Ideas for Mrs. J (my educational alter-ego)

What is Pinterest?
Pinterest: My new obsession
Educators have taken to Pinterest with keen enthusiasm similar to Twitter adoption.
4 Ways to Use Pinterest int he Classroom
29 Boards Created by a Kinder Teacher
Other classroom collections from Pinterest
Classroom Ideas
Pimp my Classroom
Classrooms I Love

Actionresearch.ca -- Passion in Professional Practice II -- Anita Ricker

"I organized my classroom in September in such a way that all of the math resources and manipulatives were located at a learning centre. I prepared the math journals, which were simply a booklet of blank pages with a cover."

Also see Printable Reflection Sheet

Classroom 2.0 LIVE! - Home via kwout

Live workshops on using and integrating Web 2.0 in the classroom! Talk with guests and crew on Classroom 2.0 Live. Sessions are packed with teachers and
leaders offering resources to enhance and engage your students in the technological driven classroom.

Show Archives and Links

Some ideas and shared resources ~
minigeekfest
Click on tab for "Reflection Smackdown for 2011" in the LiveBinder.

Exploring Simple Machines via kwout

The machines we use every day help to make our work easier. This WebQuest will help you identify different types of simple machines so that you can invent your own machines.

Take the challenge with Wally the Working Ant and simple machines

Exploring Simple Machines via kwout

Have your students take on this project.

Also Wally the working ant will be your guide as students learn about the six simple machines and how the machines make work easier.

Wally the Working Ant

The State of Tech via kwout

Thanks to Eric Curts, Technology Director, North Canton City Schools for sharing and organizing google groups for educators. I have discovered many useful resources and solutions to everyday problems and educational challenges. I find his posts invaluable.

Eric is worth following and his technical expertise is much appreciated.

Google + Profile
Follow Eric on Twitter
Eric's Web site
North Canton Schools
Ohio Treasure Chest
Apps User Group
The State of Tech

More about Eric Curts...
Eric's Google Profile

Classroom Ideas via kwout

Many teachers have discovered numerous ways to use Pinterest with their students. So what exactly is Pinterest?

Pinterest is a place to organize and share online images that you find interesting or inspiring. Once uploaded or shared on Pinterest, these images become known as Pins, which the user can place on customized, themed Boards. You can create Boards for any topic imaginable, and creative uses are only limited by one's imagination!
If you want to check out Pinterest, though, you have to be invited. You can sign up for invites on the site , or chances are you already know a Pinner who will gladly send you an invite.


Pinterests of interest~
Schueller's classroom
Ways to Use Pinterest in Education
ilearn technology's Take on Pinterest
Winter Classroom Ideas
pimp-my-classroom
pinterest-for-teachers
Pinterest Winter classroom Ideas
Everyting Education ..GRREAT for Browsing
The Teacher Wife's Take on Pinterest

vectorkids - Interactive Educational Tools : Math Flashcards and Games via kwout

Provides interactive educational tools for elementary and middle school students. Strengthen basic math skills with flashcards. Subjects include geometry ...
VectorKids is a site that offers several interactivities and games to help build student skills in Mathematics. There is integration with social studies. Makes a great extension and remediation to your classroom programme.

Refer to teachersfirst for further curriculum integration ideas~
Vector Kids Overview

The AppAdvice Top 10: Best Free iPad Apps Of 2011 -- AppAdvice via kwout

Worth exploring during your holiday break!

Capturing Learning While Teaching : Live Learning with Livescribe via kwout

Blog of the Day!

"This blog is our documentation and discussion that results from our Livescribe TLLP project. We are trying to use it in as wide of a range of purpose as possible. We look forward to comments, suggestions and contributions.

A Livescribe pen uses a high-speed infrared camera on dotted paper to track everything a user writes, taps or draws. With a built-in microphone, it captures audio of any writing session. And it creates digital files that can turn handwriting into type, while storing files on its 2GB drive.

The project’s five teachers aim to target educators not yet comfortable with new technologies, aiming to increase their efficiency and communication with parents, provide student support and assess students in a way that can be moderated between teachers and leaders across schools."

Flickr: OurClassroomCDN's Photostream via kwout

Andrew Forgrave 's photostream from #edcampTO Thanks for sharing for those of us who couldn't be there.

