Using Technology to Enhance Social Studies

Today I was able to present to a group of pre-service teachers.  Anyone who thinks teachers don't work in the summer should talk to these summer-class-taking students!
click here or the WMU Bronco to access the presentation.

ISTE!

Off to Atlanta tomorrow for my annual big technology fix!  
I am hoping to get lots of information on using technology with early elementary students, do some networking, and collect some swag! 

MACUL materials

I need to stop editing my presentation and just post it already!!  I just keep finding more resources, and more that I want to say--THAT is the problem with presenting on Friday--too much time to think :)

Here are the links for my presentation and my list of resources......for now!
60 Sites in 60 minutes - MACUL 2014

60 Sites in 60 Minutes - resources

MACUL!!

Getting ready to attend MACUL in Grand Rapids in 3 days!  It is a different feeling NOT having to prepare lesson plans for the days I will be out of the classroom.  I think I am prepared to present--but I am nervous about being assigned to a room for 450 people!

College Kids? College Kids!

Today I am presenting to a class of pre-service teachers at Western Michigan University.  I am really looking forward to sharing some (hopefully) good and useful links to use when teaching Social Studies to elementary school students.
Click on the bronco to access the power point presentation.  Once in the presentation, click on the illustration to access the website.

Using Blogs to De-Clutter

Most of what I post is about how to use technology with Early Elementary students, but today I am going to write about a terrific blog that can help other teachers.  
You know that friend/colleague that we all have that has a super organized room and is always on top of everything?  
The Clutterfree Classroom is just like that friend.  She has started a project to help us become more organized, with a task and an assignment each week.  This week I needed to take [and post--eek] pictures of my classroom to show its "before" state.  Did you ever notice how things look worse in pictures than they do in real life?  anyway, here they are.  My room:

Even if I don't tidy up all the spaces that need it, I will (hopefully) become more proficient at posting pictures!  anyone want to come along for the ride?

Second Grade Common Core

I usually talk about using technology with kindergarten students, but I also work a lot with the first-third grade teachers in my building with how to integrate technology into their curriculum.

While on one of my favorite sites (www.havefunteaching.com)  recently I came across a FABULOUS resource for second grade teachers!!!!!!  The Second Grade Common Core Workbook is full of worksheets, activities, posters--all the stuff you need to address the Common Core Standards.  You can download a sample to check the quality--I did that for the kindergarten book--very impressed!  It is a digital download, so you won't have to lug around another big, fat TE!   Check it out :)