Good, Good, Good, Good ideas!

Recently I was at a conference, where it was I don't recall and for what I don't remember.  I did take one really smart idea with me.  That was purchasing (with my own money of course because that's what we do as teachers) a wireless mouse for my classroom.  The Smartboard in my room is fantastic but sometimes limiting in how it's used especially with kindergarteners.  Early in the year they are still learning to manipulate the pens and icons. Additionally my class likes to say that my Smartboard isn't always very smart. It doesn't always work as smoothly for them as I'd like and I don't like them to become frustrated with it, even though I do at times.  In the past I would have kiddos hop up to my desk and use my mouse.  When I was teaching with my Smartboard I was either tethered to my desk or to the front of my room so that I can turn the pages or manipulate the math lessons. 

Enter a SIMPLE piece of technology that is easy to install and great to use, the wireless mouse.  I can take my mouse with me to any where in the classroom to use it.  Sometimes I sit in a seat that's empty at my tables with my kindergarteners, or wander the room.  I can pass it off to any of my students at their tables for them to use too. 

Now for the hardest part, keeping track of it when I'm done with my lessons. I'm not always good at putting things away when I'm done.  I've put it on top of my kitchen center, in a basket of pom-pons (the cheerleading type not the crafting ones), and on my easel.  Luckily my students and my classroom aid are really good at finding things for me.  Mine is not pink, it's basic black because I got it for a steal on Black Friday.  Shop around, I've used a couple of different manufactures and they've all worked great and the battery is still good in the one I bought for my personal computer a 2 years ago.