Earth Science Webquest: What Causes Seasons?

Would you like to learn more about what causes the seasons?  Check out my webquest!

http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=301423

This webquest is appropriate for middle grades (6 - 8) science.

Hour of Code

Today I participated in the Hour of Code.  It was recommended to me by one of my professors at the University of Montana.  Many (many) years ago I enrolled in a coding class and I'll admit it wasn't the best experience for me.  I decided that source code and I mix like oil and water!  With this in mind I embarked on my hour of code with a bit more trepidation than some other activities. 

I'm happy to report that I had a really good time coding!  I was excited to see many options for coding (all of which are appropriate for anyone age 6 to 106):

• Star Wars
• Minecraft
• Artist
• Anna and Elsa (From "Frozen" movie)
• Make a Flappy Game
• Infinity Play Lab
• Play Lab

I chose to be a digital artist for an hour.  The program led me through nine tutorials before I was able to create my own drawing.  Here is the link to my finished product:

https://studio.code.org/c/149796943

I'm excited to try coding with Anna and Elsa next because I want to try to build a snowflake! 
I'll update again when I'm finished!

Prezi: Check It Out!

Two summers ago I had the opportunity to catch up with an old friend at Yellowstone National Park.  We were both raised in Illinois...we met in Florida...then she moved to Tennessee and we moved to Montana.  We hadn't been together for a long time and we had the very best time getting caught up with each other on the trails of Yellowstone!

In the time since we last saw each other my friend moved from being an elementary classroom teacher to a technology specialist within her district.  I am always fascinated by the use of technology in the classroom so I asked her for a few tips.  Check out Prezi was her first recommendation.  Actually, I digress...it was her second recommendation.  Use technology whenever and wherever it's applicable was the first.

With this in mind I was eager to explore Prezi as an option for some of my coursework.  I completed my first Prezi as a part of a project for a class called Authentic Assessment.  Here is the link to my work:

http://prezi.com/gvpvhlnywctu/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

Action Project: Gifted and Talented Program Model

I recently finished my action project for the Winter Edufest conference.  It's a bit too long to be useful as a blog post so I've attached a link for a Dropbox folder for your review.  In the folder  (upper right) you will find my piece as well as the folder which was shared during the session I attended called The Pivotal Role of Administrators in Supporting and Advancing Comprehensive Services for Advanced Level Students with Dr. Jan Leppien and Dr. Gail Hanninen.  The information from Dr. Leppien and Dr. Hanninen is labeled as "The Pivotal Role of Administrators" and shared with their permission.