May 2012 ~ Internet Guides Blog

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Lockerbie Bomber Has Died: Do Your Students Know About Pan Am 103?

6:48 AM al-Megrahi, Lockerbie, Pan Am 103, Scotland, terrorism No comments

After reading the news that Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, (the only person convicted in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103) had passed away, I asked some of my students if they knew anything about the event. They shook their heads. This act of terrorism was the precursor of September 11. 2001 and took the lives of 270 people. If you teach world history, here are 11 resources on Pan Am 103 and how it affected the town of Lockerbie, Scotland and the world.

20th Century History- overview of the bombing of Pan Am 103 from About.com

Death of Lockerbie Bomber al-Megrahi Doesn't Close the Book

Lockerbie Crash Timeline- from CNN

Lockerbie: Did Someone Else Bomb Pan Am 103?

Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc.- list of the victims, poetry by family of the victims, information about the investigation and trial

Washington Post- timeline

Here's What You Missed at EdCamp Philly

8:03 PM EdCamp, smackdown No comments

Resources From Today's Sessions
Schedule for EdCamp Philly

SMACKDOWN EDCAMP PHILLY: SHARED RESOURCES
A 3x3 Links Speed-Dial Page- simple start page for your resources

360 Cities- panoramic photography from around the world

CAPspace- educational videoconferencing

Change By Us Philly- share ideas and make your community better

Class Dojo- "realtime behavior management"with great graphics and sound effects; very funny

Classroom Organizer- manage your classroom library

Collaboreyes- "A global project to help students see the world through a new lens"

Cybrary Man's Catalogue of Educational Websites

INCREDIBOX- you have try this one!!

Instagrok- visual search

Isle of Tune- kids can create musical journeys through street layouts

JellyCam- stop-motion maker

Let Me Google That For You- type in a question to search

My Live Signature- create your signature to use on websites, documents

NearPod- teacher and student app; teacher can control all iPads

Reflection- app for iPad or iPhone; sends the audio and image from your device to your Mac

Rubrics For Assessment- many to choose from

Scribble Maps- draw on Google Maps

Sign Now- sign documents anywhere

Smore- design flyers online with their templates; easy to use

The Secret Annex Online- interactive 3D tour of Anne Frank's hiding place

This is Sand- fun art

WeVideo- video collaboration

School Newspaper Advisers: 17 Websites For Student Photographers

6:28 AM digital photography, photographing groups, photography, photography tutorials, sports photography No comments

It's tough to find really committed student photographers. I'm talking about the ones who are always there and ready for any assignment that comes their way. They also need a good camera, preferably a DSLR which they can use to capture sports, whether it is indoors or outdoors. I was fortunate this year to have an awesome photography editor, a young lady who manages to do well in all her classes, run on the track team AND keep after her staff of five photographers. If you are the newspaper adviser in your school, it is very important that your photographers know how to take pictures.

8 Tips For Taking Sports Photos Like a Pro - right to the point

21 Settings, Techniques and Rules All New Camera Owners Should Know

100 Ways to Use a Digital Camera

A Beginner's Guide to Digital Cameras- learn about pixels, aspect ratio, types of graphics formats, memory and digital/optical zooms.

CNET Reviews Point and Shoot Digital Cameras- all within the $100-$200 range

CNET Reviews Best Entry-Level DSLR Digital Cameras- here are the cameras with interchangeable lenses plus a lot more.

Digital Photography Tutorials

Glossary of Photographic Terms- from Kodak

How to Take Better Sports Photos- advice from freelance photographer

How to Take Great Group Photos- 12 excellent tips are listed here with a photo example for each one

How to Photograph Volleyball- video tips from a professional photographer

HP Learning Center- sign up for free and take all 16 classes if you like; great resource!

Photography Tutorials- from Tutorial9

Sports Photography

Sports Photography Techniques- excellent and complete site with step-by-step information on shooting sports. You can view many sample shots taken for a school newspaper.

Ten Tips for Great Pictures- from Kodak; excellent

It's Teacher Appreciation Week!

11:09 AM teacher appreciation week No comments

Treat yourself because you are special. Click the FREE tab at the top and see how many discounts you are entitled to because you are a teacher. Add your suggestions below and I'll put them on this LONG list!

