Our Chicago Trip

Green Screening Video

I took a class this week and one of the great things I learned is how to green screen myself on to a video file and/or still image! So fun!
Here is the link to my YouTube video! Enjoy!

Boys Adrift - Dr. Sax

This is the sequel to Why Gender Matters. I found it quite interesting. Basically, he discusses why boys are having a tough time having that drive to succeed.
#1 - We need to let Kindergarten be what it used to be. Focus on reading in 1st/2nd grade. The expectations at 5 for a boy to read is too early. They need more movement in school. The expectation for them to sit still for long periods is difficult.
#2 - Limit Video Games. Engagement in the REAL world is good. They shouldn't play video games in which they are the "bad" guy shooting the police or figures of authority, like an officer. This gives them the ideas that it might be ok to kill the "good" guy.
#3 - ADHD medications. They are finding that the effect of taking medications for ADHD are actually CHANGING the demeanor of children and they are turning out to be different beings even AFTER they are off the meds.
#4 - Endocrine Distruptors - basically, the polyethylene terephthatlate seeping out of plastic bottles in which they drink soda/water from is distrupting their hormone/testosterone development.
#5 - Loss of Positive Role Models - restoring the bond between generations.

If any of this peaks your interest, I would recommend checking this one out!
Below are the links to his page and to some sites that talk about endocrine distruptors and our current environmental situation.

www.boysadrift.com
www.ourstolenfuture.com
www.noharm.org

Heather Fish 3M projector video first draft

My Friend Dan...

This was created on the "speechable" site. Interesting...

It saves as a .png and you can email and link to family and friends...

My Voki

Get a Voki now!

DEN Midwest Conference

iVelvet, iShelly, and iPam went to Glen Ellyn, IL for the DEN Midwest Conference this weekend! We learned a lot, ate a lot, and had a GREAT time!!! Bonus - Velvet won a prize!!

R U a Google Educator?

Google is holding their teacher academy in Chicago on September 24th!! So close to us! Applications must be in by August 24th!
Click here for more info...

Games

I envision that gaming could be a way to engage our students and keep them learning. It would be great if the MAPS test could just be a game. I believe the data would be more accurate.
GLS - Right here in Madison!

Involve the teachers...

The key to building our learning community...take the time to involve the teachers and teach them. I look forward to the time I will have to do that next year.


Learning to Change

Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

Would you like to win a new computer lab for your school?

Each week on the show, they have a "club question" that was submitted by a student. If your question is selected, you win a new computer lab for your school.
The questions need to be geared towards 1st-5th curriculum.
Go to Are you Smarter than a 5th grader? and click on "Classroom Club Challenge" to download the entry form.
Good luck!