Writing Prompts ...What do you use for writing prompts?Do you have a list of topics for you and/or your students?Do you look around you for inspiration for your own writing?When I taught a 4th grade Writing class, the first thing we did each day was write for 10 minutes in our journals .... notice I said OUR ... I did it too! I replaced the Writing Teacher who retired. She left me these small flip books full of writing prompts. I also had my own collection of books of writing prompts (I think those are still in the basement now). I would have a...
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Thinkfinity in the Classroom
Posted on 07:02 by Unknown
Last week I had the pleasure of presenting one of my favorite workshops - Thinkfinity in the Classroom. One of the reasons that I like this workshop so much is because there is something for everyone in Thinkfinity. Several of us have written blog posts on what you can find in Thinkfinity and what some of our favorite partner sites are. Below is my Symbaloo from the worksh...
Thursday, 14 June 2012
The “Look” of Technology in Teaching and Learning
Posted on 18:56 by Unknown

Developing Education and Skills with Technologyhttp://destech101.blogspot.com The "Look" of Technology in Teaching and LearningThe average adult typically identifies technology with checking their email, or looking up something on the internet. As educators this thought process often transfers over into our instructional practices. We are generally less knowledgeable and far more resistant to innovation and change, than the younger...
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Because It's Fluffy!
Posted on 06:24 by Unknown

This morning I was scanning my Twitter feed and came across this tweet from @eol (Encyclopedia of Life): I checked out the website http://www.flickr.com/groups/encyclopedia_of_life/discuss/72157630109103478/ in order to find out what it was about. The Encyclopedia of Life has a contest for people to send in pictures of fluffy things. This got me to thinking about how this would be a fun activity to do in the classroom!Here are some ideas that I thought...
Monday, 11 June 2012
Technology Integration
Posted on 19:30 by Unknown

Photo by superkimboTechnology integration means more than just having computers or interactive white boards in a classroom, it is how those pieces of technology are utilized. Technology can be a powerful tool to enhance and bring curriculum to life. It can be used to empower student’s creativity and allow them to demonstrate learning through a medium other than testing. Ideally students should be given as many opportunities as possible...
Trekking Along with netTrekker!
Posted on 09:59 by Unknown
Did you know that the resources in netTrekker are aligned with the Common Core Standards?Here is something else I bet you did not know about netTrekker:The netTrekker Search is getting a new look in July which will make things easier for you!!! The new netTrekker Search interface will help you empower learning with more than 330,000 engaging, relevant digital resources aligned with State and Common Core standards!Developed in partnership with current customers, netTrekker Search will unveil a new streamlined interface in late July 2012 focused...
Sunday, 10 June 2012
Technology-Infused Classroom…3 Ring Circus?
Posted on 10:54 by Unknown

Haven’t most of us been to a circus? Elephants performing, trapeze artists flying, lions roaring, clowns clowning…our senses on overload trying to keep up! It seems completely chaotic initially, but then you slowly begin to realize the choreography, the precision and the planning that makes the “chaos” actually a finely tuned, and superbly organized performance. It’s quite amazing! And it is the technology-integrated classroom that often reminds...
Friday, 8 June 2012
Instructional Technology in the Classroom: Nicole Laster
Posted on 17:02 by Unknown

What Instructional Technology in the classroom looks like to me...I started teaching in 2003 when things were slowly changing. I had always aspired to be a teacher but I wanted to be just like Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus. I dressed up like her, had class pets like her, created lesson plans that were hands on and creative like her BUT I was missing one important thing: The Magic School Bus.(Instructional Technology in the hands of students...)Instructional...
TED Talks To Spark A Conversation
Posted on 05:16 by Unknown
Sometimes, in a group it can be hard to get a conversation started. You need that one focal point for everyone to rally around to get things moving. Videos and images are a great way to get your message out there and get folks talking. The same is true in the classroom. I can be helpful to start a unit or a topic off with some kind of visual stimulant that gets those creative thoughts moving.That is why I love the TED videos. Especially the Talks In Under 6 Minutes series. These are great, snapshots of what could be longer conversations in...
Tuesday, 5 June 2012
SMARTcon12
Posted on 10:08 by Unknown
Registration is now open for SMARTcon12. Come and join us July 19 & 20 at Speas Elementary School.Special thanks to Melissa Edwards and Evan Herreid for helping to create the picture abo...
Camp Inspire 2012
Posted on 07:48 by Unknown
A summer 2012 Blockbuster announcement....You've seen the upcoming previews for "The Amazing Spiderman", "G.I.Joe" and "The Dark Knight Rises"Now join us this summer for "Camp Inspire 2012" coming to a school near you in Winston-Salem.Yes we are excited to inform you of this year's next blockbuster event featuring an All-Star cast.With the Legendary Director Matt Barfield at the helm this event may surpass all expectations.We cannot forget Co-Writer...
Primary Source Documents and Common Core Standards
Posted on 04:49 by Unknown
Picture I took of some NC info at a nearby playgroundDo you know what is on the State Quarter for NC?Do you know what is on the license plate for the state of NC?Wright Brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903 . . . This is an event that we are proud of in NC. While the Wright Brothers were from Ohio, they had trouble finding enough winds for long periods of time for all the experimentation (and having a soft place to fall...
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