I'm Baaaaccckkkk!

So another year has passed and I have not kept up my blogging responsibilities.    I had an awesome year of teaching and learning.  Yes, I learned lots from those kiddos I was entrusted to teach. I learned to be patient, humble, humorous, technical, witty, outgoing....I tell you, I love teaching in an public high school.   Nothing like it.   Now, for the Summer, I am about to sharpen my skills in some areas and try to learn some new stuff!   Below are a few of my go-to apps.  Check them out and see how you can use this technology in your classroom!  Have a great Summer!!

And that was school year 2015-2016

Apologies for not keeping up my blog.   I really hope you had a great school year.   My year was amazing.   I taught 160 of the most interesting people on the planet!   We had lots of learning, laughter, anger, confusion, and fun.   There were times when I thought the year was going to drag on for eons only to have the last 2 weeks to fly by.    All in all...I am excited about the Summer and refueling for next year.   

As you know, I am a shopper and although school is out, I am already looking for ways to enhance my classroom decor.  I was recently at Michael's Craft Store and I found a lightbox.   The lightbox is by Heidi Swapp and it is a bit expensive.   However, there was a 40% off coupon that made the lightbox price more manageable.   

For the time being, I am going to spend time getting to know these little people who call me "Grammy".   Don't worry, there will be more information on iPad apps and websites to come.   I am serious!!

Nine Weeks Later....

OMG!  It has been a whirlwind of a beginning of school for me.   This school year is really going quite well; however I am working with 170 freshmen in an urban high school.  I have nice kids, mean kids, happy kids, sad kids...all kinds of students.  

It has been my goal for the last 2 years to decrease my paper usage and to that end, I have had to look for and implement apps and websites that would not only entertain, but create challenging, engaging lessons and activities not paper based...WHEW!

I am loving it!  The students are getting used to it and I am being stretched to capacity (brain-wise) in the process.  Two apps/websites I am encouraging you to try are Classkick &  Edpuzzle.com.   Check them out and I promise to blog again...soon!

OMG...It is August!

www.teacherspayteachers.com

My store:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Live-Love-Teach-Biology

YIKES!!!  It is August and I am  not ready to go back to the grind!  But time marches on and I will not cheat my students just because I need a little more Summer!  Before heading back to the classroom,  it is a good idea not to go back empty handed.   And as the faces of our profession changes, so should the methods we use to teach them. 

Tomorrow and Tuesday the teacher resource site,  www.Teacherspayteachers.com is having a Back to School Sale and you are invited to attend.  Check out all of the resources and stores and purchase at least one new, innovative resource to use in your classroom this year. 


Enjoy!

Summertime is Slipping Away

I know it has been over a week since I last made a blog post. The reason for my lapse is that I have been asked to roll out Windows 365 for our school. This year it is being called a soft roll-out (not required by teachers) and I am one of the  teachers from our building who is assisting with this product. This program is a bit challenging for me, but I am coming along slowly and steadily! Thank God I am not expected to use this full out this school year!

 In just a little more than 2 weeks school will be in full swing for me! I am not dreading the beginning of school, but like most educators, I could use another week or two in get myself in order, LOL! One thing that helps me to feel motivated is to get new items for my classroom. Only other teachers would understand the feeling of getting a brand new PENCIL SHARPENER!!! I ordered Pink Sharpener from Classroom Friendly Supplies…with free shipping as well!!! 


  Enjoy the rest of your Summer!!

Time to go Shopping

Are you looking for some new resources to liven up your teaching this fall?  Well, the Indiana 

Blogger Group is hosting a Teacher Pay Teachers (TPT) sale called Christmas in July!  With this sale

 you will be able to get excellent resources for just one dollar...a buck...$1.  You really can't go wrong

 at that price.  Please consider joining a spending a buck or two!

An InLinkz Link-up

Resources!!!!

Back in May, I attended my first webinar.  It was put on by SimpleK12 and I really liked it.   The moderator actually had so much good information I am still trying to check into it all.   During the 2 days, we were introduced to many educational apps!!  I have been experimenting with 2 of my new fave resources and let you know how the app might be useful in your classroom. 

Edpuzzle.com

Edpuzzle…Love, Love, Love Edpuzzle.com   Edpuzzle.com allows a teacher the opportunity to modify videos to fit exactly what is needed in a class.  In Edpuzzle.com the selected video can be cropped, questions added, and/or voice overs created. On this site, teachers are required to set up classes and add their videos to the class making them accessible to the students. 

Schoology

Schoology is an app similar to Otusplus.  Both of these apps are considered “learning management system” apps and are generally used as a ‘jump off point” for students.  The main reason for having and using an LMS is that students can get used to getting on task right away- increasing time on task!! 

If you are planning on blending more technology in your classroom or just want to begin adding technology little by little, I suggest you look into these resources and more!