Create Your Own Digital Portfolio: 22 Resources to Assist You and Your Students

Today's job market has shifted.  With computers, smartphones, the Internet and everything digital, you can now make your web presence known by creating digital portfolio. (Also known as e-Portfolio or electronic portfolio) Not sure what a digital portfolio is? Here's a great explanation and a list of resources to help you begin.


Build a Killer Online Portfolio in 9 Easy Steps- geared towards freelancers, teachers who are looking for a job can customize the steps; straight forward and to the point

Creating an Interactive Portfolio with Google Sites- developed by Helen C. Barrett, Ph.D

Digital Portfolio Template- PowerPoint presentation template from Microsoft

Digital Portfolios: Guidelines For Beginners- 67 page document

e-Portfolio Benefits and Resources- nice list of links on digital portfolios






Folio For Me- embed over 200 apps in your portfolio; control themes; supports 5 different language

FolioSpaces- free and premium versions available

Glogster- create an online visual presence





How to Create a Portfolio with Evernote- written by teacher Rob Van Nood

How to Create Your Digital Portfolio- from eHow

LiveBinders- create your own online 3-three binder; make it public or share with specific people

Portfoliogen- create your own webpage to show your digital portfolio; use to find a job or just share your work

Professional Educator Portfolio Articles- around a dozen listed

Sample VisualCV Portfolio- Instructional Technology Trainer Shelly Terrell





Teacher Ozge Karaoglu's Digital Portfolio- using Glogster  and Wikispaces

Three Ring- although labeled as "an app for teachers to create educational portfolios of student work", this app can also be used by teachers; just upload work; mobile and iPad app also available

VisualCV- Internet-based resume which can include charts, audio, video and images

Whatfolio- choose themes, fonts and add to social networks; mobile and tablet apps available

What is a Digital Portfolio?- simple explanation

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60 Websites on Colonial America: 1607-1776

I always enjoyed learning about early American history. It was one of those classes where I felt transported to another time where life was so different (yet simple) compared to today. This time in particular, 1607-1776, our nation was coming into its own, with the forming of the thirteen colonies and the eventual Declaration of Independence. If you teach this subject, I hope you'll find these resources helpful.

10 Interactive 13 Colonies Maps- from Mr. Nussbaum's site

13 Originals: Founding the American Colonies

A to Z Teacher Stuff- lesson plans and printables on colonial America

America During the Age of the Revolution- timeline covers 1764-1775

American Memory- photographs, manuscripts. rare books, maps, recorded sound and movies

The American Revolution- interactive lessons for K-8

American Revolution Resources- from the Library of Congress

The American Revolution and its Era- maps and charts of North America and the West Indies

The American Revolution Center- "a living memorial to the American Revolution and its enduring legacy."

American Revolution Crossword Puzzle- from New York Times Learning Network

American Revolution Timeline

America's Story- children's site from the Library of Congress

Archiving Early America- primary source materials include portraits from original newspapers, maps, writings, and music.

The Battle of Bunker Hill- Massachusetts Historical Society's web exhibition

Ben Franklin and His Inventions

Betsy Ross: Her Life-biography of the woman who sewed the American flag

Biographies of the Founding Fathers

The Boston Tea Party, 1773

Chart of the Thirteen Original Colonies- from About.com

Civil Rights News and Information- i.e. affirmative action, hate crimes, voting rights etc.

Colonial America Rare Maps Collection

Colonial America Resources- lessons and printables cover grades K-12

Colonial Currency

Colonial House- Behind the scenes of this PBS movie, with lesson plans, audio and video and a section of resources.

Colonial Life in Early America- from Kid info; covers clothing, currency, economy, education and much more

Colonial Newspapers

Colonial Williamsburg- official site

Colonization and Settlement- resources form the Library of Congress

Daily Life in the Colonies- from the PBS website, Liberty! The American Revolution.

The Declaration of Independence

Digital History- extensive site has multimedia, primary sources, historic newspapers, interactive time line and so much more!

