It's All Good!

Stone Soup

2011-12-26T09:26:00.012-07:00

The 2nd grade students at Moye Elementary learned an awesome lesson about working with others. Thanks to the 2nd grade teachers who set aside some time to let the Moye librarians share a wonderful learning experience with the their students.

The students learned that by working together and all students contributing whatever they can (even if it is only a small pea), a greater task can be achieved.

Check out the videos below:

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Students Making Stone Soup

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DeWayne Roberts version of Stone Soup

Do You Believe?

2011-08-10T10:00:00.004-06:00

This post is a “rerun”. However, the video below is one of my all-time favorites. I believe it warrants another highlight on my blog as we are ready to begin another school year. It reinforces why I get up to go to work each day. Yes, bottom line, it’s all about the students. No matter how crazy and uncomfortable things get, I must remember it is up to all of us to create a caring, inviting, educational environment for each and every student.

JAZZ (June 2011)

2011-06-21T16:11:00.013-06:00

Check out what the June Jazz participants had to say about their Video Conferencing experience . . .

Special Olympics 2011

2011-05-18T14:33:00.014-06:00

This year’s Special Olympics was held at Burges High School. Many of the Whitaker Elementary students participated. Huge thanks to Xarfie Salvosa for sharing these awesome photos. Check out your winners below . . .

SmartBoard Links . . .

2011-02-22T09:34:00.006-07:00

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Link 4 (Coming Soon . . .)

Link 5 (Coming Soon . . .)

New Elves on the Loose . . .

2010-12-09T06:33:00.009-07:00

They have moved out of the office . . .

Buffalo Soldier @ Dowell Elementary

2010-12-02T15:28:00.014-07:00

Retired Command Sergeant Major Charles Taylor shares some history with students at Dowell Elememtary. He actively engages some third graders students as he tells the story of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Soldiers Giving Back . . .

2010-11-24T19:34:00.003-07:00

"The 123rd BSB supports our Partner In Education (PIE), Whitaker Elementary. The PIE program utilizes our Soldiers to optimize opportunities for the educational enrichment and academic success of the students," said 1LT Jose D. Guillen.

What’s All the Hype about a Clicker?

2010-10-17T14:31:00.009-06:00

Check it out for yourself . . . Mrs. Arnold, librarian at Whitaker Elementary, uses the CPS to make her Kids' Catalog lesson come alive and keep ALL the students actively involved.

Click on the picture below . . .

Reading Opens Doors . . .

2010-09-26T16:28:00.027-06:00

Mrs. Grijalva's second grade class at Whitaker Elementary is enjoying

"Mystery Readers"!

The Mystery Reader project is awesome as it encourages reading and

parent involvement!

Check out the Mystery Readers . . .

1. Ms. Harvey

2. Mr. Bruns

3. Ms. Aguirre

Welcome Back!

2010-08-19T15:40:00.018-06:00

The first day of the 2010-2011 school year is rapidly approaching. Thus, I decided to share the video below because it depicts some of the situations teachers face everyday in the classroom. One thing in the video that spoke volumes to me was the teacher’s (the pianist) ability to “think on his feet”. He turned what could have been a major disaster into a VERY proud moment for two parents. Teachers all over the El Paso ISD adjust and modify, coming to the aide of students and parents each and everyday!

Welcome back and have a great year!

Video: Encouragement

Can you relate to any of the people in the video?
Do you think the renowned pianist would do well in a classroom? Why or Why not?

WebQuest/Scavenger Hunt Winners . . .

2010-08-19T14:11:00.019-06:00

1st Place - Daniel Bell (Choir Teacher)

2nd Place - Waltraud Padilla (Math Teacher)

3rd Place - Margarita Chen (Spanish Teacher)

WebQuest/Scavenger Hunt for Terrace Hills

2010-08-19T14:04:00.042-06:00

This webquest contest is for teachers at Terrace Hills MS. The first three classroom teachers to complete all directions and questions correctly and submit the answers via email to me (slmartin@episd.org) will receive a back to school gift. The contest ends September 18, 2010 at 12:00 midnight. The names of the webquest winners will be posted on my blog.

1. What is a webquest? (Hint: Select the hyperlinked term in this question. After viewing the page, arrow back to the questions in this post.)

2. Who was the first EPISD superintendent? (Hint: Select the hyperlinked terms in this question. After viewing the page, arrow back to the questions in this post.)

3. Which school district in Texas was the home to the first public kindergarten class? (Hint: Select the hyperlinked terms in this question. After viewing the page, arrow back to the questions in this post.)

4. Neat site for classroom activity ideas:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech141.shtml.
Arrow down this site's page and take a look at the "NOT NECESSARILY TECH" section. What are students asked to do on #17 of the "First-Day Quiz"?

5. Post a comment regarding this webquest. (Select the hyperlinked comment below this post.
No need to email me your response to #5 as I can go online and read your comment.

*Is a webquest something you might be willing to incorporate into your lesson(s)?

*Do you think it would be an activity students would enjoy?

*Have you ever used a web-based activity in your classroom? If so, what did you use? Did it engage students more than "traditional" classroom activities?

6 Words is a Story . . .

2010-05-05T11:13:00.033-06:00

Several teachers participated in a 1-hour Intro to Digital Storytelling session. They learned how to create a quick, enjoyable writing exercise that can be integrated seamlessly into ANY curriculum (6 Words is a Story).

If you would like to try this activity with your students, check out the following link: http://www.picnik.com/.

