Do Your Students Know How to Cite a Tweet?

A student recently asked me if they could cite a tweet in their research paper. Sure, I said, and led them to the BibMe site. Much to my surprise, none of the websites for MLA citation explained how to cite a tweet. Even EasyBib, which boasts over 59 options for citations, did not list tweet. Yes, it's like quoting someone, but "tweeting" is synonymous with Twitter, and so one needs to somehow mention that in the bibliography. The correct way to cite a tweet is as follows:

THIS IS THE ORIGINAL TWEET:
Huffington Post (real name)  @HuffingtonPost  (user name )
Graphic photo from hospital reveals horrific results of bullying  huff.to/Jq4RCR

The first thing you list is the author's real name, followed by the username in parentheses. If there is no real name, just use the user name. Next, add the full text of the tweet, (make sure you put quotation marks) followed by the date and time of the tweet, including the time zone. The last thing you add is the word Tweet.

HERE'S HOW THE CITED TWEET WOULD LOOK:
Huffington Post (@HuffingtonPost) "Graphic photo from hospital reveals horrific results of bullying  huff.to/Jq4RCR" 25 April 2012, 2:57 p.m. EST. Tweet.

Read More

Anatomy Teachers: 36 Teaching Resources

Most of the resources below are intended for high school students, with a few for  middle and elementary levels.

RESOURCES
All Systems Go!- interactive game

Anatomy Arcade- loads of games, covering all eight systems of the body.

Anatomy Flash Cards- This is a HUGE list!

Anatomy of the Human Body- "The Bartleby.com edition of Gray’s Anatomy of the Human Body features 1,247 vibrant engravings—many in color—from the classic 1918 publication, as well as a subject index with 13,000 entries ranging from the Antrum of Highmore to the Zonule of Zinn."

Blink.biz- flash animations on immunobiology

BioDigital Human-make sure your browser is up-to-date for this site

BodyQuest

Build a Body- drag and drop parts of the human body

Encyclopedia.com- results from several online sources

Get Body Smart- interactive site with tutorials

Gray's Anatomy- over 12,000 entries cover everything about the human anatomy

Healthline Body Maps-3D male and female models

Heart Anatomy- interior view; many self-tests on this page.

Human Blood-introduction to its components and types; also find flash cards and crossword puzzles on the topic.

Human Body Resources for Teachers- nice listing from TeacherVision

Image Search from Google- over 9 million results!

Infoplease Encyclopedia

Inner Body- choose from the 8 systems to navigate (many ads on this site)

Learn Physiology Using Flow-Diagram Models

Master Muscle List- listed in alphabetical order or by region.

Medical Animation Library- from Penn Medicine; (UPenn) over 200 video tutorials

MEDtropolis- "home of the virtual body"

Membrane Transport- animated explanation

Muscle Contraction Animation

Skull Anatomy Tutorial- includes all views and a slide show.

Think Anatomy- huge collection of all-things anatomy, including dissection videos, terminology, mnemonics, podcasts, study guides and lots more; smartphone app is available!

The Whole Brain Atlas

LESSON PLANS
Anatomy: Muscular System- covers grades 7-12; links to lesson plans

Anatomy of the Brain- several lesson plans

Anatomy and Physiology Lesson Plans- includes class outlines, quizzes, handouts, images

Awesome Library's Lesson Plans

Body Tissue Lab- lesson plan complete with handouts

Human Body Lesson Plans- each system listed

Physiology and Body Systems Lesson Plans- PowerPoint and Word file downloads

Teaching the Parts of the Brain- grades 3-5

TeAchnology's Anatomy Lesson Plans- covers many grade levels

This blog has been here since June 2011 and has over 900 subscribers! Thank you to everyone who follows us! Want to subscribe in a reader? Click here. You can also subscribe through E-mail (see top left of this page) or follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Google Drive Arrives Today

I've always loved Google Apps and have used the Google Docs with my colleagues and students. Storage space is limited to 2GB, so when I read about the new Google Drive which was introduced today, I was very happy. Here's some of its great features:

