Many people have emailed me to ask how I designed my website.  I first began by visiting teacher website on the web and then creating a journal of ideas.  I wrote down things that I liked about teacher websites (games for kids, homework, parent pages, etc.).  I then took notice of where teachers found their graphics.  Some sites offer free graphics through "shareware" or "linkware" and other sites require that you purchase their backgrounds and graphics.  Most are under $20 so if you LOVE the graphics, then buy it.   

Next I had to decide how I was going to publish my website.  I use FrontPage but a lot of website hosts offer a website design template.  I also had to think of who was going to host my site.  I wanted something easy.  I chose Geocities.  I have the paid site because I didn't like the idea of pop-up adds on my webpage.  I didn't have control over the adds and since I have young kids I wanted control over what they saw.  My site is around $100 per year (not bad if you look at it as $10 per month).  I spend that on candy and cookies per week (ha/ha).  

There are some terrific website design tools on the web.  Listed below are a few that I found helpful when I began doing my website.

Web Design

Build Your Own Website Website Design Tutorial

Web Publishing Frequently asked questions about web design, domain names, and publishing

FrontPage Tutorial A tutorial on FrontPage web design

Web Design Tips from Mrs. Levin A Pre-K teacher who designed her own website has tips for teachers on web design graphics, midi files, and hosting.

Java Scripts Writing code is the hardest part of web design.  You want your website to do some neat things, but a web designer you are not.  Well, Java Script has the codes written for you.  Simply copy, paste, and your done.  It's GREAT!

Dynamic Drive  Writing code is difficult by Dynamic Drive makes it easy.  This is by far my favorite website for writing code.  They have everything from hit counters to slideshows.  It TERRIFIC!

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These are a few of my very favorite Web Graphic designers.  Simply click on the link and download their graphics or purchase them direct from the designer.  Many web designers now have PayPal as a payment option.  I have placed a star beside my absolute favorites!

Graphic Garden  Graphic Garden is my all time favorite Graphic Designer.  I think I have purchased around 10-sets of graphics over the last two-years.  They are kid friendly and just adorable.

Home Sweet Home Offers both free graphics and graphics for purchase.

Whispy Hollow  Offers both free graphics and graphics for purchase.

Carosel Graphics Free downloadable web sets.  You must link back to the Carosel Graphics website.

Cottontail Graphics Offers both free graphics and graphics for purchase.

Cute Colors     Offers both free graphics and graphics for purchase.  I have used a lot of the free downloadable graphics from this site (Clipart Sets from the menu on the left).

Daisy Dreams     Offers graphics for purchase.  Most are on sale for $4-7.  A great buy!

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PowerPoint is a huge part of the technology that I use in the classroom.  Each morning when students walk in they can find their homework, Do Now Activity, Lesson Objectives, and Essential Questions posted on the BBC (Blackboard Configuration).  We use an AverKey which transfers the signal from the computer to the television.  Students are able to see what ever is on my computer.  Many school already have this technology in place.  

In addition it is rare that textbooks have everything I need in order to teach a lesson.  Often times I create PowerPoint slideshows to use either whole group or in small group instruction.  For example, I will be teaching Japan in about a month, but my social studies series has nothing about Japan.  I searched on Google and found some great pictures of Japan that I inserted into PowerPoint.  Now the kids can take a virtual fieldtrip to Japan using a PowerPoint slideshow.  Wow!

Click on the link below to see the many ways you can use PowerPoint in the classroom.  PowerPoint is no longer "just" a presentation tool!

