SMART Board Goodies A Resource Blog by Amber Coggin 

Tvokids.com has so many great games and videos. Here is a spelling game that I really like called the Amazing Spelling Fleas. There are several rounds to the game. The first consists of popping the bubble with the correctly spelled word. Then you’ll move on to the next level where you choose the correct letter to complete the word, and so on. Check it out!

I’d like to share with you an exciting new interactive whiteboard product from Learning Resources called now!Board™! The now!Board™ turns any flat surface into an interactive whiteboard. It’s portable and easy to set up, and best of all, it’s inexpensive compared to other interactive whiteboards! If you are unable to purchase a SMART Board or Promethean ActivBoard due to budget constraints, this may be the alternative you are looking for.

Benefits

The now!Board™ components

It’s a valuable classroom resource! You no longer have to stand at a laptop and projector cart to teach your lessons! You and your students can interact with your computer from the front of the classroom.

It’s portable! This is a perfect system for a teacher without a homeroom class or those who have to travel in order to present. The now!Board™ comes in a small case that is easy to grab and go.

It’s easy to use! Simply install the software, connect it to your laptop/projector, calibrate it (However, this step was a

little tedious) and you’re up and running. Make sure you have a nice sized area to project on to, such as an empty wall (as seen in the photo) or a traditional whiteboard. The now!Board™ does require the use of a stylus.

It’s cost effective! Unlike other interactive whiteboards that cost around $2,000, the now!Board™ is available to you for only $499! This is an affordable alternative for teachers, districts, and families who homeschool who wish to have touch technology without the cost associated with the SMART Board and the Promethean ActivBoard.

The now!Board™ in use.

now!Board™ Software

The software that comes with the now!Board™ is free for anyone to download directly from their website. You can even download it without actually purchasing the product if you’d like to see everything it offers (although it will not be touch-sensitive until your product is connected). With the now!Board™ toolbar, you can draw lines, shapes, take screenshots, and more.

For more information on the now!Board™, please visit the now!Board™ product page on the Learning Resources website or visit them on Facebook. I highly recommend watching the demonstration on YouTube video and reading other customer reviews before making a purchase.

Thanks to the folks at now!Board™ for sending me one to try out!

One of the Kindergarten teachers in my district shared this and I just had to share it with you! The instructions were to spell vocabulary words on the SMART Board, but this Kindergarten boy had other plans. Maybe Valentine’s Day got him in the spirit! Enjoy!

FOSSweb has many wonderful interactive science activities for K-8 students. Insect Hunt is one of my favorites from the K-2 section. Move the magnifying glass around to find the insects. Once you answer whether or not it is an insect, you will then be presented with some insect facts. Look for insects on land and water! Don’t forget to check out all of the other activities on the site. Enjoy and TGIF!