Tuesday Teacher Tips: Thinglink

First of all congratulations to both the Elkton-LB Football and Volleyball teams.

Both had great regular seasons, and enjoyed a post season victory before their seasons ended.  Each team should be proud of the way they played, and the way that they represented our community.

With the end of the fall season sports:  CC, VB, FB...that means we will begin the winter sports season...which means BB.

I have been working with the 5th graders for a few weeks now.  Coach Erickson started some of his open gyms yesterday, and the Girls BB team will have their first open gyms of the year tonight.  Let's hope the determination and success of the fall sports rub off on our basketball teams!

On to today's subject:  Thinglink

What is Thinglink.com?  Well, for the answer to that...let's see what the actual website says about that.

"ThingLink helps you create and discover rich images.

Be creative! Make your images come alive with music, video, text, images, shops and more!

Every image contains a story and ThingLink helps you tell your stories. Follow image channels from your favorite bands, bloggers and friends. Your ThingLink interactive images form a channel that other users can follow.

Share your channel with friends on Facebook and Twitter, and follow your friends. Touch and discover."

So basically, it is a way to make pictures and graphics interactive!

Could be a very interesting way to make assignments/projects "come to life".

For example...here is a photo of the Wright Brothers that was posted on the Thinglink website.

As you can see (if the embed code worked in the blog), this picture has an audio clip attached to it, a video clip, and 3 text information boxes as well.

Much like previous subjects we covered like:  Instagrok, Simple Booklet, and Screenr... Thinglink is a web based application that you can use to "spice up" your assignments/projects and get your students creativity flowing!

As always... Thinglink, as well as the other sites mentioned here, are saved on my "Delicious" Social Bookmark.  You don't need to bookmark all of them (unless you really want to)...just bookmark my Delicious page.  

(An aside...a great way for you to keep all the links handy for all your classes in to create your own "Delicious" page...and then make your students save the link to your page in their favorites...that way they can always find the site you are pointing them to)

ONE LAST ANNOUNCEMENT:

I will be out of the office Thursday and Friday this week.  My wife is attending a training in Rapid City and I will be taking some vacation time (before basketball starts).  So, for Elkton Staff, I will be gone Wednesday to Lake Benton like usual, but will be out of the office for the rest of the week.

Thanks for your attention, and I hope some of you decide to give "Thinglink" a shot!

Tuesday Teacher Tidbits: Edmodo

Welcome back to another exciting edition of Teacher Tidbits!  I'm sure you've been eagerly waiting for the second installment.

Today's topic is Edmodo.  Link

I should mention that although I can see where elementary teachers and classes could use edmodo for certain classes, this is going to be mainly geared toward MS and HS students and classes.

What is Edmodo?

Well, to put it simply, Edmodo is a Course Management System (CMS) that allows you to give assignments, set the calendar, collect assignments, give quizes, etc, etc...

Here is a short Youtube video that goes over some of the basics.

Why use it?

First off all, it is very simple and easy to use.  I started using it last year in my High School PE classes for our Health/Assignment days, and was so happy with it, I started using it in all my MS Health classes.

Secondly, for me it was helpful in keeping all assignments, quizzes, discussions, in one central location.  Instead of having students turn in one assignment here, and one assignment there, I had everything turned in via edmodo.  There is even a quizmaker right on the edmodo site, so you can put your assessments on there.

Third, It looks like Facebook.  What better way to connect with students, than to use a format that they are familiar with.  In fact, that is what Edmodo calls itself, "an educational social network".

Edmodo's format is very similar to Facebook.

Fourth, Edmodo can be integrated throughout the school.  Students only need to remember one username and password to get into Edmodo.  Each class (or "group" in Edmodo terms) is assigned a specific code by Edmodo, the Teacher then shares that code with the students, and they join the group.  So once a student is logged in to Edmodo, they can simply switch classes by clicking on the appropriate group.  Multiple classes can be accessed with one simple log in.

Fifth, anything you want the students to do... visit a website, write a paper, listen to a podcast, can be linked to the class page.  Basically any web based activity can be accessed from their class page, and it will remain there, until you decide to take it off, or not.

Sixth, you are in control.  You can limit if the students can make public posts to the class.  You can set cut off dates for assignments.  You can re-set a student's password if they forget.  If a student withdraws from your class, you can remove them.

7th, Parental Involvement.  For each student, they have a code that can be given to their parents.  Their parents can then see every assignment that has been given them through Edmodo.  They can also see the assignment that their student has turned in.  Parents will need to have their own login and password, and you can provide them with the code for their student.  After that, it's easy.

8th Mobile Format.  Edmodo has a mobile app, that allows Teachers/Students/Parents to access their Edmodo over their Smart Phones.

I only used Edmodo in the classroom for one school year.  But only because I hadn't heard of it before then. I do see that the Elkton staff has been exposed to Edmodo (although I'm not sure as to how much), as it is a link included on the school's links page.

