Newsletter Volume II, Issue 1

A Monthly Newsletter for Midway and Vickery Creek Elementary Teachers
Theme: A New Year	Volume II, Issue 1 August 17,1999	Kathy D. Adkins Instructional Technology Specialist

	Preparing for the Year 2000 - A New Look Outlook
Calendar of Upcoming Events August 13 New Teacher Orientation - Vickery August 21 The Bells and Whistles of Outlook Midway - 1:00-2:00 Vickery -11:30-12:30 Sept 7-17 Integrade Pro Training during Planning	The Technology Department has been very busy gearing up for the millennium. The technology service specialist have visited every computer in our system two to three times to patch for Y2K and image for new upgrades of software and Internet Explore 5.0. We applaud the department for all their hard work! The system will be implementing SASIxp a student management system, as well as Integrade Pro the new gradebook program. Microsoft Outlook 97 will take the place of MS Mail. The upgrade for Winnebago Spectrum, Accelerated Reader, Star and Command Anti Virus was also part of the upgrade. The most exciting addition to the network is the upgrade to Internet 5.0 which includes the component FrontPage Express, a web editor. Teachers will now be able to create web pages to post on the county Intranet. At Midway and Vickery we also upgraded to Kid Pix Studio Deluxe. The students will really enjoy this upgrade with editable text and new clipart. The clip art collection contains presidents, maps, cutouts and a wider variety in the stamp collection.	Startup for the individual networks at both schools has involved entering new users and modifying and deleting old accounts. There are currently over 145 staff user accounts and mailboxes to maintain between the two schools. Checking hardware setup and first level maintenance of equipment will be a priority for the first weeks of school. Being an Instructional Technology Specialist is never boring and somewhat challenging at times. This year staff development training will focus on the new upgrades and applications. Integrade Pro and SASIxp training will take place in the coming weeks. Using Internet 5.0 and new Classroom Connect materials, teachers and students will work with online materials to support and enhance thematic units. FrontPage Express, a component of Internet 5.0 will provide teachers the tools to create their own customized curricular web pages. This year will truly be exciting as we enter the next century. As educators, our job preparing students for the future, will be challenging but rewarding. As your Instructional Technology Specialist, I look forward to supporting you in your endeavors to make technology a part of your everyday curriculum.
Please check e-mail daily and the calendar on my website for the latest notification of events and upcoming training sessions. Signups will be posted on the office door at Midway and on the technology bulletin board at Vickery. Try to check e-mail every morning and afternoon!	Kim Clewell and Nancy Via, two second grade teachers at Vickery Creek, attended the staff development training Teaching With the Web at Vickery Creek in June. They both created a Filamentality lesson to use with their second graders during this upcoming year. They along with 25 other Forsyth County teachers, learned the process in gathering information from the web to create an online curricular lesson for their students. Many of these lessons are showcased on the Forsyth County Intranet. Way to go Kim and Nancy! Check out their lessons below: The Safety Zone Tick, Tock, TIME More Lessons Created by Forsyth Teachers

	Internet Site of the Week: Every month I will be updating this site with links that meet the needs of the staffs at Vickery and Midway. Links highlighted for the month of August cater to new educators, first time teachers as well as veterans. New ideas for ice breakers and "getting to know all about you" writing activities are featured at these sites. Check out the scavenger hunt activity at Teacher2teacher. Your input for thematic units of study as well as curricular web pages created by you will be featured at this site. I look forward to showcasing your work on the web!
Primary Template of the Week - Following Directions A great way to begin using Kid Pix Studio Deluxe is to review the basic drawing tools. Use the array.bmp template stored in the math folder of the KidPix templates in the L: drive or have students create their own using the line tool. Written directions can be incorporated on the template, on a worksheet guide or given verbally. The directions for this template are: 1) Use the typewriter and type your name in square one. 2) Use the pencil tool and make a curvy rainbow line. 3) Use the line tool and make a tic tac toe board. 4) Use the line tool to make a triangle and then use the paint can to fill with color. 5) Use the rectangle tool to draw squares with different patterns. 6) Use the oval tool to draw something that is round. Challenge older students by turning it into a scavenger hunt. Examples: Make a rainbow colored square, draw a line with round, not straight edges, draw a transparent rectangle, etc... Simplify for younger students by giving directions one slide at a time and with time to practice.
Intermediate Template of the Week - All About Me		Students can create a graphic organizer utilizing Kid Pix, Word, or PowerPoint. A key to implementation is planning during the before the computer time! A template can be made by you or you can utilize the template that is placed on the student share drive. Students can write their individual characteristics on the teacher template prior to visiting the computer. At the computer, students can utilize the ellipse and rectangle tools in the productivity software to produce their own customized "All About Me". This image was made with Inspiration Software a visual graphic organizer software application. Please visit Inspiration for more great ideas utilizing visual thinking tools! You can download a free 30 day trial for home use.
ŠAugust 17, 1999, Kathy D. Adkins