Inspiration

Did you know that Inspiration has its own training videos? When you open the program, simply click on Learn to Use and then the folder that says Training Video. Each video is short and explains and function of the program!

Happy Inclusive Schools Week!

Microsoft Word 2007

Microsoft Word is an invaluable tool for use in the classroom. Teach your students how to use the spell check function—either by clicking on the button, or right clicking on the red line.

Have you seen the new SmartArt in Office 2007? It has neat pictures that would make great graphic organizers. Click on the Insert Tab and then SmartArt. They have graphics for processes, lists, cycles, hierarchies, relationships, matrices, and pyramids. You can even insert pictures on some!

Copyright Friendly Graphics

Are you looking for some copyright friendly graphics to use with your lessons? Do you need visuals to make an abstract concept more accessible? Pics4Learning.com is your answer! With an easy search tool and tutorials, you are sure to find what you need!

Kidspiration and Inspiration

Kidspiration and Inspiration are great pre writing tools but, did you know that Kidspiration and Inspiration have a listen feature included in them? Have students click on the ear to hear what is written in a bubble or even what they’ve written when using the writing or outline view. (If you are not seeing the ear icon on Inspiration, go the the Utilities Menu, choose Preferences, choose Audio, then check the box for the Listen tool.) It's almost like having an auditory word processor!

Pixie 2

Do you have access to Pixie 2 on your computer? Have you taken a look at it? It’s not just a painting/drawing program. Pixie 2 has a lot of pre-made activities involving reading, math, social studies, and science which allow students to explore concepts using computer manipulatives. To find these activities, go to the File Menu, click open, and choose activities. There you should find a variety of pre made activities.

If you don't have Pixie on your computer, you can download a 30 day trial here.
Go ahead, give it a try!

Inclusive Schools Week

December 7-11 is Inclusive Schools Week. This year's theme is Inclusive Technology. In honor of that, I'm going to attempt to put up a tech tip/idea that you could share with your school and hopefully use in your classroom. I'm going to try to pick technology that is common in elementary schools--at least it is common to my school district.
Sorry I've been away for so long, I've been going to two or three schools daily, physical therapy twice a week, and trying to enjoy the holidays!
Don't give up on me!