Mary/PA - Hi all
Mary/PA - Is everyone ready to talk about software?
Lori - you bet
Mary/PA - What are your favorites and why?
shewill - what goes well with 4 blocks?
Kathleen - Oh good, Mary, you use some software, what is your favorite??? If I ever get a real computer in the classroom, what software should I obtain first?
Mary/PA - I absolutely LOVE Microsoft's My Personal Tutor: Preschool & Kindergarten http://www.microsoft.com/catalog/display.asp?subid=22&site=686&x=52&y=13 ... the kids like it too. There are so many great songs built into the activities.
shewill - I have three computers in the classroom so software is near and dear ot my heart
Mary/PA - There are 4 CD's in the Preschool & Kindergarten set. My favorite is Alphabet Playhouse
Mel - al of the JumpStart software is nice....they hold the children's interest
shewill - We have intelle keys and I use intelle talk and math pads
Mary/PA - There's more information about My Personal Tutor here - http://www.microsoft.com/kids/mpt/
Kathleen - Mary, what skills doe My Personal Tutor focus upon?
Mary/PA - The JumpStart Series are good as well - http://www.education.com/jumpstart/ - http://www2.knowledgeadventure.com/technical-support/solutions/
Kathleen - shewill, what do those items do?
Mary/PA - Everything - Reading, phonemic awareness, problem solving, thinking, math
shewill - does any one else use living books ?
shewill - kids are tired of them
Lori - Shewill, I use the living books. My kids love them.
Marcia/1-2/Ca - I just started a kid pix slide show with me kiddo's today....everyone is excited..
shewill - intelle talk talks when the kids type a word or sentence
Mel - yes I use Living Books...there good also
Mary/PA - shewill, I just use them for a short while with a few units
shewill - math pad is really a nice tool
Kathleen - Marcia, so Kid Pix has built in slide show?
Mary/PA - they really don't offer much
Kathleen - shewill, is math pad a program or hardware?
Mel - Marcia, what grade level do you use Kid Pix with?
shewill - has any one used teacher fonts?
Marcia/1-2/Ca - oh yes..very easy to create..but at the first grade level the children create the slides and the teacher assists them in compiling the show.
Lori - One of my students' favorite is Word Rescue for the PC.
Marcia/1-2/Ca - I have a 1/2
Kathleen - Intelle Talk reads back what the kids type? (taking notes furiously here)
shewill - math pad is a program
Kathleen - Marcia, if a teacher doesn't have Powerpoint, could Kid Pix do ok in a pinch?
shewill - ti as it shows the problems just a s you would write them. no games or fireworks just math
Valerie S. - A favorite in my district is Kidspiration.
Marcia/1-2/Ca - We are studying the farm...naturally because I raise goats...and I have brought one to share.
Kathleen - Mary, what doesn't offer much?
Mary/PA - My second favorite is Davidson's Learning Center Series Phonics formerly known as Kid Phonics 1 does a pretty good job with some of the aspects of Phonemic Awareness at the early levels of the program - http://www.e-cdrom.com/phon47learce.html - http://www.worldvillage.com/wv/school/html/reviews/phonics.htm
~ßJ~ - what level Val?
Kathleen - Val, what exactly is Kidspiration, a management tool?
Marcia/1-2/Ca - oh yes..Kid Pix and hyperstudio do the same thing
shewill - yes intelle talk reads letters, sentences, words or whole paragraphs nice program
Kathleen - Marcia, you brought a goat here???
Pam - What is intelle talk?
Kathleen - shewill, how expensive is Intell Talk, and what hardware does it require?
Kathleen - just *kidding* about the goat (pun intended)
Mary/PA - Living Books, are ok for a short time, they don't have much to offer for learning different things
Mary/PA - just my opinion
shewill - it requires normal hard ware and is about $50
Marcia/1-2/Ca - so there are three...Powerpoint, Kid Pix and Hyperstudio
Kathleen - Mary, Is the Davidson's reasonable in price?
