Sunday, October 4, 2009

Online Planbook


When I first started teaching I used a commercial planbook, but it never really met my needs as a self-contained classroom teacher. In more recent years I have created a template in Microsoft Word or Open Office, printed it out weekly and penciled in my lessons, enclosing the pages in a three ring binder, which I use as a plan book.

This week I will be trialing Planbook Edu, a free, online planbook. The free Planbook Edu includes the ability to plan for one class (which is all most of us severe special needs teachers have), access from any internet connected computer, nothing to install, and WYSIWYG editing.

It is the "premium" features that I really like and I have a feeling that after the seven day free trial of using the "premium" Planbook Edu I will pay the $20.00 to upgrade. These features include printing from your browser, attaching up to a 2MB file to each block of the plan book, sharing your plans, exporting to MS Word or PDF and built in spell check.

The 2MB file attachment isn't big enough for most Unique Learning or News-2-You files, but is just fine for craft instructions and recipes. I am already finding it helpful to download these types of things on my laptop at home and attach to the Planbook Edu so I can print on my work computer.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Because you asked...

I was forwarded these questions by a reader. So I thought I would answer (most of) them.

The phone rings. Who will it to be?

My phone doesn't ring much, but that txt is probably my dad.

When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
Sometimes. I probably should shoot for always.

In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?
If I don't know anyone I am quiet, but if I know people I am quite verbose.

Do you take compliments well?
Not always. Ok, fine, not usually.

Do you play Sudoku?
Nope. It involves numbers, linear thinking and problem solving. Someone hand me my colored pencils.

If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?
For maybe a day or two.

Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
Oh, yeah. Girl scout camp, basketball camp, tennis camp, student leadership camp, community service camp, swim camp, theater camp and probably some others. My parents worked, I had to go somewhere.

What was your favorite game as a kid?
I wasn't much of a game player, I was more likely to read, draw, do crafts or in the summer time swim.

Use three words to describe yourself?

caring, sensitive, committed

Do any songs make you cry?

Depends on the context, Little Girl Blue covered by Janis Joplin, For Good from Wicked, In the Arms of an Angel by Sarah McLaughlin

Are you continuing your education?
At some point I would like to pursue my doctorate, but I find the idea of leaving the classroom unbearable.

Do you know how to shoot a gun?
No, and that is one constitutional right I intend to never use.

Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth?
Yes, usually during Community Based Instruction with students!

How often do you read books?
I am never NOT in the middle of a book.

Do you think more about the past, present or future?
Probably a pretty equal division.

What is your favorite children’s book?
As a little girl I loved Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs! The illustrations fascinated me. As a 'tween I loved The Girl with the Silver Eyes, I really wanted to be able to move things by thinking about it.

What color are your eyes?
green, one has a freckle in the iris

How tall are you?
six feet!

Where is your dream house located?
Near the ocean.

If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed?
As long as all the people and my beloved cat are safe I don't need anything material.

When was the last time you were at Olive Garden?
I've only been once when I was out of state to go to a wake. It was maybe 2 and a half years ago.

Where was the furthest place you traveled today?
I went south to Methuen, Mass (maybe 10 miles) to go to the bank and then North to Plaistow, NH (about 5 miles) to buy some laminating pouches, but they didn't have the ones I like.

Do you like mustard?
Love it.

Do you prefer to sleep or eat?
Does that have to be a choice? Can I do both? I mean not at once.

Do you look like your mom or dad?
My sister. We are both a nice blend of both sides of the family.

How long does it take you in the shower?
3 minutes. I don't like to get up early enough for anything longer!

Can you do the splits?
Never could.

What movie do you want to see right now?
Whip It. I love Drew Barrymore. We have the same birthday.

What did you do for New Year’s?
I went to bed.

Do you think The Grudge was scary?
No idea what The Grudge is.

Do you own a camera phone?
My Blackberry takes pictures, but not very good ones.

Was your mom a cheerleader?
That is soooooo funny!

What’s the last letter of your middle name?
E

How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
I aim for 8. I get 6-7.

Do you like Care Bears?
Not really, but I was a little girl in the 80's so it was basically required.

What do you buy at the movies?
Popcorn and Diet Coke.

Do you know how to play poker?
No, don't like playing cards, I like to knit and watch others play.

Do you wear your seat belt?
Always

What do you wear to sleep?
yoga pants and a v-neck

Anything big ever happen in your hometown?
Original home invented Chelmsford Ginger Ale. Current Home Town was the birthplace of John Greenleaf Whitter (the writer) and had the first Macy's.

How many meals do you eat a day?
Usually 2.

Is your tongue pierced?
Once upon a time it was. Actually twice upon a time. But not anymore.

Do you always read MySpace bulletins?
Nope.

Do you like funny or serious people better?
Both, I have room in my life for all sorts of people.

Ever been to L.A.?
Never, not even a lay over.

Did you eat a cookie today?
Yup, chocolate chip. It was so-so.

