Dropbox - Sharing files without email or flash drives!

I just discovered Dropbox.com and I looooove it! My school issued laptop works fine at home but only turns on when it feels like it at work, so printing out files and just looking up things is very difficult. But then I heard about dropbox and I don't know how I've lived without it. It's great!

Just log on and create a FREE account. Then you can add a dropbox folder to any computers you use and simply drag files to that folder and they will be available online or on any other dropbox folder on your other computers ANYWHERE, ANYTIME! No more e-mailing yourself large files that take forever to send or figuring out which flashdrive holds the files you want.

Try it out and you'll never go back!

Tickle me ELMO?

I have to admit (one of those duh moments) that the first time I heard of an ELMO for school use I was completely at a loss as to what it was. I honestly started believing that they were talking about some educational use for the tickle me ELMO. Of course, I never bothered to ask.

Fast forward a couple of years later and I will be receiving an ELMO with a projector this upcoming year! Hip hip hooray!!!

Whyte Water is hosting a linking party about what we use our ELMOs for. So . . . .

1.  In kinder we have a number of days where we cook and only the students actually adding ingredients or mixing can really see what is going on. So I plan on using it this year to display the cooking process to the entire class. That way EVERYONE can see what is going on. It's going to be soooo cool. My partner actually had one last year and used it for this purpose.

2.  Also, students present their family trees and farm animal projects and at times they are small enough so that not everyone can see. I also plan on projecting these images for their presentations when necessary.

3.  Also, I used to make overhead transparencies in order to show students what number we were on, where to put their finger, etc., on assessments, but with the ELMO I will be able to simply project it onto the screen. Upper grade teachers are very excited to use them for standardized test prep. Not sure how, but I assume in the same way I will use it for regular assessments.

4.  Since I will also have a projector I will finally be able to use my phonics blending powerpoint presentations with the entire class by connecting it to my laptop. I also love showing video clips related to things we are reading as well as powerpoint presentations for special holiday topics.