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!  

Readin' & Shoppin'

I have been in a Summer Book Club for educators for the past week.  I am learning so much from other educators about how to energize my teaching for next year.  I am having an awesome time being a learner.  A good teacher has to enjoy learning and I had forgotten how I like learning and need learning.  Got me?   If you are like me and you’re in need to a bit of rejuvenation before going back in the fall, I recommend this book. Easy read and it really has good ideas to get teachers fired up about teaching. 

I need to honest not only have I been reading to prepare for the new school year, I have been shopping as well.  I am putting pictures of two gems I found at Target in the “One Dollar+” bins that are located in each Target store near the entrance.   I am going to put both of these up in my classroom.  The rules are spot on and the inspirational words will remind me why I am teaching.  I am praying for guidance and a great school year!  

Words to teach by

 

A creative way to say what we always say!

A Great Way to Begin!

It is already July and in just a few short weeks school will be back in swing.  If you are like me, you were given an iPad and now you need to do something with it.  The students, they say, are Internet natives and the teachers are the Internet immigrants.  Well, I have found out that the students really are very good at navigating social media sites and can find videos on nearly every subject matter on YouTube.   When it comes to actually using the Internet for research or to do an assignment, the students really need the teacher’s assistance. 

How do you organize your technology days?  Do you have favorite apps and/or websites that are your ‘go to’ sites?  If you are searching for a platform to guide your students towards, I suggest trying out OTUSplus.com.  

All you need to do is to download the app and get working.   Please go online and read the information on Otus.  

As it gets closer to school starting, I will continue adding my personal favorite iPad apps and such.  Check them out and let me know what you think.  Also, feel free to add apps and websites you like using.  

Currently July 2015

So here I am about to attend my very first “Currently Linky Party” and I am so stoked!  I am linking up with Oh Boy 4th Grade

Listening

I am currently listening to last night’s episode of Big Brother.  I am only listening to it because I actually watched the show last night when it aired; however my daughter was not home so she is watching it now. 

Loving

I love playing Cookie Jam.  I used to be addicted to Candy Crush but eventually that game got too hard and I switched to Cookie Jam.  Now I play it all of the time.  Well, I play until I run out of lives and/or my carpel tunnel kicks in and renders my hands dead! 

Thinking

My thoughts right now are anxiously happy concerning this weekend.  I am going to a family reunion on Saturday.  Yes, July 4^th… my family has decided we should have a Reunion but since we have not had one in probably 20 years so I guess we are due one.   But on the fourth??  I know, there will never be a good time for everyone so I need to suck it up and go.   

Wanting

I really want a housekeeper!  Today as I drove to breakfast I realized that I am covert hoarder.  I know that sounds weird, but if you came to my home, you would not know all of the stuff I have filled the house with.  However, the closets and cabinets tell quite a different story. 

Needing

I need motivation to get off of my tablet, computer, iPad and phone.  I absolutely love being connected to everyone everywhere and since I am not working this summer, it is so much fun.   I have been productive this summer.  I have worked on products needed for next school year; however not as much as I have “pinned”, “liked”, & “followed”. 

All-Star

I pride myself in being upbeat and positive.  In this day and age of so much negativity on the news and in our communities it is very difficult for some people to find a reason to get up and move forward.  Whenever I am faced with someone who feels like giving up, I do my best to bring positiveness to his/her life.