Tech Tip - How to Make Emails Easier to Read

Maybe you feel like I do when reading a small font size on a long email. It makes reading a chore. Mac computers have a keyboard shortcut that allows users to quickly enlarge or reduce font sizes. Here's how: open an email, hold the "command" key, then hit the + key to enlarge the font. Do the same to reduce the font but use the minus key instead. No more squinting and yes, this shortcut will work with other documents. It is a great tool to use with your classroom projectors, too.

Carrot Sticks Math Practice

Students in grades K-6 can use these fun games to increase their basic math skills. Carrot Sticks can be played individually or against another online player. "Carrot sticks" are earned for each correct answer. Earn enough and you are rewarded with a virtual trophy. Only the addition game is free but by previewing and commenting on this product, our technology coaches will have your input to help with purchasing decisions. Thank you to FreeTech4Teachers for reporting on this product.

Tech Tip

This is repeat of a Tech Tip sent out earlier this school year. It will be archived in this blog for future reference. The blog has a search engine that helps find post topics in the archive. Click here to view Jing video about how to print an AR report.

Daily News from CNN for Students

CNN Student News is a daily news video created for school children and contains no commercial breaks. Today's edition ran for 10 minutes and covered President Obama's approval ratings, the Earthquake in Haiti, why our winter is so cold, the heat wave in Australia, the war on salt, distracted driving and other news.

Free Online Books from The Center for the Book

Thank you to Doug Bancks for sharing this information.
The Center for the Book, in the Library of Congress, was established in the late 1970s to promote reading, literacy and libraries.  Their website offers a great many "Resources" on the menu on the left side of any page, including "Author Webcasts", "Booklists", and "Local/Community Resources".  The "Author Webcasts" include videos of such authors as Tom Gjelten, Stephenie Meyer, Chinua Achebe, and Sara Paretsky.  The "Books and Related Info For" menu on the left side of any page, has sections for "Kids", "Teens", "Adults", and "Educators and Parents".  Within the "Kids" and "Teens" sections are classic books that have been digitized and put online to be read in all their original glory.  Classics such as "A Apple Pie", "Baseball ABC", and "The Secret Garden" are beautifully captured.  In the "Educators and Parents" section visitors can find wonderful lesson plans, exhibitions,and online activities. Visitors should not miss checking out "Contests: Letters About Literature" on the left hand menu to learn about several writing contests for young children and teens.

Tech Tip - How to Use Animoto to Make a Video Slideshow

Animoto might be the solution you are looking for to make placing classroom photos onto you webpage. Animoto video slideshows are easy and fun to create. Best of all they are a huge hit with students.

A special thank you to Free Technology For Teachers (www.freetech4teachers.com ) for this information.