Student work that some teachers submitted after the session:

Inserting Slides Between Presentations . . .

2010-04-14T14:33:00.032-06:00

David Quinn, a VERY positive and energetic Art Teacher at Irvin High School, uses PowerPoints frequently in his classroom. He was interested in learning how to insert slides from one presentation into another presentation and maintain the ability to edit text in each inserted slide.

Thought I would share the following Tech Tips that I shared with David as he was pleased to know that he could actually insert slides between multiple PowerPoints.

Word 2003:

1. Open presentation you would like to insert slides into.
2. Navigate to the slide after/before the place you want to insert a slide
3. Click the Insert menu and select Slides from Files
4. Click the Browse… button
5. Choose the presentation that has the slide you want to insert. Click to select
it, and click the Open button.
6. From the display of slides, click the slide you would like to insert.
7. Click Insert (after inserting all desired slides, click the Close button)

Because some people are visual learners, here is a video for inserting slides between PowerPoints (2003):

Word 2007:

1. Open the presentation that you would like to insert slides to.
2. Click the Home Tab and select the New Slide button arrow, and then select the Reuse Slides
3. Click Browse (see right side of screen) and then select Browse File
4. Select the slide(s) you want to insert
5. Right click on a slide to see additional options.

Because some people are visual learners, here is a video for inserting slides between PowerPoints (2007):

Schuster Elementary & Mayor Cook . . .

2010-04-08T00:21:00.012-06:00

Students and administration participated in the Northeast Easter Parade on Saturday, April 3, 2010. Check out the video below.

Thanks for sharing the video Mr. Tomasheski!

Virtual Field Trip

2010-03-25T07:00:00.053-07:00

Second graders at Moye Elementary took a virtual field trip through the Center for Puppetry Arts. The children learned about plants and about rod puppets that are made and used in Mali. Then they each made a rod puppet of a flower growing. A total of 120 second grade children attended the hour long presentation in the library and made the puppets using styrafoam cups, straws and construction paper plant parts. The virtual field trip was paid for by a grant from the Center of Puppetry Arts. Another virtual field trip is scheduled with the Center for the first graders in April.

This post and snapshots are courtesy of Leslie Roberts Clingan (Librarian - H.R. Moye Elementary).

If you are interested in participating in a Virtual Field Trip, please Ashton at 587-1152.

UTECH Classroom Tools

2010-03-09T06:07:00.007-07:00

Teacher share their experiences from a recent 30+ hours technology course, UTECH Classroom Tools. They learned how to create webpages, use the eInstruction, use the SmartBoard and create SmartBoard lessons, and much more . . .

Voices of The Future . . .

2010-02-27T17:35:00.054-07:00

Check out what some 5th graders are doing at Whitaker Elementary . . .

The Dream Lives On . . .

2010-01-24T17:39:00.009-07:00

Many people throughout these United States of America celebrated the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 18, 2010. This country’s most precious resource, our children, remembered Dr. King by paying homage through speech contests, essay writing contests, etc...

Click on the link below to check out children near and far . . .

Kids-King

Whitaker Elves . . .

2009-12-10T07:10:00.007-07:00

There really are little elves at your school. I found them.
Play the video below to check them out.

Pink Glove Dance . . .

2009-12-01T08:46:00.014-07:00

I decided to post the following YouTube video on my blog because it is awesome! What a way to continue raising awareness about Breast Cancer!!! Many of you have probably heard about this video.

"The entire staff of the Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Ore. donned pink gloves and recorded a dance to Jay Sean's "Down." Then they posted it on YouTube to the delight of anyone who secretly hopes that working at a hospital is exactly like an episode of "Scrubs." - source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/18/hospital-gets-down-in-pin_n_362403.html

Cool Hair Cuts . . .

2009-11-15T22:15:00.017-07:00

Sarah Oseles, Moye Elementary Counselor, coordinated with Sonia Rosales (Director at Trans Mountain Community College – El Paso, Texas) to get FREE haircuts for about 50 Moye students on November 9, 2009. During this 2nd annual event, cosmetology students, from the Community College spent several hours at Moye Elementary sharing their gifts and talents by cutting and trimming student hair.

Click on the picture below to check out this special event at Moye Elementary:

The Whitaker Tradition Continues . . .

2009-10-03T15:49:00.021-06:00

For many years, Whitaker (TEA Exemplary School) has reached out to it's community after school hours with events such as "Read To Your Bunny Night", "Math Night", and Science Night". Yet another year with these rich activities! Families come out to enjoy educational games, lessons., and door prizes. These activities afford parents quality time with their children.

Check out the video below to see some of these engaging activities:

Wild Things (AKA NE Librarians) . . .

2009-09-26T14:04:00.007-06:00

Do you know where the Wild Things are? I do . . . I do . . . They are in
Northeast El Paso. They were gathered together on Friday afternoon
learning to create wild websites in order to keep the schools they
serve informed.

Click on the following link to check them out: The Wild Things!

They Want It All . . .

2009-09-25T22:07:00.015-06:00

Several teachers attended the eInstruction session at Lee Elementary because they wanted the following.

a way to give students instant feedback on assignments
instant data on students needing assistance
all assignments to be graded and recorded for them

Check out the following link: They Want It All . . .

Webquest Winners!