~ßJ~ - Since I teach kinder the programs have to be fairly easy to run
shewill - lle talk is designed to be used with intelkeys alternative keyboard but works with any old keyboard
Mary/PA - Kathleen, yes, I think so
Valerie S. - Kidspiration is K-3. Used especially for concept maps but has tons of cut images to use!
Pam - where can intelle talk be purchased>
Marcia/1-2/Ca - Yes I brought a day old doeling (girl) goat to school in a large box..They students got to bottle feed her...talk about sourvenirs...
~ßJ~ - how pricey Val?
Valerie S. - *cute images!*
Valerie S. - Let me look BJ...
Kathleen - LOL Marcia souvenirs! Did the goat leave some souvenirs *behind*?
Mary/PA - Kidspiration costs a bit
Marcia/1-2/Ca - I took pictures of all the students...now that would make a great slide show..
Marcia/1-2/Ca - no..she stayed in her box...
Valerie S. - This site shows how cute it is: http://www.strategictransitions.com/kidspirationsoftware.htm
Kathleen - hi midge, just jump in with suggestions and questions about software for k-2
Valerie S. - Great for Venn diagrams!
shewill - http://www.intellitools.com/
~ßJ~ - I am in a private school and I purchase my software out of pocket for the most part
Mary/PA - More information about Kid Phonics 1 can be found here - http://www.berkeleymm.com/davidson/Kid_Phonics_1/kid_phonics_1.html and here - http://www.edutainment.com.au/lakidph.html and here - http://www.kidsdomain.com/review/kdr/kidphonics.html
shewill - the site is http://www.intellitools.com/ for intelletools go and look at them the programs are better than the hardware
midge - Thanks, I love the Arthur interactive CD's!
Marcia/1-2/Ca - one of my favorite software to use in the primary classroom is Moneytown....It's about $20 to start....I got mine at the computer show...I grows with students so you can change the difficulties.
~ßJ~ - thanks Val
midge - Busytown is another the kids really enjoy
Kathleen - Marcia, is it all about working with money?
Mary/PA - http://www.smarterville.com/getit.xtp - free demo of Smarterville - Seems to be an interesting program. If I find myself teaching Kindergarten next year I think I'll get it.
midge - Triple A has a free one called Auto something or other, the kids love it,
Kathleen - Vicki, set the Send to: box to Room so your messages will go to the group. 
midge - Has kid writing of stories, certificates... other neat stuff the kids really got into!
Marcia/1-2/Ca - yes...the kids play games...and do hunts...there is a concentration and one like Jeopardy (sp?)
Kathleen - midge, is the Triple A software about maps?
~ßJ~ - great Kathleen cos I have 4 new windows open already!!!
Kathleen - Vicki is wondering whether anyone is familiar with Inspiration software?
Vicki - Thanks Kathleen
mary - inspiration is wonderful for all ages
Mel - Money Town sounds great...is it fairly kid friendly?
Vicki - Has anyone worked with Inspirations?
Valerie S. - Another great one is Zoombinis by Broderbund (it has a longer title but I forget it!)
midge - No, it has lots of other stuff... I have gone brain locked now that I need the real name. Call Triple A and inquire, they sent 3 to our school one for each class
Marcia/1-2/Ca - As the program gets more challenging students are asked who is on which coin or bill..They total up points in coin values...and the scores can be saved so students can go against themselves at another time.'
shewill - has anyone tried PCI sight word program with virtual worksheets
shewill - well with 4 blocks
Marcia/1-2/Ca - Yes...probably more friendly to kids than adults who think logically
Mel - not familiar w/ inspirations...what is it?
Valerie S. - Mary... Kidspiration is a version of Inspiration especially designed for K-3! - http://www.inspiration.com/
Mary/PA - Inspiration is for the older kids - http://www.inspiration.com/
TeachFirst-CA Ü - Does anyone know of a good grading program?
mary - inspiration helps students to visualize abstract and to organize. it is wonderful
shewill - I like it as all work like scrambled words etc. can be done on the computer
Mary/PA - Yes, I've played around with it
Lori - Teach, my district purchased integrade for all teachers to use.
