4th of July Books June 30, 2008
Posted by anne marie in ELA, history/social studies.Tags: 4th of July, Looky Books
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If you like books, especially children’s books, like I do, then you might want to check out three books available on Lookybook that have a 4th of July theme. All are great and present very well on the SMARTboard.
“Happy Birthday America” written by Mary Pope Osborne and illustrated by Peter Catalanotto.
“Little Miss Liberty” written and illustrated by Chris Robertson.
“ABC of America” written by Kim Bellafontaine and illustrated by Per-Henrik Gurth.
If you have never used Lookybook before you should register for a free user account as it gives you various options, such as saving books to your bookshelf, that otherwise would not be available to you. ENJOY!
Hiyah.net updated software June 29, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Assistive Technology, ELA, Fun, Games, SMART Board.Tags: Hiyah.net
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One of my favorite websites is Hiyah.net. Developed and maintained by Sara- a mother of two young boys who encounter difficulty accessing a computer using a mouse. So this very talented, very generous mother created a series of educational software based on a variety of subjects for her sons. The most amazing part of this story is that Sara then created this website to make each and every one of these programs available to anyone who could benefit from them– yes they are all FREE! You simply download the program (some you can use online) and enjoy. I receievd an email today notifying me that Sara has added 7 new programs to this marvelous collection- she even has one for the 4th of July! So if you’re in the market for some free educational software geared towards students aged 18 months to 4 years (also perfect to address cause/affect objectives) head on over to Hiyah.net and be amazed! The download versions are made to run on Microsoft Windows compatible operating systems. The Play Online version works on Macs or PCs. I should also mention that these programs work great with the SMARTBoard. ENJOY and THANK YOU Sara!
Fireworks Puzzle June 29, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Games, SMART Board, Websites.Tags: fireworks puzzle, Flash Game
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For all of you gearing up for a 4th of July fireworks display this week to celebrate the birth of our country, here is a fireworks jigsaw puzzle from Kids Turn Central to get you in the light in the sky mood! A little bit of warning–this one is not for the amateur “puzzler”, like myself! I tried completing this puzzle and after about 15 minutes I had to call it quites- of course anyone that knows me (including my stduents) would tell you I am perhaps the worse puzzle person in the world!! So if you feel brave and are up for a challenge check it out. Oh yeah- it will also work well with the SMARTBoard since you simply touch and drag the puzzle pieces.
4th of July Puzzle June 28, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Fun, Games, SMART Board.Tags: Flash Game, SMARTBoard
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WIth the 4th of July right around the corner I thought I’d share a fun Flash Game, American Jigsaw Puzzle, that works well with the SMARTBoard. You simply press play and move/drag the puzzle pieces to put it back to together! Great for eye/hand coordination- ENJOY!
Sharing a Blog Milestone! June 26, 2008
Posted by anne marie in General.add a comment
Well today my Blog reached a huge milestone- 2,000 visitors have viewed Talking SMARTBoards & Much More since April 6, 2007! 
WOW!!! That definitely makes me SMILE!! It has been a wonderful journey, allowing me a place to document student work and accomplishments and to share ideas and resources with others. Nothing makes me happier than when I receive a comment telling me that my Blog has helped a teacher find a resource or sparked an idea for a lesson. 
Onward to the next 2,000 visitors!!
Wordle June 25, 2008
Posted by anne marie in ELA, SMART Board, Special Education, Websites.Tags: SMART Notebook, word clouds, Wordle
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Over this past week or so I have seen a plethera of posts about this really cool site called Wordle. Wordle is a free website that allows you to create word clouds from text or from a del.icio.us tag. I told you it was cool!! Cool, and very user friendly. Simply copy text in any language, paste it into the Wordle text box and it will create clouds with the most commonly occurring words in the text. Once created it gives you the option to edit the shape, colors, font and layout of the cloud. You can delete any words you do not want/like by right-clicking on them. It also gives you the option of printing your creation or saving it to the gallery-YEAH!! I also want to mention that for students who may require a “specialized” cloud, with limited words, it does allow you to simply type words into the text box.
