Ruth’s Ruckus2

I am forever getting great stuff from folks in my PLN.  Two websites that I was introduced to recently are interesting:  This first one – Kidblog looks promising and will need to be sanctioned by OITMS before anyone uses it.  The premise is the same as classblogmeister – simple safe blogging for students. Instructional blogging – like writing prompts, journal entries and literature circles.  The interface of the Kidblog platform is clean, slick and updated.  I haven’t played with it at all to see if it has the same features as the blogmeister.  We’ll have to see…

The other site is  Carrotsticks.com – it’s a math game.  It’s very cute and just for practice in basic math facts.  The only part that is free is the addition part, but I played and had fun.  “competed with two other kids” and even had a progress report and achievement certificate sent to “my parents” email address.  I think there may be some real use for this in a classroom setting.

I was thinking about doing a series of posts about Christmas.  You know technology integrated sites or something.  I had almost given up on the idea, when I saw this…

I actually got the link for this from my supervisor, Karen Streeter.  It’s a fun exercise…I could think of several ways to use it in a classroom:

• Writing prompt
• animal adaptations
• voicethread prompt

Anyway, here’s my wild self…you can give it a try at http://www.buildyourwildself.com/

The VDOE and the Profesor Garfield Foundation have teamed up to give us a new Internet Safety resource.  the Infinite Learning Lab site has Internet Safety information for parents, teachers and students.  check it out!

I’ve never tried Animoto before.  Heard lots of good things, but just couldn’t get around to it.  I just suggested a teacher try it, so I thought it might be a good idea to follow my own advice…tell me what you think.

I was getting ready for my Web 2.0 class, and came across this video.  Thought it was so funny that I wanted to share…

I found out about this new search tool while reading the CRSTE newsletter .  I searched for Educational Technology  and was amazed at the articles, videos, blog posts, pictures, clipart etc.  all returned in a visual format.  Definitely a cool resource that I will bookmark.

The TRTs are working on completing 21 things for 21st century teaching…Here is my first post…a new avatar.  Many thanks to Rosemary B.  the librarian at Wilson for introducing me to this site.

Got an email about a great new find from fellow TRT, Brian McKee. Sheppard Software is a great site with tons of interactive activities.  I’d love to help some of you try it out in the classroom…