Children love games. I use them wherever I can because it gets them to study/review material without feeling like “work” and it gives them a chance to interact about the conent. I love games too!

I thought I would share a few resources that make incorporating board games in class easy and inexpensive.

First, I create my own games using file folders and beautiful templates that you can find here:

http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/gameboard.htm

The PowerPoint template prints on two pages and fills both sides of the file folder. You can also explore different Microsoft Word tempates on this site. Download, print, attach to file folder, a quick trip through the laminator and voila! a durable board game. You can use the template “as is” or you can modify it to make it your own. I started with a few generic boards that I could use with any content, and the children liked it so much I started designing boards that were specific to each unit. I’m now teaching a different content, so that is back on my todo list again.

They have a business card template that you can use for questions, but I just set up a two column table in word. I like my rows set at about an 1.25 to 1.5 inches and at least 14 point font. I use vocabulary words and questions from my test bank for each unit to create the questions. Print them out, use a paper cutter to make the job go quicker, and store the cards in a business envelope attached to the board or stored separately. These could be laminated, but its so easy to print a duplicate set if necessary that I don’t.

Dice from the dollar store and water bottle caps complete this resource.

Other things you can do with the templates:

I like to use these on my Promethean board to play whole class games. I make a few shapes that are colored for pieces, and let the students compete in teams using the Eggspert.

The Eggspert runs between $60 and $99 and is totally worth it. It allows you to know which child “rings in” first. These very photogenic children are not mine, this picture is from the Eggspert site: www.eggspert.com

I like to put students in teams in rows, and they rotate every turn so that every child gets the chance to ring in. It also provides movement for all the students.

You can also have students make their own gameboards. Read Write Think has come up with a terrific lesson plan using gameboards as project for novels, but is easily adaptable to any content. I wrote a post about my recent adaptation of this here.

Starting a new website can seem like an expensive affair for any small business. By using a CMS such as WordPress or Joomla, and buying a template that can be customized for your business, you can get a head start during that period where you haven’t yet established a cash flow.

Once you start searching for WordPress or Joomla templates, you will discover that there are thousands of options out there. I’ve been through hundreds of sites and can tell you that for Joomla, the most beautiful designs I’ve seen so far can be found within a couple of sites. One of my favorites is Joomlart, whose designs have come so far in the last few years. Included in each template are several custom modules that give you sophisticated options such as image rotation.

When you sign up for a one year membership ($70), you get access to over 80 different templates that you can use on up to 3 different websites at a time, plus they add a new template every month that is included in your membership. Template styles range from showbiz to ecommerce to sophisticated magazine/news site themes.

I will add more great sites for Joomla templates later this week.

Take the following piece of code:

for (int i = 0; i < arguments.length; i++) {
    String argument = arguments[i];
    // ... Do something with argument...
}

How many times have you typed out a similar for-loop, mistyped arguments the 2nd time, made a syntax error by forgetting a semicolon, etc, etc. Same goes for writing a main method or a try-catch block. Even typing an enhanced for-loop in the above example is slow.

To me they’re code zombies. Nobody likes them, everybody wants to get rid of them asap and just when you think you’ve killed one, it wakes up again and doesn’t stop… ever.

This is where templates bash in with modified shotguns and spiked baseball/cricket bats. You use templates to rid yourself of these code zombies, because life’s too short and fast to have to write long and slow code.

Why use templates?

Templates are an easy and fast way to add common code. They’re like bits of snippets, but usually shorter and more generic. Just type the name of the template, press a key and the code is magically inserted.

Existing code can also be affected by templates that support selections. For example, you can select a block of code and use the try template to wrap the entire block in a try-catch block.

Templates can also contain variables to make your generated code a bit smarter. They also use placeholders to make editing easier.

How do you use templates?

Just watch this video to see how to use templates. It shows how to add a main method, with a for-loop that prints out all command line arguments. Notice the smooth movement between the placeholders (the green boxes):

It’s easy to use a template. While editing your Java class, do the following:

1. Type the name (or part of the name) of the template, eg. type main to use the template that adds a main method.
2. Press Ctrl-Space.
3. Select the template from the list that appears. Use the Up/Down arrows to navigate and Enter to select the template.
4. Complete any placeholders. Move between them by pressing Tab, avoid the arrow keys and mouse – they slow you down.

How does this make you faster?

You did watch the video, right? In 20 seconds we wrote code that would normally take you around 40 to 50 seconds (and that’s if we don’t make any mistakes). The video is deliberately slowed down as well for clarity. We can improve that to 10-12 seconds for all that code.

So, 400% faster = time for 4 more cups of coffee a day = 100 x happier developer!

Templates have some smarts in them as well. The for-loop in the video immediately recommended the array args as it was the nearest collection/array in scope. This works 80% of the time, so that cuts down on some time as well.

Some useful templates to get you going

Eclipse has a lot of built-in templates. Have a look at them by going to Window > Preferences > Java > Editor > Templates.