Since learning about this site my mind has been whirling, thinking of possible ways that I can incorporate it into my lessons using the SMARTBoard. For my classroom I would create a Wordle word cloud with specific words, paste it in my SMART Notebook lesson and have students use SMART markers to circle or highlight words according to the particluar lesson- kind of like a word search of sorts. I could even use the Notebook shade to hide and reveal words. Some ideas I envision would be to create word clouds for word review/identification, identifying parts of speech, identifying rhyming words, find words that begin with a specific letter, find words that would complete a sentence or answer a question,etc. The possibilities are endless-YEAH!! Here is quick example I created for identifying words that describe body parts. I would review/read words with my students and have them circle the words that are body parts. 
I also think this would be a very motivating, fun way to teach/review the computer skill of copy and paste. So let your imagnation lead the way to some fun and creative lessons this fall using the Wonderful World of Wordle!
Interactive Map games June 23, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Fun, Games, SMART Board, Websites, history/social studies.Tags: geography, Map skills
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Well tomorrow I am leaving Florida and flying back home to Massachusetts so I have been thinking maps. There is a wonderful interactive map game site on Maps.com. There are 16 free games to challenge your map skills with all but one (crossword) working great with the SMARTBoard. These games test map skills in the US, Canada, Russia, Europe, Asia, etc. 
Alienz is especially fun! So if you’re teaching map skills/geography you might want to check out this site. Have fun!
Adapted Camera June 22, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Assistive Technology, Special Education.Tags: Adapted camera, Zabonne
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I am down in FL visiting my mom and as I was taking pictures of the ocean I was reminded of this adapted digital camera that I saw at a recent AT workshop sold by Zabonne. I LOVE this idea-it comes with a built in switch jack so all you have to do is plug in a switch and it’s ready for anyone to take a picture. How cool! I have not yet personally used this camera in my classroom, but did have the opportunity to experiment with it at the workshop and was impressed with the independence factor it offers. Taking pictures today is so prevelant, especially with teenagers, so for those who present with motor/physical challenges this adapted camera could be an important tool both educationally and socially. It takes JPEG photos and can record short videos. There is a USB/AV connection allowing for immediate photo previewing on your computer or SMARTBoard, especially ideal for student who benefit from that immediate feedback. The price $195 (the switch is not included). I have placed this on my classroom wish list, so we’ll see… If anyone has any personal experience using this camera I’d love to hear your thoughts.
I WON!! June 20, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Assistive Technology, Websites.Tags: Learning Magic
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I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited. I just learned that I won the Blog Contest that Lon Thornburg from No Limits to Learning sponsored. WOW– I feel like the Boston Celtics did this week when they won the NBA Finals! The most amazing part of being selected the winner is that my classroom will receive free software from Learning Magic, thanks to the generosity of Byron Wilkes. His act of kindness reminded me of a George Elliston quote- “How beautiful a day can be…when kindness touches it!”
I am so thankful to Mr. Wilkes for this unbelievable act of kindess. This software will be a welcomed addition to our curriculum. It’s already in my plan book for September! So again, I just want to send a HUGE 
from myself and my students to both Lon and Mr. Wilkes for making this amazing opportunity available to my classroom. And please check back this fall for updated posts when I’ll be sure to share our experiences utilizing this wonderful software.
The Wright Brothers June 18, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Science, Websites, history/social studies.Tags: Airplanes, paper planes, Wright Brothers
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Not only did the Boston Celtics win the NBA Championship last night –WHAT A GAME!!!– but today was the last day of school today-YEAH! Another successful school year with some wonderful student achievements and thanks to the encouragement of my friend Jim Hollis from Teachers Love SMARTBoards I have many of these achievements documented in my own Blog, which is GREAT! I have had many AA-HAA moments, learning and sharing and meeting some wonderful people- starting this Blog has been one of my greatest accomplishments. Anyway, tomorrow I leave for Florida to spend some time with my mom so naturally I have been thinking of the plane flight- not my favorite thing to do-and thought I’d share a very good website that I came across when teaching a a lesson about The Wright Brothers. It’s a Discovery Channel Feature: First in Flight. 
There are 5 sections, all interactive to varying degreees, very educational and presents well using the SMART Board. The Early Flight Movie Theatre has 4 original movies showcasing some of the first flights ever- how cool is that?! The Story in Pictures offers 3 options- Inventing the Airplane (slide show with audio) is great! So go, explore and learn about some pioneers of flight! And when you’re ready for your students to try their skill at flying a plane, check out 10PaperAirplanes.com to learn how to design 10 cool paper airplanes. The really neat thing about this site is that it offers animated folding instructions and for folks like myself, who learn best with visuals, this is a HUGE plus! Have fun!
