Photo Editing Programs

I like to take photos in the classroom. Students works, seating plans, bulletin boards, student work, field trips, just everything. September to December I did monthly slideshows for my class but after Christmas break I haven't done one (yet) planning one soon....

But I love this collage making program, I think I may use it for some of my class photos.

http://pixlr.com/ is a photo editor that allows you to make collages and such in minutes. Although it doesn't have as many features as photoshop, that is part of what makes it simpler and faster to use.


Check out Tech Tailgate for step by step instructions and demonstrations   written by http://teachingsuperpower.blogspot.ca/

•Go to pixlr.com and choose Pixlr Express
•Select Collage
•Click on Layout and select your collage style
•Moving your mouse over any of the boxes will activate the blue plus button.  Click on it and select your picture.  You can click on the picture with your mouse to move it around and adjust it inside the box.
•Use the Spacing tool to change your border size, the Roundness tool for an Instagram rounded corner effect, or the Proportion tool if you want a more wider/tall layout.  Click on the color box to change the background color.

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Here are some other sites I have seen or heard of (but not tried)

fotoflexer.com/

www.picmonkey.com

ipiccy.com

www.befunky.com/

www.pizap.com/

MindUp Program

I have been in numerous classrooms that practice the MindUp program and have to say, it is AMAZING! I am a huge fan of social emotional learning and it's benefits and find that this program works well in classrooms. I hope to take the training myself this year and implement some of the practices into my classroom.

I know my daughter's teacher (in grade 2) used MindUp and my daughter enjoyed it very much and still practices some of the relaxation and focus techniques on her own at home and school.

MindUP™ aspires to:

• Develop students’ skills in focusing their attention;
• Sharpen students’ awareness of their environment and themselves by paying attention to what they sense and feel;
• Strengthen the positive human qualities students possess, including their capacity to understand the perspectives of others and to be empathic, helpful, and kind;
• Increase students’ optimism and well-being;
• Foster a cohesive, caring learning environment and thereby an optimistic classroom. 

MindUp is a classroom-based social and emotional learning program (SEL) designed to enhance self-awarness, social awareness, attention, self regulation, problem solving, pro-social behaviour (helping, sharing, and cooperating), and positive human qualities, such as happiness, optimism, and kindness. Research has shown that students who participate in SEL programs, like MindUp, enhance their overall learning potential, improve their classroom behaviour, and increase their academic success.
 
MindUp was created to help children understand the ways their minds work and how their thoughts and feelings affect their behaviour. The MindUp curriculum is informed by the latest scientific research in the fields of cognitive neuroscience, social emotional learning, and positive psychology.
Through a series of simple lessons, students learn strategies to calm their minds, focus their attention, and become more aware of themselves, others, and their environment. Each lesson also teaches students about their brain (anatomy and function), and how they can positively influence their own brain development. Along with the classroom lessons, there is a short, twice daily practice of focusing and calming their mind using listening and breathing techniques.