Have you seen the grant opportunity from Learning Resources?
Learning Resources announces the sponsorship of a teacher grant hosted by WeAreTeachers.
To apply, teachers must answer this question:
“How would you use portable interactive technology to create collaborative lessons?”
After the application process concludes, educators can invite colleagues to vote for their favorite lesson ideas. Each of the three top vote getters will win a set of three now!Boards and three GeoSafari Tuff Cams, a prize package valued at $2,000.
Additionally, two merit-based winners selected by a panel of teachers will each win one now!Board and one GeoSafari Tuff Cam, a total value of $700.
Teachers can apply for the grant online through May 22, 2012.
For more information and to apply for the grant, visit
It was time to assess for Time to the hour and half hour today...so I thought we'd do a scoot to help us have a little movement and fun during the process.
If you're not familiar with the game of Scoot, here's my best description....
Questions on cards are put on each child’s desk.
Each student needs a copy of the record sheet to participate in the assessment.
Place a numbered task or question card on each student’s desk.
Students move from desk to desk reading and recording the answer to the task question on their record sheet.
If they are at number 1 desk, they answer in the number 1 box on the record sheet.
When you say SCOOT, they move to the next desk.
Practice moving from desk to desk so that students understand how and where to write their answers on the record sheet to correspond with the number of task card on the desk they are at each time.
Once students return to the desk they started the assessment is finished.
It was a very successful assessment and fun to boot!
I did add a desk that had enough smarties for each child to eat one while they were at that desk for their turn....Mary Lirette from Mrs. Lirette's Learning Detectives had a great suggestion at the TN Blogger Meet up in Lebanon, TN last weekend...she said when she does the scoot she always adds a brain station desk to give them a break and something to look forward to....It worked like a charm! Thanks, Mary!
I've been using the Luna Interactive Projection Camera in my room for about 3 weeks and I LOVE the interactive ability of this lightweight product! It connects into my computer which is connected into my projector and allows the entire class to see what I'm manipulating much like the flexcam I was using. However, this little darling can take pictures and video a lesson while you're teaching....talk about the ability to revisit a lesson! The ability to turn on the light means I can darken the room and the kids can still see the manipulative, book, or page projected on the screen!
We recently did a project on Llamas....You can read about it HERE...
As we were busy filling out the Tree Map and drawing the llamas, I was able to take a couple of photos to keep on hand for those students that didn't quite finish with the group or were absent.
They were able to use the photos from the Luna to help them complete their projects!
And I've got a visual for next year if we get around to doing a llama project again :)
Students were able to share the stories they created using the Luna Interactive Projection Camera. After they wrote their stories about Llamas, they were able to bring them up under the Luna and record their reading of the story they created. I can now add these recordings to the final iMovie project or just share a treat with a parent.
If you're a TBA follower, you may have had the opportunity to read my post on the card game I use with my groups to practice double digit subtraction without regrouping. I was able to use the Luna to record the way we play the game on video so that I can share the directions without having to write them down for those interested in playing the game...my parents can also easily understand how to play the game with their children at home...
I created a worksheet to go along with the game so the kids could practice their skills on paper.
You can download a copy HERE or by clicking on the picture below.
16 lovely ladies got together at Demo's in Lebanon, TN yesterday for a blog stalking luncheon.
It was delicious food and fabulous talk! Hope everyone had as much fun as I did!
Our Demo's waiter was very kind to sit us near a beautiful window and with tables that were split so we could "somewhat" talk across without yelling too loud :)
Jennifer and Shannon were so sweet to create and share M & M jars of treats as well as water bottles with tea powder. Thanks!
Markeeta (with her beautiful daughter) and Tangelia
Becky, Heather D. and Heather S.
Jessica and Staci
Laura (the organizer), Mary, and Asha
Kelli (thinking about the bloggin' thing) and Kerri
I had a great time getting to know these wonderful ladies and talk some teacher talk over our hmmm...3 hour lunch of yummy italian food from Demo's...Thanks to our awesome waiter! Service was great and efficient....food was delicious!...and the day was a success!
Now back to the planning and getting ready for another wonderful week at school...
Here's a free download for EnVision Topic 20....subtraction without regrouping.
This is one technology tool that has become a fast favorite of my class!
Students are able to learn how to manipulate the buttons on the microphone to record their voices easily. The design of the microphone encourages even the most reluctant readers to speak up and read with more expression!
Small Group Readers Use Easy Speak for expression and fluency practice...
I've been using the Easy Speak USB Recorder in my small reading groups to encourage the kids to read with expression as well as work on their fluency. It's unique design helps them to hold the recorder close to their mouths and get a good recording of their voice as they read. As students read their leveled readers in the group, I'm able to move the microphone from student to student. After each student has had an opportunity to read during the group, we can easily replay the story on the microphone and make positive comments about our tone of voice or make suggestions as to how to read a sentence with a different inflection.
Reluctant readers enjoy reading a little more with this wonderful microphone shaped recorder. They can practice reading their decodable readers into the Easy Speak. When they listen to their voices reading, they make comments like, "I can do better than that. Can I try again?".....my answer....YES!!!
I've even found that the Easy Speak is a useful tool for those students that have a difficult time staying on task during our Independent AR Reading block. I have a couple darlings that have a little trouble focusing in on the reading part of the Independent Reading Time...they tend to wonder the room looking for a book to read (even when they've been given a book to read)....search for a spot to sit (even when we've talked about where to sit during the reading time)....and on and on...
This week, I whipped out the magic Easy Speak microphone and told one of my darlings that they could record the book they were reading during independent time. I usually ask that they read a book 2 times before taking the AR test....so... this friend recorded the book....then listened back to the recording for their second reading. Talk about enthusiastic! This darling wanted to record their book again because they didn't like the way they sounded on one part of the reading....You mean....You WANT to read it again?????? Well.... Sure!!!!
Big Bonus...this child made a 100% on their AR test after reading and listening to their recording on this unique little microphone....no prodding from me! YEAH! Worth the money right there!
I have several readers that are extremely good at reading....but still working on their expression. I've seen a marked improvement in their oral reading with this product just over the last two weeks. The ability to be independent in making the recordings and the instant feedback of listening to what they sound like right away has been a tremendous help to my kiddos!
If you're a Reading Street teacher, you may know that most of the Advanced Leveled Readers are available for AR tests... I've been having the Advanced Readers use the Easy Speak to record the leveled readers they are practicing. Then children that might not be confident enough to read these leveled books on their own can now listen to their classmates help them read the story on their own and take an AR test with a little help from their friends!
Bottom Line....
Lots of bang for your buck!
Fun for all!
Useful technology tool!
Check out how easy it is to use....
Learning Resources is so generous to allow me to give one of these cuties away!
1. Check out Learning Resources on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or visit their wonderful website to see all they have available for you at Learning Resources leave me a comment to tell me what you think you might do with the Easy Speak USB Recorder.
2. Follow my blog and leave me a comment with your email that you are a follower.
3. Blog about the give away on your own blog and leave me a comment with your blog post URL
and your email.
4. Follow me on Twitter and leave me a comment with your email.
