Free Web-Based Trainings by Mimio

1. Mimio Setup and Support (60 min.)
2. Mimio Studio Basics I: A Tour of mimio Studio (45 min.)
3. Mimio Studio Basics II: Presenting Lessons (40 min.)
4. Mimio Studio Intermediate I: Adding Content (30 min.)
5. Mimio Studio Intermediate II: Sharing Lessons and Galleries (30 min.)
6. Mimio Studio Advanced (30 min.)
7. Mimio Integration: Weaving Interactivity into your Curriculum (45 min.)
8. MimioConnect: Navigating Through Your Online mimio Community (60 min.)


If you are utilizing any Mimio products in your classroom, then this is for you. Mimio has a wide variety of training materials on their website. I especially enjoy the QuickLearn webinars. There are 8 quick learn webinars that you can sign up for free of charge. You choose the date and time. These are real-time and completely interactive. Take a look at the sessions I attended below. These are the actual recorded training sessions that I signed up for through Mimio. I love how they email the recording session. If needed, I can always go back and review.


Mimio Studio Intermediate I: Adding Content
Mimio Studio Basics II: Presenting Lessons 
Mimio Studio Intermediate II
Mimio Integration: Weaving Interactivity into your Curriculum
Mimio Studio Basics I – A Tour of mimio Studio
Mimio Studio Advanced
MimioConnect

If you haven't already, register for MimioConnect and take advantage of the many interactive resources offered for free.

EasyTech at Learning.com

EasyTech is our state adopted technology applications curriculum which some Calallen ISD teachers are already familiar with it. This is an online interactive technology literacy curriculum that integrates technology lessons into the classroom for elementary and middle school students. Easytech has everything you need to integrate technology skills with core curriculum...computer basics, keyboarding, ect. Rey and I attended a webinar on Monday to find out more about this program. We are now working to get all K-8 teachers into the EasyTech system.  

Think Green Resource Guide from Edutopia

Think Green Resource Guide Edutopia is a free download filled with lots of ideas and resources which can help you plan green projects for your students. Let's make every day an earth day!

Today is Earth Day

Here is another resource from Thinkfinity. Using this worksheet  from a ReadWriteThink lesson, students can brainstorm lists of messages they want to communicate to others about protecting the Earth.

There is something for everyone at Thinkfinity.

A suggestion from Neysa Rutter over at Wood River Elementary.
I am a recycle fanatic when it comes to saving animals from dying. You can recycle plastic bottles, but not the caps. The caps end up in the ocean, and landfills. The dolphins, manatees etc. ending up trying eat them (thinking they are food), and the animals choke and worse die because of it. I save the caps and sort and use them as manipulatives (counters, ABC’s, numbers). On the big caps (simply oj), I put a label on the top and the kids use them to write their spelling words). I have a bunch of bags of different colors and sizes outside my door.Anyone are welcome to take what they want, because I have a million. Please help yourself. Thanks, Neysa

Animoto Video...Geometry Fun

Geometry Fun is a geometry video created by one of Mrs.Sandroussi's 4th grade students over at Magee. This is a great example of a student created project. This 4th grade math class searched for real-world examples that represented geometry terms. Great Job! 

TA TEKS Training-Grades 3-5

Many thanks to our fabulous teachers who came in on a Saturday to help finalize the 3-5 TA TEKS. Starting from the left-Sarah Dennis from Wood River Elem. and Karen Story from East Elem. From Odem Elementary... Jennifer Crumly, Lisa Flores, and Maria Elena Garcia.

Missing from the picture...Cindy Lopez and Kristi Gittinger from Magee Elem.

 You all did an awesome job!    

Thinkfinity and Earth Day

Earth Day is April 22. Let's celebrate Earth Day and inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth 's environment by incorporating some Earth Day resources into your lessons. Make every day an Earth Day by starting some classroom or community projects which can improve our local environment. Go to Thinkfinity to access many resources on Earth Day.

Below is a podcast that was found on Thinkfinity. This podcasts offers suggestions on books that are Earth Day related for grades K-5.

Teachers, how about creating your own podcast on Earth Day related topics?

Odem/Edroy ISD Staff Visit Calallen

Last Friday, some OEISD staff came over to Calallen to explore some interactive devices. This was put together to offer OEISD some guideance on possible technolohy tools to purchase through the T3 grant. OEISD and Calallen ISD are collaborating partners.

As soon as they walked in, they were prompted to sign-in using the Mimio Interactice Device. I wonder if this was their first digital signature in a school setting. They also had a chance to explore the Mimio Tablet, the Mobi, and the AverPens.

Many thanks to principal Greer Parker (East Elementary in Calallen ISD) who graciously offered their brand new computer lab for this event.