• 5GB storage (Free account)
• Upload and share your files, which can include videos, photos, PDF's etc.
• Google Docs are built into Google Drive, so accessing your files is easy
• Share and collaborate with others
• Google Drive can be installed on your PC or Mac at home
• Download the app for your Android phone (iPhone app is in the works...)
• Google drive is able to identify OCR, (optical character recognition) which means any scanned text can be recognized in a search. (You can't edit the text)
• If you are looking for increased storage space, you can upgrade to  25GB/month, ($2.49) 100GB, ($4.99/month) or 1TB for $49.99/month.

Here's a video overview of Google Drive:

Read More

5 Things I Don't Like About My iPad

Don't get the wrong idea from the title of this post. I love my iPad2. But there are 5 things which have really bothered me since my purchase. Considering how expensive the iPad is, I was quite disappointed that it lacked certain features.

I have edited my original posting because of an error on my part. Apologies. Too much on my mind.


1. Speaker is too small and not enough volume at times.
The speaker should be able to handle the volume, and not sound too treble-like.

2. No Flash.
I remember reading the Steve Jobs hated Adobe Flash and therefore the iPad was never preloaded with the program. However, there are too many sites on the web which use Flash and anytime I want to view a video (or a site which depends on Flash) I am unable to see it.

3. No multitasking. 
Amazing, but true, only one thing can happen at a time. One app at a time. Enough said?

4. No way to browse files.
I really would like a file browser, wouldn't you?

5. Safari needs improvement.
Going between open tabs on an iPad is not the same as browsing on a computer. I was watching a video and decided to open another web page while listening to the video. This does not work on the iPad. The second I went to the next tab, the audio ceased, and when I went back to that very tab, the video played from the beginning.

Is there anything YOU don't like about the iPad? Leave a comment below.

Read More

39 Sites: Test Preparation for Your Students

With the advent of ASK testing this week, I was reminded that our students always seem to have another test hurdle to make it over. My seniors are especially nervous about the SAT's and what the requirements are for each college. It's never too early to start studying, right? Here's a listing which covers four main types of high school tests.

AP Exams
AP Test Books- choose your subject area and you can purchase a book for that subject.

Bubbabrain- games assist students studying for the AP and SAT

Cliff Notes- read articles on all AP subject areas, (free) or purchase handbooks.

Collegeboard- practice tips; registration for the AP

Pearson Education- AP Test Workbooks ($$)

Peterson's- practice tests for the AP; $19.95 each

Spark Notes AP Test Center- register for free for the center's "quick reviews of specific subject areas, full course reviews for select subjects, and diagnostic testing with full explanations to help you determine your study needs."

HSPA
HSPA Practice- 6 pages long

Mathematics Assessment Tutorial- from the NJ Department of Education

New Jersey 2010 HSPA Student Preparation Booklet- 39 pages

PSAT
Barron's Test Prep

Brightstorm- free PSAT prep videos

Collegeboard- practice tips and practice tests

Peterson's Free Practice Test- full-"length test like the real thing"

PSAT Programs and Events- from Kaplan

Shmoop Online Test Prep- $$

Study Guide Zone- free practice tests, guide, PSAT flashcards

Test Prep Review- free online practice tests

SAT
5,000 Vocabulary Words and Definitions
Bubbabrain- games assist students studying for the AP and SAT
Collegeboard- SAT practice; you can also register to take the SAT on this site.

