Well,  this time of year marks my 1 year anniversary in the world of social networking and Web 2.0 collaboration…Woo Hoo!  I can honestly say that I have learned a lot!  More than most conferences and teacher workshops.  I have  felt that I am someone who is not afraid of technology.  I was always using Google to search for new information for my students and resources for finding out about new things.  I checked my email regularly, periodically checked in on Facebook and so on.  Boy was my world shifted when I realized what else the web had to offer!

Twitter is my personal favorite.  I have learned the most from my PLN (professional learning network) here.  I have bookmarked so many resources, I feel I need to hire a personal organizer just to keep up with the mess of websites!

This leads me to my next favorite which is Diigo.   It allows me the freedom to bookmark at home and use at school!  LOVE IT!  I can also share my resources with my fellow Lutheran Educators through the groups feature here.  If you’re a Lutheran Educator, look for us!

And third, my Google Mobile App for my Blackberry.  I discovered it when checking out the Google page for other Google tools.  (Go to Google, at the top click on More and Even More.  Look for Mobile)  I can read my Google Reader feed right on my Blackberry.  This feature has allowed me the freedom to keep up with my RSS feed.  Something I thought I would never accomplish.

It’s amazing to look back and realize all the many things that I have learned.  So, here’s my thought for today–What have you learned lately?  When is the last time you tried something new in your classroom?  Are you doing the same thing or are you changing it up?

Our students are different.  They learn differently than the ones a year ago.  They learn differently than the ones 5 years ago.  How are you helping them learn?  Are you learning yourself or are you the same as you were a year ago?

Here it is!  The Winter Doldrums have arrived in my classroom.  We are through with all the Holiday projects.  Now I am searching for something to keep us motivated on these cold, yucky days of Southern IL winter.  It’s all fun and games when we get a snow day, but to just have cold that is the worst.  Blessed are you who have weather above 40 degrees.  As for those of you who have colder temperatures than us “southerner”, I guess I’ll take what I can get.

Anyway… about a year ago I found two very exciting places to go for collaboration and projects to get me through some of the days when we just need to “spice it up”.

http://projectsbyjen.ning.com/

http://elementarytechteachers.ning.com/

There are so many good ideas here for teachers who teach technology like me.  Or for those of you in a “regular” classroom, there are ways to integrate tech into your lessons.  I try to frequent these two sites somewhat regularly.  One suggestion I have is to visit the forums and just scan some of what others are posting here.  I have picked up ideas, resources, and information I can use in my classroom immediately.  Some of the projects are very easy to integrate and can be used as a whole or in parts.  There are also some wonderful people who contribute and there is usually someone willing to collaborate on different projects.  Happy browsing!

Whew!  Do you find yourself saying that too?  I have to admit that this last year really did me in.  Coursework, adding more to my work load, and the normal day to day routine has really had my head spinning.  I have to come to realize that I just can not do it all when I want to!  How unfair, right?  Well, I will be the first to admit that information/life/work overload can really do it to you.  I had better intentions of reading more…blogging more…keeping up with my social networks more…just more.  Well, here I am at the end of the year and I did not do that.  So here it comes, the resolution right? Wrong.  I have decided not to try and do more this year but to just be.  In this ever-changing technology world we live in it is hard to keep up.  There comes a point when we just need to take time out for a real book and step away from the Google reader.  There’s just something nostalgic about turning the pages in a book.  I am going to try my best and be the best I can be however, I think that I will do so without the unreachable expectations of keeping up.  I will change my RSS feed so that it doesn’t tell me how many unread feeds I have.  So here’s to a new year without the expectation of “keeping up”.

Adding to this past year of craziness was the addition of a SMART board to my classroom.  While I love its many uses and the way it involves my students, I am often overwhelmed as to what I want to do with it.  So here is a place I like to go for help and questions:  http://smartboardrevolution.ning.com

There is really so much on this site that I haven’t even scratched the surface in what the people there have to offer.  Super resources and help!

On a side note, I do hope to post here more often.  I feel my role as an educator changing a bit to involve more teacher educating as well as student.  So I hope to change things a bit to include more resources for you.  Have a wonderful start to the new year!

