Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Off to Pittsburgh~!
Tomorrow morning I'm "leavin' on a jet plane.." to Pittsburgh, PA! Going to meet up with all my musical buddies for the AOSA Professional Development Conference! I always look forward to going - I learn so many new things, and am always re-energized to come back to the classroom and share with the students!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Happy 10th Birthday iPod!
The iPod is 10 years old today! Read more about the changes that have taken place over the years HERE!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Black HIlls Photo Shoot Out
See some beautiful pics of our Black Hills here.
These are photos from last year's shoot out, this year's event is in a couple of weeks.
These are photos from last year's shoot out, this year's event is in a couple of weeks.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Edvard Grieg
We are listening to "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" by Edvard Grieg in 2nd and 3rd grades. The students are creating movements to reflect the music as it is played. For more information and activities, go to http://www.makingmusicfun.net/htm/f_mmf_music_library/hey-kids-meet-edvard-greig.htm.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Black Hills Symphony Fun Run
A group of us from Martin went to Rapid City yesterday to participate in this Fun Run. It was a hot day, but beautiful out! Our group even took home the corporate trophy for Bennett County Schools!!! Here are some pics:
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| Black Hills Symphony Fun Run |
MUSIC is important!
Music is an integral part of our lives. The development of our musical abilities has ramifications on many parts of our well-being, intellect, and spirituality. Support music education in your schools!!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
TAGXEDO...a cool way to make a word cloud
Tagxedo makes it very easy to customize the design of your word clouds. You can select from a variety of shapes in which to display words or you can design your shape for your word cloud. You can enter text into the word cloud generator manually or simply enter a url from which Tagxedo will generate a word cloud. As with other word cloud generators you also have options for excluding words from your word clouds. Here's a tagxedo that I made using the text found on this blog!! Pretty cool.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Practicing Typing Skills
Here's a good site students can go to for practicing their typing skills at home!
http://powertyping.com/#pt
http://powertyping.com/#pt
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Cat Came Back!!
This is one of the kids' favorite songs at school! We are hoping to perform it in October!
Black Hills Symphony Fun Run
A group of us from Martin went to Rapid City yesterday to participate in this Fun Run. It was a hot day, but beautiful out! Our group even took home the corporate trophy for Bennett County Schools!!! Here are some pics:
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Loving and Forgiving Are YOU O GOD!
This weekend's Psalm at Mass brought this song to mind for me. One of my most favorites! I've also been reading Corrie Ten Boom's book The Hiding Place....what a testament to the power of forgiveness even in the most horrible of human conditions.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Friday's Fab Fam
You know, I LOVE to go home after work. I LOVE to see my husband, hear about his day, and be with him. I LOVE to pick up a grandchild after school and hang out for awhile. I LOVE to get phone calls from kids who are living far away. I LOVE to receive and email or facebook posting from one of the kids or grandkids. Family is everything to me! I love you family!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Some Important Keyboarding Tips
A significant part of technology class is increasing our speed and accuracy at the computer keyboard. There are several things we all need to remember:
Sit up Straight with both feet on the floor in front of your chair.
Center the body to the "h" key with elbows at sides.
Use correct fingering — Always keep your fingers near the home row keys (asdf jkl;).
Keep wrists straight and don't rest your wrists on the table.
Curve your fingers and tap the keys quickly as if the keys were hot. Don’t mash the keys. All movement should be in the fingers.
Keep your eyes on the screen or printed page. Don't watch your fingers!
Try to keep a reasonable rhythm. As you eliminate your pauses your speed will increase.
Sit up Straight with both feet on the floor in front of your chair.
Center the body to the "h" key with elbows at sides.
Use correct fingering — Always keep your fingers near the home row keys (asdf jkl;).
Keep wrists straight and don't rest your wrists on the table.
Curve your fingers and tap the keys quickly as if the keys were hot. Don’t mash the keys. All movement should be in the fingers.
Keep your eyes on the screen or printed page. Don't watch your fingers!
Try to keep a reasonable rhythm. As you eliminate your pauses your speed will increase.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Musical Monday....Let's Keep the Beat!
Kindergarten and First Graders are talking about THE BEAT! The BEAT is so SWEET! We can all feel the beat in our bodies...our pulse! It's steady, it keeps going...and going...and going! We talked about places in our lives that we can hear a steady beat such as a ticking clock or a dripping faucet. We can keep the pulse, or the beat on by tapping parts of our bodies as we listen to music. We can also use musical instruments to keep the beat.
