Math Teachers...the newest set of Stella's Stunners is now available

Set number 13 has just been published. All of the problems can be downloaded, copied and pasted into your formative assessements.  Stella's Stunners is a collection of more than 600 nonroutine mathematics problems. Problems range from simple visual problems, requiring no specific mathematical background, to problems that use the content of pre-algebra up through pre-calculus.

Suggestions for Modifying a Blog to allow for students to post and comment

Download a brief handout that will offer you some suggestions and options.  One thought that is always worthy of considering, is that you have the ability to read any student comment prior to its posting.

Who designed the transatlantic cable?

When you mention the name Samuel Finley Breese Morse to people, they immediately think of the telegraph.  Did you know that in the 1850's he submitted a design for the transatlantic cable? To read Morse's manuscripts (and those of Jefferson, Lincoln and many others), goto the Online Collections of the Manuscripts Division at the Library of Congress. 

Knoema’s World Data Atlas: A Great Online Tool for Social Studies

The Knoema World Data Atlas is a knowledge platform  (pronounced ‘No Ma’) that offers a plethora of social, economic, geographic and political data on every country of the world and connects that data to analytical and presentation tools. It represents a uniformed platform where users can access, present and share data-driven content. You can access data from multiple sources, assemble relevant indicators in one space, visualize figures, apply analytical functions, create a set of dashboards and present your results.

Knoema includes more than 500 interactive data sets! 

The most obvious connection to social studies is with grades 5-8 where students identify, describe, classify and compare regions of the world.

Watch a brief online video about Knoema.

Common Core lessons

All of these lessons have been developed by teachers and submitted to the public domain.

  

Classroom folders for Google Docs

gClassFolders is a free, Google Spreadsheet based add-on for Google Apps for EDU that creates class folders for students and teachers to simplify and streamline their experience of using Google's world class productivity and collaboration tools in the classroom.

Common Core ELA Standards with Technology by Grade Level

Thanks to Jessica Wilson , a tech integrationist at CSSU for putting together the list.

Grade short answer Google forms with Flubaroo

If you use Google Form as a formative assessment tool, you need to consider using Flubaroo.

Flubaroo is free!  The directions are are easy enough fior an adult to follow.  Besides getting a quick review all of yiour students' results, one of the administrative options allow you to email results to each of your students.

Blogger Handouts for Vita-Learn workshop @ Bellows Falls

Before you begin to develop a Google web site you must have a Google account.  If you use gmail, you already have one!  If not, go to create a Google Account and sign up for one.  (It's free!)
Below are some of handouts that might prove helpful:

·         New! Blogger getting started guide

·         another getting started guide for Google’s Blogger

·         19 page tutorial on Google web pages

·         Adding a wordprocessed file and a picture to a blogger post

·         how do you make a file that you have created available on your Google web site

·         linking your parent newsletters to Google blogger web site

·         removing the Navigation Bar and the Next blog button on the top of a Blogger web page

·         Google Docs known issues; workarounds and updates on reported problems

·         Add your Google calendar to your Google Blog

·         linking a file from your desktop to a Blogger post

·         adjusting the width of your Blogger posts

·         embedding a slideshow into blogger

·         Customize your Blog; adding gadgets (links, pictures, page view counters, etc.)

·         replacing the Blogger search box with a search box that actually searches your blog

·         changing the width of post or sidebar columns

·         removing the date/date header from a Blogger post

·         allow people to get new posts by email

·         adding the Common Core widget to your blog

New Spanish Resources from Common Sense Media

Spanish Resources

Common Sense Media now has student-facing Spanish Resources for our K-12 Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum and Digital Passport, in addition to their family media resources.

• NEW: Student-Facing Lesson Materials. Found on the right-hand side of each lesson page in our curriculum under the Materiales en español heading.
• NEW: Scope and Sequence [PDF].

• NEW: Curriculum Overview [PDF].

• NEW: Student-Facing Materials for Digital Passport. Found in the Educator Materials tab, student handouts, missions, and certificates.

• Family Tip Sheets (click Spanish to view). Provide advice about current issues related to the age-appropriate topics we addres in our K-12 Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum.

• Family Media Agreements [PDF]. Encourage families to discuss expectations for media and technology use at home.

• Customizable Device Contract [PDF]. Establish guidelines for responsible device care. 
• Advice for Families Videos. Covering topics such as social media, setting limits, and managing app use by preschoolers.

Southeast VITA-Learn meeting-Bellows Falls Union High School on Nov. 21 from 3:30-5:30

You will have two topics to choose from

iPad as a Dynamic Teaching Tool  or Using Blogger as a Classroom Website

iPad as a Dynamic Teaching Tool  presented by Michael Nieckoski

The iPad is a game-changing technology for the classroom that makes instruction and learning something that can literally be held in the hand. This workshop will show some ways that this remarkable device can be used by teachers to present material in their classrooms: by sharing the iPad screen; by using the cameras and connectivity in the classroom, and as an interactive feedback tool. Topics will include: hardware needed; app suggestions for presentations, interactive lessons, and for classroom feedback (some free, some not as free).

Please bring with you to the session:

your iPad or iPad Mini

2)your Apple ID and password and,

one or two ideas or lesson plans that you’d like to teach using the iPad as your primary delivery device. Please ensure that you have the capability of downloading and installing apps on your device.

Blogger as a Classroom Website by Art Skerker

Blogger can be used as a great tool for a classroom website or as an addition to an already existing classroom website.  Need to communicate immediately events that are happening in your classroom or want a venue for your students to share what they are learning then come and try blogger.  Classroom photos, student work, graphs, drawings, and writeups can all be added to your blog easily.   Bring a connected device and ideas of things you would like to share.

The meetings will have great snacks, certificates to document  your PD and dinner at 5:30 for anyone who would like to stay.   Dinner is a great time to troubleshoot, ask questions and collaborate with others.

Please rsvp by clicking here and filling out the form

The southeast VITA-Learn PD meetings rely on those of you who get this email to get the WORD out.  PLEASE forward this email to your staff, tech committees, principals, curriculum coordinators!!!!!  ANYONE  who you can think of that would benefit from these sessions.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.  

Christina Smith

christina.smith@wnesu.com

Where did the apps go?

You are reading your wsesu.net email and want to look at your calendar, Google + or one of the other apps that were always on the top left of the screen...where did they go?  They are still accessible but you now have to click on the apps icon which is on the top right. 

Chromebook basics

Are you a new Chromebook teacher?  A number of questions have arisen from staff members as to how Chromebook use will change the way that they teach.  I've prepared a folder that will hopefully provide some incite.  The folder contains a bunch of handouts including:

• creating groups and mailing lists,
• creating or deleting a folder in your Google Drive,
• creating a link to send out a Google Form,
• Google Form basics (the Form is a wonderful formative assessement tool),
• how to share a Google Doc,
• setting up offline access, and
• viewing a Google Doc offline

Add the CommonCore widget to your website

Copy and paste the following into a gadget that accepts HTML


<div id="_MC_ccapp_widget"><script src="http://www.masteryconnect.com/learn-more/cmsjs/widget.js"></script></div>

Once saved, a widget will appear on the right side of your web page that provides CommonCore information.

FREE Virtual Conference and Expo—High Tech Online Professional Development for K-12 Educators and Tech Staff!

The award-winning producers of FETC and T.H.E. Journal invite you to participate in the FETC Virtual Conference & Expo fall event, focused on exploring the most pressing issues related to 21st Century Skills. This 100% online event brings several valuable education technology presentations straight to your desktop at your convenience.  (Free Registration and additional information )