Okay, so I’ll admit it…I’ve been counting!  For me May means the end of the year.  In fact, I only have 5 days left of school.  And really, with what I do only 4 real teaching days for me.  I would also go on the record as saying that I am looking forward to the break.  Although, for me this summer isn’t so much a break as a chance to regroup and digest all that I have learned this year.  If I haven’t said it before- I’m in graduate school.  I have been taking classes since last June.  So, I am one year into my program.  At this time last year I was scrambling to enroll in a program that literally, fell into my lap.  Needless to say, I have really enjoyed every minute thus far.  That said, I need this summer to not only continue in the program but, work through all I have learned!  Last year at this time, I didn’t know how to blog, use a wiki or even Twitter.  I thought I was a pro using Facebook.  Boy was I blind to all that technology had to offer me and my students.  My life has been enriched so much!  Thank you PLN!

Where is this going you may ask!  Well, I was thinking lately about what other teachers do with their summer to continue learning or keep their minds fresh.  I know some schools may be year round.  (That is something that would be very interesting to be a part of.)  What are some things you might suggest to fellow teachers to keep them learning?  Do you read through books you didn’t have time for before?  Do you take a class?  Do you let your mind wander?  I would encourage you as you begin to wind down the school year to not wind down your learning.  Find something that you can learn from- whether it be a blog, a website, a book, a moment!  But, do enjoy the break from being Miss, Mrs, and Mr. too!

My tech thought today is on a wonderful find in Internet radio.  I am listening to it as we speak.  Pandora is a great place to find music!  You sign up for a free account and then search for songs or artists.  They will play music that is in the style of that song or artist.  You can also choose a music genre.  I have been using it in the background as I work on graduate work.  Once you hear a song you like, you can bookmark it or the artist.  It even tells you what album the song is on.  Try it out!

Hmmm…. I have been saying that a lot lately.  It’s that time of year!  The time of reflection.  For me this time of year always makes me think about accomplishments and where I’ve been and where I’m going.  Graduations are starting to take place and for some reason this year has had me thinking about what I’ve accomplished in the past 7 years as a learner.  I have been teaching during that time, yes.  However, I have learned a lot too.  I have probably grown more as person than I thought I might.  I have learned more from my students than my students have learned from me in some cases.  I think the one thing that sticks out in my mind the most is this: Being a teacher means constant learning.  When I stop learning so do my students.   What does this mean for the future?  Keep learning!  I have always found it hard to teach the same thing every year in the same way.  Maybe that is a good thing.  Maybe it has meant more work for me.  I feel it has made me a better teacher.  Now, I can’t always say that it was a success to bring in new ideas.  However, I have learned from that.  So, as your school year is winding down, what are your thoughts?  How will this year make you a better teacher for next year?

In technology thoughts today: Sheppard Software I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned this site yet!  Thanks to a fellow colleague for introducing it to me.  I love this website.  There is so much you can do here.  My preschool age son loves it!  If you don’t have time now, definitely look at this site over the summer!  Enjoy

“To be or not to be, that is the question…” As Shakespeare once wrote in Hamlet.  Actually my question is:  Do I want to be a better teacher?  I think if you answer this with a no, you are either A) hate teaching or B) are a teacher with no ambition.  Therefore, you are probably not reading this right now.  I am pretty sure most of us, as teachers, strive to be better.  We look for new and innovative ways of doing things and then teach them to our students.  When I first started teaching, I wanted to be inspirational and lead students to their dreams!  However, as I proceeded to be a teacher all the things that came with it (meeting, coaching, grading papers, etc.) slowed me down tremendously.  I had just graduated, I was done with learning, and I was going to be great!  Whoa!  What a shock when I realized I needed time to learn more.  I didn’t have all the answers.  When would I do this?  Now seven years later, I am still a teacher and until the last year had not learned as much as I would have liked to.  What has changed–technology!  In the last year, I have discovered a whole new world of learning–NETWORKING!  Amazing how technology can change in less than 10 years.

As I am sitting here now writing this, I am still pondering this question: What can help me be a better teacher?  My answer is education.  I don’t mean this in the traditional sense.  I mean this in the constant educating one does on a daily basis.  Looking at new trends, new websites, new ideas.  I am fortunate to have the opportunity to continue my formal education.  Not all teachers want to do this.  Not all can afford it.  Technology has changed so much that now we can learn from each other in ways that I never imagined.   We as teachers now have the wonderful opportunity to collaborate and connect and learn from each other!  Conferences, like NECC, bring educators to one place for few days.  Technology brings us together for everyday moments!  So, what can help me be a better teacher…everyday opportunities to share.  Take time to share with someone you just might learn more than you thought.  Just a thought…

Technology pick today is Blabberize.  You can make you pictures talk!  There are so many ways that this site could be incorporated into you classroom.  Check it out and see for yourself!

