Making Up for Lost Time

It's been a while since my last blog (over a month) and my list of potential blog posts is not getting any shorter...

Tonight's post is making up for the last few weeks - so take your pick as there are a few ideas listed below. Each idea comes with a VERY brief explanation so if one idea jumps out at you, feel free to email for more information.
Think of it as a buffet table of fun information. Take whatever appeals to you.

Answer Garden - this is a super fun way to gather information. It's easy to set up a question, send the link out to students and watch your Answer Garden grow. The answers are limited to 20 characters so it takes very little time to complete. This is a great way to introduce or
               review a concept as it provides an awesome springboard for discussion.


Another fun way to gather information is called Linoit, an online cork board. It's a great way way for students to add ideas and post to the same "wall". It's been described as a twist to the traditional blog - I call it fun. Students are drawn to this novel approach to sharing their thoughts.

Looking for something similar, only for primary grades? Check out Primary Wall - same idea as Linoit but has a primary look to it. 

Rube Goldberg - Monster Trap (Video by Audri C., 7 yrs. old, ~ 4 min.)
This delightful young boy enthusiastically describes his Rube Goldberg Monster Trap design, sharing his hypothesis and delighting in the results. It's worth showing to your class - my prediction is that you'll have a room full of students who are cheering, right along with Audri. (It's available via My Big Campus).

Yummy Math - This is a great site for grades 4 - 8. It's a blog written by two teachers and the focus is on relevant math problems. Each week, you can download math scenarios that pertain to what's going on in real life. Awesome for extension and/or collaboration activities.



TodaysMeet
One way to get students engaged is using an approach is called Back Channeling and the easiest way to "Back Channel" is with TodaysMeet. It's been fun to use it while showing a video.
Students can carry on a conversation while watching - a perfect way to apply those digital citizenship expectations!

Project Noah
I recently learned about this site and am eager to share it with you. It's used to explore and document local wildlife. "Noah" is an acronym that stands for "networked organisms and habitats". Some beautiful photos have already been posted and once you set up your class, students can add to this remarkable bank of global contributions.

Photo Credit: AP Images / David Duprey

What Multi-Tasking Does to Our Brains
Since so many of us are trying to perfect the art of multi-tasking, I'd like to share this article with you and encourage all of us to stop and smell those roses - one at a time.
One point I was relieved to read is that listening to music while working is AOK. Phew!
The big take-away for me is that we can do better work if we concentrate on just one thing. I'm eager to give it a try and even though I have Mail, Excel, Calendar, Notebook and a 2nd browser open as I type this post, I'm intrigued to consider the
                                                            idea of doing better work - one task at a time.

Cool Cat Teacher Blog
This blogger, Vickie Davis, was the Keynote at a CUE conference earlier this month. She does great work with global collaboration and also keeps up a blog (not sure how but she does).
I'll end this buffet table of ideas with one particular blog entry from Vickie. It's called "You May Be Walking Around Wounded, But Teacher, Stay in the Game" It resonated with me and I have no doubt it will speak to you as well as I'm fairly certain we all have "those days".


...and there you have it --

I will make every attempt to get back to a weekly post but for now, here's hoping you have found something worthwhile.

-Patsy Templeton

ptempleton@orinda.k12.ca.us 

Dot Day-Ish

thedotclub.org

In a previous blog, I mentioned International Dot Day, inspired by the incredibly beautiful book Dot, written by the incredibly talented Peter H. Reynolds. The official day of the celebration was September 15 but when adding "Ish" (the title of another one of Peter's books) to International Dot Day, we can continue the celebration of creativity and imagination for a week, month, year. So today's blog is born:     

International Dot Day - ISH

To that end, I've embedded a really cool video which is a recording of a DEN (Discovery Education Network) Live Stream from last week. It's about 40 minutes long and worth every minute.  If you don't have the entire 40 minutes available, click here to find where the following highlights are located:

- Peter reads the book, Dot (Does it get any better than to have THE author reading THE book??) He also describes how he came up with the idea for this book.

- Peter tells the story of how he came up with the name of the main character for this book.

- Peter talks about the dedication of the book and how he was inspired by his 7th grade Math teacher.
  This is a great clip to show. It includes a great story about how, as a student, Peter's drawings weren't
  always appreciated and the challenge he was asked to do by his Math teacher.
- Peter and Paul talk about Animation Ish and how important it is to show what you know in a variety of ways (through art, music, etc).
- Peter answers questions from classes around the country:
     -Where do you get ideas for your drawings?
     - How did you come up with the main character's name, Vashti?
     - What were your favorite books when you were little?
     - Peter plugs his all-time favorite book and gives a pep talk about being the best writer you can be.

