March 2nd - Let's "Read Across America"

Celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss. Join people across America in this annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading. Pick up a book and read to your siblings, neighbors, family or friends!

Read Across America Poem

You're never too old, too wacky, too wild,
To pick up a book and read with a child.
You're never too busy, too cool, or too hot,
To pick up a book and share what you've got.

In schools and communities,
Let's gather around,
Let's pick up a book,
Let's pass it around.

There are kids all around you,
Kids who will need
Someone to hug,
Someone to read.

Come join us March 2nd
Your own special way
And make this America's
Read to Kids Day.

Infotopia

Infotopia

Do you have difficulty finding quality information resources on the Web? You might want to use Infotopia, an academic search engine that accesses only trusted websites previously selected by librarians, teachers, and library and educational consortia. You can go directly to a category or search all at once. Who know, you might just find your next favorite website using Infotopia!

Google's Wonder wheel

Have you used the Wonder Wheel feature on Google yet? If not, you might want to look at the visual searching tool. If you choose the "Show options" button, you'll see "Wonder wheel". Click and you'll see your search represented in a visual array. From here you can click each link to define your search. I think you'll like narrowing your results in this way as you can see in the example below. Have fun with "Wonder wheel"! (the Google link works)

Convert your files with Zamzar

Have you ever had the need to convert a file to another format? It can be a frustrating and confusing process. I just discovered a new free online site that looks great and should help you do your converting much easier (although I must confess I haven't converted anything with it yet). Zamzar converts all types of files including document , image, music, video, compressed formats and CAD formats. Next time you realize something doesn't work and you need your file converted, give Zamzar a try. Hopefully it will make it quick and easy.

http://www.zamzar.com/

Snowflake Workshop fun!

Try this fun site out when you REALLY get bored this vacation - it's kind of addicting :-)

http://www.snowflakeworkshop.com/

Elf Yourself at JibJab

If you need something fun to do during our break, why not try to "Elf Yourself"? Tim Wagner recently did this and sent me a link to his fun little video. Be creative and send one to your grandparents or a favorite aunt or uncle. Drag out those old family photos and put your pets, siblings, or parents in the faces. Think of it as a kind of therapy or relaxation session. Get rested up and we'll see you in the new year.

Merry Christmas! Mrs. H.

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/6Ef2r1vod6qXHhUz

shmoop!

Have you checked out shmoop yet? Take a look at http://www.shmoop.com/ and I think you'll find you can use this site today for many of your classes. There are study guides for bestsellers and literature, poetry, US History, Civics, Biographies and Music. If you need a timeline for the making of the U.S. Constitution, the theme to Eclipse or the lyrics to Purple Haze, shmoop will help you. I showed it to Mr. Morrison yesterday and he used it for one of his classes that same day. Wow - it doesn't get better than that.