2009-09-25T17:05:00.016-06:00

I would like to thank everyone who participated in the webquest. the
following are the first three teachers who responded correctly:

1st Place: Lori Wilcox - Stanton Elementary

2nd Place: Robin Andrews - Irvin High School

3rd Place: Lisa Eaton - Magoffin Middle School

Webquest/Scavenger Hunt 2009

2009-08-10T08:28:00.057-06:00

This webquest contest is for teachers in the following EPISD schools: Irvin, Crosby, Dowell, Lee, Magoffin, Magoffin SESC, Moye, Schuster, Stanton, and Whitaker. The first three classroom teachers to complete all directions and questions correctly and submit the answers via email to me (slmartin@episd.org) will receive a back to school gift. The contest ends September 18, 2009 at 12:00 midnight. The names of the webquest winners will be posted on my blog on September 25, 2007.

1. What is a webquest? (Hint: Select the hyperlinked term in this question. After viewing the page, arrow back to the questions in this post.)

2. Who was the first EPISD superintendent? (Hint: Select the hyperlinked terms in this question. After viewing the page, arrow back to the questions in this post.)

3. What school in the EPISD was home to the first kindergarten class in Texas in 1889? (Hint: Select the hyperlinked terms in this question. After viewing the page, arrow back to the questions in this post.)

4. Neat site for classroom activity ideas:

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech141.shtml.

Arrow down this site's page and take a look at the "NOT NECESSARILY TECH" section. What are students asked to do on #17 of the "First-Day Quiz"?

5. Post a comment regarding this webquest. (Select the hyperlinked comment below this post. No need to email me your response to #5 as I can go online and read your comment.

Is a webquest something you might be willing to incorporate into your lesson(s)?

Do you think it would be an activity students would enjoy?

Have you ever used a web-based activity in your classroom? If so, what did you use? Did it engage students more than "traditional" classroom activities?

Podstock Southwest - Delicious (08-06-09)

2009-08-04T16:03:00.031-06:00

1. What do you think about Delicious?

2. Do you think you will be able to incorporate it into your classroom?

Delicious Handout 1

Delicious Handout 2

Math Activity Handout

JAZZ Video Conference . . .

2009-07-27T14:13:00.122-06:00

This week marks my second week of JAZZ. I have a new found respect for Ashton Graham’s work with video conferencing! Granted, the curriculum for the week is done. However, there is still MUCH preparation (binders, test calls, tweaking agendas, constant communication with lead facilitators around the world, etc.) to be done before the first day of the workshop.

By the end of each day, the three of us co-facilitating (Ashton Graham, Sherita Martin, and Rebecca Soltero) the 2009 July session were exhausted. I can hardly believe Ashton did ALL we did each day by herself the last four years.

Ashton Graham, I commend you for your passion and dedication to video conferencing in the El Paso Independent School District. Video conferencing is a valuable tool for teachers!

Check out the links, pictures, and videos below:

EPISD and Socorro educators worked together during a week long (July 27 - 31, 2009) video session (Jazzing Up Your Curriculum With Videoconferencing).

Ashton Graham

Download the Scorpion Song mp3

Download Day 3 Activities Video

Links:

Excel 2007/Word 2007

2009-06-24T10:51:00.006-06:00

1. What did you think of the session?

2. Are you interested in Word 2007 (Part 2)?

3. Did you learn anything new?

JAZZ Video Conference . . .

2009-06-15T12:32:00.034-06:00

Teachers are participating in a week long (June 15 - 19, 2009) video session (Jazzing Up Your Curriculum With Videoconferencing). Check out the links, pictures, and videos below.

Donna - Terrace Hill MS - El Paso, Texas

Science Experiment

Day 1 (June 15, 2009)

Word/PowerPoint 2007

2009-06-10T10:29:00.004-06:00

What did you think of the session?
Are you interested in Word 2007 (Part 2)?
Did you learn anything new?

eInstruction In The Classroom . . .

2009-05-13T13:56:00.017-06:00

Many EPISD teachers participated in an eInstruction session at Wainwright on May 13, 2009. There were very positive comments during the session (see the comments below). Yelena Kapilevich (Crockett Elementary Teacher) won a 32 "clicker"-eInstruction unit.

A big thanks goes out to Randy Brown and Monty Vaughn (eInstruction Educational Consultants) for all their support.

Stay tuned for eInstruction in The Classroom, Part 2 . . .

Easy Tech at Clendenin . . .

2009-05-07T08:32:00.024-06:00

Clendenin’s administrators (Ruben Acosta-Principal & Rachel Torres-Assistant Principal) are supporting the teachers 100% in the integration of Easy Tech (the district adopted technology curriculum). Varies support technologies to assist teachers in seamlessly incorporating Easy Tech have already been purchased and delivered to the campus. Not only are the administrators supporting the teachers with equipment, they are also attending the planning/training sessions when their schedules permit. Training sessions, under the direction of their Technical Site Coordinator (Rebecca Soltero) are underway!

Teacher Appreciation Week

2009-05-05T21:51:00.039-06:00

This post is dedicated to teachers everywhere because they dare to care . . . thank you!

A Tribute to Teachers

Make a Difference Movie

What Do Teachers Make?

Neat Educational Websites . . .

2009-04-24T19:42:00.005-06:00

Do your students need a little extra English, math, science, or SAT review? If your answer to this question is yes . . . check out the links below:

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

If you find these sites beneficial, post a comment below and I will continue to add links like these.

Teachers Working Together . . .

2009-04-09T09:20:00.067-06:00

Two teachers at Austin High School (Stacy Adame, math & Veronica Adame, science) decided to work together on a lesson. Veronica's science class did a lab on body temperature. The students collected the data and shared their findings with Stacy's math class. The students in the math class used their graphing calculators to help analyze the data.

