1.  ALL grades

Math teachers:  

Location listed under Math

Description:  Math animation dictionary for all grades

 Mathematics Blackline Masters: 

Location listed under worksheets

Description:  Truly a tool that will allow teachers to better illustrate areas of Math for their students.  Printout examples and lessons for your students.

 2.  Color Theory:    You will discover located on the ART web page.

 3.  Grades 1 – 6 Social Studies
Meet me at the Corner:  
Location listed under skills. 
Description:  Virtual Field Trips for Kids takes you to meet fascinating people from all over the world. New educational, kid-friendly episodes are uploaded every two weeks. Included are links to fun websites and Learning Corner with follow-up questions

Science
4.  Wonderville - 3D
Location under skills
Description:   This is a 3 dimensional tour of a city covering science. Virtually travel to different lessons using a skate board.

1.       All teachers

a.       You will discover listed in your grade level a website that is called the big picture.  If you click on it you will find it is updated 2 or 3 times a week and loaded with photos of current events around the world.

b.      Located under “WEB 2.0” you will find a new search program it is in 3D called “Space Time Search” This is an excellent method of searching for information.

2.       1^st grade through 8^Th grade

a.       Under Skills you will be directed to a website button called “National Grid for Learning” You will find many outstanding presentations on all areas of learning. Some high school lessons are listed

3.      Elementary Teachers

a.       Under Skills you will be directed to a website button called. “Interactive Content Reinforcement” You will locate many various new websites to assist you in teaching.

b.      Math 1^st – 3^rd Grade listed under measurements (Look at quite a few new illustrations of how to teach time.  All are interactive and engaged.  Several deal with logic and problem solving.

c.       Skills Web page – Listed under Science Wonderville.  This is a 3 D city that will allow the students to travel around the city on a skate board and learn about math and science.

August 23, 2009

Teachers, many new updates have been placed on the technology website.  We will only list a few at a time so as not to overwhelm anyone.  Explore the site and you will discover an enormous amount of changes have taken place since June.

 Main Page

1.      Web Quest – Examples of how to create a Web Quest in many formats.

2.      Rainforest -  Math and science lessons for all grade levels.

3.      We Choose The Moon -  Real time representation from NASA landing on the moon.

4.      Lessons / Word – Exceptional examples with videos  using Microsoft word.

 Web 2.0

1.      Watchknow – Organized videos for you to convert to wmv and use in your classroom.

2.      Podcasting -  Create lessons in sound for your students using Pow-Pak.

 Elementary 1st Grade Math

3.      Math Facilitator Lessons – Videos and lessons have been created for you to use in class.      

July 16

We realize this is summer for all of you but we have placed many new additions available to you on the technology website.  You may wish to view these prior to school starting. One such addition is very essential that you view it ASAP!  This website concerns the Apollo space mission to the moon.  This is being presented to the world in real time on the technology website. “We Choose the Moon”

 1.       A web page has been created dedicated to the Apollo 11 launch 40 years ago.  You will discover it on the main technology page amongst other links. You may still follow the flight to the moon.  It all started this morning July 16 with lift off. Anyone on the computer at that time was able to follow along in real time as all the stages were met.  At the time of this email being sent, they are half way to the moon and the next stage will be 7 just prior to circling the moon for a landing.

 2.      A web page has also been placed on the main page relative to the Rainforest.  You will discover many examples and lessons prepared for you to use in your classes.  The lessons are in all grade levels.

 3.      A Web Quest page with examples has been placed for your convenience.   Web quests examples have been created in different formats for you (Web page - Smart Board – Power Point- Word – Excel).  This presents to you the opportunity to choose any of these examples that you are comfortable with.

 4.      Gizmos have strategically been positioned in Math and Science for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade.  These are visual animated and all are manipulative.  If you have not used a Gizmo or don’t know what one is please check this out! 

5.      Smart Board - New tools have been placed up on the website under Tools and sorting.  The new tools will allow you to add more visual photos in your engaged lessons.  These are exceptional for the lower elementary grades. 

6.      Every Day Math assignments have come a long way and have a long way yet to go.  You will notice that, as teachers create their lessons they are published on the smart board website for you to view use or modify at your discretion. 

7.      Learn to Moon Walk -- Last but not least you will find a video on how to moon walk.  This is located off the main page, click on Videos.  This is relative to the Apollo mission or Michael Jackson and you must all learn this prior to school in the fall.  A visual test will be administered. “Insert boyish grin here” 

Dan

May 29

 Elementary Teachers 

For the end of the year educational entertainment we have placed the following stories on the website. 

You will discover several new stories under the Stories section of the technology website. 

