Thing 9...Generators!!

http://happyfacegenerator.com


I used Happy Face Generator because it was relatively easy to use and I found a smiley face that continued the theme of my page. This would be a great tool to use to get children interested in a presentation or lesson. Each of these generators appear to be attention grabbing tools and with young and older learners anything to grasp attention is a useful asset.

http://www.imagechef.com/ic/baseball/

I also used Image Chef because you could use different options in creating your image. I chose the baseball jersey because my kids play baseball and this is my jersey if I had one. This was really cool because you can create personalized images for your classrooms.

Thing 12...Google it!!

I set up a Google Alert where I will receive new articles or posts about Common Core Standards in Tn.  This tool was relatively easy to start.  Google Translate was an awesome tool because you can type in a sentence and view that translation in another language.  You can also see them in alternate languages or reverse them.  If you need to you can listen to the translated sentence as well.  This is really great and will come in handy with any ESL or ELL students you may have. 

Thing 11...Inspire Me!!

The method I found easiest to use was "Inspiration" because I would not want to read negative blogs on a daily basis.  I am not naive in thinking I will never come across a negative blog that may have some vital information within.  However, if I can choose what consistently greets me in my email , it would definitely be a positive blog not some continuous rant.  I found the Google Blog and Topix.net to be more resourceful.  I searched for Common Core Standards in each search tool and Technorati pulled up a minimal amount.  I found feeds in Google Blog that focused on the politics of the subject, but also blogs by teachers showing assessments they have used and ways to integrate the standards in all grade levels.  This tool allowed me to see teacher blogs that are similar to our class blogs.  Very interesting!! 

Thing 10...Convenience!!

I absolutely love the idea of RSS and Google Reader.  This is such a great way to receive information in our field without having to search several sites to find what interests us.  I chose to subscribe to Education Week Teacher: News and Information for Teacher Leaders,
Cool Cat Teacher Blog,
TeacherTube - Teach the World,
Pass The Chalk: The TFA Blog, and
Teacher Created Tips . 
Each of these sites has valuable information pertaining to the education world.  Some provide news in current and upcoming events, and some provide collaboration from other teachers sharing new ideas including technology.  Two of the sites are blogs discussing different teaching techniques and hot topics in education.  I look forward to reading the posts that each of these send to my account.

Thing 8...Letters!!

 

I chose to use Spell with Flickr because it was relatively easy.  You simply type in the word you to spell and it generates different alternatives.  If you don;t care for a particular letter you just click on it and another will be created.  This is a great way to "spice" things up or add a creative flair to ordinary words.  This can be used in presentations or decorations in rooms.  This was a cute and easy tool to use for a classroom in showing different ways letter can be portrayed. 

Thing 7...Photos!!

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/alan2/


I chose a picture from Flickr "Sunset over Myrtle Beach", a picture taken of Myrtle Beach, SC posted by alan2onion.  My parents are from SC so we used to go there when I was a kid sometimes.  A couple of years ago I went with my parents and my own family.  I have seen many beaches, but this is by far my favorite.  It really depicts the beautiful sunset and the waves crashing as if you were there.  This is an awesome action shot.  This makes me want to go the beach!!:) 

I would most definitely want to be credited for my own art work and photography.  I chose this picture in part because it gives consentual use of sharing.  This photographer allows the public to use this image as long as he is credited and it is used in a positive way.  Flickr allows people to use images for many different purposes.  A teacher can use pictures to add to a presentation or display different types of art work.  This a great resource tool.