Behind the Scenes with the Google Doodlers: Live from the Googleplex

Have you ever wondered who designs Google doodles - the quirky, spontaneous changes to the Google logo? Join the talented group of Google illustrators and engineers LIVE on an exclusive behind-the-scenes view into how the Google doodles are created. The Google doodlers will even participate in a live doodle-off …determined by YOUR votes.

Students can get in on the action by submitting their very own doodle to the Doodle 4 Google art competition. I know I've mentioned before, but Doodle 4 Google is an annual program that invites K-12 students in the U.S. to use their artistic talents to think big and redesign the Google homepage logo for millions to see. Tune in today, March 1st, to learn more about this year’s competition and amazing prizes; one talented student artist will see their artwork appear on the Google homepage, win a $30,000 college scholarship, and a $50,000 technology grant for their school.  

Click the "Register" button on this webpage to sign-up for this first-ever live event from the Googleplex, brought to you by Discovery Education and Google.  

No special equipment is needed to view this event online. All you need is an internet connected computer (and a way to share with students - projector and speakers). Students will have the chance to submit questions to ask live.  If you can't make it at the live time, you can still register for the event and then you will be notified when the archive is available soon after the live event. 

Also, don't forget, Doodle 4 Google submissions are due on March 22nd.  This would be a great project for students to work on in between ISAT tests.  You can click here to download the submission form OR let me know and I'd be happy to make copies for your class!    It would be awesome to have some Roosevelt students enter!

End Your Email Overload

Yesterday, I read about a new service called "Unroll.me".

Unroll.me is a free and easy way to end unwanted e-mail subscriptions and rollup the rest into an organized overview made just for you if you are using gmail or 

Unroll.me makes managing your subscription list easy. Simply select the emails that are overloading your inbox, and we'll automatically unsubscribe you all at once.

If you change your mind, there's always time to reselect a subscription. Plus your privacy is our top priority. We don't even peek at your personal emails (promise).

It's the cleanest, leanest in-box format we've ever seenest. And we mean it. At a glance, our Rollup offers a daily summary of your subscriptions.

Our inbox rollup is so intuitive that it even organizes and prioritizes each email and automatically puts it into its own individual Rollup category as it comes in (crazy cool, huh?). This keeps your individual rollups streamlined and clean.

I installed Unroll.me both on my work and personal email last night and this morning I woke up to a cleaner inbox!  I was shocked!   All of my emails from different stores and companies were compacted into one e-mail that I can read either in the morning, midday, or evening (your choice).   I also now have a folder in my emails that has all of the emails, just in case I can't wait to read the digest when it comes.  I'm going to be honest, I checked the folder to see if I really did get the emails.    I noticed more of a difference in my personal email as I didn't have all of the coupons and such bugging me first thing when I looked in my email.   I also didn't realize how many email subscriptions I had!   I was able to unsubscribe from many of the ones I never read or didn't want any with a click of a button.

Let me know if you want help trying it!   If you have a lot of email subscriptions, this is something I would seriously take the time to look at.   Starting using it took minutes and is so worth it!

Class Dojo

On Monday morning, I started my day in Berwyn School District #100 touring one of their elementary schools as well as one of their middle schools.   We were observing Berwyn's awesome 1 to 1 program, which I thought was beyond amazing.  While touring the school, one of the teachers was using Class Dojo - an interactive tool that helps with classroom management.  I had read about Class Dojo before, however, never had seen it in action.   After seeing it in action on Monday, then showing it to a few teachers today, I think it would be an awesome tool for any classroom teacher!

What is ClassDojo?

ClassDojo is a classroom tool that helps teachers improve behavior in their classrooms quickly and easily. It also captures and generates data on behavior that teachers can share with parents and administrators.  Better learning behaviors, smoother lessons and hassle-free data - and its free! 

How does it work?

ClassDojo improves behavior in class with just one click of a smartphone, laptop, or tablet.

Instantly reinforce good behavior.

Easily award feedback points for behavior in class in real-time, with just one click of your smartphone or laptop. This actually improves behavior.

Engage students in minutes.

ClassDojo provides instant notifications for your students (‘Well done Josh! +1 for teamwork!’). All fully customizable for your classroom.

