Technology Bits and Bytes



How May We Help You?

     How are you spending your summer vacation?  While some teachers want to totally break away from anything related to school, others want to work on things during the summer that they don't have time for during the school year.  If you need resources or information, please let me know.  We'd be delighted to gather resources or information for you to use during the summer.

P.S.  If you are working on something during summer and get stuck or don't know how to do something, please feel free to email.  We would be glad to help!

 Just send us an email

Research Indicates....

In a randomized study in Virginia, use of digital video clips to supplement instruction resulted in increased student achievement (Boster et al., 2002)(Boster et al., 2004). In this case, the video segments were selected from a commercially available library (unitedstreaming) to align with particular standards in science and social studies addressed by all participating schools in the third and eigth grades. The assessments (pre and post) were likewise specially developed to examine student's knowledge of those standards.

Boster, F. J., Meyer, G. S., Roberto, A. J., & Inge, C. C. (2002). A report on the effect of the unitedstreaming  application on educational performance. Cometrika, Inc., Baseline Research, LLC., & Longwood University.


Tech Tip:   

Google as a calculator and dictionary

Let’s say you want to find the definition of the word, “yen”. In the Google search window, type, “define: yen”.

Then click the Google Search button and you’ll see that yen can be a Japanese unit of currency, or it can be a hankering to do something!

To use Google as a calculator, type your math problem into the Google search bar and hit search.  The results page will display the results.

Google also has an educator page.  Check it out.  It makes living on line very easy!  Where do you think education will be in the very near future? 

Wonderful Websites

A LIST OF GREAT LISTS!

  • Summer Reading List 2007
    These lists of titles have been compiled by librarians at member schools of the Houston Area Independent Schools Library Network (HAISLN). The lists include both fiction and nonfiction books by some of the best authors for children and young adults. Lists presented for PreK-12.
  • Summer Reading Lists
    Charlottesville (Virginia) Catholic School presents these lists or required and suggested reading. Separate lists for each grade K to 8.
  • Summer Reading for Kids
    These books have been selected by Vermont public school librarians and are recommended for summer reading for children and young adults. Published on the Vermont Education Association's Web page, Summer Reading offers separate lists for students in grades K through 4, 5 through 8, and 9 through 12.
  • Summer Reading Lists
    These lists, from the Mountain Brook City Schools in Birmingham, Alabama, recommend books for students in grades 1 through 3, 4, 5, 6, junior high school (grades 7 through 9), and high school.
  • Summer Reading Lists
    Middlesex Middle School in Darien, Connecticut, provides reading lists for social studies and science, as well as English.
  • Summer Fun Reading List
    These lists include books for students in K through 5. Book lists are divided by grade levels of students entering grades K and 1, 2 and 3, and 4 and 5, as well as into such categories as poetry, picture books, and classic fiction to read aloud to the whole family.
  • Elementary Summer Reading List
    This list from the Wayland (Massachusetts) Public Schools includes fiction titles for beginning readers, students in grades 2 and 3, and students in grades 4 and 5, as well as lists of books of poetry, books of fairy tales, biographies, books for families to read aloud, and more.
  • Boulder (Colorado) Public Library Booklists for Kids
    This list of lists from the BPL includes summer reading chapter books and summer reading picture books.
  • Fairfax County Public Library Books for School-Age Children
    Though not specifically created as summer reading lists, these lengthy lists include great summer reading ideas. Individual lists are offered for students in grades 1 to 6.
  • Summer Reading Lists
    This resource from Fairfax County (Virginia) Public Schools includes four separate lists -- for students going into grades 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10, and 11 and 12.
  • Boston Public Schools Summer Reading Lists
    Four lengthy book lists -- for students in grades K through 3, 4 and 5, 6 through 8, and 9 through 12 -- offer titles sorted by genre. These lists, created in association with the Boston Public Library, include titles in Spanish for students in grade K through 8.

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    Happy Mother's Day!


    To Moms and Grandmothers:
     
    Somebody said that a child is carried in its mother's womb for nine months.
    Somebody does not know that a child is carried in its mother's heart forever.
     
    Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.
    Somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, normal is history.
     
    Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct.
    Somebody  never took a three-year-old shopping.
     
    Somebody said being a mother is boring.
    Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.
     
    Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good."
    Somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.
     
    Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices.
    Somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.
     
    Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.
    Somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.
    Somebody said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first.
    Somebody doesn't have five children.
     
    Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books.
    Somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose.
     
    Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.
    Somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten.
     
    Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back.
    Somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies.
     
    Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married.
    Somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.
     
    Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home.
    Somebody never had grandchildren.
     
    Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.
    Somebody isn't a mother.

     
    Here is to wishing you a restful and relaxing summer!


    Terriffic Transitions

    The kids are shutting down for the year; the only thing on their mind is what they will do this summer.  Even the wonderfully sweet student in your class that NEVER causes trouble is being a pain! Have you ever considered that the child may just be concerned about the transition to the next grade level.  This may especially be true for those fifth graders!  Below are some technology tips that may help.

    Virtual visit to the next grade:  Schedule a time with a teacher from the next grade up.  During the visit, talk with the teacher and ask her to explain what she would like to see in a student that would be entering her classroom.  If you have a mp3 player that records, you can tape her answers.  If not, a good old fashioned tape player will work.  Be sure to take plenty of photos.  Come back to your classroom and show off your photos, play the recording.  If you work with your ITRT, she would love to use your photos and recording to create a "virtual fieldtrip" using PowerPoint.  This would be a great idea to complete as a grade level and pass on to the teachers of the upcoming students.

    Educate the rising students:  Take photos of various routines in your own classroom and print them out.  Black and white photos work just as well as color.  Have this year's students type letters to the rising students on Word .  They can explain the rituals and routines you took in your photos.  Use these letters and photos on a bulletin board.  You would probably be amazed at how many parents drop by the school during the summer to view the classrooms their children will be in.  Not only will your principal be grateful that she has something to show these prospective parents, but you will be glad when you return in the fall that you have at least one bulletin board completed already.

    Awesome Lesson Idea!

    Need something to keep the kids busy and learning now that testing is completed?  I came across this as I was doing some spring cleaning.  I got it at a conference I attended a couple of years ago.  Try this idea from  Joan Staton of Buckingham, County.  She designed it for grade five but it could be adapted down to grade four.  This would also be an awesome lesson to complete during summer school.

    Lesson Plan (pdf document)

    Parent Permission Slip

    Book Report Template

    Copy/Paste Instructions (pdf document)

    World of Reading Website:  Students use this site to post their own book reviews online.



    Cool Site: Need some inspiration to finish the year?  These Bulletin Board "Hang-Ups" may be just want you need.  Mini posters the size of a sheet of typing paper from TeachersFirst.com.

    If you have a website that you think is wonderful, please email it to me.  I will pass it on.



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