WikiMapia is a Google Maps mash-up that combines a wiki and with a Google Maps interface. WikiMapia allows you to mark physical locations on a map and add descriptive content about the location. The interface is designed as a wiki, so anyone can add or edit information. It also has tagging features, so you can also add tags to your placemarks, and search for locations by tags.

Being a Google Map interface, all you need to do is navigate to a specific location, click the add new link at the top of the map, and then manipulate a resizable box to the exact location you wish to describe. (the box has a similar interface to the “notes” feature in Flickr…) Click the show information link on your placemark box and you are presented with a form where you add your information. The example below is the neighborhood around Lewis Elementary. I added the content about Lewis, but the information about Reed College was added by someone else.

A great tool for describing places in the world or your neighborhood. I wonder if the developers are going to make the code available. It would be nice to run this in a more protected state with students. Would be great for describing and documenting our neighborhood.

By way of Google Maps Mania

Technorati Tags: google maps, wikimapia

At Lewis Elementary, our music/technology teacher Tony Jamesbarry has been introducing his students to Comic Life. The students are using Comic Life to create how to guides for school routines and procedures. Things such as guides for checking out a library book, lunch recycling, and how to use the rotary dial classroom intercom phones. (which is harder than you may think for students who have never seen a rotary phone dial… ) Students story board their procedures and then use digital cameras to shoot the scenes and then use Comic Life to create the guide. As an extension to this activity, Tony is now having his students export their Comic Life pages to iMovie where they are adding narration and soundtracks using Garage Band.

This year Tony has been working in our computer lab with mostly 4th and 5th grade students. We are fortunate that next year Tony will be working full time at Lewis. He will continue to teach music classes and also offer band, recorder and marimba half time, and the other half of his work will involve leading teachers and students at grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the use of technology as a tool for story telling, music creation and communication. We are hoping to find some funds to purchase midi keyboards and software so that he can also begin to teach piano keyboard in the lab to our 2nd grade students.

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It’s been a very busy week at school this week. Our students have been working with a natural builder named James Thomson. He is working with the students creating a bench made of cob. In addition, we have had a large group of volunteers working in our Outdoor Center making an outdoor classroom structure. Last weekend the posts were set and this afternoon a crew arrived after school to set the trusses and put on the base for an eco-roof. We hope to have most of the major construction done by Sunday. If you would like to help, consider purchasing a brick.

In addition the PTA is having its annual Spring Carnival tomorrow. And finally, we learned this week that we have been awarded a grant from our local cable commission that will allow us to expand our digital video curriculum. A busy week… The images to the left are from the Lewis Flickr Photostream…

The Lewis Elementary PTA is putting on a spring carnival this coming Saturday, May 27. I wanted to note that the poster for the event was created by Lewis parent Shannon Wheeler, author of the Too Much Coffee Man comic and web site. Shannon’s boys attend Lewis.

Technorati Tags: Lewis Elementary, shannon wheeler, Too Much Coffee Man

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This year, my school, Lewis Elementary, is very fortunate to be taking part in the 6th Annual Village Building Convergence. This event brings together volunteer builders and community members for a place building activity. This year the VBC will be working with Lewis to help build an outdoor classroom structure in the Lewis Outdoor Center. Much work and planning has taken place this spring and work began on Friday afternoon. More information can be found on the VBC web site.

The Spectator Online - Spring Art Show 2006

“My motive and intention is to allow for all who come into contact with these posters to do the same and have a true dialogue about what is being presented,”

NSBA reports on the decline of recess… Am glad to see that Cartoon Network is on the case…

The rap on recess:

Elementary schools in lower income areas offer less recess and less overall time for exercise than other schools. USA Today reports that, according to the report, “Public schools with more wealthy children get, on average, about 50 percent more recess a day than those with the most low-income students.”

Technorati Tags: recess