Get hassle-free data and reports.

ClassDojo gives you behavior-tracking analytics and reports that can be shared with parents and administrators, all with just one click. No data entry needed, ever.

The video below is a great way to introduce Class Dojo to your students.  If you want to see more or want help setting this up for your classroom, let me know and I'd be happy to help!  

An Educational Cookie?

This weekend, I stumbled across a great website for my primary friends, Cookie.

At cookie, child experts and educators design interactive online games for kids. Their learning games for kids help in building skills needed for success in school. While playing fun educational games, kids learn to read with phonics, build skills in math, language, social studies, science and much more. Their educational videos encourage children to keep learning, even after school hours.

This looks like a great website to have students use during centers or at home for extra practice.   Let me know what you think!

Teacher Directed Collaboration

I know I mentioned this at the last building meeting, however, I know many people were still busy filling out the survey.  

Since the Teacher Directed Collaboration Wednesdays are new to all of us this year, the teachers on the staff development committee have created a document to be used across the district.  This document will allow you to offer something that you would like to teach to another group or work on with other teachers.  It will also allow you to post something you are looking to learn.  Other teachers across the district can then sign up to learn from you or sign up to teach you.  We are hoping this will help facilitate more collaboration across the district.  

Here is a link to the shared document.  You can also find a link to the district shared document on our staff portal on the left hand side under Staff Documents.   

Here is a link to a video which will explain how to add your name to the document as if can be quite confusing.    The video was made by the Lincoln ITC, so the portal may look a little different, but the shared document works the same way. 

Let me know if you have any questions about how to add to the document.  

I'm always happy to help!   

Are you looking for a fun way to organize your school library?

If you have an iPhone or an iPad, here is an app for you.   With Books you can easily catalog your entire book library, group related books together, recommend your favorite books to your friends and family and keep track of who has borrowed your books.

Read more below, but if you are interested in trying this in your classroom, let me know - I'd love to help you with it!

Look at all of the awesome stuff you can do!

Easily add books to your catalog

• Import your books using your iPhone's built-in camera (iPhone 3GS / iPhone 4 required).

• Import books by scanning images in your Photo Library.

• You can also enter a list of ISBN numbers and BooksApp will import the books for you.

Organize your catalog

• Edit the information about your books. You can add a rating, personal notes, change the description, etc.

• Use the integrated cover art search to find higher resolution or alternate versions of your book covers.

• Create and manage collections to keep related books together.

• Browse your books by collection, series, author, publisher, etc.

Share your catalog

• Recommend books via Twitter or Email.

• Keep track of your book loans.

Upgrade to BooksApp Pro for $3.99

• Remove ads.

• Exchange lists of books with other BooksApp users. You can email a list of books in CSV format and open the ones you receive directly from Mail app.

• Backup your library and transfer it to other iOS devices.

App of the Week: Presidents vs. Aliens

In honor of President's Day....

App of the Week:  Presidents vs. Aliens

What is it?

Presidents vs. Aliens focuses on basic presidential facts such as nicknames, quotes, dates in office, political Party, predecessors and successors, historical events and more. You can use the 44 president flash cards to refresh your knowledge of the presidents or jump right in and start playing. For every level you complete in the game, you earn a randomly chosen president.  There are two bonus games included with Presidents vs. Aliens: Heads of State and Executive Order.  Heads of State shows pictures of the presidents floating in space and it’s up to you to correctly identify them.  Executive Order randomizes the presidents and your goal is to arrange them in the correct chronological order.   

Who is it for?

You can adjust the difficulty of the game by choosing which types of questions you’re asked. Young children can start by focusing on identifying the presidents from their pictures.  Older children and teachers can dive deeper into historical events, political parties and more.

If you want help using this with your students, let me know!  I'm happy to help!

Check out this Kid News Reporter

Want to travel to Antartica?