Author and Illustrator Maurice Sendak Has Died

6:45 PM children's books, Maurice Sendak No comments

Having worked as a media specialist in an elementary school, I am familiar with the books of Maurice Sendak. I was saddened today to hear that he passed away this morning at age 83. Coming home this afternoon I heard an old interview with him on NPR. (National Public Radio) I learned many new things about the man I never knew before. It was a touching tribute to the man who entertained so many children.

"I have nothing now but praise for my life. I'm not unhappy. I cry a lot because I miss people. They die and I can't stop them. They leave me and I love them more. ... What I dread is the isolation. ... There are so many beautiful things in the world which I will have to leave when I die, but I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready." -Maurice Sendak

Adobe Creative Suite 6 Arrives Today: Teachers Can Save 80% !!

5:21 PM Adobe CS6, Adobe Photoshop, CS6 No comments

I admit it. I love Photoshop. And Illustrator. And Dreamweaver. If you teach graphic design or just love Adobe products like I do, you'll be happy to hear that CS6 has shipped as of today. Best part of all? Teachers (and students) can purchase packages of the software for 80% off list price. EXAMPLE: The Design Standard package sells for $1,299.00. Cut to the educator price- $349.00. Just prove that you are a teacher and you get the price! Both versions have exactly the same software. For more information on the packages in CS6, click here. Adobe is not the only retailer with educator discounts; the Academic Superstore sells software for Windows and Macintosh computers, and currently is selling the same Design Standard package for $344.95. Photoshop Elements 10 (stripped-down version of Photoshop which is plenty for most people) is only $114.95 at the Academic Superstore and $119.00 at Adobe. Seems strange that the software costs more money from the people who make it, isn't it?

Ideas for the End of the School Year

9:10 AM No comments

It's that time of the year again! Is it just me, or are the years going by faster as we get older? Right now we are involved in AP testing for juniors and seniors, with biology testing this week as well. Then the concerts, class trips, fashion show, prom.....well, you know the drill. It is crazy here as I'm sure it is at your school. If you're looking for some great ideas on how to finish the school year, look no further. These 17 links have hundreds of ideas for you.

150+ End of the Year Activities- the Organized Classroom's blog has gathered this list from their Facebook page.

Certificates, Awards and Coupons- posting from this blog with templates to download

End of School Lessons and Teacher Resources- from HotChalk

End of School Theme Unit- from Edhelper

End of the School Year Ideas for Primary Grades

End of School Year Pinterest Board- ideas for younger children

End of the Year Technology Project Ideas- nice listing from the Port Washington School District

End of Year Activities, Printables, Lessons and Teaching Ideas- from A to Z Teacher Stuff

Five End-Of-Year Lessons- from Education World

Ideas For End of the Year Activities- from Bright Hub

Lesson Ideas and Reflection- from high school physics teacher David Andrade

School Memory Book- Enchanted Learning's activity for young children

Super Teacher Worksheets- teacher submitted ideas; covers all grades

TeacherVision's End of Year Resources- loads of resources here, including printables and slideshows

Terrific Ways to Motivate Kids at the End of the Year

Vicki Blackwell's End of the School Year- nice listing for elementary teachers

Wrap Up the School Year With a Strong Finish- Scholastic's K-6 offerings

Job Resources for Teachers

9:35 AM jobs for teachers, teaching jobs No comments

It's that time of the year again, where due to budget cuts, many teachers have not had their contracts renewed. This listing has recently been updated with the addition of 38 more sites and now has its own page. Just click the tab at the top of the blog.

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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

3:36 PM doodle 4 google, Google No comments

Google has announced the winners of the state contests for the Doodle 4 Google contest. Students from grades K-12 participated, by drawing their answer to the question: "If I could travel in time, I'd visit…". The winner of the national contest (vote here for your favorites in each grade category) will see their design on Google's home page as well as on a Crayola 64 crayon box! Here's a listing of all the prizes which will be awarded to the various winners.

The Power of Music Therapy

8:58 AM music therapy, nap time No comments

It's nap time for the kindergarten children. They are all rolling around and trying to close their eyes. Playing music to calm them down is a no-brainer. My recommendation: "Welcome to the World: A Musical Collection for the Nursey". This is my original music, and since most of my tracks are instrumental, the CD will work for 5 years olds as well as newborn babies. Give a free listen here. You can also sample or download tracks on iTunes. Just search "Julie Greller." Thank you for allowing me to be a tad self-serving.....