Rey Saenz shows Mr.Brannigan how to create his digital signature.

  

Connect A Million Minds

I have placed a widget on this blog for Connect a Million Minds. This is an initiative to connect our youth to after-school activities that are STEM related. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. These resources can empower our youth with the vital skills needed to obtain future jobs that will more than likely require STEM skills. Let's spark their interest by introducing them to exciting after-school opportunities in our area. Educators can place the widget on their blogs, wikis, or websites and inform parents about it. All they have to do is enter their zipcode and a list of after-school activities will come up. You can also take a pledge to connect young minds to STEM related activities. My hope is to surpass the 1 million mind goal!

Hopefully, more organizations will provide STEM related activities in our area.

PowerPoint...It's Just Not For Presentations

Students use PowerPoint over and over again for presentations. Give them something new to do utilizing this very versatile tool. How about allowing students to create their very own bookmark? They can create one on just about any topic. The example below is one that was created using PowerPoint. The first page is upside down because I wanted a front and back bookmark. I printed out both slides, then using a copier, I created a 2 to 1 copy. Print that out and lamininate if you wish. Calallen teachers...I will be placing a bookmark in your box next week.

A few other ideas include creating fact flippers, greeting cards, post cards, sticky notes, pattern books, and more.

If you would like step-by-step instructions on how to create a bookmark using PowerPoint, click here.

Create a Brochure in Publisher

Create a class brochure for parents. You can pass these out during Meet The Teacher Night, Teacher/Parent conferencs, ect. You can include class rules, homework links, email address, conference time or other information. Another idea is to have students create a brochure over a certain topic. How would you use a teacher or student made brochure in your class?

Fun with Pics

Visit one of these picture sites to have a little fun with your pics. If you have any pics that have been sitting in your digital camera, this is for you! Take a look at the sidebar to explore some other cool pic sites for your student projects.


Some personal favorites include: Big Huge Labs, Photofetti, Yearbook Yourself, Image Chef,  and Image Mosaic Generator.

As always, check appropriateness first as these sites are constantly changing.


 








Dumpr - Photo Fun

Museum Box

Let your students have some fun at Museum Box, and they won't even notice that they are working on a school assignment. Have your students argue or describe an event, person or historical period. All they have to do is research and place the information in a virtual box. You or your students can display text, pictures, or videos. Teachers can view and comment on the museum boxes or have the students peer review one another. Click here to view an example of how a middle school student used this tool to debate on the topic of animal testing. Click here to view an example of this tool can be used in math. 

Tutorials & training: Podcast + Videocast Essential Training with Garrick Chow

Tutorials & training: Podcast + Videocast Essential Training with Garrick Chow

Take a look at this weeks featured videos on podcasting and videocasting from Lynda.com: Want to create video podcasts to provide students another resource for TAKS tutorials? Demonstrate how to workout particular problems or teach hard to grasp concepts or have students conduct presentations/demonstrations that can be shared to build on real world collaborative skills and critical thinking.

Need a Timer...Here's a Free One

Cool Timer is a free stopwatch download. If you are in need of a timer for your class and can't afford to go out and purchase one, then go to cnet and download one for free. It is easy to understand and can be programmed to the hour, minute or second. You can also choose the sound when the time is up. Another favorite is The Hat. Just enter student names, shuffle, and randomly draw a name from the hat. This is a great way to make sure all your students have a chance to answer and no one is left out. Don't want names, enter student numbers...the choice is yours. Take a look. Not what you need, go to cnet   and look under the free education software category. There might be something there you can use.

TCEA Workshop Handouts

The TCEA Workshop Handouts is a list of the many workshops that took place this past February in Austin. It lists the title of the workshop, the presenter's name, and files that can be downloaded. Many of the files include powerpoints and links along with handouts. There is an abundance of information here. Whether you are tech. shy or tech savvy, there is something here for you. Take a look and share with us something that you are already using or hope to use in your classroom.  

TXDLA Workshop Videos

Want to view some of what we saw at TXDLA. Click TXDLA and veiw some of the videos. The videos are high quality, and you can get some very useful information from them.

Collect All T3 Lists...Check!!!

I am so happy to say that I have collected all the T3 Wish Lists. I thought I was never going to get through this, but it is done. I have also completed inputing all that data from the lists and passed it on to Rey.
Good Luck Rey!!! We can now order all this stuff.

This is so exciting...Calallen teachers will soon have all these cool tools in their classrooms to enhance lessons and student achievement. Our students will have access to cutting edge technology. Lots of training will come with all this too. We WILL get through this!

Have a Safe and Happy Easter! Enjoy your time off!