Quirky ideas

Lately, I have been using Facebook as a way to see what friends and aquaintances are doing and as a way to see information from individuals and organizations. I responded to a query from NEA (National Education Association) and am posting some pictures they are interested in.


This is my "toolbelt" or tool pocket that I've been using in my room for years. I sling it over my shoulder or tie it around my waist, or set it on the table when I'm starting a project such as a bulletin board. You can see the the needlenose pliers that I use to pull out staples that are stuck, large marker, a razor cutter, tape measure, scissors, and pencil.









A top view shows more of the contents such as a stapler and staples, staple remover, poster tape, regular tape, string, razor scraper, and roller scissors.






















I think the kit has saved me a lot of climbing up and down to go after more staples or tools during my work. I drop the used staples into a pocket after I pull them out and throw them away later, keeping the floor clean. It's nice to have everything in one place wherever I decide to work on a project!














Update:  NEA actually published my idea in one of their magazines and posted it on one of their webpages!
http://www.nea.org/home/34050.htm

Student blogging

I made a new blog for students in my fourth grade class last month. Two problems with it are finding enough time for students to blog at school and how to enforce some standard for appropriate length and conventions, especially spelling and punctuation. Students are prone to think of the blog as a place for short messages such as "Hi, how are you?" and I would like them to use it as a place for more thoughtful posts and responses. Eventhough many of the posts and comments are in my mind too short, still it is providing them a place to communicate. It is another place for them to experience written language in a meaningful way and I think that makes it worth the time it takes me to set it up and the time it takes for them to use it.