I’ve finally done it! I’m launching my new web site at kirstenhaugen.org. It’s definitely a work in progress, but I’ll be adding to it, and porting my various other resources over, learning as I go. Please take a look and let me know what you think. The About page has an email form for submitting feedback.
Thanks!
Sometimes, I want something because it just looks like so much fun… Wacom clearly wants us to think that about their new graphics tablet, so they’ve put fun in the name: the Bamboo Fun, a spiffy little (or medium) USB graphics tablet that has a “pen and paper feel,” a patented “touch ring” (think iPod) for zooming and scrolling, and 4 customizable buttons to free you from your keyboard.
The Bamboo is particularly appealing to me right now, as I’ve been reviewing graphics programs for my student publishing program and a graphics tablet would add some punch to our drawing strategies.
So, if you know my personal elf, and you think I’ve been nice, please let him know that I’ve got a little (Bamboo) Fun on my list…
Biology of Plants provides students with a clear, accurate introduction to plants as living things, plant growth, plant parts, making food, pollination, seed dispersal and adaptations.
Flocabulary “…uses the educational power of hip-hop music to foster literacy and promote academic success in the classroom and beyond.” In other words, get your kids to study by delivering content to a hip hop beat. You can listen to tracks online or purchase books and CD’s.
The Learning Toolbox, from James Madison University’s special education program, provides tools, strategies and resources to help students with learning difficulties become better learners.
When you arrive on the site, you can choose “I am a Student,” “I am a Teacher,” or “I am a Parent,” which takes you to an appropriate page for getting around the site. For example, the student page starts with an overview of how to use the site. Then students choose an area they need help in – organization, test taking, studying, note taking, etc. From there, students choose a statement that reflects their needs, e.g. “I have difficulty understanding the main idea when I read,” or “I read slowly.” At that point, the site suggests specific strategies to try.
The site does require some significant reading to understand the strategies, and therefore parent or teacher support may help. Also students (and often their parents and teachers as well) may need help specifying what their specific challenges are. This is a good resource to add.
