Technology

I had the pleasure of attending our district's technology meeting this afternoon.  Truthfully, I admit I was not looking forward to being gone.  My to-do list was much too long and I felt I needed to stay and intentionally plan a unit for another meeting I have on Friday afternoon with 5th grade not to mention the Kindergarteners I needed to finish assessing for reading levels.

 I have been on the tech meeting since I started with our district in 1993 (OM-has it been that long already??)  I was just thinking it was time to step down from the committee, but the meeting was MOTIVATING!  I love technology and I love learning new things with technology.   We had the pleasure of hearing the following teachers present.  These gals are providing great learning opportunities through technology for our H-D students.

*Mrs. Krull -Middle school tech teacher has done great things with keyboarding, researching, discovering and investigating many software programs and internet uses with her 400+ students!  Check out her fusion pages.  As a parent I loved seeing the resumes the 8th graders created-real life skills.

*Mrs. Johnson- a 6th grade math and reading teacher, check out her fusion pages-very impressive!

*Mrs. Hoegh- High School Consumer Science teacher began, The Bulldog Cafe, which is a wonderful business & learning opportunity for our students.  Check it out-she is doing wonderful things for our students.

*Mrs.  Aalbers- 1st grade teacher shared the many uses of Kidspiration- wonderful software for every elementary teacher to use in every content area!

*Leanne Tucker and Alicia Clark- Preschool teachers shared the sites Starfall and BookFlix.  Our students must be surrounded with technology.

My new learning via Mrs. Johnson:   What should I read next?   (Check out this website)

As literacy coach I hear this question from teachers, students and parents.  I am great at recommendations for young learners  but I struggle with older students as I have been a first grade teacher for the last 12 years.  This site allows you to enter the title of the last book read and it generates a list of ideas for your next read.  Check it out- AWESOME!  Can't wait to use it and share with my teachers I work with.

My personal wish for technology is to get an Ipad.  Oh the things I could do at school!!   The latest incentive is a new app coming out this spring- Fountas & Pinnell BAS Leveling Kit!  We could do all running records digitally- record, save and share teacher to teacher.   I guess I can wish- and maybe if Mr. Speake is reading this (as he is one of my four followers) he will know just what to buy me for my birthday. ;)

Thanks to all the teachers that regularly use technology-our students do not know a world without it!  Thanks to Mr. Morton, Mrs. Fridley and Mrs. Peterson our dedicated H-D tech team!

Happy Reading!  Mrs. Speake