Check out the teachers preparing the lessons, co-teaching the lessons, and debriefing the lessons. Also, check out how the students are actively participating in each class. Thus, validating an old Confucius quote . . . "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."

Part 1 (Preparing The Lesson)

Part 2 (Science Lesson)

Part 3 (Math Lesson)

Part 4 (Reflective Conference)

My Unsung "Shero" . . .

2009-04-02T12:30:00.009-07:00

To me, an unsung hero/”shero” is the “guide on the side”, the individual who gives selflessly and unconditionally, always thinking of others first. Do you have an unsung hero/”shero”? I do! Her name is Olga Fernandez, an Administrative Assistant for the Migrant Program at Region 19 in El Paso, Texas. Click on the video below to meet my unsung “shero”.

Tools, tools everywhere . . .

2009-03-11T13:30:00.069-07:00

. . . try them . . . if you dare!

Many teachers in the EPISD are taking advantage of the technology training and technology tools that are available in the district. They are choosing to use these different strategies/tools in their classrooms as they are trying to adhere to ALL learning styles. Not only are teachers trying to address the different learning styles, they want to make their classroom come alive, thus making the environment student centered.

Check out the videos below . . .

eInstruction - Elementary Classroom

SmartBoard - Elementary Classroom

Moodle - Middle School Classroom

SmartBoard - H.S. English Classroom

SmartBoard - H.S. Math Classroom

SmartBoard Workshop

2009-03-08T11:22:00.014-07:00

The MaST students are at it again . . . they are getting more technology training that will help them help their students. They want this training because they are “Paying Attention” to the students in the classrooms where they are doing their internships. They realize that the students are Digital Natives.

It's TAKS Time Again . . .

2009-03-01T18:06:00.080-07:00

The TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test is a high-stakes test in Texas. Because this test has important consequences for the test taker, all stakeholders (administrators, teachers, parents, students, radio stations, etc.) are getting involved to encourage/support the students. El Paso's Mayor (John Cook) even did an inspirational video. All of this community involvement reminds me of the ancient African proverb: It Takes A Village to Raise a Child.

Inspirational/motivational audios and videos:

2. I Will Survive TAKS (Student Version) - Video

2. What You Know About TAKS - Video

3. Mayor John Cook - Video

4. Do The TAKS - Audio

5. TAKS Cha Cha - Audio

6. Get Low - Audio

7. TAKS Rap - Audio

TI 84 Calculator Session @ Ft. Hancock

2009-02-08T10:24:00.062-07:00

Rose Tarin (Director-Migrant/ Homeless Education) and the Migrant Program Staff at the Education Service Center-Region 19 in El Paso, Texas made it possible for the Migrant students at Fort Hancock High School in Fort Hancock, Texas to receive an all-day graphing calculator training. After completing the all day session, the students received a brand new TI 84 graphing calculator.

The decision to take the training to the Migrant student students at Fort Hancock reminded me of the following poem:

It Matters to This One

As I walked along the seashore
This young boy greeted me.
He was tossing a stranded starfish
Back into the deep blue sea.
I said, "Tell me why you bother.
Why you waste your time this way?
There's a million stranded starfish.
Does it matter anyway?"

And he said, "It matters to this one.

It deserves a chance to grow.

It matters to this one.

I can't save them all, I know.

But it matters to this one,

I'll return it to the sea.

It matters to this one,

And it matters a lot to me."

As I walked into a classroom

The teacher greeted me.

She was helping Johnny study.

He was struggling - I could see.

I said, "Tell me why you bother.

Why you waste your time this way?

Johnny's only one of millions.

Does it matter anyway?"

And she said, "It matters to this one.

He deserves a chance to grow.

It matters to this one.

I can't save them all, I know.

But it matters to this one,

I'll help him be what he can be.

It matters to this one,

And it matters a lot to me."

-Author Unknown

Check out some snapshots and comments in the video below . . .

Eighth Annual Mentor Breakfast . . .

2008-12-11T08:13:00.033-07:00

Article submitted by Sarah Oseles (Moye Counselor)

The EIGHTH Annual Mentor Breakfast and FIRST Annual Parent Symposium was held on Saturday December 6, 2008. H. R. Moye Elementary School had 69 students, 43 parents and 12 chaperones attending. Moye's Orchestra performed a medley of Christmas tunes.

The Victory Warriors participated in this event. They have a history of more than ten years of community service. The organization is a non-profit (501c3) that is devoted to mentoring and strengthening families and youth. The Victory Warriors program has community, parents and staff support. It is primarily based in Northeast El Paso. The Victory Warriors project provides community activities for more than 150 youth and families. Victory Warriors Drill and Dance Academy is a diverse group of youth ages 5-17. The group is not only diverse in culture, but also has youth with challenges. All students at the Academy have an opportunity to participate in all performances. The Victory Warriors Drill and Dance Academy has conducted performances in cities across Texas and in other states.

Buffalo Soldiers Marching Unit is a special unit of the Drill Team which dresses in uniforms which are representative of the era and honors the Buffalo Soldiers. A Step In Time is an annual/special performance of the Drill and Dane Academy which traces the history of African-American Praise and Worship Dance. Costuming, music and workshops explore the role of African-American Culture in modern and liturgical dance in El Paso. Club Success is a leadership program for teens where they earn stipends and rewards.

Most student who participants become high achievers and honor students. Each year several Club Success youth graduate from high school and enter college. Graduating seniors are awarded a Senior Packet that includes their cap & gown, senior pictures, invitations and class ring. Victory Warriors' provides scholarships for graduating seniors for their first two years of college attendance.