Marcia/1-2/Ca - Inspriations (Kidspriations) is full of graphic organizers.
mary - we use inspiration with K-4
shewill - who makes kidspiration
TeachFirst-CA Ü - Lori, I keep running into teachers whose districts buy things! Ü Imagine that?!
Vicki - I got it at a meeting as a door prize. They loaded it on my puter and now I have to look to find it. Training on the 22nd.
Mary/PA - It's not very good for kinderkids unless you have a lot of time to show the kids around the program...it's not something they can pick up an do on their own
midge - I have used Grade Quick, and loved it. Averages each time you enter grades, prints out a mid term....
shewill - i wish ours did LOL
Mary/PA - at least that's been my experience
TeachFirst-CA Ü - MIdge... sounds great!
Lori - They insist we use the program to record the grades so they're entered into the mainframe for report cards.
Kathleen - You know what else would be helpful here: Post about any software you've bought which turned out to be a waste of money in your opinion. Save the rest of us from making the same mistake!
~ßJ~ - Thanks for that info Mary----my kiddos have to run most programs without too much help from me
Mel - Grade Quick is good...also...GradePro...ive used both
TeachFirst-CA Ü - Lori... oh, I see. They've tried to do that with our district this year. I don't think it's going to fly.
Mary/PA - our whole district uses GradeQuick..all but kindergarten, but my principal wants to change that
TeachFirst-CA Ü - Mel, which one do you like the best? I teach 1st grade.
Kathleen - That's very important to me, too. The kids have to be able to run w/o my help.
Mary/PA - it'll be interesting
Vicki - Would kispiration be better than Inspiration for 2-3 special needs students?
midge - After each test I gave, I entered the grade, and printed off a strip of paper that showed current gpa,I attached to the test and sent it home that day
shewill - it doesn't work for special ed but they are trying to make us use grade quick
mary - we use five application programs: Inspiration, kid pix, hyperstudio, powerpoint and a word processor. This cuts down on the fluff software and maximizes critical thinking skills.
midge - I'm kindergarten this year, we don't do grades at all
Mel - i prefer Grade Quick because you can change your grading scale
Addie /MO - i would have liked to do my grade cards on the computer. i dont like writing. those grade cards were one of the last things that i ever hand wrote
TeachFirst-CA Ü - Midge, that sounds great.
Mary/PA - Vicki, I'd say so
Kathleen - mary, that's what I want, thinking skills, not on screen worksheets.
TeachFirst-CA Ü - Mel, thanks, that helps a lot!
shewill - Vicki I teach 2-3 special needs too
TeachFirst-CA Ü - Addie, I completely agree. I'd rather go computer for report cards. We've got a lot of dinosaurs in our district that are afraid though.
shewill - Vicki I teach 2-3 special needs too
mary - that is why the application programs work so well. It requires student input and creativity.
Addie /MO - i liked kidpix for my kinders. there were a lot of different ways to use it
~ßJ~ - we don't officially do grades either midge but I would love a computer program that I could keep track of skills
Marcia/1-2/Ca - I have also used word/works with my students..I have them type journal entries, stories and lists of spelling words.. I teach typing skills such as backspacing.
Mary/PA - Kathleen, My personal tutor has thinking and reasoning skills
Vicki - shewill, I know, as I said, we keep running into each other on these. It's me again.
midge - Just creat a spread sheet, won't that do?
Marcia/1-2/Ca - another source of software is those kids homework/workbooks..I got one that was first grade...It had all kinds of activities in it...The kids found dot to dot abc order...and more
~ßJ~ - It does midge to a point
shewill - the net has lots of fun sites for kids
mary - computers shouldn't be electronic dittos
Marcia/1-2/Ca - I think the one I have is by Golden Books and was under $10 including the workbook pages
~ßJ~ - I would like to have a way to translate the spread sheet into the symbols we use----s, i and *
Mary/PA - Years ago I used the original KidWorks on my Mac, I wish I could find it for PC. I don't like the new version at all
Mel - how do you use Kid Pix w/K Addie?
shewill - I discovered Alphabet lady today lots of word games
Kathleen - This workshop is very helpful! Good to have your recommendations, based upon direct experience
Marcia/1-2/Ca - but for some kids who have trouble staying on task...it works as an introduction to thinking
TeachFirst-CA Ü - Shewill, what's Alphabet lady?
