I'm excited to create a webpage. I've tried to do it before but it seemed very complicated. The Scholastic site seems like an easy to manage and create site. The one thing that upset me was I tried to work on it at work yesterday and it came up blocked (I'm still racking my brain to figure out what key word was found to block it). So it was sad to know that if i stay in the district I am currently in, it will not be as easy for me to complete the upkeep of this site since it is blocked.

In college many of our professors had their own websites, which made it easy to view the assignment or syllabus that I sometimes forgot about or misplaced!

But creating a website will eliminate those late night phone calls to friends to figure out what is due the next day. It will also allow the parent to help the student, they can know what is due and when without having to ask the student questions a lot!

Im excited to complete my website and become confident to use one in the future.

I think using websites in your classroom is an amazing idea for teachers to implement in their classroom.  It keeps teachers up to date with technology, it allows students to have access to assignments, homework, contact information at anytime.  It also is an excellent way for communication through students and the teacher, and even parents and the teacher.

  At different grade levels different items can be included on the website.  In the younger grades it can have very few links, but included could be daily or weekly homework assignments, a calendar of the schools events that month, a copy of that months classroom  newsletter, and maybe links to interactive games that they can play and practice at home.

  In high school grades you can include all of the above and add other things to it.  Include online resources for assignments, and places for students to blog.  

  A website can be a life savor when it comes to many things.  If students forget their homework assignments, they can look online.  Parents can write you emails with comments and concerns.  

  Overall it's something that takes a little work to keep up to date, but would go a long way in your classroom.

Kidspiration is a software that kids can use online that forms as a graphic organizer.  I've actually used Kidspiration before when creating my first WebQuest and mPower project for a previous class I've taken.  I used it to help with my pre-work and thinking.

  I think it's a great way for students to organize their thoughts and do it in a fun way.  I think anytime you can incorporate the computer kind of engages students a little more.  When I first saw the "web like" graphic organizer it immediately made me think of writing and writers workshop!  I definitely used those when I was a child.  But they can be used for all sorts of subjects.  You can use them in math to group different shapes.  You can use them in science to link the different states of matter.

  Its a great way to organize ideas, and even better.............ITS NEAT!  A nice alternative to some of those students with messy handwriting.