For the lazy, here are some useful ones to speed things up a bit:

• main – inserts a main method, arguments and all.
• for – generates for-loops, eg. one with an index over an array or with a temporary variable; can wrap a selected block of code.
• foreach – inserts an enhanced for-loop; can also wrap an existing selection in a for loop; can wrap a selected block of code.
• try – produces a try-catch block with the default Exception and a todo to remind you to complete the exception block; can also wrap an existing selection in a try-catch; can wrap a selected block of code.
• switch – adds a switch statement together with a case-block and default-block.
• while – inserts a while-loop, optionally with an enumerator; can wrap a selected block of code.

Massive time savers already right there.

::sigh::

i’ve been incredibly unfocused.

i’ve been trying to work everyday. but, sometimes i just stare at my screen for an hour and do next to nothing. so, i’ve started a goal for myself to help kick start production. i do well with goals. so… a NEW design everyday for the next 60 days. from there, i’ll decide whether or not to do an extension.

so…

DAY ONE : HANDLE WITH CARE
…as simple as the back is, it actually took quite awhile to design. sometimes the most rigid designs take the most fine tuning. my concert ticket business card took hours, and the design was already put in place by ticketmaster… so, point proven. but, it was worth it… one of my best business cards to date. anyhow… handle with care…

beautiful…

Dreamtemplatestuodio.com has created a free templates site. The site contains a wide range of exclusive and elite templates. These templates are fully updated and customer- oriented and very different from others.

The site is developed in such a way that it can fulfill the demand of web user. After a long observation, Dreamtemplatestudio.com has seen that due to lack ness of visualization in the presentation of templates; a large number of web users are still not satisfied with the service provided by different sites. Keeping this in the mind of users, we have innovated this site. Our aim is to initiate interest among general users as well as advanced users.

What makes it so important and different from other sites?

That is the enhancement of a large number of outstanding templates which are still not available in other site except dreamtemplatestudio.com.

In this site, you can use the available free templates for online shopping cart, e-commerce and online business purpose and lots more. This can save your time and satisfy you with best services ever.

We are determined to provide you the best site service for your optimum use so that your imagination and creativity can be developed. Free templates in our site provides you in selecting the highly standardized and fascinating templates which are certainly very user friendly and helpful in the hour of need. In free template, you can get CSS, HTML, Drupal template, joomla template and many more absolutely free.

There are two important features of this site, one is the use of themes that can inform you how to customize and use the interface using template CSS etc .The other is, we invite all such Creative designers intellectual & hard working who are looking for their contribution in the field of web designing here is an opportunity for them they can bring their portfolio and templates.

We have noticed for a long time that newcomers in the field of web designing is have to face lots of difficulties when they are facing interviews Your contribution in our company will certainly be a passport for a job searching.

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Photo Swarm Templates

Available at ScrapDish and Scrap-Wishes

Here are some new layout ideas for your scrap pages! Each layout is designed for the use of multiple photos. There`s no faster way to complete your scrapbook page layouts
The template set comes with 6 layered Photoshop files and 6 flattened jpg files. Both are sized at 12 x 12 inches. I also added a few colored decorative elements.

f you haven’t already started using and creating OneNote templates, this this video is a must for you! You’ll realize that you don’t have to start from a blank page every time you attend a meeting where you have to take notes. When I first started using OneNote at The Agency, I would create a new page for each weekly meeting and start randomly writing stuff down. Not very smart and not very efficient. Seeing as how I am inherantly bone lazy and and about as organized as a drunk cheerleader, I soon cottoned onto the fact that I could download a meeting template from Office Online or create my own. That way, I was instantly transformed into a super-notetaking machine!

Watch the video now!

Here’s monster list of OneNote templates that you can download and start using right now.

Here, for example, is a link to a 2010 Calendar template that has room for notes. It’s never too early to start planning for next year, I guess!

1 think I’ll send this Home Improvement Journal template to my Dad – he’s about to start remodeling the kitchen. Guess, I won’t be having any home cooked meals when I visit for the foreseeable future. Frown

The creative team at StockLayouts posted new Holiday & Christmas Greeting Cards.

StockLayouts template designs, for creating print marketing materials are available for purchase and download online and are fully customizable in a choice of file formats including QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Word and Apple iWork Pages. Created with high-quality output in mind, the template designs are easy to edit, and suitable for printing in-house on a color printer or on an offset press. The do-it-yourself marketing templates help users promote their business and look more professional with high-impact designs!

Professional Business Cards are hip and urban in their design.

Green Tech Fashion Business Cards by SublimeStationery
More Green Business Cards

Green Business Letterhead is easy to customize!

Emerald Green Business Letterhead by SublimeStationery
Browse Mint Letterhead

well today have been felting up the 1st pattern to be released under the Chrissie Day name and getting the step by step photography done which will accompany each template .
I chose felted ballet style pumps for the 1st as these have been my signature item for a good few years now and cannot begin to count how many I have made.
I will enclose pictures of many different design ways to finish these and how to protect the soles. These are really yummy with deep rose pink as the other colour .

