Tune into Technology - classroom website

I have a few minutes before I head out kayaking (I actually finished after returning so I have a picture at the bottom) to join

of course I'm a day late but that's the way it goes lately - too many vacation things to do :-)

As for the topic of classroom website, our tech guy maintains our school website which has links to all the teacher sites. All the teachers at our school are expected to have a class website that gets updated at least every two weeks. For the last few years they have been through TeacherWeb. Here is my old one (until it closes down). Apparently it was pretty expensive for the whole school so we are making some changes. Next year everyone is moving to Weebly (which is free). Here is my new site as it currently stands, although there are still a few things I want to do to it.

In the past I have primarily used it as a place to share about currently topics studied (especially when I taught all the subjects) as well as study guides or other handouts. It also included some static items like schedule and general policies. I did use a google calendar for upcoming dates that was embedded as well as links to some other useful sites (like our Flickr page* and ikeepbookmarks*). I sent a weekły email about what was going on in class and when I remembered I also put it on the website (which was not as frequent as it should have been).

Next year my plan is to use the website to showcase student work much more (along with the students' kidblogs*). I also want to post a class picture of the day (with student help) like Linda Yollis. I'm also going to do my weekly update directly on the blog and make let them sign up for the email update (rather than doing the email and then adding it). I plan to show the parents how to sign up at curriculum night and also post a little video tutorial. I do have some frequently used websites on a symbaloo page that is now embedded in the site as well.

I love Weebly because it is SO EASY to use. I showed all the teacher the basics during a planning period near the end of the year. I set up a page for reference with some "how to" things as well as some other class websites. I also like that you can have traditional web pages as well as multiple blogs all under the same address. I plan to set up three blogs within my site (one for class news, one for showcasing student work and one for the picture of the day). Weebly has an app that allows you to do post (not regular site changes) super easy from your mobile device (iOS and android). I also like that you can easily hide pages while they aren't relevant (like the student showcase and photos right now). This allows teachers to plan ahead, eliminate visual clutter and recycle in future years. 

If anybody is considering setting up a Weebly site just make sure you do it under the education section. This allows you to set students up as well as group, topic, or student sites if you should ever want that later on.

* A few other favorites.

I have maintained class Flickr collections for the last few years. Luckily I haven't had any kids that couldn't have their pictures posted. It is great for the yearbook staff as well as the parents to have access to pictures from a bunch of our activities. They can easily download them for their own collections. Students can also use them in projects. Here is our collection from last year.

I don't know how long ago I set up my first ikeepbookmarks account but my guess is about 15 years ago. They are still around after all these years while tons of other websites have come and gone. It is a simple bookmarking site geared to education. It is able to accommodated unlimited amounts of sites in a folder structure. It isn't fancy but it works great and kids navigate it without any issue. I also like that you can lock (hide) folders until you want them revealed. You can also put icons by pages to make them stand out as well as rate them with stars. My kids know that I out eyeballs next to what I want them to look at first.  They also have a bookmarklet that you can add to your browser to quickly add sites without typing :-) Here is my current fourth grade collection.

Kidblog is a fantastic site for students to do individual blogs. They have come a long way since they started several years ago and the founder (in the picture on the left) is a super nice guy. They definitely love teachers and want to do whatever they can to make things work well for student use. I know a bunch of bloggers have talked about this site so no need to add to the chatter.

I do think websites can be a valuable resource for communication when used to their full potential. I am going to try and capitalize more on that this year. Now I need to see what other great ideas I can gather other at iTeach 1:1 or Learning to the Core.

I had so much fun kayaking yesterday that I had to go back with my husband today. 

This time I actually remembered to bring a camera. 

Monday Made it SF edition

I haven't been able to join up for a couple of weeks since I haven't been home to make anything. While I was home this week I was able to make a couple of quick things on the computer.

The first one was inspired by Pernille Ripp and this post.

Here is my version that needs to be laminated.

I also loved Terri Thorton's post about her STAR literacy Binder. She is actually doing a litte series. Terri was so sweet that she out the cover below as a freebie on the intro post.  

"

I wanted to include some starfish on mine since I'm doing an ocean theme. I'm still not entirely satisfied since I think it's a bit girly but I'm on the lookout for come better starfish for the background.

I also made a banner for my classroom. I haven't printed up the much larger version that will go between our two team classes. We will add clear stickers with all the students names in the two classes.

I still have a TON of things that I want to make but I'm quickly running out of time. This year I had three weeks at the beginning of the summer that was totally free but I guess I wasn't as motivated as i should have been now I have no time. Oops!

I also made a purchase 

and I made a bunch of reservations but I mentioned both yesterday for the Sunday Smorgasbord. 

Wow, there are already almost 100 posts to look at and it's only 8:30 am PDT. Be sure to check out all the wonderful things over at 4th Grade Frolics.

Sunday Smorgasbord

I'm excited to join the

I'm grabbing a few minute before I head to bed to throw out a bit of recent random stuff.

I was home for a few days this week so I actually got a couple things done for school and ran a bunch of errands. I tried to drop some stuff off at school but they are still working on the floors. I did get a bit of time  with my principal so we could get a few purchases done for fourth grade. I'm excited that we will have Wixie again and that we got the school subscription to The Answer Pad.

     

I am thrilled that I am finally going to be able to attend a blogger meet up. Woohoo! I think Amanda Madden is fantastic for pulling this all together. We are going to do a sleep over and everything. Click the button and fill out the form if you think you might be able to come along.

I stayed on our boat for the last Wednesday this summer. It is so nice to stay up there after racing but when I get back I have a workshop downtown on Thursday and then it's back to school.

I traded in my car of 9 years for a new toy. I love having a convertible in Georgia because you can actually put the top down for so much of the year. Since I grew up in Connecticut we really didn't have that luxury.