Valerie S. - I like almost all of the series software for that age group: Sammy's Science House, Millie's Math House, Bailey's Book House (someone just bought out that company - I forget who)
Kathleen - mary, I agree. if we believe in avoiding worksheets on paper, no sense using them on the monitor.
shewill - any one scan into th ecomputer
Addie /MO - i tried keeping the student skills on the computer the last year i taught, but it took me a while to get things set up. i was trying to remember if i used a spreadsheet or database to do it in. it didnt really save time, but my info looked alot better when i printed it for their records. i probably wasnt doing this the most efficient way possible
shewill - a web site I discovered today lots fo fun stuff/. Alphabetlady.com
Valerie S. - Mary/PA... I have an old PC version of KidWorks - before Davidson was bought out.
TeachFirst-CA Ü - Shewill, ooohhh, I'll check it out!
shewill - she has a weekly newsletter
Mary/PA - shewill, I scan all the time, what have you in mind?
Vicki - I also like the JumpStart Programs. The kids can't seem to get enough of them.
~ßJ~ - Addie that is my problem too----I tried it but it was slower than by hand
Mary/PA - Valerie, want to sell it?
shewill - think she is a homeschooler but has lots of magnetic letter game s and so on
TeachFirst-CA Ü - Vicki, or Math Blasters. Kids love MathBlaster.
Kathleen - Hi to those who have just arrived. The topic is software for K-2.
midge - Kids love Jumpstart programs
Mary/PA - Is is the one in which kids can write stories?
Valerie S. - Sammy's/Bailey's/Milie's used to be Edmark. Now they are Riverdeep.
Mary/PA - and illustrate them?
TeachFirst-CA Ü - Shewill, I will be checking that out! I now keep post its at the computer to jot down websites for later.
Mel - I agree Vicki...Jumpstart is great...also Reader Rabbit
Kathleen - What makes good software?
Addie /MO - we used kid pix sometimes as a math lesson...the kids would stamp numerals in order or they would stamp a numeral and then choose that number of objects and stamp that. they could draw their reactions to a story we read. they could practice stamping their name or stamping or drawing pix and then using invented spelling to stamp the words. we talked about and drew various shapes on kidpix.
Valerie S. - Mary... talk to me in Cleveland - if the price is right 
shewill - mary what do you scan in I have a brand new scaner at school but haen't used it yet
GinnAR2nd - I used the computer to make calendars for our parents Christmas gifts this year. They loved them.
~ßJ~ - My kinders love a program called Bugs in a Box (math) and Cybergrannies (with an aussie accent!)
Mel - Sounds wonderful Addie!
Addie /MO - one year the students drew themselves and their grandparents on kidpix and we ran it like a slideshow for grandparents day. they each recorded a sentence to go with their pix
Kathleen - BJ, did you bring back software from Downunder?
~ßJ~ - oh great idea Addie!
Mary/PA - shewill, anything that is hard copy and I want it digitized
Addie /MO - we also did a slide show of our favorite stories at the end of the year one year
midge - Addie, that sounds like a neat thing to play for parents during orientation
~ßJ~ - No Kathleen but i have LOTS on my list this year
Kathleen - Addie, did the kids draw with the mouse, or with an electronic pencil?
shewill - teach if you can not get on email me at shewill5@aol.com I will send you the site
shewill - and the news letter
Vicki - I think that anything that engages students minds and that they think is "fun" is good software.