Before that I used the State's webct program (Which is now Blackboard).  That worked fine, but I much preferred Edmodo.  It was just easier to use, and the students enjoyed the edmodo format much more.  In addition, the longer I used it, the more I was able to integrate it into what I was doing.  It got to the point where my Health students were surprised and disappointed if we weren't working on Edmodo that day.

If you ever need help in getting started on Edmodo, send me an e-mail and I'd be glad to assist you.  It's a really neat tool, and something that can be used throughout the curriculum.

Assignment 10 Personal Fitness - Spring 2012

Personal Fitness Students,

Read the information in the article below, and then respond to it, in the "comment" section.

REMINDER: Put your name at the bottom of your comment, or I won't know who it is from.

Read the article linked here.

Then, you should comment on which 3 of the eleven tips, you are most likely to follow, and EXPLAIN WHY.

REMINDER: Put your name at the bottom of your comment, or I won't know who it is from.

Assignment 10 Personal Fitness Fall Semester 2011

Personal Fitness Students,

Read the information in the article below, and then respond to it, in the "comment" section.

REMINDER: Put your name at the bottom of your comment, or I won't know who it is from.

Read the article linked here.

Then, you should comment on which 3 of the eleven tips, you are most likely to follow, and EXPLAIN WHY.

REMINDER: Put your name at the bottom of your comment, or I won't know who it is from.

Wednesday, November 16th

It's a brisk, cool, weather day today!

Today I am all about the classroom.

7th and 8th grade students are working in small groups (2 or 3 students) to display the knowledge of a content standard.  What I have done, is put a list of the Standards on the white board, that were on the last test we finished (Chapter 7 Preventing Violence).  However, the students have no idea what they are, they just see the numbers of the standards like... 2.12.3.

Each group then selects a standard number (kind of like making a selection out of a hat, or a random drawing)  I give them the standard and they have to write it down.  Like the previously mentioned 2.12.3 which is "analyze how peers influence healthy and unhealthy behaviors".

They then, as a group, decide how to "Demonstrate their knowledge of the standard".  Some groups are making powerpoint slide shows, some are writing skits, some are doing posters, basically no idea was out of bounds, but they had to get it approved by me first. 

The assignments will be due in class next Wednesday.  We will work on them this Monday, as well.  And, the students can choose to work on them Friday during Activity/Fun Day.

Personal Fitness is doing assignment 9, which is on Obesity and Overweight.  It's a good lesson for the students.  They have to create a powerpoint slideshow that shows me what they think are "crucial issues" to know about this subject matter.

Can't believe in a week, we'll be dismissing for Thanksgiving break!  That's awesome.  I love me some Turkey.

Also, we are still collecting e-mail addresses of parents for "contact info" for "the list".  If you have an e-mail address that you use, but the school doesn't know about it... just let me know.  mark.harming@k12.sd.us is my address, and I will be happy to forward it on to the office.

Classroom Wednesday

Health Students will be working on Note taking guides over Sections 1 and 2 on Chapter 7.

Chapter 7 deals with preventing violence.

HS Personal Fitness class will be working on Dietary Guidelines assignment.

Lots of sick staff at the school this week.  I'm hanging in there, but still not feeling 100%.

Remember, if your student has a fever or isn't feeling well, it's usually better to get them seen by medical personnel and get them the adequate rest, so they can come back quickly, and at full strength.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Classroom Wednesday

I will be in my classroom today, for all of my classes.

MS Health classes will finish discussing the note taking guides over chapter six, and begin work on a "poster" project.

Personal Fitness class will do assignment 6, which is over Nutrition.  It requires the student to do some research at the US Govt's nutrition website, and read a couple articles and report on them.  This keeps the student up to date and informed with current nutritional issues in our society.

Reminder:  End of the first quarter is this Friday, October 21st.

Starting next Monday, we will begin the second quarter, time flies...

Parent Teacher Conferences will be next Thursday, October 27th from 2:30 to 8:30 pm.

Lastly, I changed the "slideshow" on the right to pictures of "Autumn" from around the web. 

Monday Health Day

Welcome back to school from what I hope was a relaxing weekend.

I was able to go fishing this past weekend, something I rarely do.

JH Health Classes will be finishing up their note taking guides from Chapter 6 today.

Personal Fitness class is fitness testing and weighing in today.  Today's test is:  Pull Ups.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Lesson Plans

Next Week's Lesson Plans are done.  Just click on the link.

Wednesday, Wednesday

Classroom Day today at CHS/CMS.

7th and 8th grade students are working on Chapter 6 note taking guides today.

7th period students will take their test first, and then they will get the note taking guides.

HS students will be writing their personal fitness plans.  This is the plan that they are to follow for pretty much the remainder of the semester.  So, it is important that they do a good job.

Hope everyone has a great day.

Monday, Monday

Hope everyone had a great (wet) weekend!

Good Weekend in the Harming household.  Jackrabbits won!  Chargers won!  and the Packers won (not my team, but Cameron and Marcus cheer for them).

Region CC this week (Thursday) at the Chamberlain Golf Course.  The official timer will be there, and will be ready!

Health Class:  Chapter 5 Test Today!

Good Luck!!!

Assembly today 7th hour for Native American day.

