Yet Another Suicide From Bullying

It's hard not to tear up when you watch 14 year old Jamey Rodemeyer talk about being bullied. His contribution to the "It Gets Better" campaign is an eerie reminder that we don't always know how bad one of our students is hurting until it's too late. In Jamey's case, he said he complained about being bullied but no one helped him.

33 Resource Links on Cyberbullying

The Internet has created a new place where bullies can go and anonymously taunt others. With last year's suicide of Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi, (and many others) it has become more apparent that we need to help our students be more cyber smart and learn about why bullying is something to be taken seriously. It is never too early to educate our kids about the dangers of cyberspace. Here are 32 places you can use:





Chat Rooms
Chat Danger- information on how to stay safe when you use chat rooms, IM and cell phones

*Video About Online Chatting

Cyber Bullying
Cyber bullying- this site is part of the TeensHealth web site, with information on cyber bullying, why people bully and what happens when someone is bullied.

Reporting Cyber Bullies- information on what to do if you are bullied

*Video on Cyberbullying- from SchoolTube

What is Cyber Bullying?- handout

General Internet Safety Sites
CyberAngels- world's oldest & largest Internet safety organization

Cyber Safety- this site is hosted by Rob Nickel, who is an expert on cyber safety. In addition to a listing of tips for teens, parents and educators, there are videos you can download. (PSAs, interviews)

CyberSmart!-how to deal with cyber bullies, a list of proper manners while online, and social networking sites.

Don't Believe the Type: Know the Dangers- rules are listed for surfing the web, chat rooms, IM, email, newsgroups, forums, bulletin boards, social networking and sharing personal information.

Google Family Safety Center- tools, advice, vide tips from Google parents

How to Teach Digital Citizenship:An Educator's Guide- from Top10VPN

Internet Safety 101 Quiz- how much do you know about Internet safety?

Internet Safety: Keeping it Real-designed by six students under the age of 16, this website won second place in Thinkquest's 2007 Competition. Excellent!

Internet Safety and You- for younger kids; Professor Garfield does the teaching; links for parents and teachers

LMK Life Online- sponsored by the Girl Scouts and Microsoft; education for young girls

iSafeSurf- sections on social safety, netiquette, acronyms, emoticons, peer-to-peer file sharing

NetSmartz Teens- they have a section of videos, downloadable activity cards and free multimedia presentations for Windows and Mac computers.

OnGuard Online: Social Networking Sites-with links and quick facts, this site has a game called "Friend Finder", which tests your knowledge about safely using online social networking sites.

Own Your Space- eBook is 16 chapters and free to download; excellent information about protecting your stuff and yourself online

SafeTeens.com- learn about chat room safety, teen safety on the Internet, cell phone safety tips and more.

Safety Tips for Tweens and Teens- this is a government site, with information on staying safe while you are online, including: trusting your instinct, only divulging information you are comfortable with, a reminder that once something is posted it is always there.

Webonauts Internet Academy- for elementary school kids; interactive learning about being safe online; when missions are completed, the Webonauts graduate with a certificate.

Wired Safety- this site claims to be the "world's largest Internet safety, help and education resource." Sections include cyber crime, cyber stalking, Internet predators, social networking and privacy and security.

X-Block- you'll find chat rooms, learn about cyber safety and their iMentoring program.

Netiquette

Net Manners- proper behavior tips

A Thin Line- fact sheets cover spying online, sexting and when kids use text messaging too much.

Tips for Proper Online Behavior- from the Boston Public Library

Privacy Online
Children's Online Privacy Protection- known as COPPA, this explains how children are protected

Safety Tips for Teens- learn what you should and shouldn't reveal about yourself online

Secure Passwords Explained by Common Craft- video

Secure Websites in Plain English- video from Common Craft

*Video About Privacy

You Can't Just Google It.....

My students seem to think that as long as they have Google, they don't need any other assistance with their research. When I meet with classes I show them how their results can change when they know what tools to use when on the Internet. Thanks to my colleague Nora, I have a new video to use in my presentations. Created with the wonderful site Xtranormal, this video is called "You Can't Just Google It".(It's funny, and we all know that will keep their attention)

You Can't Just Google It!
by: SweetSearch

Sharing 9-11 With Your Students

This Sunday is the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Here is a wonderful discussion guide which can be used by parents, caregivers and educators entitled "What Happened? The Story of September 11, 2001." Produced by The American Psychological Association and Nick News, the guide has several activities which introduce students to the events that unfolded that dreadful day. Why not start with the video, "Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: What Happened? The Story of September 11, 2001".  I've embedded it below for your convenience. Thank you to my colleague Brenda for sharing this link on Facebook!

Get More: Nick News Episodes,Nick News,Nick News Games

School Has Begun!! 24 Sites to Get Started With Icebreakers

Many of you have started school already and I hope you are off to a great year. Getting to know your class can be loads of fun for your students if you try one of the many great icebreakers out there. Here are some places to begin:

8 Great Icebreakers to Use With Your Students- from Simple K12

Back to School Icebreakers- 6 activities are listed here

The Big Book of Icebreakers- from Amazon.com

Education World- currently there are 12 volumes of icebreaking ideas on the site

Collaborative Learning/Substantive Learning with Some Icebreaker Activities- nice listing with detailed lessons

First Day of School Activities- elementary grades

First Day of School Icebreakers- for grades K-5

Fresh Ideas For Opening Day- 5 lessons

Icebreaker Ideas- list of teacher ideas

Icebreaker Tags- enter a name prompt, write a question, upload a logo if you have one

Icebreakers- from Dave's ESL Cafe

Icebreakers- from Teachervision; covers K-8

Icebreakers and Energizers-site says these are for any age group

Icebreakers for High School Students- check out the related articles at the bottom of the page

Icebreakers, Fun Games, Group Activities- by group size

Introductions and Icebreakers- from Janet Abruzzo's blog

Make Your Own Icebreakertags

Mapping Your Identity: A Back to School Icebreaker- cool idea uses the Visual Thesaurus

Resources for the First Day of School- from teachersfirst.com; grade levels are listed for each one

TeAchnology- for grades 5-8

TeAchnology- for high school

Teampedia- currently has 50 icebreakers and 100 team building activities

Ten Icebreakers for Teens

Thinkfinity- teachers share ideas for 8th graders

Research Information With an Interactive Spin

In 2010, I posted this information on research on our school's media center page. The Kentucky Virtual Library now has an interactive version which takes this wonderful poster to another level. The interface is visually appealing and students of all ages would benefit from this site. Thank you, Richard Byrne of Free Technology For Teachers for posting.

UPDATES

Here are the posts/pages I have recently modified

POST: "28 Ways to Obtain Grant Information"
PAGE: Free!
PAGE: Infographics
POST: "Holidays From September to June" can now also be found on the K-5 page