Smartboards and Everyday Math

It’s only been a few weeks, but I’m excited with the progress of this site.  One of the surprising aspects has been the contacts I have made.  I have already corresponded with quite a few teachers about using the files and swapping ideas.  Cool stuff.

My most recent contact was from a Smartboard resource website called TeqSmart.  I received a very nice message through my comment page explaining how they had come across my page and how it may be a useful resource to some of their readers.  They mentioned Everyday Math was taught in some of their surrounding school districts.  They invited me to check out all they had to offer as well.  Why not?  Sounds like it’s right up my alley!

Well, I did and I can tell you it’s a wonderful site with some great stuff!  I liked it so much I added a “link” in my blogroll along with a couple feeds.  It’s a pretty extensive site.  There is a great download section full of free things to use with your Smartboard.  It has some Everyday Math items, but also covers all other content areas.  There is a nice forum to look for help and share some ideas.  The links section had quite a bit to offer, including some grant opportunities.

TeqSmart also has a blog page which looks like it gets periodically updated with a wide variety of resources and ideas.  The posts were written with a nice touch of humor, which I enjoyed.  They also have a Store, which contains some professionally produced interactive files for a small price.   I’m a cheapskate, but the Function Box for $2.99 may be calling my name.  But don’t worry, this isn’t a bait and switch infomercial.  Trust me, there are tons of free and outstanding resources available on the site.

I also noticed they are official Smartboard resellers.  They are a sister site to Tequipment.com.  As soon as I clicked on it, I once again started drooling over that new table!  Isn’t that thing cool?  I need one!!  I wish my Smartboard was a multiple touch screen.

Anyway, it’s always nice to come across a new resource to use in my classroom.  Keep an eye out on  the dowloads feed and maybe you’ll see something that will fit into your curriculum.  If nothing else, check out the Festivus For The Rest of Us file.  It comes complete with a table to track your Airing of Grievances.  Too funny!

I love the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives website.  It’s very “Smartboard” friendly and the kids love the activities.  I do find the organization of the site to be a bit confusing, but with the wealth of activities, it’s hard to complain.  In lesson 4-10 for third grade, students conduct a Coin Toss experiment.  While I would still have them do the experiment themselves, it might be fun to run this simulation as well and add some of the results to prove the point.  It’s easy and very quick.  Here is a tutorial on how to use it.

The link to this particular game is HERE.

EDIT: Since posting this I came across another great coin toss simulator at PBSkids.org.  This one actually keeps track of your results after each round.  Try it!

http://smartboardsandeverydaymath.com/wp-content/tutorials/coin toss/coin toss.mp4

I have had a few people email me with help on uploading files.  I hope this video helps.  You do need to register to upload files.  I have noticed that very large files (over 10mb) usually won’t upload.  I’m working with my host to fix that situation.  Most Smartboard files I create are much smaller than that, but seeing as you can upload just about any type of file you want (avi, mov, mp3, etc.) I could see how you may run into that issue.  Hopefully it will be fixed soon.

Give it a try.  Lets load it up with great stuff!!!

http://smartboardsandeverydaymath.com/wp-content/tutorials/forumtutorial/forumtutorial.mp4

Here is a tutorial on how to use the Screen Capture tool to get some things from the ITLG disk into a Notebook page.  I know, many of you would have thought of it immediately and already know how to do this, but I thought it was a nice starting point.  Besides, I needed the practice creating a tutorial.  I’m not real happy with it.  The sound isn’t great (I’m too loud!) and the pan and scan jumps around more than I would like, but hey, not bad for the first try!