Edufire- flash cards for the SAT; forums, interactive tutoring online ($$)

Flashcard Flash- search for flashcards from flashcard sites

Easel iPad App- study vocab for Algebra and the SAT

eHow: How to Study for the SATs- 6 important tips
I Need a Pencil- free SAT prep 

Kaplan SAT Quizbank- free study materials if you register

Khan Academy- although this YouTube site is blocked at school, you can connect outside the building; click on "test prep"

Official SAT Study Guide- from Collegboard; purchase price $21.99

PrepMe- SAT prep materials ($$)

The Princeton Review- tutoring, classes, study guides ($$)
SAT Vocabulary, Suffixes and Prefixes- free quizzes

Shmoop Online Test Prep- $$

Study Guide Zone- study guide, SAT practice questions; free

TestPrepPractice.net- 15 free practice tests

Test Prep Review- free online practice tests

VocabAhead- videos help students prepare for the ACT and SAT

VocabSushi- free site offers "the better way to build your vocabulary";  app also available

Words, Words, Words- Android app for vocabulary; use like flashcards or quiz yourself; help you pronounce

Read More

Designing Your Own READ Poster

I'm on a personal crusade to get my students to read more. As digital learners, today's kids have access to computers, smartphones, iPads, Wii, Xbox 360, 3D TVs and movies. They are in a very visual world, and it's a challenge to get many of them interested in reading of any kind. I've added graphic novels and Manga to the collection, added more magazine subscriptions and asked students what they like. My latest addition to the walls of the library are READ posters. I personally designed my own rather than purchase because I wanted our teaching staff to pose with a book.  Maybe students would see their teacher with a specific book and want to check it out. Worth a try, right? And the female teachers especially appreciated the "digital plastic surgery" I did to their faces!! If you would like to download a fully editable PSD copy of the poster, you can click here.

Read More

New Guide: Smartphone Apps for Teachers

There are thousands of apps out there in many different subject areas, and in my new guide I have narrowed the list down to include just the basics for any teacher. (Subject areas to follow in the future) Caveat: the guide covers Android and iPhones.

Open publication - Free publishing - More education apps

Read More

The EBSCO Poster

I recently posted information students should know about EBSCO, and I received several requests to see what my finished poster looked like. You can view it here if you'd like to get some ideas.

Read More

Book Cover Designer Chip Kidd Talks About His Work

Do your students judge a book by its cover? Do you? Book designer Chip Kidd's TED presentation is very funny and if you are a page-sniffer (that new book smell..) you'll really enjoy this talk. If you would like to see a sampling of Chip's artwork, TIME did a spread on The Book Jacket Art of Chip Kidd here.

“Much is to be gained by eBooks: ease, convenience, portability. But something is definitely lost: tradition, a sensual experience, the comfort of thingy-ness — a little bit of humanity"  -Chip Kidd
                                                                                         

Read More

Repairing Damaged Books: 15 Resources to Help You Do-it-Yourself (Plus One Free Workshop)

 I don't know about you; when I earned my certification as a media specialist, I had never been required to take a course in book repair. My colleague Nancy just received an MLS from Rutgers University (well known for their library sciences program) and she also never learned how to deal with damaged books. How is this possible? Can't figure that one out. But, if you can't attend a training workshop locally, you can always benefit from those who have posted videos and information online. (When I first started my job, the Internet was just a little baby....)

There are certain supplies you should always have in your library. Once you read the list, you'll understand why school library offices should have sinks and counter space. Here is a listing of supplies provided by Amigo Book Repair Workshops. I will be adding this post to the Teacher-Librarians page on this blog.

FREE WORKSHOP ALERT: Kapco (makers of book protection supplies) will come to your library and present a free in-service workshop on book repair, using their supplies. Here is the info sheet and website for more information.  Now for the other resources to do-it-yourself:

Beginners Guide to Book Binding- 14 videos from eHow

Book Repair Supplies Categories- from Gaylord

Bookcraft Book Repair Guide- 35-page pdf file written by Gaylord; excellent guide with pictures to guide you



Damage Control: Advice From a Professional Book Repairer- by Aaron Hierholzer


Damaged Books and How Libraries Fix Them










How to Repair a Book's Binding- step-by-step instructions with photos



How to Repair Your Old Damaged Books- no pictures, but in-depth instructions

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE?
Why not subscribe in a reader?
Follow me on Twitter
Thank you!!

