Halloween in the AELC!

This is what happens to BAD witches...

The Halloween Family Tech  will be held on Saturday, October 25 from 12-1:30.  Children from 4-11, with their parents or guardians, are welcome to attend.

Summer Web Activities for Kids: Power UP: Ecology Website

PowerUp
Free

Save the planet Helios from ecological disaster and SmogGobs in PowerUp, a free online game that draws an emotional connection to our newly refreshed ecological awareness. The three-dimensional game, from IBM's TryScience initiative, is designed to engage students in learning about engineering and energy while trying to supply solar, wind, and water power before an ecological disaster hits. PowerUp offers classroom lesson plans that cover energy transformation, as well as an interactive module so students learn about the technologies required to build virtual worlds.

Source: Edutopia Magazine http://www.edutopia.org/media-for-educators-june-july-2008
Credit: William Duke , photo

Summer Web Activities for Kids: Kids Search Engines: Red Zebra and ZAC

Red Zebra and ZAC : kid-friendly Web browsers

Free

A search engine that filters smut? You bet. Red Zebra assures parents of early readers that their little one's search for, say, a unicorn image brings up only G-rated sites. Results are presented like a fan with images of each screen, so your child can scroll through and click on the site that offers the closest match. Another new kid-friendly technology is the ZAC browser.

ZAC (Zone for Autistic Children) is developed specifically for children with autism and autism-spectrum disorders. It allows the child to interact with and play the many games and activities, as well as experience independence using it. ZAC also offers a forum for teachers, parents, and caretakers to share resources.

Source: Edutopia Magazine http://www.edutopia.org/media-for-educators-june-july-2008

Credit: William Duke , photo

Summer Web Activities for Kids: National Geographic Virtual Dig

National Geographic Virtual Dig
If you've never had the privilege of unearthing dinosaur remains, this may be the next best thing. This feature by National Geographic provides users with an opportunity to conduct their own virtual dig. Chip away at the earth with a hammer, brush away the dust, then ship your crate off to the lab. Three different locations are available in this remarkably detailed interactive exercise.
National Geographic http://www.nationalgeographic.com/seamonsters/virtualdig/index.html#

• Learning Games
• Pictures and/or Illustrations

from: Technology and Learning, http://www.techlearning.com/webpicks/ June 25, 2008

Check out my Slide Show!

Rev up your engines~~~

The May 19th Family Tech date will focus on cars and racing. The Websites will highlight information on safety as well, and as usual, a couple of games will be included. Please let your students know about the date!

Family Tech April

Jungle Safari leader Candy

Making binoculars

Doing computer safari...

Family Tech, April 14, 12:30 - 2:30

The next Family Tech will be Saturday, April 14th from 12:30 -2:30. This month's theme will be a jungle safari, and Candy has some fun ideas for the kids to make their own binoculars and then search the jungle (OK, the AELC) to find different jungle animals. If you have any toilet paper cardboard rolls, please bring them in. It should be a roaring good time...

Fraochsidhe's Photo from Flikr

Kids Joining In

Kids were happy at the last Family Tech, showing off the pots of gold that they created.

Pots of Gold

Parents helped kids cut out coins and make a pot of gold for the holiday.

Parents and grandparents worked with kids learning about St. Patrick's Day, rainbows and just what is in that pot of gold...

Sparky is Ready for St. Pat's Day!

Family Tech mascot Sparky greeted the kids with a 'Kiss Me I'm Irish' headband, and a promise of fun fun fun!

Valentine's Day Family Tech: Feb 10, 2007

Our favorite Family Tech Mascot seems to be telling his friend to come to Family Tech on Saturday, Feb. 10 for lots of fun.

February 10, 2007 is the next Family Tech!

Classes don't start until Jan 22, so there will be no January Family Tech. The next event is scheduled for Saturday, February 10, from 12:30 -2:30. Of course the theme will center on Valentine's Day.

December Family Tech

A holiday theme marked the December Family Tech, held on December 16.