Happy 4th of July, everyone! If you have JAVA on your computer, you'll have your own BLAST using interactive fireworks, right here.  Just remember to turn your sound on.

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Before my 4th graders left for summer break, I had them reflect on what they remember most from technology class. It was a good opportunity for me - their teacher - to receive my own tech grade.

I must say, it was a humbling exercise, but one I highly recommend. 

By using a class blog as the portal, here's what stuck in their minds as most memorable:
 
#1) Road to the White House - This was a collaborative project whereby we selected students...Read More

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Okay - I'm salivating! I'm also going to throw myself a diss -- here's why. I've been posting about teachers using wikis for some time now. Right? I've been touting and touting, wikis make learning fun - think outside the box, etc. Well I finally made myself a wiki and gosh darn it, I am having fun! 

Please, if you have a moment, take a look at my wiki - it's a work in progress I 
know - but I am so proud of myself. And the best part, it's free and e...Read More

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Staffers at The Morning Journal in Lorain, Ohio, are mourning the loss of one of their beloved, retired columnists, Darlene Brown - who died recently from a sudden illness. The Journal is reporting that Brown was best known for her many contributions to the field of journalism - demonstrating particular expertise in getting to know communities - which in turn made her ...Read More

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Now that summer is finally here, how many teachers out there can relate to this dude?










(photo comes courtesy of silly animals)

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Here are links from my third teacher training session on Medieval History.

...Read More

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Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, praises 21st teachers in this YouTube video clip. And although she is deceased, I am selecting her as my pick for Everyday People you should know. See this inspiring message and find out, why.

On another note, last week my computer was hiccuping something awful, so my Fun on Friday post couldn't happen. It will, however, resume this Friday.

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Today was my second - summer tech, teacher training session, and I must say I was quite dismayed at not being able to find any teacher, or author created lesson plans for Meja Mwangi's book, THE MZUNGU BOY. I've done an awful lot of researching over the years, so when a search comes up negative - it's sad and presents the ultimate challenge for me and colleagues, who have the "I told you so!" on their faces. 

My...Read More

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In the center of this photo are two girls in blue, who are wearing HUGE smiles on their faces. Susan Yassky and Rebecca Brudner are two writers for the newly released KidSpirit magazine.  They, along with their editorial board, seen here, have spent 2 years talking about life's big questions, and now they're sharing what they found in the first-ever ...Read More

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I saw this picture hanging on the wall of  a teacher's classroom and it made me smile. 
Have a roarin' good weekend!

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If you're an honest teacher you will have to agree with this: serious teachers who love their profession - do not, and I mean, DO NOT, wait until summer is almost over to start planning ahead, right? They start now when school is ending. I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. 

I was at a dinner party last night and a colleague's husband stated, quite emphatically, "All you teachers make me sick! You have the whole summer off to veg out!" ...Read More

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Don't think for one second that just because it's almost summer, and school is almost out, that I, or Bowllan's Blog, will be on vacation. NO DEAL. What I will be doing, however, is posting online resources you can use at home - on those HOT summer days - like today - when being outside with the toddler, for instance, is not an option.  Here's a site - Ziggity Zoom - is new and has it all! It's a website that was recently launched for kids ages 3-8...Read More

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