Promethean Project

The district where I teach is moving toward having Promethean boards in every classroom. Part of me is excited for this undertaking, the other lazier, unsure, stay-in-my-box part doesn't know if I want this in my room. It feels like (and I'm being perfectly honest here, because isn't that what blogs are for?) another thing I 'have to do'. I'm sure a year from now, when I am used to planning with it and using it in lessons, I'll wonder how I got along without it.

But how do I get there? The BIG questions on my mind are:
-Where can I find resources to use? I have heard from colleagues that Promethean Planet is a great resource, but I haven't found anything at the kindergarten level that thrills me. I have heard that other teachers use it for calendar, weather, etc, but stubborn me likes the things I have already (which I paid for with my own money, laminated with the machine and sheets I bought with my own money, and spent my time outside of school to cut out, but I know I'm preaching to the choir with that sermon). The students get to actually put things up and touch them...how does this work with a promethean board?
-Should I think of using the Promethean as a way of facilitating the lesson? Is it used as an additional lesson? Both?
-Not really a question, but more of a statement....I don't want my students to think of the Promethean as another avenue of being entertained. I believe as a teacher, it's not my job to entertain my students. They get enough of that outside of school. It's my job to guide their learning, not be a one-woman sideshow. Maybe I'm not making myself clear. If the Promethean enhances my teaching, that is what I want.

I'll let you know my progress. My board has just been ordered, so I've definitely got time to think about these topics. The first task at hand though....where in the world am I going to PUT it??? I hate to cover up my brand new whiteboard that just got installed at the front of my room, which in retrospect seems like a bad idea, but it's there now and I don't think the guys who installed it would take too kindly to me asking them to uninstall it.

New Adventure

Hello blogosphere..in a quest to stretch my technology comfort zone and also find/discuss teaching tips from fellow educators, I am killing two birds with one stone and attempting a blog. This is my first year teaching kindergarten and it seems like I am always combing the internet for suggestions, ideas, templates, etc., and thought this might be a good place to corral them all. Instead of just visiting a blog, have a blog to call "ours", editing, sharing, connecting. Okay, that sounds a bit corny/overly inspirational speaker-like, but it's true. I am hopeful it will start some discussion on the following topics (if not, then at least it will organize my thoughts):

-Integrating technology (Promethean boards, websites, computers) into an early childhood classroom
-Best classroom management techniques
-Tips and insights into helping students diagnosed with various challenges (ADHD, ADD, ODD, allergies, speech impairments, hearing impairments, physical impairments, autism, bipolar...the list could go on)
-Interventions and enrichments to give all students what they need
-Best websites for teachers, parents, and students to use

I think that's enough to tackle for one day. Feel free to let me know you were here, and that someone actually read this rambling first entry. :)