No . . . these are not new Army recruits . . .

2008-12-10T18:57:00.012-07:00

Sarah Oseles, Moye Elementary Counselor, coordinated with Sonia Rosales (Director at Trans Mountain Community College – El Paso, Texas) to get FREE haircuts for 45 Moye students on October 22, 2008. The temporary barber shop was in Mr. Peralta’s science lab. Josie Cruz (Instructor), 23 of her cosmetology students, and an interpreter for a hearing impaired cosmetology student from the Community College spent several hours at Moye Elementary cutting and trimming hair. Two parents, Mrs. Garcia and Mrs. Guerra, volunteered to help Mrs. Oseles during this event.

The Tradition Continues . . .

2008-11-23T15:55:00.006-07:00

This is the fourth year that Stanton Elementary School has offered free computer classes to parents. Parents have the opportunity to sharpen their computer skills. The session is held once a week for one hour. The instructor is Sherita Martin and the interpreter is Ana Felix.

Veteran's Day Celebration

2008-11-11T19:15:00.036-07:00

Whitaker's Veterans Day committee (Ms. Barela, Ms. Blanco, Ms. Reyes, Ms. Rodriguez, Ms. Santacruz, Ms. Varela) worked hard to make sure the Veterans Day celebration would be successful. Indeed their hard work paid off!

The 121st Brigade Support Battalion from Ft. Bliss, Texas (Whitaker's partners in education) participated in the Veterans Day celebration. The JROTC Color Guard from Irvin High School
(under the leadership of Sgt. Sumpter) also participated in the celebration.

I would like to thank Angela M. Gonzalez (Family Readiness Support Assistant/121st Brigade Support Battalion) and Yalonda Wright (Fort Bliss PAO) for sharing some great photos taken during Whitaker's Veterans Day celebration.

Click on the three links below to see some of the photos and video clips from the Veterans Day celebration . . .

1.

2.
The Monitor Online

3.

Help Put The Right Man On The Board . . .

2008-11-06T20:09:00.010-07:00

More about Brian Grenier

Court is now in session . . .

2008-11-06T14:10:00.045-07:00

Whitaker opened Red Ribbon Week on October 27, 2008 with a

"Tie Down Drug Day". Judge Angie Juarez Barill (346th State

District Judge) presided over the court session.

Teachers tying down drugs . . .

Del.icio.us Follow-up

2008-10-30T20:25:00.015-07:00

Del.icio.us (Source: www.boutiquewebdesigns.com/InternetTerms.doc) - del.icio.us is referred to as a social book marking site. It is for storing and sharing web bookmarks with other users. The service is completely free and relatively new. Del.icio.us first came online in late 2003.

Everything that is posted on del.icio.us is viewable by the public, although you can choose to make specific bookmarks private. Bookmarks are publicly viewable for a purpose. Many people use del.icio.us to publish links to their personal or business blogs. You can use the del.icio.us interface to keep links to your favorite articles, blogs, music etc. You can also share your favorites with anyone who has an e-mail address. del.icio.us also has a search function that allows you to explore what others are book marking, and find other websites that are related to your interests.

Resources:

Delicious PDF

Video (See below.)

You taught them well . . .

2008-10-13T19:29:00.005-06:00

Some of El Paso Independent School District’s former students are part of UTEP’s Math and Science Teacher (MaST) Academy, an initiative to increase the number of qualified secondary education math and science teachers. The UTEP students who are selected to participate in this program as Scholars receive a generous scholarship, and work with a mentor teacher, participate in field experience in high school classrooms and attend monthly professional development seminars.

During the October monthly seminar, these aspiring math and science teachers continued to sharpen their skills. Realizing that becoming a great math and/or science teacher is not a spectator’s sport; the students actively participated in the science and graphing calculator activities.

Check out the sneak preview of some of your future colleagues . . .

The more you know, the farther you'll go . . .

2008-10-09T00:40:00.015-06:00

Take a look at the following videos to see how the faculty and staff at Whitaker Elementary are making sure the students go far . . .

Fingerprinting Information

2008-09-23T09:43:00.011-06:00

SBEC Website

Employee Letter

Fingerprinting PPT

Reimbursement Request

Do You Believe?

2008-09-01T10:03:00.010-06:00

There are keynote speakers . . . and then there ARE keynote
speakers . . .

Starting The New School Year With TEAMS

2008-08-26T23:02:00.003-06:00

Teachers will use a new electronic gradebook this year. They will also take attendance electronically. The system that will be used is called TEAMS (Total Education Administrative Management Solution). This system maintains the finance and student accounting records for every school in the El Paso Independent School District.

Check out some comments in the video below from teachers regarding submitting attendance electronically.

Upcoming TEAMS Sessions

2008-08-23T17:26:00.008-06:00

If you are interested in any of the sessions below, please go to http://my.episd.org/ to see if they have been posted. If they are posted, please register online. If they are not posted, please check back or send me an email indicating the exact session you would like to attend. I will place your name on a list for that session. Remember, space is limited. First response, first served.

Teachers may attend the trainings during their conference period when sessions are offered during the instructional day.

