7 Things My Students Should Know About EBSCO

We are very fortunate to receive a free subscription to the databases of EBSCO from our state library.  It's a resource that offers a long list of databases, and so few of my students know how wonderful it is. I decided to make a poster which explains the 7 most important things they should all know about EBSCO. Here's the information I covered on it:1. You can trust the information you find on EBSCO.Although too many students feel that all...

Read More

Teach Sociology? Check Out These 20 Sites

American Sociological Association- resources for teachers and students Free PowerPoint PresentationsHigh School Sociology Activities- from eHow  Internet Resources for Teachers of Sociology- from the Library of Congress; very nice listing!Intro to Sociology Slide PresentationLesson Plans About Sociology- from PBS' documentary series POVSociology Central- includes free downloads of teacher notesSociology: General Resources- from Bubl...

Read More

Ta-Da!! Construction Finally Finishes!

For those of you who have been following the saga of the new construction in our library media center,  the three new classrooms are finally completed. We might have lost close to a third of our total space, but we gained back our library. No more classes in the main room. No more signs telling the students they couldn't enter when a class was there. We now have a cozy space and the added bonus of a quiet space for the faculty. This now gives...

Read More

16 Free Alternatives to Microsoft PowerPoint: Create and Store Online!

 I have never been a fan of PowerPoint. My school computer is a Windows Dell and at home I have all Macs. Microsoft's version for the PC is a better interface than the Macintosh. Coincidence? Hardly. Microsoft has succeeded in gaining the lion's share of the computer market, but Apple has had an incredible showing the last several years. I will always be a Mac girl. All right, I seem to have gotten off point. When students are working on presentations...

Read More

Political Corruption: A Timely Topic: 22 Places to Find Resources

Former Illinois governor Rod Blagjovich reported to prison in Colorado to begin serving a 14 year prison term. He might be the current corrupt politician in the news, but he's hardly the only one with a colored past. If you teach history or political science, here are a list of resources.10 Worst Political Scandals - from Newsweek MagazineAmerica's 50 Most Scandalous Political Scandals- some are a bit racyArticles About Political Corruption-...

Read More

Pre-Construction...Construction...Finished Project By Tomorrow?

Yesterday was a blur. Sometime in the mid-morning, the custodians came in with our principal and I was informed that the workers would be arriving shortly to begin construction in the library. I immediately needed to clear three bookshelves (both sides) so that the wall would be able to pass through that area. Luckily, our principal provided many student helpers to move large quantities of books. Of course I was more concerned with keeping the books...

Read More

The Ups and Downs of Downsizing

Oh boy. Just found out today that the library will be losing close to one third of its space. Offices. Classrooms. Study space. Not sure what, but all I know is that reorganization, more weeding and moving hundreds of books will be taking place very soon. Am I angry? Of course not. We just don't have enough space, and thanks to all the huge budget cuts (and lack of that "angel benefactor" we need) there simply is no other choice but to cut into the...

Read More

Is the Flipped Classroom The Classroom of the Future? Salman Khan Thinks So

We are all familiar with the typical classroom situation where the students sit in their seats and listen to the teacher lecture about a specific topic.That's the only way I remember learning in school. When we had an extended period (block) it could be very boring. Then, during 2007, along came a new concept: the flipped classroom. Now students could work at their own pace viewing video tutorials and the teacher did not have to worry about a "one...

Read More

All Shakespeare: 31 Websites to Fill Your Lessons With the Bard

 The Internet is loaded with information about Shakespeare. I have only tipped the iceberg with this list. Be sure and let me know if you are looking for specific resources for a certain subject area.60 Second Shakespeare- students create their 60-second interpretation of Shakespeare; BBC siteAbsolute Shakespeare- plays are listed by comedies, histories and tragedies; find study guides and trivia The Complete Works of William Shakespeare- M.I.T....

Read More

Time for a New Design!

Thanks to Jo from The Book Bug for introducing me to Pixelista! Jessica Barnard's designs are so "girly-perfect" that I was able to find one to use (yes, it was FREE) on "A Media Specialist's Guide to the Internet!"  What do you thi...

Read More

37 Websites For Teaching Kids About Money and Finance

Students today have no idea how important it is for them to learn about money and finances. They'd be surprised to find out that they could easily amass one million dollars by the time they retire if they would start investing and saving right now while they are still in high school. This type of class should be mandatory for all students, so that when they are out on their own they will understand how to balance their own checkbook, and make sound...

Read More

Feeling Lovely Today

Thank you to Jo from The Book Bug blog for nominating me for a One Lovely Blog Award! I am truly honored to be recognized as lovely! By the way, Jo, your blog is lovely too! I would be interested in knowing who designed your header.Here's how the One Lovely Blog Award works:1)  Link back to the blogger who gave it to you.2)  Follow the person who sent it to you. 3)  Pass the award onto 15 other bloggers.There are so many great blogs...

Read More

Cell Phones as Teaching Tools: 26 Places You'll Find Resources and Lesson Plans

Ever since cell phones became available to everyone, the issue of using them in the classroom has been debated. Some administrators have been wary of allowing them into the classroom, yet others like New Jersey principal Eric Shenenger have been very open to having them in his school. If you aren't able to have cell phones in the classroom, why not assign homework, where kids can explore its other uses? Yes, Johnny, your phone does more than text...........

Read More

All About QR Codes in Your Classroom: Here Are 44 Sites to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

My school does not allow students to use cell phones in the classroom. I don't agree with this policy, but rules are rules. However, assigning homework outside the classroom will allow your kids to learn a new way to use their smartphones, since texting seems to be the only thing they love to do. In June 2011, I did a post explaining QR Codes. With this post, I have put together a large listing which includes lesson ideas, QR apps for smartphones...

Read More