They are “The Great Jam Sandwich”(5 min.)  and “Pinocchio” (12 min.).   We think your class will really enjoy Pinocchio.   We are still working on “Pooh Plays Doctor” for the little ones.  The first two stories are easy and fun for the little ones to follow.   Make sure you place your mouse on the story link and then click the right button and choose save target as.  You must do this prior to showing the story as it takes awhile for them to download.  Also make sure you remember where you save the story. 

“The 500 hats of Bartholomew Cubbins” by Dr. Seuss is a chapter book and we believe an excellent transition between picture stories to chapter stories.  The story is broken down into 5 chapters to allow you to present them at different intervals.  The total running time is 40 minutes with about an average of 8 minutes per chapter.  Down load these also prior to viewing.

Elementary Teachers 

You may have discovered the Smart Board web page has been completely updated.  Quite a few new lessons have been added to assist you in creating your own lessons.  All computers in the district currently have Smart Board Software.  Smart Ed software is by far the largest source of lessons for all areas of teaching. 

We would like to offer a free workshop for all elementary teachers by grade level.  The idea of the workshop is in two parts.  First, it will make teaching using this software much easier to use after a short presentation.  Second, if the teachers from each grade level meet, they may adjust the workload in creating lessons.  There is no need for any teacher to have to do all the work by themselves. Teachers will divide the workload up and then send me the lessons and I will post them on the website so that all teachers may use these lessons. This workshop is optional but highly recommended if you wish to make teaching easier and more fun.  You do not have to stay the whole day.  The workshop will start at 9 AM, You and your grade level of teachers may leave after the first 30 min presentation or stay for as long as you like to organize who will work on what areas of your grade. The workshop will be at Grant on the following days: 

Monday June 8-- Kindergarten & First Grade

Tuesday June 9 – Second Grade

Wednesday June 10 Third Grade

Thursday June 11  Fourth Grade

Friday June 12  Fifth Grade 

The Grade level dates above all depend on your feedback.  Everyone will be considered at the same level of instruction.  This means if you have not used Smart Board software at this point in time this is an outstanding time to learn it.  A second email will be sent out after I have received an email from teachers letting me know about attending on that day.   Please discuss this with your fellow grade level teachers and email me back as soon as possible.  I am doing this for you. 

If you wish to receive Graduate credit this week you only need to attend and sign up on line and then create assignments that pertain to your grade level you are teaching and or what area.   This is a win win situation. 

Please email be back ASAP  with your name and grade level if you wish to attend. 

Thank youDan Hoffman

Elem - Middle - and High School

Teachers

We broke this down as much as we can and make the email as short as we can.  It only takes a few minutes to view the email.  Students are powering down when they come to school because of the difference between what is going on outside the school and inside relative to using technology!
Elementary
1.   Under Skills you will discover an outstanding website called
     “Professor Garfield’s Web Portal”
2.   Smart Board updates
     a.   We have placed 6 templates for games that you and your students
           may create for engaged learning.
     b.   3rd and 4th Grade Smart board assignments have been published
           in the following areas (Math, Science, Social Studies Language Arts)  
           These lessons will benefit all teachers in the school district.  They were
            created by Mrs. Goodrich - Mrs. Bordelon - Mrs. Reed - Mrs. Kothera.   
           They are continually being updated.
     c.     If you are in need of a great spinner for your lessons you will find it
            listed under wheel of fortune.
ALL  TEACHERS
3.      Foreign Language web page using Smart Board lessons has been created
      listed under Smart Board.
4.     The following DVDs have been distributed to each school.  You only need to
       ask the principal.  These are relative to the new Disney Movie that is coming out.
        “EARTH”
DVD 1  Mysteries of the deep 24 M and Beaver Valley 32 M
DVD 2  Seal Island 27 m  and   Prairie 22 M
DVD 3  White Wilderness 1 Hour and 15 min
DVD 4  Secrets of Life 1 Hour and 9 Min
DVD 5  Jungle Cat  1 Hour and 9 Min

5.       Scenes from the recession around the world
          You will discover excellent photos of the recession for classroom discussion.
       They are located under each grade level “THE BIG PICTURE”.  I have placed the
        direct link here to allow you to view this one topic.   http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/scenes_from_the_recession.html


 

Technology update email 1 of 6

 Teachers we have many new updates on the technology web page.

1.   Grades K – 5th:  
          All grade level web pages of all areas of study are being updated. All the
          dead links should be gone by Friday.

2.   2nd Grade Story:   “Thunder Cake” is on line.

3.   All Grades and Subjects:  
a.    You will discover a tremendous new web page under Elem., Middle, and
     High School.  It is called “Visual Comprehensive Education” we organized
     it so that it will be very easy for you to follow.  You really need to take 2 minutes
     of your time to view this web page as it will make your teaching job easier.