TeachFirst-CA Ü - Thanks! Shewill. Ü
Addie /MO - it is...if you are going to do slideshows, powerpoint is actually a better program. we did the kidpix slideshows in my "prepowerpoint" days.
shewill - what makes good software I know what makes bad software
GinnAR2nd - Has anyone used a powerpoint presentation for math facts or word wall words?
shewill - bad software is busy and only does one thing
midge - I used power point to make a slide show, then set it to music, Worked wonders, and answered a lot of questions for parents with artwork of kinders
Kathleen - shewill, what makes bad?
Mel - Thanks for the ideas Addie. I teach 1 now...used to teach 5 & used KidPix. Now I know my first graders can use it. Next Year!
Mary/PA - In our school, most of the networked computers are tied up all day with kids taking AR tests
Valerie S. - Critical thinking. I also like Yukon and Oregon Trail.
shewill - e an open program I can program to meet a specific childs individual needs
Addie /MO - with the mouse. also, you have shapes that you can draw with tools and fill them in with color with a paint bucket
Marcia/1-2/Ca - well you can certainly import the graphics made on kid pix into a powerpoint demo
Kathleen - ease of use, independently by students would be important
mary - computer programs should supplement the curriculum and standards. a group of students could always be on the computers throughout the day.
Addie /MO - first grade could even practice their spelling words
Mary/PA - We're going to try in inherit the old computers for the business lab - they're getting new ones
Mary/PA - We need more computers in each room
~ßJ~ - thanks for the ideas all......4AM comes early here...
midge - Oregon Trail is a must for the older kids!
Valerie S. - Our middle school tech resource person put together a slide show spotlighting student's work for 8th grade graduation. I posted it on our district website. It's wonderful.
mary - computers need to connect with the students real world...spelling, projects, journals
Mary/PA - Valerie, Yukon and Oregon for PreK and Kinder?
GinnAR2nd - We are getting a new computer lab next year. What programs would you suggest?
midge - Oregon trail might make it down to 3rd?
Valerie S. - Mary... there's really not alot of reading. I have seen 1st graders using it frequently. Haven't actually seen it in K but I think it would work!
mary - Kid Pix, word processor, powerpoint, hyperstudio, inspiration
Mary/PA - Ginn, Kidspiration and Inspiration for a lab setting would be great
Kathleen - mary, as a tool as well as teacher, right?
CherylDe/1st/IL - Has anyone mentioned StoryBook Weaver Deluxe?
Mel - Mary, I feel almost ashamed to admit that I have 4 computers in my class & we have 8 in our Media Center. We are online in the classrooms also. I guess I'm one of the fortunate few
Addie /MO - mary we have two technology based classrooms at the fourth grade level where the goal is that technology is a tool. they use the productivity software like you were describing earlier.
Vicki - I did a slideshow of our school's carnival and set it up in the main hall running all day. All of the school loved it and they all looked to see if they were in a picture or two. 
Mary/PA - It's difficult to teach it to the kids with just one or two computers in a room
mary - definitely a tool
Kathleen - Cheryl, I haven't noticed any post about StoryBook Weaver. Tell us what you like about it.
GinnAR2nd - Thanks Mary!
midge - Neat idea Vicki!
Marcia/1-2/Ca - Valerie I have tried several times to put a powerpoint show on the web...just can't get it right..Some files wouldn't upload
Mel - Yes Mary...I've been there!
Valerie S. - I need to run too everyone. Can't wait to see the transcript of this meeting though - LOTS of GREAT ideas!
Kathleen - Our one computer is so slow the kids lose interest and I have no patience with it.
shewill - what works will with 4 blocks?
Addie /MO - the program for the technology based classrooms is called eMINTS. you can read more about it at http://emints.more.net
CherylDe/1st/IL - We just got it. ..A nice variety of backgrounds, sounds....
Kathleen - We're talking about software for K-2, just jump right into the conversation!
Valerie S. - Marcia... Actually the ones I have loaded lately I loaded as Adobe Acrobat files.
mary - it is difficult with just a couple of computers, but in the beginning it is easier to manage and help kids
Kathleen - Thanks, Val!