Early America's Digital Archive- covers 1492-1820

Eyewitness to History -history through eyes of the ones who lived it


Fifty States- this site allows you to access the home page for each state, including the state bird, tree, flower, flag, car license plate and state song.

Historical Documents- University of Oklahoma College of Law's site contains documents from pre-colonial times to the present. Also has a guide to American flags.

History of Jamestown

Mapping Colonial New England: Looking at the Landscape- from NEH

The Mayflower Compact

Mayflower History- includes Pilgrim history, the Mayflower passenger list, Mayflower genealogy


NeoK12- quizzes and videos on the American Revolution

An Outline of American History- first chapter is on colonial America

Paul Revere Virtual Museum

Pilgrim Hall Museum- explains the Pilgrim story, including Thanksgiving

The Real Pocahontas- compares the real Pocahontas with the movie character

Revolutionary War Animated

Revolutionary War Biographies

The Road to Independence Simulation- webquest written by students

Salem Witch Hunt- interactive from National Geographic

Salem Witch Museum

Salem Witch Trials- biographical information

Salem Witch Trials-documents and participants

Teacher Guide to the American Colonies- TeAchnology's

TeacherVision- printables and lessons on colonial America; covers grades K-12

United States History Timeline- covers all years, including a timeline of the American Revolution

United States Newspapers- covers 1700s; from the Library of Congress collection

Virtual Jamestown-  ongoing teaching and learning project

Virtual Marching Tour of the American Revolution

What Do You Think Ben Meant?- words of wisdom from Ben Franklin

Witches and Witchcraft in New England and Salem- list of resources from About.com

Words and Deeds in American History- chronological listing

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33 Job Ideas for Tweens and Teens

The current job shortage has affected adults and young people alike. So many of my students wish to work but or either too young for working papers or the insurance company for a business requires a minimum age of 18.  What's a kid to do?

1. Advertise on Fiverr, where someone could pay $5.00 and up for a service of yours

2. Assist a senior citizen with their chores at home or away from home

3. Babysitting

4. Be a clown or other entertainment at a kid's birthday party

5. Bicycle repair 

6. Counselor-in-training at a day camp or sleep away camp

7. Create anime or cartoon books to sell

8. Dog walker

9. Fix computer problems

10. Have a bake sale

11. House cleaning

12. Messenger service

13. Mowing lawns

14. Newspaper delivery

15. Paint faces at a craft market or street fair

16. Photo restoration for friends and family

17. Photograph a kid's birthday party

18. Planting flowers

19. Put flyers on cars

20. Run errands for people

21. Shoveling snow

22. Sell bottled water at a little league game, race or marathon

23. Sell hand-made stuff on Etsy

24. Sell lemonade or iced tea

25. Take care of someone's dog or cat

26. Take an online survey and get paid cash-Cashcrate

27. Teach a musical instrument

28. Translate documents etc. (you have to be fluent in that language)

29. Tutor young kids

30. Wash cars

31. Wash windows

32. Work for a church or other group as a pianist

33. Write an article for  Ezine Articles  

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Edmodo's Digital Citizenship Posters

Available in 6 languages, Edmodo has provided free posters on digital citizenship for download. There are 2 sizes: 8.5 x 11 and 11 x 17, both in color and black and white. It's a nice addition to your computer lab or classroom. I will add this to the FREE page on this blog.

Thanks to Richard Byrne of Free Technology for Teachers for the info.

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43 Authors for Elementary School Students

As promised, here's a listing of authors who have written books for children in grades K-6.  If you have any for me to add, please post a comment.

