Everyone Loves Free Resources

I don't know about you, but I have grown tired of looking for classroom resources by scanning pages and pages on Google. I have discovered a blog that has done the research for you and publishes posts of their findings. Click on the picture below and dive into excellent teacher-created resources.
Once you have become hooked on this blog, make sure to "like" them on Facebook. Daily status updates are made showcasing their new finds.

Those Wacky Wikis

Some teachers have shown an interest in creating a class wiki, but are unsure what role it should play. Another educator shared this resource on Twitter and I had to share.

Wikis in the Classroom: Three Ways to Increase Student Collaboration http://t.co/DwpTbXqa

Far Away Visitors

Enhance learning by connecting with classrooms all over the United States. Skype is a simple and engaging way for students to learn from one another. A fantastic "getting to know you" activity is a Mystery Skype.

Mrs. Wilson's classes participated in a Mystery Skype with a 5th grade class from Ohio. The purpose of this lesson was to determine the location of the class using clues. Each class took a turn reading clues; for example, "Our state's coastline is on the Gulf of Mexico," "Our state experiences a humid subtropical climate," and "One famous person from our state is Jimmie Davis who resided in Baton Rouge while holding the office of governor. He was also a singer and wrote our state song, You Are My Sunshine." The classes used maps, Google, and Edmodo during discussion. 

After the Skype connection, students created a double bubble map comparing and contrasting Louisiana and Ohio.                                                  

Introductions are complete, and we are now ready to discuss science topics with each other!

4th Chat has a wiki set-up and once registered, you can add your name to the list for Mystery Skypes. This website is not just for 4th grade teachers. 

Dare to Differentiate

Tools for Differentiation: A Wiki packed with resources on ways to differentiate!

Free Incredible Ideas

Looking for some terrific ideas to use in your classroom? This ebook is a compilation of the forty best ideas that came from the Incredible Ideas contest.


Inside this 21 page ebook you will find:

Ideas for building community in your classroom
Ideas for encouraging creativity
Icebreaker tips and ideas
Ideas for facilitating cooperative learning.

Brain Breaks and Whole Brain Teaching

Click here to view a Physical Activity Idea book for Elementary Classroom Teachers.

Click here for a lesson on Whole Brain Teaching ideas!

Technology Integration

How did you integrate technology during the first week of school? Did you use an interactive flipchart, activotes, online survey, Brainpop, Discovery Education, Glogster, etc..? If you didn't use technology during the first week, how do you plan to integrate technology in your classroom in the future?

I integrated technology during the first week with my 4th grade class by having students complete two surveys. The surveys were created in Google Docs. Students completed a Reading Interest Survey and a Beginning of the Year Survey. You can view the surveys on my Class Wiki.