The number of participants grew from 17,500 last year to over 600,000 this year. Who knows what next year will bring?

 It's not too late to Make Your Mark.  

Check out thedotclub.org

Also, on the Home Page of ed1stop, you'll find some more great resources for International Dot Day.

The Tech Tips Wiki

Tech Tips Wiki icon

This week's blog isn't so much a shout out to a new cool idea - but it is a reminder about a cool resource at our fingertips called the Tech Tips Wiki.

Did you know?? The OUSD Tech Tips wiki holds all kinds of information about the following categories:

- School Dude (including the Organizational Number to School Dude)
- Google Apps for Education
- COW (Computers on Wheels)
- My Big Campus
- Apps & All Things Apple
- OARS
- Read Naturally
- TTL4

The front page of the wiki holds information regarding any HOT topics for the week (if there are any). Click to get a peek at this week's front page on the Tech Tips wiki:

The Tech Tips wiki holds crazy good information.

Know about it, use it, embrace it.

Patsy Templeton  

ptempleton@orinda.k12.ca.us

 

One Camera, One Song and a Some Very Brave Teachers

Was last week a blur for you?? Me, too. I do remember a few moments, one in particular is this week's blog topic...

As most of you know, I'm a sucker when it comes to music and video. Throw in some Michael Jackson and I'm all over it. When it comes to helping produce a Lip Dub using a Michael Jackson song, you can always count me in.

Last week, the staff at Del Rey did something they had never done before. While creating a video reminding students about proper playground behavior was the goal, being a part of a Lip Dub as the opener was something out of the ordinary. Teachers were encouraged to dance, sing, and be silly - all directly in front of the camera.

The Lip Dub concept was shared quickly and teachers had very little time to consider options. Actually, they didn't have any options. They rose to the occasion, stepped out of their comfort zone, enjoyed being silly and created a memory for the entire student body to enjoy.

All I can say is the kids were MESMERIZED while watching their very own teachers groove to the music. After the Lip Dub, teachers shared how to slide down a slide or wait patiently for a car in car pool or politely check out a ball during recess. They put together an unforgettable video, starting with a delightful Lip Dub.

If you ever want to see smiles on faces of students, show them a funny video. If you want those smiles to turn into giggles, show them a video of teachers they know being just a little bit silly.

We've had class Lip Dubs and now a staff Lip Dub. Who knows?
Could there be a WHOLE SCHOOL Lip Dub in our future???! I'll be waiting with ideas (it doesn't even have to include Michael Jackson) - if anyone wants to give that a try.

-Patsy Templeton
ptempleton@orinda.k12.ca.us

Enjoy -- the students of Del Rey sure did.

DR LipDub ABC from Patsy Templeton on Vimeo.

International Dot Day is Coming!

Happy First eduTech Tuesday, everyone! 

I'll be blogging every Tuesday and it's a thrill for me to start with this one...

As we begin the year, encouraging our students to "make their mark", know that International Dot Day is just around the corner - September 15. This special day celebrates Peter H. Reynolds' The Dot. After reading this timeless book, kids will be inspired to create more dots of their very own. This book provides a great message about creativity and no one does it better than Peter H. Reynolds.

By clicking on International Dot Day, you will be invited to sign up so you and your class can be counted. This idea came from one teacher (who blogged about it) and now, it has over 125,000 participants celebrating from all over the world. Check out the map below. Let's add a bunch from Orinda!

After signing up, you'll be able to download an Educator's Handbook with free student handouts by Peter H. Reynolds and awesome Dot Day activities by creative educators. 

Have a GREAT First Day of School tomorrow!

-Patsy

ptempleton@orinda.k12.ca.us

View International Dot Day 2012 in a larger map

Online Resources

Well....it's almost time --

Here's to what's left of your summer and in case you're looking 

for some good online resources, you might be interested in checking out this presentation.

Enjoy - and I'll be seeing you very soon!

-Patsy

ptempleton@orinda.k12.ca.us

Two Tech Ideas for Teachers with Very Little Time

Two Tech ideas -

Tech Idea #1:

Have you every heard of Voki? It's a cool website that allows students to create an avatar and speak on their behalf.
Here's a Voki telling us about what it means to be trustworthy, created by a pair of very eager students in Mrs. Sado's Sleepy Hollow 5th grade class.

