Bookmarks...

How many times have I bookmarked something only to forget what computer I was on at the time and what web browser I was utilizing?!? Since July I have been using del.icio.us, a social bookmarking site. I added a tool to Firefox and, when I bookmark a site, I can add tags to organize it. Then, these links are available to me on the web, on any computer I choose to use!

We The Teachers

Tonight I learned of a site created by a teacher and her husband that is packed full of resources for teachers in a variety of grade levels and subject areas. I came across everything from PowerPoints and handouts (pdf) to lesson plans. This is an awesome, free way for teachers to share! A login is required but it is FREE! Have fun.

Video iPod to TV

I love social networking! Thanks to a pal on my twitter feed I learned of a $2.10 cable for connecting a video iPod to a tv (which, thanks to PTA, all of our classrooms possess). After hooking it up I was able to get audio but no video. A dear, sweet techy cousin found this link for me... and now it is working! So basically, I had to go to Video>Video settings>TV out and turn it on. BINGO! Thanks to all involved and now my third graders can experience the cool Schoolhouse Rock videos that I purchased from iTunes!

All Charged Up (How's that for poor grammar?)

After using Palm Pilots with my 3rd graders for several years, I finally found an inexpensive, easy way to charge the Palms. The back story is that this summer I had the good fortune of hearing Tony Vincent speak at Shippensburg University (PA Keystone Summit). Later I explored his website and learned that another teacher uses baskets to manage the plugs, boxes, and wires. The picture illustrates my variation. I used a crate to hold all of the surge protectors and chargers. Then I laced all of the wires into the smaller green basket. Finally I used the purple caddy to hold the palms. This makes it easy to store the palms as well. After they are charged I can unplug them, grab the purple caddy, and lock it in a cabinet.

Our tech. supervisor has purchased a set of video ipods for use in the district this year! Stay tuned!

Learning in the PALM of your Hand

Thanks to an ambitious technology supervisor and the EETT grant, my Palm Pilots are charged and ready to go! The students use Palms in writing workshop, in response to literature, to take notes in content areas, and to complete self-checking math fact practice quizzes. I have found Tony Vincent's website extremely helpful! This begins year 4 of handheld learning in my room!

EdTechTalk

Tonight on twitter, I learned of this site..... http://edtechtalk.com/ from Kristin Hokanson, an awesome person I met at the Keystone Summit! At 9pm this evening the site hosted a show called "Women of Web2.0." Through iTunes I listened to some very inspiring educators and how they plan to use Web2.0 tools, and technology in general, with their students this year. Kristin was one of the speakers and she shared several important points. The one that I want to share is that teachers are all in different places when it comes to integrating technology. Comfort levels differ. That's ok! The important thing is to work a step at a time, like we do with our kiddos. Take them from where they are - and move them forward.

Kristin also mentioned that these tools are enabling us to make our classrooms connected. No longer are our classrooms these little isolated rooms with four walls..... they can become global. So, one of my goals for this year is to share what I have learned about Web2.0 tools in my district. I hope to offer a class before winter.

I have been tagged...

Tag! I'm it! Jennifer Moylan tagged me this week! In an effort to make our presence known as bloggers, we were excited to follow her tag and pass it along to others. By tagging others, we can create new connections and learn from what others know.

Here are the rules:
Post these rules before you give your facts.
List 8 random facts about yourself.
At the end of your post, choose (tag) 8 people and list their names, linking to them.
Leave a comment on their blog, letting them know they’ve been tagged.

So, here are my random facts:
1. My husband, son, and I have been raising chickens that lay rainbow colored eggs.
2. I have been teaching 11 years, one year in 4th grade and the rest in 3rd grade.
3. Thanks to my technology supervisor I have been using Palm Pilots with my classes for 4 years.
4. Our family loves to ride ATVs, especially in mud!
5. Making jewelry is one of my favorite hobbies.
6. I have one younger sister and a total of 7 step-siblings.
7. Integrating technology is one of my passions.
8 I am hopelessly addicted to diet Pepsi.

Unfortunately I know few people with blogs. I hope to teach a Web2.0 course in our district this fall, so I am going to tag just two people for now.

I tag:
Jill
Elisha

Journey North Tulip Project

While taking a professional development course last year, another 3rd grade teacher stumbled across a website that we both made use of last year. In our Science curriculum we study plant parts, growth, life cycles... and this site allowed up to participate in a project with tulips!

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tulip/


After examining the bulbs, we planted them with the help of 7th and 8th graders. Then we reported online when we planted the bulbs, when they emerged, and when they bloomed. We became part of a constantly changing map. We were able to predict when we thought spring would arrive in different locations all over North America and Canada as well as view patterns in nature.

Journey North offers quite a few projects.... I would love to try out the monach migration project next. Our bulbs are already on order for this year.

Class Pet

Meet Googles, our Webkinz class pet! Children earn reward coupons that they can use toward special priviledges, such as skipping a night of homework, extra Palm or computer time, craft area time, using a special chair... and now my third graders can earn time caring for our class pet. On the Webkinz site, Googles becomes a virtual pet. The children will encounter many different learning games as they help to make sure that Googles is happy, healthy, and well fed!