CherylDe/1st/IL - music, reverse/flip graphics, add storyline. Great for printing out simple story copies
Marcia/1-2/Ca - I have used powerpoint to make some phonics slideshows...It would make a nice addition to the word block..
Marcia/1-2/Ca - humm!
Mary/PA - shewill, there's really no time in 4 Blocks for computer unless you use a word proccessing program for the kids to type some of their stories
Addie /MO - i had two computers in my classrooms a Mac dinosaur and a decent PC. we used them as centers. the kids used the PC for the internet. i had them use selected sites off of a webpage i created that went with our themes
GinnAR2nd - I used Printmaster Gold to make transfers for each student to have a pillowcase with a poem and all their classmates handprints for an end of the year project. It turned out so cute!
mary - powerpoint is great to make mini lessons and put on video tape for students or parents to look at later
Vicki - wish I were that lucky. I have 2 computers in my room. An old Mac and a new IBM. The whole school is connected to the net except those of us in the Annex. We have to wait until next year.
shewill - I agree Mary does any one use computer for center time with 4 blocks
Mary/PA - Of course the teach needs a computer to make WWWs and Letters for the word block
Kathleen - Ginn, sounds like a nice memento
Mary/PA - and other such things
shewill - I use it formy homework sheets
CherylDe/1st/IL - I want to work on powerpoint to "flash" new word wall words before chanting for next year.
GinnAR2nd - The kids loved them.
Addie /MO - the webpage that my kids accessed was http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/2221/gainesgang.html
Kathleen - Which is the best software for kids to use for word processing?
Mary/PA - If you do 4 blocks the way the writers suggest, you don't have center time
shewill - I do word wall books on my intellletalk so the kids can hear them sort of a computer language master
Mary/PA - not as part of the 4 Blocks
mary - during the writing block students could use any of the application programs
Mel - I use Claris for Kids. It is easy and provides a variety of formats
shewill - I end up with center waiting for evry one to arrive and leave our busses are stagered
shewill - what do you think of the lady on the list who does 4 blocks all in centers Mary?
Addie /MO - but, you could have centers in your room at a different time. i think that kids need some time to explore different topics at their own pace. it just wouldnt take the place of any of the blocks
mary - claris works is easy to master
Kathleen - There's an Ed. Software chatboard where we can continue to share ideas and support after this chat: http://teachers.net/mentors/software
Mary/PA - Chery, you must have a projector or link to the TV from the computer, right?
Mel - Do teachers ever do things the way a program tells us 
shewill - I wonder how she does it?
Kathleen - Thanks, Mel
Mary/PA - so that all the kids can see it
GinnAR2nd - My kids love the Magic School Bus CD's.
Addie /MO - we are using microsoft word in my mystery writing class this summer. but the kids are grades 2 - 5.
CherylDe/1st/IL - Yes, Mary PA. It's my favorite feature in the room
peaches - Wiggleworks fits in very nicely with the Four Blocks. However, it does need to be monitored.
Marcia/1-2/Ca - I have students come one at a time to the computer during SSR...That's only one or two a day...also I have math right after and I have one or two use some specific software during that time. It's not a regular thing so they don't miss work... It takes a whole week for everyone to get a turn
CherylDe/1st/IL - I let kiddos think I "accidentally" put my e-mails on display and they love to try to read them (previewed, of course)
Kathleen - Watch for the June Gazette where you will can read about Addie's project
Addie /MO - the kids get "freaked" out about the squiggly lines....the grammar check and spell check. they want everything just so. i keep telling them not to worry about it just yet, but when we publish, we will get the stories all correct
Mary/PA - shewill, I don't know - 4 Blocks is either direct instruction or the kids applying thier reading and writing skills, I suppose she could be doing it during the writing block
shewill - noisy parkers are they Cheryl?
Mary/PA - I don't know
GinnAR2nd - Does anyone have penpals using email?
Marcia/1-2/Ca - I believe you can turn off the grammer check..of course then they don't see that their paper has mistakes.