                                                       

Mrs. Sado's class class spent some time writing their script and then one 40 minute session to create and publish their Voki avatars. A cool way to show what you know - and in a timely manner.

Click here to go to the Voki site. I have a few tips to help make this as seamless as possible. If you're interested, send me an email and I'll be happy to help.

Tech Idea #2:

In case you're thinking about Open House, here are five ideas you might consider when thinking about what to do with the beautiful screen in the front of the classroom.

If you like an idea but need help executing, feel free to contact me as I will be happy to help.

Enjoy,

ptempleton@orinda.k12.ca.us

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

With Earth Day fast approaching, I can't think of a better post for this week's blog.

Show this to your class, bop to the music, then think about making your very own Lip Dub.

Emily Cashen and Kristy Webster's 3rd grade class decided to send a message honoring Earth Day with a Lip Dub. A lip dub is a type of video that combines lip synching and audio dubbing to make a music video. In other words, it's FUN!

Check out their adorable 3 minute video. In true Lip Dub format, it was shot in one take. (OK, we actually took a second "just in case" take but we didn't really need it).

It was a very cool way for kids to work together - check it out!

                                 

If this looks like fun to you and you'd like some pointers to get started, don't hesitate to contact me - I'll be happy to help.

Patsy Templeton


ptempleton@orinda.k12.ca.us

Caine's Arcade

If you're looking for something to smile about, check this video out. It's a story about a nine year old who built an arcade out of cardboard boxes.

Critical thinking? Check.
Creativity? Check.
Tenacity? Double check.

Part of the story is the power of social networking - I would have never found it otherwise. Caine's Arcade wouldn't have as many customers without it either.

Good things come to those who...share -- information, ideas, thoughts, cardboard boxes, etc.

Enjoy!

90 Seconds or Less

Image borrowed from http://nextvista.org/contests/shoots/

Looking for something to do over the next two weeks? 

Check out this idea -

Last week, I got to see Rushton Hurley, (one of my all-time favorite presenters) and wanted to toss one of his awesome ideas in your direction. 

It's a contest. A video contest. What's the bottom line? Create a video teaching ANY concept in 90 seconds or less. You can do this!

Click here to get to the contest details which include samples, description of awesome prizes, and wonderful reasons to put yourself and your class in Contest Mode.

Don't hesitate to contact me for help with ideas and / or execution. 

Patsy Templeton

ptempleton@orinda.k12.ca.us

OUSD Technology Coach

Getting Ready for Grandparents Day?

(AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

"Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. 

Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children."

 - Alex Haley

Grandparents Day is right around the corner and I can't think of anything else that will be drastically different in a classroom for a grandparent to experience besides....TECHNOLOGY.

So here's to Grandparents and technology in education -- a few ideas that infuse technology while celebrating the presence of our older generation.

Idea #1: Have students use KidPix and teach a grandparent how it works. Grandparents can tell students about their favorite activity when they were the same age and together they can create a masterpiece.

Idea #2: Brainstorm a list of questions to ask grandparents and have students refer to the list when using iMovie, Photo Booth or Garage Band in order to record an interview with a grandparent.

Idea #3: Have students show grandparents how to use Animation Ish. Try to create an animation with the same number of frames as the age of the grandparent.

Idea #4: Using iPods or iPads? How about letting kids create a story with grandparents using StoryRobe. Or draw a picture using Doodle Buddy. Or play a Math game. Or...just explore ANY app!

Idea #5: Got a SMART Board? Don't hesitate to use it! Grandparents will flip over this cool tech tool.
Whether you're brainstorming popular words / phrases between now and "the good old days" (i.e. "wow" vs. "jeepers") or mapping out where grandparents live, Notebook will work wonders showing how technology in education can hook the 20th century learner too.

I promised myself I'd stop at five big ideas so I'll close with a welcome rap performed by students at Southdale Elementary in Cedar Falls, Iowa. (Anyone who knows me, knows I'd be all over this -- I can see all kinds of potential with this kind of stuff...)

It's Grandparents Day
And we're here to say,
We love our grandparents
In a major way.
So sit right down
And take a seat,
We'll put on a show
That can't be beat!

Some grandparents are skinny.
Some eat a lot.
Some are funny.
Some are not.
Some short, some tall,
Some big, some small.
It doesn't matter,
We love them all.

Grandparents Day is full of fun
For you and me and everyone.
So you'll excuse us if we shout "Hurray!"
Because we're certainly glad you came today!

Enjoy -

Patsy Templeton

ptempleton@orinda.k12.ca.us

And the Oscar Goes to...

