You’re probably already using the powerful search capabilities of Google to find lesson plans, historical data, photos, and a world of other information to make your classroom time more interesting. Google is far more than a simple, easy-to-use search engine. Here’s a presentation by Richard Byrne to help you leverage the wealth of free stuff on Google.

Google for Teachers -

Wow. The creative geniuses over on that famous street have set records once again. Congratulations to the folks at Sesame Street on being awarded these Emmys:

• Outstanding Pre-School Children’s Series
• Outstanding Writing in a Children’s Series
• Outstanding Directing in a Children’s Series
• Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design/Styling
• Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation: Peter de Seve, Character Designer, Abby’s Flying Fairy School
• Outstanding Achievement in Multiple Camera Editing
• Outstanding Performer In A Children’s Series: Kevin Clash as Elmo and Joey Mazzarino as Stinky, Murray & Blogg

The Sesame Street characters add tons of smiles all over the place. Here’s a sample of the products available through SmileMakers:

• Sesame Street Head Shot Sticker Assortment with 75 stickers of 5 different characters
• Silly Elmo Stickers with 75 stickers of 5 different poses
• Scented Sesame Street Beach Stickers with 50 stickers of 5 different designs
• Entire collection of SmileMakers Sesame Street stickers and products

Here’s a little something special for teachers: Teacher Perks. It’s a program to give you a little something extra. Here’s what members get:

• FREE Shipping on all orders of $50 or more.
• Special Private Sales each and every month.
• FREE Gift Offers

There is absolutely no cost to become a member of Teacher Perks! In fact, if you are currently a member of SmileMakers Teacher Club, we’ve automatically updated your membership to the new and improved Teacher Perks. If you are a brand new customer, you can add Teacher Perks to your shopping cart next time you visit SmileMakers.com, and you’ll be a member right away.

Thanks to a $1 million dollar grant from the Verizon Foundation, the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English launched an overhauled Thinkfinity website. The new website will allow you to create your own filing cabinets and save lesson plans and other materials for later use. It will also include expanded social media features so you can more easily connect with your peers around the country.