Presentation

In teaching Science, the Elementary Science Specialist (ESS) always has to express concepts and materials to the class.
The ESS normally uses the classroom's whiteboard/blackboard to this end. If a classroom teacher limits you to a 1' x 2' area on the whiteboard/blackboard your effectiveness is reduced. Writing on a poster easel is a short term solution for class viewing from the rug but is not viewable from the back of the classroom.

Solution 1 Beginner ESS
Place poster paper over whiteboard/blackboard. Pros-It is found in most schools on rolls 4'x1000". Cut to your size and tape for use. Cons-You can use the paper only once and you do not have the option to erase.

Solution 2 Intermediate ESS
Homemade Whiteboard I framed cheap white panel board (4'x8') from Lowes. Much cheaper than actual whiteboard material. I adapted it to hang over the classroom whiteboard/blackboard. Pros-Cheap to make and erasable. I ended up making three. Cons-You need to carry the homemade whiteboard into and out of the classrooms when needed.

Solution 3 Veteran ESS
Use an LCD Projector and Document Camera. Pros-Quick and easy to set up for use. Allows for whole class instruction and viewing. Cons-Bulbs only last five years and are expensive to replace. (Remember- Cheap LCD Projectors have very expensive bulbs)

Most schools have projectors for teachers to use. I personally witnessed teachers receive funding to purchase projectors through [].

If you have an old camcorder with cables to connect to a television, you have all you need for a document camera. Just mount the camcorder over your viewing table and attach the connecting cables to your projector.

This is a homemade document camera that I modified from a site no longer available. I have been using it since 2007. The parts of my document camera can be found on one of my other wikis. http://pmt-available-classroom-tech.wikispaces.com/Document+Camera+%26+LCD+Projector

To save counter space, I made an open ended box to house the projector. Whatever is shown on the top of the box is seen by the camcorder and projected out the side of the box.

Uses
 * Direct science experiment setups to class sized groupings.
 * Modeling note-taking on actual notepaper.
 * Make textbook reading viewable to the entire class to follow along.
 * Zoom in on small items to view details.
 * Show student work to the class.

My old school had high ceilings that allowed me to project a 15'x20' image. My new school with low ceilings requires me to use a projector screen (DonorsChoose.org). It takes minutes to set up and is much better than using a whiteboard on so many levels. You can view further benefits from a document camera below.

Preschool - Primary Grades Classroom Document Camera Ideas

 * 1) Show and Tell
 * 2) Science Experiments
 * 3) Zoom in on small items to see the details
 * 4) "Big Books" - Big books are expensive. You can turn any book into a big book by placing it under the document camera
 * 5) Math manipulatives
 * 6) Place a timer under the document camera to help with time management.
 * 7) Picture schedule. Place a picture schedule under the document camera. Turn the classroom document camera and projector on when it's time to transition to the next activity and show the students what the next activity will be. "We just finished centers (show picture of "centers" on the schedule), now it's time for math (show schedule picture that represents "math")
 * 8) Demonstrating letter formation
 * 9) ABC tiles - let students come up and rearrange the tiles to create words
 * 10) Maps
 * 11) Photos and images
 * 12) Worksheets - students can view you filling out the information instead of just listening
 * 13) Save images for later use. A classroom document camera connected to a computer can act as a scanner. Teachers can place items under the document camera and use them in class that day and "save" the image for future use.
 * 14) Save an image of what you did in class on the document camera to place on classroom websites. Parents can "see" what their children are learning throughout the day.
 * 15) Saved images can also be incorporated into PowerPoint Presentations and Windows Movie Maker to use in activities such as end of year programs, classroom review and back to school nights.

Intermediate/Middle School Classroom Document Camera Ideas

 * 1) Place a timer under the document camera to help with time management.
 * 2) Displaying student work
 * 3) Model note taking skills by using an actual piece of notebook paper.
 * 4) Model sentence and paragraph structure, punctuation and grammar editing
 * 5) Worksheets such as study guides or daily assignments. Fill out the worksheet with the students.
 * 6) Complete graphic organizers as a whole class
 * 7) Project a test for grading; students follow with their eyes and not just their ears
 * 8) Daily Oral Language - can be saved from year to year without writing it on the board each day
 * 9) Math Manipulatives such as compass, ruler, thermometer, base ten blocks, etc
 * 10) Demonstrate how to use a calculator
 * 11) Show students how to set up math problems using notebook paper
 * 12) Math workbook pages
 * 13) Displaying and creating graphs
 * 14) Science experiments
 * 15) Dissections
 * 16) Zoom in on small items to see the details
 * 17) Maps
 * 18) Small items. Use the "zoom" feature to see the small details
 * 19) Valuable items you may not want to put in the hands of students
 * 20) Overhead transparencies (you may need to put a white sheet of paper behind it)
 * 21) Pictures of historical places and events from a book or photo
 * 22) Art pictures or projects
 * 23) Let the student be the "teacher"
 * 24) Save images for later use. A classroom document camera connected to a computer can act as a scanner. Teachers can place items under the document camera and use them in class that day and "save" the image for future use.
 * 25) Save an image of what you did in class on the document camera to place on classroom websites. Parents can "see" what their children are learning throughout the day.
 * 26) Saved images can also be incorporated into PowerPoint Presentations and Windows Movie Maker

High School Classroom Document Camera Ideas

 * 1) Place a timer under the document camera to help with time management.
 * 2) Bell ringers or exit slips (activities for the students to do as they are coming into class or right before they leave)
 * 3) Model writing skills, editing, revising
 * 4) Worksheets such as study guides or daily assignments. Can be filled out as a classroom activity.
 * 5) Complete graphic organizers as a whole class
 * 6) Display textbooks
 * 7) Reference books
 * 8) Math manipulatives such as rulers, compass, algebra tiles, geometric figures
 * 9) Model how to use a calculator
 * 10) Graph paper
 * 11) Model setting up and steps for solving math problems
 * 12) Science experiments
 * 13) Dissections
 * 14) Microscope
 * 15) Science worksheets
 * 16) Science manipulatives
 * 17) Model chemistry problems, solving physics formulas
 * 18) Zoom in on small items to see the details
 * 19) Social Studies maps
 * 20) Resource material you may only have one of or do not want to put in the hands of students
 * 21) Historical items
 * 22) Art projects
 * 23) Displaying student work
 * 24) Save images for later use.
 * 25) A classroom document camera connected to a computer can act as a scanner. Teachers can place items under the document camera and use them in class that day and "save" the image for future use.Save an image of what you did in class on the document camera to place on classroom websites. Parents can "see" what their children are learning throughout the day. Saved images can also be incorporated into PowerPoint Presentations and Windows Movie Maker.