We are BLOGGING at MGS!

Grades 3-4-5 have begun learning the ins and outs of blogging this semester.  This is an exciting time for them!  They are learning about blogging etiquette and applying it to their own classroom blog.  Grade 6 was blogging last year, so they are continuing on the journey of being even better bloggers!

Blogging and social networking have become huge forums for discussions and the sharing of knowledge. As I work to prepare your child for their future, I want to give them as many authentic writing experiences as possible.

Each classroom blog is totally private to the students and teachers in that particular classroom.  These blogs are NOT public.  Their classroom teachers, Miss Amie, and myself are the only people who can see the blog besides the students themselves.

Kidblog (at kidblog.org) is designed specifically for teachers and students, and is completely secure.  I have set up a class network of blogs, where each child has their own, and they are all connected through me. In this way, we can communicate amongst each other, but our work will not be visible or accessible to the public at large. Your child has their own specific password, which will give them access to edit their own blog, as well as the ability to comment on other studentsʼ blogs. However, each and every post and comment will come to me first for approval. In this way I can monitor the conversations and ensure that everything is positive and appropriate.

Ask your student to show you our classroom blog!  They can access it simply by going to www.kidblog.org or you can also find it through my wiki page at http://mgslyon.wikispaces.com/.  Students really LOVE to blog!!  

AHH-Coca-Cola!

Coca-Cola has a pretty cool new ad campaign...what first drew me there was THIS VIDEO. where Kurt Hugo Schneider made back-up music using coke cans, bottles etc.  Pretty cool!

 

  After you've listed to this cool piece, go to "menu" at the bottom, and on each letter of AHHHHHHHH you will find games,videos and even the Coke version of the Can Can!  Cats in Boxes is pretty cute too!  30 different things to check out.  This was created by ad agency Wieden + Kennedy Portland. (check out their site too, some interesting things there!)   Coke actually has 61 different url's that are some kind of version of AHHHHH, their new slogan.

The site is aimed at teens, so these little snippets are short and sweet.  Every two weeks the company will review the traffic for each URL, and replace those that don't receive many visitors.  I'm not a big fan of Coke, but this site will occupy your time for awhile!  

Also, check out Kurt's cover of CUPS for Pitch Perfect! He also has a YouTube Channel that you can subscribe to.

QR Codes, Barcodes, and RFID. OH MY!!!!

The students and I have explored QR codes quite a bit this year.  They have used the QR scanner on their iPads to scan everything from a website, to a listening selection for a composer, to a quiz.  We have discovered that QR codes are EVERYWHERE!

QR codes, bar codes, and radio frequency identification (RFID) codes are all unique and all serve different purposes. All convey large amounts of information in a small physical space.   They might link to a website, a text document, a photo, someone's business card, or even your voice!!  Basically it connects the online world to the physical world.

QR codes were created in Japan in the 1990s, although they didn't get much attention until very recently.  A QR code always has a filled-in box in every corner.  QR codes can easily be read by any free QR scanner on a smart phone, notebook or iPad. There are also a variety of free QR code generators if you want to create your own QR code.  The QR code below will take you to this blog!

Barcodes have been around for decades.  We are used to seeing them on packaging for things that we purchase.  They are not only handy for the point of sale (linking to the cost), but also for managing inventory.  Here's an example of a bar code, also easy to scan from any free scanner app.

RFID has similar uses to that of the barcode, but are especially useful in situations where vast quantities of goods are moved or tracked.  Large chains such as Wal-Mart and the Department of Defense us this to track the vast quantities of items required for their situations.  RFID tags are applied to items or boxes or pallets.  They vary in size, shape and capability.  The tag has a small antenna that emits a radio frequency signal, picked up by a special wireless RFID reader.  Here is an example of one.

Coming tomorrow.....some VERY unique uses of the QR code!!!!!

Ed who??

During the TIE Conference, we have been using Edmodo to connect with each other, as well as a place for presenters to store their presentation material and other information to share.  I had heard of Edmodo before, but never really explored it very much.  I'm learning how to use it this week, as well as contemplating ways that I might use it in my classroom.

