Binumi is an AWESOME tool for digital storytelling video projects. There is a free version that should be adequate for your needs. It has a huge library of video clips as well as sound files that can easily be dragged and dropped to your storyline. Adding text as well as your own files are easily done but if you get stuck there is a short tutorial right within your project screen – just look for the i which gives you an overview of the editor. I’ve included a short video to give you an introduction and if you have any questions contact me. I’d be more than happy to help! Go to https://www.binumi.com/ and create your free account Enjoy!
Can you believe it? Two more days and we are at the end of the year!
Here’s something you may want to take a look at over the summer. Have you ever opened a browser only to find that all of your bookmarks are gone? I use three browsers – Firefox, Chrome and Internet Explorer (sometimes I throw in Safari as well). If I bookmarked a website, I would have to remember which browser I was using. THIS can get confusing…. UNTIL, I found Symbaloo!
Symbaloo is a place that you can store all of your bookmarks quickly, easily and VISUALLY. Let’s say I find a site that I really like. I make sure Symbaloo is open (I’ve made it my home page), click on add a tile, copy and paste the URL and voila! See the picture below:
Another really cool thing – let’s say you have a topic of interest and are looking for resources. How about Common Core??? or Football??? or Web 2.0 tools??? Well, you can search for what’s called a WEBMIX – all the tiles are already on the page and you may now add that page to your Symbaloo. Yes, that’s right – Symbaloo lets you have multiple PAGES of bookmarks so you can really be organized. You may want a page for just math sites, just LOTE, etc… Maybe just worksheets. And how about the kids? What a great way to teach them organizational skills!
I’ve included two videos below – one is Symbaloo as explained by a child. Since we are teachers I figured it was appropriate! The other is about SymbalooEdu.
Hi everyone!
Hope you had a relaxing break. I know I did! I have a few things I’d like to share with you today.
First – the good news – teacher centers are IN the budget for next year. I haven’t worked out the details yet as to when MTRACT will be open but we will have money to provide you with services.
Second – hate writing lesson plans? Here’s a new FREE web 2.0 tool that can help
Third – Looking for APPROPRIATE video for your lesson?
Take a look at Watch, Know, Learn for pre-screened video you may download for FREE
Fourth– Video Editing Made Easy, FREE and in the Cloud!
And FINALLY…VERY INTERESTING – Do you PIN? Well, EdShelf seems to be the educational equivalent. You can create your own shelves or take a look at what other teachers have already found beneficial on their shelves. It’s pretty terrific and, of course, FREE. Click on the link and take a look!Ed Shelf
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Hi all,
I have a few highlights to share with you. One is Better Lesson which is a social learning community and a place that you can find, save and share quality common core lessons. A short video explaining follows:
They are looking for exceptional master math teachers currently teaching grades 6-12 to work as part of a cohort building CCSS-aligned courses. Regular feedback and support will be available from coaches who are experts in the implementation of CCSS. Resulting lessons and best practices will be shared with the Better Learning community. The work is virtual and you would be expected to devote 10 hours weekly building curricula and sharing instructional strategies. The project has been funded by Bill and Melinda Gates the master teacher would receive a $30,000 stipend for the two years. For more information, click to go to http://blog.betterlesson.com/seeking-teachers-for-the-betterlesson-master You can get the application at that link or download from the next page after clicking this link. BetterLesson Master Teacher Program
The use of video can be a very powerful tool for learning and most especially motivation. It’s so important for us to enter our students’ worlds and use their tools. How many of them create video all the time and post to You Tube? Rather than creating a presentation using PowerPoint, how about having them create their learning experience using multimedia? Here’s a website https://www.wevideo.com that easily allows you to edit video. The basic tool is free to educators and probably more than adequate but you can upgrade (Plus is 19.99 per year and Ultra is 29.99 per year). Click on the image to see exactly what is included.
The following video shows what you can do:
And then…I found this video on Edutopia on 21st century Teaching Strategies. I loved it – hope you will too 🙂
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Happy New Year and welcome back. Hope you had a great break!
NY Times Learning Network has some really great lessons that you may be interested in taking a look at. The particular one that I am linking to is a year in review in RAP!
Along with the video, the NY Times has included a news quiz. Click on the link to visit the site. There are many other lesson plans in various subject areas that very well may interest you.
Looking for Interactives?
Visit SAILOn, a collaborative effort of nine public school districts in the Houston, Texas area. There are even interactives for MUSIC (something I don’t find that often)! SAILOn is a collaborative effort of 9 public school districts in the Houston, Texas area: http://www.pasadenaisd.org/sailon/default.htm
Spelling City is another interactive website that you may find helpful. The basics are free although there is a premium membership available. Go to http://www.spellingcity.com/ to explore….
The holidays, the tests, the new standards, the stress!
Here’s a video to remind you just how very special you are!
For LOTE….
I finally found something that I think you will find useful (at least I hope you do). This site uses music to teach – take a look and let me know what you think. As always, it is FREE!
Hi everyone,
The tenth anniversary of 9-11 has been a very emotional time for us all. I wanted to share this video from the UFT and honor the teachers, secretaries, custodians, cafeteria staff, and administrators whose job it is to remain calm and protect the children in any scenario.
This video is a compilation of the stories of members of the UFT who were called upon on September 11, 2001.
We’re coming down to the wire, things are crazy, EVERYONE’s busy, and the “tests” have either just finished or are around the bend.
The PDP Survey
As I do each year, the PDP survey has been posted in My Learning Plan. Many of you already know the reason for the survey but for those who are new, let me explain.
The district provides professional development during the school day as well as after school. All teachers are required to complete up to 15 hours of professional development annually and those teachers with professional certification need 175 hours every 5 years. It is very important that you are given professional development that is worthwhile and not a waste of your time. Hence the survey….
The survey is created by a committee that is comprised of administrators and union representatives. Once you complete it, I create a report including all your responses. That report is distributed to the Board of Education, all administrators and your union reps who will place the report in faculty rooms. Your administrators will use your responses in their planning for next year’s professional development.
Thanks for your help by filling out this survey…..
A Beautiful Video
And now, a video, “Inspirational Teacher Quotes”, that I think you’ll enjoy and you ALL deserve!!!
Enjoy your three day weekend – let’s pray for sun!!!
(And please remember to go to My Learning Plan and fill out the survey….THANK YOU!!!)
M-TRACT 