CONTENT AREA: ANY

GRADE LEVELS: ANY

Bring the details of an item to be studied into vivid detail with a document camera. From showing the entire class the details of computer circuit boards or items on a microscope slide, to the details of a fossil, plant, or fingerprint, a document camera allows all [...]]]> UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL  ————————————————-

CONTENT AREA: ANY

GRADE LEVELS: ANY

Bring the details of an item to be studied into vivid detail with a document camera. From showing the entire class the details of computer circuit boards or items on a microscope slide, to the details of a fossil, plant, or fingerprint, a document camera allows all students to see target details clearly.

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- Item to be studied, such as different types of rocks

PROCEDURE

BEFORE

1. Prepare the items to be studied.

DURING

2. Use a document camera to project an image of the item to be studied.

3. Discuss students’ observations as a class.

4. Direct students to take notes regarding distinguishing characteristics of the item(s) studied.

AFTER

5. Project the image of two or more different items using a document camera.

Have students compare and contrast either in note form or as a complete paragraph.

6. Create a quiz by placing the item(s) discussed under a document camera. Point

to different parts of the item or change items as applicable. Have students identify

each target item on their paper.

ADAPTATIONS

- You can also hook up your  document camera to a microscope, allowing all

students to see the item studied in great detail.

www.saynotocuts.com

Sign the Petition

CONTENT AREA: ANY

GRADE LEVELS: ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, OR HIGH SCHOOL

The following activity can be used to review concepts through questions, vocabulary,

or required memorization such as multiplication tables. It is an excellent way to achieve class

participation with students such as beginning level English Language Learners or students

who may be shy to speak during a class discussion.

MATERIALS

- [...]]]> FLASHCARD REVIEW

CONTENT AREA: ANY

GRADE LEVELS: ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, OR HIGH SCHOOL

The following activity can be used to review concepts through questions, vocabulary,

or required memorization such as multiplication tables. It is an excellent way to achieve class

participation with students such as beginning level English Language Learners or students

who may be shy to speak during a class discussion.

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- Note cards or paper cut in similarly small pieces

PROCEDURE

BEFORE

1. Create a few example flashcards that indicate to students the concepts or vocabulary

to be reviewed.

DURING

2. Direct each student to create several flash cards of the target concepts.  Students can

use index cards, or simply use small sheets of notebook paper or printer paper.

3. Have each student come to the projector and place flashcards questions, one at a time,

under the  document camera.

4. Direct the rest of the class to answer orally, either by choral response, or by selecting

individual students to respond.

AFTER

5. Choose some of the flashcards to project under the  document camera. Have

students copy these questions onto paper. Assign as homework.

6. After sufficient reviewing, select flash cards to include on an assessment.

ADAPTATIONS

- Collect all the flash cards. Choose several for a classroom mock quiz. Have students

write their answers on paper. Check together as a class.

- Collect all the flashcards after the class activity. Choose one flashcard to project each

day as bell work.

- Hold a class competition by dividing students into two teams. Direct each team to

create questions for the opposing team. Students from one team place questions under

 document camera, while students from the opposing team must answer the

question correctly.

Flashcards become a truly communal experience

CONTENT AREA: GEOGRAPHY

GRADE LEVELS: ANY

Being able to correctly label a map with key features is an essential skill in geography.

Using a document camera to project a large image allows students to collaboratively practice their recall of geographic places large enough for everyone to see.

Simple - Yet Effective

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- Outline map [...]]]> MAP IT ——————————————

CONTENT AREA: GEOGRAPHY

GRADE LEVELS: ANY

Being able to correctly label a map with key features is an essential skill in geography.

Using a document camera to project a large image allows students to collaboratively practice their recall of geographic places large enough for everyone to see.

Simple - Yet Effective

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- Outline map of target geographic area

- Whiteboard or large sheet of paper that students can write on

PROCEDURE

BEFORE

1. Prepare a paper with an outline map of the target geographic area.

DURING

2. Project the image of the outline map using the  document camera.

3. Call students to the projected image and direct each student to add another feature to

accurately to the map, i.e. continent, country, city, state, capitals, mountain ranges,

lakes, rivers, oceans, etc.

4. Discuss as a class, making corrections to student labels as necessary.

AFTER

5. Review with students by covering key features and names with removable sticky

notes. Lift the notes to reveal if students have given the right answers.

6. Create a quiz by covering target feature with removable sticky notes with numbers

written on them. Have students write their answers on their own paper and turn in.

ADAPTATIONS

- Instead of labeling with words, students can draw in geographic features, cultural

highlights, and landmarks onto the map. If students have drawn on a large sheet of

paper, the image can be saved and posted in the classroom.