AP Photo / Matt Sayles

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

You may have been expecting names of big winners like "The Artist" and "The Artist" or perhaps, "The Artist"(note to self: I need to go see that movie)...but instead, I'm celebrating the winner of the Animated Short Film category. I was thrilled when this film was acknowledged on Sunday night. Not that I knew anything about it before Friday, but I had recently been introduced and quickly fell in love so it was a delight to be "in the know" when it was announced.

I first learned about FFBoMML on Friday at a technology conference. Teachers in San Ramon are using the "Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" app. It's $4.99 and worth every cent (in my opinion). The app gives you access to the story, the short film and another film about how the short film was made. 

The story is about people who devote their lives to books and books who do the same. The way in which the story is told is nothing short of amazing.

This is our future - and it's happening NOW. This is the way stories are being published. Like it or not, apps are here to stay and interactivity (beyond turning the pages) goes above and beyond my wildest imagination.


Enjoy.

Patsy Templeton
ptempleton@orinda.k12.ca.us

Winners for the Best Animated Short Film: Brandon Oldenburg and William Joyce
AP Photo /Joel Ryan

Click here if you'd like to go to the iTunes Store (not that you have to, but in case you just can't help yourself).

Happy Valentine's Day!


This will be short & sweet -- please read if you're having issues with SMART Exchange accounts.


Over the last few weeks, many teachers have shared some frustration about being able to utilize SMART Exchange.


At this time, if you log on to SMART Exchange (http://exchange.smarttech.com), type your school email address and click on "forgot your password", the automated email should be available to you as our filter will no longer block it.

If you continue to have problems accessing your SMART Exchange account, please complete the following form so that your specific issues are addressed.


Thank you,


Patsy Templeton

Happy 100th Day of -- Schoogle!

Image created using AP Images and Notebook

Here's to the 100th day of school! 

I've been known to mention Google once or twice - okay, maybe 100 times. In honor of our 100 days of school, here are some tips to help you navigate our Google Apps for Education account.

Answers to two most FAQ -

How come I can't I log on?

You may still be using an older Google account ("ousd@gmail.com"). Instead, know there are TWO ways to sign in:

First Choice:

Go to: https://www.google.com/a/orinda.k12.ca.us

username:

first initial/last name (i.e. jsmith)

password:

ask a colleague (or check the wiki) if you can't remember!

Second Choice:

Go to: www.google.com

username:

first initial/last name@orinda.k12.ca.us (i.e. jsmith@orinda.k12.ca.us)

password:

ask a colleague (or check the wiki) if you can't remember!

Question #2: How come no one else can see my reserved spot on Google Calendar?

Google Calendar:

 

When you open your Google Calendar, there is a personal calendar automatically generated for you as well as other calendars you've either created or are sharing with others. Sometimes, when you reserve a spot on the calendar, you're working in your own instead of a shared calendar and only find out when you walk into the shared space (i.e. computer lab) and find someone else already there. Don't you hate it when that happens??

To avoid double booking, be sure to check that you're in the right calendar. When you select edit to your reservation, the editing page will show you which calendar you're working in - and give you a chance to change.

Another easy way to avoid a Calendar Catastrophe is to color code your calendars (including the one in your name) so that reservations from different calendars are detected by a variety of colors. 

Hope these tips are helpful. If you'd like more information about Google, please send me an email at your earliest convenience.

There is a page on my tech tips wiki dedicated to Google Apps.

Feel free to go to:

http://ousdtechtips.pbworks.com

You may need to request access to this wiki. If you request, I promise to grant you permission!

Patsy Templeton

Patsy Templeton

OUSD Technology Coach
ptempleton@orinda.k12.ca.us

Digital Learning Day and Cool Tools Conference

Created by Patsy using Notebook

Where did January go? 

If time truly flies when you're having fun, then we must be having TONS of fun!

Just a couple of quick ideas worth passing on:

http://www.digitallearningday.org/files/3213/2700/9967/fablevisionposter.jpg

Digital Learning is TOMORROW. Click here for more information. It's a nationwide celebration of innovated teaching and learning through digital media.

Also, here's another reminder for EB CUE's Cool Tools conference. Attendance is at already at its highest ever. Read below for details if you're interested in joining us for a great day of learning and loads of prizes!

COOL TOOLS VIII

FEBRUARY 11, 2012

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER ONLINE!!!

EVENT DAY ONSITE REGISTRATION STARTS AT 7:30 AM.

