tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41781560962979678872024-02-06T20:00:45.160-08:00Creativity On the GoCreativity is contagious. Pass it on. ~ Albert EinsteinJudy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-52032964930568689892019-10-11T20:30:00.001-07:002019-10-11T20:37:15.211-07:00Do You Know?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">In the early 90’s, the primary source of information was
limited to print materials with a level of trust that the information had gone
through a review process to be valid and credible. Safety concerns typically
revolved around not talking to strangers, looking before you crossed a street,
and not sharing personal information with people you didn’t know. Then came the
internet. Initially, the content on the web was static and there was concern
about purchasing anything online for fear that your credit card numbers would
be stolen. As time went on and technology improved, you no longer needed to be a
computer programmer to read and write to the web. Blogs, wikis, social media, video
conferences, apps, extensions, and so much more soon became the norm. Whether
it be communicating, creating, or collaborating, the internet has opened a world
of possibilities. Although inherently good, the internet has brought new safety
concerns to the forefront. Anyone can post to the web raising concerns about
the validity and credibility of information. The ease of which we can download
software, access web apps, install add-ons and extensions to GSuite apps and Chrome
is convenient, but also potentially harmful. How often do we click through buttons
in order to gain access to a resource or tool without ever reading the fine
print? Do we know what we have agreed to? Do we know what access we have granted
them to our information? Is the site secure? Is our information secure? What
data is being collected? If so, what is being done with our data? Does the
resource comply with the <span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">U.S. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and Rule
(“COPPA”)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">Our students have access to so many great resources to
engage them in their learning as well as to enhance their learning, but it is
imperative that we look at the security and privacy policies beforehand. The privacy
policies of three productivity tools that I often use with students are below.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.tinkercad.com/">TinkerCad</a> – <a href="https://www.autodesk.com/company/legal-notices-trademarks/privacy-statement/childrens-privacy-statement">Privacy
Policy</a></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">TinkerCad</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;"> is a
free online resource that allows students to design 3D structures. Their
privacy statement is consistent with </span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">the requirements of the U.S. Children’s
Online Privacy Protection Act and Rule (“COPPA”) and the European Union General
Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), where applicable. When students under 13
create an account, they are asked to provide a parent/guardian’s email address.
The parent/guardian will receive an email and be asked to approve/verify the
account via a credit card or a signed consent form. At any point that TinkerCad
becomes aware of activity that is inconsistent with COPPA, the data will be
deleted and/or a parent consent form would be required. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;"><a href="https://bookcreator.com/">BookCreator</a>
– <a href="https://bookcreator.com/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">BookCreator</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;"> is a
user-friendly tool that allows you to create interactive ebooks. </span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">It is a
software that <span style="background: #F9FAFC;">has been fully certified by
Internet Keep Safe (iKeepSafe) and is compliant with COPPA and FERPA. </span></span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">By default, all student books are private and only teachers
can choose to share a book beyond the classroom. Data is not sold or used for
advertisements. It is stored in Google Cloud, which offers a high level of
security</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;"><a href="https://www.screencastify.com/">Screencastify</a>
– <a href="https://www.screencastify.com/privacy">Privacy Policy</a></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Screencastify</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> is free
screen recorder that allows you to record, edit and share videos. It is a
software that <span style="background: #F9FAFC;">has been fully certified by
Internet Keep Safe (iKeepSafe) and is compliant with COPPA, FERPA and SOPIPA. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Screencastify</i> collects the minimum
amount of personal information required to operate their business. They collect
email addresses, basic app usage data, and any information the user chooses to
share. If at any time you want to check on the data being collected, you can
email the company and have it removed. All v<span style="background: #F9FAFC;">ideos
are owned by the creator, not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Screencastify</i>.
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">All three of these tools comply with COPPA and have gone
to great length to be transparent in the data that is collected. Only <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">BookCreator</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Screencastify</i> comply with FERPA. Because of the shared community
within <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tinkercad</i>, they have an
additional layer to get parent/guardian permission. After reading through all
of the policies, the thing that surprised me the most was how much information
there is to consider when utilizing an app with students. It also makes me
realize that I need to take the time to read these policies prior to using them
with students and promoting them with educators. It is imperative that we are
informed about the resources we are using with students, especially those under
the age of 13. It is also a good idea to communicate with your Technology Department
to get their assistance with any backend privacy concerns. At the end of the
day, the internet is a plethora of resources for us to consume and create new information,
but in doing so, it is imperative that we are vigilant about reading critically
and keeping ourselves, our students, and our data safe.</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-45845498209103052632019-08-10T15:54:00.000-07:002019-08-10T15:55:23.244-07:00Digital Citizenship<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: large;">We teach our children about having good manners by reminding them to say please and thank you. We teach them to be kind and respectful to others. We teach them that it’s not what we say, but how we say it that can affect the message being conveyed. We help our children work through the ups and downs of developing friendships. We keep them safe by reminding them to put on their seatbelts when we are in the car and only let them go to the homes of others that we know and are comfortable with. We believe that it takes a village to raise our children, but have you noticed that your child’s village has spilled over into the digital community? Do you know who is in this village? Do you know what your child is posting online and to whom? Do you know what trail of information your child is leaving behind? Do you know that once something is posted online, it never goes away? You are very much a part of your child’s real world, but are you also a part of your child’s digital world? If not, you should be.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Most adults did not grow up with technology and are often referred to as digital immigrants because we can remember the days of no computers, cell phones, tablets, etc. Today’s children on the other hand can’t imagine a world without this technology. They do not fear it and embrace every opportunity to use it for communication, entertainment and information. There is no doubt that technology is a powerful tool, but in the words of Spiderman, “<i>with great power comes great responsibility.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our students may be growing up in a world of technology, but that doesn’t mean that they have the life skills to effectively and responsibly use it. Technology is a great tool for learning, conducting research, and communicating. Unfortunately, however, we often hear how students use digital tools inappropriately for plagiarizing, cyberbullying, cheating, sexting, oversharing personal information, and meeting online strangers in person. As parents and educators, we have a responsibility to train and guide them on how technology fits into their lives. They need to learn that decisions they make online today can have long-term implications tomorrow. We want our students to be safe and to be positive members of the digital community, but they aren’t going to get there by themselves. We need to take an active role in their digital life by being aware of what they’re doing online, monitoring their online activities, and most importantly serving as positive role models. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever Googled yourself before? If not, you might be surprised to see what your virtual identity looks like because everything you do online is collected into a digital dossier, otherwise known as your digital footprint. This footprint is traceable by others and is virtually impossible to eliminate. Our students must become aware of their digital identity, so that they can learn how to manage and develop it into a positive one. It is imperative that they keep themselves and their personal information safe as the lines between the digital and real world have become blurred.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our digital reality is that technology is very much a part of all our lives and it is here to stay. For our students, they are interacting digitally more and more everyday with content, one another, and in various communities. <i>Google</i>, <i>Facebook</i>, <i>Twitter</i>, <i>Snapchat</i>and <i>Instagram</i>are but a few of the tools they are using to conduct their interactions. The tools they use tomorrow may change, but what won’t change is the need for our students to be educated on digital responsibility, citizenship and creating a positive online footprint. Together as parents, teachers and community members, we must be the village that works together to raise our students into digital leaders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For additional information and resources, please visit <a href="http://digitrail.weebly.com/">http://digitrail.weebly.com</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-29097056216218989852017-04-17T07:31:00.004-07:002017-04-17T07:45:10.626-07:00Maker Mindset<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Everywhere you turn, people are talking about makerspaces and asking lots of questions. Where
should the makerspace be placed? What materials and resources are needed? How much is it
going to cost? Is it in our budget? Who is going to maintain the makerspace? How will students
utilize this space? These are certainly good questions, but the
most important question that begs to be asked is WHY? Why
do you need a makerspace?
In reality, a makerspace isn’t a space at all, it’s a mindset. It’s
about exploring, discovering new ideas, and creating. It’s
about being innovative and creating things that are new and
better. It’s about tinkering, inventing, building, problem
solving, critical thinking, and taking risks. It’s about
collaborating and learning from others. It’s about failing,
learning from mistakes and trying again. It’s about finding your
passions and sharing them with others. It’s about making!</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At Cooper Upper Elementary, we transformed a dreary
storage room into a vibrant makerspace that is utilized by fifth
and sixth graders. Two of these students, Evan and Robby,
were especially energized by this new learning space last
year. The doors were not officially opened, but the boys
immediately felt safe to share some of the innovative projects
that they had been creating at home because they didn’t feel
that their passion for innovating had any place at school.
Ouch! Talk about a punch to the gut. Up until that moment, our words spoke of innovation, but in
the eyes of the students, our actions did not. As your school contemplates the why for a
makerspace, there is no better testimonial then that of these two young men. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCOr6E6tjxNQegfKYksXpnZGPyQ6blS96MopBeHilkmtR5RIlPklNtBGKM6N6UPydXGwghbNuNwjFg36buU_A4yMZHwWkY8cvagVb521yqWLg3wnh6lJMOyJa0AIfXVZY9tKYwmLsBho/s1600/Evan%25E2%2580%2599s+Makerspace+Thoughts+%25E2%2580%25A6At+the+beginning+of+the+school+year+of+2015%252C+I+had+no+idea+what+a+makerspace+was+but+quickly+I+realized+that+themakerspace+would+change+the+way+this+school+interacts+with+technology%252C+creat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCOr6E6tjxNQegfKYksXpnZGPyQ6blS96MopBeHilkmtR5RIlPklNtBGKM6N6UPydXGwghbNuNwjFg36buU_A4yMZHwWkY8cvagVb521yqWLg3wnh6lJMOyJa0AIfXVZY9tKYwmLsBho/s640/Evan%25E2%2580%2599s+Makerspace+Thoughts+%25E2%2580%25A6At+the+beginning+of+the+school+year+of+2015%252C+I+had+no+idea+what+a+makerspace+was+but+quickly+I+realized+that+themakerspace+would+change+the+way+this+school+interacts+with+technology%252C+creat.png" width="432" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkD1wTtD0bhVAgCzHk0PxlVdq5T7QwFk5axfdn1t7sCZJbDbIaEdnq18P2KMUdMNNc9lbBfdYiGQzxUCUVZzI-osZspd61_XTLeEfABnhjSOqm3yzgP6qDIVeWP4aVolw_NOsviDuz6dc/s1600/Robby%2527s+Thoughts+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkD1wTtD0bhVAgCzHk0PxlVdq5T7QwFk5axfdn1t7sCZJbDbIaEdnq18P2KMUdMNNc9lbBfdYiGQzxUCUVZzI-osZspd61_XTLeEfABnhjSOqm3yzgP6qDIVeWP4aVolw_NOsviDuz6dc/s640/Robby%2527s+Thoughts+%25281%2529.png" width="476" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-32228877878569589422017-03-04T07:55:00.002-08:002017-03-04T09:27:49.485-08:00When Does Learning Stop?<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As a seventeen year old getting ready to graduate from high school, I was on top of the world! Ready to be out of school and done with learning! Although I knew I would be going to college, I was convinced that learning only took place in school. As I was parading around the house celebrating my soon to be graduation, my dad sat in his favorite chair watching and listening. He then instantly deflated my enthusiasm bubble by telling me that my journey had only just begun and that my learning would never end. I laughed. Did he not remember that I would be graduating?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEqqNau2DQ8ow5RrUNJ785xlJtZl10D6DMRQLG4Y9AulhAj-Z4s743p1tIBGGBbQXhj1UQNkQm28GExOzAsb-lm1lMLxMUOkr6jZs2M8tBS5WmCuRoS82zpLsd-EIXf3oxYqZLdEnQ60/s1600/IMG_9823.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEqqNau2DQ8ow5RrUNJ785xlJtZl10D6DMRQLG4Y9AulhAj-Z4s743p1tIBGGBbQXhj1UQNkQm28GExOzAsb-lm1lMLxMUOkr6jZs2M8tBS5WmCuRoS82zpLsd-EIXf3oxYqZLdEnQ60/s320/IMG_9823.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My dad was wise beyond his years and I was a young teenager ready to make my mark on the world. I did not fully understand at the time the knowledge that he was trying to impart on me. I equated my education with school and he equated learning with life! I get it now because I am a life-long learner. After graduating from high school, I went on to get three college degrees. I've participated in every learning opportunity made available to me. I've learned how to parent three beautiful children. I've learned how to maintain a household. I've learned how to teach. I've learned how to cook. I've learned how to drive a manual transmission. I've learned so many things, one of which is that I have so much more yet to learn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The world is moving at a rapid rate and we need our students to be on board. They need to be prepared for life. Their life, not ours. Learning certainly takes place inside the walls of schools, but a student's education cannot and should not stop at the front door. B</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">ecause there is no end to growth and learning, </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">we need to embrace this attitude, so we can model life-long learning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We need to create a culture where our students feel empowered to learn and lead. We need to embrace creativity and the innovator's mindset where we ask the question of what's best for each of our learners and then think differently about how we meet their needs. We cannot keep doing what we've been doing for years and expect to get different results. According to George Couros, innovation is a <i>way of thinking</i> that creates something new or better. If we truly want to move our school forward, we must change and grow alongside our students!
