Useful Information In and Out of the Classroom 5/31/13

Here are some interesting sites that I’ve found this week, thanks to my PLN. As a teacher, I feel we have to keep up to date concerning research in our field and current issues in the education system. I hope some of these inspire you, inform you, and even have you asking questions. Thank you for coming by and visiting!

Note: Each resource is labeled with a level and subject area to make it easier to use.

Levels: E: Elementary; M: Middle; H: High; G: General, all levels; SN: Special Needs; T: Teachers

Subject Areas: LA: Language Arts, English, Reading, Writing; M: Math; S: Science; Health; SS: Social Studies, Current Events; FA: Fine Arts; Music, Art, Drama; FL: Foreign Language; PE: Physical Ed; C: Career; A: All

Career Thoughts - Great resource for looking for a job and succeeding through the process. (L: H; SA: C)

Typing Club - free online program to improve typing (L:E,M ; SA:LA )

Dictionary of Numbers - “Dictionary of Numbers is an award-winning Google Chrome extension that tries to make sense of numbers you encounter on the web by giving you a description of that number in human terms. Like a dictionary describes words you don't know in terms you do, Dictionary of Numbers puts quantities you're unfamiliar with in terms you can understand. Because "8 million people" means nothing, but "population of New York City" means everything.” (L:G ; SA:A)

Worldwide Telescope - “From web to desktop to full dome planetarium, WorldWide Telescope (WWT) enables you to explore the universe, bringing together imagery from the best ground and space-based telescopes in the world and combining it with 3D navigation. Experience narrated guided tours from astronomers and educators featuring interesting places in the sky. You can research and import your own data and visualize it, then create a tour to share with others. A web-based version of WorldWide Telescope is also available. This version enables seamless, guided explorations of the universe from within a web browser on PC and Intel Mac OS X by using the power of HTML5” (L:G; SA: S)

Hear Names - “learn how to pronounce names correctly.” (L:G ; SA:A)

Original Image: Tools by Pat Hensley

Pterosaur Trouble - A Book Review

I recently read the book Pterosaur Trouble by Daniel Loxton which was mentioned on The Picnic Basket. This is the review that I gave the book (I am not being paid to give this review):

This book was an awesome nonfiction picture book! The digital illustration mixed with the landscape photography makes it seem so much more real. Written for young children, I think older children would enjoy this book too. It mentions different dinosaurs which could lead to further exploration. This book introduces new vocabulary and concepts which could be used in a language arts or a science lesson. I think this book would be great to have in a classroom or in a school library. I would definitely give this book a 5 out of 5 rating!

Are Student Blogs Worth It?

In Student Blogs: Challenges by Siobhan Curious asks,

“I’d love to hear about experiences, successful or otherwise, that the rest of you have had with blogs in your classrooms.  What could I have done differently?  Is it worth taking another stab at it?”

I have used blogs in my classroom but I try to keep the accountability off of me and more on the students and their peers. I think about the purpose of keeping a blog and why I want my students to do this. Is it to show understanding, share reflections, open up conversations or something else?

I give them criteria to write about such as a reflection and what I expect in the reflection. I make sure the post meets the criteria and give them credit for this. I have them answer specific questions for their reflection such as what did I do, how did I do it, why did I do it, what worked and what would I do differently?

I never promise to comment on each post (just as I don’t promise to comment on every writing assignment they turn in that is on paper.)

I ask my other students to comment on at least 3 blogs for the week and keep a tally of that. The comments have to be more than just a short “nice job” but rather whether they agree or disagree with the blogger and why or what stands out in the post and why. I want the blog to be more of a conversation and this helps the conversation go on.

At first my students are reluctant to do this but as they do it more, they become more relaxed and open up more. I see the posts grow more elaborate and I see the comments given more in depth. Sometimes I see the blogger answer the comments and the conversation continues which makes me thrilled.

Not only has blogging improved my students’ writing but also helped them clarify their thoughts and improve learning other concepts. It has helped them see other points of views and learn new ideas.

Do you have your students blog? If so, please share the things that work for you!

Image: 'Two Bloggers, after Norman Rockwell'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9106303@N05/2744489459
Found on flickrcc.net

New Camper Adventure

We started off on our adventure with our new camper. We were supposed to leave on Saturday but then heavy rains arrived so we postponed our trip until Monday. Well, Monday arrived with some fog but no rain so off we go. On the way, Don reminds me that we didn’t check the tail lights and the turn signals which we want to do every time we get in the car so I decide that we need a checklist before we “take off” for new adventures or to get back home. We decided to stop at Cracker Barrel in Anderson for breakfast and it is there that we find out that we had forget to connect the pigtail to the Tahoe and it has been dragging all the way. In Clemson we stop for electrical tape for Don to fix that.

We find our “perfect” campsite (#31) along the lake and it looks level. Boy, were we wrong! We ended up putting 2 blocks under the right tire which leveled it some but not enough to run the refrigerator. Don also lowered the stabilizing jacks with a ratchet but he sure wishes he brought his electric drill for this.

We met the neighbors! John and Sandy (Couch) Crawford who are from Taylors and was camping in a van that John had fixed up. Sandy grew up next door to Frances and Homer Elsberry from our church. Across from the bathroom were Homer and Madonna who had a “street light” fixed up in the trees (a lamp fixture in a white bucket) which was pretty bright.

Late in the afternoon, we had an afternoon thunder shower and Madonna came down to let us know we were supposed to have high winds and hail but that missed us luckily. After the rain left, we enjoyed a beautiful campfire that Don built and tried to identify the frogs that we heard. Poor Don burned his finger playing with the campfire. Then when he tried to turn out the outside light on the camper, it blew the bulb out (possibly from some moisture from the rain). Oh well, that will give him something new to play with.

It was really nice spending the night in the camper. I was warm and the bed was comfortable. Besides that I had lights and could read comfortably before going to sleep. I think I’m going to like this new camper! During the 3 nights that we camped, we had rain and thunderstorms each evening and night. It was really nice to watch DVDs on my laptop inside where we were safe and dry.

One day we walked around the campground and scouted out other sites that we might like. In fact, we changed our site for when we return in June. This will be closer to Don’s sister and her husband’s site. Hopefully at this site, Don will be able to play with the TV and get a satellite signal.

Hitching it back up on the Tahoe went without any problems and we got home and unpacked quickly.

Our next trip may be heading to the Smokies and using our generator. That may be a whole new adventure!

Original Photo by Pat Hensley

Memorial Day 2013

It is Memorial Day here in the United States which is a federal holiday celebrated on the last Monday of May each year. It is a day to remember those who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces and used to be called Decoration Day. It began after the Civil War to remember both the Union and Confederate soldiers who had died during the war and continues to the present day. I am truly thankful for all who have sacrificed their lives for me and this wonderful country that I live in.

It usually also triggers off the beginning of summer for many people just like Labor Day signals the end of summer. Many festivals are scheduled for this weekend and many people like to have barbecues and parties for this holiday. Aloft (formerly known as Freedom Weekend Aloft) festival is held at our local park which features lots of hot air balloons being launched each day over the weekend.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope you have a safe and fun filled day!

Image: 'Memorial Day Free Download Poster, Graves at+Arlington+National+Cemetery,+American+Flag,+Veterans+Day+Holiday'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10101046@N06/3487911314
Found on flickrcc.net