I'm a little on the fence too, however, we have the opportunity to travel to Antartica via a Roosevelt Family, the Cham's.  Mr. & Mrs. Cham are on an adventure currently in Antartica.  Mr. Cham is blogging about the experience.   You can check it out by clicking here.   He is attempting to communicate with his family as well as his son's first grade class while on this adventure.   He is writing in great details and could be a great resource to share with your kids if studying continents, oceans, or arctic animals.    Or after reading an entry or two, having your students journal about if they would ever want to go on this type of expedition.   I know that I'm most likely going to travel to Antartica, but I'm pretty excited about following someone else's adventure!  If you have any questions for Mr. Cham, you can leave them in the comments or send them to me and I'll pass them on!

New Changes in Google Forms

Google Forms is one of my favorite things to use of the Google products... and it's just getting better!   Please watch this video below to see the new improvements.   We aren't seeing them in our Google accounts just yet... but change is coming!!!

Almost Famous...

Check out the article about virtual field trips at Roosevelt by clicking here.

Enjoy!

Have You Subscribed to CoreStand's Core Weekly Yet?

What is Core Stand?

CoreWeekly is a fun and engaging way to integrate Common Core literacy skills into existing courses and to prod students to become globally minded by studying the issues which shape our world. Included in their weekly e-mails are two metacognitive templates, one appropriate for elementary students and the other appropriate for middle and high school students.  Each template specifies essential skills and is also linked to a grade appropriate current events article.  I have mentioned it before, but I am just loving the weekly emails with practice related to the Common Core Standards.
Here is a sample from this week's e-mail:

This week's edition of CoreWeekly focuses on an American institution dating back hundreds of years: the nation's postal system.  Last week, the US Postal Service announced that, come August, it will no longer deliver mail (or, as some refer to it, snail mail) on Saturdays.  The reduction in delivery comes with declining usage and falling revenue as email and other forms of digital communication have come to replace traditional mail.  The two articles we're featuring can spark class discussions about how technology and communication have evolved over time.
You've got our stamp of approval.

The CoreStand Team

Today's e-mail included this link to reading this article:  An End to Saturday Mail | Time for Kids

Then students can fill out this literacy template that directly relates to various areas of the CCSS.  

This would be a great activity for a guided reading station.  Especially since it has standards in kid friendly language.    Core Stand has a wealth of information for teachers, and I think I've only hit the tip of the iceberg with this resource.  These weekly e-mails thought are gold for your students!  Check them out!

If you need any help signing up, let me know!   This is a great resource, not to be missed. 

Online Civil Behavior

Something to think about.... 

Do you use the GMail app on your iPhone or iPad?

I thought this was pretty cool...

State of the Union Address

Are you and your students interested in the State of the Union Address this Tuesday evening?   President Obama is taking questions for a State of the Union event with a Fireside Google + hangout taking place on Thursday.   Click here to see what questions have been submitted so far and to vote on what questions he will answer in his hangout.   You can also submit one or your own.

Of course the State of the Union address takes place this evening.   One of my favorite ways of watching anything political is by playing BINGO!   I found this was a great way to get my 5th graders and their families involved too.    Click here for a State of the Union BINGO download.

From the White House Blog:

There's a lot happening on Tuesday, but it's only the beginning.

On Thursday, President Obama will join the latest in a series of "Fireside Hangouts" – a 21st century take on FDR’s famous radio addresses – to talk about his State of the Union Address. During a completely virtual conversation hosted by Google, the President will answer questions from Americans across the country about the issues and policies laid out in the speech. Anyone can submit a question for the President and vote on your favorites on the White House YouTube channel. Then, be sure to watch the hangout live on Thursday, February 14th at 4:30 p.m. ET on WhiteHouse.gov, the White House Google+ page, and YouTube.com/whitehouse.

And throughout the week, Administration officials will take questions on key issue areas addressed in the President's speech during an "Open for Questions" marathon. Check out the full schedule:

Tuesday, February 12th:

• 9:00 p.m. ET: President Obama addresses the nation
• 10:30 p.m. ET: "Open for Questions" panel

Immediately following the President's speech, join us for a special “Open for Questions” panel with senior staff, live from the White House. If you have a question about the speech, ask it on Twitter with the hashtag #WHChat or on the White House facebook or Google+ pages.

