Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The website Byrdseed http://www.byrdseed.com/ has a new post entitled Remix Poetry: Christmas to Thanksgiving. http://www.byrdseed.com/remix-poetry-christmas-to-thanksgiving/

Check it out when you get a moment!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Check out High Ability Blog post

An blog post on the High Ability blog caught our attention and thought it may interest you:
Click on the following link for a story entitled,

A Ghoulish Gifted Halloween Tale (and It’s all Frighteningly True…)

http://highability.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/a-ghoulish-gifted-halloween-tale-and-its-all-frighteningly-true/

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Halloween Movies for Gifted Children

Carol Bainbridge with About.com Gifted Children Guide offers an article about 13 Halloween Movies for Gifted Children. The link below takes you to the website which offers a brief description of each movie.

Thirteen Halloween Movies for Gifted Children

Whether you have a party or not, you might want to have one or more great movies on hand for the kids to watch. You can find one suitable for every age group. These movies, which include "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and "Hocus Pocus," will provide some fun for the kids at a party or with the rest of the family.

1. Sesame Street - A Magical Halloween Adventure

2. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

3. Casper

4. The Worst Witch

5. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

6. Scared Shrekless

7. Double, Double, Toil & Trouble

8. Halloweentown

9. Goosebumps: Attack of the Jack-O-Lanterns

10. Hocus Pocus

11. The Witches

12. Beetlejuice

13. Ghostbusters

Monday, September 17, 2012

Professional Development Opportunity

2012 JCESC Fall Technology Workshop

Photoshop and Photo Editing Tools
October 8, 2012- November 4, 2012 6-7pm
Earn 1 Hour Graduate Credit with JCESC and Franciscan University of Steubenville!

Workshop DescriptionTeachers who complete this workshop will have a basic understanding of the principles of design and visual editing. These skills can be used to meet the needs of their students, and can be applied to multiple grade levels. Knowledge of the online tools and software presented in this workshop will enable teachers to engage and challenge their student’s creativity, collaboration skills, and critical thinking capabilities.

All projects may be completed at the student’s own pace as long as they are done before the end of each week. The first lesson will introduce the tools of Photoshop, and then the class will use Gimp to complete various in-class projects designed to teach basic photo-editing skills. As the class moves on, they will be introduced to other free, photo-editing platforms that are available online. The class will then start their own, independent projects. Projects can be for personal use (touching up an old photo, perhaps) or for use in the classroom.

Students will be required to have internet access, and will work with the latest version of Gimp, a free, open-source photo-editing program specifically engineered to imitate Photoshop. Students will also be required to access the following free, online photo-editing platforms during the workshop sessions:

• http://www.aviary.com/
• http://advanced.aviary.com/tools/phoenix
• http://www.picmonkey.com/
• http://picasa.google.com/
• http://www.sumopaint.com/start/
• http://pixlr.com/
• http://fotoflexer.com/
• http://www.phixr.com/
• http://www.splashup.com/

ScheduleThis workshop will be held online over a span of four weeks. The instructor will introduce new material once a week through an online, interactive session. The student will use the rest of the week to complete the assignment given at the end of each weekly session. If help is needed, the instructor will be available via email. (Click here for online workshop requirements.)

Online Sessions:
Monday, October 8th 6-7pm
Monday, October 15th 6-7pm
Monday, October 22 6-7pm
Monday, October 29 6-7pm
Sunday, November 4th- Voluntary session/ last questions 6-7pm

RegistrationIn order to receive 1 graduate semester college credit, you must enroll in the Graduate Education program at Franciscan University of Steubenville. There is an additional one‐time application fee of $25, but you may avoid this fee by applying online. The FUS Application Help Sheet will guide you through this process. Please apply prior to your workshop session at My Franciscan.

To apply for the workshop go to the following link http://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/protected/EventRegistration.aspx?rCode=3YUY

Please send your $200 payment made out to JCESC to the:

Jefferson County Educational Service Center
Attn: Online Workshops
2023 Sunset Blvd.
Steubenville, Ohio 43952

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call 740-283-3347 or email:

Christy Kelley (christy.kelley@omeresa.net)
Patty Ferrell (patty.ferrell@omeresa.net)

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

WeAreTeachers Website Report

Check out these wonderful resources found on WeAreTeachers website.....

The Teacher Report: 8 Helpful Tech Tools for the Common Core

by WATstaff Tuesday

While the implementation of the Common Core State Standards means a lot of work and transition ahead, the good thing about shared benchmarks across 45 states is that you can now share resources, ideas and lessons with a colleague across the hall—or across the country. With that in mind, we asked our Facebook fans for their favorite online tools that are making the transition a little easier.