David Adler- Cam Jansen series, Bones and the Roller-coaster Mystery, Fraction Fun, The Babe and I
Avi- A Beginning, A Muddle and an End, Abigail Takes the Wheel
Ludwig Bemelmans- Madeline series of books
Judy Blume- Superfudge, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great
Jan Brett- The Hat, The Mitten, Town Mouse, Country Mouse
Marc Brown- The Arthur series, the D.W. series of books 
Margaret Wise Brown- Goodnight Moon, Bunny's Noisy Book,
Eric Carle- The Very Busy Spider, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Nibble Nibble
Beverly Cleary- The Ramona series of books, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Ralph S. Mouse
Eoin Colfer- The Legend of Spud Murphy,
Tomie dePaola- Strega Nona, Maggie and the Monster, I Love You, Sun; I Love You, Moon
Mem Fox- Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, Possum Magic
Don Freeman- Corduroy, Earl the Squirrel, Hattie the Backstage Bat
Neil Gaiman- The Graveyard Book, The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish
Kevin Henkes- Lily's Big Day, Owen, Chrysanthemum,
Marcia Thornton Jones- Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots, Champ, Ratfink 
Ezra Jack Keats- My Snowy Day, Jennie's Hat, Peter's Chair
Munro Leaf- The Story of Ferdinand, Reading Can Be Fun
Lois Lowry- The Anastasia series, All About Sam
Robert McCloskey- Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal, Lentil
A.A. Milne- Winnie the Pooh
Robert Munsch- Class Clown, Down the Drain, Smelly Socks, We Share EVERYTHING!
Laura Numeroff- If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, If You Give a Pig a Pancake, What Mommies Do Best
Mary Pope Osborne- Kate and the Beanstalk, Sleeping Bobby, The Brave Little Seamstress
Dav Pilkey- Captain Underpants
Patricia Polacco- Bun Bun Button, The Graves Family Goes Camping, Pink and Say
H.A. Ray- Curious George books
J.K. Rowling- Harry Potter series
Cynthia Rylant- Missing May, Gooseberry Park
Allen Say- Grandfather's Journey, Tree of Cranes
Maurice Sendak- Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen
Dr. Seuss- Green Eggs and Ham, Horton Hears a Who, The Cat in the Hat
Shel Silverstein- Falling Up, Runny Babbit, Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, The Giving Tree
Jerry Spinelli- Third Grade Angels, Fourth Grade Rats, I Can Be Anything!
William Steig- Shrek, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, The Amazing Bone,
Janet Stevens- The Little Red Pen, Help Me, Mr. Mutt!, Anansi's Party Time
Kay Thompson- Eloise
Chris Van Allsburg- Jumanji, The Polar Express
Laura Ingalls Wilder- Little House on the Prairie
Margery Williams- The Velveteen Rabbit
Audrey and Don Wood- Alphabet Mystery, Blue Sky, Elbert's Bad Word, Magic Shoelaces
Jane Yolen- How Do Dinosaurs Laugh Outloud?, Pretty Princess Pig, Apple for the Teacher
Paul Zindel-  I Love My Mother, Pardon Me, You're Stepping on My Eyeballs, The Undertaker's Gone Bananas

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40 Authors For Your Junior-Senior High School Audience

It's hard to get kids interested in reading. They are being entertained at every turn, with videos, smartphones, X-Box 360, Wii and the Internet. As I finished my year-end report for the library media center, I realized that circulation of books had gone down and I needed to find a way to get them interested in reading. Earlier this year I did a post on Why I Order Graphic Novels for the Library, where I explained why I choose to keep these books in the collection. I'm happy if a student reads a magazine, because reading IS reading. So, I decided to not just provide a listing of young adult authors, I've added some of their book titles, since students remember the title of a book they want to read, not necessarily the author's name. And believe me, they DO judge a book by its cover.....or title for that matter. NEXT POST:  Authors for elementary school children.

Sherman Alexie- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Laurie Halse Anderson- writes for young readers and young adult readers

Jay Asher- Thirteen Reasons Why, The Future of US; NY Times Best-Selling Author

Avi- writes for children and young adults; comedy, mystery, historical fiction, short stories and more

Judy Blume- writes for all ages

Ann Brashares- Young adult and adult novels; The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Meg Cabot- author for kids/tweens, young adult and adults

Orson Scott Card- Landertop, (graphic novel) Lost Gate, Pathfinder

Cassandra Clare- writes novels, (City of Bones) short fiction, (Geektastic) and graphic novels (first one due in December 2012)

