In two days, the Sunflower State will celebrate its 148th birthday. On January 29, 1861, Kansas became the 34th state in the Union. Kansas' birth as a state in the Union was very significant because it entered as a free state. At this time in history, just before the Civil War, states were declaring themselves as either free states or slave states. Because abolitionists won out over pro-slavers, Kansas was a place of great turmoil during that time.
After the Civil War, many people made Kansas their home where they farmed the rich soil. Kansas also holds a rich history consisting of, pioneers, the cattle towns, cowboys and outlaws, the railroad, and business and industry. Today, Kansas is much more sophisticated than in the days of gunslingers at Boot Hill. The aircraft industry provides many jobs for Kansans. Our cities, while not large, are comfortable and family-friendly. Kansas is home to the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University (Go Shockers!), and many more respected colleges. Kansas, in the heart of America, also has four beautiful and distinct seasons. When we celebrate the Fourth of July, it is hot as it should be, and there is usually snow on at least one of the twelve days of Christmas. Our springs boast trees and flowers awash with color, as well as the fall, where the colors are quite lovely in their array of gold, auburn and mocha.
Happy Birthday Kansas! I am proud to call you my home.
Sites about Kansas
Here are a couple of sites to learn more about Kansas, its people and its history. The first site is the Kansas State Historical Society. There are many links to information about the 34th state. Another useful site for finding information about Kansas is Kansas History Websites, a listing of sites related to the state.
Digital History
Check out Digital History to learn about the history of America. This site is a collection of primary sources with lesson plans, active learning ideas, multimedia and an interactive timeline to provide a look into the events and people who shaped the nation.
January 27, 2009
January 21, 2009
Blog This and You Can Win
Yesterday I learned about a contest that Promethean is putting on. The contest is to try out their new software, Inspire, and then blog about it. How easy is that? The prizes include:
1st Prize - A complete Activclassroom:
Activboard+2Activexpression or Activotes (your choice)ActivsoftwareActivslateActivtabletActivpens
2nd Prize
$3,000 credit to spend in the Promethean Store.
3rd Prize
$1,000 credit to spend in the Promethean Store.
There are two things I especially love about this contest. First, it inspires (pun intended) teachers to stretch their boundaries and try something new. This should be easy because the stakes are really low. If the teacher doesn't like the new Inspire, they can continue to use Promethean's tried and true products.
Secondly, the purpose of my blog is to share resources with teachers in my district and model blogging for them. This contest gives teachers the excuse to jump on the blogging bandwagon. I think a prize of a complete Activclassroom will be just the lure!
The contest details are below. Good luck to everyone...especially Maize!
Promethean's ActivSoftware Blogging Contest
Click here to view the details for this contest. Entry deadline is February 13, 2009, so don't delay!
1st Prize - A complete Activclassroom:
Activboard+2Activexpression or Activotes (your choice)ActivsoftwareActivslateActivtabletActivpens
2nd Prize
$3,000 credit to spend in the Promethean Store.
3rd Prize
$1,000 credit to spend in the Promethean Store.
There are two things I especially love about this contest. First, it inspires (pun intended) teachers to stretch their boundaries and try something new. This should be easy because the stakes are really low. If the teacher doesn't like the new Inspire, they can continue to use Promethean's tried and true products.
Secondly, the purpose of my blog is to share resources with teachers in my district and model blogging for them. This contest gives teachers the excuse to jump on the blogging bandwagon. I think a prize of a complete Activclassroom will be just the lure!
The contest details are below. Good luck to everyone...especially Maize!
Promethean's ActivSoftware Blogging Contest
Click here to view the details for this contest. Entry deadline is February 13, 2009, so don't delay!
January 20, 2009
What Makes a Hero?
Last week I wrote a post about Chelsey B. Sullenberger, the now famous pilot who saved many lives by his quick thinking and doing his job well. In my post, I called him a hero because that is how I see him because of his actions. The local newspaper in my community has an Opinion Line column. People can call in an anonymous opinion the the paper that will be published in this column. Sunday I read one such opinion that said Captain Sullenberger was not a hero because he was just doing his job.
I beg to differ! As I write this post, I am watching the inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th president of the United States. I am overwhelmed by his speech of overcoming adversity and of hope. I think back to Abraham Lincoln and what he did for this nation. He was doing his job.