Blackboard Collaborate | Online Collaboration Software for Engaging, Collaborative Learning via kwout

Formerly Elluminate. ... the virtual classroom tool you can use by getting a free 3-person space ("Three for Free") to use for tutoring, contacting students who are home sick, or student project sharing. Note that the free space does NOT offer a recording option.

TeachersFirst Update via kwout

TeachersFirst offers a rich collection of lessons, units, and educator-reviewed web resources designed ...
For example~
Teachersfirst Edge
Reviewed web 2.0 tools and ideas for safe use in the classroom
Teachersfirst Matrix
Subject/Grade Search (also under Classroom and Search menus)
Teachersfirst Keyword Search
(also under Classroom and Search menus)- READ the HINTS!
Teachersfirst Classroom Planning Calendar
(also under Classroom menu and from the red puzzle piece on the home page)
Teachersfirst Tech Tips for Students
Sign Up for Free Newsletter

imgur: the simple image sharer via kwout

An Example

FILMCLUB - Home via kwout

This organization helps schools setup after school film clubs.

For additional resources of the same vein see Videos, Animations, films and Webcams
A hearty thank you goes out to ICTmagic for posting these sites.

Zoom.it via kwout

A site from Microsoft that lets you link to a large image on the internet and zoom around to see the details. Use an image with text to make a 'prezi style' poster. Photo Plus

Use it with your smartboard to zoom into any part of your screen!

Just one of the many tools to add a WOW factor to your presentations. Presentation Tools

Numeracy Worksheets and Resources via kwout

resources,worksheets,reading, literacy,English,Maths,numeracy,science,Geography,history,ict,Art etc

A good cross-curricular site with downloadable resources for teachers of young learners of 5-9 years old. Resources for Downloading

Technology Integration Matrix via kwout

Technology Integration Matrix Grade Level Index. This page provides a breakdown of videos within the Technology Integration Matrix by grade level.

Harvard Education Letter via kwout

"Students in Hayley Dupuy’s sixth-grade science class at the Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School in Palo Alto, Calif., are beginning a unit on plate tectonics. In small groups, they are producing their own questions, quickly, one after another: What are plate tectonics? How fast do plates move? Why do plates move? Do plates affect temperature? What animals can sense the plates moving? They raise questions “that we never would have thought of if we started to answer the first question we asked,” says one of the students. “And just when you think you already know the question you want to focus on, you realize: ‘Oh, wow, here’s this other question that is so much better, and that’s really what you need to think about."

duck and cover via kwout

Children storybooks read aloud by celebrities and storytellers. This online reading program to develop literacy in children is fun! Online Storytime great sites for "daily5" listening to reading!!

Our Global History: Qwiki - An Amazing Classroom Ready Resource via kwout

An amazing, versatile tool for the classroom which can be used by students and teachers.
Visit Qwiki

Technology in Schools Faces Questions on Value - NYTimes.com via kwout

"Since 2005, scores in reading and math have stagnated in Kyrene, even as statewide scores have risen.

To be sure, test scores can go up or down for many reasons. But to many education experts, something is not adding up — here and across the country. In a nutshell: schools are spending billions on technology, even as they cut budgets and lay off teachers, with little proof that this approach is improving basic learning."

Teachers first - Gymnasium for Brain via kwout

To sumarize this resource is a gym dedicated to the wellness of the mind. The publisher recommends at least one puzzle a day to rev up the brain cells. I believe the title says it all . This site provides some quite challenging brain games for kids .

MyRead – Classroom Organisation via kwout

Learning Role Cards can be downloaded and modified in Microsoft word!
http://www.myread.org/organisation.htm

For successful small group work:

organise students into groups of four to ensure participation
deal out Role Cards for effective role demarcation through assigned roles
each student is dealt a Functional Role card and a Learning Role card
the Learning Role cards are used to scaffold the discussion
note that every group member must take on the role of Encourager
explicit teaching and modelling of roles are important
These role cards are also available in printable Microsoft Word fomat.

Interactive Whiteboard Insights: The Interactive Content Cornerstone: Virtual Manipulatives via kwout

Virtual manipulatives were a must in my math classroom. Here is why!! Courtesy mathchat

Back to school lesson plans and first day of school activities | Thinkfinity via kwout

My goal for this Back to School posting is to create a resource that is helpful to new and veteran teachers alike.
Back to School Lesson Plans
Back to School with Mathwire
Projects by Jen
Teachersfirst
10 Fav Top 10 Resources for Integration of Tech into the Curriculum

Google Search Tips and Tricks for Science and Math Classes | Teaching Science and Math via kwout

Wonder wheel saves time for students and teacher! “Google Wonder Wheel” shows you search terms related to the main word you are interested in! and allows you students to explore relevant search terms which they can include in their projects and research. Do explore the "timelines feature of google as well. Google timelines allow you to put in a search topic, and list results as a timeline. There are many ways I could see this being of use in the classroom.

