Teach kids to recognize hoax sites

Show your kids some unreliable sources.  Talk to them about wikipedia.  Make sure they know that it is created by people just like you and me.  As a class, we will check information on wikipedia with known sources in books from our school library.  I will make sure my kids see examples of online sites with incorrect information.

Information can be taken as reliable if it can be confirmed from multiple sources.

Maps in the Classroom

How can you use maps in your future classroom? Would you ever use an electronic mapping resource like Google Maps in your class? Why or why not?


There are so many ways to use maps in the classroom.  Electronic mapping resources, like Google Maps and Google Earth, are often overlooked.  For example, Google Maps can be used to teach time concepts to upper elementary.  Students can plan a trip and estimate how long it will take to travel there and back.  You can also add times together by having multiple destinations.


Google Earth could be used to take your children along the journeys of famous explorers, such as Christopher Columbus or Lewis and Clark.


I will definitely use electronic mapping in my classroom.  It is a great way to engage your students, since they probably see their parents using electronic maps.  They may even use electronic maps themselves.  

Creative Commons

As teachers, it is very important that we set a good example for our students to follow.  If students see us using copyrighted images freely, then we unknowingly teach them that it is OK to copy the works of others.  We be careful to only use pictures that we are allowed to use.  If we want our students to grow up following the rules and guidelines society has given us, then we must follow them ourselves.

There is an old saying, "Kids will do nothing you tell them; they will do everything they see you do!"

Potential Issues with video in the Classroom

• PARENT PERMISSION:  Not all of the parents in your classroom will want their child in a video, especially if it is shared online.  Alternate assignments will need to be provided for children who are not allowed to participate in the video project.
• RESOURCES: Obviously, you will need a digital video camera and a compatible computer if you are going to create videos.  If you don't have these, you will have trouble creating a video.  If you don't have these resources, you can do the same project, except you won't be able to record it as a video.  It would be a short skit.
• TECHNOLOGY DOES NOT WORK: Have a back-up plan.  Your technology may not work when you are up in front of your class.  Have a back-up plan in case this happens.