Changes are in my future… August 31, 2008
Posted by anne marie in General, Here I go....add a comment
With a week of PD behind me, my Notebook 10 re-certification video completed, my name up on the SMART Technology website as a SMART Certified Master’s Trainer (YAHOOOOOOO!) and the students scheduled to arrive Tuesday morning, I feel like the race to June 2009 has officially begun! A race that, for me, will be filled with many changes, as I have been offered and accepted, a position as the District Instructional Technology Specialist in a neighboring town. 
I have to admit I am still in a bit of shock– kind of feel like Cinderella when she put on that glass slipper! I am honored beyond words to know that I was chosen for this pioneering position. Of course as excited and anxious as I am to start this new chapter in my life I am also very sad to be leaving my classroom, my amazing students and two of the most caring, giving, wonderful Paraprofessionals any teacher could ever hope for. Actually, knowing that Ruth & Dee will be there for “my kids” does give me some peace of mind. I have been a Special Education Teacher for almost 28 years, so as you can imagine it has been an enormous part of my life. To trade in my classroom for an offfice after all of these years is like Donald Trump leaving the Taj Mahal for Motel 8– you just can’t imagine it!! I know these next few weeks will be difficult as I say goodbye to “my kids”, my classroom, my school, my friends & colleagues, but I also know that I am very fortunate and am looking forward to writing the first of many chapters as my new journey begins.
Beethoven’s Baseball– batter up!! August 30, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Music, Websites.Tags: Music history
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For all of you teaching music history (grade 3-8) you might want to check out his interactive site from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra called Beethoven’s Baseball. This is a fun interactive baseball game where students score runs by correctly answering questions about composers. A really cool feature is the link that allows you to review or learn about a particular composer before playing the game. To play the game you simply choose 5 players and then answer the questions thrown at you by the pitcher! A correct answer is a homerun and an incorrect answer a strike. It presents well on the SMARTBoard and is interactive to the degree that you can click on the answers. ENJOY!
Connect 4 August 28, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Games.Tags: Game
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How many of you have spent time playing the game Connect 4? I know I have– and I admit it can be rather addicting- especially if you’re the one winning!!! I came across a version of Connect 4 from Crickweb that works great with the SMARTBoard. It gives you the option of playing with 1 or 2 players. It even simulates the sound of the token falling into place. Perfect for addressing turn-taking skills, eye/hand coordination, reasoning skills, counting skills, etc. and the cool thing is—- it’s fun!! ENJOY!
August 24, 2008
Posted by anne marie in General.Tags: Technology
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Donna Boivin, the Chief Information Officer- Information and Instructional Technology Solutions Department for the Springfield, MA Public Schools, sent me a link to a very thought provoking post in Dr. Chery Takkunen’s Blog, SisuTech, about how people react and adopt technology in the classroom. For those of you who are giving SMARTBoard trainings, incorporating this article at the start of your presentation might be a good way to help folks feel more comfortable, openminded and ultimately more welcoming of integrating the use of a SMARTBoard in their classroom.
“Adopting new technologies in teaching situations seems always be a bit contentious. Take the black board for example:
Did you know that when the blackboard was first introduced at WestPoint in 1801 it caused quite a stir?
Click here to read the full article
Make your own flag August 23, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Fun, Games.Tags: art, ELA, Fun
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As we continue to watch the Olympics, one thing that is always constant at the end of a race or game or meet are the winning Olympians proudly displaying their country’s flag. This reminded me of a PBS game which allows students to create their own personal flag– Build-a-Flag. Students click and drag items to the flag, making it their own unique design. This game works well with the SMARTBoard since it is very interactive. I use this game to address choice-making objectives, to encourage student creativity and as a spring board to a creative writing activity. Oh yeah– almost forgot to mention, once completed the flag can be printed and/or emailed. ENJOY!
Money skills August 22, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Math, Websites.Tags: Math, money skills
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Money skills, coin recognition/value are lessons that can always use some extra attention in my claassroom whether it be reviewing, teaching or practicing these skills. I came across a site today called The Market from EconEdLink which does just this! Once you type in your name you are brought to a page that displays 6 items with a price tag. You click on the item you wish to purchase, a new screen will appear with a cash register, click and drag the correct amount of money to the register to purchase the item. What I like is the fact that the register displays a running total of the amount of money you have put into the register- COOL! When you are finished you click on “check” to review your answer. I wish there were more items in the “market” to purchase, but you can have your students purchase the items using different scenerios — using all dimes, using nickels and pennies, etc. Simple and effective and it works great on the SMARTBoard- YEAH! ENJOY!
What happened today? August 21, 2008
Posted by anne marie in ELA, history/social studies.Tags: calendar resource, history
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With the start of school right around the corner (YIKES!!) I thought I’d share this very interesting and helpful calendar site from Read/Write/Think. This site not only shares interesting facts from history, but also links these facts to a page that lists related classroom activities, lesson plans and web links –WOW!! So as you begin to plan and schedule your history lessons it might be beneficial to check out this calendar for some ideas.
Another site that I use every morning as part of my morning group is This Day in History from the History Channel. It offers a short video synopsis of events that occurred on that day. My students like to watch videos so it captures their attention and becomes a great springboard for me to address “wh” questions. ENJOY!
BBC- The Little Animal Activity Centre- books August 20, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Books, ELA, SMART Board, Websites.Tags: INteractive books
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Another great BBC site to share … The Little Animal Activity Centre-books. This site offers three interactive books that are animated and quite fun! It should be noted that this is a British site, so some of the words used may not be familiar and/or may be spelled differently for some students. For nonreaders there is the option to have the books read. For use on the SMARTBoard each book presents well and has several opportunities to reinforce both cause/effect and following direction objectives. ENJOY!
Corn Lesson August 19, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Science, Websites.Tags: Corn
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We have been enjoying some DELICIOUS ears of corn this week– love mine dripping with lots of butter and covered in salt!! 
The Great Corn Adventure is a good website created by the University of Illinois Extension that shares all sorts of informative information about corn in an animated, audio format (also available in Spanish). This presents well on the SMARTBoard and there are some interactive features during the show. You can also have the students touch the arrow to advance the show which addresses cause/affect objectives. ENJOY!
Sit, Stay, Read. August 16, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Books, ELA.Tags: ELA, reading, Sit Stay Read
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I saw this video and thought it interesting from both the perspective of a teacher and a dog lover. I am always amazed at what the power of a dog’s unconditional love can do to motivate and raise one’s self-worth. I have brought my little 4 pound Yorkie, Spencer, to my classroom on a few occassions and once everyone finishes with their oooooooooo’s and ahahahah’s (because he is just the cutest dog EVER!!), they quickly begin to respond positively to his presence. So watch and enjoy!
