Last month I showed one of Karl Fisch’s powerpoint to the faculty at East. I know Pam has been also using his stuff in her class on integrating technology. In case you haven’t seen them, here they are!! They will really make you think!
Did You Know?
What If?
Powerpoint versions:
I’m trying something new this month. I’ve created a Google Calendar that lists the dates and times I have scheduled to work with teachers. You can view it by clicking on the Calendar Tab at the top of this page or by visiting it directly here. I’d like to try and use this calendar for you to see my schedule rather than sending out weekly emails, but I would like your input. Please tell me what you think by clicking on the word “Comments” at the bottom of this post. Thanks!
I mentioned Google Earth in my last post, but I wanted to really draw your attention to some of the resources out there to use with it.
Google Homepage (Go here to download the newest version of the free Google Earth.)
Google Earth Showcase (Go here to see some great resources. Be sure to check out NASA Blue Marble, which shows what the earth looks like each month of the year, and the CBS Seismic Monitor, which shows earthquakes in real-time!)
Google Earth Community(Go here to share ideas about Google Earth with people around the world.)
I tell people that I can always tell when a teacher is using Google Earth just by walking into the computer lab–the noise level is always a few notches higher than normal. I think that’s a good thing because it is a reflection of the students’ excitement–and I love seeing the kids get that excited about learning!
Teachers at both East Salem and G.W. Carver have been using technology to enhance their curriculum. Here are some of the cool technology projects created this month:
•Mrs. Nave’s class recorded their original Fairy Tale (The Hobbits and the Sweater Maker).
•Second Grade at East Salem has been using the Smart Board and Graph Club 2.0 to graph their favorite animals.
•Mrs. Craighead’s class wrote and recorded a Crazy Critter Podcast.
•Mrs. Simmon’s class created a President Quiz that you can take online!
•Mrs. Chittum’s class produced a Podcast about the Explorers and Native Americans!
•First and Second Grade classes at GWC have been sorting President Facts with Kidspiration.
•Mrs. Wright’s Class used Scholastic Keys to create a Slide Show about Famous African Americans. You can see their slides hanging in the hall at GWC.
•Students at both schools have been exploring places using Google Earth, a free program from Google. Check out some really places to visit with Google Earth here.
•Mrs. Baer and Mrs. Travitz classes continue to correspond using a blog! Make sure to check out the comments to see their conversations!
•A collaborative project is in the works at GWC for Read Across America Day. Keep and eye on this page for podcast book reviews by students throughout the school thanks to Mrs. Dye, Mrs. Pillis, and Mrs. Foley.
Some other really neat projects are in the works, including an American Revolution Podcast, Science Report Slide Shows, a Data Collection Project on Weather, Animal Report Slide Shows, Book Reports Slide Shows, and more! Check back next month to see some examples!
If you know of other technology projects going on that I’ve forgotten to mention here, please drop me a note in the comments section of this post!
Way to go Miss Mitchell! She is the first, brave Kindergarten teacher at GWC to try out laptops with her students–and guess what?! They did a great job AND they were even able to use the mouse! Other Kindergarten and first grade classes are following suit. Click here to check out their pictures!
Teaching with Technology 
