Learning . . . everyday! Even me!

Today I attended a professional development training session.  My brain is little on information overload!  However, while these awesome ideas and fresh, new, cutting-edge technology programs are fresh in my mind, I thought it would be best to share with everyone!

I have been introduced to some awesome programs to help with visual learning and presentations!

Here are a few!  Prezi which will help your presentations ZOOM!

Popplet is a great place to visually plan and organize information!

Slide Rocket is a great way to present slideshow!  The best part about this program is that it is already a part of your Google apps!  Simply log-in to your PCSC Google account, and click the "more" tab to begin.

And here is one example from the ShowMe app that I hope to learn in order to provide awesome tutorials.

 

 

I am really looking forward bringing technology to you AND making your learning experience worthwhile and FUN!

 

Happy technology-ing!  

More Web Resources for Riverside

Blog - http://riversideintermediate.blogspot.com/

Website - http://www.plymouth.k12.in.us/riverside-intermediate.html

Twitter - Riverside School ‏@PCSCRiverside

Video Book Reviews

http://www.scholastic.com/browse/video.jsp?pID=1640183585&bcpid=1640183585

Click this link to watch book "trailers" . . . just like movie trailers . . . to help you find a good-fit book!

My Big Campus - Parents link!

Hello parents!  I have created a group in My Big Campus . . .  just for YOU!  This way, you can access information, assignments, calendars, etc.  Follow this link to join the group.  https://www.mybigcampus.com/groups/parents---279380

Riverside Announcements Via Podcast

To learn how to watch Riverside's daily announcements via podcast, watch this quick tutorial via YouTube.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWWBTSNgbSo&feature=plcp

Give with Target!

Click this link to vote for Riverside to receive Target gift cards!  https://givewith.target.com/schools/20703

Help My Class Earn Free Books!

Click on the above link to order from my scholastic web-site!   Our class code is GQJZZ.

Gearing up for a new school year!

Tomorrow is day one out of 180 days of learning for the 2012-2013 school year. It is currently 10:42 p.m., and I have finally put the finishing touches on my plans for tomorrow. I have seating charts and schedules finalized, a classroom that looks amazing (pat on the back to myself), activities lined up to set the tone for the school year, and inspiration in my heart. Whew! And that is just the teacher side of me that is ready. From a parent perspective, back packs are ready, clothes are ironed and ready to wear, lunches are packed, and my kiddos have already been snoozing for at least 2 hours in anticipation of their big day tomorrow as well. Lucas will be a 3rd grader and Mads will be in 2nd. Being so busy with preparing my own classroom doesn't afford me the time to really reflect on the fact that they are getting so big, so fast. So, there you have the teacher perspective, the parent perspective . . . do you want the personal perspective? I have my outfits narrowed down to two, my morning (5:15 A.M.) running clothes are ready for my morning session of sweat, and I am nervous I won't sleep a wink. Even though I am tired, my brain is wired . . . it doesn't matter how many times I have prepared for a first day of school, I STILL get butterflies! Maybe that's my clue that I am in the right profession :) Here's to a good sleep, a good run with friends, and students that like their teacher tomorrow (and a teacher that likes her students!) Good night!

NBC Learn

http://archives.nbclearn.com/portal/site/k-12

Web 2.0

http://eol.plymouth.k12.in.us/Resources/Web2-0/index.html 

EXCELLENT RESOURCES!  Jump on it!

Renaissance Place - AR

Renaissance Place!  This is Accelerated Reader's home, and there are many new guidelines for AR this school year.

Here are a few:

1.  Students must earn 25 AR points each quarter (nine weeks) from books within appropriate lexile ranges.
2.  Each student's account will be double-password protected.  Each student will login with his/her assigned AR password, plus a teacher password, called a "monitor password" must be entered by a classroom teacher or librarian.  All AR tests must be taken in the presence of an adult to ensure the integrity of the program.
3.  AR will be worth 100 points of the final quarter grade for quarters 1 and 2.  AR will be worth 150 points of the final quarter grade for quarters 3 and 4.
4.  A grading scale will be provided in a course syllabus.

Achieve3000

www.achieve3000.com This is the link to Achieve 3000.  This program is AMAZING!  Riverside's 2011-2012 6th graders ROCKED this program!  I am looking forward to another year of reading, writing, and critical thinking growth through this program.  More details to follow :)

Let the Reading Begin

So, this is the week that I do a revved up review of my favorite classroom management books/resources, plus add a new book or two.  Kind of like "cramming" before the big test.  This week I have devoured a new book to help my students to be even more engaged.  I am intrigued! 

Not everyone understands the complete gift of summer vacation.  Yes, I have fun.  Yes, I unwind.  Yes, I let my mind, body, and soul relax and recharge.  Trust me; you want your child's teacher to have this break!  I look at the summer months as a true, honest-to-goodness gift . . . a gift to me, my own children, but especially to my students.  The break gives me an opportunity to lick my wounds, clear my head, de-clutter, re-organize, and prepare for another amazing year of educating these astounding adolescents.  I like to live in a world of rainbows and butterflies!  Reality slaps me in the face quite a bit, but I still enjoy sharing a smile, a pat on the back, and a true-genuine compliment.  Summer vacation helps me to return to the teacher I really am at heart. 

Now, I could stay that teacher all year long if . . . if there weren't deadlines, grading, incomplete homework, sloppy penmanship, fragment sentences, poor attitudes, and apathy (just to name a few).  For the most part, my world of rainbows and butterflies will remain a figment of my imagination.  In the meantime, I will savor the gift of summer vacation, optimize its benefits to my mental sanity, and give my students my 100%!  Until then . . . I will be reading.