Upcoming sessions:

August 28, 2008
Intro to the TEAMS Gradebook
Irvin: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

August 29, 2008
Intro to the TEAMS Gradebook
Irvin: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

September 2, 2008
Intro to the TEAMS Gradebook
Irvin: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

September 3, 2008
Intro to the TEAMS Gradebook
Magoffin: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

September 4, 2008
Intro to the TEAMS Gradebook
Chapin: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

September 5, 2008
Intro to the TEAMS Gradebook
Stanton: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

September 9, 2008
Intro to the TEAMS Gradebook
Moye: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

September 10, 2008
Intro to the TEAMS Gradebook
Whitaker: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

September 10, 2008
TEAMS Gradebook (Progress Reports)
Moye: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

September 11, 2008
Intro to the TEAMS Gradebook
Lee: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

September 15, 2008
TEAMS Gradebook (Progress Reports)
Magoffin: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

September 16, 2008
TEAMS Gradebook (Progress Reports)
Magoffin: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
(District issued laptops needed.)

Here is the procedure for registering online at my.episd.org:

1. Login to my.episd.org
2. Click on Staff Development (right-hand side under Learning Resources)
3. Click on Find a Course
4. From Select Category drop-down select Technology Courses
5. Select the appropriate session
6. Click on Register

EPISD Campus Admin Tech Conference

2008-07-09T08:17:00.022-06:00

Why Have A Campus Administrator Technology Conference?

Campus technology is fast becoming almost unmanageable. New technologies, new programs, new practices...where should a campus administrator begin? With that in mind, we have scheduled this technology conference to meet the needs of the campus administrator, from pre-K to 12th grade.

For more information, click the following links:

The Great Debate Continues . . .

2008-07-01T15:16:00.004-06:00

I recently read a post in a blog that talked about computer based instruction taking over textbook based instruction within the next ten years. What is your take on computer based instruction opposed to Textbook based instruction?

The link below contains interesting views on both sides of the debate:

The Great Textbook Debate

"If Mohammed can’t go to the mountain . . ."

2008-05-30T09:12:00.010-06:00

On May 20, 2008, three teachers at Lee Elementary in El Paso, Texas decided to join forces to “bring the mountain” to their students. Ms. Lu Ann Cooper & Ms. Sandra Denton (Inclusion Teachers) along with Ms. Jean DeWitt (5th Grade Teacher) decided to take their students on an adventure. The students participated in a video conference with Vietnam Veterans. The students asked the Vietnam Veterans questions such as, “How long did it take you to put your weapon together?” One of the Vets responded, “Well……it kind of depended on how much enemy fire we were receiving…”

All the students listened carefully to what the Vietnam Veterans had to say. This particular video conference was very meaningful to these students as many of them have parents serving in the Middle East. Without a doubt, some students left the conference with a better appreciation for what their parents represent and are doing for our country right now.

Got Comments?

2008-05-28T17:39:00.002-06:00

Was this blog beneficial to you this school year? Were you able to make use of any of the educational links on the blog? If I continue to maintain this informational blog next year, what do you suggest I add? Be one of the first five people from the schools I serve (Chapin, Irvin, Magoffin, Magoffin SESC, Lee, Moye, Stanton, and Whitaker) to respond in the comment section below this post and win a prize. Even if you are not one of the first five to respond, your comments are appreciated.

Unsung Heroes & "Sheroes" . . . EDUCATORS!

2008-05-25T22:05:00.022-06:00

Can you believe it! The school year is almost over. You’ve worked hard and have given unconditionally. No, you might not be a Joe Clark (“high school principal who armed himself with a bullhorn and Louisville Slugger and slammed the door on losers at Eastside High in Paterson, New Jersey. Brought in to save the school, he chained the doors to keep troublemakers out and strivers in. Some parents and teachers fought him. But many kids loved him. He turned the school around and his achievement became a national triumph”). You might not be a Ron Clark (“a passionate and innovative teacher who leaves his small hometown to teach in one of Harlem’s toughest schools. But to break through to his students, Clark must use unconventional methods, including his ground-breaking classroom rules, to drive them toward their greatest potential”). You might not be a Marva Collins (“a teacher who dreamed of having her own school, where high expectations create high achievers. To make that dream come true, she fought a hostile bureaucracy, skeptical parents and – especially – children who had already given up on themselves”). You might not be a Jaime Escalante (“a math teacher at East Los Angeles’ Garfield High who refuses to write off his inner-city students as losers. Escalante cajoles, pushes, threatens and inspires 18 kids who were struggling with fractions to become math whizzes”).

However, you are an unsung hero/shero in your own right! You gave all you had to make lasting impressions on the students this year. I just want you to know that I appreciate ALL you did this year and what I know you will continue to do for students.

Sneak Preview of New Gradebook Program

2008-04-19T23:25:00.013-06:00

Say goodbye to InteGrade Pro at the end of the 2007-2008 school year and hello to the TEAMS gradebook in the fall of 2008. No more downloading and importing class lists. No more exporting and uploading MK files. Check out the clip below to get a sneak preview of the new gradebook.

Sneak Preview

Watch your email and online Staff Development registration for upcoming sessions on the new TEAMS gradebook.

Kudos to a TSC!

2008-03-31T19:40:00.011-07:00

Brian Grenier, Technical Site Coordinator for the Coronado Feeder Pattern (El Paso, Texas), recently earned the prestigious honor of a STAR Discovery Educator. He worked hard to achieve this well deserved STAR status. One doesn’t receive three wishes from a leprechaun to become a STAR Discovery Educator. It takes something much more superior to anything a mischievous little elf could ever conjure up. It is the flamboyant courage, and unyielding determination that paves the road for an individual to reach STAR status. I commend Brian Grenier for his dedication to excellence!

