Great New Video Resource

Hey take a look at this!
Javier, the 2nd grade Amity Intern used this with an art project...Cool Huh?

If you go to You Tube and search "Cantado aprendo a hablar" you will see lots of links to really awesome videos.
It looks like maybe this is a kids show that airs somewhere.
If you want to learn how to embed the videos on your webpage to use.....come see me and I will teach you how.
That is how I did this one!
Thanks Javier!
Enjoy....it's a 2 day week for goodness sakes!

Math Resources! Think Central Login Information!

It was fun to see all of you checking out the Math Links on the website at the SD meeting yesterday!

It makes me think that we don't take time often enough to just explore and "play"

Maybe we should do a similar activity with Language Arts activities!

Anyway.....
One of the things that was mentioned at the session was a need to get the information about THINK CENTRAL!

Derek was able to forward this information to me from Carrie R-J

Hello- Mary Norwick (Thanks!) has uploaded all of the student information into Think Central (this is the electronic support of Math Expressions). You can create assignments, test, and tutorials.

Students can now access Think Central. Student log in to Think Central is the same as logging in to the computer.

I have attached a power point on Think Central and a PDF on Soar To Success."

 

I will also forward the email....so that you have access to the PDF and the PPT.

The link to THINK CENTRAL is on the Student Resource Mathematics Link down at the bottom on the left:

 Now I am going to go try out Kara's "just breathing"....found The Hoberman Sphere at Amazon for $11....gotta get me one.....

A 2 Day Week! and a Challenge for YOU!

I bet you are like me and can't wait until next week!

Only 2 days of school....then you probably are heading home to spend time with family. 

That also might mean that you will be working hard in the kitchen or at least at the shopping mall!

So often on short school weeks, I observe teachers trying to cram 5 days of teaching into 2 or 3 days......YIKES!

So my challenge to you as you write the plans for Monday and Tuesday.....
plan for 2 days....it's okay!

Now on to how that effects the Library....

We always try to make time for students who NEED books to get them.....
Obviously we can not fit all classes into the 2 days! 

Here is the plan for the Media Center next week (I have run this by Corey and he agrees it is a sensible plan)

• If your class is on the schedule for M or T-please just come for 15-20 minutes to choose books.  There will be no lesson or story for any classes. 

• Classes with book choice on W TH or F can sign up for a 15 minute time as long as Lisa knows. 

• It often makes more sense to just send kids who need books with a pass rather than your whole class. 

Now  raise your right hand....and repeat after me:

I will only try to teach 2 days worth of stuff next week!!!!

The New Copy Machine/Printer -Using it with students!

The student accounts have now been given access to print to the new copy machine printer!

In fact....it will soon be the ONLY printer they can select!

There is a simple way for us to set up color and BW choices for the kids.

If we don't do this EVERY thing they print will be treated as color!

A color copy id 4.5 cents.....a BW copy is .5 cents!

This HAS to be done in each account....

I would like each classroom teacher to to schedule 5 minutes at the beginning or the end of a computer session for me to run through the process.

If you want to do it yourself (ha ha ha ha) come see me and I will teach you....

Fifth grade teachers, I will do this during English Media.....so don't worry!

Google Docs and ATPPS + a story!

 The good news.... Google Docs for SLP is up and running well!

More good news...
if you upload your observation document and share it between BIL and BILLEE you can work collaboratively on your observation paperwork simultaneously!

The bad news....if you can't get in because your password seems to be wrong....you are out of luck!!!!

NOOOO......NOT REALLY!

To find out the secret, you have to read the story!
So neither Kim OR Chris could get into their docs account.....
No matter what combination of name and PW we used it didn't work!
I called tech support....7315.....they gave me the info that they had!
It matched what we had!  Still no success!
Called Brian....out of the office!
Called Ryland...he said...had to wait for Brian....
Sent a nastygram email...
Got this response!

> watkins.christopher w/ this years password ( numbers repeat at the end to meet password length requirement.)  is working in google"

 What this means is......IF you have a very short password.....you need to repeat the number to get in!!!!

Arrgggghhhh!  And we were supposed to know this HOW?
Well now you know!

And seriously, this is great...Kim and I sat on the phone with each other and worked through her pre-observation conference.  She selected her domains....I asked her questions and filled out the information I saw! Very Cool!  She can go in at anytime and see the status of her observation.  (well that may be a bit too much pressure for me :) )

Again....if you want a quick lesson with Google Docs, let me know!

2 New iPads for the Media Center

Yes you read this right!
We now have 2 iPads in the Media Center!

One will stay here....and one is available for check out.






I am excited to find new apps that will be interesting

I am looking for APPS for learning activities in Spanish with an Immersion Model...not having too much luck.
If you know of any, let me know!
In the meantime I have found lots of great science and social studies links in English.

One of the things that I like about these little gems...
the still and video camera built in!

What a simple way to take short video clips! 
Want to know how?
Come for a visit and I will show you!