Hope everyone has a great week. 

Wednesday, Oct. 5th - Classroom Day

Today JH Students will be finishing Chapter 5.  Partner reading and class discussion over Section 3.

Then students will be given a study guide for the Chapter 5 test.  At the end of the class period students will be allowed to compare answers on their study guide with a partner.

Test will be Monday.

Personal Fitness is having their first test today!  Test is linked off the Edmodo page (for the Multiple Choice portion) and will have an essay element that they will have to answer on Edmodo.

Monday, October 3rd

Classwork today for JH Health.  We will be finishing the assignment over Chapter 5 Sections 1 and 2 today.

Personal Fitness is weighing in, and Fitness Testing.  Today's test is Maximum Bench Press.

Chargers won yesterday to move to 3-1, so that's the good news.
Jackrabbits fell on Saturday to move to 1-4, so that's the bad news.

A large number of activities going of today:
CHS Boys Golf is at State.
JV Football hosts Winner.
JH Volleyball goes to Platte.
HS Volleyball goes to Crow Creek.

And.. CHS Cross Country goes to Platte to run the SESD Conference Meet.

Run Hard.  Run Fast.  Run Strong.


Go Cubs!!

Classroom Day and HRM reactions

Today is classroom day for me, and I spend all day in the classroom.

JH Students are starting Chapter 5 today.  They have a reading assignment, and then some key terms and review questions to do.  The assignment is posted on their edmodo classroom.

Personal Fitness will be doing assignment 4 today, which is on Cardiovascular Endurance.  Students will watch a short film on the subject and then do an assignment.  The second portion of today's assignment for the Personal Fitness students will be to figure out their proper heart rate zones.

Heart Rate Monitors went pretty well yesterday.  Although we had a few students who had trouble getting the monitor to work, well over 90% of the students were able to get it pretty quickly. 

Each student did the following:

• Put on the heart rate monitor equipment
• Got their heart rate to be read by the equipment
• Set a "target zone" for the day.
• Did a short "fitness activity" to raise their heart rates
• Looked at the results of their activity on their monitors.

We will be breaking them out again tomorrow, for PE classes, and it will be up to the students to put them on correctly, and set their target heart zone without instruction.  (of course I will help them out, if they need help)

Overall, I thought the kids really responded well to the HRM's.  It seems like they were willing to work hard when they were getting immediate feedback.  Like I said tomorrow, we will use them again, but it will be most likely another "practice day" where they are getting used to them.  Then in a few weeks, we will not only use them, but record our scores on a "Log" at the end of class.

Wednesday Classroom Day

JH PE students will be discussing Section 4 of Chapter One, "Being a Wise Health Consumer".

Then they will be doing the "practice test" for Chapter One on-line.  It will be linked from the edmodo page.  Students will be allowed to take the practice test as many times as they want.

JH Health test over Chapter One will be on Monday.

Personal Fitness is also having a classroom day today, they will work on assignment 3, which is on Muscular Strength.  We will be looking to apply this knowledge into our own "workout plans" for the rest of the semester.

Today is Midterm for the first quarter already.  The team does seem to go fast.

Monday, Sept. 19th

Tough weekend for Mr. Harming!  Both the Jackrabbits and the Chargers took it on the chin this past weekend.  Oh well, not much I can do sitting on my couch.  Did get out on the road yesterday for a 4 miler, it was slow, but I got some miles in.

Today, JH Health Classes are working in the classroom.  No laptops today, we'll be talking a bit about section 2, doing a note taking guide on section 3, and then Homework/end of class assignment will be to read Section 4.

Personal Fitness is doing testing today.  40 Yard Dash, and Push-ups.  After the testing, we will do some core work.

Good Luck to the CC team as they travel to Bon Homme today!

Sept. 14th - Classroom

Today students are doing an assignment in the classroom using Edmodo.  They are to turn in their assignment, and then read Chapter One Section Two in their textbook.

Personal Fitness Students are doing assignment two today.  Hopefully Edmodo is working, last week it died on us, and we had to turn in our assignment via e-mail.

The "List" for both MS and HS are now up and running.  I will be working hard to make sure students put on there and taken off in a timely manner.

Weather got cooler outside today.  PE tomorrow, we would still like to go outside.  However, if it's too cold, we can have it indoors.

Hope everyone has a great day.  First night of CCD classes.

Classroom Day!

7th and 8th Health Students are learning about Heart Rates and Heart Rate Zones.
-They will be using a mathematical formula to figure out their own levels.
Once they complete the Heart Rate Zone work, they has a short discussion assignment on Edmodo.

Personal Fitness class will be doing assignment and discussion one.  Both assignments are on Edmodo.

I am running my mile run today at 4 pm on the track.  Hope I do well, but I hope we have some students beat me. 

First Day of Edmodo assignments.

Today was our first day of using edmodo.com to complete assignments for Health and Personal Fitness class.

So far, we have been very successful!

Parents please let me know if you would like a code to view your child's activities on edmodo.com.

I will send you a document (which I am still writing) that will help you to register at edmodo, and will send you a specific Code for your child.