$ $ $ More for Your Money $ $ $

2008-03-21T07:50:00.004-07:00

There was a lot of very positive feedback for the recent More for Your Money sessions (Magoffin & Irvin). Teachers who attended these sessions received a lot software and websites that they can incorporate immediately in the classroom. View the video below to see and hear a little more about the session from Charles Fields (Literacy Coach at Magoffin Middle School).

Cameras, Cameras, Cameras . . .

2008-03-17T19:12:00.015-07:00

Mrs. Foreman (Principal at Stanton Elementary – El Paso, Texas) recently purchased a digital camera for each teacher at Stanton. This camera will accompany several other tools (projection systems, Elmos, laptops w/DVD burners, flashdrives) that Mrs. Foreman has provided for the teachers. Not only does she equip the teachers with a variety of technology tools, she also provides local staff development so that the teachers will learn how to use the technology and become comfortable using it as well as allowing students to use the technology in the classroom. In addition to local staff development, Mrs. Foreman takes a group of teachers to the annual Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) in Austin, Texas.

Check out snapshots from the digital camera session in the video below.

English Teacher Embraces Technology

2008-03-17T15:58:00.018-07:00

Kamala Land is an English teacher at Irvin High School (El Paso, Texas). She started her teaching career at Irvin and has taught there for ten years. She was Irvin’s 2006-2007 Teacher of The Year.

Mrs. Land's Home Page

Region 19 Migrant Education Program & Graphing Calculators

2008-03-10T18:50:00.056-07:00

The Migrant Education Program at the Education Service Center - Region 19 provides the region's Migrant students several educational services. These services are provided so that the students will be successful in high school and graduate with a high school diploma. The Graphing Calculator course is one of the services offered. Students who attend all three sessions in the course will receive a TI 84 graphing calculator.

Carmen Gomez & Yanis Gomez
Irvin HS Students

More Migrant Education Information

Information & pictures in the link
above are courtesy of Jose Olivas
(Instructional Technology
Specialist, Migrant Education
Program).

Coming soon . . . "What’s all the Hype About Skype?"

2008-03-06T07:31:00.031-07:00

Skype is a program that allows the user to communicate with other Skype users all over the world. Skype is a great communication tool.

You might ask the question, “How can I use Skype in the classroom with students”? If by chance you ask this question, click on the following video to see one use of Skype in the classroom:

You can read more about the teacher and students in the video above at the Learning Is Messy – Blog.

If you are interested in learning more about Skype and receiving a free copy of the program, register online for the Skype session in April:

1. Login to my.episd.org

2. Click on Staff Development (right-hand side under Learning Resources)

3. Click on Find a Course

4. From Select Category drop-down select Technology Courses

5. Select the appropriate session

6. Click on Register

Lee's SWAT Team

2008-03-05T12:18:00.020-07:00

SWAT (Students Working to Advance Technology) is recognized throughout the nation. The following is SWAT's mission statement:

“The mission of the nationally recognized SWAT concept is to promote student leadership training, address technology competencies, provide outreach to the community through parent involvement, corporate support, and student community service, and to encourage collaboration among student SWAT Teams nationally.”

SWAT has been in the El Paso District since 2005 and is expanding. Lee Elementary has a SWAT Team made up of fourth and fifth grade students. These students applied to get into the program and were then interviewed and accepted. As in any extracurricular program, students are expected to have passing grades and good behavior .

SWAT members attend technology training sessions. Their most recent technology training sessions were Blogging and ePals (Presenters: Sherita Martin & Earl Yager). Lee SWATs are now using their ePal accounts and have their blogs up and running. The SWAT students also monitor students using computers during their lunch time in the cafeteria.

Lee will soon be accepting SWAT applications for the 2008-2009 school year.

Read Across America

2008-03-03T19:51:00.035-07:00

Read Across America Day is a holiday that honors Dr. Seuss' birthday (March 2, 1904). Different events, meant to encourage and inspire reading in children of all ages throughout our schools and communities, are sponsored by the National Education Association.

Click on the picture of Beverly Murchland (Librarian at Irvin HS) below to hear more about celebrating Read Across America Day.

K-12 Conference 2007

2007-10-09T16:06:00.001-06:00

First of all, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge and thank Brian Grenier (Technical Site Coordinator, Coronado Feeder Pattern) for his role in making it possible for El Paso Independent School District personnel to participate in the K-12 Conference 2007. Thanks Brian, I appreciate all your efforts and hard work.

David Warlick’s Pre Conference Keynote presentation, “Inventing the New Boundaries” was awesome! It was thought-provoking and filled with wonderful analogies and metaphors (the invisible tentacle analogy will forever be embedded in my brain). It reminded me of something I heard once, “The highest degree of insanity is to continue doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results”. As educators, we must be willing to let students explore with their “invisible tentacles”. Who knows how far or what they might reach!

After viewing David Warlick’s presentation, “Inventing the New Boundaries”, I fell asleep with the following question on my mind: What can I do as a Technical Site Coordinator to assist teachers with the invention of new boundaries in their classrooms?

Take a few minutes to visit the K-12 Conference 2007. I believe it will definitely be worth your time. You can enter the conference at school and/or at home. If you decide to participate in one or more of the online sessions, you will receive two hours of CPE credit for EVERY session reflective piece completed.

Pay now or pay later . . .