Hi people , I am very happy to post this today, I saw these cds on create and craft the other day , and i thought im sure i know this lady and yes i do , so i have done this fairy which Jennie very kindly sent me , she is a lovely lady and i wish her well with all her sales Jennie has 2 cds out at the moment so please check them out they are called jennigami, these are so lovely and easy and also for the post they all fold flat and no glue is used , so i cant wait to try now with acetate he he

anyway here it is

hope you like it

Looking for free powerpoint templates is not difficult.  Use Uncle Google and within seconds you find tons of sites that offer templates for free.  But for most of these templates you probably think : ” I could have done this myself”.

Microsoft offers some real nice ones, problem with the MS Templates is that they are so obvious.

However, the MS blog : Inside Office Online has some things that boggle your mind!  Real professional looking templates, imagery, animations, graphics….  and all for free!  You can check them out at http://blogs.msdn.com/inside_office_online/archive/tags/free+templates/default.aspx

The real nice stuff can be found in this post : http://blogs.msdn.com/inside_office_online/archive/2008/12/11/no-more-death-by-powerpoint_3A00_-free-downloads-by-a-savvy-pro-can-sharpen-your-presentations.aspx – Microsoft hired Julie Terberg, a Powerpoint specialist, to create a series of 157 example slides WITH the explanation of how she did it.  You can just copy the slides or try to rebuild them yourself.

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. It is a holiday celebrated primarily in Canada and the United States. While perhaps religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday. The date and location of the first Thanksgiving celebration is a topic of modest contention. Though the earliest attested Thanksgiving celebration was on September 8, 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida, the traditional “first Thanksgiving” is venerated as having occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621. The Plymouth celebration occurred early in the history in one of the original thirteen colonies that became the United States, and this celebration became an important part of the American myth by the 1800s. Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. Thanksgiving dinner is held on this day, usually as a gathering of family members and friends.

Here are some Free Thanksgiving PowerPoint TEMPLATES:

• 
  Thanksgiving Template 1
• 
  Thanksgiving Template 2
• 
  Thanksgiving Template 3
• 
  Thanksgiving Template 4
• 
  Thanksgiving Template 5
• 
  Thanksgiving Template 6
• 
  Thanksgiving Template 7
• 
  Thanksgiving Template 8
• 
  Thanksgiving Template 9
• 
  Thanksgiving Template 10
• 
  Thanksgiving Template 11
• 
  Thanksgiving Template 12

See also:
Free Holiday PowerPoint Templates:

 Valentine & Easter & April Fools’ Day & Father’s Day & Christmas

Free Thanksgiving PowerPoint Backgrounds:

http://powerpointbackground.wordpress.com/2009/11/10/free-thanksgiving-powerpoint-backgrounds-download/

http://www.dvd-ppt-slideshow.com/blog/download-free-thanksgiving-powerpoint-backgrounds/

Joomla, mambo yazılımcılarından bir grubun ayrılması ile kurulmuş olun ve şu an mamboyu bile sollamış olan dünyanın en iyi ve esnek php ile yazılmış bir CMS yada İYS veya tam açıklarsak İçerik Yönetim Sistemidir. Joomla’nın esnek olması onu kullanan kişilerin hayal gücünü sonuna kadar destekler.

Eğer çok derin web merakınız ve zamanınız yoksa hiç joomla olayına girmeyin. Tabi Web’i seviyorsan, site tasarımı senin herşeyinse ve bu konuya ayıracak zamanın varsa hiç durma git joomlaya.Joomla ile ilgili bazı yerli ve yabancı kaynak adresleri;
- Mambo hut Adının mambo olduğuna bakmayın joomla tema, component ve diğer yardımcı programlar. (İngilizce)
- Joomlaos En güzel joomla temalarının derlendiği bir Alman sitesi ama (ingilizce.)
- Joomlahacks Joomla deyince akla gelen ilk sitelerden biridi. Dünyanın teması burada. (ingilizce)
- Joomlaokulu İşte size joomla hakkında ve diğer web programları ile ilgili blog tadında bir kaynak. (Türkçe)
- Joomla Türkiye Joomla’nın Türkiye grubu ve Joomla’nın gelişimi ve tanıtımı için çok emek sarfediyorlar. (Türkçe)

Welcome to Collectwebwordpress.com. This is my first post.

The creative team at StockLayouts posted a new business template set for a Ski & Snowboard Instructor. The business set is comprised of a brochure, postcard, poster, stationery and flyer & ads.

StockLayouts template designs, for creating print marketing materials are available for purchase and download online and are fully customizable in a choice of file formats including QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Word and Apple iWork Pages. Created with high-quality output in mind, the template designs are easy to edit, and suitable for printing in-house on a color printer or on an offset press. The do-it-yourself marketing templates help users promote their business and look more professional with high-impact designs!