Issue 17, Volume 10 December 17, 2009     Thought for the Week Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm. -- Abraham Lincoln   See our animated holiday greeting at http://dev.cpsb.org/Holiday2009/HappyHolidays.htm. Ten+ Technologies To Use In A Laptop/Tablet Classroom As more and more work migrates to the web, this article from Digital Learning Environments lists  more than ten technologies for classrooms and schools with one-to-one programs. They could be used in traditional classrooms with some modification too. Read the full article for ideas and links to coordinate with some ideas for the classroom: http://www.guide2digitallearning.com//professional_development/10_technologies_use_laptop_tablet_classroom Ways To Use Wordle Have lots of fun with Wordle - a free website that creates "word clouds" (or "tag clouds") for text analysis. Simply copy/paste text and in seconds Wordle gives you a visual representation of word frequency. The site also allows you to modify the color scheme, font, alignment and even set the maximum number of words to include in the analysis. Be sure to view a slideshow of lots of ways to use Wordle in the classroom, along with tips at http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dhn2vcv5_157dpbsg9c5. Inserting WordArt in Word 07 WordArt is a text-styling feature that allows users to create stylized text with various "special effects" such as textures, outlines, and many other manipulations that are not available through the standard font formatting.   1. Click where you want to insert the WordArt. 2. On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click WordArt. 3. Locate the style that you want to insert. You can always format the colors later. 4. Type in the text that you want in WordArt. Click OK. 5. To change formatting, colors, add effects, or anything else for WordArt, click on the WordArt text to access the WordArt tools.   Note: The lone WordArt toolbar that used to pop out when you clicked on WordArt no longer exists. Instead, when you click on any WordArt, you should see a WordArt Tools tab appear above the Format tab on the Ribbon. Signed Stories This library of digital books is available for deaf and hearing audiences. Each story is signed using British Sign Language, read aloud, and captioned in English. It’s got lots of great books to see in sign language and subtitles. Hearing family and friends can listen to the stories, too. You can all watch together! The site will keep adding more books, so keep checking it out to see what’s new. The URL: http://www.signedstories.com Compare Bing & Google Search Results Compare search engines Google & Bing in one page!!! If you’re a big Google fan and are not sure whether you want to rely solely on Bing, you may want to try the http://www.bingandgoogle.com site to get the best of both worlds. Using an interesting approach, Bing & Google passes your search term to both search engines and then uses a frame-like interface to display the results side by side. Go ahead...just put in a search term and check it out to see how they compare. Virtual Manipulatives For Math The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (NLVM) is a project that began in 1999 to develop a library of uniquely interactive, web-based virtual manipulatives or concept tutorials for mathematics instruction (K-12 emphasis).  The NLVM is a resource from which teachers may freely draw to enrich their mathematics classrooms. At this site, teachers can find good computer-based mathematical manipulatives and interactive learning tools at all school levels. Check it out at http://nlvm.usu.edu/.   For example, this website has good triangle problem-solving for Grades 6 - 8 using Side-Side-Side, Side-Angle-Side, Angle- Side-Angle or Side-Side-Angle construction. The "Parent/Teacher" link explains the lesson plan applications of the site and background on congruent triangles. There is also a link to the NCTM website and links to the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. The URL: http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_165_g_3_t_3.html?open=instructions Inserting A Page Background In Word 2007 Did you ever want to know how a background was placed in a Word document? Here's how: 1. On the Page Layout tab, in the Page Background group, click Page Color. 2. Do any of the following:      *Click the color that you want under Theme Colors or Standard Colors.        OR      *Click Fill Effects to change or add special effects, such as gradients, textures, or patterns. Note: Select the color that you want before you apply a gradient or pattern. Best on the Net!! -- Visit this site for hundreds of websites for teachers! We would love to hear from you about the best educational sites you have found on the web. Please submit, via email, the sites you feel merit inclusion. Send to tech.connect@cpsb.org. Please include the URL and a short sentence about the site.  Featured Sites: (These sites were submitted by teachers in Calcasieu Parish) Christmas Writing Worksheets http://www.toolsforeducators.com/writing/christmas1.php Do your students need an extra bit of handwriting practice this holiday season? Input your terms and generate a worksheet, complete with Christmas images.   Christmas Themed Circle Time Ideas http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/ChristmasCircleTimeandGames.htm Find loads of ideas, activities, and printables here to help you celebrate Christmas during your classroom circle time.   Graphing With Gingerbread Men http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Mathematics/Process_Skills/MPS0205.html Gingerbread men are quite popular for math activities, and this lesson plan is no exception. Students will learn how to create bar graphs and how to tally, using candy canes, the Gingerbread Man story, and the included worksheets at this link. An official publication of the CPSB Technology Department If you have any questions or comments please e-mail the Webmaster. For Technical Support:  tech.help@cpsb.org Calcasieu Parish Homepage  Technology Department  Tech Help Site  Best on the Net Tech Guides  Computer Purchasing Information  Tech Connect Archive