Techno tips

NEA Today, Nov 2002

Classical Music Site

I worked with a highly skilled parent to develop a classical music website for my class. The site, www.belmont.net/belmont/laroche, includes student drawings and stories inspired by musical pieces, information pages for parents, learning activities, a photo album, and a class movie. I also collaborated with parents and an outstanding Web master to create the First Grade Friendship Rain Forest Website at www.belmont.k12.ma.us/ winnbrook/rainforest. The site includes student artwork and research, learning activities, photos and stories from family trips, and Web resources.

Donna LaRoche

First-grade teacher

Belmont, Massachusetts

Excel Sign-In Sheet

I use a Microsoft's(R) Excel(R) spreadsheet to create a class sign-in document. As my students enter the classroom, they record their lunch and dismissal plans for the day on this sheet. The spreadsheet includes a column for each lunch choice, and students simply type their lunch selections under the correct column next to their names.

In the last column students type their bus numbers, pick-up arrangements, or the name of their after-school programs. Once everyone signs in, I print a copy of the sheet and tape it to the wall next to my desk.

Karen Roahrig

Fifth-grade teacher

Versailles, Kentucky

U.S. History Trek

At www.ustrek.org students and teachers can follow a group of eight educators as they travel across the United States visiting historic places and history experts. Teachers can access photos, videos, and information about the trip at the website. The group has aligned the trip itinerary with a typical yearlong U.S. History curriculum. The team visits unusual locations and brings to life the often-overlooked parts of history (such as the contributions of women and minorities). The team's reports are well written and interesting for high school students. I love this site!

Sarah Jaeger

Mentor teacher

Ross, California