1. Pinterest. Teacher Vicki Lynn recommends the resource-sharing site as a one-stop shop for finding Common Core-related lessons, charts and rubrics. We’ve pinned lots of Common Core ideas on the WeAreTeachers page.

2. Individual State Resources. “The Utah Education Network really helped me to understand the transition,” says teacher Debi Barnett. Cindy Norris similarly finds the Kansas Association of Teachers of Mathematics helpful, and Michelle Freeland says ReadTennessee.org is an invaluable tool. Check your state DOE for similar links.

3. The Organized Classroom. “I love this blog,” says teacher Susan Maxwell Wenar. “It’s awesome for Common Core resources!” We think it’s pretty great, too—don’t miss the grade-by-grade packs of information.

4. K–5 Math Teaching Resources. Teacher Jennifer Lubin casts her vote for this comprehensive site listing free Common Core resources, games and activities for the elementary math classroom.

5. The Common Core iPhone and iPad apps. Several teachers recommended these free downloads—“excellent for a quick and ready reference,” says teacher Judy York.

6. Socrative. Cindi Parisi Thompson calls this free student response system “great for formative assessment,” which is a major focus of the Common Core.

7. MasteryConnect.Teacher Tina Cooper Wyre says she will be using this site to find common formative assessments and Common Core grading tools.

8. Quizlet.Finally, Alexandra Swann Woody recommends this free flashcard-making site for creating and finding Common Core study tools.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Top Science Websites for Kids

http://familyinternet.about.com/od/websitesforkids/tp/science_websites.htm

Fun Ways to Experiment, Explore and Learn

From Christy Matte, former About.com Guide

These sites include a lot of fun science information and experiments you can do both on and offline.

1. Try Science

Try Science is a great first stop on your science journey. There are dozens of experiments in areas such as chemistry, biology, math and engineering, many of which can be done on and offline. You can take a virtual field trip to another museum or even view some animals via live webcam. Adults will appreciate the resources for parents and teachers, too. And, of course, there are some very cool games. Try your hand at saving a planet, or live out your Star Trek dreams at Starfleet Academy.

Start Experimenting at Try Science

2. How Stuff Works

How Stuff Works covers all sorts of interesting topics, but the science section includes space, earth science, life science and even paranormal science. Explore tornados, hair coloring, UFOs, radar and lunar landings. The site is geared more towards older audiences - the explanations may be too complex for younger kids - but it is a great resource for families. However, since it isn't intended for the youngest family members, parental guidance is definitely suggested on this one.

Find Out How Stuff Works

3. The Exploratorium

If you haven't had the chance to visit the real Exploratorium in San Francisco, it's is well worth the trip. Part science museum and part art exhibit, the Exploratorium encourages you to touch, listen, see, small and sometimes even taste the world around you. If you can't make it to San Francisco right now, you can visit the Exploratorium online. It's a fabulous and fun resource for science learning and experimentation. My favorite section is the "Accidental Scientist" area on the Explore tab. You can learn more about the science of food, including candy. If you're looking for a different kind of treat, visit the "Snacks" section on the Education tab. These are bite-sized (non-edible) science experiments you can do at home.

Visit the (Virtual) Exploratorium

4. Science Toys

When I was little, I always loved those kits that allowed you to build a radio or a potato clock. This site has instructions for crafting all manner of amazing gadgets from a solar-powered marshmallow roaster to the "World's Simplest Steam Boat." Most of them seem best for high-school and above, although middle school students might enjoy them with some adult supervision. The activities typically use inexpensive materials, but you may not always have them lying around your house (i.e. copper tubing, simple electrical components, etc.). Plan ahead when using this site and you'll certainly have a lot of fun!

Make Your Own Science Toys

5. Bill Nye

No list of science sites for kids would be complete without a link to Bill Nye, the Science Guy. His website helps reinforce the lessons learned on his television show with experiments, explanations and a dose of humor as well.

Visit Bill Nye

6. Chemistry Activities for Kids

There are some basic chemistry projects that are perfect for kids and Anne Marie Helmenstine, About.com Guide to Chemistry, has a great list of favorites from lava-filled volcanoes to liquid nitrogen ice cream to slime. Make sure to read the directions first, as some activities will require special ingredients and/or the help of an adult.

7. Science News for Kids

Science News for Kids helps kids stay up-to-date on scientific trends. Written in an accessible way, the articles can help kids understand topics like the decline of the honeybee population and how police use forensics to solve crimes. The site is most appropriate for middle school and above, as many of the topics are too complex for younger children. But it's also a great way for parents to learn what's happening so they can help explain it to curious children.

JCESC Gifted Gab