April 2008

How May We Help You?

     Technology is just a tool! It's just another way to teach what you are already teaching! Good technology integration begins with small steps, and grows into everyday use. Just as we model good reading habits by letting our students see us reading, let the students see you use the computer everyday.
     We often send you information on major projects, some of you are ready for that, but even small technology integration practices will benefit your students.
Your writing portfolios will be due soon. Could your students write a story, type it in Word, and illustrate it with Paint?
     Perhaps you have some students that need to be enriched. We could work with a small group of your kids to create PowerPoint Games for your upcoming reviews.
     There are a number of wonderful ways we can be of assistence. Please call us and let us know if we can be of service in any way.

mlewis@amherst.k12.va.us & gmoore@amherst.k12.va.us

Melanie & Gail

Show Off What You're doing with Technology

Right before Spring Break, we sent out a link to the ITRT's page on the Inside. Inside is the new intranet. Off our page, we have the Teacher Showcase. If your students are working on a classroom project, please let us know and we will show case it here. Perhaps, we can take photos, or maybe your kids have completed a voicethread or power point. We want to make sure evary school is highlighted. You are all doing such wonderful things in your classrooms.

Downloadable Goodies

Compare and Contrast Template Use this simple template and have your students compare and contrast two concepts.

Concept or Word Sort Template Use this template to allow your students to work on sorts. Directions are in notes section.

Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything one learned in school
-- Albert Einstein

Wonderful Websites

Use these wonderful websites to celebrate spring in your classroom. A couple of links lead to student projects. Your students could do something similiar!

Enchanted Learning: Spring Crafts
Here are many crafts and activities for young students.

Kid Pix Slide Show
This slide show was created by elementary school students. Click on "Next Slide" to advance through the slide show.

ABC Teach: Spring Activities
Here is an index of printable worksheets and activities with a spring theme.

Scavenger Hunt
Try this spring scavenger hunt. Look for this list of items in nature when spring begins.

Springtime Charades
Try this fun game of springtime charades.

Signs of Spring
Here is a weeklong spring activity for the class to complete.

Integrating Math into a Spring Thematic Unit
This is a lesson plan for using jelly beans in a math unit. Includes a worksheet for students to fill out during the unit.

Spring in First Grade
Take a tour through the gallery of Spring pictures drawing by first graders.

Celebrating Springtime
Here is a lesson plan for third-fifth graders. During these activities kids can think about spring colors, holidays, changes in nature, and much more.

Scavenger Hunt
Try this spring scavenger hunt. Look for this list of items in nature when spring begins.

Web Cams Coming!

In the near future, we will be ordering one web cam for each elementary school. Below are some web cam sites. How could you use this tool in your classroom? Perhaps your class could invite other classes into your room to see chicks hatch, butterflies come from coccoons, your students could put on a show for the division. We will not be broadcasting outside Amherst but there are tons of ways we can teach our students to use new technologies while maintaining safety. Email us with your ideas!

Read Write Think Lesson Plan
EarthCam- The largest directory of webcams. I love the Aquarium Cam! Note: Preview cams before showing to students. This site is a directory.