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VsxmkNBk3Q63vAvNMCywv-QJMn7hiwFvUQIo1jYd-egCFT-bm_NL7JsyW1skdJBzAYvZWRWUs3-o94QryGXTHdy8C_G8YcZrHUEYm6VYyEX4tuBGXm0VaLLV3cwSLqrrWI7xSpN6BEQ/s1600/change.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VsxmkNBk3Q63vAvNMCywv-QJMn7hiwFvUQIo1jYd-egCFT-bm_NL7JsyW1skdJBzAYvZWRWUs3-o94QryGXTHdy8C_G8YcZrHUEYm6VYyEX4tuBGXm0VaLLV3cwSLqrrWI7xSpN6BEQ/s400/change.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-7089974488846933672016-09-25T18:46:00.002-07:002016-09-27T21:13:44.182-07:00Do All Kids Matter?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">My son ran everyday this summer for his high school cross country team. He went to every practice, worked hard, and was consistently running between the top two groups. He felt strong and at the top of his game. In August, he was invited to attend cross country camp for two weeks, which involved even more running and lots of team building. At one point, he was playing football on the beach with some of his teammates and the coach yelled at only him to stop playing. When one of his teammates asked why the rest of them weren't told to stop playing, the coach responded by saying, “He’s group one, he matters.” Ouch! Because my son was running borderline varsity, and the others weren't, they didn't matter? Sadly, the boys laughed it off and simply dismissed it as coach just being coach. I on the other hand struggled to keep the helicopter parent lurking inside of me from speaking up about the insensitivity of this statement. Ironically, just a few days later, my son injured his Achilles and could no longer maintain his training regimen. I was bummed for him because he was positioned to have a good running season, but my heart broke when he jokingly said that he was now a member of the “I don't matter anymore group.” Whether this is the message the coach wants to send his team or not, the reality is that the runners believe that only certain kids on the team matter. The ones who can score points for the team. Now don't get me wrong, I understand that cross country is a competitive sport and the team wants to do their best to win as many meets as possible, but at what expense? My son continues to go to practice everyday, along with physical therapy, and is working to get himself back into race shape. Each day I ask how practice went, if he was able to run the workout, and if his coach has had any conversation yet about his progress or a recovery plan. Every day I get the same answer. Practice was fine, yes I ran, and no, the coach hasn't talked to me at all. He still doesn't matter.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I sit back and watch the cross country season unfold, I got to thinking about my students. Do ALL of my students believe that they matter to me regardless of their academic, social, emotional, or physical success? Fair doesn't always mean equal, but it does mean that each student has what they need to be successful. Do they know this? Do they feel valued and respected? Have my words and actions ever made a student feel like they don't matter?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I reflect on my son’s cross country season as well as my classroom, I am reminded of Maya Angelou’s famous quote:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I've learned that people will forget what you said,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>people will forget what you did.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>but people will never forget how you made them feel.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What we say and how we say it has a profound effect on our students. As educators we hold tremendous power to lift our students up or to push them down. I believe that all students do matter and that we have a moral responsibility to do what we can to make sure they know it!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VLhbz37Avad9ZSu0ckH1eXktkbrpoQTMcUpCf7zBOCThexdMvCGoPaDipPRJY0gvrKF_L-yWkbvs3uxe0eTJScIQX7MSVhdDLQxtMmyhHmhAPrgO-PmUq7aaGOvUqT_0MAcx6MAMhyQ/s1600/matter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VLhbz37Avad9ZSu0ckH1eXktkbrpoQTMcUpCf7zBOCThexdMvCGoPaDipPRJY0gvrKF_L-yWkbvs3uxe0eTJScIQX7MSVhdDLQxtMmyhHmhAPrgO-PmUq7aaGOvUqT_0MAcx6MAMhyQ/s640/matter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrZvGIVf1vc3zMYhEj1JQN0LYcugWY4DFrP3-TzOgv5mvhEpopfvxSY_Wx8ycMBNXtcmFyF_bOsavoqO8U3wU5KzAg2ufTjdq8jD8yRLCGCaOzq35qD5pEfeYYdulv58dCLzDAzRqoZI/s1600/IMG_6994.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrZvGIVf1vc3zMYhEj1JQN0LYcugWY4DFrP3-TzOgv5mvhEpopfvxSY_Wx8ycMBNXtcmFyF_bOsavoqO8U3wU5KzAg2ufTjdq8jD8yRLCGCaOzq35qD5pEfeYYdulv58dCLzDAzRqoZI/s320/IMG_6994.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-48333529850275876642016-08-11T22:11:00.002-07:002016-08-11T22:19:03.222-07:00Finding Joy<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Earlier this week, I attended a conference in which the keynote speaker, Kevin Ozar, spoke about joy in education. The title itself caught my attention because too often lately, it feels as though joy has been sucked out of education. Budgets are being cut (again). Everyone is doing more with less. State mandates are growing. Class sizes are growing. Students are taking more standardized tests than ever. There seems to be a never ending list of things that can bring a person down. The question is, will you let it bring you down or will you choose joy? Joy is still there, right where you left it, but you have to make the choice to find it, not create it, and you will find exactly what you're looking for!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You need to look for joy and to surround yourself with joyful people! It's contagious! On the other hand, if you surround yourself with naysayers, that is contagious as well. Which one will you choose? I choose joy! I choose to assume best intentions and to be an advocate for joy. Life is too short to be any other way. We can find joy in everything, if we look for it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A brief story that Kevin shared involves two wolves. One of the wolves is sad, depressed, upset and afraid. The other wolf is filled with joy and happiness. If both are placed in a pen to fight, which wolf would win? The answer, whichever one you feed. The same is true with us. If we surround ourselves with negative people who drag us down, we start becoming the same. If we surround ourselves with positive and optimistic people we will look at ourselves and others in a more positive manner. You will become like those with who you surround yourself. It's a mirror image.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My father-in-law always used to joke with me that he would take up running the day he saw a runner smiling while they ran. For the record, he never went for a jog. As a runner, I'll admit that I have good days and bad days. Somedays I feel like I could run forever and other days it takes a great deal of effort to get myself motivated to get out the front door. Often times, I'm exhausted and my body aches. So why do I keep on doing it? Because I find joy in running. I enjoy the feeling I get when I set out to run a predetermined distance and I do it. I enjoy the peace and serenity I feel when I'm on the road pondering life. I find that running relieves my stress, clears my head and opens the door for some creative ideas. I enjoy the camaraderie of other runners and the positive energy they share. Running brings me joy and it is a choice I make each day!</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Look for joy! Go to it! Spend some time there! Make time for joy! Bring it to others and become an advocate for joy! Make the choice to do it!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnLVg0u7jqgLaEQsa9X218LtfbB04U-WUtywsfbopvkTK3_u2WB2PXOn6eoEGn35ydHRX9mR_ptQpTRBnUuyX-vTbu0CWdwdGSsBvRInRRNeuHb9VWc750dGMsoAJ3uIopivLya9fiPY/s1600/joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnLVg0u7jqgLaEQsa9X218LtfbB04U-WUtywsfbopvkTK3_u2WB2PXOn6eoEGn35ydHRX9mR_ptQpTRBnUuyX-vTbu0CWdwdGSsBvRInRRNeuHb9VWc750dGMsoAJ3uIopivLya9fiPY/s400/joy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-73402430984038918962016-05-31T21:59:00.000-07:002016-06-02T19:28:35.446-07:00Genius Hour<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Last fall, I set a goal to incorporate Genius Hour into one or more of my classes. Working alongside Mrs. Erickson and her 6th grade class and Mrs. Bubar and her 5th grade class, we set forth on a Genius Hour journey. In fact, our passion project became Genius Hour. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our mission was to give our students an opportunity to think creatively. We wanted to give them time to explore their own passions, wonders and curiosities. We wanted them to take risks, to learn from their mistakes, and then take some more risks. We wanted them to work on new ideas and to develop new skills. We wanted to give them the gift of time each week to find and follow their passions. We wanted to create a very student centered learning opportunity where all learning was celebrated. We wanted to cultivate wonder!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We were ambitious and anxious to get started with the kids! We had energy! We were on fire! We had visions of our students asking prolific questions and pursuing their passions with grit and rigor! We shared all of this with our students and we let them go! We then waited for the enthusiasm of pursuing a passion project of their choice to pulsate within their veins and very existence. We waited. We waited some more….</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We met twice a week to give students time to pursue their passions, during this time, we worked to build a culture of innovation where the students felt safe to take risks and to have autonomy in their learning. As excited as we were to see the learning sparks flying between our students, the reality is that Genius Hour got off to a slow start. It was almost as if the students weren't sure what to make with the time they were being given and many struggled to identify anything they were passionate about and wanted to learn more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The first thing we learned was that our students needed a lot of guidance brainstorming ideas and narrowing these ideas down into “good” questions. Much more than we had anticipated. When asked what they were passionate about, many gave a one word statement or no answer at all. With further conversation, it was evident that many of our students had many life experiences from which to pull ideas from and others did not. Their initial questions were Googleable and we wanted them to be Siri proof. As a result, we learned that we needed to take a few steps back in order to keep moving forward.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">After a lot of conversations with the students, we decided to create a Wonder Wall where they could share their passions and post things that they wondered about. We then worked with students to build some essential questions based off of these ideas. This seemed to help those students who struggled to come up with an idea for their passion project. On the other hand, we had some students who has so many questions and ideas that they struggled to narrow it down to one. The dynamics were quite interesting. It verified to us that Genius Hour was what our students needed more than ever to ignite their passions, to inspire their learning, and to provide them the avenue for creativity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As the year progressed, the ideas blossomed and the students slowly, but surely, pursued their passions with enthusiasm and motivation to learn. They researched their topics and made their learning visible. They learned from each other and collaborated. They set goals and met them. We as teachers learned so much about Genius Hour from our students and will continually work to make improvements to the process and to build a culture of innovation. There were countless benefits to partaking in Genius Hour this year, but the absolute best was building relationships the students and getting to know them better!</span><br />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHVIw1O4TG98oaeDMj7UpsuSGlDZ5hFxNk9BtfSbXPCXz0SbP92HEAZj48su_N1wqhxRFQ7lnYgT9tyjpYKvLcbyUINtm9AdeUImkIbQGggG1qyiDviUHvHlnvoDLQEyxnOZY7qfWfbI/s1600/IMG_2641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHVIw1O4TG98oaeDMj7UpsuSGlDZ5hFxNk9BtfSbXPCXz0SbP92HEAZj48su_N1wqhxRFQ7lnYgT9tyjpYKvLcbyUINtm9AdeUImkIbQGggG1qyiDviUHvHlnvoDLQEyxnOZY7qfWfbI/s200/IMG_2641.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How Do You Bake Cupcakes?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></td>
<td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Cba-hBD6Ut394VRiQs3hyTUZCFXE6MP3tnXYpjLu_GPXA5MU-GMLe1MDRaexJ4Ql25BFm_Ol4XVmjIu16a3MQ5bQsRQCGm1kGEqKMVmFP4M5ygSKg4wYyq_lRaIAnQzUFHtbkz7R-VI/s1600/IMG_2539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Cba-hBD6Ut394VRiQs3hyTUZCFXE6MP3tnXYpjLu_GPXA5MU-GMLe1MDRaexJ4Ql25BFm_Ol4XVmjIu16a3MQ5bQsRQCGm1kGEqKMVmFP4M5ygSKg4wYyq_lRaIAnQzUFHtbkz7R-VI/s200/IMG_2539.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How Do Plants Grow in Space?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2syLX7noqozm7eBC8EjmbbsRhxaES8O7iaYP6PHKBoHrJsIOD_Fijcc4qxUpxS8UmQKgoAphQDQqJvy1BhUwa2LM0Q_-PBB7I8x0z07EWtDkuQ5h4NF4wTaNSWN0OCFi9343QHFCQdl4/s1600/IMG_2544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2syLX7noqozm7eBC8EjmbbsRhxaES8O7iaYP6PHKBoHrJsIOD_Fijcc4qxUpxS8UmQKgoAphQDQqJvy1BhUwa2LM0Q_-PBB7I8x0z07EWtDkuQ5h4NF4wTaNSWN0OCFi9343QHFCQdl4/s200/IMG_2544.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why Do Camels Have a Hump?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></td>
<td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3-1htrVGnso3gSOshPpGFTm3b1k4uF4pbETHpUTy9FVvtgNs9c7ewundA5Dr5B5X6bkcmO9IgtKPdm-ZEDB0IKWHAdJ5gqRzAfS9gUIR1pScS1_5yrJ6Yl2G-uca7r7inEE-PQzBRAc/s1600/IMG_2647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3-1htrVGnso3gSOshPpGFTm3b1k4uF4pbETHpUTy9FVvtgNs9c7ewundA5Dr5B5X6bkcmO9IgtKPdm-ZEDB0IKWHAdJ5gqRzAfS9gUIR1pScS1_5yrJ6Yl2G-uca7r7inEE-PQzBRAc/s200/IMG_2647.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How Does the Eye Work?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-16355322825502125542016-04-23T20:10:00.005-07:002016-04-24T20:23:56.029-07:00The Doors to Creativity Are Open<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our Makerspace journey began
last year when I started learning about makerspaces at conferences I attended, from books I read, people I talked with and schools that I visited. To be honest, my
first thought was that it was a lot of talk about arts and crafts and seemed like the shop
classes that I attended back in middle school. But the more I learned, the more
I realized that it was much more than that. Makerspace is a mindset. It’s about
encouraging our students to create, to tinker, to design, to invent, and to
innovate. It’s about not being afraid to fail and to take risks. It’s using
what you have to make something new and different. Today’s students may be
growing up in a world of technology, but too often they are passive consumers
of information. They are not active participants who are producing or creating new
content. They live in a world that is very scheduled and prescribed both at
home and at school. For various reasons, many don’t have opportunities to
build, create, and make things at home. Even the rigidity and rigor of the
school curriculum has been prohibitive in the free exploration of creation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This couldn’t have been more
evident than when the doors of our makerspace were opened to students this
week. Prior to entering the makerspace, I had a discussion with students about
creativity and innovation. We also discussed WHY we have a makerspace and that
although we have a makerspace room, the makerspace mindset should trickle back
into their classrooms. There were multiple stations set up throughout the room
and the students excitedly made decisions as to where they wanted to go first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It was so interesting to
watch. There was so much enthusiasm throughout the room that it was electric.
