Rubric Sites

Teachnology Rubric Maker - not very customizable, but quick and easy.
Recipes4Success - fully customizable, can make a student checklist, cannot be saved on the site.
Rubistar - fully customizable, can be saved on the site for later use.

Creating a PDF file from any document

What are the advantages of a PDF file?

Smaller files. The smaller the file, the quicker the transfer.

The recipients of your document see exactly what you designed – no chance of the format changing.

Everyone can open it. The reader software is a free download and available for all platforms.

How can I create a PDF file?

It is incredibly simple:

1. Open the file (word, publisher, power point, etc.) that you want to turn into a PDF file.

2. Go to FileàPrint.

3. Choose Adobe PDF from the list of printers.

4. Click OK.

5. Choose where you want to save the file.

6. That’s it – all done.

A few tips:

Do all of your editing before you create the PDF file

You have to have the “real” version of Adobe Acrobat not Acrobat Reader – all of the new computers in the building have this installed.

Read Write Think Student Tools

ReadWriteThink offers a collection of online Student Materials to support literacy learning in the K-12 classroom. These interactive tools can be used to supplement a variety of lessons and provide an opportunity for students to use technology while developing their literacy skills.

Click here to check them out:Read Write Think Student Tools

Protecting Your Computer from Spyware and Adware

What is spyware/adware?

Adware is software that displays advertisements on your computer. These are ads that inexplicably pop up on your display screen, even if you're not browsing the Internet. Some companies provide "free" software in exchange for advertising on your display. It's how they make their money.

Spyware is software that sends your personal information to a third party without your permission or knowledge. This can include information about Web sites you visit or something more sensitive like your user name and password. Unscrupulous companies often use this data to send you unsolicited targeted advertisements.

How do I know if my computer has been infected with spyware/adware?

If you computer is running more slowly or you notice extra toolbars in Internet Explorer you probably have been infected with spyware or adware.

How do I get rid of spyware/adware?

At school: Send me an email and I will run spyware/adware detection and removal programs on your computer.

At home: Download detection programs and run them on your computer. Two of the most popular ones are Spybot S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/) and AdAware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/). You actually need to run both of them for the best chance of removing all the spyware/adware on your machine.

How can I prevent spyware/adware from getting on my computer?

There is no 100% effective way to prevent it except for never using the Internet. There are however a few things you can do to reduce your risk:

• Never install anything on your computer that you are not 100% confident of the source. This means actually reading the windows that pop up instead of just clicking OK.
• Be wary of free software programs – the reason many of them are free is that they package adware with them. If you really need to install it read the entire license agreement – if a company is legitimate they will disclose anything they are installing along with their program.
• Beware of known sources of spyware: AOL Instant Messenger, Napster, LimeWire, Alexa, Wild Tangent and Gator are just a few well know programs which are spyware or contain spyware elements.