 

I'm on vacation in San Francisco right now and I went out to Alcatraz Island today. There was a great introduction video done by Discovery that shared all kinds of history that I didn't know. I thought the audio tour really added to the experience up in the cell block. There were also a bunch of baby seagulls around and I saw a mom (or dad)  come back from the water and feed them (gross but cool). I didn't know the island is nesting ground for a bunch of sea birds. They also have some neat gardens.

We also went to the show Beach Blanket Babylon. It has been playing in San Francisco since 1974! It was an absolute blast and I would definitely recommend it. We were sitting in the center of the first row and duriñg a couple of the scenes the ladies on stage were winking and blowing kisses to my hubby - cracked me up.

Tomorrow we booked a tour to visit Muir Woods and Sausalito. That should be fun but I'm really excited for Tuesday. We booked a ride on a sailboat out to see one of the Louis Vitton Cup races (which is part of the America's Cup). There was a race today and I saw one of the race boats and a bunch of spectators while I was on on the ferry from Alcatraz and while we were on the island.

Probably enough random stuff for one day. Be sure to click the button above to check out what other people have been sharing.

Tried It Website: Infuse Learning

 I have been gone a bunch lately and I just haven't been keeping up with the blogging. It has however been so nice visiting with family (and some friends).

I missed yesterday's Tried it Tuesday but better late than never. See what Holly and the others are up to at

Last year we tried Socrative in my class as a clicker/feedback option because I kept hearing and seeing it everywhere. It was cool but I had some frustration about the limitations (the two biggest being the format is all one text line so I couldn't enter a poem easily and the other the lack of ability to add an image). Recently they added the ability to add pictures but I had already found an alternative by then.

I really like the website InfuseLearning.com, where there are a bunch of options for types of feedback. These could be pre-made quizzes or single spur of the moment questions for formative assessment.

 

As a teacher you need to create an account and then log in to send questions out to the class 

Students can either be imported or entered manually ahead time and assigned to classes. Students can also enter on their own by putting the Room ID.

There are a wide variety of on the quick question formats. With the interactive tools students can draw on an image or explore a website that gets pushed out to them. As students answer questions they will show up so you can see them.

I added this image and students can write in a variety of colors

Teachers can also create multiple question quizzes (with 6 format types) where they can gather the results. Images can be added in this area as well.

You can share the quizzes that you create in several ways so others can use them in their class.

Infuse Learning has some Snapguides that will walk you through all kind of things

It is definitely worth checking out if your students have access to devices during class! Luckily it can be used in pretty much any subject.

Since it is actually Wednesday, I think I will also leave it over at

Thanks for dropping by. I leave again on Saturday (for San Fran/Monterey) so I will probably be sporadic for a bit. I'm still doing some reading but not much time for posting.

Teach Like a Pirate - transformation and enthusiasm

Being out of town for the last 1.5 weeks with just a couple days to visit with my hubby before heading out again, I just haven't kept up with my blogging. I started this one awhile ago and just haven't gotten back to it. I've got a bit if time while stating at my mom's office in CT so here we go. Hopefully I will catch up with the schedule soon.

 

 

A1: If students didn't have think there I don't think I would be teaching to an empty room but I don't think it would be a packed house either. If they had to be at school and they had to be in someone's classroom I think my odds are pretty good that they would come to mine :-)

A2: I'm not sure I really have any lessons that the kids would buy tickets to but I do think there are lots of things we do that they find enjoyable, engaging and educational. They love special days during the year (like International Dot Day & Earth Day), neat units (like mythology & French stuff with Family Under the Bridge), cool projects (like holiday card exchange & Global Read Aloud) as well as interesting technology assignments to go along with our reading and research. Of course there is always room for growth and I think many of the questions and suggestions in the book are just the kind of thing that get the creative juices flowing. I'm at ISTE right now and it has me looking at some of this from a different perspective - what could be a hook or a prop to get kids excited?

"You have to have a vision of what your ideal classroom experience looks like if you want to have any hope of creating it."

I'm really putting some thought into my vision these days.

I think the blank adjustable classroom that Dave describes sounds perfect in many ways - how cool to transform the space and arrangement for a party or battle or march. I however am more of a theme girl at some time I might be able to let it go but not yet. Instead I like to transform my room to fit my theme. I have blue covers over my lights, ocean creatures all around and a life sized diver hanging from my ceiling. I love my calm space and the kids do too. I do however like to dress up for different activities/events. I wish I had Ms. Frizzles wardrobe. At least I have my pirate shirt.

 

This is something that I have no shortage of! I LOVE what I do and the kids and other teachers know it. I have a lot of energy and I am "on" most of the time. I just got back from ISTE 2013. As I described it to my coworkers I'm hardcore when it comes to these things. There were times they went back to the room, left for lunch, or came in late but I just can't spare a moment. It was not all in sessions, sometimes it was hanging out at the bloggers cafe meeting people face to face or attending a social event but I soaked it all up because I love that kind of thing. That is how I am with school too. I'm always trying to find new things to share with my students. Like Dave Burgess however I'm not perfect (as a matter of fact I appreciated reading that) I don't always get my papers back as quickly as I could or respond to an email right away but no one would ever thing it is because I'm not dedicated. That is apparent to anyone who meets me. As a matter of fact, while visiting with friends at the Fablevision booth at ISTE a gentleman came up and told Terry Shay that he could sense my energy from where he was standing (a bit of a distance away). By the way, Peter H Reynolds (author/illustrator who founded Fablevision) is someone whose enthusiasm radiates from him and I think that's why everyone gravitates towards him.

I liked Dave's variation on the Carlos Santana quote "There is nothing more contagious on this planet than enthusiasm ...the lesson becomes incidental, what people receive is your enthusiasm