Hello Michelle I love the photo of your farm and the shadow of the balloon makes it look so cool. I also teach and live on a farm in Australia. It looks a lot different to yours as it is winter here now and we have had 4 inches of rain in 24 hours so we have water lying around. However, we are still drought declared and are hoping for a better spring.

Wow cool thanks, that is a great idea! I think I will try that with them this week because it is supposed to rain most of the week. They love to cook and are very creative so I think they will love this. Thanks again and I will let you know how it goes.

I'm very excited about this....I'm looking forward to exploring and everyones ideas.

It doesn't surprise me when a teacher says they don't like to read. Even before I got into education, it always scared me when I would go into my children's classroom and there weren't any books. How can this teacher instill excitment in reading when she doesn't read or isn't excited about reading! I only regret I don't have MORE TIME to read. I love sharing what I'm reading with my students.

Michelle,
Thanks for the link to newliteracy. It definitely gave me something to consider. I am really wavering because if I were ever to leave the classroom (NOT anytime soon!), I think I'd prefer to move to a tech integration position than a reading position, and the degree could make a difference there. Also, I feel like the teachers at my school are rockin' reading teachers who need a tech boost and I could be more helpful with more knowledge of tech. But...I love teaching reading and could learn the tech without the degree. Anyway, I will keep thinking and thanks for your input!
Jess

Well that is great! That was my favorite too. It was that girl who came up with the idea for the album in the first place. She must had known about her talents:)

Thanks again.

So two things:
First.....yes you can have the music...and NO WAY am I charging you for it!!!:) Thanks though. I still have the website I created for it up. You can visit it and download I believe by right-clicking on the songs. I also posted some of the hand-written or typed lyrics on their too!
Go to:
http://www.kyrene.org/staff/rnorman/Holiday%20album.htm

Second, I started a podcast that I was wondering if anyone wanted to make an appearance on my show or even be co-host. Check it out. It seems like you have the same type of passion for teaching that I do.
Check out the discussion I have going (just started) The discussion on 2.0 is called Podcast co-host.

I also started a group. It's called The Teacher's Life Podcast Community.
Check it out for details. If your down to collaborate....maybe your son can make an appearance:)

Great to hear you liked the songs! Yeah, come join the Teacher's Life NATION! I'll take you up on that interview at some point! If you join the group, that would be a great way to start chatting.
Talk to you soon! Delete Comment

Thanks Michelle for the invite to the Elementary Reading Teachers group. I think I will find some great info there. Your blog is great. I am just getting started so I have a lot to learn.

A student's dad set up the blog using Drupal and he serves it. It seems like a perfect solution. We did use student emails with a company called think.com. As of this summer they no longer have email so we are changing to something else, maybe epals. Student email seems to be a non issue with my district and parents, I just make sure I have signed parent permission forms.

Thanks Michelle. I used my Vietnam Era GI Bill benefits to complete the certification requirements and a Master's in Middle Grades Education in NC. Educational software sales was a transitional period until I settled into my current full-time teaching position in Bensalem, PA.

Thank you for your invite!! I think I joined- not sure it it went thru. I love Karen Kingsbury books too!!
Sharon Fien

Hi Michelle
Thanks for contacting me about the DRA2 powerpoint.
I've uploaded to the DRA discussion.

Rebecca

Hi, Michelle. I just read a comment of yours about Class Blogmeister and wondered if you have used this tool. I thought I had heard that it has not always reliably available, but am not sure. I am looking for a hosted blogging tool that doesn't require student emails, but that students can post (not just comments, but as main authors). I am leaning toward Wordpress (which is what I used personally), but am researching Class Blogmeister as well.

Thanks for any insights you can lend!