Oculus Rift

I tried my best (to not get nauseous) when using the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. My son — visiting the office for the day — was most pleased with my efforts.

Superhero! Workshop

I gave a superhero workshop and it was just swell!

Agenda

Introduction to the Super Hero

Entry Points for Struggling Learners:

  1. American Zeitgeist, or welcome to the United States of Superhero media: movies, comics, cosplay, breakfast cereal, television, etc.
  2. Greek (and Roman, and Norse) Mythology: Hercules, Thor, need I say more? (P.S. We love the Olympian books by George O’Connor)
  3. American Folk Tales. ‘Member Paul Bunyan?

 Personal Connections to Super Heroes

  • SuperYou Videos
  • Pre-Planning Sheets and British Council Content

Create a Super Hero using Special Software

1) Style-a-Hero software

 

2) Hero Machine software 

3) Other hero machines

 

Follow Up Activities

  • Trading Cards
  • Puppet Shows
  • iPad Movies

 

I gave everyone a copy of Puppet Pals Director’s Cut iPad App, as well as a cd of handoputs, software, examples, etc., some of which are below:

 

Beardy Face

I was a “computer art” teacher for a couple of years, back in the day, back in district 26.

I used some of these lessons.

 

 

Poem, by DDD

Dear darling daughter Isabelle wrote this poem (whether for a class or no, I don’t know). What grade do you think she is in?

Smart Board Refresher

A Cool Glass of Smart Board Refresher

A Tall Glass of Smart Board Refresher

Many teachers have interactive white boards in their classrooms. I gave a workshop in May 2017 called Smart Board Referesher. We covered how to add pdf files so you can use “digital ink” on them; how to use infiinte cloner for spelling games; how to make words appear and disappear using animation properties; and how to add different kinds of sounds, including activity timers and invisible sounds.

Download a copy of the agenda if you want.

As a treat, I gave away a folder of fun, end-of-year Notebook files. Download that here.

 

Protect the Queen

On my way to a Middle School After School (MSAS) publishing party last week I saw a van being swarmed by bees. Someone said the queen bee was inside. Wonder what happened to the driver?

June 2017
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