I started reading Discovery Education blogs about a year ago. I plan to continue reading those. The rest of the information on this page will probably only be helpful if you teach K-3.

I learned about the blog Adams’ Technology Spot http://www.k5tech.blogspot.com/ when I attended the Orange County CUE Conference in Newport Beach, California. The author of the blog was the presenter. I have spent hours and hours on this blog. There are so many great areas to explore. These are three of my favorite links: 

 Starfall I use the “Learn to Read” section the most. This is a site that most of my second graders enjoy as they are reviewing digraphs, r-controlled vowels and vowel combinations. This site is even more valuable for my struggling readers.

PBS Kids-Between the Lions This is my favorite show for helping kids learning to read. They have great songs under video clips that include closed captioned and address many of my standards. My kids love to watch these over and over.  

HMTech  Wikispaces  http://hmtech.wikispaces.com/2nd+grade . This is one of the most beneficial links and site I have ever used. This is part of the description of the wikispace, “This site has been made by teachers that use technology daily to motivate and engage students in authentic learning, differentiate instruction, integrate many standards into one lesson and like to have FUN!”  All the resources are tied to the Houghton Mifflin language arts program. I just look up the theme and the story and there are many links to websites where my students can practice the exact skill of the week. For me there are links to websites for teachers with PowerPoint presentations and more resources. A couple of years ago I made PowerPoint presentations covering the vocabulary for every story. The PowerPoint presentations that other teachers have created are quite different from mine. I think it is helpful for the kids to see both versions.  Two of the best sites I have found from this wikispace are:

Kathy Kronemeyer  http://cms.dsusd.k12.ca.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectiondetailid=5806 . Some of her resources are on Debbie Ferguson’s wikispace but there are even more on her own site. It was from visiting Kathy Kronemeyer that I got the courage to try to have my students create PowerPoint presentations this year.

Mrs. Rios  http://sbusd.schoolwires.net/171020712185516350/site/default.asp. The same holds true for Mrs. Rios. Some of her resources are on Debbie Ferguson’s wikispace but there are even more on her own site.

Debbie Ferguson’s profile shows the several blogs she has authors http://www.blogger.com/profile/10398471214857279488.

Debbie Ferguson and the other teachers she collaborates with on the wikispace are teachers that I have a lot to learn from. These resources, the Global Classroom 2.O project through my district and Discovery Education are my resources for professional development between now and mid January when I plan to sign up for my next Wilkes/Discovery class. Last night I was invited  to join this wikispace that has been so helpful to me!