TenMarks Math

Heard of TenMarks Math?  I had not until yesterday!  If you have I would love for you to leave some comments on how your are using it and whether you find it a useful resource for your classroom.

For those of you who have not heard of it, TenMarks Math is a web based program for teachers to differentiate and individualize their math instruction.  There is a free version, which is fantastic, and of course you can upgrade to the premium version for a fee.  You can set up your class and have all of your students using this adaptive program during interventions, small groups or independently.  I signed up, created a fictional class and assigned curriculum in no time and at all.
They do offer a webinar every Wednesday to help you get set up and provides tips on how to best utilize this program in your classroom.  The only flaw that I have found thus far is that there is no audio choice for kids to click in order to listen to the questions if they cannot read.  However, there is a video lesson for each assignment that you assign to your student and best of all you can choose the curriculum based on state standards or the common core.

To try out a grade and get a feel for the program click here.  This program is also iPad compatible; however, it seems that not all of the video lessons are up and running quite yet.

Here are a few videos that you can watch to learn more about TenMarks.

Resource Community

I came across this website that houses a ton of great resources for teachers.  You can sign up for free to search the resources (lessons, units, assessments) categorized into a variety of subject areas.  Each learning resource can be commented on and rated, some resources may be rated exemplary or basic.  Sign up and begin searching - it is worth it.
(Click on the image to visit Curriki)

http://welcome.curriki.org/

Research and Information Fluency

With the NETS for students and the Common Core Standards becoming more prevalent and the new testing (PARCC) that will be in place by 2014, students will be asked more and more to research information, analyze and evaluate the information from a variety of sources and then report their results; however, do our kids really know how to research?  With most of the research being done online these days, our youth need to start to learn efficient ways to sift through all of the information as well as use safe search engines.

A few of my colleagues began teaching research skills to their 4th graders and used, what I think, is a great resource to introduce the process.  This screenshot was taken from the Kentucky Virtual Library
and is an interactive way to show students how to research (click image to visit the site).

Once they know the process then they can be modeled how to search online for resources.

Google is a wonderful search engine, especially if you take advantage of the advanced search tools.  However, I wanted to share a few other search engines that I compiled through research (Howie DeBlasi, CEO of Digital Journey gave me great resources).

sweetsearch.com  A staff of experts have compiled a list of thousands of credible websites (PBS, Library of Congress...) for students to search to on their site.  As of now this site is ad free, which is a bonus!  I could see this site being used for 4th/5th graders and up.  You can visit this blog site to read more about SweetSearch.

Searchy Pants is a great search engine that is safe for students and families.  It is simple to use and uses School Safe Search technology to deliver safe content to kids.  This site is great for K-5 students.

Boolify is a great site to teach the boolean linking words while searching.  It is a visual search engine that connects the students keywords using colored blocks with words like and or not.  It teaches the kids to find and use keywords to narrow down their search.  This could be used for multiple grades.
Here is a third grade class using Boolify (keep in mind the platform has changed a bit following the capturing of this video)

InstaGrok is a very cool resource that creates a concept map of your search.  Remember Google's Wonder Wheel, this is Wonder Wheel intensified.  See there demo video, which can also be found on their website.

One last video that might be worth while watching and/or showing to your class is one created by a group called Common Craft.  They create short explanatory videos for teachers or trainers to use.  You can subscribe to some of their videos on YouTube or you can pay for their whole video library on their website.

This video gives a short explanation on how to search efficiently on the Web.

Web 2.0

Check out this mind map of web 2.0 tools that a teacher shared with me.  The tools are organized into categories so they are easy to search.  I am unsure as to who developed this, but kudos to them!!!

Interactive Websites to Enhance Curriculum!

When you think you've searched and found everything something great surfaces yet again!!!  This is why I love the world wide web.
A colleague of mine came across this website that is full of fantastic interactive websites that could be used for whole class instruction/reinforcement on an IWB or for students to independently use on mobiel devices.
Definitely take the time to search by subject, you won't be sorry!  I guarantee you will find a resource that will enhance your current or future curriculum.

