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!
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!
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.
Spin and Spell May 29, 2008
Posted by anne marie in ELA, SMART Board, Special Education.add a comment
I wanted to share another spelling site that works great with the SMARTBoard– Spin and Spell. It mimics the concept of Wheel of Fortune and is very fun! I especially like it due to the fact that it has audio support and incorporates pictures- how cool! This is especially important to me as it allows students at varying levels to participate– touch pictures given a verbal cue, identify letters on the wheel given a verbal request or spell words- all depending on their individual level. Some of the pictures may be a bit difficult to identify, but all you have to do is mouse over (touch) the picture for the audio identification. If students need extra support when spelling a word, there is even an option to show the word. Did I mention there are 5 various categories of spelling words to pick from? I LOVE it when I find a game that can meet the individual needs/objectives for each student- YEAH!! So put on your Vanna outfit and have fun spinning the wheel!!
RedZee May 28, 2008
Posted by anne marie in ELA, SMART Board, Special Education, Websites.Tags: RedZee, Visual Search Engine
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Had fun today continuing to write our poems–they are coming out GREAT! As we were searching for pictures to illustrate the poems I was reminded of Redzee Search, a visual search engine. RedZee Search displays search results as fanned Web page images. Visitors can quickly search results by simply mousing over the images and then clicking on the Web site they want to see close-up. “We believe pictures are worth a thousand words and we’re bringing that philosophy to our search engine,” says John Stewart, president of RedZee Search. “Visuals make it so much easier to see what you like rather than read what you like.” RedzeeSearch still uses text as the search criteria, but instead of producing the web page results in text, they are displayed visually. Very cool!
For my students, who definietly benefit from the visual support, this is a tool that I very much appreciate. Using it on the SMARTBoard is also a plus for two obvious reasons- 1. the visuals are larger and 2. students can easily explore the results by interacting (moving) the image results with their finger. So if you have not explored this search engine, you may just want to give it a visual workout! Oh yeah– and if you’re an animal lover like me you’ll fall in love with their adorable logo.
Here it is… “Flowers Pretty” May 24, 2008
Posted by anne marie in ELA, Our Classroom, Special Education.Tags: ELA, Poetry
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A poem written by the students in room 123
They like sun.
Outside on tree.
Stem.
Leaves.
Beautiful colors.
Happy.
Growing.
Spinach.
Pick flowers in grass.
Dandelions are big.
Mom likes flowers.
Valentine’s Day.
LOVE!
My students loved watching the talking flower “say” their poem– it was made using Fodey’s Talking Flower
I also neglected to mention another poetry site from Julia’s Rainbow Connection that I incorporated into our lesson. This site offers 3 very nice poetic videos that my students very much enjoyed watching.
We also used a BBC website to analyse poems- English: Reading-Poetry.
We completed the poem by creating our own flowers, which helped to illustrate our poem. Take a look…
Next week we hope to have our students write individual poems about something of interest to them. Rasheen has already indicated he wants to write about cars and Scott, he wants to write a poem about his video games. So make sure you check back next week to be dazzled with more original poems by these amazing students!
Penlight to Help Support Independence May 21, 2008
Posted by anne marie in General, SMART Board, Special Education.Tags: Penlight, SMARTBoard, Special Education
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Often when I am teaching a lesson with the SMARTBoard my students may require some extra support to complete an activity or follow a verbal request. Initially whenever a student was encountering difficulty I found myself gravitating to the SMARTBoard to assist and perhaps, in some instances, giving more assistance than might be required. So in comes the penlight to the rescue! The penlight allows me to highlight specific words, pictures, (perfect for counting activities), etc. on the SMARTBoard to give enough support for students to successfully complete a request without me being with them at the SMARTBoard. This technique helps to eliminate my temptation to give too much support–YEAH! It has definitely increased the indepedent interaction on the SMARTBoard for my students. When reading passages on the SMARTBoard I am now regularly using the penlight to highlight the words we are reading– just another support that has been beneficial.
Penlights are relatively inexpensive (starting at $15) and, in my opinion, well worth the investment! Just remember that the less expensive penlights may not be as powerful and may limit the distance you can be from the SMARTBoard to be seen. So as my students say “Follow the red light”!
Disability Law Lowdown ASL Podcast May 17, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Sign Language, Special Education.Tags: American with Disabilities Act, ASL Podcast, Sign Language, Special Education
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I learned about this first ever Disability Law Lowdown ASL Video Podcast from the Blog Talking Books Librarian and wanted to share the information.
“The Disability Law Lowdown ASL podcasts will bring a new level of service to the Deaf community by expanding traditional audio-only podcasts to include video that allows subscribers too see native Deaf speakers signing the show’s content. The podcasts will deliver the latest in disability law information every other week via American Sign Language, captioning, voice-over, and transcripts to maximize accessibility. Free subscriptions to the ASL podcasts are available to have shows automatically delivered to MP3 players. The hosts for the ASL Disability Law Lowdown are native Deaf signers Danny Warthling and AJ Roupp. They will provide the latest information about disability rights and obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other disability-related topics.”
The ASL Video Podcasts can also be viewed at YouTube.
Wizard Text Generator– making writing FUN! May 16, 2008
Posted by anne marie in ELA, Special Education, Websites.Tags: ELA, Spelling
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I love to have fun while teaching and the Word Text Generator does just that! Spelling, letter identification, and alphabet review are not always on the student’s top 10 list of things to do, so anything I can find to make it more motivating and fun is a HUGE PLUS! Students think it is “way cool” to see what they type animate, especially on the SMARTBoard (and so do I!!!). It is very user friendly- you just enter your text, press the generate button and like magic, the wizard will write your text. We use the SMART On-Screen keyboard to type- just have to make sure the cursor is in the text box.
Oops- almost forgot to thank my friend and fellow SpEd Teacher, Cheryl, for passing along this great tool.
