Nibs from Nancy

A fellow TRT, Christine Munroe, recently sent a link to an interesting site that features panoramic views of locations.  When you watch the panoramic view, it’s like you are at that location, and turning around in place to see everything that is around you.  It’s the next best thing to being there. Immediately, the wheels [...]

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A fellow TRT, Ruth Okoye, found this tool recently.  It’s a little different.  You enter a word, and up pops an interesting window with results including all kinds of media.  http://www.spezify.com/ I tried to see what would happen if I entered math, and the results were really interesting.    It’s a little busy for kids, but might be OK [...]

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I am relating some information recently conveyed regarding Max values.  If you are a K-2 teacher, or a 3-6 teacher that is linking objectives to assignments to calculate academic and objective scores for your students in your  GradeBook, then this applies to you.  K-2 teachers must use a max value of 100 on all assignments [...]

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We are in the process of launching our version of ”23 things” or “21 Things” for various groups in Portsmouth Public Schools.  The idea is not original, and is actually an adaptation of an adaptation.  (Stephen Abram’s 43 things and Helene Blower’s 23 things)   The  idea is simple and fun.  Find  various online resources and tools, provide opportunities [...]

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Choose character, add choice of hair/eyes/backgrounds/bling , then insert text, and voila…you have a speaking VOKI avatar.  An avatar is a character that might be useful for various things.  They can be created and added to websites, wikis, blogs, NINGS.  This avatar has the ability to speak.  What you are seeing right here is just a screen [...]

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At the end of last year, the TRTs put together some  K-6 teaching resources for Science and Social Studies.   These are located on the school media drive which is available while you are at school.   (Sorry…it’s not available from home.)   To find these, go to My computer>Network Drives> “Media on cpri” .  They are located on the [...]

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When I read the article in Tech & Learning by Joyce Valenza, 14 Ways K-12 Librarians Can Teach Social Media, I had to sit back and smile.  I loved the opening line that said that now “is the best time in history to be a teacher-librarian.”   The article features lots of ideas and sources.  Right now we [...]

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A colleague, Brian McKee,  shared a cool site with me.   Thanks, Brian!  And now, I want to share with you!   It’s called Sheppard software and has all kinds of goodies to support instruction.    http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/ I saw games, interactive activities and more.  It supports the basic content areas and has  a few others thrown in for good measure.  I [...]

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This week we are meeting during planning periods to take a look at document cameras.  With this set-up, you have the capability to display  documents, 3-D objects and so much more.  They can be used as a mobile system, consisting of the document camera, laptop, and data projector on a cart, or can be used [...]

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Some folks are doing some things in the GradeBooks that will cause issues. Here are few do’s and don’ts regarding those things: 1.  If your classes or students are incorrect, you must see the  SASI clerk, Ms. Crosson, in the Office.  She is the one that will make any necessary changes.   This is done through SASI. Typical issues [...]

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