Enjoy

                Click icon to visit website.

Google Literature Trips

Wondering how to marry technology, social studies and literature all together?  Google Lit Trips is a great place to start!

I came across this website today that uses Google Earth to create sightseeing tours that match that of a characters journey through a story.  It definitely takes some time to navigate and figure out, but it is a super cool way to engage readers in a story.

I could definitely see a class creating one of these together and/or creating one on their own (depending on their age) or a teacher creating one to enhance the classroom curriculum and going on the journey together during a unit.

Here are few videos I found that give more information on Lit Trips.  You can visit YouTube and search Google Lit Trips to find videos to help you create one of your own too.

This is a great way to marry technology standards with the common core standards as well as create a cross-curricular activity for your students!!

Take the time to visit the Google Lit Trips website and explore some of the journeys.

Website Link

Learn From Others....

As an educator I am always looking for new, innovative and effective ways to teach lessons.  I have  had many opportunities to go to conferences, workshops and schools to learn exciting approaches and techniques.  I can say without a doubt that I learn most when I see something in action!  Unfortunately, sometimes the life of a teacher makes it very difficult to leave the classroom and take the time to visit other schools or classrooms to observe the variety of teaching styles and techniques being used.  Why  not take professional development into your own hands...

I came across this website today that thrilled me!  The Teaching Channel houses a variety of videos on teaching in action.  It is organized by subject, grade and topic to make your searching easy.  They even have a section dedicated to common core aligned lessons.  The teachers that are in the videos are from all across our American schools and are considered highly effective and innovative educators.

I would highly recommend taking a peek at some videos; you may become inspired to try something new!

You can also sign up for their weekly newsletter, which will remind you to visit the site once in a while or follow them on twitter...@TeachingChannel

Watch the introductory video below...

Taking Pictures on a Smartphone May Pose a Risk

According to Comcore, by the end of June 2012 more than 110 million people in the United States owned Smartphones.  How many of these Smartphone users are aware of the location settings on their phones?  I have a feeling that not that many people are, especially teenagers who are taking and posting pictures using their phones.

Please watch the video I have embedded to educate yourself on the risks of taking pictures using your Smartphones and posting them on the Internet.  Then make sure that you educate your friends, colleagues, parents and especially students about this safety issue.

If you are unable to view the video click on the link here: Movie

Thanks to my principal for sharing this informative video to me!!

Classroom Management

I am sure some of you have heard of these apps before, but I am finally making use of them!  SplashTop 2 and Mobile Mouse Pro (or the lite version, free) are two iPad apps that you can use to either remote access your computer's content (SplashTop 2) or use as a mobile remote/trackpad (Mobile Mouse).
I have both on my iPad and feel that both can be used to enhance and mange your instruction in your classroom.  How many of you have an IWB (interactive whiteboard) in your classroom and find yourself facing that and turning your back to the classroom during instruction?  How many of you use presentation programs (prezi, powerpoint...) in your classroom and find yourself at your computer trying to control it.
These two apps will allow you to access your computer's content or control the presentation from anywhere in the room.  We all know that many times you have a student during a lesson that will need your assistance, but you find yourself at the IWB writing and can't get over there!  These apps will help in managing your classroom and meeting your students' needs.
Visit their websites to learn more about each app, so you can decide, which one would best match your needs or maybe you want both too!  I have also embedded videos that give an overview/demo of SplashTop 2 and Mobile Mouse Pro.

(Click images to view websites)

                                                                                   

Teaching Table iPad App

I watched a Webinar on a newly released iPad app called Teaching Table (click to visit their website).
The app has a slew of math manipulatives that you can use to create your own interactive math lessons. I think that this app would be great for small group learning as well as differentiating your instruction.  The app is half price until October 1st, $2.99 and then the price will go up to $5.99.

If you are interested in digging deeper and learning more about this app take the time to watch the webinar (click to watch video) - a 3rd grade teachers shows examples of lesson she has created.

Click the icon to visit the iTunes store