Xtra Math Website (math fluency)

http://www.xtramath.org/

Prezi Website (PowerPoint on steroids)

http://prezi.com/

Diigo Website (online 3×5 cards)

http://www.diigo.com/buzz/hot

Wordle Website (website with JUST words)

http://www.wordle.net/

Creaza Website (website free moviemaker)

http://www.creaza.com/

Wallwisher Virtual Sticky Note/Parkinglot Website

http://www.wallwisher.com/

Online Graphical Dictionary (visual dictionary – word meanings and associations)

http://www.visuwords.com/

Brainstorming  - Graphic Organizer

https://bubbl.us/

Read Write Think (Classroom Resources:  Student Interactives)

http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interacti…

Online Collaborative Storytelling

http://storybird.com/

Inspired Picture Writing

http://www.piclits.com/

Online Story Creator

http://www.storyjumper.com/

Webbe Book (Free Download or Pro)

http://www.realewriter.com/

21st Century Multimedia Tools for Educators

http://edu.glogster.com/

Comic Creator (Read Write Think)

http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/comic-creator-30021.html

Kerpoof Studio (Learning Through Creativity)

http://www.kerpoof.com/

Wikispaces

http://www.wikispaces.com/

Kidblog (online, safe blogs for students)

http://kidblog.org/home.php

Zamzar (convert online videos – from youtube or any other source)

http://www.zamzar.com/

So I’m being forced to write with paper and pen (my laptop is being used to display the prompt).  This is a bit different for me and the flow isn’t flowin’.  As I look at this group photo I’m reminded that this summer institute is almost halfway over.  Are you kidding?  Where did the time go?  I’ve learned that Pat and I have some health issues.  I’ve learned that Kathy DOES have the Lamott book.  I have enjoyed being so involved in this summer institute because we learn so much from each other.  No only as professionals, but also as people.  We’ve laughed at inside jokes that people on the outside won’t understand unless they were there.  We throw each other the deuces to show that we care and we have each others’ back.  Most importantly we accept each other for who they are no matter if they have been teaching for 20 to 30 years or for 3 to 4 years.  We all have something to share that others could use.

Pat Swope – http://pbswope593.edublogs.org/

Melissa Vigil – http://mvblog.edublogs.org/

Stephanie Jaquez – http://sjaquez.edublogs.org/

Vicki Holmsten – http://vholmsten.edublogs.org/

Frances Vitali – http://fvitali.edublogs.org/

Sarah Pope – http://princesssarah.edublogs.org/

Linda Fredericks – http://lfredericks.edublogs.org/

Kathy Lee – http://klee505.edublogs.org/

Janan Talmadge – http://jtalmadge505.edublogs.org/

Geri Mike – http://gmike.edublogs.org/

Jean Porter – http://jeanporter2.edublogs.org/

Alexis Domme – http://adomme.edublogs.org/

Melanie Goins – http://mgoins.edublogs.org/

We are halfway through the 1st complete week of the Summer Institute 2011.  You can see some of the new fellows with a glazed look, but it is a promising glazed look.  It is exciting to have all 7 of these participants join our network.  As we have various discussions, I hear many different ideas that could turn into proposals to keep our site going.  It is refreshing to see that our community of writers is going strong and will continue to build.  I am VERY happy that the Bisti Leadership decided to go through with the Summer Institute….even after the crushing news of our budget being reduced and eventually cut.  The work we do is vital and important to teachers and the students they teach.

The Core Team (Vicki, Frances, Pat and myself) are starting to tighten the nuts and bolts of the schedule for the next week.  We met today during lunch to go through some ideas on how we can make the summer institute go even smoother.  I can’t wait for the field trip to the “Rock” and lunch at Chat-N-Chew.  My student, who I nicknamed Chat-N-Chew, will be so proud when I tell him that I finally went.  I better document it….just in case evidence is needed!

The first writing prompt to kick of ISI 2011 was from “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott

One-inch picture frame – ”  All I have to do is to write down as much as I can see through a one-inch picture frame.”

I want the new fellows to know that this process and institute might seem overwhelming, but really if they just look through a one-inch picture then that is all that they need to do.  Take one thing at a time and get that done.  We will all get through this together because that’s what this is all about….A COMMUNITY OF WRITERS!!!