Graduation

I can finally say I am completely 100% FOREVER finished with graduate school!  I earned three masters degrees including; teacher leader, supervisor, and instructional leader and finally walked across the stage to accept my diploma and masters hood on May 6th.  It was an amazing feeling.  After being in school for so long and now expecting two little ones in October (or early September) I can honestly say relief is the number one feeling coursing through my veins.  It was a good day!

Shannon and I before we left for graduation

Shannon and I with our hoods in line to walk across the stage

Johnny even bought me flowers!

Technology Tuesday

While this isn't going to be a weekly post, I was having a conversation with someone today about technology and wanted to share some thoughts. If you know me, you know that one of the things in my classroom that I am most passionate about is my students becoming proficient in technology. This is not because I think that reading and writing should take a back seat by any means, but I do believe this is a huge part of our future and our students should know and be aware of the ever changing trends.

With that being said, I was looking up new and unique ways to easily incorporate technology in your classroom on google. Don't bother trying the search, because there was absolutely nothing unique or simple that popped up. So I decided to make my own list for anyone that wants to try one of these ideas out.

1. Blogging

My students blog weekly on kidblog.org through their student account they write and collaborate with their peers. They are also learning to insert hyperlinks, pictures, and videos to jazz up their writing.

2. Storybird

Storybird.com is where my students log into an account created for our classroom to create their own stories. They first choose artwork from the selection available online and then they begin writing. They can use a story already created or they can adlib once they make their way online and choose their artwork.

3. Buzzer App

Do you have an iPad? Download the buzzer app! It is simple and has absolutely no educational value but it's what you use it for that makes it so great. During math a lot of time I ask the students quick questions to get their brains working. This week our focus is money and different coins that equal the same amount. So I pulled out three iPads and my students in their table groups competed against each other with the buzzer. I asked easy questions like, "How many nickels are in a quarter?"

4. Prezi or PowerPoint?

Yes, prezi is very similar to powerpoint but the students enjoy "hiding" things in their presentations. This presentation program allows students to make something that showcases their creativity while incorporating all the basic necessities of powerpoint.

5. TellPic App

This app is available for the iPad as well and allows students to take a picture and then record their voice behind the picture. Students in my classroom use this app a lot! They take pictures of illustrations in their books and retell stories. They also take a picture of their work in their math journals and explain how they got their answer. Great way to get them thinking!

6. Twitter

Creating a class account is super simple! Twitter has become an outlet for my students to talk to "the world" about their favorite parts of the day and also tell a few things they learned during the day. Reflecting is important and this makes it easy. They don't need to write a book, just a sentence or two.

These are just a few ideas that may not include anything you haven't heard before but they are some of our favorites and they are easy to try! Enjoy!

Already my mind is racing with millions of other ideas...more posts to come!

An Apple a Day

You've heard the old saying, "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away." Well in my opinion in our school district (and I am sure many others), "An apple a day could potentially keep the state and federal government at bay..." But this "Apple" is a little different than that sweet shiny thing you eat for lunch. The "Apple" that will help us make huge gains in education are the numerous "Apple" devices available, specifically the iPad.

I have recently discovered a tool that Apple has proudly launched through their iBooks app. The interactive textbook was an unthinkable dream for many educators, however, someone has taken our dream and made it a reality. I just watched this video where the entire concept is explained. You should take a few minutes and watch, I promise you won't be disappointed.

If you were able to watch the video you would have heard teachers reveal that half the battle in classrooms across America is engagement. I completely agree. If we can engage our students and help them see that what we are teaching is interesting and beneficial for their future they will more than likely be more successful. They will realize they have opportunities to do some pretty amazing things.

As I think about the new technology that is available to us as teachers now a days I am amazed. I am also completely at a lost when I think about the number of teachers that do not utilize it. I can't help but think about the diservice teachers are doing to their students when they do not allow them to explore technology. Taking advantage of the technology in our changing world is something we need to do in our classrooms! Technology is more than just one tool in our "toolbox" (as we call it) of engaging strategies. There are endless possibilities with technology.

So in the words of Dr. Seuss (who probably never dreamed of interactive books) go be the best of the best for your students, so they have an opportunity to be their best too!

"Oh the places you'll go! You'll be on your way up! You'll be seeing great sights! You'll join the high fliers who soar to high heights. You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed. You'll pass the whole gang and soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you'll top all the rest."