Hey bud!
Cool to see you here.
Check out this video from my animation summer camp I am running:


and this


See ya
Kevin

Hi Mike,
Thanks for your comment on my page. Congrats on the teacher of the year thing. Very Cool!

I wrote my "fame" comments a while ago - it is interesting to see it pop back up here and there. I agree - fame is a tricky thing. Not that I've found much of it. In our profession we do a lot behind the scenes. It is nice to get some recognition every once in a while.

What is it like to be teacher of the year? Do you have to make appearances and cut ribbons, wear a crown? Seriously, I would love to hear more about it. Maybe you could write a blog entry about your experiences.

Macs are awesome by the way! You won't be disappointed.
-Elizabeth

Hi Mike - Yup, you're right...the photo is of me at Space Camp. I have been three times and can you believe I will be there again in 2 weeks as part of our NASA Explorer School activities?! Congratulations! I just saw you are the MA Teacher of the Year. I was the Virginia TOY in 2004 and was invited to Space Camp then. Are you going this summer? Have you been to the TOY reception at the White House or do you go next Spring? Laurie

Hi Mike - No, I did not get the year off when I was TOY. I was sad to miss so many days away from my students when I was requested to speak at various conferences and participate on committee work in Richmond. It was a crazy busy year but I would do it again. I started being more adventurous as I traveled to different parts of Virginia (I was born and raised in CA, and started my teaching career there). As I visited different parts of the state for events, I would go to the science museums or tour the city. I also asked to visit schools in the area and got some great ideas to take back to my school.

You asked about my SMART Board. I totally LOVE IT!!!! Did you get the student response system too? I use the SMART Board a lot more now that it is mounted on the wall and I have a projector in the ceiling, instead of on a cart that the students bumped into as they sat on the carpet around it. I also now have a Polycom video conferencing system and 6 Macbooks with the built in video camera (I love writing grants…I think I have written a little over $60,000 in grants to get technology for my school). Maybe my second graders can video conference with your students sometime.

My school is only a metro ride away from DC, so if you can spare any time away from the White House next April, stop on by.

Hi Mike,
welcome from Germany!
I focus on Web 2.0 apps as to school and as to European Schoolprojects.
Check out one of my blogs
http://e-competences.blogspot.com
Please consider to join my group DigiSkills (digital teaching methods). The biggest group on Classroom 2.0 at the moment.
Greetings from Bavaria
Hans

That would be fun for your second grade class to video conference with one of my second grade classes. The last two years the second grade class has done a video conference with NASA Langley related to the sun (ties to the weather unit). We could have your class join us. Last year one of our 5th grade classes connected with Langley and a 5th grade class in Greece!! It was really an exciting learning experience. We participated in a lesson with Langley and then the kids asked each other questions like, what music do you like? I use a Polycom video conferencing system. Maybe you could ask your district if they could support you (as TOY) with a Polycom or Tanberg system
I believe I downloaded Bridgit software last year for the online training with SMART. I can look into that again. Maybe we could also try out conferencing with Macbooks.

Bristow is near Manassas. You should visit Manassas Battlefield. When I taught 4th grade I took the students there on a field trip. It was really interesting. Also, if you have a free day, you should make the trek into DC. Just be prepared for the horrible traffic of Northern Virginia. When is your conference? I am back home in Santa Barbara most of August...can hardly wait for my annual time of fun and relaxation. My sons leave tomorrow for two weeks in Hawaii with my parents and then we'll meet up in SB (right after Space Camp).

My email is LaurieJSullivan@gmail.com if we want to iron out details about the video conferencing.

Mike
I finished up the second week of my claymation camp.
This one was created by Norris kids (two of whom I overheard calling " Mr Flynn the best teacher ever") and they did a very funny take on Dora the Explorer.

Hi Mike

It was great doing the sessions with you today.

I wanted to invite you to post a Day in a Sentence (or heck, try your hand at a podcast at PodcastPeople -- http://podcastpeople.com/tour -- and provide me a link).
More info at my blog: http://dogtrax.edublogs.org/

Adios
Kevin

Congrats on T. of Y. I didn't get past the district level (Va) due to my competitor being nationally certified. Folks asked if I was crushed, and told them that the biggest disappointment was that I wouldn't be able to go to the White House and sit in the Rose Garden. You must be quite excited!

Say hello to George for me, and don't trip over a rose bush in the Rose Garden!

Mike--when do you go to the White House? Take pictures and please write back with your stories...a White House history buff here....

Mike
Check out this video that I created with my students for the Many Voices for Darfur Project. I wrote the song, and used an online site for the music, and then used the Snowball to have all 80 sixth graders sing backup.
They loved it!


Kevin

Mike, a friend of mine in Norfolk (next city over) works across the hall with the Va. Teacher of the Year and is one of the four finalists for National Teacher of the Year. He's a young guy and only has taught eight (?) years. All the finalists are middle school and high and three (?) teach science.

Hi Mike
I am looking forward to your keynote this morning. I am linking your page here for our conference folks, so you may get some new friends today.
Kevin

Thanks for the great keynote at our conference today, Mike. The videos had us laughing (those kids!) and it gave the folks some inspiration. One hint: you may want to delete the comments about "editing a movie until 3 a.m." -- ha. You notice I responded: "Ahh, I just let the kids do it."
Take care and thanks again.
See you on Monday (unless you are meeting with the prez again)
Kevin

Mike:
check out a movie version of some of our digital math picture books.

Hi Mike--How'd the White House ceremony go? I'd love to hear the details!