797 Water Fun & Games: Thinking About the Beach

School's almost out and thoughts turn to water fun. 

In looking for something else completely on a different subject (as I often do), I came across a notice for this new online game prepared by NOAA. Looks interesting.

Then I discovered that NOAA has a whole page of games ...and also links to two water-based sites created by National Geographic and PBS

Jump in and have fun!

648.5 Cleaning: Necessary Tips Even in the 2.0 World

Good article for keeping the Wii Fit Balance Board sparkling clean...especially when you are encouraged to use it barefooted!

Now don't get too excited...I am NOT saying you should encourage the kids to do that at school...it is just what the article hooks you with!

And realizing that everyone in my district has been using their laptops for a year now (gosh, time flies when you are having fun!), here is an article on how to clean a laptop keyboard. The ol' turn it over and shake isn't necessarily the best thing to when the keys are attached to the unit itself. :-)

Nice website overall...good tips on lots of stuff  HowtoCleanStuff.net 

028.162 Bluebonnet Reviews in a Snap!

ReaderBuzz has a short, sweet and to the point list of  reviews for the current list of Bluebonnet books. Takes about a minute to read her good and bad points about each title!

...and we agree on our favorite one!  ribbit!

Enjoy!

P.S. She also has thoughts about books for older readers.

371.2 Certificates & Awards: End-of-Year Activities

I will admit to almost being a image generator junkie these days. I LOVE all the free stuff you can do with pictures these days like here and here and here...and more ideas here.

But, boy, o boy, here's JUST what any one with end-of-school ceremonies, award assemblies, and parent programs luming on the horizon needs...a huge fantasitc, easy-to-use FREE web site full of certificates and awards called My Award Maker.

Go have lots of fun!  (And save yourself a lot of work!)

745.5 Voki Fun...and Questions

Was helping someone set up a blog with avatar today. She selected a Voki. So I made the one you see in an attempt to answer questions that came up as we did hers.

Does anyone know if you can remove the comment button on the frame?
If you have tips and can point me to any help, I'd appreciate them.



Get a Voki now!

027.8 Library of Congress: Going Where the Users Are!

Library of Congress videos on YouTube...potential overdose for this  history & trivia dabbler! But how cool of them to take all their great stuff and put it out for all to see and use! Going where the users are instead of sitting back and waiting for them to come to them.* Aren't libraries just getting so smart these days! ;-) 

Look at the two samples I pulled up in the first five minutes I was in the new collection.

[I have requested conversions of these from Zamzar so they can be seen in district. When I get them and have a few moments to upload them...I'll add them. Even more reason for this important resource to be available at school...ALL schools!]

Enjoy!

*I intend to still  get there some day to the "real thing" and be able to stare up into that beautiful dome!

027.8 A Good List of Librarians

If you want to check out what blogging librarians are talking about these days, here's a Top 50 list...although it really is a Top 40s + 10 Tweeters...and I won't go there tonight...still trying to wrap my head around that concept. Suffice it to say, the Tweeters have plenty of important (and fun) things to say too!

I have read and follow regularly 9 out of the top 10 plus a bunch further down the line. And I am pleased to say that I have had opportunity to hear many of these fine folks in person...an extra treat! I have a feeling I'll be adding a few more once I give myself time to completely work through the list. 

There are a few missing from the list in my opinion. Among them are Blue Skunk and Library Stuff who have been teaching me a lot over several years! But it's not my list. Enjoy what is there!

Take a look...you'll learn something...all the time!

612.8 The Power of Touch

A good friend sent this to me.

Please take the minute AND 40 seconds it takes to watch the ENTIRE video. It is worth it!
And then tell me you couldn't make several lessons for any age level.
I dare you!

And then go hold hands (even virtually) with someone!

004.165 Shouting from the Rooftops: I Have a MAC!!

Yippy skippy! Good things DO come to those who wait...can't help it...I have a brand new sleek, slick, shiny new MacBook Pro with ( yes, screen envy made me do it)... a S-E-V-E-N-T-E-E-N INCH screen!

Just look at how beautiful this desktop is. One reason is it is clean...new computers are just so clean aren't they?  And second reason...the picture is gorgeous...many in my circle will understand the significance of the view! 

I will admit I do miss the adobe/little blue window/chili pepper desktop of my old PC, but not all the PC drama! It has been a long, often painful wait to come back to Mac. 

Can't help it, it's cool. My NECC adventure last summer...when virtually all the cool people people doing the coolest things were ALL doing them on Macs...it sealed the deal...and dropping my PC during my post-IKE move last September didn't hurt...hummmm, did you say subconscious "accident"...just now thought of that. No, I really did just now think about that!

The trash can is in the lower right corner where all good trash cans should be...and it is a cute little silver mesh one...and when you throw something away...you hear the crumbling of the paper. But the best...screen shots...yup, you hear the little camera click!!

and look at the cute little stickies

Yes, I know simple pleasures...

but I don't care...it's mine and I get to play with it all I want! And I intend to have a lot of fun!

973.0992 Presidents: Playful Presentations

Gave myself permission to spend some time playing so in doing so I made a stop by YouTube and look what I found. 

I did take time to convert these two videos using the Zamzar site so that it would be available in district (and other places where YouTube is blocked.) This time it was successful although the uploading sure did seem to take a long time. Guess I just need to remember patience is a virtue and all good things come to those who wait!

Anyway...this first  video morphs the presidents from Washington to Obama. I found myself concentrating on the eyes as the changes were made. Take a look...I think you will find it interesting on some level.

This second video is a rap of the presidential list, again from Washington to Obama. Catchy little tune goes with it!

I know neither of these items is heavy-duty in the learning and education department...not brain surgery or nuclear science...but they are fun...and similar types of activities could be created by students and a lot of learning value could be had.

For now, I'm just asking you to enjoy!

P.S. Visited the Educational Rap site. Would be worth some time. It also has its own channel on YouTube as well. Who knew there would be a rap about photosynthesis!

The morphed video was originally uploaded by polvideo.