Preparing for TAKS 101

I always look for extra help where ever I can get it. Teachers only have so much time, and I have found that the internet has a wealth of information, strategies, lessons, study guides and more that can cut our time planning time in half!

TAKS (Texas's standardized test) is approaching quickly for Texas teachers across the state. As a new teacher, I am a little anxious about it. Planning what to do to get my students ready for the big day is just as stressful as giving the test! But I found an absolutely wonderful website that has a multitude of resources to make this part of your planning a breeze.

Georgetown ISD has a Curriculum Corner they have put together that is open to any one who has access to internet. Here is a list of just a few of the wonderful resources that this website offers:

• Study guides
• Flashcards
• 100 Facts Packet
• TEKS overview 
• Significant information broken down by era
• Links to game websites for students
• Interactive activities in the classroom
• SO MUCH MORE

Even if you just need ideas for TAKS review, this is the place to go!

Here is the link below:

http://www.georgetownisd.org/ccorner/index.asp

Good luck with your planning!

Glogster.com

Survival Skill #1 as a new teacher - Obviously, do not get a blog. You do not have time for it!


Where has the time gone. It has been almost 7 months since I started blogging, and I have only written, now, 3 entries. Why? I blame it on my job!


Well... throughout the first several months of my year I have found several online resources that I have used in my classroom. It is not only fun for my students, but it makes teaching (and grading) a lot more fun!


One online resource that my students LOVE is glogster.com. Glogster.com is my new favorite project medium. It is an online poster maker where students can demonstrate what they know through pictures, videos, word bubbles and more. And the best part about the entire website is they have a free education version at edu.glogster.com. Here, the teacher controls the accounts, passwords, and anything that is put onto the computer by the student. It is wonderful!


This is the example that I made to show my students when I was demonstrating how to use it.





If you are not good with technology, do not be afraid. This is definitely a user friendly website. After some trial and error, if you still can't figure something out, go to the source thats not afraid of the computer.... the students!