Read More

My 200th Post! Study Skills for Your Students: 57 Sites and Apps

It has been 10 months since this blog began in this new location and I am amazed at how far we have come. We now have 880+ subscribers, several awards and lots of positive feedback. Thank you everyone for your support and for utilizing all the information here. If you'd like to subscribe to this blog in a reader, just click here. You can also subscribe via email (see left column) or follow me on Twitter.

All students need help with their study skills. Are your students aware of how to properly take notes? Some think that writing down every word will help them. Others can take notes but don't seem to be able to manage their time.I've put together a listing which will work for our 21st Century digital learners, as it includes smartphone apps. There are thousands of apps out there and it is impossible to cover all of them, so if you have a suggestion, please add to the comments below.

SITES

Create a Good Environment for Studying at Home- from Edutopia

Easy Notecards- "Easy Notecards is a place for students and teachers to create, study, print and share interactive notecards (flashcards) for their textbooks."

Education Atlas-study skills guides for students, including general guides, test-taking guides and study skills by subject area

Effective Lecture Note-Taking Tips

Effective Study Skills- written by Dr. Bob Kizlik

Five Lessons for Note Taking Fun-  from Education World; each is marked for the appropriate grade

Good Study Habits- from Lesson Tutor

High School Study Tips Videos- 12 videos cover reading, math, research

How to Improve Study Skills in Middle School- there are 7 tips on this site, as well as some helpful videos. The only annoying part is the ads which are visible (you can click "x" to close them) while you are trying to watch the videos.

How to Study.com- excellent site has loads of information, including SAT study tips, good listening in class, test anxiety and taking notes in class.

The Learning Toolbox- modules for students, teachers and parents; from James Madison University

Mastering Your Time- explains how to manage your time

Middle School Study Skills- a short video by private tutor Alexa Hale. Very helpful!

Mondofacto- geared towards secondary to college aged students, there is help with research, writing, testing

MyNoteit- online note taking tool for students; take, edit, share notes

Notetaking Paper- generates a pdf which you can print

Notetaking Skills

Note-taking Video- from Dartmouth University; runs 8.24 minutes.

Setting Useful Goals

Steps to Effective Textbook Reading

Study Guides and Strategies- very comprehensive listing includes Learning and Studying, Project and Time Management, Writing and Vocabulary, Thinking and Evaluation, Reading and Research and Math and Science.

Study Navigator- special search for research, including encyclopedias, thesauri, dictionaries and more

Study Skills Checklist

Study Skills for Students- from Education Corner; guides include Study Skills, Test-Taking and Resources By Subject.

Study Skills Guide- tips, strategies

Study Skills Help and Study Tips- this is a downloadable file

Study Skills Tips and Homework Help for Math

Study Tips- for secondary students; includes writing help, test-taking tips, learning information

Summarizing- information includes printable worksheets in English and Spanish

Teaching Elementary Students How to Study- from the National Committee for Research and Technology in Educational Communities

TeAchnology Resources- study skills activities, success packs and how to improve study skills

SMARTPHONE APPS

Android
Evernote- remember everything, from to-do list to websites; create documents

Remember the Milk- task manager

Spanish Droid Flashcards Free- "Spanish Droid FlashCards has a translation dictionary, in addition to an array of flash cards with commonly used phrases, verbs, adjectives, nouns, days, weeks, colors, months, and seasons."

StudyBlue Flash Cards- for Android

StudyDroid Free- "create flashcards on your Android device or online at StudyDroid's website, and then sync them."

Vocab Builder Lite- (also $$ version) Android app helps you build vocabulary 

Blackberry
Evernote- remember everything, from to-do list to websites; create documents

Flash Cards- basic math problems

General English Assessment Quiz- 5,000+ multiple choice questions for GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, SAT.

Learn Spanish- ($) 256 audio lessons; also available for English, French, Italian

MathSP SAT and PSAT Math Prep

Moo Math Lite- for very young kids

NElements Free- periodic table of elements

Practice English Grammar

Solar System Q Fact Book

Student Buddy- ($) organize assignments etc.