The format of Edmodo is very similar to that of Facebook.  This alone makes it appealing to students!  It's like Facebook for education in a way.  Besides communication between students and educators, Edmodo can be used for assessments, assignments, alerts, and polls to name a few.  Edmodo also has apps.  Some of these are free, others are purchased.  There are LOTS of apps.  These are great ways to engage your students with games and interactives, content creation tools as well as classroom management tools.  They are easy to install.  One thing I noticed yesterday, was that some of them seemed to not work on the iPad.  That is something I'll have to check out further.

I will be spending some time this summer exploring how to use Edmodo.  I think it is worth a try!  Here are a few sites to look at to get an idea of what Edmodo can do for your classroom:

http://help.edmodo.com/teachers/teacher-rollout-resources/twenty-ways-to-use-edmodo/
http://blog.edmodo.com/2010/11/23/we-asked-you-answered-15-more-brilliant-ways-to-use-edmodo/
http://blog.edmodo.com/2010/11/17/7-brilliant-ways-to-use-edmodo-that-will-blow-your-mind/
http://www.slideshare.net/seyfert6/20-ways-to-use-edmodo

Take A Seat...

I wonder how this would work in Martin, SD?  Check out SoulPancake for more intriguing videos:)

Positive Thoughts

So often, we can change our entire day EITHER to a negative or a POSITIVE memory.  Sometimes we ("I") need to be re-directed (like I re-direct my students who are off task!)  I've also found that if "I" am positive in my outlook, then OTHERS will respond to that in a positive way.

Not everything in life is fun and games.  However, with our focus on what is important in our lives - our faith, our family - we will see the bountiful blessings that God has bestowed upon us.  It is then that those "not-so-good" experiences have less of an impact on our lives.

A free pdf was published at Kind Over Matter last year.  It's similar to those sheets you see in the grocery store advertising babysitting, lawn mowing etc.  There are little tear-off strips at the bottom for people to take with them with positive thoughts on each strip.  I challenge you to print it out, take it to your workplace, or even put it on your refrigerator!  Spread some positive thoughts.  And check out the Kind Over Matter blog as well.  She always has lots of cool ideas and thoughts!  Go Make a difference and download the full-sized version of the Positive Thoughts printable!

"What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?"

Create-Inspire-Risk-Dream-Adventure-Greatness-DEFY THE IMPOSSIBLE!!

"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?"
Vincent van Gogh

This video by Regina Dugan was made when Dugan was the director of DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. She now serves in an executive role at Google. You might find her bio interesting..

Her premise is not that we WON'T fail at things - failure in indeed part of life. So, what stops us from pursuing our dream? It's the FEAR of FAILURE. It is in failing, that we learn, that we do better. Yet, why are we so afraid of encountering failure? Do I believe in myself enough to know that despite failure, I will learn, go on and do great things?

What is your dream? What is your passion? Watch, be inspired!

Social Media Saving Lives - Two Words At A Time

"The biggest fear we face in the world today is the fear of being insignificant." ~ Angela Maiers

Please read this post by Jure Klepic. PLEASE read, understand, and watch. The author has been to the point of contemplating suicide. He did not feel that he mattered to anyone - his community, his family, himself. That is, until he heard Angela Maiers TEDX Talk about the YOU MATTER Manifesto.

As a teacher, as a parent, as a colleague at work, we need to affirm to those in our life that "YOU MATTER." Through technology, social networking, we are connected to hundred, thousands of people each day. Yet, it is the TOUCH, the VOICE, the LOOK of another individual that tells me that I MATTER. A post of Facebook does not fully communicate to another how important they are to me, to our family, to our community.

Take notice of the person beside you in line at the grocery store, the child asking you to read a book, the church member who is sitting alone....tell them "YOU MATTER"!! Make a difference.

As well as reading and viewing the video by Jure Klepic, I encourage you to check out the YOU MATTER Manifesto by Angela Maiers.

Pinterest Linky Party!

This is the COOLEST thing ever!!!! A Pinterest Linky Party! Here's your chance to link up with/view/share with other educators who are on Pinterest!!! You don't have to be a blogger to participate....just a Pinner!!! Check out the detals over at Rainbows Within Reach.

An example of what social networking is all about!!! Connecting, sharing, producing, contributing!