Here’s how to access the tool.

1. Go to www.google.com and type in your search topic.
2. Click “google search” as you normally would, or let the search results automatically pop up.
3. On the left column, below the sub header “All Results”, select “Timeline”.
4. Your results will automatically be listed as an interactive timeline.

Check it out today – you now have an educationally sound reason to Google random words! Try implementing a timeline in your lesson plans next week!

Would you consider collaborating with this 2nd grade class on the Flat Stanley Project?

Background info and related resources on Flat Stanley projects~

Wikipedia

About the Flat Stanley Project

Schooltube and the adventures of Flat Stanley

Suggested art materials

ethemes

Weebly - Create a free website and a free blog via kwout

The Great Poetry Race

The idea is to "choose a poem that reinforces a specific
skill or set of skills that you’re working on with your class.
For instance, the poem might include sight words, short-vowel
sounds, or dialogue requiring expression. Next, introduce
that poem to your class, modeling how the poem should be read.
Then distribute copies of that poem, along with directions and
a form for signatures, to each student, who then has a week to
read that poem to as many people as possible. After each
reading, the student asks her “audience” members to sign their
Great Poetry Race form. The student with the most signatures
at the end of the week wins a prize. This easy-to-execute
home/school program engages both students and their parents
while increasing each child’s fluency. But just as important,
it’s a fun, simple way to get kids excited about poetry and
deliver a positive reading experience all at once!"

 I am also a big fan of Jack Prelutsky.

Choose what works for you from this unit on Poetry ... 

Scholastic and Poetry

The above idea has been taken and modified from  the April 2009 issue of Reading Teacher. 
See Wikispaces and literacymalden for a list of grade level poems.
Mrs Fullenkamp's Implementation of the Great Race

Try using Ken Nesbit's poems and the book"I'm Still Here in the Bathtub" which are poems put to favorite, well known songs. Singing can increase flentcy!

Some teachers endorse I Read To You... Books and Take Me out to the Bathtub series.

And let the race begin with Mrs. Garretson's class

National Poetry Month | Thinkfinity via kwout

Teacher Challenge via kwout

Go. See. Connect. via kwout

"Connecting with others through social media? Good.
Getting too comfortable in the same circle of colleagues and not taking the time to branch out into new networks or interact with new members of the virtual community? Bad."

Yola - Make a free website with our free website builder via kwout

Just exactly how Yola functions s a web site for school or classroom use can be found here

Organize your resources in an online binder - LiveBinders via kwout

our Livebinder for today's show is here (along with the tabs for links for all of February: http://livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=59592

http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=68027

web conferencing livebinder http://livebinders.com/play/play/36761

our Livebinder for today's show is here (along with the tabs for links for all of February: http://livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=59592

I love this example of how you can create a template on a livebinder for others to use: http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=45505 (Coaching Binder Template by RindaMC)

This is probably one of the most fascinating webinar I have ever attended!! Thank you soooo much!!


Moderator (Peggy George): http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=31030 (Ms. Medina’s Class Binder-Science Handouts)


marionjacob: Thanks! This was awesome!


Moderator (Peggy George): http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=16597 (Class Project: Book A Trip Reading Passport by MrsB)


Moderator (Peggy George): http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=16597 (Class Project: Book A Trip Reading Passport by MrsB)


Karen shares her many binders ..Karen Bolotin @kbkonnected
http://kbkonnected.tumblr.com/post/2857462438/4-great-sites-for-free
http://livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit/51846


I've noticed a few schools are using Evernote with students. Wondering how this compares to Livebinders.

http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=66972 (Amazing Animal Webcams by KB...Connected)

You can also check out my blog http://web20classroom.blogspot.com

I also love the fact that you can add collaborators to livebinders, so several people can add to one Live Binder.

