Monday, January 30, 2012

February Links



Hi Everyone,

February is just around the corner. It is always a short yet very busy month packed with special days and holidays. I have shared some links below for you classroom use. Enjoy.

Check out your DTSD Grade Level Wikis for monthly links. Scroll down on the Monthly Links page to Feb section to see the links for all the holidays and special events that are coming up.

Groundhog's Day -
Valentine's Day -
Superbowl -
100th Day -
President's Day

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

New After School Training Opportunities


Look on Carats for these new after-school training opportunities.

Managing your Online Persona - I control who sees what! - Part 1 -
This session is an introduction to managing your online persona in all areas of digital life. We will include managing social networks like facebook, keeping yourself and your online information safe. Specific strategies for managing online environments, including privacy settings and protocols for online life. This will be the first in a series of other topics regarding online persona and social networks.

Secondary Session – MS and HS
2:45- 4:15 – HS Library Conference Room
Jan. 24 & Jan. 31- Must attend both sessions for credit
Presenters – Allison Mackley and Traci Landry

Elementary Session 
4:00-5:30 – HS Library Conference Room
Feb. 7 & Feb. 21
Presenters – Allison Mackley and Traci Landry

Creating Digital Content – Part 1
Audience All
Presenter Traci Landry
4-5:30 – Middle School B110 (location may be changed due to audience)
Jan. 9 & 17 – Must attend both sessions for credit. 
Repeat SessionJan 26- 4-6:00 With a 1 hour assignment – Middle School B110 (location may be changed due to audience)
Just in time to create that once in a lifetime presentation for instructional purposes, to showcase a special project or activity, Young Learner's Showcase or an end of the year program/celebration. Learn how to use Digital Tools like Photopeach, Xtranormal, Photostory, Voicethread and Smilebox to created amazing and interactive presentations for your classroom and parents. This session will be hands on. Please have digital photos saved on your computer to use.

Getting to know Edmodo  
Edmodo is a secure social learning platform for teachers and students. Edmodo makes collaborating and sharing information easy between the teacher, students and even parents. This course management tool is engaging for students and easy to use by teachers. Come check it out!
Audience All
Presenter – Traci Landry &
4-5:30 – Middle School B110 (location may be changed due to audience)
March 15 & 22 Must attend both sessions for credit.

Managing your Apple Devices (iphones, ipods and ipads Oh My!) – Did you get a new device and are wondering what you can do with it? Then this is the session for you. Learn about specialized apps for using your device as an instructional tool in the classroom as well as using it as a powerful management tool for your professional life.
Audience Elementary
Presenters – Traci Landry & Mark Painter
4-5:30 Middle School B110 (location may be changed due to audience)
Feb. 29 & March 7 Must attend both sessions for credit.

You can register on CARATS.  

There will be more to come including an apple session for Secondary Teachers. Hope to see you at some sessions.



Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Welcome Back and Happy 2012!

I hope you all had a wonderful break. Now that we are back in the swing of things I thought I would pass on some resources I came across for the new year and Martin Luther King day.

Internet4Classrooms MLK Resource Page - This page houses links to lots of good resources including transcripts of the I Have a Dream Speech, the recording of the speech on teacher tube, a Scholastic link to a civil rights mystery and an interactive timeline. Worth Checking out!
ABCya! Word Clouds - I copied the transcript from the I Have a Dream speech and put it into a word cloud. The word cloud hightlights some of the main points from the speech and could be a discussion starter or good lesson on main idea. This is great to do with any historical speech or even with students own writing. You just copy and past the text in and the word cloud is generated.

 ABCteach - Educators Online Resources - Scroll Down there are some New Year's Resources. This site has a paid aspect but also a lot of free interactive activities, flipcharts and printables. I downloaded a really cute math basketball game flipchart with a student gameboard you can print out. Take a look.

Well I think that's enough to get us started for Jan. 3rd. Enjoy and please let me know how I can support you.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Literacy Resources

Work Tamer -This site is worth checking out. I learned about Word Tamer on Kristen Swanson's blog. It is a cool site for teaching literary elements and writing. Check it out. I think it would appeal to upper elementary students.

Literacy Resources - Many games for Kids from Kent ICT, including Help a Hedghog a phonics game, to practice reading skills.



Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Holiday Sites and Links

As the holidays are quickly approaching, faster than I'm prepared for, I wanted to share some links and sites for some fun seasonal and yet educational activities.

Your Grade Level Wikis - Each wiki has a page called Monthly Links with a section labeled December with games and links for the kids. Great for centers or indoor recess during the next couple days.

Elf on the Shelf Website - I have noticed that some of you have the Elf on the Shelf in your classroom. The section called North Pole has links to some games and other interactive activities. You can even customize your elf's outfit with different patterns and props, print your elf and use it as a cute writing prompt.

Portable North Pole - For kids young and old! This site allows you to create your own personalized video from Santa himself that is emailed directly to you. Just go through the steps on the website wizard and in a few short minutes you will have a magical video. You will love it.

Storyline Online - Polar Express - The classic story is read to your students by actor Lou Diamond Phillips

Woodlands Jr. Holiday Activities - Interactive Advent Calendars, Games and Stories

Rudolf is Missing - Interactive story and game with comprehension questions.

Okay that's it for now. Enjoy this magical time with your students!!


Monday, December 12, 2011

Shutterfly Offer

Shutterfly Offer

In your school picture envelope there is a full page insert containing a $20.00 credit for Shutterfly.com. A great place to make photos, cards and gifts. Here is a thank you card I made with mine. A great way to make a customizable gift for your friends and family.Thanks Christine Yarzabek for sharing this information.


3x5 Folded Card
View the entire collection of cards.

3x5 Folded Card

Blue Chocolate Thank You Card
Shop thank you notes and photo cards at Shutterfly.
View the entire collection of cards.