What a crazy time of year!  Basketball finals, NCAA, bracketology, and Final Four all seem to be in every conversation.  As a teacher, it is the time of year when students want to be outside, Easter break can’t come soon enough, and you are trying to figure out what to do with the kids when testing starts.  We all know that it’s hard to accomplish anything during testing weeks and yet the school day doesn’t end when the testing for that day is over.  Don’t we all wish, though?  So, for this edition of Just a Thought, I’ve compiled a list of the Top 10, in reverse order,  for filling in the blanks during testing week!  (Applause)

1. Sing a rousing rendition of “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” with actions of course.
2. Bring in Playdough and create!
3. Take them outside for a game of cartoon tag.
4. Play Hot and Cold (Thanks to my 1st grade teacher for introducing this one to me).
5. Find a book with age appropriate trivia and share.
6. Let them go crazy and draw on the chalk or white board.
7. Stretch.
8. Play Hangman.
9. Bible Charades.
10. And the All-time favorite of many: Play Heads Up 7-Up!

My technology thought today is on a great game that took me a while to figure out.  You can find it at PBS Kids online.  Here is the link: Goldburger To Go.  Thanks to brachsmithon Twitter for this one!  I love it and the kids will too!  She mentioned that kids love playing it on the SMART board. 

So, as I said in the last post, I am becoming more active on Twitter.  So, as I drank my coffee this morning, I thought about what I was going to do with my day off.  Yes, our school district had today off.  Why?  It’s Casmir Pulaski Day.  Don’t you have that day off too?  I am not trying to be sarcastic, but there comes a point when some days off don’t mean a whole lot.  Only us here in the great state of Illinois can say this day is a day we get off.  Check it out:  http://www.infoplease.com/spot/stateholidays1.html .  I can’t even say I really know anything about him.  So, I looked it up: http://www.infoplease.com/biography/var/casimirpulaski.html 

As I thought about it, it doesn’t make sense.  We are required, by law, to complete a certain number of days each year.  Yet, we have days off for people we don’t know much about.  Then it got me thinking even more.  We live in rural, central Illinois.  Some of our neighbors are Mennonite.  Very close to Amish.  Their school is down the road from us.  Their school year starts in September and gets out in April.  They take one and a half days off for Christmas and a long weekend for Easter.  Now, I know that their farming lifestyle means the children need to help out.  That’s why they start late in the year and end early.  However, maybe it would be better to not take some days off and stay in school and learn about the people celebrated on those days.  Maybe we would get out early too!  Then there are schools that go year round with 2 or 3 week breaks here and there.  Just a thought…

I did in the end enjoy spending the day with my son and got some things done in the process.  However, I wonder if my students really know why we got the day off?                                                                             

Here’s a link to some activities:  http://www.olce.org/pdfs/MC%20Polish%20PDFs/Casimir%20Pulaski%20-%20K%20-%204.pdf

Okay, so I finally feel like I’ve got handle on all this new Web 2.0 stuff.  I returned from a tech conference and am on the conference “high”.  I always have to pace myself when it comes to these things though.  I usually try and do too much at once.  So my thought today is centered around Twitter.  I have had an account for about six months or so.  I have never been sure what to do with it though.  Today, I finally figured out what to do.  So, here’s my thought to you- Try Twitter!  It’s really pretty easy to set up an account.  You have a limited amount of characters to let people know what you are doing.  Let people know what you are doing with your classes.  Share ideas.  Learn from others.  And connect!  That’s Web 2.0 in a nutshell!  Try it out!  I’d love to follow you!  My username is:  kathymaske  and I’d love to know, “What are you doing?”

I am finished,  I mean ready!  I have been working on a wiki.  Wikis are never really finished.  They are a work in progress.  As you know, I am learning more about Web 2.0 applications.  I have been working on this blog and a wiki.  I am excited to say the wiki is ready to be viewed.  You may visit and request access.  I welcome your additions and comments.  It was designed with you, an educator, in mind.  So, without further delay: FREE2U is here! 

On another note,  I have recently been downloading from Google.  Google Earth is something you will want to check out!  It is so much fun viewing different places just by entering a zip code or a place name!  You will be able to see your own subdivision, school, or exotic lands!  Have fun viewing!  As an educator, it would be great to actually see a street view of some of the sites you are talking about.  Bring this up in class when talking about current events.  This will bring new life to your lessons.  Just a thought…