Add A Picture???

Can anyone teach me how to add a picture or video to this blog? I am sure it is really simple, but I sometimes need a little extra help. Thanks!

Great Books for Kids

I am always searching for new books to excite my students. I see my students for 3 years from grades 3-5. It has been a challenge to find great picture books to excite them each year. I have my favorites that I love to read each year but there is always one student in the bunch that says, "we read that last year." I search the public library and book stores trying to stay current on the latest children's literature, but it is a never ending task. Kid Lit is a great blog that introduces new children's books and gives a summary of the story. This site has helped me to find great new stories to begin reading with the students in my classroom. What resources do you use to stay current with the latest books?

It's May

Today when I entered my classroom, the first thing I needed to do to get ready for the arrival of my students was to change the calendar over to May. I can not believe how quickly the year has gone by. As the year is wrapping up, I am already reflecting on the things I want to change and how great those changes will be for my students for next year. I need to remember that even though I may be excited for a fresh, new and exciting start to next year that I should not rush through the last few weeks that we have left. It is a challenge to keep the students engaged in meaningful learning as the weather is getting warmer and summer is inching closer. What lessons do you use to keep your students in the learning mindset through the last day of school? How do you fight the excitement of summer in your classroom?

SMART Board

I have decided to challenge myself to find new ways to incorporate technology in my classroom to provide my students with a more exciting and interactive lesson. Many teachers in my school district have used a SMART Board in some capacity for several years. I have never attempted to conquer this useful tool. There are several sites, including PBS Kids, that provide a lot of great ideas for using this technology in the classroom. I am hoping to investigate a little more and then make my initial attempt to bring this tool into my classroom. Stay tuned for the outcome...

Wiffiti

I found a new tool that allows students to use a cell phone for class. Wiffiti allows students to submit a text to an online bulletin board. I don't think I will be able to use this with the students in my class, but I can see how exciting it could be when used in junior high and high school classroom. It makes me wonder what other uses there are for cell phones in the classroom.

School Lunch

I started following the blog Fed Up With School Lunch this winter. It chronicles a teacher's vow to eat the school lunch for a whole year. She started this challenge in January and it has been very interesting to see the types of foods that are served in school cafeterias. It seems pretty consistent with the food I see being served st my school. I really love the guest posts where people from other countries share what is being served in their school cafeterias. I have also been watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. This television series has brought attention to the same issue. What are children eating? Who makes the choices for what kids eat and why? Are kids really eating what is best for them? I guess the importance and interest in what kids are eating has taken over!

ipod Apps for Special Education

After beginning to use the ipod with a student within the classroom, I began to wonder what other ways I could incorporate this highly motivating tool. I found a great blog called Teaching All Students that shares ideas for incorporating technology in with students of all ability levels. My favorite posts are called App Mondays. Each Monday, the author of the blog shares a new ipod/iphone app that can be used to assist with teaching special education. Some of the apps are for the students. There is everything from flashcards to word processing tools. Other apps are geared toward the teacher and assist with tasks like data collection. I look forward to each Monday and learning new ways to use the ipod touch with my student. Have you used an ipod in the classroom? If so, how did you use it? Were your students successful?

The Innovative Educator

I have stumbled across a really great blog called The Innovative Educator that I thought could really benefit others. Although it doesn't apply directly to special education, a lot of the ideas can be modified to use with students of all ability levels. This blog shares a lot of great ideas to help incorporate technology into the classroom. There are even several posts about the use of a cell phone to aid instruction. What student wouldn't love to use their cell phone in class? How do you incorporate technology in the classroom? Did you learn any new ideas from the Innovative Educator?

Proloquo2Go

In my teaching career, I have had several students who were unable communicate with others. Providing them with a voice is a challenge. There are several devices that are available to purchase, but they are typically bulky and VERY expensive. There is a new app called Proloquo2Go that can be used on the ipod or ipad that solves both of these problems! More information about this app can be found at www.proloquo2go.com. Just today we began to use this with a non-verbal student. She was very excited when she saw the ipod. It was something familiar to her and we are really hoping this will provide her with a voice and allow her to communicate with others.

My First Post

Welcome to my blog! I am taking a technology class at school and created this blog to share my adventures as a special education teacher.