Too much fun!

This week, I have been a trainer at Moveable Feast. Each year for the last 12 years, District 87 has been a leader in professional development for instructional technology. Teachers whose districts have funding come and participate in a week-long "Feast" -- some work on projects they have in mind, some come to learn specific programs, most have a wonderful time while learning a great deal.

For this year's Feast, we focused a great deal on what is coined "Web 2.0." That term, very simply, refers to programs on the Internet that exist to make people more efficient and less dependent upon specific software programs. For example, we taught about things like this very blog... free, accessible, and helpful. We also did a great deal of SMART Board training. That was where I spent a great deal of time as a trainer.

I added a few things to my blog for next year. If you look to the left, you will note that I have started a Facebook group as well as a Twitter "hashmark search." If you have (free) Facebook or Twitter accounts, either of these would be a possible way to get and share communication. I do not accept personal Facebook friend requests from current (or recent) students or parents, as my personal Facebook account is something I like to keep separate from my work life when I can. I set this group up in hopes to create an outreach to those students and parents who find Facebook to be an easy method of communication. Feel free to follow me (platoj) on Twitter if you wish. Most of my tweets are about teaching. During the school year, I will use #Plato4 when posting something especially for our class.

I hope that these options open up one more way of communicating between home, teacher, and student!

Storyline Online

The Screen Actors Guild Foundation has sponsored a site called "Storyline Online." You can click on several different titles of picture books, and an actor narrates the books. This would be a fun diversion from the typical summer reading that students might be doing. There are some wonderful titles on this site... for all ages! Click on the image above and enjoy!

Summer Reading

June 1 marked the opening of the Bloomington Public Library's Summer Reading Program. The place was hopping with kids to adults signing up for the fun. We tried signing up via the website, but they were having some technical difficulties. It might be up and running now. The bonus of going into the library was a bag of popcorn! Yum.

I will be catching up on some "intermediate" reading this summer. I have read TONS of books for middle level, but my repertoire for fourth grade is not as vast as I want it to be. I will post all summer long (and I did last summer) about what I am reading, in hopes it will give ideas for students looking for a good read. Don't forget the booklist that was in your report card envelopes, either! That's a great start.

Off we go into the wonderful world of books!