4.   High School English teachers:
a    Do we have a site for you!  If you go to the website listed above
    “Visual Comprehensive Education” you will discover a link called “On line gallery
     turning the pages”, you must view this site if you do nothing else today.  On this site
     are many books that you may display for your students to view and read. You will view
     them in their original condition.

b.    Examples:  Masterpiece of the Renaissance, The Oldest Printed Book,
     First Atlas of Europe,  SKETCHES BY LEONARDO, and of course
    THE ORIGINAL ALICE Written and illustrated by Lewis Carroll

Technology Update  Email 4 - 4

Several new links have been provided that you will be interested in.

 Elementary  

1.  Math:   In Grades 2-3-4-5 Many Virtual Manipulatives have been added. 

                They are  located under many of the math standards.  We will add more

                as time goes on. These are a great way to illustrate math concepts to your students. 

Elementary – Middle – High School 

2.  Language Arts:   Standard - Writing Applications – Indicator 1. You will discover two

     methods of teaching communication.  Both are engaged and easy to introduce to

     your class.  Your students will only be limited by their imagination. 

3.   You will find in your schools this week the 4th DVD in the series called

     “Secrets of Life”.  On a scale of 1 – 10 this Disney classic is about a 14. 

     It covers all life in detail from the queen bee on up.  This is a must see DVD. 

DVD 1  Mysteries of the deep 24 M and Beaver Valley 32 M

DVD 2  Seal Island 27 m  and   Prairie 22 M

DVD 3  White Wilderness 1 Hour and 15 min

DVD 4  Secrets of Life 1Hour and 9 Min

Dan

All teachers All grades Part 3 of 4

You will find the following updates on the technology website since the last email.  

1  We have provided a web page linked on the “Worksheet all Grades &   Differentiated Instruction”  this web page will provide a list of technology emails that have been posted in chronological order.  We have done this for those of you who do not take the time to quickly look at the published updates.  This may facilitate you in keeping up with everything that is current.  Note New 02-09 is  posted in red.

2.  Located under “Work Sheets All Grades & Differentiated Instruction” you will discover link called
    “Tools for Teachers” For those of you who wish to create anything free for your class it is there.
     From Crossword puzzles to Certificates.  Note New 02-09 is posted in red.

3   You will discover on your Grade level web page a link that is called “The Big Picture”   
   This is a tremendous link allowing students and teachers to keep up with changes in the world
    through photography.  Take a minute to view it and you will see what I mean.

4.  Your school should have the following Walt Disney True life adventures by the end of this week.
    Each one of these are educational and fun to watch.
a.  DVD 1  Mysteries of the deep 24 M and Beaver Valley 32 M
b.  DVD 2  Seal Island 27 m  and   Prairie 22 M
c.  DVD 3  White Wilderness 1 Hour and 15 min

All Teachers – all grades – all subjects     Part 2 of 4

Part 1
You were previously sent an email illustrating a fresh concept involving converting Youtube videos from home to bring to school.  It was brought to my attention that several teachers have really taken off on this concept.  Please make sure you view the complete video prior to showing it in class.  You are now the filter.   You will find the conversation website with video instructions listed under Web 2.0 on our technology website.   If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email for assistance.

The students of this generation are visual learners and it is now possible for you to obtain videos from all over the world for all subjects:  History, Science, Math, Language Arts - Greek Mythology.

Still another form of visual input to you class is called the “BIG PICTURE” You find this located at your grade level.  You only need to click on Big Picture from the technology website and witness some fantastic photographs dealing with current issues.


Part 2
We are currently converting to digital DVDs, some of Walt Disney’s True Life Adventure Series.  These are all classics and most likely will never be shown again.  We will disperse the DVDs at all seven elementary schools.  Each DVD takes about a week to create.  The first DVD should be at your school this week.  The two titles are “Mysteries of the Deep” and “Beaver Valley”.  If you are a teacher at the middle or high school and would like a copy for your school please email me and we will create a set for your school also.

Part 3
If you are in need of graduate classes there are three currently running on line on the technology website.

SUBJECT:  WEB 2.0 ---  You will find this link on the main page of the technology website

Technology is changing exponentially, as such, so are the updates on the technology website.  I will only place a few changes at a time in each email so as not to overwhelm anyone.  You will uncover several links that will change the way you educate.  We have listed the following under WEB 2.0.  Take the time to explore and see how this will affect your teaching.  A few minutes now may save you countless hours you would other wise spend trying to uncover information for your class.

1.     “Today’s Front Pages”  
       Lists all the front pages of  newspapers in
       every city in the  United States and the world.  

2.    “Search me”
      A search engine that will allow you to visually
       uncover news, current events, history and
       virtually what ever you’re looking for in a
       dramatic display that must be seen.