I am going to have so much fun this summer creating livebinders for different lessons. So much easier and better than having individual links on a flashdrive

Jerry Blumengarten @cybraryman1: My LiveBinders page: http://cybraryman.com/livebinders.html

Moderator (Kim Caise): http://livebinders.com/play/present?id=66972ge


Moderator (Peggy George): http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=43387 (LiveBinder: Classroom Printables-Free by KB...Connected)


McTeach (Karen): We're just starting a unit on Africa...this is going to be awesome!
Moderator (Kim Caise): http://livebinders.com/play/present?id=66972ge


Moderator (Peggy George): http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=43387 (LiveBinder: Classroom Printables-Free by KB...Connected)


McTeach (Karen): We're just starting a unit on Africa...this is going to be awesome!

Web cams to see live animals--my mind is just spinning

What's great about this is the home/School connection. Kids go home to continue learning at home

http://livebinders.com/play/present?id=43387

classroom printables livebinders ..do a search on google KBCONNECT
This is the link to my entire LiveBinder shelf http://www.livebinders.com/shelf/search_display_author?terms=KB...Konnected

Book Report
http://livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit/44788

Social Justice Live! Livebinder: http://livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit/65660

http://livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit/65660

blairteach: If you like WallWisher, you might also want to check out http://edistorm.com/

another wallwisher alternative is stixy

Here's link for Diana Laufenberg's Ted Talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/diana_laufenberg_3_ways_to_teach.html

Mike Fisher ..click on his name to see all his livebinders @fisher1000 on twitter

http://unhub.com/web20education/82513

Information Surplus ..

http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=68027 (LiveBinder of LiveBinder Examples)

This is probably one of the most fascinating webinar I have ever attended!! Thank you soooo much!!


Moderator (Peggy George): http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=31030 (Ms. Medina’s Class Binder-Science Handouts)


marionjacob: Thanks! This was awesome!


Moderator (Peggy George): http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=16597 (Class Project: Book A Trip Reading Passport by MrsB)


M http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=66128 (Student Projects: Recipes-Molten Lava Cake by LiveBinders

http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=68027 (LiveBinder of LiveBinder Examples)


Paula Naugle (@plnaugle): I agree @Len. Too much info. Lots to learn and review this weekend.

Moderator (Mike Fisher @fisher1000): I screencasted a video showing how the collaboration feature works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Lpx4T-aa4

Different ways to embed binders are in this binder: http://livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=3342

I'd be happy yo hear someone at my http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/halima

gaggle.net also has free student email accounts and "gaggle docs" with other features. Everything is filtered and "kid friendly"!

Moderator (Karen Bolotin @kbkonnected): I'm learning a lot today too! Thinking of more ways to use LiveBinders

Moderator (Peggy George): http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=33365 (Collaboration and Group Sharing-ESSDACK TIG by dmantz7)


Moderator (Mike Fisher @fisher1000): @Len If you are having trouble, give me your email address and I'll invite you specifically to the document.

LucianDuma ro @web20education: I start to curate in a single place the best #edtools in xxI Century Education and you are welcome to join and collaborate in #edtech20 and #edtools topic http://www.scoop.it/t/web20andsocialmediaesafetyinxxicenturyeducation

ZaidLearn: A Free Learning Tool for Every Learning Problem? via kwout

And do explore 75-free-edugames-to-spice-up-your ...

Luckily (thus eliminating some of those undesirable behaviors a sub can encounter) as a substitute teacher I had the opportunity to celebrate "Kindness Week" with our school district. I must recommend the book, The 7 Habits of Happy Kids of course inspired by the adult "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". It is designed for the K to 3 teacher and includes a teacher guide at the end of each story.

This particular school has adopted the program and implemented in all classes.

Also visit 4 Corners Classroom Blog for more comments and resources on how to seamlessly weave Sean Covey's book into your curriculum.

You may also wish to see Character Counts for more ideas and a great song to introduce the book.

Classroom Activities to Reinforce Measurement Concepts | eHow.com via kwout

eHow for classroom and everyday solutions ..a GRREAT resource for unit and theme planning.

Also!
The Science Spot
Measurement Unit! A Sneak Preview
Measurement Activities
Measurement: Lesson Plans from NC
Illumination's Magnificent Measurement
Illuminations: Measuring Up
Illuminations: Turtle Pond

free-k-5-teacher-resources

"Created by the Discovery Channel, we engage students through dynamic curricular resources like Discovery Education streaming Plus and Discovery Education Science, support teachers through customized professional development and assessment services, and ultimately improve student achievement."