Then there is something called RHYTHM. Rhythm is a combination of long and short sounds and silences. Rhythm is "the way the words go." The rhythm of a piece of music is not usually the same for the whole piece. It changes, it is what makes music interesting! The rhythm of the music is what makes you want to get up and dance!! We can show the rhythm in the same kinds of ways that we show the beat...with our bodies and with instruments.
Then there is something called RHYTHM. Rhythm is a combination of long and short sounds and silences. Rhythm is "the way the words go." The rhythm of a piece of music is not usually the same for the whole piece. It changes, it is what makes music interesting! The rhythm of the music is what makes you want to get up and dance!! We can show the rhythm in the same kinds of ways that we show the beat...with our bodies and with instruments.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
It Is Well With My Soul
Singing It Is Well With My Soul, this is Daves Highway continuing to sing for the Lord. These three have voices that blend sooo sweet harmony as they Praise God! Take a listen here: http://www.godvine.com/Daves-Highway-Sings-It-Is-Well-With-My-Soul-441.html
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Walked a 5K in Kadoka this morning...
It was a beautiful morning this morning, a bit windy, but nice. We had a great time walking and spending time with friends! Here's a peek at who went:
Friday, September 2, 2011
My Fab Husband, Jerry
This is one of my most favorite pics this year...Jerry and I in the sunflower field...might be a potential Christmas card!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Social Networking....it's here to stay!
If you know me at all, you know that I am REALLY into social networking. I network with other music and technology educators, I network with friends, I network to get information about personal interests and hobbies. I follow blogs, I follow news feeds, I follow the weather! So much of how I keep in touch with friends and family is primarily through social networking. I do write traditional letters, and make traditional phone calls, but only out of necessity. My first choice is always to send a message on Facebook or to text someone. I am able to keep up with the lives of my friends and family in ways that I couldn't do otherwise. I LOVE IT!
I also post about my own life, and I think sometimes even have some good iI encourage you to take a look at this infographic shared by Search Engine Journal which illustrates the phenomenal growth of social networking.
As educators, we are just now learning how to integrate these networking tools into our classrooms in valuable, real time, ways. This is where our students are at. This is their language. If education is going to make sense to them and be transferable to their lives, then we need to stop being afraid of new technology and instead embrace it, learn about it, and USE IT! Have a great Thursday!
I also post about my own life, and I think sometimes even have some good iI encourage you to take a look at this infographic shared by Search Engine Journal which illustrates the phenomenal growth of social networking.
As educators, we are just now learning how to integrate these networking tools into our classrooms in valuable, real time, ways. This is where our students are at. This is their language. If education is going to make sense to them and be transferable to their lives, then we need to stop being afraid of new technology and instead embrace it, learn about it, and USE IT! Have a great Thursday!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Tuesday Tech
With the resignation of Steve Jobs from Apple, it creates an opportunity for us to take a look at the evolution of the Apple family of products throughout the years. Here's a slideshow that does the job: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/slideshow/apple-products-years-14378859#.TlacqTKpv4c.email
Do YOU know the words to the Star Spangled Banner?
Do you know the words to our national anthem?
How about all four verses?
If you're like 70 percent of Americans, you don't know even the first verse.
Later set to the tune of an old English pub song, it was popular years before taking on added momentum during the 1917 World Series, when it was sung in honor of the armed forces fighting in the Great War. In 1931, Congress proclaimed it the U.S. National Anthem.
So how many of the words do you know?
For the record, here they are:
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
*******
On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'T is the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
******
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
*******
O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us as a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause. it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
How about all four verses?
If you're like 70 percent of Americans, you don't know even the first verse.
Later set to the tune of an old English pub song, it was popular years before taking on added momentum during the 1917 World Series, when it was sung in honor of the armed forces fighting in the Great War. In 1931, Congress proclaimed it the U.S. National Anthem.
So how many of the words do you know?
For the record, here they are:
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
*******
On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'T is the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
******
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
*******
O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us as a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause. it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Matthew 16:21-27
Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”
He turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”Then Jesus said to his disciples,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life”
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory,
and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”
He turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”Then Jesus said to his disciples,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life”
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory,
and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”
Friday, August 26, 2011
Happy Birthday Phyllis!
My sister-in-law has a landmark birthday coming up! Her 70th! We are having a party for her tomorrow....
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
It's a MUSICAL MONDAY!!!!
Sept. 13 is the anniversary of the writing of our national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships in Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Martin Centennial 5K Fun Run
Thursday, August 18, 2011
iPads and Orangutans!