3.     “Visual Dictionary”  A Visual Dictionary   

4.     “Convert YouTube”
      You will now be able to access the world in video format
       and bring that video to your classroom.  You will be
       the filter and uncover videos from all over the world.
       You have the ability to make your presentations come to life
       and be current.  A video with directions on how
       to do this has been provided.  If you need
       assistance please email me on this.

ALL TEACHERS:

In my travels around the district I have noticed many LCD projectors are left on when not in use.  It is imperative that you turn projectors off when not in use.  The cost of the bulb is extremely expensive.

ELEMENTARY TEACHERS:
If you plan on showing stories from the Story Web page it would be faster to download the story prior to viewing to your teachers’ shared library.

SKILLS WEB PAGE:  Click on Maps and you will discover several quality new sites that will allow you to visually illustrate and compare the following:  Maps, globes and the world with many lessons, Time around the world, Two live online satellite views of earth, satellite view and road map view of any place in the world.

YOUTUBE:  You will uncover in the near future video instructions on how to download quality videos from this site.  Several teachers have asked to have this done as there are some outstanding videos   To save time I am creating a video to show you how you may do this yourself.  This will have to be done at home since the site contains inappropriate videos for public use.

HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE MATH TEACHERS:
You will find listed under the appropriate State Standard and Indicator a website called “MATHWAY” This is a step by step math solver for General Math, Geometry, Algebra, Pre Algebra, Trigonometry, Pre-calculus, Calculus.  You will find this to be an excellent website illustrating for students step by step directions.  The site provides a teacher the ability to create a presentation to be used with their LSD projector.  This is a superior tool for facilitating and allowing an educator to better present lessons.

We have the following updates to the Technology website

High School:

1.  Can we stop the bullies?
2.  Power full words 12 words that trip up students
3. Christmas in other countries
   Found under Virtual world travel

Middle School:
1.  Can we stop the bullies?
2.  Power full words  12 words that trip up students
3. Christmas in other countries
   Found under Virtual world travel

Elementary School:
1.  Can we stop the bullies?
2.  Daily Math – Great for all grades &
    Second Grade for them.
3.  Video for Kindergarten teachers for:
    a.  How to update your report cards
    b.  Found under Videos section on website
    c.  If you need assistance please email me
4. Christmas in other countries
    Found under Virtual world travel.

High School Teachers:  

You will find outstanding videos for math lessons in preparation for SAT testing and on line quiz lessons for vocabulary for both ACT and SAT.


Elementary teaches:
You will find an excellent website listed for multiplication.  This website will allow students to learn and play online games at the same time.

Don’t forget about the list of comments that will assist you in writing your report cards.
Of course you will find many updates throughout the website in all areas since the last email.   

Help me update the websites relative to each Indictor.

Allow me to assist you by emailing me the following:  Look at the State Standard Website for your grade level and tell me which website that I have placed on there for a particular indicator is the finest.  Inform me which website is the best or second best relative to each indicator.  Using the four star system.  Once you figured that out send me an email with the following:
1.  Grade level
2.  Area on the website Math - Science – Social Studies or Language Arts.
3.  The Standard
4.  Indicator number
5.  The website number relative to the indicator and tell me if it is a 4, 3, 2, or 1 star.  Four star being the best.   I will then place them in that order that you have indicated.  You will notice that some teachers have already emailed me with updates.  If you need an example please look at 2nd grade Math.

I know this will acquire some time but in the long run it will save you hours and allow you to better use the website.

Thanks

You will find located on your grade level web page several new tools to work with in your classroom or computer lab.

1.   Smart Board Assistance:   We now have many more teachers using Smart Board, so we have placed this website on all grade levels.  You will discover written directions, digital videos and examples to assist you in creating lesson plans.  You will also find lessons designed by the Summer Graduate class posted to help you.  If you create a lesson and wish to share it with the rest of the world please send it to me as an attachment with the subject of learning, standard and indicator.

2.  Resource and Reference:   Here you will find an extremely effective use of InfOhio located on your Grade level page.   You will need a login and password if you wish to use this tool from home.   This is not necessary at school.

The login is :  Infohio    
Password is:   explore.  

If you wish to download a video for your class please do so before or after school as this will take up quite a bit of bandwidth.

Remember it is essential to look over this website.  You will find many new and updated ideas that may change your student’s perception of learning and change your pedagogy.  This website is updated twice a week.

We are sending you several short emails instead of one large one.   We hope this will allow you read the emails faster and more efficiently.

Quite a few software programs have been added to the technology website to facilitate you.  Please check this website out prior to using it in your classroom or computer Lab.

1.  Remember that your students may gain access to this website from home.  You may wish to send home an email stating this.  You may compose assignments relative to their grade, standard and indicator they are presently learning.

2. Ideas for First day of school
Go to the website listed below and then click on former site.  Look for Fun-N-Stuff.  You will find several ideas for your first week in school.