Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
Name the last five winners of Miss America.
Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
Name the last six Academy Award winners for best actor or actress.
Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do? The point is, we remember very few of headliners of yesterday.  Now, mind you, none of these are second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields.  Applause dies, awards tarnish, achievements are forgotten, accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.  Now see how well you do on this quiz!

List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?  The Lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.  They are the ones that care.  Now here’s my suggestion.  Have your students do this exercise.  Let someone know they have made a difference in your life.  Find a way for your students to let someone know they made a difference.  Better yet, make a difference yourself!  Continue the “Tradition of Excellence!”

10:00 - LEARN 360  Learn360 is a diverse collection of thousands of online streaming videos and video clips created by organizations such as PBS, National Geographic, and Sunburst Visual Media, as well as educationally relevant audio files, newsreels, speeches, and images. Many videos can be downloaded in QuickTime, Windows Media, and Flash and imbedded in classroom presentations.  Even if you’ve seen LEARN 360 before, you haven’t seen anything yet!  They have greatly expanded the available resources and tools.  Presenter:  Tom Bukowski  Web address:  http://www.learn360.com/

11:00  iSafe – Internet Safety Curriculum  Recent legislation appears to require schools to provide Internet Safety education.  This wording was added to the Communications Act: ‘‘(iii) as part of its Internet safety policy is educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyber bullying awareness and response.’’  One of the resources available for your use is the www.iSafe.org approach to educate and empower youth in internet safety concepts. IT is a free curriculum, though you need to be complete some training in order to access the materials. iSafe covers five basic internet safety concepts.  Presenter:  Chris Rogers  Web address:  http://www.cesa7.k12.wi.us/content/ils/index.asp

12:00  The Importance of a Personal Learning Community (PLC) and How to Develop One  A PLC is a personal learning community.  These are the people who are your resources.  This is where you can bounce ideas, get new ideas, brainstorm, etc.  You are not alone any longer when connections are so easy to develop with the new tools available on the internet.  We’ll take a look at what all of the buzz is about and I’ll show you some of the great tools available for you to start developing your PLC!  Presenter:  Keith Schroeder  Web address:  http://keithschroeder.net

1:00 RSS - Your New Research Assistant!  Need Your Own Research Assistant?  Do you wish you had more time to explore the internet and find cool sites to integrate into your curriculum?  Are you looking to bridge the gap between yourself and your students in the digital world they live in?  Create a RSS feed page.  Time is always an issue, there is never enough.  A RSS feed page will allow you to find keep track of newly added information to blogs, websites and wikis that pertain to your subject area or other areas of interest.  In a few simple steps you can set up a page and you will instantly be on top of the most current news.  Presenter:  Dena Budrecki  Web address:  http://msdenabudrecki.pbwiki.com/

2:00 (Double Session)  Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens: Helping Young People Learn to Use the Internet Safely and Responsibly - FERPA and How It Impacts Schools.  We must expect that young people will post personal information online and will interact wih a wide range of people ~ including “online strangers.”  There are risks associated with these activities.  There are also risks associated wth crossing a busy street.  We don’t tell children never to cross streets.  We hold their hand when they are young ~ then we teach them how to do so safely and responsibly!  As our young people are becoming involved in the global interactive Internet community, it is important for educatros to ensure they have the knowledge, skills and values to do so safely and responsibly. This presentation will focus on materials available for students, professional development and resources for parent education.  The presentation will  give you practical suggestions that will incoporate insight from research on youth risk online and effective risk prevention.  Presenter:  Nancy Willard, the executive director of the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use, is a nationally recognized authority on issues related to the safe and responsible use of the Internet.Web address:  http://www.cyberbully.org/

To register please follow this link:  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/621167197

Alec Baldwin is awesome in this ad - “What are you going to do, turn off your TV and your computer?”  I love the new phrase “cerebral gelatinizing.” . . . does that describe anyone you know?  Now TV on your portable device. . . you mean kids are going to be watching “Desperate Housewives” during class???  Now our own State of Wisconsin DPI realizes that youtube is here to stay so they have launched their own channel on youtube!  Check out the great videos at http://www.youtube.com/WisconsinDPI   Now I’m wondering if Alec Baldwin, HULU and the DPI know something we don’t.  IS THERE NO END! :-)  Now the real question is how can we capitalize on this in our buildings. . . district. . . state????  What do you think?

Excuse me while I watch “Family Guy” on my ipod. . . . .

WEMTA Wired Wednesday “Battling Over Books” with Jeffrey Carpenter

The January WEMTA Wired Wednesday is Wednesday, January 28th at 7:00
with Jeff Carpenter “Co-founder of WEMTA’s sponsored Battle of The Books
Program.

Never heard of the Battle of the Books or are you a new coach looking for ideas and activities to do with your readers? Do you have questions about the Battle of the Books program and need answers? Have you received your practice questions and wonder not what do I do? Join us and journey behind the “battle lines” for an interactive question and answer session on this 10 year-old program. The program presenter is Mr. Jeffrey Carpenter who has been called the “Vince Lombardi” of the Battle of the Books. I know it will be a great night!

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/403598182