Today's Zoo Trip

Had a wonderful day at the zoo with my husband and parents. There was a lot to see, and although we went early, it got crowded before we left. I think Monday's holiday had a lot to do with that. The Lemur Island exhibit opened just a few days aga and this was our first look. I wanted mom to see the amazing Orchid Show will it was still on exhibit. A few of the regular exhibits that I really enjoyed today were 1) The roadrunner in the Sonora Desert- he was really active today! 2) The polar bear in North America- he was swimming (unfortunately my camera battery died before we reached this exhibit)! 3)The Africa area that contains the elephants and other grazing creatures- some of the animals were closer than usual.

Here are some pictures from today's visit:

Microsoft Surface Computing and Smart Tables

OK, so I really need one of these for my classroom one day, when the price goes way down and I can actually afford one. But it would be amazing to have my students use this in small groups for all kinds of projects and activities, even just center work. This world has gotten so technology-centered and kids respond to it and pick it up so quickly. I have watched so many related videos on all this and how it can be used in the classroom. I know I can't have one now but I am slightly obsessed with finding out more about them. I had never heard of the SMART table and accidentally happened upon it on YouTube while looking at other technologies for the classroom. Check it out:




Here is a video on the SMART Table (much like the SMART board), specifically for primary education, that shows a few of the features. Right now the technology is around $8000, and I have read that there are still some kinks that need to be fixed with the product, but overall I am convinced that I want one sometime down the road to supplement my teaching and give my students more accessibility to technology they will encounter and likely use in the "real world", aka their future careers.

Sir Ken Robinson- 1st Talk

Here is Sir Ken Robinson's 1st talk. Absolutely hilarious! He is a great speaker and packs a lot of truth into less than twenty minutes per talk.

"Do Schools Kill Creativity?"

Sir Ken Robinson- 2nd Talk about Education

After hearing Sir Ken Robinson's first talk in several of my education classes at UNCG, I was excited to hear the continuation of that talk. Although not quite as funny as his first, I really enjoyed listening to him again.