- Using a document camera virtually eliminates the need to purchase costly

classroom maps that may quickly become outdated. Use a document camera to project

maps of any kind for students to use.

- As an icebreaker activity in a class of English Language Learners, have students pair

with a partner, interview each other about their culture, and add their partner’s name

to the correct location on a world map as they introduce their partner to the class.

And don’t forget the great Web 2.0 tools like Google Earth and Microsoft Worldwide Telescope, which augment the above process and are especially useful on interactive whiteboards (IWBs).

CONTENT AREA: ANY

GRADE LEVELS: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

Students can work together to write the complete notes for any given topic. Rather

than only giving a report verbally, a document camera allows students to

collaboratively produce valuable notes for the class.

For any Subject or Content Area

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- Paper with subtopic headings listed and [...]]]> JIGSAW NOTES ———————————————————————————–

CONTENT AREA: ANY

GRADE LEVELS: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

Students can work together to write the complete notes for any given topic. Rather

than only giving a report verbally, a document camera allows students to

collaboratively produce valuable notes for the class.

For any Subject or Content Area

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- Paper with subtopic headings listed and space to write notes in each section

- Index cards or paper cut to a similar size

PROCEDURE

BEFORE

1. Decide which subtopic within a given topic to assign for review, i.e. causes, effects, characteristics, and possible preventions for erosion.

2. Prepare a template paper divided into sections with subheadings listed.

DURING

3. Assign small groups of students to each subtopic of the topic to be reviewed.

4. Direct students to consult their notes, textbooks, and other resources make concise notes for the subtopic assigned to them.

5. Collect each group’s notes, and assemble them together under the  document camera.

6. Project the image of the completed notes, discuss as a class, and direct all students to copy completed notes.

AFTER

7. In addition to preparing written notes for the subtopic assigned to them, have students become subject matter experts by presenting the topic to the class.

ADAPTATIONS

- As a final review of important concepts, repeat the activity, assigning different groups to different subtopics.

Register to attend an intriguing and informative presentation in the Los Angeles area March 23.

It’s easy to see the benefits of many of the 21st Century learning tools & techniques, but having [...]]]> How do teachers integrate 21st Century technology into a seamless learning and teaching environment?  …  including interactive whiteboards, document cameras, student responders and countless other tools?

Register to attend an intriguing and informative presentation in the Los Angeles area March 23.

It’s easy to see the benefits of many of the 21st Century learning tools & techniques, but having an effective integration plan and knowing what tools, when to use them and how to integrate it into curriculum, effectively, is not easy. 

This seminar, designed for School Principals and Administrators, will host a continental breakfast. 

It will be a morning of current &  relevant content for the K-12 education environment in Los Angeles, which is both very demanding and very budget weary.

Tuesday March 23, 2010

Embassy Suites Los Angeles-Glendale

800 N Central Avenue

Glendale, CA 91203

8:30 -9:00 AM Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 am to 12:00 pm Classroom 2.0 Seminar

Register at this link at Learning Journeys

Seminar designed for School Principals, Key Administrators and Technology Leaders.

How do you define 21st Century Learning?

How can technology increase student engagement?

Are your teachers 21st Century educators?

How do you seamlessly integrate 21st Century technology into the learning environment?

Seminar for Registered Guests.  Hosted by Troxell Communications & Presented by Eduscape Learning.

Facing a budgetary shortfall of nearly $470 million in the upcoming 2010-11 school year, LAUSD is considering reductions across the board that include [...]]]> http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2010/01/arts-advocates-mobilize-to-fight-proposed-lausd-budget-cuts.html

Facing a budgetary shortfall of nearly $470 million in the upcoming 2010-11 school year, LAUSD is considering reductions across the board that include cutting 50% of the district’s arts specialists who teach a specific cultural subject, like music or dance, in elementary schools.

The move would result in an estimated savings of $14.9 million for the 2010-11 year.

The proposal recommends eliminating the remaining arts specialists in the following school year, resulting in savings of another $14.9 million.

The figures come from a December budget proposal from the district titled “Fiscal Stabilization Plans” that has been circulating on the Internet. The LAUSD board is said to be seriously considering the proposal, though it will probably review others like it before making a decision in late May or June.

Currently, the LAUSD provides a music teacher to elementary schools for at least one day per week for the entire year, according to the document. It also provides instruction in dance, theater or the visual arts on a regular basis.

There are an estimated 350 of these specialized arts instructors teaching in LAUSD elementary schools, said Arts for L.A., a local advocacy group.

