Spinning+Hills+Middle+School

Spinning Hills Middle School has a great deal of productivity tools available for use. These include:


 * Word Processors:** Programs such as __Word__ and __Notepad__ are utilized for report writing, lesson creating, worksheet making, and test creation.


 * Desktop Publishing**: Programs such as __Publisher__ are used for flyer creation (for clubs), or various other projects in the classroom.


 * Spreadsheets**: Programs such as __Excel__ allow our teachers to analyze and compare our test data. The math department created common assessments that are used by all teachers in each grade. The data is then analyzed and uploaded onto a common spreadsheet where teachers can see how their students are doing compared to others in the school.


 * Calendar:** __Lotus Notes__ is our main email program and we utilize the calendar feature in the program. This is how we are notified of parent and IEP meetings as well as staff meetings and when our principal is going to be out of the office.


 * Puzzle Makers/Test/Survey Makers**: The 6th Grade math department has these features incorporated into their __Holt math textbooks__. There are various programs, created by Holt, that allow math teachers to create standard-based tests and puzzles based on the material in their textbook. My school also uses __"Short Cycle" tests__ which are common tests that are formatted much like the OAA. These tests are scanned through a scanner and then programs are run to create various reports displaying and comparing the data. These tests are given about once or twice a quarter.


 * Rubric Makers**: __Rubistar__ is the website that is most commonly used for website creation. Some teachers will also use __Word__ to create rubrics.


 * Web Authoring**: My school just had a class about creating personalized websites and posting a link to these on our main webpage. They used a variety of ways to create their webpage but some teachers used __Weebly__ to create their own webpage.


 * Web Browsers/Search Engines**: We use __Internet Explorer__ to surf the net. The students also use __Google__ and the search engine that is built into our main website. A lot of the teachers also use __BrainPop__ in their classrooms to enhance their lessons. BrainPop is a website that has a library of cartoon-type videos on various topics ranging from Math and Science to Social Studies and Economics.


 * Email**: We use __Lotus Notes__ as our main email program. At school, we use the actual program but we can also access Lotus Notes at home via the internet.


 * Learning Management Systems**: Our Central Office and the administrators use __Moodle__ to display current information on academics and the school system in general. Currently, Moodle is focused on getting out information about the upcoming levy.

If you would like any more information on any of the productivity tools my school uses, please feel free to let me know!