They were excited. They were like hungry little puppies that couldn’t get
enough to eat as they each immersed themselves into a station of their choice.
In some cases, it was as if the students had never been given an opportunity to
simply create something with no boundaries. They were hungry and eager for
more. As I walked around the room observing and listening to the students, I
was as energized as they were. Some things I overheard:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is paradise!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is the best library day
ever!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I’ve never colored on a table
before. This is awesome!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I love the makerspace because
nobody judges what you make.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">It’s a judge free zone!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Creativity is like your mind
spilling over onto paper!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">This week’s orientation into the makerspace is only
the beginning. It will continue to grow and evolve. It will house static
stations like Legos, KNEX and Ozobot Robots, but it will also have dynamic
stations that will propose challenges to the students and change on a regular
basis. You know you’ve got a good thing going for kids when the biggest problem
of the week was getting the students to leave the makerspace when their class
was done!</span><br />
<table class="tg">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th class="tg-031e"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphens-plwpF0lIE6mc0icXF_TYaHdcRSfoMD4VtIBFTdz_NUrhksf3Esw9UM94n016g5Fpf6C0cFs2tHqYBT8ZaUNIhwGaCsBSR6x9xqo_y0C6V_MA69J6Gm-bnYLt0rR5nELchNnwznwI/s1600/IMG_2443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphens-plwpF0lIE6mc0icXF_TYaHdcRSfoMD4VtIBFTdz_NUrhksf3Esw9UM94n016g5Fpf6C0cFs2tHqYBT8ZaUNIhwGaCsBSR6x9xqo_y0C6V_MA69J6Gm-bnYLt0rR5nELchNnwznwI/s200/IMG_2443.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</th><th class="tg-031e"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHb-hMTQBYfTXA0sq6IuypGjBW2g0OaEt_n6ib6-2OarFWBisGwkMqOuil8ZWQYzd-8utnOm_EbQRGt0UWiNtbNYuZ33zKOaiKca_4Dc3C-wGFb7RawL3oUq06MR7sEpKitjx7nQJn5w/s1600/IMG_2465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHb-hMTQBYfTXA0sq6IuypGjBW2g0OaEt_n6ib6-2OarFWBisGwkMqOuil8ZWQYzd-8utnOm_EbQRGt0UWiNtbNYuZ33zKOaiKca_4Dc3C-wGFb7RawL3oUq06MR7sEpKitjx7nQJn5w/s200/IMG_2465.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQdEiLkbXuHn2BHCW-EhK8m_jlcXCjWvHQWfkO6Z26vejsRBta0O_YjY6S4JACsYRJbLwcicRqMJj1RTxtxdbCBc_dyheLhF9h4Uz3sMZvbnYQHUsg4L1HOE5LLpe9TKjGbXctkeB3DI/s1600/IMG_2457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQdEiLkbXuHn2BHCW-EhK8m_jlcXCjWvHQWfkO6Z26vejsRBta0O_YjY6S4JACsYRJbLwcicRqMJj1RTxtxdbCBc_dyheLhF9h4Uz3sMZvbnYQHUsg4L1HOE5LLpe9TKjGbXctkeB3DI/s200/IMG_2457.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></td>
<td class="tg-031e"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBp3t3l9VaxbHlpPk6Scd5p3BUFASPsqy-dED4rsBGNKFcplbrohVT0lxeV0oNXzONCYSHb3-rav_LlVx2BpKcPMdHvjgaiWCLF0w0gpFpmsbSKKDfXVITv31ux5lp_P8zETuk9mH0bs/s1600/IMG_2452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBp3t3l9VaxbHlpPk6Scd5p3BUFASPsqy-dED4rsBGNKFcplbrohVT0lxeV0oNXzONCYSHb3-rav_LlVx2BpKcPMdHvjgaiWCLF0w0gpFpmsbSKKDfXVITv31ux5lp_P8zETuk9mH0bs/s200/IMG_2452.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td class="tg-031e"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-59923230705672780702016-04-09T21:55:00.001-07:002016-04-23T20:46:52.343-07:00Our Maker Journey<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
creation of our makerspace has really been a journey in and of itself. What
started with a few ideas has grown into dozens. With every paint project
completed, a new one is created. One of the most exciting, yet unexpected
things that keeps happening while making this space, is the unsolicited help
from our community. People have shared ideas, they’ve helped create displays,
they’ve helped paint, they’ve donated supplies, they’ve built storage boxes,
and so much more. Synergy helped build our makerspace and it is still a work in
progress. The other exciting thing to happen throughout this whole process has
been watching and listening to the mounting enthusiasm that is growing amongst
the students. Although they have not been in the room yet because of the ladders
and paint supplies, they can catch a glimpse of what is going on from the doorway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">“When
do we get to use that room?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">“I
can’t wait to go into the LEGO Room!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">“That
room doesn’t even look like school!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">This
enthusiastic response from the students has been energizing and motivating to get the room done, so that they can start using it to create, tinker and invent! Once the students start utilizing the makerspace, we will create a student led Makerspace Leadership Team to help generate ideas for how we can
continually make improvements on it's use. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
</span></div>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcgccl_kRGrgLHseP4DT2VvlkHJm4KaWSvhyphenhyphensWKLiDGkmCiA_Z_w-ebWZTXCHB0wMl93ILhuAzZ7kz_PjP_O8Q1-722dP4xmm9xc9SVo17wTHl3jog4BO9jplXyCi8dokWsjjYciAU4c/s1600/IMG_1967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcgccl_kRGrgLHseP4DT2VvlkHJm4KaWSvhyphenhyphensWKLiDGkmCiA_Z_w-ebWZTXCHB0wMl93ILhuAzZ7kz_PjP_O8Q1-722dP4xmm9xc9SVo17wTHl3jog4BO9jplXyCi8dokWsjjYciAU4c/s200/IMG_1967.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></th>
<th><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ldk6C8YCLOXM_J-yjXenvDjPmcmwYjq8lrZkyr4grRK3p2WgVbGy6IiYEgViiqm1DXSj5mxx23rXp3tGzDCOEyhbOODm5dkMjh6pFjbVZ2FDdP8SAwFZJGNQI9E3LCwQZLABkHONCS0/s1600/IMG_1968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ldk6C8YCLOXM_J-yjXenvDjPmcmwYjq8lrZkyr4grRK3p2WgVbGy6IiYEgViiqm1DXSj5mxx23rXp3tGzDCOEyhbOODm5dkMjh6pFjbVZ2FDdP8SAwFZJGNQI9E3LCwQZLABkHONCS0/s200/IMG_1968.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
</th>
<th><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7i4wEm291is7qCyk9gvak_JSvC_T1w_O9ecAqfYB2d4F3VNkFUHbtMi3N3uybshxMihC2BKoK2JoVufYhFiPehIObU_dkJG0Nhx2hrQIDXUhQMbVQwcyN5mJsK3GO-Gt4TcLKnVga64/s1600/IMG_1969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7i4wEm291is7qCyk9gvak_JSvC_T1w_O9ecAqfYB2d4F3VNkFUHbtMi3N3uybshxMihC2BKoK2JoVufYhFiPehIObU_dkJG0Nhx2hrQIDXUhQMbVQwcyN5mJsK3GO-Gt4TcLKnVga64/s200/IMG_1969.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSd1BumWIlh0oNDtY_MxKGrZ6ncG8tPXLGD6dbGjatHgSroX1leLqGjlkYA4MqSBbiz9ClIbmbyhyziMihCMlg36o6rESQpau39DH47z2VC_B20SOOSJ2BgupTEVepHAYu-E5GTSG31k/s1600/IMG_1970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSd1BumWIlh0oNDtY_MxKGrZ6ncG8tPXLGD6dbGjatHgSroX1leLqGjlkYA4MqSBbiz9ClIbmbyhyziMihCMlg36o6rESQpau39DH47z2VC_B20SOOSJ2BgupTEVepHAYu-E5GTSG31k/s200/IMG_1970.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></td>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfR-UD5lZH9mIFMDHWnorvOwR8xg0zc-U9mABDv6jYnl8m8rygzVIl1w5WJmQ3LT6VcbylLl_JKZXZkeb8zASNM-xRTcZL8j4SQs2713gPTHQ_IkvkQlGb1aD9Smip-8RI5bK0T7KIuK8/s1600/IMG_1971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfR-UD5lZH9mIFMDHWnorvOwR8xg0zc-U9mABDv6jYnl8m8rygzVIl1w5WJmQ3LT6VcbylLl_JKZXZkeb8zASNM-xRTcZL8j4SQs2713gPTHQ_IkvkQlGb1aD9Smip-8RI5bK0T7KIuK8/s200/IMG_1971.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></td>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4R9dTKdnwO3iOSBVMxHv76uF0jnxshIZx5UdgiPerSxRK8ITqDALV67Kb_iaGvCQgiP-PUyfG22mE-jBHU0Ay0M1RBGgcCeH3VaEl8TTQx_d4_ejF2WV9vKToj8eujl94p5wYbHsyes/s1600/IMG_1972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4R9dTKdnwO3iOSBVMxHv76uF0jnxshIZx5UdgiPerSxRK8ITqDALV67Kb_iaGvCQgiP-PUyfG22mE-jBHU0Ay0M1RBGgcCeH3VaEl8TTQx_d4_ejF2WV9vKToj8eujl94p5wYbHsyes/s200/IMG_1972.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mIROUlKGDne3twesVi2-YASgJn_kqe2riIVSudJMKOPtPQTd_sns5ytyBjgj6BN6sDhfOHWZo_q1IN5yptAW4vySmG73xuZT2iWwad9AD5q0NW-Y7UxvIp3yAl94CPAvtYy0csvj_44/s1600/IMG_1973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mIROUlKGDne3twesVi2-YASgJn_kqe2riIVSudJMKOPtPQTd_sns5ytyBjgj6BN6sDhfOHWZo_q1IN5yptAW4vySmG73xuZT2iWwad9AD5q0NW-Y7UxvIp3yAl94CPAvtYy0csvj_44/s200/IMG_1973.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></td>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBdtj-LWv2nUON4h8jr7hwT100Ri6fTDx9soORQ5cgd0Khpjvz8wogJAXMDqpEK7u3EyimX-CQmjtxd6QmM9NDtvZuErMhTqQr28ST4HLNgb6LvEuNILOy5qV6glWerP5v2PGVCYdHK4/s1600/IMG_1974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBdtj-LWv2nUON4h8jr7hwT100Ri6fTDx9soORQ5cgd0Khpjvz8wogJAXMDqpEK7u3EyimX-CQmjtxd6QmM9NDtvZuErMhTqQr28ST4HLNgb6LvEuNILOy5qV6glWerP5v2PGVCYdHK4/s200/IMG_1974.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></td>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7-2ISAZGUa-kDJPFOSbS86P7enk0vu5YMalHGhPKsrbKssWjUdVZo9F-bkZZNtWOj3W2Cq5iZALFUSn28bQshqzlb0EIFDV0qfb_mei5MuF5wgKYA7FAc_YdjAztUd2Vif45yZMu2qY/s1600/IMG_1975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7-2ISAZGUa-kDJPFOSbS86P7enk0vu5YMalHGhPKsrbKssWjUdVZo9F-bkZZNtWOj3W2Cq5iZALFUSn28bQshqzlb0EIFDV0qfb_mei5MuF5wgKYA7FAc_YdjAztUd2Vif45yZMu2qY/s200/IMG_1975.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wxbem5B69w6S_6MQW5Z1YU613zW8Lw3DefSNSLqtmmmQBs0ZSDLVzOZpXypM9RMJ6HPXMmVos5OMScDErYkNXExS7RBVPweCG5S-t9mKHbcg97b2jvWC8D39g9ssB5qtinmaIJa2ei0/s1600/IMG_1976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wxbem5B69w6S_6MQW5Z1YU613zW8Lw3DefSNSLqtmmmQBs0ZSDLVzOZpXypM9RMJ6HPXMmVos5OMScDErYkNXExS7RBVPweCG5S-t9mKHbcg97b2jvWC8D39g9ssB5qtinmaIJa2ei0/s200/IMG_1976.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></td>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-b0AkqW0AeAKdA5u4anifMM-qbxwX03Q3YcjIh_EisWE96dSY4u_cE-YAE4l-8aoRxMcvAqrd0VOV_XBqHwIPQby-RRG23Ktb2RzmdFIqjQ0FuaGTjdVb3RygJnYfhfFsPFCDcHfngg/s1600/IMG_1977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-b0AkqW0AeAKdA5u4anifMM-qbxwX03Q3YcjIh_EisWE96dSY4u_cE-YAE4l-8aoRxMcvAqrd0VOV_XBqHwIPQby-RRG23Ktb2RzmdFIqjQ0FuaGTjdVb3RygJnYfhfFsPFCDcHfngg/s200/IMG_1977.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></td>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7x2xZ1Y9HCUrhC20X_TtflWAsp_OneT_CLA3RC1cXAFRVMbln2BBfjqh_dycynXUl0u1wK2pULhp_Zz0lrZ7Pq1zR9XgsV5q6TURnmkJyFb5UQs6KEmEyf9FsucEBVSBdOe8Q0ZsNZw/s1600/IMG_1978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7x2xZ1Y9HCUrhC20X_TtflWAsp_OneT_CLA3RC1cXAFRVMbln2BBfjqh_dycynXUl0u1wK2pULhp_Zz0lrZ7Pq1zR9XgsV5q6TURnmkJyFb5UQs6KEmEyf9FsucEBVSBdOe8Q0ZsNZw/s200/IMG_1978.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-43235659970898218012016-03-14T20:47:00.000-07:002016-04-23T20:47:02.134-07:00The Maker Movement<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Maker Movement is about moving from consumption to creation and turning knowledge into action. ~ Laura Fleming</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Our students are inquisitive
learners, but they need creative time and space to dream, create and invent.