Arts for L.A. is leading a grass-roots effort to halt the proposed cuts. The group is organizing a letter-writing campaign in which they hope to send 700 letters to LAUSD board members. It is also seeking the support of major L.A. museums and performing arts institutions to adopt a resolution to send to the board.

“We understand the enormity of the budgetary situation but the arts is important to a complete education. In order for our students to compete in the workforce, they need arts education,” said Danielle Brazell, executive director of the group.

“Any time you have a core program and take it apart, the chances are slim that it will come back.”

The LAUSD has been gradually whittling away its arts education programs. In late 2008, the board suspended the Arts Community Partnership Network, which brought professional arts groups into the schools to collaborate on instruction.

An online petition organized by LAUSD elementary arts teachers was launched in November to protest the most recent round of proposed cuts. The petition has so far accumulated more than 1,500 signatures.

– David Ng

Credit: Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images

Grants are important than ever,  and more competitive than ever.  But they are there, and with some smart effort, you can win them.

Once you do the first one, you’ll be doing more grants.  Get started.

2 Approaches to Begin

1. RFP Search in specific georgraphical or subject areas

2. [...]]]> Grant Writing  Notes                                                  Dave Boller |  Troxell, Los Angeles, CA

Grants are important than ever,  and more competitive than ever.  But they are there, and with some smart effort, you can win them.

Once you do the first one, you’ll be doing more grants.  Get started.

2 Approaches to Begin

1. RFP Search in specific georgraphical or subject areas

2. Create a Proactive Needs Assessment

Don’t spend time (waste time) on grants that don’t FIT what you want to do.

Don’t let needs assessment get too lengthy

You don’t necessarily need consultants to write it.

Informal needs assessment can work fine.

Steps in Needs Assessment

1. Clarify organizational expectations, goals, or objectives

2. Review current practices and though

3. Collect and analyze data

4. Identify areas of need

5. Determine where to start

Once you know your needs….Search for Solutions

-research and pilot projects

-Professional journals  Ed Leadership, Edutopia…

.. pages in back of journals that list grants

-Gov publications, including web sites 

 (What Works in Public Education website)

-Stakeholder resources

-Software companies

-Be creative

Who (what position ) do you write too a big corporation?…

make a call first,  find foundation manager or budget manager.

Additional educational grant information sources

-business

-journal lists

-local grant makers  (find their “Mission Statements”)

-state agencies

-foundations

-title programs

-SIGs

Use creative Boolean strategies in search engines.  See search engines listed here at smart-schools.com in addition to Google.

Try http://www.zuula.com as you can search all major engines in addition to Google.  We will post more on smart web searching later.  But it can help you find the “needle in the grant haystack” you’re looking for and increase YOUR chances of scoring the grant.  

Be creative in your thinking….get what you want and still satisfy the grant makers.

Getting Organized

Print RFP including all instructions

Form a grant writing team…DON’T DO IT ALONE

Form a list of partners.

Read all instructions, including rubrics and grant-maker goals.

Set up a timeline.

Assign responsibilities.

Gather data.

Begin writing.

Invite an employee from the grant offering company to help !!  Great way to keep on-target and build rapport.

Writing process

Divide into sections:

(can get grant writer help..but write the cost into the grant with % to grant writer)

Abstract

Intro

Needs

Goals & objectives

Activities and personnel

Evaluation

Budget

Communicate  with your grant maker along the way.  Even if you don’t have a serious question…email a question or a call or visit,  that way you accomplish them getting to know you…they know you’re working on it, you can bounce ideas off of them.

Utilize resources from nearby colleges/community.  Sometimes leverage them for specific projects in their training…help each other

Matching funds….?…

go to local businesses to secure matching funds…

FINAL STEPS

Double check requirements. Don’t risk losing it

Edit one last time

Let the grant maker know that the grant is on the way

Follow submission format

Send multiple copies if requested

Turn in on time

If mailing or facing, request a receipt

Make it happen

Follow the proposal

Stick to the timeline

Spend only the original budget, or request a modified budget         

Collect data

Document the project with notes, photographs, video, and testimonials

Celebrate

Give credit

Communicate

Share information

Complete all reports & evaluations on time

Thank partners and the grant maker

Plan for sustainability.   Look for ways to sustain the project….it is a personnel and time issue after the grant is all done…keep it alive and plan for it.

Individual schools probably even more eligible than district…more emotional, closer to the source, individual children.

 OTHER NOTES

At Risk/poverty and Spec Ed  money available ARRA

-research based  not brand new..proven as successful

-list WHO will be doing after school program,  must have one certified teacher at least to give program credibility .  Grant can pay teacher

-“Race To The Top” funds  ARRA be distributed on a competitive basis

 Hope something here helped you.

 Let’s do this!