Eoin Colfer- writes for tweens and young adults; Artemis Fowl, The Legend of Spud Murphy, The Wish List

Suzanne Collins- author of the Hunger Games series

Ally Condie- The Matched Trilogy

Robert Cormier-The Chocolate War, I Am the Cheese, We All Fall down, In the Middle of the Night

Sarah Dessen- That Summer, Someone Like You

Cornelia Funke- writes for tweens and young adults; Dragon Rider, Inkheart, Igraine the Brave, Ghosthunters and the Mud-Dripping Monster

Neil Gaiman- writes books for all ages

Nancy Garden- books for ages 10-14 year olds

Carl Hiaasen- writes for young readers and adults

S.E. Hinton- Rumblefish, The Outsiders, Tex

M.E. Kerr- Fell Back, Fell Down, Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack, Deliver Us From Evie

Michael Laser- writes for all ages

David Levithan- The Realm of Possibility, Are We There Yet?, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Lois Lowry- author of The Giver

C.K. Kelly Martin- I Know it's Over, My Beating Teenage Heart, Come See About Me

Stephenie Meyer- Twilight Series author,also has written The Host

Walter Dean Myers- Kick, Lockdown, Dope Sick, The Cruisers, Sunrise Over Fallujah, Monster, Street Love

Christopher Paolini- Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, Inheritance

James Patterson- Maximum Ride, Daniel X, Witch and Wizard, Middle School: Get Me Out of Here!

Gary Paulsen- Hatchett, Brian's Winter, Dogsong

Richard E. Peck- Schmidt's Mill, Jackalope Casino, Something for Joey

Rick Riordan- young adult and adult author; Percy Jackson's World, Kane Chronicles

J.K. Rowling- Harry Potter series

Louis Sachar- Holes, The Cardturner

Jerry Spinelli- writes for kids and young adults; Stargirl, Eggs, Milkweed

Maggie Stiefvater- The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Boys, The Scorpio Races

Ned Vizzini- How to Not Go Crazy in High School, Teen Angst?, Be More Chill

Cynthia Voight- Angus and Sadie

Scott Westerfeld- Uglies, Peeps, Midnighters, (series) Leviathan, So Yesterday

Jacqueline Woodson- writes for kids and young adults

Paul Zindel- The Pigman, Harry and Hortense at Hormone High, Pardon Me, You're Stepping on My Eyeballs

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Kathy Schrock's Bloomin' Apps For iPad

Since my most popular post this year was 39  Sites for Using iPad in the Classroom, I decided to share another super iPad link, Bloomin' Apps for iPad. Supporting all levels of Bloom's Taxonomy, Kathy Schrock's Bloomin' Apps for  iPad now joins all her other Bloomin' Apps in one place. You will find Bloomin' Google Apps, Bloomin' Android Apps and Bloomin' Web 2.0. For those of you who don't know who Kathy Schrock is, she is the one responsible for Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators, located on the Discovery Education website. Recently retired from her position as School District Technology Director, she is still involved in professional development workshops, speaking engagements, teaching online for Wilkes University and much more. Her blog, Kaffeeklatsch, is one you should follow, as she is always offering great tips and information on all things "technology". Kathy's main website is here, and it houses all her presentations, with links to her books and articles.

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The Most Popular Posts of the School Year

Some of you are already on school vacation, (I have 13 days left..) so I wanted to share with you the top posts from the blog from September 2011-May 2012.  They are in order of popularity.

39 Sites for Using iPad in the Classroom

Why Not Use Political Cartoons in Your Teaching? Here are 15 Places to Find Them

Do Your Students Know How to Cite a Tweet?

60 Sites for Digital Storytelling Tools and Information

10 Resources for Book Report Templates

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

Teaching the Gifted and Talented: 33 Websites Where You Can Find Good Resources

School Newspaper Advisers: 17 Websites for Student Photographers

The most popular page was Teacher-Librarians.

THANK YOU to everyone who has chosen to follow A Media Specialist's Guide to the Internet.
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