Innovative Site of the Month: READ THE WORDS

Listen to my blog post!

ReadtheWords

Mistakes are Tools for Learning...

Mistakes are Tools for Learning was a huge banner I had hanging in my 3rd grade classroom many years ago. Whenever one of my students made a mistake and was down on themselves, I just pointed to the banner.

This past week I had the opportunity to work with about 40 of AUSD's innovative teachers. I will get to my main point in a minute but I want to explain what was so unique about this group of people.

One of our administrators asked if they were all high school teachers. Not a chance. They were a perfect mix of of elementary, middle, high school educators, ELD and SpED.

The Director of Technology and myself put this innovative group of educators through the ringer! We exposed them to more Web 2.0 resources than any human should be allowed to endure in five days! Here's the thing...they took it all in...struggled, made mistakes, helped one another and created blogs, Animoto videos, Voicethreads, Google Docs, iGoogle, Jott, Jott to blog, Jott to Google Calendar all this and much more. Lots of "mistakes" and lots of "learning" too!



Check out this cool video created by Cindy Frankel, Media Specialist at Lum Elementary

Story Creator: Myths and Legends

Okay...so finally my lack of attention has some positive results! I wandered over to Plurk and found a comment from Kevin Honeycutt asking if anyone has used this Story Creator: Myths and Legends. Kevin is such a thoughtful member of my PLN, he included the link to this fabulous resource...Perfect for just about anybody wanting to tell a story. Check out this creative tool...and let me know what you think! :) Diana

Just used Plurk to find beta code for ping.fm...you guys are so cool!

Getting Started With Google Docs

Found this useful tutorial on how to use Google Docs @ Scribd.
Note: enlarge the screen by selecting the "screen enlarge" button on the upper right side of the page.

HOWTO use google docs - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: HOWTO use google docs

Grants Galore!

Do you or your school have plans to implement a "Green" or outdoor education project? Plan on taking your students on a field trip? Want to branch out and try introducing technology into your classroom curriculum? Why not apply for one of these "easy" to obtain grants. Remember, if you would like help, just ask me!

Teacher Testimonial

"It’s EASY!!! Many of your colleagues in Alameda have done it. You should give it a try. Each proposal takes less then 30 minutes to write and they walk you through it step by step. In less than a year, I have had 5 proposals funded, totaling more than $1000. So check it out: DonorChoose." L. Young, 5th grade teacher, Washington School received the following items:

1. HP PHOTOSMART M425 DIGITAL CAMERA -- HP Digital Cameras; Photosmart M425, quantity 1, $119.99 each (Quill Corporation)

2. HP PHOTOSMART D7160 PRINTER -- HP Photosmart D7160 Photo Printer, quantity 1, $119.98 each (Quill Corporation)

3. Family: Book Bundle for Grades 4-6 (14 Books), quantity 2, $72.23 each (AKJ Educational Services (Educational Books))

4. Newbery: Book Bundle for Grades 3-5 (12 Books), quantity 2, $64.4 each (AKJ Educational Services(Educational Books))

5. JUNIO STAINLESS STELL CHILDREN'S SCISSORS, 5 BLUNT -- Acme 5" Junior Scissors; Single Pair, Blunt Tip, quantity 36, $1.34 each (Quill Corporation)

6. RIGHT TIMER OVERHEAD TIMER, quantity 1, $55.34 each (Teacher's School Supply)

7. PREMO SCULPEY CLAY, PRIMARY CLR 8PC 2OZ, quantity 20, $11.25 each (Blick Art Materials (Punch Out))

PREMO SCULPEY CLAY, NEUTRAL CLR 8PC 2OZ, quantity 10, $11.25 each (Blick Art Materials (Punch Out))

8. Esperanza Rising -- Teacher Guide, quantity 1, $10.46 each (AKJ Books)

Esperanza Rising, quantity 18, $5.22 each (AKJ Books)

More Grants to consider....

• Lowe's Toolbox for Education Earn up to $5000.00 instantly. Check the website in July to apply for 2008-09 school year.

• Teaching Tolerance Grant Earn $500.00-$2,500 to improve inter-group relations at your school. Grant applications are ongoing.

• Best Buy Teach Grants: Earn $2,000-$10,000 & complete for eight awards of $100,000. Check this site in July for new application.

• Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grant Program: $500.00 award. Application due by 9/15/08 could be used for ePals, book making, podcasting projects etc.

• GreenWorks! Grants: $250-$5,000 awards. See examples of winning school projects. Fall application cycle: October 2008

• Target Field Trips: Check website in August for fall application cycle. Think you can't get funded? Check out '07-'08 recipients from CA!
  

• Lowe's Outdoor Grant Program:Awards range from $2,000-$20,000. This grant is designed to provide schools with outdoor, hands-on science education to students in grades K-12. Check website in July for new application.
  
  

Young People Music & the Internet

Just found this useful website via Ewan McIntosh's blog.
Childnet International has launched a worldwide campaign to inform teachers and parents how to explain the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding online music.

Checkout Young People Music & the Internet

:) Diana