Think technology is just for humans? Check out this article! http://kotaku.com/5830764/these-orangutans-play-with-ipads/
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
First Day Of School!
We've been reading "Pete the Cat" books in music today! The kids love them, as do I!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Fab Fam
Today I want to feature my loving husband, Jerry. Life would not be the same w/out him! This pic was shot a few days ago, as he looked through the sunflower field. Thank you, Dear, for being my husband, my friend, my confidant. I LOVE YOU!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Shortcut Keys! Do you know these?
Maximize window Double click title bar
Quick Exit Alt+F4
Date and Time Shift+Alt+D = Date
Shift+Alt+T = Time
Show taskbar WK (Windows key)
Shows desktop WK+M
Ctrl Key Combinations
CTRL+C: Copy
CTRL+X: Cut
CTRL+V: Paste
CTRL+Z: Undo
CTRL+B: Bold
CTRL+U: Underline
CTRL+I: Italic
CTRL+P: Print
CTRL+K: Add hyperlink
CTRL+E: Center align
CTRL+L: Left align
CTRL+R: Right align
CTRL+ : Zoom in Internet
CTRL- : Zoom out Internet
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Monkey Machine!
Explore rhythm patterns using percussion instruments on this Monkey Machine! Improvise to your heart's delight! You can create drum loops and provide a rhythmic accompaniment if you want!
Monkey MachineTuesday, August 9, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Fab Cute Cousins
Some of the grandkids have been visiting this week...always fun to play with them and hear their stories! Here are a few pics:
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| We LOOOOVE to swim! Martha, Mia, Olivia |
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| Playing School |
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| 4-wheeling is a favorite thing! |
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| Can't get much cuter! |
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Old Time Radio Programs
I came across this site the other day on the Free Technology For Teachers blog. The Old Time Radio Network Library is a free resource for Old Time Radio (OTR) fans. There aree over 12,000 OTR shows available for instant listening. You can find shows ranging from Amos and Andy to a recording of Les Miserables! This is work checking out and adding to your resources. Find it at Old Time Radio Network Library.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Drums Alive
Have you heard about the Drums Alive program? I tried it out with my kiddos last spring and they LOVED it! This program combines simple dynamic movements with pulsating rhythms of the drum. Kids learn movement, rhythm, and concentration, in addition to integral stimulation. All that's needed are balance balls, drum sticks and tubs! Here's a site to check it out with: http://www.drums-alive.com/.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Ask a Tech Teacher....
Here's a cool site to check out: http://askatechteacher.com/
The author covers everything from lesson plans to great websites, to timely tips for your computer. Great resource for a daily tip for educators, parents and students. You can subscribe through your RSS feed such as Google Reader or connect through Facebook, Twitter, Flickr or Linked In.
The author covers everything from lesson plans to great websites, to timely tips for your computer. Great resource for a daily tip for educators, parents and students. You can subscribe through your RSS feed such as Google Reader or connect through Facebook, Twitter, Flickr or Linked In.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Music at MGS
We are on break, of course, but school is approaching quickly! I'm looking forward to a fun year and have been gathering lots of cool new projects for us to try!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Romans 8:38
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This was part of one of the readings for Mass this weekend. It is amazing to me how much God loves us - no matter what. NOTHING can separate me from God's love...nothing that I do, nothing that others do...NOTHING. I can stray from God's Word and His will for my life, yet HE IS STILL THERE, right beside me, LOVING me! In Him I breathe, love, have my being. Only with His love am I complete!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Laura Story - Blessings
This is one of my favorite songs/videos. Hope it will inspire and comfort you also.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Fabulous Fam
Today features two of our Grandkids...Connie and Lindsey Livingston. Connie will be in 8th grade this year, Lindsey in 6th. They helped me get my music room organized yesterday and are hanging with us for a couple of days. We enjoy having them around:)As you can see, we had some fruit pizza for supper!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Thursday's Tech Tool
This one is for teachers....here's a site that easily generates all kinds of Classroom Review Games....as well as a Group Maker, Seating Chart, and Random Name Generator...easy to use, sort of a one-stop Game Site! Click Super Teacher Tools to see!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Blog Design
I'm going to organize my posts on this blog in the following way, hoping to help readers zero in on their area of interest....
- Sunday's Spirituality Musings
- Monday's Musical Bits at Martin Grade School
- Tuesday's Techie Bytes at Martin Grade School
- Wednesday's Musical Motifs
- Thursday's Tech Tools and Toys
- Friday's Fab Fam
- Saturday's Sensational Videos
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