GOING ON A TREASURE HUNT ...

While searching the internet for inspiration, it's nice to come across a website that is a real gem. If you think your website is a real treasure, not merely a diamond in the rough, please apply for our website award!

As a website designer, I know that it takes a lot of hard work to build and maintain a website. That extra commitment to your students and their families should not go unnoticed!

Our "Real Treasure Award" is awarded to websites that meet the following criteria:

1. Your website was designed, created, and maintained by you or your class.
2. Your website is child and family friendly.
3. Your website is original, creative, and up to date.
4. Your website is informative for parents, students, and teachers.
5. Your website provides meaningful content, not just links to other sites.
6. Your website is user friendly, easy to navigate, and fast loading.
7. Your website has very few broken links or spelling errors.
8. Your website gives credit to artists & other sources when appropriate.
9. Your website represents you as a teacher.
10. Your website is something you are proud of.

If you can say "yes" to all ten statements above, then your website deserves to win the "Real Treasure Award"! Please send us an e-mail with the following information (put Real Treasure Award in the subject line):

1. your name
2. your e-mail address
3. your website URL
4. brief description of your website
5. What makes your website unique?

AND THE WINNER IS....

The "Real Treasure" Award Program was introduced in the fall of 2008. Do you know a site that should win our award? Send us an email!

• MyTechyTeacher.com
  (Forbuss Elementary, Las Vegas, NV)
  This wonderful site belongs to a Las Vegas teacher! Ms. Crawford taught at Beatty but has since moved to a nearby school. Her website is filled with great information.

• MsWinston.com (Scott Elementary, Chester, VA)
  Like the opening page of her website says, you need to "Swing into Ms. Winston's Classroom Website!" Ms. Jessica Winston created a great resource for 2nd grade students, their parents, and other teachers. She did a fantastic job making this site, and the incredible thing is: Ms. Winston taught herself how to do it! Thanks for sharing your classroom with us!

• Ms. Bock's Fourth Grade Class (Lessie Moore Elementary, Pineville, LA)
  Ms. Bock has created a fun, educational site that can be enjoyed by students, parents, and teachers. Lots of care and thought were put into building this site! You need to "hop" by and see what's happening in the pond! Way to go, Ms. Bock!

• Ms. MacCabe's Second Grade Class (Amelia County Elementary, Amelia, VA)
  When Ms. MacCabe designed her website she did it as a way to communicate with her families. Her site has so much on it that it's no wonder that her students and their parents are always checking it out! It's a challenge to bring technology to the classroom but Ms. MacCabe has been working hard to do just that! Keep checking back to see what else she adds...I know I will!