Wednesday, February 13th:

• 12:30 p.m. ET: Education with Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education
• 2:30 p.m. ET: Jobs and the economy with Jason Furman, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council
• 4:00 p.m. ET: Energy and the environment with Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change

Thursday, February 14th:

• 4:30 p.m. ET: "Fireside Hangout" with President Obama

Friday, February 15th:

• 3:00 p.m. ET: Reducing gun violence with Bruce Reed, Chief of Staff to Vice President Biden
• 4:00 p.m. ET: Immigration reform with Cecilia Munoz, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council

ABCya

This is one of my very favorite educational game websites to be used on the computer.   I was reminded today working with a few teachers of why I think it's such a great resource.

ABCya.com is the leader in free educational kids computer games and activities for elementary students to learn on the web. All children's educational computer activities were created or approved by certified school teachers. All educational games are free and are modeled from primary grade lessons and enhanced to provide an interactive way for children to learn.

Grade level lessons incorporate areas such as math and language arts while introducing basic computer skills. Many of the kindergarten and first grade activities are equipped with sound to enhance understanding. Fun children's Holiday activities are available in grade level sections!  This could be something great to check out for Valentine's Day!

This site can only be used on the computer, laptops, or SMART Board.   The website does not currently work on the web browser on the iPads - however we do have some of their apps.   

Google Camp

Have you heard me talk about going to Google Camp last summer?  I had a great time learning and putting all things Google into practice in a class called, "Google Apps for the Collaborative Classroom" through District 207's PLAY.  

They are offering the same class again this summer, and I thought I'd pass along the information if it's something that may interest you.  Click here for more information or read below.  There are also offering an Advanced Google Apps in the Collaborative Classroom.   Click here for more information.

This week long experience, planned and designed by Maine 207’s team of Google Certified Apps Trainers, will first prepare you to use the core suite of Google Apps for Education, which includes Google Drive, Gmail, Sites, Calendar, Chat, Groups and Video. As teachers learn the tools, there will be hands-on opportunities for modifying existing lessons to make them more collaborative through Google Apps. Teachers will also have the chance to model authentic student activities by building a portfolio of work using Google Sites.

Courses are 4 full days from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, and the final day (5) is from 8:30 am - 11:30 am. Lunch will be provided on each of the full day sessions.

Who Should Attend?

Anyone wanting to learn more about how to use Google Apps in the classroom at any grade level or within any subject area. Attendees will be given ample time to work with these tools to modify or design their own lessons. This will be a hands-on, collaborative experience where you will work with the tools and learn from others. Everyone, from beginners to experts in Google Apps, will benefit from this experience.

What is the Cost? 
Out of District: $399 per person - includes 4½ days of training, lunches, and access to training materials. 
In District: FREE (in district employee deposit of $100 to secure your seat, refunded after course completion)

Does this course carry graduate credit hours?
Optional Aurora University credits: 2 credit hours ($100/hr or total of $200, check payable to Aurora University and due on first day of class for Aurora Course: OEDT 5088)

Socrative

After staff development day today, I know many people use Socrative as a part of their presentation.  I just wanted to share with you how it can be used with your students.   

What is it?

Socrative is a smart student response system that empowers teachers by engaging their classrooms with a series of educational exercises and games.  Teachers login through their device and select an activity which controls the flow of questions and games. Students simply login with their device and interact real time with the content.

What can I do with it?

Real Time Formative Assessment

Take a snapshot of student thinking through real time formative assessment. It's super easy to gather responses and get whole class participation. Just choose your question type, ask a question, and wait for responses.

• Multiple Choice Questions (Choices A-E)
• True or False
• Short Answer

Exit Tickets

Check in on your students' understanding as they head out the door. Gather responses on their comfort with the material as well as answers to questions you create in real time or prepare before class.

Quizzes (pre prepared)

You can create quizzes ahead of time and then assign them to your students to be completed as a class together or at their own pace.  You will be then e-mailed a report or download a report to your google docs after the quiz showing yours students performance.

Space Race

You can take your premade quizzes and turn them into a game!  Students will be grouped into teams randomly and they will race to complete the quiz together.  

What do I need to use Socrative?