This is the year for a makerspace!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The library used to
be a place that students visited to get a book, to get an answer, and to get
information. Today’s students come to the library to use information,
literature and technology to create new ideas, to become critical thinkers, to
work collaboratively, and to communicate their thoughts.
The library is no
longer a place to GET knowledge; it is a place to MAKE knowledge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">With this in
mind, we have been working to add a makerspace as an extension of our library media
program. We are transforming a cluttered storage area that is adjacent to the
library into a learning space where students will be encouraged to explore their
interests, to take risks, to play, and to tinker with a wide variety of
materials. We want them to have the opportunity to design, create, invent and
discover! We want them collaborating, interacting with others, thinking and
questioning. We’d like to build a makerspace that engages our kids and makes
learning fun. We believe that if we build it, they will come!
Our student leaders
will have the opportunity to partake in STEM projects that strengthen and
enhance their learning experiences. They’ll be exposed to things they didn’t
know they would love, which will unleash their imagination and individual genius!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><b style="font-size: 14pt;">We have a vision to transform this space into a makerspace!</b></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><img alt="IMG_3792.jpg" height="212" id="docs-internal-guid-87ce7008-785f-6919-9359-1e911613c0a8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VUywaXMg8CHjCfMCH2mheJsEzfM_nuKQ3YlfZI43b1guZjhZb-vCVk99nUJl3Hapm-kvLcUWsSw8zqG8E-fF4V6zsbb9Yvo7K2JkG881zcIcnAN89vJsOTvnNmOFr0Y21og1nALD-Ag" width="320" /> <img alt="DSC_0212.jpg" height="212" id="docs-internal-guid-87ce7004-785f-f279-7a4f-1454dabe6d48" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/eUnA8xc7du7ufH9Bgei27te5DFndSlr753goVOcgvQ5g6bhEqH1xLHkPeLhi-ePgzvtiiCzk3vmtbDtC-hn7mH4yecHimk9q2UQAKUswGCGfskefh72cfhfNfUVPasxqG33bJHHfGK4" width="320" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img alt="IMG_4063.jpg" height="240" id="docs-internal-guid-71ff9033-7860-4af5-ca23-3d560ed8c4fa" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/d1WdQ2jYZpGIbnmtKZHJqb1LrdDYZDBp81QBhLFSZzFrzeitXj-acKVmZ5knDUtRe0TWlpT1dWAR55porSlsiZmCBs7VRg1yXd5iy4rsbisYKpsLXv8Ar2UKc28vTbwDef3fjeSkAM8" width="320" /> <img alt="DSC_0208.jpg" height="212" id="docs-internal-guid-87ce6fff-7860-7679-8e82-93f8e0b7cb03" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Df3NVROEf2J7Oi4VADoS0ywOQIoojhVaherv1K2lCakTS7qcIPmevM_TTXnAi-okc9yVXy4pjBG4Efr90kmhdNumphEixo2M4KX8X6eVIS7_MkXVxkRuLhcLgLDOqZsKBoXUnN220j8" width="320" /></span></div>
</div>
Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-24547453915705398362015-12-02T21:31:00.003-08:002016-04-23T20:46:25.240-07:00Our Students Traveled the World Today<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; size: 14 pt;">Today our students swam with sharks, walked on the moon, stood at the base of the Statue of Liberty, visited Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed, traveled to the Galapagos Islands and viewed many landforms around the world. They were excited, energetic and amazed that they were able to do all of these trips without stepping foot outside of our school! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; size: 14 pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; size: 14 pt;">Our school was selected to take part in Google Expeditions, a new product from Google that allows teachers to take their classes on virtual field trips. Google provided all of the equipment, we provided the students! The day began with the teachers being oriented to the devices and learning how to take their students on the virtual trips. As classes came down to the library and community room throughout the day, each teacher facilitated a virtual field trip for their students. They immersed their students in experiences that brought abstract concepts to life and a deeper understanding of the world beyond their classroom.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; size: 14 pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; size: 14 pt;">Although nothing beats taking a real field trip, a virtual field trip is the next best thing!
As students traveled around the world they oohed and aahed over every new site. They loved how the trips made them feel like they were really there. Learning came alive for our students today and it was great fun for everyone!</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwERsrNJ_f2i85IGunLC723LEwKSnr8FkR4Y4r32QWOpiJOWOs6c5SOh3cubF368n-FAq_OY9rjTTBccmaPQtvDrakNHJMEQGFmRVPXpDpkAJIjVWgp71BcruprFPwSdvaSaUYSmFReI/s1600/IMG_0193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwERsrNJ_f2i85IGunLC723LEwKSnr8FkR4Y4r32QWOpiJOWOs6c5SOh3cubF368n-FAq_OY9rjTTBccmaPQtvDrakNHJMEQGFmRVPXpDpkAJIjVWgp71BcruprFPwSdvaSaUYSmFReI/s320/IMG_0193.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was a great site to see in the morning!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDbT1vg3m_Zq5u20bfqQMhL_L5-TItXzBT1MbSfBbk8A7eigf0c_1RCf4XttQgCqrMTVw0gz2R5wCZ8ZNptMtTNLxbu2ELr8pDGTfWJi-e7Bkrm2TeubTtMFH5yQKfV915hBn51zl_ZI/s1600/IMG_0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDbT1vg3m_Zq5u20bfqQMhL_L5-TItXzBT1MbSfBbk8A7eigf0c_1RCf4XttQgCqrMTVw0gz2R5wCZ8ZNptMtTNLxbu2ELr8pDGTfWJi-e7Bkrm2TeubTtMFH5yQKfV915hBn51zl_ZI/s320/IMG_0196.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Google brought everything we needed for the day!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg794lketsFE3aWRp0gjsTEO3LB1_zcNOI1Rb2xGuG8QI1hl3Ns8JBDzZuxMtiTrMM1CMgEzmX5JfL170WDk51Q25SN9XKtMzXnSGcaqJ9Qm1HTAuLlKCRrdvXtSzqv03gtlnzb2TOMYnk/s1600/IMG_0198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg794lketsFE3aWRp0gjsTEO3LB1_zcNOI1Rb2xGuG8QI1hl3Ns8JBDzZuxMtiTrMM1CMgEzmX5JfL170WDk51Q25SN9XKtMzXnSGcaqJ9Qm1HTAuLlKCRrdvXtSzqv03gtlnzb2TOMYnk/s320/IMG_0198.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Teachers learned how to use Google Expeditions first thing in the morning!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7MuJKqdRBVs1nPdHLmAjxfLuM296o-DocQ1U4kJLhFnCZp4nzthpTEb8WIvRo8y9fXJkOujAokmGWPH0tKscE2LALKLT0ThoimdAzlE3IcudzQd8j7gkZDaKDZAs8yg4oULZAEDvfl4/s1600/IMG_0210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7MuJKqdRBVs1nPdHLmAjxfLuM296o-DocQ1U4kJLhFnCZp4nzthpTEb8WIvRo8y9fXJkOujAokmGWPH0tKscE2LALKLT0ThoimdAzlE3IcudzQd8j7gkZDaKDZAs8yg4oULZAEDvfl4/s320/IMG_0210.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Students traveled around the world (virtually).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_30FPL1rN9vR0NOwi6Vloti1hYpEu3HuEzbz3r26Z8C2C4Q-IMxCdNb84xbYN-dWski6EwQbXSQm60sJTW4P_4R4RDpcnuIGA9ZwgGZt1inc03Maf45R6hPq-3SZwQDy_iepP4dbFTM/s1600/IMG_0238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_30FPL1rN9vR0NOwi6Vloti1hYpEu3HuEzbz3r26Z8C2C4Q-IMxCdNb84xbYN-dWski6EwQbXSQm60sJTW4P_4R4RDpcnuIGA9ZwgGZt1inc03Maf45R6hPq-3SZwQDy_iepP4dbFTM/s320/IMG_0238.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The students swam in the ocean with sharks!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7dgzsYp29p8mmpD4nM04gn_z2-Wciq_cSK0pQ514dMiV_dDTr2CRimflSWvtlzu62dKQ2I1lBTZQ8AaZRS602KUml6vjM1goa63r11REyJAVnJG2ZAS5fsriGTqZKlHD-GHyyGzYDbc/s1600/IMG_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7dgzsYp29p8mmpD4nM04gn_z2-Wciq_cSK0pQ514dMiV_dDTr2CRimflSWvtlzu62dKQ2I1lBTZQ8AaZRS602KUml6vjM1goa63r11REyJAVnJG2ZAS5fsriGTqZKlHD-GHyyGzYDbc/s320/IMG_0215.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Standing on the moon and looking at earth.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fCeXZxI5mHj5VNgOUrUrGDGjTmG_gyilDLw6AYqWYo3BTGZZEnwrXsmlow6AvuPHgdz1IIG4tzmyM93ILWuPbhqt6hCVzd8s2tWtyHTCU68PyZAx50l6RuV1EOuCQo-XVDCL7tDM1ak/s1600/IMG_0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fCeXZxI5mHj5VNgOUrUrGDGjTmG_gyilDLw6AYqWYo3BTGZZEnwrXsmlow6AvuPHgdz1IIG4tzmyM93ILWuPbhqt6hCVzd8s2tWtyHTCU68PyZAx50l6RuV1EOuCQo-XVDCL7tDM1ak/s320/IMG_0227.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Visiting the Galapagos Islands!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-64182558189386980642015-09-12T19:21:00.004-07:002016-04-23T20:47:29.475-07:00It All Started With One Question<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>How can we improve the learning space in our library?</i></b> That was the question posed to my students last spring. Little did I know at the time how many ideas they would have and how busy the next few months would be implementing their ideas. I have to be honest, until that moment, it had never really occurred to me to ask the students how to redesign the library even though it was their learning space. Their ideas were well thought out and creative. They spent a lot of time brainstorming in small groups and sharing ideas. I spent a lot of time listening. It was truly one of the most invigorating experiences as an educator to see students so excited and empowered to make changes to the library that would benefit themselves and future students. We were able to get some of their ideas in place before school let out for the summer, but the rest was completed over the summer. We then waited in anticipation for students to return in September to see their inspired redesigned library! The pictures below showcase some before and after pictures!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;">Le Cafe Cooper</span></span></b>
</span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJw5BTE8swqMeEHAXsRBvmoj414CXeorSayhPQfprOVowVhBZIPFURAG4o1PiavL2fmcDyNBB6BYjAWeXNDvIHQyc1-QGEYnWoyCyamvZKaqLx_P10fgs14UOcLUmOZRtHHd-ote6GxE/s1600/DSC_0765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJw5BTE8swqMeEHAXsRBvmoj414CXeorSayhPQfprOVowVhBZIPFURAG4o1PiavL2fmcDyNBB6BYjAWeXNDvIHQyc1-QGEYnWoyCyamvZKaqLx_P10fgs14UOcLUmOZRtHHd-ote6GxE/s200/DSC_0765.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAT_N5S_YBnFAujicwmrI3WpVnn9Boe1I-b8SKN9KEOuFKyjZnXK1GGZUlda-5jlBx6jfRNdrf6DY203srp9uwOwkofIekXHxxXbAQaJDyipqOQaAtjWwzkc5sIDKMpH05hT8XiLzbmE/s1600/DSC_0769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAT_N5S_YBnFAujicwmrI3WpVnn9Boe1I-b8SKN9KEOuFKyjZnXK1GGZUlda-5jlBx6jfRNdrf6DY203srp9uwOwkofIekXHxxXbAQaJDyipqOQaAtjWwzkc5sIDKMpH05hT8XiLzbmE/s200/DSC_0769.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td>
<td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6cabLNtkGpKtnZCGzdkd8tQkun7c8taV1lOE7521tbV3FwD9cP7o_LqLNz6xSLZcxGprQwrzms-BwwPzxGgKdG3ejKl1kUySOVaqOGNr4vVHOuKIrkUej4E_hXYStbHUB3lv3rsDTOs/s1600/DSC_0770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6cabLNtkGpKtnZCGzdkd8tQkun7c8taV1lOE7521tbV3FwD9cP7o_LqLNz6xSLZcxGprQwrzms-BwwPzxGgKdG3ejKl1kUySOVaqOGNr4vVHOuKIrkUej4E_hXYStbHUB3lv3rsDTOs/s200/DSC_0770.jpg" width="100%" /></a>
