Gadgets!

Gadgets are cool! I loved exploring the various gadgets, but choosing three to fit my blog was difficult. I ended up adding Flickr photostream, Bestselling Children's Books, and Slideshow. They are all unique and easy to use.

Sharing Pics

I've always wanted to learn about using Flickr so I was excited about this task. I have a slight organizational problem with my photographs so I hope storing them online might help. My Flickr name is CDay2011, and I uploaded a set of pics from a February Chicago Bulls game. Flickr was pretty easy to navigate. I did not have any problems with loading my first set of pictures. I think the idea of sharing photos through flickr would be great for the classroom. I used Animoto several times this year, but I would also like to try Flickr. From guest speakers to special events, it would be fun to share these experiences with my class online.

I'm Managing

Setting up a Google Reader account was easy, and its format is user friendly. I noticed in blogger.com I can click to view in Google Reader. I found some great literacy sites on Google's Blog Search. They included Laura's Voice, Literacy Beat, and Teaching Authors. In addition, I subscribed to the classroom blogs I was currently following.
As for the classroom, the ideas and resources I gain from my favorite sites will be easier to implement. I see this as a work in progress as I continue to explore related sites and add more content. Hopefully I can find time to manage all of this new information each day.

Nothing to tweet about...

I am excited to finally be tweeting, but I don't have much to tweet about. On Twitter, I am CDay2727. Somehow I had someone following me as soon as I signed up. I wish I had valuable information or insight to tweet. Maybe I will get the hang of it as I continue to follow others.
Vicki Davis, creator of the Cool Cat Teacher Daily Tweetpaper, is informative. I am trying to catch on to #Edchat, but I couldn't figure it out quickly enough to join today's chat. Steven W. Anderson offers some web20classroom thoughts, I think. It is fun to follow other professionals who are sharing insight throughout the day. I had some trouble finding my classmates, but I am a Joan Parks follower. For fun, I am following Pearl Jam and Tedtalks.
With experience, I will surely become better acquainted with Twitter. I'm still working on ideas to implement this Micro-Blogging in the classroom. As for sports, I can't wait to follow my favorite teams. GO Cards!

Absolutely Delicious

Delicious is cool! I lost so many bookmarks or favorites from computer to computer. Delicious will be valuable to my classroom and much easier to update. The idea of establishing a network will help tremendously when my grade level is split between three buildings. From computer lab to daily instruction, delicious will be easy to access. I hope to store interactive games, videos, lesson plans, and much more. My username is CDayClassroom.

Blog Followings

I am enjoying reading the blogs of my classmates. This class is a great way to "meet" new colleagues. I clicked to follow Shea, Joan, and Marc. They share a connection in spending time around my boys and me.
Eli (14) and Max (11)
                                                            

                                

Video Sharing Sites

I was familiar with YouTube and TED so I checked out the other two sites. All sites were extremely user friendly and similar in search modes. I chose the topic of the environment because I am searching for content presented at a level fourth graders can comprehend. It is also important the information is current and accurate since environmental issues change so quickly. The global warming video is actually a National Geographic clip on YouTube. It is appropriate for my students, and I hope to find additional videos on a variety of other environmental issues.

Global Warming 101

Here's a National Geographic video to give children a basic understanding of global warming.

Welcome to my blog!

Hi! I am Crystal Day, a fourth grade teacher at Glenwood Elementary School. I have been teaching in this district for 17 years. My family resides in Chatham. My husband, Ken, and I have two sons. Eli is a freshman at GHS, and Max is a 6th grader at GIS.

Most of my free time is spent on the golf course with Eli or basketball court with Max. No, I don't play either sport, but I need to learn to golf. When I am not attending my children's sporting events, I am usually spending time with family and friends. I enjoy music, technology, and travel.