Student Notes- for high school students; covers algebra, geometry, trigonometry, grammar, physics, biology, chemistry, etc.

iPhone
Biology Exambuster: Nerves

Dictionary.com iPhone App- free download gives you a dictionary at your fingertips.

EleMints: Periodic Table-  ($)

Evernote- remember everything, from to-do list to websites; create documents

Flashcards Deluxe- this iPhone application costs $3.99 and lets you organize your flash cards into stacks. Studying was never this much fun!

Geometry Facts Flash Cards ($)

Gengo Audiocards: French

iSpeak Spanish

iThesaurus- a free iPhone application which offers a thesaurus with 140,000 words.

Math Quiz for all Ages- ($) from kindergarten to college

Remember the Milk- task manager  

Read More

41 Great Blogs to Follow By Subject Area

There are hundreds of thousands of education blogs out there on the web.  If you are not following anyone on Twitter in your subject area, how do you get your information? Are you registered on a wiki? Did you join any social networks like NING? Maybe some of you are even asking, "what's a wiki?" Here's a great place to start: read blogs in your area of study. Subscribe to them in a reader (RSS= really simple syndication) or via e-mail, whatever you find easier. This information should be available on the blog. Want to add any blogs to this list? Feel free to post a comment.

ART

Art of Apex High School 

The Art Teacher's Guide to the Internet 

The Teaching Palette

EARLY CHILDHOOD
A Place Called Kindergarten-teacher Jonelle Bell
Preschool Daze- preschool teacher and director Kristen Neufeld Epp
Teacher Tom

EDUCATION POLICY
Change Agency- Stephanie Sandifer blogs about education 
Practical Theory- Chris Lehman, principal of the Science Leadership Academy

Schools Matter-explores issues in public education policy

ENGLISH

The Scholastic Scribe- journalism and AP English teacher

Shakespeare Teacher 

SpeechTechie- interactive technologies you can use in language lessons and interventions.

ESL

Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day- a treasure-trove of sites from this ESL/ELL teacher

Teacher Reboot Camp- Shelley Terrell's blog covers language education, training (she gives webinars) and something for every teacher

GUIDANCE COUNSELORS

School Counseling Matters: The Professional Weblog of Rick Scheibner

HISTORY

Teaching the Civil War with Technology

U.S. History Teachers' Blog 

MATH 

The Exponential Curve- written by math teacher Dan Wekselgreene, this blog seeks to "generate and share ideas for teaching high school math concepts to students whose skills are below grade level".

I Speak Math- shows how to integrate technology and mathematics; written by Julie Reulbach

Math in the Middle - written by a middle school algebra teacher

Math Teacher Mambo- Ms. Cookie posts ideas for the classroom, including lesson plans

The Number Warrior-written by Algebra I, College Algebra, and Pre-Calculus teacher Jason Dryer

SCIENCE
Action-Reaction- physics teacher Frank Noschese
Always Formative- middle school science teacher Jason Buell

Educational Technology Guy

Quantum Progress- 9th grade physics teacher's award-winning blog
Teaching Chemistry: Building a 21st Century Chemistry Classroom - high school chemistry teacher Ellena Bethea

TEACHER-LIBRARIANS

100 Best Blogs for School Librarians

AASL Blog- The American Association of School Librarians

Neverending Search- Joyce Valenza's blog for School Library Journal

Top 50 School Library Blogs

TECHNOLOGY  INTEGRATION

Free Technology For Teachers - Richard Byrne's wonderful blog with technology resources

Kathy Schrock's Kaffeeklatsch- Kathy's resources can also be found on Discovery Education's

NCS-Tech- K-8 Ed-Tech resources

Thuman Resources- Lisa Thuman's "21st Century ideas to help facilitate good teaching and learning."

WORLD LANGUAGES

Blog Italiano- Italian

CT for Language Teachers

eTools for Language Teachers- written by a French teacher from Canada

French Teacher

Learn French

Los Bloguitos- Spanish

Spanish Plans- lessons and resources for Spanish teachers

Read More