</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKoUsnFm3F-9V6wxZG2kfePovvnUS2i_JDUfY7rdrtXZs3pGl34ybIBngxYckbNw_fXWqAjDkUFugAvwqoE6rUhR94kkjlrk-9qjaAVm3my6Bd7rMYbkfSWVxPoXO9cOhq2HyUlfqscA/s1600/DSC_1459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKoUsnFm3F-9V6wxZG2kfePovvnUS2i_JDUfY7rdrtXZs3pGl34ybIBngxYckbNw_fXWqAjDkUFugAvwqoE6rUhR94kkjlrk-9qjaAVm3my6Bd7rMYbkfSWVxPoXO9cOhq2HyUlfqscA/s200/DSC_1459.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgIAQadFyOwbTz9VLsPctcdymbfNPm9gwrjxdiAtbrDofDiMvgTSiHxNH9WtKpfDHR_k-cRQ7YpPur_Zm8H8Ty4RCuorwUs2LJHc3T8CRTQSm6RkJ7ms5WXWyz_fFxlX-cUdSAFsRYas/s1600/DSC_1464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgIAQadFyOwbTz9VLsPctcdymbfNPm9gwrjxdiAtbrDofDiMvgTSiHxNH9WtKpfDHR_k-cRQ7YpPur_Zm8H8Ty4RCuorwUs2LJHc3T8CRTQSm6RkJ7ms5WXWyz_fFxlX-cUdSAFsRYas/s200/DSC_1464.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQZAApihjApzs6F3fs-WrX9vcoTuDhSnjC_s-dJnrEVuD5EiERcKqORaIoR_GHh_wCioDwQZ7DYlDme0q6OU3B30xxkEjwcfQ4_n54cgmpKmmQ_oiFDPvChluTEJIYC8tLots02z3v8I/s1600/DSC_1462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQZAApihjApzs6F3fs-WrX9vcoTuDhSnjC_s-dJnrEVuD5EiERcKqORaIoR_GHh_wCioDwQZ7DYlDme0q6OU3B30xxkEjwcfQ4_n54cgmpKmmQ_oiFDPvChluTEJIYC8tLots02z3v8I/s200/DSC_1462.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Book Nook</span></span></b>
</span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlkjUT3cH8cUdOCIeZqM_nRaABcZ1kKIoQp3dP5BCChUtAAalJfTNY-Y4ev0GtkuR75CnKX6wB1UyKyCmZ4sk7k97p4VRbiNNr_wQMLpHj4PVaNu-fkq5y9lxFHK9K3kdWo_BzeZo_iA/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlkjUT3cH8cUdOCIeZqM_nRaABcZ1kKIoQp3dP5BCChUtAAalJfTNY-Y4ev0GtkuR75CnKX6wB1UyKyCmZ4sk7k97p4VRbiNNr_wQMLpHj4PVaNu-fkq5y9lxFHK9K3kdWo_BzeZo_iA/s320/DSC_0019.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvutwe3euXl1sxKQ0OqYHAdTMno7UbbH2YaxCeFjCV4KD5WALRI8ZxFBGVksBdgBn_lUj540Gpa1xk9EsKxcIk2knCBf1Pn9bokrSBujFADriFSoqjof9F6-C5ZIPpx9xuos6N-_DC98/s1600/DSC_1470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvutwe3euXl1sxKQ0OqYHAdTMno7UbbH2YaxCeFjCV4KD5WALRI8ZxFBGVksBdgBn_lUj540Gpa1xk9EsKxcIk2knCBf1Pn9bokrSBujFADriFSoqjof9F6-C5ZIPpx9xuos6N-_DC98/s320/DSC_1470.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: large;">Literacy Lounge</span></span></b>
</span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9TQVc-cWrigRLMzx9BNb4AzJ3wvdddKIxVuE_eOr6DOOsZ4rJ6msc0grwk3VkQ_-g6q5ZmJ3oErR9plp1jZ2412xVIK7QtzJTQwSSzbJQ4C_e6Agc7DH8TMfY7WkcgR6GqpGf9RAJOY/s1600/DSC_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9TQVc-cWrigRLMzx9BNb4AzJ3wvdddKIxVuE_eOr6DOOsZ4rJ6msc0grwk3VkQ_-g6q5ZmJ3oErR9plp1jZ2412xVIK7QtzJTQwSSzbJQ4C_e6Agc7DH8TMfY7WkcgR6GqpGf9RAJOY/s320/DSC_0023.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaAEGqEDaLzsfwOwnNmIn343TSEIKK4vW0NYckHepRF5IlItdr9eKfk7f749WXT58tg122rneO7ReB4TyxcLoVhMNJRJL_A74TVJBC5JAAGS7oxzcWST043ZrM1-Ap3oUM4QOwlk_Zzk/s1600/DSC_0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaAEGqEDaLzsfwOwnNmIn343TSEIKK4vW0NYckHepRF5IlItdr9eKfk7f749WXT58tg122rneO7ReB4TyxcLoVhMNJRJL_A74TVJBC5JAAGS7oxzcWST043ZrM1-Ap3oUM4QOwlk_Zzk/s320/DSC_0027.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZxF9ocsE0YT1F-taubRWI20KGuYFsLRf2jsBOVEQ15fvCk3LTrPz-4PMCc51wM2TkXqflvkynto5tTP1DuYkB1T0Yph31kRhKCOhgNkUMVg3CnfmVrg8LHNthZ22lHK1vCWq7661C4A/s1600/DSC_1563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZxF9ocsE0YT1F-taubRWI20KGuYFsLRf2jsBOVEQ15fvCk3LTrPz-4PMCc51wM2TkXqflvkynto5tTP1DuYkB1T0Yph31kRhKCOhgNkUMVg3CnfmVrg8LHNthZ22lHK1vCWq7661C4A/s320/DSC_1563.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSDmOxQRTXarx-bzqNOLbLCHaFEw1Uk5KbOgQyt6iW1f91buENCTbBvf-ygInYyMUy595-n193GfjQB6u302EUDl7_v5FaSYeWhm3cbiWNyoSJWZ03qTxaHfKADMmwwW5u4IWkydMcxk/s1600/DSC_1564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSDmOxQRTXarx-bzqNOLbLCHaFEw1Uk5KbOgQyt6iW1f91buENCTbBvf-ygInYyMUy595-n193GfjQB6u302EUDl7_v5FaSYeWhm3cbiWNyoSJWZ03qTxaHfKADMmwwW5u4IWkydMcxk/s320/DSC_1564.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Easy Fiction</span></b>
</span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOTnFfPITrHtyimz5cNSSrHWNwPdadVE9l8XGBD2zFgsrmFrH_VmqDLM8-F_3mvRl-pbpD-t1UXa13QLImwpNM-zBRD-yzl52eBg7NdJqawJnDtya6DsaTng871Uw8XMPa7C2KnuYQFA/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOTnFfPITrHtyimz5cNSSrHWNwPdadVE9l8XGBD2zFgsrmFrH_VmqDLM8-F_3mvRl-pbpD-t1UXa13QLImwpNM-zBRD-yzl52eBg7NdJqawJnDtya6DsaTng871Uw8XMPa7C2KnuYQFA/s320/DSC_0025.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnkqD-07Vm9fPLGDZnOQ3_NBTGttxAG8w4n7bs2HYuIn4SzaiwbfMXb26fsbSpVZ6NLOMsybtq7A8OaxHwbp-1LjBJD1dfTyktIwOhs9NrqIoHCDBWsVPdWCCC8VNq0k9a4O6UD1AOGI/s1600/DSC_1478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnkqD-07Vm9fPLGDZnOQ3_NBTGttxAG8w4n7bs2HYuIn4SzaiwbfMXb26fsbSpVZ6NLOMsybtq7A8OaxHwbp-1LjBJD1dfTyktIwOhs9NrqIoHCDBWsVPdWCCC8VNq0k9a4O6UD1AOGI/s320/DSC_1478.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;">New Tables</span></span></b>
</span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9FKK3kL4oX_E8NPkBIrRqBzdQ00w4EwMFH3JH31K0VHmcyk0mtA_A20xXl9HPx-5ThG9AtQ6h8C2dvx8-oMpaZJdeMSLlfumHDZzgxy4Y9umJjU2W2Ko8pVnvI85NivWbIKd53pIXeA/s1600/DSC_0996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9FKK3kL4oX_E8NPkBIrRqBzdQ00w4EwMFH3JH31K0VHmcyk0mtA_A20xXl9HPx-5ThG9AtQ6h8C2dvx8-oMpaZJdeMSLlfumHDZzgxy4Y9umJjU2W2Ko8pVnvI85NivWbIKd53pIXeA/s320/DSC_0996.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSb08IR-Uo5cdX_XdaDm_91qGL-XJuTw-osVXdTea8Eb_hGN5EN_fCVfpiJkWW0m299buNTcs9lIoTNxowfKH_oC_8QwjxMvFpfikFmMNHPvlYu_Z5x9kSdbouMxasItQO1rSIM5Pmao/s1600/DSC_1457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSb08IR-Uo5cdX_XdaDm_91qGL-XJuTw-osVXdTea8Eb_hGN5EN_fCVfpiJkWW0m299buNTcs9lIoTNxowfKH_oC_8QwjxMvFpfikFmMNHPvlYu_Z5x9kSdbouMxasItQO1rSIM5Pmao/s320/DSC_1457.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">At a Glance</span></b>
</span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX94ZpHlxhCX1TwGXV0882txcgchJ11DQCZ8cofEg0-d-PnEWLYwERhJAHREGVWxNm6cz0PZgGGalmOmnggWKlITK2oaKnVf4j6-JKcqQJfkoWAEV39sYWsCu-faFL90-XOhzrMZ3WevI/s1600/DSC_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX94ZpHlxhCX1TwGXV0882txcgchJ11DQCZ8cofEg0-d-PnEWLYwERhJAHREGVWxNm6cz0PZgGGalmOmnggWKlITK2oaKnVf4j6-JKcqQJfkoWAEV39sYWsCu-faFL90-XOhzrMZ3WevI/s320/DSC_0030.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoJGN8iK7ZzsKVaMWRInkwFg8gdOUjstP5Lj44cS1tUTl_am7KRAJ6LXTZNCgIhwsBf79SPNJeKqUMoNLySSJEki5gA5GCM3bwbrwSqYOtw86uc_0_gFuYEcYas6Llh5SNlQmu5mzFsQ/s1600/DSC_1481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoJGN8iK7ZzsKVaMWRInkwFg8gdOUjstP5Lj44cS1tUTl_am7KRAJ6LXTZNCgIhwsBf79SPNJeKqUMoNLySSJEki5gA5GCM3bwbrwSqYOtw86uc_0_gFuYEcYas6Llh5SNlQmu5mzFsQ/s320/DSC_1481.jpg" width="100%" /></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Student Approved</span></b>
</span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomEEwREoLTE5-Lu6kzuk6_gLETuiRjWQMbcChHAvmZ2hMko06QlKGBVDfENn_rbrxIqOzTZC_GAt0dhkJB9MGXGj9tngal9dwkF4GLbYhTFvxfmBxp1h5A-YuRWsU-gV_VB7qZ1uwvek/s1600/IMG_3716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomEEwREoLTE5-Lu6kzuk6_gLETuiRjWQMbcChHAvmZ2hMko06QlKGBVDfENn_rbrxIqOzTZC_GAt0dhkJB9MGXGj9tngal9dwkF4GLbYhTFvxfmBxp1h5A-YuRWsU-gV_VB7qZ1uwvek/s320/IMG_3716.JPG" width="100%" /></span></a></td> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuTw73OrPelu1oCBEBQcpTT2mzNIKF3-MpEVWPVYjlWSLcQbUcLfcoHQbHoUJAGfJF06DVWvBiY9M3_iDa_ylp0uSm6ggSapIFIqmcWoMlYNcsW0eTBx_3f0bYnGi9u-ReYENtFMHk-E/s1600/IMG_3717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuTw73OrPelu1oCBEBQcpTT2mzNIKF3-MpEVWPVYjlWSLcQbUcLfcoHQbHoUJAGfJF06DVWvBiY9M3_iDa_ylp0uSm6ggSapIFIqmcWoMlYNcsW0eTBx_3f0bYnGi9u-ReYENtFMHk-E/s320/IMG_3717.JPG" width="100%" /></span></a></td> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmSfEajN-AcQ7G4e4O2m0B23yRAnPJiUZvcvxADVdSJ1958nQRm2DTqbTpzCueLil5lyeGshulTWjx5y-gU5MOEac0kztnzowndiOZi65XYwgvFYCroy4t3h5kZwbZU6RKh27jxf59iA/s1600/IMG_3718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmSfEajN-AcQ7G4e4O2m0B23yRAnPJiUZvcvxADVdSJ1958nQRm2DTqbTpzCueLil5lyeGshulTWjx5y-gU5MOEac0kztnzowndiOZi65XYwgvFYCroy4t3h5kZwbZU6RKh27jxf59iA/s320/IMG_3718.JPG" width="100%" /></span></a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-20714399723527459792015-05-21T16:08:00.003-07:002016-04-23T20:47:50.787-07:00Students Redesign the Library<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Although we are in the 21st century, most classes are still using the same desks and chairs that I sat in as a child. Curriculum has changed, pedagogy has changed, technology has changed, our students have changed, but our learning spaces for the most part have remained the same over the years. When I reflect on the spaces where I do my own best learning, a hard uncomfortable chair and desk does not come to mind. I also don't stay in the same spot for extended periods of time. In my home, I tend to shift between chairs and rooms depending on my mood and what it is that I have to do. Outside of my home, I tend to go to Panera or Barnes and Noble where the atmosphere is cozy, the seats are comfortable, and I can have a soft drink if I'd like.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As I reflect on how I learn best, I started thinking of the learning space in the library media center for my students. What I realized is that over the years I have made a lot of changes to the wall decor, but I have not made any significant changes to the physical learning space. The tables and bookcases are in the same places that they were in when I inherited the library media center ten years ago. My guess is that they are in the original location that they were placed when the school first opened and no thought has been given to them ever since. The learning space has to be conducive to how students want to learn, not how teachers want to teach. Therefore, I decided to ask the students to redesign our learning space to fit their needs. Their only parameters were that walls couldn't be knocked down and the computers couldn't be moved due to the drops on the floor. Everything else was fair game!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The kids worked in small groups to discuss the library learning space. Some groups sat at their tables to discuss and others got up and walked around the room to visual the changes. We then came back as a group to discuss their ideas and I was blown away! Some of their ideas included the following:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Replace rectangle tables with round tables to promote a calm and cool atmosphere. They also thought it would be easier to have group conversations.