Do you use cuss words in other languages?
Yes. In ASL, Spanish and Arabic. Though I am fluent in none of those languages.

Do you steal or pay for your music downloads?
I pay. Mostly because I am lazy, it is more work to find them for free and deal with protecting from viruses and malware.

Do you hate chocolate?
What? Hate chocolate? Who on earth would ask such a think?

What do you and your parents fight about the most?
I don't really fight with my dad. On occassion we annoy each other and then we say, "I am finding ____ annoying perhaps you could ____ instead." I realize we are terribly boring. We can't help it.

Are you a gullible person?
Not generally.

Do you need a boyfriend/girlfriend to be happy?
I love being unattached.

If you could have any job (assuming you have the skills) what would it be?
Likely the one I have, but with a shorter commute.

Are you easy to get along with?
Isn't this question better asked to people who know me?

What is your favorite time of day?
About 8:30 AM on weekdays, when we are done with morning positioning and the posibilities of another great school day are in front of me.

Calculator Options

Talking Calculator
A few months ago, as part of a post on the free resources at Tripico I wrote about their online calculator which works with keyboard, mouse, mouse emulator (i.e. head or eye tracker, joystick) or two switches set to tab and enter. (A note about using tab/enter - typically you to mouse click once on a key on the calculator to start tab/enter working correctly.)

Here is a more complete list of online calculators with multiple means of access for our learners
  • MyCalculator is nice because there is nothing else on the page to distract our learners, however it is a little small on the page - works with mouse or mouse emulator, tab/enter switches. touch screen or interactive whiteboard, MetaCalc also has nothing else on the page to act as a distraction, has the same accessibility, but is larger.
  • Tripico Simple Calculator is a large, color coded calculator accesible through mouse, mouse emulator, touch screen, interactive white board or two switches set to tab/enter
  • PBS Kids Talking Calculator speaks each button as it is pressed - works with mouse or mouse emulator, tab/enter switches, touch screen or interactive whiteboard
  • Calculators for Free Visually Impaired Calculator is a large, black on white on-screen calculator - works with mouse or mouse emulator, tab/enter switchers, touch screen or interactive whiteboard
  • Ableside Primary has a very large on screen calculator that works with mouse or mouse emulator, touch screen or interactive whiteboard, it also works with tab/enter switches but the buttons do not tab through in a logical order so it takes some getting used to, but there is a great "click" noise that provides auditory feedback
  • Calcutype is switch accessible math word processor/calculator for more advanced users
Free Software Downloads
  • Big Calc is a large, on screen calculator accisible through mouse, mouse emulator, keyboard, alternative keyboard, touch screen or alternative keyboard
Other Free Options
Software for Purchase
  • Talk and Scan is a one switch solution from RJ Cooper for about $120
  • Dynavox/Mayer-Johnson sells CalcuScan a fully accessible, including single switch solution,for a PC or the Dynavox V for about $90
  • GoKeyTech offers software that both teachers and offers access to a calculator, which is fully accessible via all means including single switch, Calculator Tutor is about $40

Friday, October 2, 2009

Tone Matrix (and some things for your iTouch)

Tone Matrix is designed as a tool to write/create music. For our learners it can be a fantastic tools to use light and musical tones to encourage cause and effect using a touch screen, interactive white board or even a head or eye tracker.

Imagine one of your learners swiping his hand across the SMART Board to to make a glowing song and then clicking a switch (set to "space bar") to clear that song and make another!



If you are lucky enough to have an iPod touch or iPhone for your classroom you can do pretty much the same thing wigh the app Melodica or in color with the app Tripper. Another cool app that doesn't look like these (it is prettier), but meets the same purpose is Bloom (and I think it sounds beautiful).

Thanks to NCS Tech for the Tone Matrix tip.

Ever had one of those days?

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=c6e2c8c495&view=att&th=124179ae3e0f61ab&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=file0&zw

Actually today was not one of those days, however we (the para-professionals and I) had a number mini-incidents which we responded to with good humor. The day ended with trying to break into my car because... well, obviously, I locked myself out.

We did figure out (by watching the AAA man) that next time we can likely break into the car using the following items from the classroom: a foot wedge from a Rifton stander, a long strip of laminated paper and some sand paper. If that included some Velcro it would be the ultimate special needs solution!

By the way wasn't it sooooooo nice of one of the paraprofessionals to take this super flattering shot of me breaking into my car. Too bad I have no shame!

Mulberry Symbol Set


The Mulberry Symbol Set is a free collection of picture symbols available from Straight Street. After registering and logging in for free you can search for single symbols or you can download the entire set. There are currently about 800 Mulberry Symbols and there should be 3000 by this time next year. The Mulberry Symbol set is included in the new Pogo Board program and also is perfect for importing into Boardmaker or the free PhotoSyms program. In fact between Mulberry Symbols, Sclera Symbols and PhotoSyms people can have everything they need to make printed boards for free. Another free set of software that would be perfect for using Mulberry Symbols is the EdWord and EdWeb programs from Sense.

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