I am proud to say that my husband serves as a lieutenant for our city's fire department. Each time he enters a burning building in search of people stranded inside, he is just doing his job.
My dad gets up and goes to work each day while enduring prostate cancer...to do his job.
The lunch ladies who give free food to those students who have forgotten their money, or don't have money to buy lunch are doing their jobs.
They are all heroes, as are so many people who make a positive difference in the lives of others while "doing their job".
I shudder to think what would have happened if Chelsey Sullenberger had called in sick to work that day, or had decided not to do his job right at that crucial moment. Job or not, it is a person's actions and willingness to put other's before them that makes them a hero. If a person had to run a punch a clock before they could scoop a child out of the path of an oncoming car, nobody would be a hero.
Thank you, heroes, for doing your jobs!
Heroic Activities Celebrate Heroes
This article from Education World discusses heroes and offers links to activities, resources and lesson plans for the study of heroes for grades K-12.
I beg to differ! As I write this post, I am watching the inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th president of the United States. I am overwhelmed by his speech of overcoming adversity and of hope. I think back to Abraham Lincoln and what he did for this nation. He was doing his job.
I am proud to say that my husband serves as a lieutenant for our city's fire department. Each time he enters a burning building in search of people stranded inside, he is just doing his job.
My dad gets up and goes to work each day while enduring prostate cancer...to do his job.
The lunch ladies who give free food to those students who have forgotten their money, or don't have money to buy lunch are doing their jobs.
They are all heroes, as are so many people who make a positive difference in the lives of others while "doing their job".
I shudder to think what would have happened if Chelsey Sullenberger had called in sick to work that day, or had decided not to do his job right at that crucial moment. Job or not, it is a person's actions and willingness to put other's before them that makes them a hero. If a person had to run a punch a clock before they could scoop a child out of the path of an oncoming car, nobody would be a hero.
Thank you, heroes, for doing your jobs!
Heroic Activities Celebrate Heroes
This article from Education World discusses heroes and offers links to activities, resources and lesson plans for the study of heroes for grades K-12.
January 16, 2009
U.S. News
Interesting US news for this week and next. What a wonderful story about a new American hero, Chelsey B. Sullenberger, who landed a US Airways plane in the Hudson River saving 155 lives. While in no way would I ever want to have been on that flight, I would love to shake hands with this hero and tell him "thank you" for reminding me that there are great people in America. I can't imagine that there is anyone in this country who hasn't yet heard about this story, but if not, you can read about it here, or watch video footage below. Or simply do a search for Chelsey B. Sullenberger or Hudson River plane landing and choose from the thousands of results.
Coming up next Tuesday is an historic event that makes me wish I didn't have to work that day. Of course I am referring to the inauguration of Barack Obama as our nation's 44th president. History will be made on Tuesday when he becomes the first African-American president in US history. Luckily, our middle school has cable television access and I hope most, if not all, teachers will take the opportunity to view the inauguration with their classes.
My biggest hope is that our new president will celebrate our Sullenberger's feat on this day. What a joyous occasion it would be to see our newest president recognize our newest hero on such a momentous occasion!
Ideas for Active Viewing by Students While Watching the Inauguration
Check out this post on The Innovative Educator blog for some ideas on how to help students actively view the inauguration. Thanks to a 
post on Twitter, I found these ideas "just in time".
post on Twitter, I found these ideas "just in time".January 13, 2009
On the Road for Learning
I have to write this quick so I can get to bed early tonight. Tomorrow I have to get up at 3:45 to head to NE Kansas for an instructional coaching training. This year the other Tech Consultants and I are spending the year learning about coaching. Although technology is ever-changing, many of our teachers are able to use it in their classrooms without day-to-day help from us. As we strive for "true integration" by our teachers, whatever that means, it is time for us to expand our bag of tricks and help teachers in another way.
Instead of continually trying to show them how to incorporate technology into their existing curriculum, perhaps it is time to help them change the way they teach so that technology use occurs in a less contrived way. It is a learning curve for us all. My focus for the past several years has been technology alone. Now I need to spruce up on curriculum, strategies and all of the other buzzwords that come along with coaching. I look forward to stretching my mind for the next two days and then spreading the enthusiasm on to my coworkers!