• The teacher needs a computer or Smart Device with Socrative Teacher app loaded on it.  
• Our iPads currently do not have the teacher app. 
• The students need a computer or an iPad with the Socrative app 

Google Art Project

Did you know that you can step inside of of museum from your computer?

Through Google Art Project you can visit various museums and check out works of art.  Today I visited Amsterdam to check out the Rijksmuseum (Dutch State Museum).

Through Google Art Project you can walk through the halls of participating museums.  What a great opportunity for students to explore amazing works of art and actually walk (or click) through these amazing museums.   Even though this isn't an interactive field trip yet, it's a pretty great way to virtually visit another place!  Enjoy!

Just an interesting thought...

I saw this on Pinterest and I thought this was both interesting as an educator and a parent about the importance of sleep.  

Apps of the Week: Brain Pop and Brain Pop Jr.

Apps of the Week: Brain Pop & Brain Pop Jr.

What is it?

Since our school has a subscription to both Brain Pop & Brain Pop Jr. this year (Thanks Dr. D), we also have access to all of Brain Pop's videos on our iPads.   If you aren't familiar with Brain Pop, it creates animated, curricular content that engages students, supports educators, and bolsters achievement.   After each short video clip there are activities to extend student learning as well as quizzes to assess understanding.    To use Brain Pop or Brain Pop Jr. on the iPads, simply press the log in button, log in, and get started with all of the content that is online.  

Who is it for?

Brain Pop Jr. is great for K-3 in whole class instruction, small group instruction, or for individual student learning, both on the laptops and the iPads.  Brain Pop is aimed at students in grades 3 and up and can be used in whole group instruction, small group instruction, or for individual student learning.  This is great for both math centers and literacy centers.    

CCSS

Brain Pop has been working to align their videos to the CCSS.  To check it out, click here.

Happy Digital Learning Day!

Today is Digital Learning Day! To celebrate, Edutopia released their latest research review that reveals the benefits of integrating technology effectively.   Read more: http://edut.to/YDTnkZ.   

GMail: New Compose

Of course, when people are switching over and getting comfortable with Gmail, Google throws in some new features!   At first I was a bit hesitant, however, now I love the new compose!   Check out the video below to help you get started.  If you need help, just ask!

Live Penguin Webcam

Check out the live penguin webcam by clicking here.  The picture is just a sample.

You can visit and monitor Adélie rookery with a first hand view here . You may see an Adélie parent caring for chicks while its partner takes to the Ross Sea to feed on krill. You may see a penguin preening. And look out for those fluffy chicks! While Torgersen Island is primarily home to Adélies, other penguins may sometimes be seen on screen, including gentoo and chinstrap penguins (check out Jo's pictures of the different species here). The New England Aquarium recently hosted a Google+ Hangout with the researchers on Palmer, too. Shawn had some really interesting things to share about the penguins. Check it out!

This camera is seasonal and operates primarily from October to February, which is the Adélie breeding season. Since the camera is solar-powered it sometimes experiences brief outages due to inclement weather.

Adjusting to Gmail...

Are you missing your little purple e from our old e-mail?  I know I had a certain comfort with Entourage, however, I'm loving using Gmail now! Here's a great video to help you learn how to search in Gmail a little bit easier.   If you are struggling with the transition to Gmail, simply ask Allison or I for help!

World Education Games

Who doesn't love a competition?

The World Education Games is an annual global online challenge to get all students (4-18 years of age) excited about learning, and to give the top students in all schools an opportunity to see how they measure up against the best in the world. Last year, over 5 million students were a part of what is now the world’s largest online education event.

The World Education Games are completely free to register for and participate in.

Split over three days and focussing on literacy, mathematics and science, the World Education Games is a hugely exciting and engaging way to promote learning and education across the world. Our partners UNICEF and Samsung work with us to promote our key messages of education for all. 

If you are interested in having your class participate, let me know - I'd love to help out!   

Click here for more information or email me!

Sesame Street: Upside Downton Abbey

As a mom of two toddlers, I've recently learned how Sesame Street loves to spoof things for adults to enjoy as well as the kids... I had to share this video as I know there is a large amount of teachers who are into the Downton Abbey Series... It's on my to watch list... & hopefully I'll have time to catch up soon!   Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy!