Technology for Teachers

I love technology! Finding ways to use it in my classroom and to make the job of teaching more fun and manageable is the greatest thing in the world. This year I am looking for more ways to integrate technology into both my teaching and management.

Last year I was fortunate enough to be awarded a grant to purchase SMART Response Clickers. They are awesome. I used them a little last year, but I am going full force this year. The kids have a great time using them and I love the instant feedback I get right on my computer. I use question sets I find on the SMART Exchange website as well as question sets I create to go with what I am teaching. My favorite thing about my SMART Response Clickers is that every kid has to respond, every time. No one gets skipped, no one can hide and there is no pressure to answer before your neighbor.

My iPad 2 is another one of my favorite tools to use when I teach. I love my SMART Board, but don't enjoy being tethered to it. I tried using an Airliner tablet, but never really got the hang of writing on it and not having a frame of reference of where I was on the board. I took advantage of an inservice opportunity at the Orange County Department of Education last year and learned about an App that has made my iPad an invaluable tool. It's called Spashtop. Using Splashtop allows me to mirror my computer screen on my iPad. I can hold my iPad and operate my computer and SMART Board from anywhere in the room without wires. It is awesome! I can move around, interact with students all over the room and make lessons dynamic. Check out their website and see if this would be a good solution for you and your teaching.

Pinterest came through for me again! I found a pin for Remind 101 and I am singing it's praises. This App allows me to use text messages to communicate with my students' parents. In this day of instant communication, using text messages helps parents and students stay updated and informed quickly and efficiently. I like Remind 101 because it keeps my phone number private and makes texting easy. I can schedule texts for future delivery, too. I am looking forward to using this a lot this year!

I am hoping to use our school's new N-Computing system this week with my students. Six computers running off of one tower. So far, I love it. The clean design and lack of hardware and cords everywhere has really improved my classroom decor. After we have a chance to use them this week, I'll weigh in on how they function.

Have a great week!

It's Been A Wild Ride

Wow, what a crazy start to the year we've had. My class hasn't changed much, but everything around me was in flux until today. I started the year with 33 bright and shiny third graders on my roster. Thirty-two arrived ready to learn with one no show. Now, after hiring a new teacher and creating several combination classes and moving about 70 students from one class to another, I have 28. This is the smallest class I have taught since the days of true class size reduction. It is a dream. There is floor space in my room once again.

So, after all of this movement and turmoil, Back to School Night is tomorrow. To say I am behind on my preparations is an understatement. I just finished my presentation, have to make copies in the morning and still have lots of things to hang in my classroom. I am confident pretty sure that it will all get done. How's that for positive thinking? 

Even with my nerves about the event, I am excited about Back to School Night. I worked hard this summer to decorate and prepare my classroom. I have gotten wonderful feedback from parents and students alike.  I can't wait to stand up in my beautiful, organized room and talk with all of my wonderful parents about my plans for their students this year.

I'll post pictures soon... after I get it all together.

Odds and Ends I have been working on...

 I really like Monday Made It because it motivates me to get things done. Thanks to 4th Grade Frolics for creating this to kick me in the behind and accomplish something.  So, this week I did a lot of projects both at home and and school. We are having a party at our home for my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, so I am getting the yard and house ready. I refinished a potter's bench that had sat neglected for far too long, cleaned up flower beds, cleaned patio furniture, tamed the out of control cucumber plant that is taking over my garden and organized the side yard.

Now, onto the fun stuff... my Silhouette Cameo arrived as we were leaving for Hawaii. I am finally getting to use it and boy is it fun! Here are a few of my latest creations with it.

 This is my Box Tops for Education collection bin. I needed a bigger one and thought the open top would make this one easier than the last. I got the inspiration from Pinterest.

 My no frills No Name board. It is right above where papers get turned in, so it is handy. I didn't want to spend more time on this project than the students do when they don't put their name on their paper, so I went simple. Maybe I'll add more later.

This is my welcome desk with my attendance and lunch center. I used a regular white board from Staples and made lettering and borders on the Cameo. Each day the kids will move their magnet to the appropriate spot (buying/bringing) and I can count lunch orders and see who is missing. I have a monitor to do this and put magnets back. It turned out great. Magnets are from DW Magnets. I found them through New Management - Rick Morris' awesome classroom management site. Dereck is so great... he will custom make any magnets for you. I know we can do them ourselves, but who has the time.

So, that's all for now. I am off to a district technology meeting. We haven't started school yet... Sept 5 is the magic date.

Best Pencil Sharpener Ever

Just a little plug for the best pencil sharpener ever. I pre-sharpened many pencils today and this sharpener was quiet, efficient and it's so cute! I love it! You can get one here. http://www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com/. I didn't get this for free and they aren't paying me. Just love this sharpener and know pencil sharpening is a BIG hassle in a teacher's life.

Aloha

I'm in Kauai and school is in session here. I'm recharging my batteries and making mental plans for my year. How can you not be inspired with a view like this? We've seen turtles, paddle boarded and kayaked on the Hanalei River and we are zip lining Friday before we jet home. I'm actually excited to get back to my room and finish it up. But, until then, live, love, and sandy toes!

Classroom Update

Today I got a rare treat... 4 hours of uninterrupted work time in my classroom alone (thanks mom and dad for having Ryan over). I got to play my Jason Mraz Radio on Pandora as loud as I wanted, spend time making my classroom a happy and colorful place, and ease back into my relationship with my classroom after a long absence from one another. I found that I really had missed it.

Yesterday I tried to put together a desk I got at Ikea, but really needed a drill or electric screwdriver... or much bigger biceps. Today, I brought the drill and made quick work of the desk. I love it! It is for my laptop and document camera to live on. I especially love the pink legs... they just make me happy. Not a bad looking set up for $19.99. 

After tackling that project, I moved on to changing a bulletin board. I changed the border and title to go with my new owl theme. I think it turned out great. I am going to add blue clothes pins with a photo of each child hot glued on it on each black paper to hang student work from. I can't do that until the kids come on Sept. 5th. This will stay up all year.

My next project was to outfit my clock with some great little numbers that I downloaded from TPT. I can't remember who I got them from... if you know, please leave a comment... I would like to give credit where credit is due. I love them. It looks so cute!

When I was on one of my many shopping trips to Target, I found this great canvas. I love what it says and hope it inspires my students like it does me.

Finally, I did a little bit more work on my teacher corner. If you have been reading my posts you know I got rid of my desk and replaced it with a student desk from Target. This is what my teacher corner looks like now. I have my desk, lamp and chair from Target. The bins are from Really Good Stuff, my dad built the bookshelves (thanks dad!), and I found the cute tree and owl bulletin board from Carson-Dellosa. My Timree.com personalized owl lunchbox is on my desk. It is filled with my personal items like lotion, mints, etc. that I can't store in my desk anymore. My pencil cup says "Smarty Pants". It was a gift from a former parent after I shared the story of my son (7 at the time) asking me why I called him a smarty pants since that wasn't where his brain was stored? He is very literal. The parent and I had a good laugh over this and hence the gift. It still makes me smile every time I see it! The file cart next to my desk was a Costco find several years ago. I am so happy with how it all has come together. I am going to fill the boards with student work and anchor charts when the kiddos arrive.

Now I am really done with school prep until after my vacation to Kauai for my in-laws' 50th wedding anniversary. I feel good to have gotten so much done today. I still have work to do, and my new Silhouette Cameo will be here when I return. I am sure I will find many creative projects that I just HAVE to do once that arrives.

Until then... ALOHA!

My Inspiration for Owls

I know.. two posts in one day, WOW! I have had many friends and family ask how I came to the decision to use an owl decor in my classroom this year. Many think it is because of the many cute owl items available in the marketplace today, but that was not my inspiration, they just serve to make my decision easier to implement. I have a friend who is a talented artist. She has the CUTEST studio in Newport Beach, California. It was even featured on The Real Housewives of OC when the ladies took a painting class there for their show. I too paint there from time to time.
Timree had this CUTE owl painting hanging in her studio and it caught my eye. I just had to have it! Now, it hangs in my classroom as my inspiration of my new classroom design.

If you want to check out Timree and her awesome handpainted items (ceramics, paintings, school and office supplies, painting parties and classes, etc.) just click here. You won't be sorry!