Kathleen - We don't have e-mail 
Addie /MO - we have lightspan at our school for our noneMINTS fourth grades. the at risk students could check out sony play stations with educational software to have extra practice at home.
Mary/PA - peaches, Wiggleworks is very expensive, isn't it?
shewill - I do postcards and email penpals
shewill - turned out to be a mess
Addie /MO - marcia, i probably should have done that
Mary/PA - I'd love to have it, but can't afford it
Mel - I also use computers at SSR time and rotating daily for writing/publishing
shewill - we email somene in Alaska
Kathleen - Please explain Wiggleworks, whether it could be used with K.
Addie /MO - we did some email penpals one year in summer school. i was teaching a class about australia and we had epals with an australian class. we took digital photos and exchange them. it was great.
shewill - I worry i may be talking to an ax murder or something else weird
CherylDe/1st/IL - shewill, sorry, I don't know what "noisy parkers" means
GinnAR2nd - Shewill, how do you work it?
peaches - Yes, Wiggleworks is expensive. My school used it as an intervention program for the underachievers.
Mary/PA - Isn't Wiggleworks part of the Scholastic reading program?
Mary/PA - or a supplement to it?
CherylDe/1st/IL - Thank you, Mel. I'm getting used to top loading text.
shewill - jsut that every one loves to read a secret Cheryl
Kathleen - Cheryl, if you prefer the text here to roll up from bottom, click on "reverse" over in the left frame
peaches - My school also has LightSpan. It was used as part of our parent involvement plan. The Title 1 teacher monitored the students' usage of the program.
shewill - how did you like it peaches
Kathleen - peaches, tell us about Lightspan?
shewill - it uses a sony play station
peaches - Wiggleworks is part of Scholastic's reading program and could be used with K.
shewill - lots of fun reading games and math too
Addie /MO - we participated in several online projects different years in kindergarten. we exchanged postcards, leaves, sent off flat stanleys and used email and a webpage to stay in contact. we also studied certain units at the same time as another k class and exchanged digital photos and info as a part of the studies.
Addie /MO - what do you think of lightspan?
Marcia/1-2/Ca - We enjoyed the Groundhog project this spring..the kids learned so much
Vicki - Marcia, where did you get the Groundhog project?
Kathleen - IE = Internet Explorer. The most compatible browser here is Netscape.
peaches - I liked Lightspan especially for math and language arts. The reading component was a bit difficult and cumbersome to maneuver through.
Mary/PA 3 - Does anyone have any experience with the Tom Snyder software?
Addie /MO - that groundhog project looked neat. we did the march lion and lamb project several years and "april showers bring may flowers" projects
Kathleen - Not I, Mary/PA
Mary/PA 3 - People say it's great, but too expensive for an individual to purchase
CherylDe/1st/IL - Yes, I prefer Netsc, but hubby love IE, so it's easiest to access
Addie /MO - peaches, did you use the lightspan in the classroom or was it a take home program?
Marcia/1-2/Ca - um somewhere...I have a site I created about the whole thing.http://www.geocities.com/crgoudie/CaveGroundhogProject.html
Vicki - Cheryl, nope, I'm in Cedar Falls, northeast Iowa, and the storm was further to the south. We just got lots of rain.
Kathleen - Well, once I have time to read the transcript, I'll make a prioritized list of software to consider ... for when my classroom has a new computer
Mel - I tested one of their programs.. it was a mapping one..nice but expersive. They usually have "deal" for buy 1 get 1. one
Marcia/1-2/Ca - I was looking at the Synder's mapping program...but money to buy programs is always an issue
Vicki - ok, so where are yu all finding these neat sounding projects, groundhog, mrch lion and lamb and april showers?
Kathleen - How much of the kids' work do you print out? I'm thinking ink could cost a fortune.
CherylDe/1st/IL - Rhonda, where are you from , again?
Marcia/1-2/Ca - from the mail rings..