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Get comfortable chairs and bean bag chairs </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Get some chairs with higher backs, so the smaller kids will feel more confident</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Add more bright colors</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rotate the book shelves to make longer rows, which will help make it easier to find books</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Move the reference and biography books</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Move all of the books out of the middle area and make that the classroom area</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Add more lamps</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Add more quotes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Add cushion seats</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Add a fish tank to help calm students</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Add more chairs around the library to give kids more areas to read</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Wow! They thought of so many things that I hadn't thought to do! To get things started, I emailed our K-6 schools to see if anyone was interested in trading our rectangle tables for their round tables and I got a volunteer. Redesigning the learning space had begun! It is definitely a work in progress to implement their ideas, but it has been so exciting to see their faces when they come into the library and see the changes they suggested. As student leaders, their voices have been heard and the library will be a better learning space for everyone!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ufKpMXALUOeY5TJu4tKFaH5kK-XF7BAeY2AtYBZ2kULAv-tMXQZsoxrMBGmKikfBsFMqaMPwzHuXgvMY1IHkJhEsEiu2Q_41DK7Xb9EonW4zJJlgr9l1MtdNg7isfy8OrUkap9viaLU/s1600/lounge1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ufKpMXALUOeY5TJu4tKFaH5kK-XF7BAeY2AtYBZ2kULAv-tMXQZsoxrMBGmKikfBsFMqaMPwzHuXgvMY1IHkJhEsEiu2Q_41DK7Xb9EonW4zJJlgr9l1MtdNg7isfy8OrUkap9viaLU/s320/lounge1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Students used Google Draw to design the Literacy Lounge area of the library.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzV9C28QPmL1nacb6u6XI4rBkpIjhIWcayQ17lv3I5ZRmMjgZFyENrXl-TvUMIzCP23D96DeRQE90-GZoOzbSn8KkTEldcKDbBEW27FEE0h7HZEaU60WFkt-1FlVgH_kbCftr3ZaIB0M/s1600/lounge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzV9C28QPmL1nacb6u6XI4rBkpIjhIWcayQ17lv3I5ZRmMjgZFyENrXl-TvUMIzCP23D96DeRQE90-GZoOzbSn8KkTEldcKDbBEW27FEE0h7HZEaU60WFkt-1FlVgH_kbCftr3ZaIB0M/s320/lounge2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5ifJ0rApH8m23BPiRCfcX_e7rh2KvAVu1Z1rO9D2ehqNkP9lD3yblSVrrf8R6ifkOO5Hr0dBW9JwdYS6Y36wWnqi1b5pAPI1dh2tHrwUCxuXUVavUO85SjZIPiJN7LGeFOAAzfVey0o/s1600/lounge3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5ifJ0rApH8m23BPiRCfcX_e7rh2KvAVu1Z1rO9D2ehqNkP9lD3yblSVrrf8R6ifkOO5Hr0dBW9JwdYS6Y36wWnqi1b5pAPI1dh2tHrwUCxuXUVavUO85SjZIPiJN7LGeFOAAzfVey0o/s320/lounge3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxU3sQ3TonJgDb-n30e4q2cgZd0JL2KIGJ_K-oPa0cRHZt53NK2vFHDOCgEyJkG0QLWdCqj4L9GGzRLw4PngVAFEJuuLGho9mB_djL4iY03B_ZYihiyTbKrOYxEdtSrUrEwKrHrEVg7Kc/s1600/lounge4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxU3sQ3TonJgDb-n30e4q2cgZd0JL2KIGJ_K-oPa0cRHZt53NK2vFHDOCgEyJkG0QLWdCqj4L9GGzRLw4PngVAFEJuuLGho9mB_djL4iY03B_ZYihiyTbKrOYxEdtSrUrEwKrHrEVg7Kc/s320/lounge4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfrxKkWQQfOcex7I2-_0TIMJZl4V96hxP4u3owRmjvlEC4U_ty4afwx5M3aXLV0peDQwMajUtS3ZEBw4hM1a2nG7ldXjovNGGTNFVNDWo8JX6B0Cqe5BYvv_hDb9N_dPuk_VL6XIVZWM/s1600/lounge5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfrxKkWQQfOcex7I2-_0TIMJZl4V96hxP4u3owRmjvlEC4U_ty4afwx5M3aXLV0peDQwMajUtS3ZEBw4hM1a2nG7ldXjovNGGTNFVNDWo8JX6B0Cqe5BYvv_hDb9N_dPuk_VL6XIVZWM/s320/lounge5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-58234618856678735092015-05-05T22:06:00.001-07:002016-04-23T20:48:09.359-07:00Time to Tweet<div class="p1">
<span class="s1" style="font-size: large;">Twitter has been around for years, but until fairly recently, educators have equated it more with the social life of a teenager as opposed to a professional development tool for themselves. As with any tool, digital or not, there needs to be a purpose. To be honest, my Twitter account was set up in 2008, and I’ve only actively been using it the last year and a half. Why? Because I had no purpose. Now that I’ve been using is as a professional development tool, a way to connect with educators around the world, and a means to telling a story, I have found my purpose. Everyone's purpose for using Twitter will be different, but whether you use Twitter or not, it is important to know the basics because our students and parents are using it daily as their means of communication. Your purpose for using this tool may grow and change over time, but once you find your purpose, you will find Twitter to be an indispensable tool.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="p3">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.literacylounge.com/twitter.html">http://www.literacylounge.com/twitter.html</a></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIkWGfNoWd4W8zp035eW53mj1ZNsGQuUmZtFm-VvvjyoLRDjfmDsoZUy5e2Ut971FE7qf0b96AggNaWAKW96IvklwLOh9O6faliYpdPvAoSLlaXlj4nKkBEP5wvgkZGNJ7aJ7kuKEUHQ/s1600/DSC_0801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIkWGfNoWd4W8zp035eW53mj1ZNsGQuUmZtFm-VvvjyoLRDjfmDsoZUy5e2Ut971FE7qf0b96AggNaWAKW96IvklwLOh9O6faliYpdPvAoSLlaXlj4nKkBEP5wvgkZGNJ7aJ7kuKEUHQ/s1600/DSC_0801.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using sticky notes to "tweet" our #superpowers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1h0ULVysVoFaBO7gc4TaRtRwyrhv2tjc51GE7Vq4su-uMXIQtGwUNwZk0yNN3siilswA3MktoHw6yJK8tdE8iwXJ7zZ7gRxX7teuwTTM5u3ptZDyZn9kpMBocUT7Bvzg4OJW7hqT1fXw/s1600/DSC_0805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1h0ULVysVoFaBO7gc4TaRtRwyrhv2tjc51GE7Vq4su-uMXIQtGwUNwZk0yNN3siilswA3MktoHw6yJK8tdE8iwXJ7zZ7gRxX7teuwTTM5u3ptZDyZn9kpMBocUT7Bvzg4OJW7hqT1fXw/s1600/DSC_0805.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up Twitter accounts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmjihbz0QjgLk_cgaiCVzZIHIw6oKLbJgU4mkkCMov4GcBBZ-4_T487kBkhWiEbcOcARKfUHm8pJuH7H5FBR5Vd5O1RnRYLBsTsBVAys8b5Ui2-JGdfco2vIu75hcgH2TQraQfpL8TkE/s1600/DSC_0811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmjihbz0QjgLk_cgaiCVzZIHIw6oKLbJgU4mkkCMov4GcBBZ-4_T487kBkhWiEbcOcARKfUHm8pJuH7H5FBR5Vd5O1RnRYLBsTsBVAys8b5Ui2-JGdfco2vIu75hcgH2TQraQfpL8TkE/s1600/DSC_0811.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning how to thread a conversation using hashtags.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-21188401567160875592015-02-17T08:55:00.002-08:002016-04-23T20:48:24.485-07:00Developing Digital Citizens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJu-vhtqSIte8CfeMkLWpWPXw2RnIf72cBtAS7SuDG0b8KFNuQXkGxIyQcfYPkrSksYXR_RSIedYuZkIecgtCp1uMpz7YA8FuNzXPMLkg_n-lMPWpPu459lmlJ2dGl9W1NhyphenhyphenyA7jJAwPs/s1600/2389193_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJu-vhtqSIte8CfeMkLWpWPXw2RnIf72cBtAS7SuDG0b8KFNuQXkGxIyQcfYPkrSksYXR_RSIedYuZkIecgtCp1uMpz7YA8FuNzXPMLkg_n-lMPWpPu459lmlJ2dGl9W1NhyphenhyphenyA7jJAwPs/s1600/2389193_orig.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We teach our children about having good manners by reminding
them to say please and thank you. We teach them to be kind and respectful to
others. We teach them that it’s not what we say, but how we say it that can affect
the message being conveyed. We help our children work through the ups and downs
of developing friendships. We keep them safe by reminding them to put on their
seatbelts when we are in the car and only let them go to the homes of others
that we know and are comfortable with. We believe that it takes a village to
raise our children, but have you noticed that your child’s village has spilled
over into the digital community? Do you know who is in this village? Do you
know what your child is posting online and to whom? Do you know what trail of
information your child is leaving behind? Do you know that once something is
posted online, it never goes away? You are very much a part of your child’s
real world, but are you also a part of your child’s digital world? If not, you
should be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Most adults did not grow up with technology and are often
referred to as digital immigrants because we can remember the days of no
computers, cell phones, tablets, etc. Today’s children on the other hand can’t
imagine a world without this technology. They do not fear it and embrace every
opportunity to use it for communication, entertainment and information. There
is no doubt that technology is a powerful tool, but in the words of Spiderman,
“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with great power comes great responsibility.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our students may be growing up in a world of technology, but
that doesn’t mean that they have the life skills to effectively and responsibly
use it. Technology is a great tool for learning, conducting research, and
communicating. Unfortunately, however, we often hear how students use digital
tools inappropriately for plagiarizing, cyberbullying, cheating, sexting,
oversharing personal information, and meeting online strangers in person. As
parents and educators, we have a responsibility to train and guide them on how
technology fits into their lives. They need to learn that decisions they make
online today can have long-term implications tomorrow. We want our students to
be safe and to be positive members of the digital community, but they aren’t going
to get there by themselves. We need to take an active role in their digital
life by being aware of what they’re doing online, monitoring their online
activities, and most importantly serving as positive role models. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever Googled yourself before? If not, you might be
surprised to see what your virtual identity looks like
because everything you do online is collected into a digital dossier,
otherwise known as your digital footprint. This footprint is traceable by
others and is virtually impossible to eliminate. Our students must become
aware of their digital identity, so that they can learn how to manage and
develop it into a positive one. It is imperative that they keep themselves and
their personal information safe as the lines between the digital and real world
have become blurred.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our digital reality is that technology is very much a part
of all our lives and it is here to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For our students, they are interacting digitally more and more everyday
with content, one another, and in various communities. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Google</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Facebook</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Twitter</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Snapchat</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Instagram</i>