Museum Box
This is an incredible site that has been all the buzz on Twitter lately. If you haven't already read about it on another blog, check it out here. Students can use the tools to create a virtual box of items, audio, images, video and text to support an argument, illustrate an event, add depth to a character - historical, fictional, or living, to name a few ideas. A school can register so that students can identify their boxes with it. Registration is free. One of the coolest integration sites I have seen in awhile!
Clips
Like Museum Box, Clips is a another tool from E2BN, a National Education Network (UK) provider. Clips is a video publishing host for students who want to put their videos on the Internet. Teachers can rest assured that when students visit Clips, they won't come across any videos that are questionable in nature because the site is moderated.
Instead of continually trying to show them how to incorporate technology into their existing curriculum, perhaps it is time to help them change the way they teach so that technology use occurs in a less contrived way. It is a learning curve for us all. My focus for the past several years has been technology alone. Now I need to spruce up on curriculum, strategies and all of the other buzzwords that come along with coaching. I look forward to stretching my mind for the next two days and then spreading the enthusiasm on to my coworkers!
Museum Box
This is an incredible site that has been all the buzz on Twitter lately. If you haven't already read about it on another blog, check it out here. Students can use the tools to create a virtual box of items, audio, images, video and text to support an argument, illustrate an event, add depth to a character - historical, fictional, or living, to name a few ideas. A school can register so that students can identify their boxes with it. Registration is free. One of the coolest integration sites I have seen in awhile!
Clips
Like Museum Box, Clips is a another tool from E2BN, a National Education Network (UK) provider. Clips is a video publishing host for students who want to put their videos on the Internet. Teachers can rest assured that when students visit Clips, they won't come across any videos that are questionable in nature because the site is moderated.
January 06, 2009
More Photo Fun
I have highlighted online photo editing sites before, but lately I have run across a couple that I wanted to share. These two sites are really photo manipulation sites, rather than just editing. I think of editing as cropping, fixing red-eye, smoothing wrinkles, etc. Today's highlighted sites do have some editing features, but also are unique in that they allow the editor to alter reality quickly, easily and for no cost.
While these sites are fun, photo editing and photo manipulation can be incorporated into classrooms. A variety of lesson ideas such as editing a photo to place a person in a different place or era could be a part of a history or geography lesson. Adding different features, such as bunny ears, to a photo of a horse could inspire a narrative story. Cropping a photo of a student so that the face could be placed on another photo could be a visual for a report on what the student would like to be when they grow up.
Looking at photo editing and manipulation from another viewpoint also lends credence to studying photos and images to increase understanding. In a report in the CITE Journal by Mark Hofer and Carol Owings Swan, the authors state the importance of students learning how to "read" images to create a better understanding of curricular material. Read the report here http://www.citejournal.org/vol5/iss3/socialstudies/article1.cfm.
piZap
With piZap's online photo editor, you can add cool things to your photos like stickers and text bubbles. You can paint on a photo or add an effect like sepia. The site requires no registration.
While these sites are fun, photo editing and photo manipulation can be incorporated into classrooms. A variety of lesson ideas such as editing a photo to place a person in a different place or era could be a part of a history or geography lesson. Adding different features, such as bunny ears, to a photo of a horse could inspire a narrative story. Cropping a photo of a student so that the face could be placed on another photo could be a visual for a report on what the student would like to be when they grow up.
Looking at photo editing and manipulation from another viewpoint also lends credence to studying photos and images to increase understanding. In a report in the CITE Journal by Mark Hofer and Carol Owings Swan, the authors state the importance of students learning how to "read" images to create a better understanding of curricular material. Read the report here http://www.citejournal.org/vol5/iss3/socialstudies/article1.cfm.
piZap
With piZap's online photo editor, you can add cool things to your photos like stickers and text bubbles. You can paint on a photo or add an effect like sepia. The site requires no registration.
PhotoFunia
PhotoFunia is a funky little site that allows you to upload a photo of someone
and then alter it's reality. Using face recognition technology, you can turn yourself or a friend into a WWII fighter pilot, Santa Claus, or even a tattoo on David Beckham's washboard stomach. Some of the choices in the gallery are pretty racy, so use caution if sharing with students. No registration required.
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