 

10 Ways to Use PowerPoint in the Classroom

POWERPOINT TIPS & POINTERS  PowerPoint Tips   This is a great website that even veteran users of PowerPoint will love.  There are keyboard shortcuts, transition tips, and lots of other cool tricks. PowerPoint Pointers Premade PowerPoints for teachers to download.	POWERPOINT TEMPLATES  Education Estates   Free Templates (not too flashy or cutesy). Brainy Betty  Free Templates for Educators Microsoft Office Free Templates to download
POWERPOINT LESSONS  Language Arts    Free Language Arts slideshows for grades 2-3 Time To Teach   PowerPoint lessons to download on math, science, and literacy. World of Teaching   PowerPoint lessons to download on every curriculum topic. Jefferson County Schools - Lessons   PowerPoint lessons to download on every curriculum topic - created by teachers for teachers..	POWERPOINT TEMPLATES CREATED BY  MRS. MCDAVID  Teachers are welcome to download these templates. Homework    Happy Birthday    Congratulations    Directions   Tiered Template    Primary Radial
	POWERPOINT GAMES  PowerPoint Games   Resources and templates for creating PowerPoint games and lessons Fun & Games Resources for Jeopardy and Who Wants to Be A Millionaire

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Microsoft Word is a fabulous tool for designing newsletters, student checklists, rubrics, classroom forms, forms for centers, and various forms of communication.  I use Microsoft Word as often as I do PowerPoint. 

MICROSOFT WORD TIPS & POINTERS  MS Tips & Tricks   This is a great website that provides tips and tricks to MS Word as well as provide answers to frequently asked questions. How To Articles Microsoft Office provides How to Articles for Teachers on how to perform tasks in Microsoft Word. Tutorial for Teachers Microsoft Word tutorial for Teachers.

MS WORD TEMPLATES  Planning Book   Free Planning Book template. Education World  Over 80 free Templates for Educators using Microsoft Word. Microsoft Office Free Templates to download Brainy Betty  Free Teacher Templates to download ranging from reading records to newsletters.

MS WORD LESSON PLAN TEMPLATES  Lesson Plan Page   Lesson Plan template from LessonPlansPage.com. Lesson Plans   Lesson Plan template from Lesson Plans 4 Teachers. Technology Lesson Plan (Daily)   Lesson Plan template for integrating technology. Weekly Lesson Plan (Weekly)  Lesson Plan template for Weekly Lesson Plans. Daily Lesson Plan     Daily Lesson Plan template from Calhoun County.  Includes an area for materials, assessments, standards, etc.  A great example of a "Good" Lesson Plan template.

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Microsoft Excel is a wonderful tool for designing graphs, creating a database to track information, printer posters, and creating fun math lessons for students. 

MICROSOFT EXCEL TIPS & POINTERS  Excel Tutorial - I   This is an excel tutorial that includes formatting and adjusting cells, sorting data, and creating a grade book. Excel Tutorial - II This is an excel tutorial that includes creating graphs and charts in Excel. Excel Modules Tips for using Excel.  Include workbook downloads. Integrating Excel Tips for integrating Excel into elementary classrooms.  Check out the graph at the top of the page "How I Get to School".

EXCEL TEMPLATES & LESSONS  Crossword Puzzle   Directions for creating an Excel crossword puzzle. How Tall Are We?  A math lesson on measurement using Excel.

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I do not currently use a SmartBoard (wish I did) but I've listed some resources for those of you who do.  Most of the activities are useable on any computer whether you have a SMARTBoard or not.

A SMARTBoard is a whiteboard screen connected to the computer.  Once the SMARTBoard is in use, the screen becomes interactive with the computer (sort of like a touch screen).  

SMARTBoard Lessons  
SMARTBoard lessons for K-5 classrooms.

 

SMARTBoard Ideas  
SMARTBoard lessons for K-3 classrooms.

 

Great Sites for Using the SMARTBoard
SMARTBoard lessons for K-3 classrooms.

 

SMARTBoard Templates
SMARTBoard Notebook 9.5 is required in order to view these templates.

 

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Kid Pix in the Classroom  

Georgia Technology Training Center (InTech)  

 

A Comprehensive List of Technology Links by Sue LeBeau 

 

PDF Converter

 

Flash Slideshow Maker

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