are but a few of the tools they are using to conduct their interactions. The
tools they use tomorrow may change, but what won’t change is the need for our
students to be educated on digital responsibility, citizenship and creating a
positive online footprint. Together as parents, teachers and community members,
we must be the village that works together to raise our students into digital
leaders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For additional information and resources, please visit
<a href="http://digitrail.weebly.com/">http://digitrail.weebly.com</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-7492322129872891782014-10-05T19:32:00.004-07:002014-10-05T19:42:46.490-07:00Digital Toolbox<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">In life, we use physical tools to help us accomplish various tasks: hammers to pound nails, scissors to cut paper, and shovels to make holes. These tools are certainly helpful, but in today’s digital world, our students also need access to digital tools. According to the National Education Technology Standards (NETS), students need to develop the necessary skills to evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks. The resources below are just a small sample of the tools we use with our students. These tools are subscription based and require a username and password. Students are encouraged to use these tools at school as well as at home to help them with their homework or to simply enjoy learning for the sake of learning!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_6qav134u28P1FDCDvrMEprYxVvGyQn8xqqNNvHtCnAstJk9ksvYwmheRiYidqW25xx3daY5LyStnWHSv7u8Ic0A2k3I6OYAXvyVaSJW2tXS8jzi8MgACtNhyphenhyphenyv4FUqDqH0VCK_uAQA/s1600/britannica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_6qav134u28P1FDCDvrMEprYxVvGyQn8xqqNNvHtCnAstJk9ksvYwmheRiYidqW25xx3daY5LyStnWHSv7u8Ic0A2k3I6OYAXvyVaSJW2tXS8jzi8MgACtNhyphenhyphenyv4FUqDqH0VCK_uAQA/s1600/britannica.jpg" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>BRITANNICA</b> – an online encyclopedia with thousands of articles, images, videos, and web sites. <a href="http://www.britannica.com/">http://www.britannica.com</a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b style="letter-spacing: 0px;">EBOOKS</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> - available via Cooper’s library card catalog, which can be accessed from the Media Center button on <a href="http://lpscooper.ss5.sharpschool.com/" target="_blank">Cooper’s home page</a>.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iejeb0tlQkqRglZxJKJANXW7wAxHhgjaBA1Py-bHCMuGhnC4uy5QdkWnNrFeBRcIMKfMG3uJJE1-70SjAIfaVs0Pr6tVZWm67TIr4SsVnf-Am27HyDPkNSq9fPLigLHiLnv1m1o-SzY/s1600/brainpop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iejeb0tlQkqRglZxJKJANXW7wAxHhgjaBA1Py-bHCMuGhnC4uy5QdkWnNrFeBRcIMKfMG3uJJE1-70SjAIfaVs0Pr6tVZWm67TIr4SsVnf-Am27HyDPkNSq9fPLigLHiLnv1m1o-SzY/s1600/brainpop2.jpg" /></a><span id="goog_1357728424"></span><span id="goog_1357728425"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>BRAINPOP</b> - provides educational movies, activities, and games. To access this resource, go to <a href="http://www.brainpop.com/"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">http://www.brainpop.com</span></a>.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdmeER0e0DITQJgwaiOVc85ETGJ3KmEN8C40t04TxJYt02ZmYw5cSP4zL92UsZmwEvRACWCikepd2Rtz1U5KNVSqRPzoJApuk8oXLrB79muWj7v4h7g0HQhHXF1xcjPk_iWoNhWaxgrM/s1600/discovery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdmeER0e0DITQJgwaiOVc85ETGJ3KmEN8C40t04TxJYt02ZmYw5cSP4zL92UsZmwEvRACWCikepd2Rtz1U5KNVSqRPzoJApuk8oXLrB79muWj7v4h7g0HQhHXF1xcjPk_iWoNhWaxgrM/s1600/discovery.jpg" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>DISCOVERY STREAMING</b> - provides thousands of digital resources including instructional videos, skill builders, games, audio files and images. This research tool is only available via Cooper’s library card catalog, which can be accessed from the Media Center button on Cooper’s home page. Students then need to login using their school issued username and password. <a href="http://www.discoveryeducation.com/">http://www.discoveryeducation.com</a>
</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IRRkg63rHMvo48OTTLj-QvclagiS_JtROAQd7ewXfvTLCnDn2KPT-AvfPEL-lIOTJXngLPUSKhbE9W5HJGdDqoul82VSofztRA6_RSXRyTl01iLdXJYnC_ku5UVlA0OZZ0b5l2ZHm5k/s1600/mel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IRRkg63rHMvo48OTTLj-QvclagiS_JtROAQd7ewXfvTLCnDn2KPT-AvfPEL-lIOTJXngLPUSKhbE9W5HJGdDqoul82VSofztRA6_RSXRyTl01iLdXJYnC_ku5UVlA0OZZ0b5l2ZHm5k/s1600/mel.jpg" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>MeL</b> - Michigan Electronic Library - provides all Michigan residents with free on-demand access to full-text articles, full-text books, images and other valuable research information. A Michigan driver’s license is required to login from home. No login is required if accessing this resource from a Michigan public library, school or university. To access this resource, go to<br />
<a href="http://mel.org/"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">http://mel.org</span></a>.</span></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-cah3WYW5bPg%2FVDIAZg1JdSI%2FAAAAAAAAAog%2F-6cJXxtRWKA%2Fs1600%2Fbrainpop2.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iejeb0tlQkqRglZxJKJANXW7wAxHhgjaBA1Py-bHCMuGhnC4uy5QdkWnNrFeBRcIMKfMG3uJJE1-70SjAIfaVs0Pr6tVZWm67TIr4SsVnf-Am27HyDPkNSq9fPLigLHiLnv1m1o-SzY/s1600/brainpop2.jpg" -->Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-13814631379810201482014-09-22T21:45:00.002-07:002014-09-23T18:51:34.099-07:00iDoceo<span style="font-size: small;">Finalize your class list. Create a seating chart. Take attendance. Assign grades. Maintain your schedule. Attempt to call on students randomly. Keep track of students with a 504 plan. Keep track of students that have accomodations and be sure to document the accommodations that you make. Record student behavior. Help your students stay organized. Generate reports. And as soon as you think you've got a handle on everything, two students move out of your classroom and a new student moves in to your classroom. Do you ever feel like your head is spinning from trying to stay organized with everything? Imagine streamlining all of these tasks into a single program. Well, imagine no more because there is an app called <i>iDoceo</i>, that will manage all of these things for you in a very user friendly environment. This is an especially helpful app for those who juggle multiple classes. It does cost $7.99, but it is well worth every penny! <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/idoceo-teachers-notepad/id477120941" target="_blank">Download it here</a> and start getting organized today!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJJvgPLhDrrgNapYiKxjsje5CQZudpr5SfIloUzxl449Oem7Tt-YIeoUdF-v3PLSiVcC7pn4r0XAcoeGwXpg1d929dv9gVFngDEc6xts9LFZoJbjp2c5bwZIi35sNaxQp2kLqV0XLIxM/s1600/idoceo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJJvgPLhDrrgNapYiKxjsje5CQZudpr5SfIloUzxl449Oem7Tt-YIeoUdF-v3PLSiVcC7pn4r0XAcoeGwXpg1d929dv9gVFngDEc6xts9LFZoJbjp2c5bwZIi35sNaxQp2kLqV0XLIxM/s1600/idoceo.png" height="332" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Tbr19V4h71qwAHiv3x4FTIyNrtXKLilq5JmFt3qGIgDLA6SRd-o4PlQfqzqSRMUN690km8YjJ35avB3ulo-XJbnEIRpnqmgXWBCX-rD2o_r87E5gvQpBCwhu1K5xf7vIoxdtYaIS84s/s1600/mzl.ktnryzox.480x480-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Tbr19V4h71qwAHiv3x4FTIyNrtXKLilq5JmFt3qGIgDLA6SRd-o4PlQfqzqSRMUN690km8YjJ35avB3ulo-XJbnEIRpnqmgXWBCX-rD2o_r87E5gvQpBCwhu1K5xf7vIoxdtYaIS84s/s1600/mzl.ktnryzox.480x480-75.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFX8BbdP7Q9uc1lVYL-zoAYuZIRcTvNUZSclVJYJhQvgCr_nTdy_mACRsObLQNdtWfkkfnSS8C_Nt6eToPLgYWGV9E51nkOAVQ6T8Vys2vewJzHjs0OU4nJak0LskHgaDaa0kIyNHrF_0/s1600/screenshot-idoceo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFX8BbdP7Q9uc1lVYL-zoAYuZIRcTvNUZSclVJYJhQvgCr_nTdy_mACRsObLQNdtWfkkfnSS8C_Nt6eToPLgYWGV9E51nkOAVQ6T8Vys2vewJzHjs0OU4nJak0LskHgaDaa0kIyNHrF_0/s1600/screenshot-idoceo-3.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-82840128984673691632014-09-15T21:50:00.002-07:002014-09-15T21:50:41.400-07:00International Dot DayWe began our celebration of International Dot Day by reading Peter H. Reynold's beautifully illustrated book, <i>The Dot</i>. Like so many of our students, Vashti is convinced that she can't draw. Her teacher finally convinces her to make her mark by drawing a single dot and signing her name. She then lets her mark take her on a creative journey of making even more dots, each more creative and beautiful than the previous one. After a brief discussion, we were on to making our own marks (dots) using the ColAR dot coloring page and app. Squeals of delight along with some oohs and aahs were heard as the students saw their dots come to life! It was such a fun activity to introduce augmented reality, to enjoy a heartwarming book, and to jumpstart a successful school year by making our marks!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3UXGtXaNt0N3bwGLSTex3LFPVhW32KzV3HuMV_RTfP2nFmSmi0KAIg3Bal7_OGKc__s3izgJsrWN0Vfx9djkzHeaswz_R0gZhOXL3C2iDXLKE9XkO7kEQgrjHijg0NgWRiJL2h9pC14/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3UXGtXaNt0N3bwGLSTex3LFPVhW32KzV3HuMV_RTfP2nFmSmi0KAIg3Bal7_OGKc__s3izgJsrWN0Vfx9djkzHeaswz_R0gZhOXL3C2iDXLKE9XkO7kEQgrjHijg0NgWRiJL2h9pC14/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGdRVp_o9705Mvgub6nBJcvF1cC5H_nNcklshHxkN7MIKBEP6StZ9Gb69A_Xjpx56FK-61g6fA-pPrWiCQH6rAuypKXxDUXozpYNYrHTLfGEmLFh0EeirDbl4qU-Cl4lvwe08dqwE9hA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGdRVp_o9705Mvgub6nBJcvF1cC5H_nNcklshHxkN7MIKBEP6StZ9Gb69A_Xjpx56FK-61g6fA-pPrWiCQH6rAuypKXxDUXozpYNYrHTLfGEmLFh0EeirDbl4qU-Cl4lvwe08dqwE9hA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJlsygozqAykvwf811o9oc6JXejxc9pqlqWvb-p2WaHTBgRR7nb6kPIUEGfHWb5sR-OAS2e4NTY7FwAMYnZyExiUyqeBZTLsOGfNkEcC2Gxr9eXCORBGy12JBHahf1WsF6vTL9V7np44/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJlsygozqAykvwf811o9oc6JXejxc9pqlqWvb-p2WaHTBgRR7nb6kPIUEGfHWb5sR-OAS2e4NTY7FwAMYnZyExiUyqeBZTLsOGfNkEcC2Gxr9eXCORBGy12JBHahf1WsF6vTL9V7np44/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX772lqFFMDrteotFmjTsLrLgNBwq_kzPotA-8iCgjFS0YMnhtFAchiwDoEyFQDkD-qtQ8scPOB-rawkxvlEmj6N77QXHSnkCIym8xB7y23kZUMcSAnI8VB6e0NQ7F6LKu8qMZr9-j5E/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX772lqFFMDrteotFmjTsLrLgNBwq_kzPotA-8iCgjFS0YMnhtFAchiwDoEyFQDkD-qtQ8scPOB-rawkxvlEmj6N77QXHSnkCIym8xB7y23kZUMcSAnI8VB6e0NQ7F6LKu8qMZr9-j5E/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-2184212639620069562014-06-18T11:18:00.001-07:002014-06-18T11:56:06.358-07:00American Revolutionary Leaders Come Alive With Augmented RealityHow do you get fifth grade students excited about research and learning about leaders during the American Revolution? Make it