Only 10 days left.

Thank You. It is hard to believe that the year is coming to an end. This is a great group of teachers to work with. Along with the staff, I have learned a great deal this past year. I am very thankful for all the support I have received in my new role as a TIS. This past year we were expected to incorporate many new programs into our curriculum. Together we’ve survived days with slow to no internet and even a blackout! Now, it’s time to look back with pleasure and say, “We did it!”
Don’t miss out! Webspiration (the web version of Inspiration) is again open for free beta accounts. Get it while you can! http://www.mywebspiration.com/
Activity for the final days of school. You've taught many skills this year and wouldn't it be a fantastic finish to have small groups of students make short videos demonstrating their knowledge of what they've learned? These videos will be great to use to motivate and teach next year’s students. Helpful hints: have students limit videos to under three minutes and they should not use personal names. If you would like to pursue this activity I would be happy to assist you in using one of the flip videos. This project could also be extended by students creating a five question or less assessment activity, such as CPS questions, self checking excel sheet, or exit cards. Let the students surprise you with their creativity and enjoy the last few days.

Game Training Reminder

Let the Games Begin!

I am announcing two upcoming paid trainings.
Thursday, May 14, will be training on Creating Interactive Games in PowerPoint, and on Thursday, May 21, the training will be “Using Excel Sheets in the Classroom.” Please respond to the e-mail training invitations that will be sent out tomorrow. With Title I tutoring over and all the Spring Activities going on, I would like to offer only one training time for each topic mentioned. However, if the number of attendees is high, I may need to offer a second training time. Don’t miss out, and please respond to your invitation.

With Westest around the corner many of you have been checking out equipment, and I love the technology use. Please try to sign out equipment by 9:00pm the day before. I take time to map the movement of the equipment for the day. Each cart receives its “Dance Card” for the day. It’s a “Tickle Me Elmo” feeling to know that all equipment is being utilized.

Spot Light Tech News. You guys are taking it to the top with Acuity use! You are playing my song and it sounds like a prize.

“Get Techy With It!” OVI’s Library has transposed into a TOP KNOCH 21st century resource center this week with M. Crowley and N. Smith Co-T a music research project. Nancy has torn herself from the books and is helping students find resources on the computers in the Library. Don’t get me wrong, “She still loves books.”

Down to the Home Stretch!

Wow, 20 School Days until Westest2!
If you need any help using Acuity as an Instructional Resource with your students, please ask. I can help you get study lessons set up for students to complete on your classroom computers or find you equipment to present tutorials to the whole class. Once students are logged into the Acuity site they will need to click on the "STUDY" icon and subject to find the Instructional Resources you have assigned to them.

TECHSTEPS Link to TechSteps Schedule. http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcrxzpdg_59chp3w2gx If you need help creating an assessment group and setting up projects for students to complete, I am here to help. This will need to be done before your students enter the lab to complete the TechSteps projects. Fourth grade will be completing the "Extend a Pattern" project, and Fifth grade teachers will have a choice in completing "Talk to a Topic" or "Ray's Electricity Model." Teachers choosing the PowerPoint project will need to schedule a laptop and projector the day before and after their scheduled computer lab time.

TWO GREAT SITES
1. An Amazing reading resource from Kyrene School District, AZ. Here you will find Literacy Resources to Support the Harcourt Trophies Reading Series. http://www.kyrene.org/reading

2. Science-FOSS "Full Option Science System" http://fossweb.com/

GRADEQUICK
Steps to view only the fourth term and “Filter Out” the 3rd Term Click to the right of the last assignment to enter an assignment View pop up window - Pick term 4 and Click –“O.K.” Go under VIEW ->Term -> term4 Interim Reports: 5/1/09 Only two weeks from now!

To print reports: Go under REPORTS->ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REPORT CARDS-> AVERAGES GRADES (4 terms) and COMMENTS; Check all of the boxes and click on “OK” – Click on the Printer Icon and please check to make sure the paper is place correctly in the printer before printing the whole set.

Comment columns: for the 4th marking period we will use C7and C8.

Wings and Effort Only effort (EE) in “C7 and wings (WW) in “C8 will be noted in the comment columns next to homeroom. Other comments can go in any other subject. You may want to put two general comments in the handwriting grade book.

Egg-cellent Training Opportunities for After Break

Best Wishes for a Relaxing Spring Break!
On Monday April 13th, 8:30-9:30 I will be offering an optional training on using the Classroom Performance System. Using this System is easy and fun for both teachers and students. What a great way to give your students stimulating practice and review of skills needed for success on the Westest2 test!
Also on Monday, I will be watching a webinar on Wikispaces in Education after school. Anyone is welcome to join me for the one hour webinar starting at 4pm. Please leave a comment on the blog or send me an e-mail, if you are planning to attend either or both the scheduled trainings.