Friday, June 29, 2007

Free Image Hosting

Here is a procedure that you can use with your students to show them how to put images onto their blogs. All you have to do is print it out, do a class demonstration and then let them head on their merry way :)

Take me to the image hosting procedure.

cheers

Adrian

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Thursday, June 28, 2007

Word to Pdf





Hi All,

I provide all my games as a pdf files for all the people in the world that don't have access to Word.
I also provide all my reading games in Word so that if people wish to modify them to match the needs of their learners. The up side of this is that people who modify my reading games can email them to me and I can upload them to the site for everyone to use.

The software I use to convert the Word to pdf is free and it is called primo PDF feel free to check it out. It really is easy to use and does everything I need.

Cheers

Adrian

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Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Children's Authors & Publishers

It is a little scary I know, but it has been over 3 and a half years since I last updated my Virtual Library.

My Virtual Library is a place that I send my students during 'Silent Reading' / 'Silent Browsing' time to explore the Internet.

Tonight I updated my fav Publishers and Authors site.

If you think there is an author or publisher missing from this list, feel free to send it to me. Esp if you think students should be exposed to it before the end of childhood.

cheers

Adrian B

PS If you only check out one resource - the kids love the opportunity to create their own Captain Underpants Comic,

Blogging, easy html and embedded video

I've been experimenting with blogging on the classroom for about 5 months now and one of my biggest frustrations has been not being able to find a one stop shop for all things blogging. So I'm building it. Feel free to offer any input.

I use David Warlick's Classblogmeister as it has all the features I need but even finding a blog host took me a couple of nights of searching.

Anyway, today I put online my task that has the students explore the videos on TeacherTube and then 'embed' one into their blog. (Take me to the adding video to my blog tutorial)

I also refined a page that has a lot of simple html code that students can copy and paste directly into their articles so they don't have to learn coding. I've added the commands for linking to a webpage, linking to a webpage so it opens in a different window, bold, italics and a heap of different coloured text. (Take me to the timesaving html code) NB I intend putting a link on my student blogs so the kids can go straight to this page.







You can check out some of the videos that the kids put on their blogs at the Ace Kids Blog
or at the Aussie Emus Blog

cheers

Adrian

Monday, June 25, 2007

The Perfect Match - Match Stick Puzzles


Match stick puzzles are great problem solving lessons. Heaps of thinking, problem solving skills and life lessons can be had.

Tonight I've added some of the puzzles that I have had success with to the website. I've even put the solutions up this time but I know you are all way too smart to 'turn to the back of the book' and look up the answers. :)

Enjoy

Adrian B

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Math Websites for Silent Browsing

Here is a collection of Math websites that I often get students to explore to, 'see what they can find'.

I also use this site for what I call, 'Silent Browsing' i.e. the equivalent to 'Silent Reading' on the Internet.

There are heaps of really useful resources here. One way to save yourself a bit of time is to have each child in your class review one of the websites and introduce it to the class.

Enjoy

Adrian B
PS If you have any great sites you'd like added to this page, feel free to send them through.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Websites for Younger Kids


Tonight I've begun to rework my 'Virtual Library'.

This is a site that I put together so that I can send my students off to it to find 'things of interest to them' during what I call, 'Silent Web Browsing'.

It has been a looooooong time since I updated the site so tonight I've added some of the websites I use when teaching Infants. There's a bit of Reading, a bit of Math, a few pointless games and a tad of Art.

Feel free to check out the beginnings of my Educational Internet Link Site.

cheers

Adrian

Friday, June 22, 2007

How is 'said' said?

There are many ways to say 'said'. Tonight I've put together a collection of writing activities/ideas to help children to rise above the mundane use of 'said'. On to the Writing Tips!



Thursday, June 21, 2007

The New Ipod, Ebay and Procrastination

About 6 months ago I was avoiding some of my work by reading a book on time management. hehehehe. One of the strategies the book suggested to help avoid procrastinating was to make the activity 'a little more enjoyable'. I've found that writing reports, programming or annotating writing samples is a little easier to face with a bit of music on in the background.

Then my Ipod died. I was lost. Now courtesy of Ebay I have a new one. I bought a 30gig one for about $70 cheaper than I could in any of the shops. Now I'm back to downloading my favourite podcasts and playing them at my son's soccer practice and in the car on the way to work. I then pop on some music while working on my website or marking at my desk at school. The Ipod has meant that I can take some professional development anywhere.

(My Ipod playing the audio book of Freedman's 'The World is Flat' whilst at my son's all day soccer carnival - only 2 chapters to go)

Saturday, June 09, 2007

What Lolly R U?

In my role as ICT Integration Guy, I get to work with some teachers who are truly 'switch on'.
This lady works in a school in Australia and is big time into thinking skills.

Here is my post to her class' blog on 'What Lolly are You?'


Teachers are sometimes told, 'Don't smile at a new class until Easter'. This has the effect that students often see their new teachers as cold hearted machines who want nothing but to inflict pain and suffering upon their students :)

So... just between you and me... (& don't you dare let my reputation slip) ;) I would be a Ferro Rocher chocolate served ice cold straight from the fridge but preferably even colder from the freezer.

Why? I hear you ask. Well... firstly you have to peel off the outer layer. This layer appears to be gold but in essence is only cheap tin foil. You are then confronted by a cold bumpy mass that is prickly to touch and would be a complete nightmare to try and swallow whole. :)

Once you get over your initial disgust, and you begin to devour my essence, you will savor for a lifetime the sweet sensations I offer you.
Then within seconds (which may seem like a lifetime for some) of experiencing my delights, you will find a centre that is warm, pleasant and leaves you wanting another one and then another and then another.

signed - The Dark One of Adria

PS ... and too much of me will make you really, really sick :)

Hint - Don't believe anything you could read on the Internet it's all lies & propaganda?

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Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Simon Says, 'Teach a Little Anatomy'

Funny how we expose children to the terminology of basic anatomy from an early age but we seem to leave off soon after, 'nose' and 'elbow'.

Here is a great little 'game' to foster positive attitudes to Science and teach some of the fantastic anatomical names for the various bits of our bodies. The lesson starts with a little research into where these bits of the body are :)


- gluteus maximus
- nasolabial fold
- clavicle
- scapular
- patella
- occipital lobe
- C1 through to C7
- sternum
- achilles tendon
- lunula
- incisors
- coccyx (kok-siks)

The kids have a great deal of fun doing this Simon Says Anatomy Activity and it only takes 5 minutes :)

cheers

Adrian

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