come alive through augmented reality! Each student researched a different leader (i.e. George Washington, Paul Revere, Sam Adams, etc.) and wrote a personal narrative about their role as a leader during the American Revolution. They then dressed in character and were filmed in front of a green screen, so that a background from that time period could be added. Lastly, they drew a portrait of themselves, which would ultimately be used as the target image for their augmented reality. Using Aurasma, their target image triggered their video. The level of engagement throughout this project was exhilarating! The students learned so much about the American Revolution from their own research as well as that of their clasmates. As an added bonus, parents were able to view all of these from home via their mobile devices whenever and wherever they wanted! <div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5Hpc63SdrUbp79gYEbcmpqtBGvPRUAIFh9gJIlYXLxH5_EFd16RI3T75NrNpYjBcAR9qvIo6c52zsbTDTQF7JH6awoI2fxrrm-tab7nh1yqRTmvuJWmUFYEwxkjvgsVDXtX1hWJ0GpU/s640/blogger-image-1903960634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5Hpc63SdrUbp79gYEbcmpqtBGvPRUAIFh9gJIlYXLxH5_EFd16RI3T75NrNpYjBcAR9qvIo6c52zsbTDTQF7JH6awoI2fxrrm-tab7nh1yqRTmvuJWmUFYEwxkjvgsVDXtX1hWJ0GpU/s640/blogger-image-1903960634.jpg"></a></div></div>Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-24757843920067914362014-03-14T22:03:00.004-07:002014-03-14T22:04:27.795-07:00Blogging Around the WorldBack in the day, when students wrote anything, it was for a one person audience, the teacher. Their purpose for writing, a good grade. Did this encourage them to write? Inspire them? Give them a purpose? For most students, I would hazard to say no. They wrote because it was required. It was less authentic and creative. With the explosion of Web 2.0 tools and social media, the potential for a global audience is now at the fingertips of every child. In most cases, our students are already using these tools to share their stories, connect with others, and create new knowledge, but are they plugged in at home AND at school?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Digital writing fosters creativity, collaboration and gives students the opportunity to write to a broader audience. As a result, more effort is usually put into their writing because they know that what they write is going to be read and commented on by others. It is authentic and gives them purpose. One of the easiest ways to get your students up and running is to have them blog. Although there are many blog tools available, my favorite tool to use with students is <a href="http://kidblog.org/" target="_blank">Kidblog</a>. It's simple and safe for them to use! It is a blogging platform that was created by teachers for teachers and allows students to get the most out of the writing process in a safe and secure environment.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Once you get the blogs up and running, you need to actively market them so you can get some blog readers and broaden the audience. Share it with parents and your school community. Tweet it out! If you are looking to blog with other classrooms around the world, then <a href="http://quadblogging.net/" target="_blank">Quadblogging</a> is the way to go! By registering your class on this site, you are partnered with three other classrooms around the world who are also blogging. The premise is that you get on a cycle where each class is in the spotlight for a week in which the other classes comment. This gives your students an authentic audience for their blogs and the opportunity to comment on the blogs of others, which is great digital citizenship practice. In addition to improved writing, blogging with classes from around the world helps them think globally and makes the world a smaller place!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5iYwQmld2WIgqw1k8uLW_sI0rEI0fd9mdiy7EDzu3ibjUI_usbQGmZJwk02F4TfeP7vf8vT9TtuWYUBLfA2Q_iTWGZNw5EFYE8IN_80UQfjR47K59gvEEfle5PQ1GCetdfMzwDCwuvc/s1600/blog.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5iYwQmld2WIgqw1k8uLW_sI0rEI0fd9mdiy7EDzu3ibjUI_usbQGmZJwk02F4TfeP7vf8vT9TtuWYUBLfA2Q_iTWGZNw5EFYE8IN_80UQfjR47K59gvEEfle5PQ1GCetdfMzwDCwuvc/s1600/blog.gif" height="214" width="320" /></a><br />
<b>Blog Resources</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://kidblog.org/" target="_blank">KidBlog</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" target="_blank">Blogger</a></li>
<li><a href="http://edublogs.org/" target="_blank">Edublogs</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.edmodo.com/" target="_blank">Edmodo</a></li>
</ul>
<b>Why Have Students Blog?</b></div>
<div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Give Them a Voice</li>
<li>Write to an Authentic Audience</li>
<li>Share Reflections</li>
<li>Share Learning in Any Subject Matter</li>
<li>Increase Writing Motivation</li>
<li>Track Writing Progress</li>
<li>Leave a Positive Digital Footprint</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-69204484681875619402014-01-17T21:48:00.001-08:002014-01-19T12:05:34.883-08:00Mystery SkypeThe world felt a little smaller today. Rather than simply studying geography and practicing map skills in our classroom with books, globes and maps, we made it come alive with our first ever #MysterySkype! This is a guessing game that was invented by teachers in which two classes ask questions of one another until they guess the location of the other class. I've never seen students so engaged and excited to put their map skills to the test. We started by introducing ourselves and then alternated asking yes or no questions of each other. Are you east of the Mississippi River? Do you border the Atlantic Ocean? Do you have a lot of snow? Does your state have a mountain range? Do you border Canada? Are you in the Northeast? Once the students felt fairly confident that they knew the state of the other class, they made a guess. Our first class was in Massachusetts! When guessed correctly, the kids cheered as if their home team had just scored the winning touchdown! In all my years of teaching, no one has ever cheered when they got a correct answer, let alone a whole class. A lot of learning took place today, but this activity wasn't just a geography lesson, it was synergy! It was a classroom of kids working together for a common goal. It was realizing that there are students elsewhere in this world that are in school learning just like them. Social Studies definitely came alive today! This may have been our first #MysterySkype, but it certainly will not be our last!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyBXZYVznaew8gRouF2J_sTld95X5hs-aBKDUzKYyWPHXmAaw0UBXsOHiYafhlGiId0-Bh0zta3UJ6jPJfUcbwVrsNA9C-fp_72j5ByIi088FZG9P1GTMtOe_vrS4CR6gtq5sawVW4MM/s1600/mass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyBXZYVznaew8gRouF2J_sTld95X5hs-aBKDUzKYyWPHXmAaw0UBXsOHiYafhlGiId0-Bh0zta3UJ6jPJfUcbwVrsNA9C-fp_72j5ByIi088FZG9P1GTMtOe_vrS4CR6gtq5sawVW4MM/s1600/mass.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-28430141072452564772013-12-12T21:30:00.001-08:002013-12-12T21:30:11.074-08:00Michigan Electronic LibraryThe <a href="http://mel.org/" target="_blank">Michigan Electronic Library (MeL)</a> has many wonderful databases to use with kids. They have recently added a new resource, <i>Book Flix</i>, which is owned by Scholastic that pairs fiction and non-fiction books online. It is geared for K-3, but has some resources that would be just right for older students, especially under the People and Places link. This is a subscription based literacy resource, but if you access it through MeL, it is FREE.
Once you access <a href="http://mel.org/" target="_blank">MeL</a>, click on the Kids button and you will notice a plethora of literacy and research resources such as <i>Culture Grams</i>, <i>eBook K-8 Collection</i>, <i>NoveList</i>, and <i>Book Flix</i>. There is also an online encyclopedia, <i>World Book</i>, that includes links to additional websites at the end of each article. Great stuff!
http://mel.org
Click on the Kids button in the left panel to view a plethora of literacy and research resources.
From a Michigan public school, library or university, you will have immediate access to all of these resources simply by clicking on them. From home, you will be asked to enter a Michigan driver's license to verify you are a Michigan resident, since it is our tax dollars paying for this resource (about $4 million). Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-72062350415308030332013-09-26T21:22:00.001-07:002014-01-17T22:32:39.220-08:00YouTube Audio Library<i>YouTube</i> has launched a music library of 150 royalty-free audio tracks that can be used in any video, even those that are not uploaded to <i>YouTube</i>. These audio files can be streamed or downloaded as MP3 files. Genres range from alternative & punk to classical to rock and roll. There is also music for any mood such as angry, happy, sad, or inspirational. This is a tremendous resource for students to tap into when selecting background music for their multimedia projects!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOvm-UD7aAlZbmfao8Ey29W4Xr0nh_J8iHOagk2q7T__GI3IIy0YB5Javzs__zdIVBKg81yFjZv1MXVFsFp0VSQ2Vny2B9YE_Yxl0MPajDxOgsMohdzWiu5PmUpaDWwEf8a-S6Zb4tlk/s1600/audio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOvm-UD7aAlZbmfao8Ey29W4Xr0nh_J8iHOagk2q7T__GI3IIy0YB5Javzs__zdIVBKg81yFjZv1MXVFsFp0VSQ2Vny2B9YE_Yxl0MPajDxOgsMohdzWiu5PmUpaDWwEf8a-S6Zb4tlk/s320/audio.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary" target="_blank">YouTube Audio Library</a>Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178156096297967887.post-33572234970252995322013-09-16T21:17:00.000-07:002013-09-17T20:11:47.210-07:00Series and Sequels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5QaZ5H4Yr3gGOcYqFlh_0Q8NWSxvhlfLs3bZmpeueKS_EjxuwVx2yRW9CZDPKThz7ZgQGps7WUpXmwr5sb14MSnDKAO4xFYDPx-fq7lts90HMWk6sROyQ36kvJn7IMlo_tGvlyljn9c/s1600/p324703_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5QaZ5H4Yr3gGOcYqFlh_0Q8NWSxvhlfLs3bZmpeueKS_EjxuwVx2yRW9CZDPKThz7ZgQGps7WUpXmwr5sb14MSnDKAO4xFYDPx-fq7lts90HMWk6sROyQ36kvJn7IMlo_tGvlyljn9c/s1600/p324703_s.jpg" /></a></div>
Have you ever fallen in love with a book and wondered if it was part of a series? And if so, which book comes next? Or first? Or second? Thanks to the Mid-Continent Public Library, the answers to these questions are at your fingertips! They've created a database of over 36,000 books in 4,900 series that can be viewed by the title of the series, the subject of the series, the title of a book, or the author.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mymcpl.org/books-movies-music/juvenile-series">http://www.mymcpl.org/books-movies-music/juvenile-series</a>Judy Bowlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750994754810343470noreply@blogger.com0