Addie /MO - i think that i learned about most of them on t.net. they have a projects chatboard
Kathleen - http://teachers.net/projects
Kathleen - Mailrings: http://teachers.net/mailrings
Vicki - Kathleen, it does. My school wouldn't get me a printer for my puter. I've spent almost $300 on cartridges this year. That includes IEP's.
Addie /MO - i didnt print a whole lot in color. only on special occasions. if we were typing journal entries, it really didnt take that much ink. they would type a sentence or two, print the page and illustrate it by hand
Mary/PA 3 - Kathleen, I print very little. We can save it and view it that way, ink is too expensive
Kathleen - oh, no, that's awful, Vicki. What a shame
Vicki - Addie, duh, I should have known that the best site on the net would have a projects site.
Mel - I let the children pick the ones they want to publish using the computer...1-2 per month.
rhonda/il - yep, I hear thunder
Kathleen - LOL, Vicki, nice endorsement!
Kathleen - Mel, good tactic, establishing a limit
Mary/PA 3 - We have network copying now. We can send jobs to the new copier from our computers. It's great, but of course there's no color
Kathleen - Mary, where is the copier located, out of the classroom?
rhonda/il - Marcia, I love your website. Use it often
Vicki - Next year, we will all be on the AS400, so our printing will be limited on that.
Mary/PA 3 - It's in the office
peaches - Software from Sunburst is very lively and appealing to K-2 students. some of the phonics programs have music, speech, and a management component.
Mary/PA 3 - I send a job to the copier and then send a kid to get it
Kathleen - Any hardware you couldn't live without?
Marcia/1-2/Ca - Thanks..it's my hobby....smile
rhonda/il - anyone use an LCD projector with a SMART board?
Kathleen - I mean accessories
Kathleen - peripherals
Mary/PA 3 - Our tech guy told me that our little district spent $35,000 in ink last year!
Kathleen - thingamajigs
Marcia/1-2/Ca - Sony Mavica...Couldn't live without it..
Mary/PA 3 - That's why we got the new copier and networked it
Kathleen - $35,000??? holy SMOKE!
Kathleen - RIGHT! Sony mavica!!
Vicki - Me too, the Mavica is FANTASTIC!!!!
Mel - I have a website question. I want to set one up for my class.new school & all this technology..the time couldn't be better. My question is...where is the best site to use to set up a website
Mary/PA 3 - rhonda, I don't have smart board, but a similar set-up
sharon - tell more about the sony mavica
Mary/PA 3 - Ditto is the name, it's a lot cheaper
Kathleen - sharon, digital camera that saves pics to floppy disk, easy to operate.
Mary/PA 3 - sharon, I love my mavica!
Kathleen - This has been very helpful to me!
Kathleen - poor Cheryl
Mary/PA 3 - it's so handy and easy and does a great job
Mel - I agree w/ the digital camera...so many uses
Marcia/1-2/Ca - I love it..takes great pictures in good light...bad light is it's weak spot.. I use it as a scanner...to take photos and more...I love it..
Kathleen - If I can operate the mavica, anyone can!
Kathleen - We should have a session on digital photography, editing software, uses in the classroom, etc.
Kathleen - Sharon, mine cost about $499, still pics only
Mary/PA 3 - Kathleen, that sounds good
peaches - Good Night
Kathleen - True, it's not good in bad bad light at a distance
Mary/PA 3 - but with the sony, pictures don't have to be edited much
Mary/PA 3 - the color is always great
Vicki - Ours cost about $700.00 and takes 1 minute movies as well.
Kathleen - Thank you to everyone! you helped me a whole lot! Terrific workshop. 
Marcia/1-2/Ca - oh! I love my camera... I have to be careful not to leave it at school...
Mel - This was my first live chat...with school out now I'll be back often Thanks for the ideas. Bye
Marcia/1-2/Ca - well I guess I will have to go milk those goats...can't avoid it any longer...bye all
Mary/PA 3 - Thanks for thinking up these great topics, Kathleen
Kathleen - Goodnight all, and thanks again!

 
 

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