Found a fun site that uses google maps for spelling fun. It's called, Geo Greeter. I created a message that you can view. They have found buildings and structures around the world that look like letters. Check it out.

http://www.geogreeting.com/view.html?yGrsDoCsnoUGkBBsyBC

Actiview

We have a new tool in our technology arsenal. We have acquired new document cameras for each building. These are from Promethean and have familiar software. I will be coming around to each teacher computer (eventually, please be patient with me) to install the software. It is very easy to use, I will type up some basic directions and they will be stored in the bag that the camera comes in. I am trying to collect some ideas for enhancing your curriculum with this new tool. Remember, it's not about the cool "toys", its about students learning. If those tools can enhance learning, great! To quote a blog I read, 'It is not what happens on the IWB that matters, it is what happens because of what happens on the IWB that counts'. (IWB = interactive white board, by the way)

I belong to a number of list servs and this week's S.O.S., Help for Busy Teachers caught my eye. Kathy Schrock, director of technology for Nauset Public Schools in MA posts "Sites of the School Days" weekly and this week she had an interesting website named "Museum of Online Museums". http://www.coudal.com/moom/ It is a hot list of a huge variety of museums and collections, some brick and mortar places like The Smithsonian, and others, online collections. There are some of your standard museums like the The National Gallery in Washington, D.C., and then some very odd collections like "The Art of Shivs" or "The LP Lover". She states: " I'm not sure these are all appropriate for students of all ages since I did not visit every one, but there are some very interesting and fun collections highlighted here"
Check it out. There may be a site of interest you can use in your class. Nothing like a field trip to spark some enthusiasm, and an online field trip is so much easier to do.

ISAT practice

ISAT is going to be here before you know it and I'm sure many of you are sloggin your way through reviewing all of the objectives and goals. I have put together a few sites that will allow you to take practice tests (from IL and other states) together with your students. If you go to my website http://mrspirmann.net/ and click on the 4th grade button, I have listing a few sites that are available for standardized testing practice. These are in standardized format, multiple choice questions. Under the "testing" section on the 4th grade page, you will see links to VA state testing site, Jefferson Labs practice test, and ISAT practice tests. You can pull these up and review with the whole class. Choose your grade level and subject. (other state standardized tests should be similar for math and reading. Social studies and science goals may differ though)

One way to "spice it up" a bit for your students could be to use the Activotes or Activexpressions with these practice questions. If you use the Express Poll button you can have the students respond to the questions with the Votes or Expressions and then see the results immediately. What a great way to assess their readiness. If you click on this link it will take you to the directions on how to use Express Poll with Activotes/Expressions. http://mrspirmann.net/learnerresponsesystem.pdf .