Online Stickies - lino via kwout

Online corkboard similar to wallwisher

Thro' twitter I stumbled upon Lino which It is a free service that allows you to create a canvas of online multimedia sticky notes. There's a plethora of things you can do with it: store and organize sticky notes, brainstorm, use it for literacy etc. Can you think of ways we can use this Web 2.0 tool in your classroom? Grab a sticky note and share your idea. Sharing is caring!

See also~
Wallwisher vs Linoit
langwitches view of Linoit
makeuseof's take on Linoit
Talk Tech with Robin
Google Search Linoit in the Classroom
Use Linoit to interact with another class or school on a theme or topic. It can be incorporated into the classroom in a multitude of ways to provide engaging, critical thinking, word study, literacy, teacher planning and right across the curriculum.

» Beyond Penguins Wins SPORE Award » Exemplary Resources for Middle School Math and Science via kwout

Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears has been awarded a 2010 SPORE award from AAAS! Read a press release about the award, or our article that appeared in the January 28 issue of Science!
Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears is an online magazine integrating science, literacy, and the polar regions. In each thematic issue, you can:

Explore the Arctic and Antarctica
Learn science concepts and literacy strategies
Read about misconceptions, equity, and technology
Discover lessons and unit plans aligned to national standards
Listen to podcasts and electronic books, or browse the photo gallery

Why Tweet - Google Docs via kwout

Why Use Twitter! And everything an educator wants to know about twitter but was afraid to ask
Thinkfinity on Twitter
Twitter on Twitter
Teachers.net on Twitter
education_world
education-world

Aves – Classification – PHYLO: THE TRADING CARD GAME via kwout

davidwees Trading card game for learning about biodiversity via @HHG http://phylogame.org/ #edchat #scichat #BCed

Have your class create their own trading cards to consolidate and extend your curriculum area.

Games and Puzzles via kwout

Games and Puzzles for science and integration across curricular areas.

udtechtoolkit - home via kwout

Great resources for UDL shared by Karen Janowski in Elluminate ..Thanks for the tweet BjB of tAPPEDINORG

Free Technology for Teachers: The 15 Most Popular Posts on Free Tech 4 Teachers via kwout

OCDSB Instructional Technology Coach Resources - Links via kwout

Question: Our Grade 6's wanted to create a webpage to showcase some of their creative writing. Does anyone know of a web program that is approved by the Board and is user friendly that I could try?
"With wikispaces.com you can set up a site for your class and give each student a page where they can post their work. There are free accounts for educators, students don't need email addresses to sign up, and you can store up to 2 GB of data. You can even set up discussions on each page. I've used it in the past as an online portfolio for my grade 4/5 students."

Courtesy Chris Harrod, OCDSB

ArtisanCam - Home via kwout

ArtisanCam is a free online resource that introduces children (mainly 7-14 year old pupils) and their teachers to the world of contemporary art. It has been designed to help teachers deliver a creative curriculum through a wide variety of interactive workshops and activities including over 560 exclusive video clips of international artists and their work.

If you require a quick worksheet. Yes, sometimes they are a necessity to enhance or extend the childrens' learning.endless supply of ready made worksheets, lesson plans and ideas. Resources come in the form of PDFs, Word documents, Excel sheets, Powerpoint shows and SmartBoard charts.
Primary Teaching Resources

mathfuture - John Sharp via kwout

This is just one of the resources I gleaned from my PLN at TappedIn

Read in a Single Sitting - Book Reviews and New Books via kwout

Need a diversion from the stresses and routines of everyday teaching this site may be for you. Relax and enjoy.

Studyladder, online mathematics & literacy learning via kwout

Have FUN while learning mathematics & literacy, Studyladder is developed by experienced teachers. Curriculum based with 1000s of online educational games

How many classroom teachers remember collecting the Highlights Magazines for their classrooms. Children loved those hidden pictures and jokes etc. Have your students try this~
[ http://www.highlightskids.com/GamesandGiggles/HiddenPics/HIddenPixFlashObjects/V2_f5/h8HPI_V2_f5.asp?hpMode=1&n3=V2HPI_itsSnowing_f5.swf&varsIn=1 ]IT'S SNOWING - HIDDEN PICTURES:
It's snowing! What, still?? Students will choose a level of play to find the objects cleverly hidden in this snow play picture from Highlights.

Playing by the book via kwout

YouTube - Cloud Computing Explained via kwout

Cloud Computing and Open Source Tools for Teachers | FOSSLC via kwout

http://www.google.ca/search?q=cloud%20computng%20for%20teachers