Maureen's Musings

Make a "wimpy" version of yourself

2010-06-22T09:46:00.000-04:00

Go to http://www.wimpyourself.com/ to have some fun!

The Virtual Thesaurus

2009-10-01T15:42:00.003-04:00

We've obtained a 30-day free trial of the Virtual Thesaurus. The Virtual Thesaurus is an interactive distionary and thesaurus that creates word maps. What a great way to encourage your students to explore language and subsequently enlarge their vocabulary. Try the Word of the Day, Vocabgrabber and the Language Lounge. I personally found the Spelling Bee addictive - in a good way! Have you tried the monthly crossword puzzle yet? To access our free trial click here - no password needed! Remember it's accessible 24-7.

Create a Video with PhotoStory

2009-09-21T14:16:00.004-04:00

Creating a video from photos couldn't be easier. Import your photos, add some special effects, text (if you want) and music. PhotoStory does the rest. Perfect for BOE presentations plus the video can be added to your website! Come to the 9/29 workshop to get started. Be sure to have photos available either in your network folder or on a flash drive.

Get Creative with wordle.net

2009-09-15T14:35:00.007-04:00

Create a "word cloud" using the Web 2.0 tool wordle.net. To see what a "wordle" looks like check out the wordle created for the SmartBoards in Greenwich wiki. Use the online tools to personalize the font, colors and style. The resulting graphic can be used in printed documents or your web page. Some possibilities could be:

Make a "wordle" containing the names of your students -print it out, laminate it and hang it on your classroom door.
As a group activity have students suggest words that describe their summer or their feelings about the first day of school.
Create a personal wordle with the names of your family members and turn it into a notecard.
Create a weekly "wordle" activity sheet for vocabulary or spelling.
Use an original poem or writing assignment to create a "wordle". You might be surprised at the result!

Come to the 10/6 workshop to learn more about wordle.net and get started on a fun activity!

Get Organized!

2009-09-14T10:37:00.001-04:00

Do you have trouble finding the files you need? So many folders, even more files...egads, what a mess!! Join us at the 10/13 Get Organized workshop. You'll create a filing system that works for you. I think you'll be amazed at how a little "cleaning and organizing"of your network space will make your life easier!

Get Funky @ BeFunky.com

2009-09-12T16:05:00.002-04:00

Add pizazz to your photo at befunky.com, then use the new graphic on your Facebook page, webpage or wherever you'd like. According to the site, you can "turn your photos into incredible artwork with one click." Hey, even I can do it! Some of the effects available are Inkify, Warholizer, Charcolizer, Scribbler, Charcola, Stenciler, Sunburst and Line Artopia. Don't forget to grab some goodies - text bubbles, accessories,frames, warps...you just have to play around to appreciate the possibilities. Come to the Get Funky with BeFunky.com workshop on 11/10 to learn more!

Create Your Own Avatar

2009-09-11T16:39:00.001-04:00

Sometimes putting your own photograph on your webpage is not what you want to do. But you want to add a personal touch. Enter voki.com. Customize an image from their collection, then add your voice via cell phone, telephone, mic or text. Just be sure that you know what you want to say! In the classroom, have students write their "script" and have it checked by you for spelling, punctuation and content. Hook up the microphone and they're ready to go. Check out a sample on our SMARTBoard wiki. Sign up for the "Create your own Avatar" workshop on 10/27 to learn more and get started.

IE Links bar

2009-09-11T14:15:00.001-04:00

Do you have certain sites that you go to frequently - schooltool, daily bulletin, BrainPOP, etc? If you use the Links bar that's built into Internet Explorer, these sites are only 1 click away. Come to our 11/3 workshop to learn how to use this handy feature. You'll be glad you did!

Google bookmarks...will travel

2009-09-09T17:12:00.000-04:00

You can use Google Bookmarks to save your favorite sites (aka - Favorites) and have them available on any computer that has Internet access. These bookmarks are totally private and fully searchable. I use this tool often.

Adding cool color to your web page

2009-09-08T14:39:00.000-04:00

Picking "just the right color" for background or text can be a challenge. A fun solution? Go to the Hues Hub. Here you'll find practically every color in the rainbow (plus tons more!). Just write down and save the 6-character code for as many colors you like.
To apply this color to your webpage, open FrontPage, click on File...Properties and then click on the formatting tab. Click the dropdown arrow by any component, then choose More Colors. In the next window put the 6 character code in the section named "Hex" making sure to maintain the naming convention. Click OK and OK again.

Podcasts and Videos

2007-11-02T13:20:00.000-04:00

Listening skills are important and the podcast can be an excellent method for honing these skills. Create a worksheet to go along with a podcast and you have just given your students a reason to "listen". Towards that end off I went to see what's available on iTunes. While there I learned that some of these podcasts are available from an accompanying web page. (You don't have to load itunes onto your workstation) . The hyperlinks below go to the webpage - not itunes. Simpler, I thought.

I'd like to know your thoughts on this concept. If you like it and want more, let me know! Here are a few I found today:

Grammar Girl - Found these podcasts first on itunes then went off to explore the website. "Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing. Covering the grammar rules and word choice guidelines that can confound even the best writers, Grammar Girl makes complex grammar questions simple with memory tricks to help you recall and apply those troublesome grammar rules". quote from iTunes

Byzantine Rulers - Parts 1-16 - Available on iTunes - no web page. History was definitely not my favorite subject, but this podcast is really interesting. From iTunes "This history of the Byzantine Empire is a lecture series written and presented by Mr. Lars Brownworth who teaches history at The Stony Brook School in Long Island, New York. Join him for an engaging look at the history of the Byzantine Empire through the eyes of 12 of its greatest rulers". quote from iTunes

The Princeton Review Vocab Minute - Short songs for life-long learning. Like Schoolhouse Rock
The Wild Classroom- I found these videos on iTunes, but then wandered over to the website. I suggest that you check out the web first. "A new science video podcast that explains science topics in a fun and exciting way. Great for science teachers todownload to show in the classroom. Most videos come with lessons plans or acompanying informational web pages. All hosts and filmmakeers are also trained biologists." quote from iTunes

Love the BBC

2007-09-20T11:29:00.000-04:00

Just spent some time exploring the BBC site specifically for children ages 4-11. I found so many interesting activities! Go to numeracy for math interactives, literacy for ELA practice, science, history. Search the site from the top right corner of the window or simply click on the various topics on the right side of the screen.

Go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/ for English, maths and science activities.