2007-09-18T22:55:00.000-06:00

Time is ticking and the end of the first grading period for the 2007-2008 school year will soon be upon us. If you are in one of the high schools or middle school I serve (Chapin HS, Irvin HS, Magoffin MS), please take a few minutes to check your InteGrade Pro gradebook to make sure you have ALL spreadsheets (see below). If you are missing spreadsheets or have the wrong years, please contact me now at slmartin@episd.org. Correcting the issue now will save you precious time later.

Middle School (21 spreadsheets)

High School (20 spreadsheets)

Making Classrooms Come Alive!

2007-09-18T22:02:00.000-06:00

I stumbled upon the following story several years ago. I held on to it because it really made me think about “grabbing” the attention of ALL students. I remember asking myself, “What can I do to make my classroom come alive in such a way that students want to be in class and learn each and every day?”

The following story is an example of what one teacher did to gain the undivided attention of some sleepy students. What do you do to keep students engaged and on task? Does it involve the integration of technology (a language that these digital natives can understand)?

A Math Teacher's Story

george@symcom.math.uiuc.edu (John George)

Years ago, I was taking an algebra class over the summer, and had a teacher who liked to reminisce about his past with funny stories. He relates that he had been a math teacher in the Air Force, where it was his duty to force sleepy young recruits to stay awake for an hour of math at 8:00 in the morning in a large, warm, dimly-lit auditorium. One day, he came into the auditorium and saw his class even sleepier and less attentive than usual. He realized that something drastic would have to be done.

Now this classroom was very old, and the blackboards, which had been nailed on to the walls with old black iron nails, had become loose over the years. As a result, these black nails jutted almost invisibly from the blackboard and this teacher kept banging his hands on them while erasing the board. He decided to put them to good use.

With enough of a flourish to guarantee the class's attention, he went to the front of the room, near one edge of the board. Then, clearing his throat, he drew a coat hook right near one of the protruding nails. He proceeded to hang his coat and hat on the hook that he had drawn in chalk (really on the nail, of course). Then he went on to give that day's lecture. He told us that the entire class had their eyes to the front of the room throughout the lecture. He didn't know if they'd heard a single word he'd said, but at least they looked attentive.

At the end of the class, the lecturer would usually leave by a small door near the blackboards, while the class would leave through the large doors at the back of the hall. When class was over, he took his coat and hat, erased the coat hook, and left through the small door--and was followed by the entire class, lining up to go past the blackboard to see how he'd done it.

--John C. George

And the winners are...

2007-09-11T19:14:00.000-06:00

First of all, I would like to thank everyone who submitted answers to the Welcome Back Webquest/Scavenger Hunt! The following are the recipients of the prizes for this contest:

1st Place: Catherine Wendland - Math Teacher, Irvin HS

2nd Place: James Sy - Science Teacher, Chapin HS

3rd Place: Greg Ortiz - Math Teacher, Chapin HS

Webquest/Scavenger Hunt

2007-08-17T14:19:00.000-06:00

This webquest contest is for teachers in the following EPISD schools: Chapin, Irvin, Lee, Magoffin, Moye, Stanton, and Whitaker. The first three classroom teachers to complete all directions and questions correctly and submit the answers via email to me will receive a back to school gift. The contest ends September 10, 2007 at 12:00 midnight. The names of the webquest winners will be posted on my blog on September 15, 2007.

1. What is a webquest? (Hint: Select the hyperlinked term in this
question. After viewing the page, arrow back to the questions in this post.)

2. What title has Marc Prensky given students of today? Why does he
refer to the students of today in this manner? (Hint: Select the
hyperlinked name in this question.)

3. What’s a definition for Web 2.0? (Hint: Select the hyperlinked term in this question.)

4. Wiki is the abbreviation for ______________? (Hint: Click on the blank.)

5. Post a comment regarding this webquest. (Select the hyperlinked
comment below this post. No need to email me your response to #5
as I can go online and read your comment.)

Is a webquest something you might be willing to incorporate into your lesson (s)?

Do you think it would be an activity students would enjoy?

Random Tidbits - Summer '07 Tech Sessions . . .

2007-07-22T17:01:00.000-06:00

NECC 2007

2007-06-30T21:05:00.000-06:00

I just got back from The National Educational Computing Conference (NECC). It was awesome! Lot’s of great people with POSITIVE attitudes about technology and how it can advance our “most natural resource”, our children. I am including several great links. Take a look and let me know if they were useful or if you think they will be useful.

Dates For Upcoming Technology Sessions

2007-06-13T15:42:00.000-06:00

If you are interested in the following sessions, please go to my.episd.org and register.

Windows Movie Maker For High School Teachers (July 11, 2007)
Unitedstreaming - K-12 Teachers (July 12, 2007)
Unitedstreaming - K-12 Teachers (July 18, 2007)

More Sessions!?!?

2007-05-28T18:21:00.000-06:00

Most of you have probably already registered for many of the summer technology sessions that are available on the EPISD Staff Development site. Many of the sessions are now full. I am trying to adjust my schedule so that I can honor some of your requests. If I am not able to schedule the following sessions during the summer months, I will do my very best to schedule them during the 2007-2008 school year.

Movie Maker for High School Teachers
Graphing Calculator
Basic Laptop Training for Elementary & Middle School Teachers
GroupWise Client Email
GroupWise Client Calendar
Integrating the Internet Into the Classroom
Easy Tech (Space available at EPISD Staff Development site.)
Connected Tech (Space available at EPISD Staff Development site.)
Blogging In The Classroom
Scrath (New programming language.)

My First Attempt!

2007-05-28T17:24:00.000-06:00

This is my first attempt at blogging.