Simple Timer to Get Things Done

I am a big fan of using timers in the classroom to keep students on track and motivated. I use a timer to get class started and take us through our set-up routine and will also use one so that we don’t get bogged down working on one particular problem for too long. I will also use one for small group work in order to keep groups on task and accountable for producing the desired product by the deadline.
Focus Booster Live is both a web application and a desktop application that runs in Adobe Air. It offers a variable countdown followed by a variable period of rest. You could easily make this a warning bell and a final deadline. Very simple program but allow me to save you a few moments of frustration… Click the little “i” in the upper right corner to change the options. I looked for a way to do this for quite a while assuming that little “i” was for help! Give it a whirl and let me know what you think or what you use to help keep track of time in your classroom.

Grammar Girl To The Rescue

The other day I was working on a document when I had a question about whether to use “effect” or “affect.” Turning, as we all do from time to time, to that great friend Google I discovered the site Grammar Girl and the wealth of information present there. Each article is in podcast and written form with each having usefulness in the classroom. From serious topics like “Commas with Participial Phrases” to less serious topics like “Is ‘Conversate’ A Word?” there is a great deal here to help both teachers and students alike.

Grammar Girl