The morning sessions include: Integrating Free Online Interactive Content in the K-12 Classroom; Media Literacy Bootcamp; Livescribe Smart Pens; Best iPad Apps; Free Online Tools to Spark Creativity; Drill Down Into Content with Digital Storytelling; The Web from A to Z; Is IT (Instructional Technology) Working?; Demystifying Copyright, Fair Use, and Creative Commons in the Classroom; Simple Screencasting; Glogster Web 2.0; Connecting Science Content to Real Life Using Multimedia; Leading Edge Online Teaching Certification Course Overview; and PBS LearningMedia in the Classroom.

The afternoon sessions are hands-on workshops which include Taming the Web - Using LiveBinders in your Classroom, Edmodo, Flipteaching: Using Screencasting to Shift the Homework Paradigm, Going Google! - The Power of Google Apps for Education, Flip Video, Worthy Websites, Collaborize Classroom, Scratch All Subjects, 21st Century Tools that Support English Language Learners!, and iPads in the Classroom (Session Full).

 

Cool Tools will be held @ Head Royce School at 4315 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland.

Cost: $75

SESSION AND WORKSHOP INFORMATION

https://sites.google.com/a/eastbaycue.org/www/program

REGISTER

https://sites.google.com/a/eastbaycue.org/www/registration

COOL TOOLS VIII FLYER

https://sites.google.com/a/eastbaycue.org/www/downloads

I'll be presenting "Worthy Websites" in the afternoon - Hope to see you there!


Patsy Templeton




Patsy Templeton
OUSD Technology Coach
ptempleton@orinda.k12.ca.us
925-258-6317

Using Tech Throughout the Day

Image created by Patsy Templeton using Free Handwriting Fonts (http://kevinandamanda.com/fonts/fontsforpeas) and Notebook

Quite a bit of my time is spent helping teachers figure out ways to use tech tools throughout the day. Since a portion of each day is typically dedicated to small group instruction, I suggest including  technology during that time. Whether you have a SMART Board, iPads, iPods, and/or a bank of student computers, consider using those very tools during your small group learning stations.

The SMART Board may be sitting idle for large chunks of time when students are working independently but this is actually an opportune time to allow kids to get back to the board as a pair or small group, taking advantage of the interactivity of the board. Not only will this help with opening another learning center, it will also help with the dreaded-but-very-real "I haven't had a turn yet" syndrome.

We may think of the SB as more of a distraction during this period but it's my prediction that the more we use it, the less of a distraction it will be.

Suzy Brooks, a 3rd grade teacher (from MA), has been exploring the idea of using the SMART Board as a cooperative learning center. In this particular video, her students are working on a math concept. This is an awesome idea with great potential. It's easy to implement and makes great use of the tools you have.

Here's a link to more ideas Ms. Brooks has shared about using the SMART Board in her class. Her goal is to have each student purposefully touch the board 8 - 10 times each week.
Ideas for SMART Board student use

Also...I'm happy to share that registration for the East Bay CUE conference is now open!

East Bay CUE Cool Tools for Learning is coming on Saturday, February 11 and this year, it will be held at Head Royce in Oakland. Click here for important details.
It's one of my favorite conferences of the year. Great tech sessions, great door prizes, great opportunities to learn with other colleagues.

I get to present again this year so I'll be there - hope you will too!

Happy TwentyTwelve!

Created by Patsy and http://ifaketext.com

Welcome Back!

While returning from Winter Break may come with mixed emotions, it's always exciting for me to share fun ideas. Today, I'm sharing two "bite-size" ideas; how to set up a fake text (as seen above) and how two teachers are using the trailer feature in iMovie to showcase classroom activities.

A fake text...(it was only a matter of time, right??) Since sending text messages has become such a popular form of communication, I am getting a kick out of this website: http://ifaketext.com. Creating a text is at the very least, a great attention grabber. One of my all-time favorite presenters (Tammy Worcester) offers a great explanation on how you can create your own fake text. If interested, click on the link below:
                                                http://tipofweek.tammyworcester.com

Now on to iMovie coolness... You may remember (way back in September of 2011), I shared how to use the fun trailer feature in iMovie. Since then, teachers have found creative ways to utilize this cool tool. See two trailers below; one introduces a new author and the other showcases a Science concept. Once you've opened a trailer project in iMovie '11 and imported your video clips, you can produce a movie trailer in minutes! The time it takes to create a trailer is NOTHING compared to a regular iMovie. Definitely worth a try if you're looking for something new.

Big thanks goes to Erin Miller (1st grade @ GL) and Dara Melczer (1st grade @ WR) for sharing their creative juices with us!