The Mailbox magazine

Mailbox magazine has partnered with Promethean Planet.  They are having a competition in which you can win fabulous prizes.  Join their forum on the Planet and read the particulars.  You could win an ActiView, an ebook, and other prizes.  They are looking for ideas to generate Mailbox flipcharts.  Right click here to download (save) a demo flipchart.

Common Core- Math

I attended a workshop this week on the new Common Core math standards.  Very interesting how different the focus of teaching will be with these new standards.  I actually think it will be better for students in that they will diminish the number of objectives covered in a year's time and allow for more depth in each standard. Another change, according to the presenters, Randy and Sue Pippen, is the focus on what the students will be learning rather than what the teacher will be teaching.  Their emphasis is on student centered learning, the standards address what the students should be doing in the classroom.  There is also an emphasis on practical application.  Here is a site that answers that question heard so often, "When am I ever going to use algebra in real life?"  Check out Get the Math. 
from the site:  Get the Math is a multimedia project about algebra in the real world. See how professionals working in fashion, videogame design, and music production use algebraic thinking. Then take on interactive challenges related to those careers. 
This looks great for middle school algebra students.

Earth Day

Have any good ideas for lessons or activities for Earth Day.  One idea is to go paperless for a day.  It's a real eye opener if you keep track of how many times you would normally pull out a sheet of paper, or worksheet.  Find some alternative methods... use the Activotes or Expressions.  Try shaving cream on the desktop for students to write in, (you'll get your desktops cleaned quite well as a bonus).  What other ideas do you have?  Share them here with a comment.

More Etherpads

As I investigate further, I have come across more sites similar to Wallwisher. 
If you are looking for a way for students to collaborate on a project, here are some etherpad sites to try out.  They are easy to use as there are no accounts that have to be created, no user names or passwords.  Just share the URL.
Here are some ideas I came across on the Planet. Thanks Dennis Warren
An etherpad may be something useful:
PiratePad: http://piratepad.net/
TypeWith.me: http://typewith.me/
Sync.in: http://sync.in/
PrimaryPad: http://primarypad.com/

Wall Wisher

Check out this new collaboration tool.  Join the conversation.... How could you use this in your classroom?

The Solar System

Lots of articles out there about improving STEM curriculum, so here's a site for the science portion.  It's a site that let's you explore the solar system.  Very cool in that you can visit each planet and get a view of our solar system from that planet.  Visit the moon for some really good visuals of phases of the moon. 
The site is called Interactive 3D Model of Solar System Planets and Night Sky

Cranes for Kids

Oshkosh clothing is looking for help in sending clothing to children affected by the devastating events in Japan.  They have origami kits available in store or for download online.  Kids can fold origami cranes, a symbol of health and well-wishes, and send them in to Oshkosh.  For every crane they receive, they will send an article of clothing to Japan. The cranes will be sent to Japanese Oshkosh stores as a symbol of support and good wishes.  If you want to help out, check out this site. Cranes for Kids