those who are interested in integrating more technology in the classroom while engaging students with world topics.