Computer LabS

Today I had a training so I didn't make it in to my rooms but I wanted to post some BEFORE pictures!

Goodbye room 102! I had a few last minute things to grab out of my first grade classroom (tearfully) before the new teacher arrives and begins making this her new home!

Hello Elementary Computer Lab! This is the lab that used to be a reading specialists room. This is the room that is driving me nuts with all of the "clutter"! I have picked out fabric to begin making curtains to hide the books. The wall that you are seeing is white but the opposite wall is yellow. I didn't really have a theme in mind but it all fell into place and I am using black and white polka dots with yellow! I think black and white polka dots are so classic and would have picked pink as an accent color but the wall is already yellow, my 2nd favorite color so it works! It fell into place one night when I was blog hopping and saw School Girl's Style Polka Dots and Daisies Theme. 

This is the Middle School Lab. The desks, shelves and cabinets are red. It has one light blue wall and three white walls. I am sticking with the black and white polka dot and bright colors (mainly yellow)  in this room and it is looking great!

More pictures to come :)!

My First "Linky Party"

My sweet friend Alex over at The School Potato who encouraged me to get into this blogging business told me a great way to build readers was to join "linky parties." My text reply to her, darn auto correct was, "What's a kinky party?" OOOPS! I was cracking up as I quickly sent a message with the correct spelling.

So, I had good intentions of joining 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It but I didn't quite make it so this morning when I saw Jessica hosting a Fashion Linky Party I figured that was a must! I love shopping and clothes! I have closetS and dressers full. I don't know whether I have any reason fashion sense but I love to shop and put outfits together.

Here are Jessica's guidelines:

1. Tell me your favorite store(s) that you like to get your "teachers' fashion".

2. What are some of your favorite accessories?

3. What type of shoes do you teach in? (i.e. heels, flats, wedges, etc.)

4. Do you have a "go-to" item in your closet? (i.e. sweater you wear weekly, shoes you wear daily, etc.)

5. Have you ever had a fashion "uh-oh" at school? (i.e. heel broke, button popped off of blouse)

So here are my answers:

1. Since I love shopping this question is nearly impossible to narrow it down to my favorite(s). I love Gap, Banana and Old Navy but Kohls is my favorite. Kohls always has amazing deals, coupons and even Kohls Cash which is good for a later purchase. I can almost ALWAYS find something  a cart FULL of somethings at Kohls. The outlet malls are always a good option for back to school shopping and I love hitting up these three stores.

2. I am not huge on jewelry or accessories but I am always rockin' my rings and my Tifany's birthstone necklace (my 4th of July present from my husband 2011). During the winter I love scarves! They are so fun and jazzy! They can dress up any outfit and make an old sweater look fancy and new!

3. I absolutely LOVE stilettos (witch shoes as my first graders would say). They don't bother me at all and I would prefer to wear them to most other shoes. Nine West are my favorite. I also love Coach flats or really any ballet flat for that matter.

4. Students at our school wear uniforms (red, white, blue or black on top and khakis, navy or black pants) so this is an easy "go-to" item for me. Teachers have to wear the uniform twice a week so it is a nice easy find. I have a whole section in my closet of uniform attire. Aeropostle and Kohls are great for uniform clothes. We even have a uniform hoddie which I LOVE and always go to on cold days, when I'm not feeling well or I can't find anything else that looks good.

I also LOVE cardigans in all styles and colors with or without buttons, long sleeve or 3/4 sleeve, thin or heavy! This gray and white one from Target is one of my favorites.

5. To say that I am graceful would be a joke! During my first year of teaching while wearing stilettos I stepped on a little guys finger. I thought I broke it but with a little ice and some love he was fine! That incident made me reconsider wearing such shoes to school.

So there you have it! My fashion sense or lack there of in a nutshell and my first "linky party"! Happy blogging friends! Hop over to Jessica's blog From Blood to Books to join the party!

Day 1 & 2 Back to School

I feel like I have been working around the clock thanks to Pinterest and the world of blogs! My poor husband is sick with the flu and a high temperature otherwise I think he may have put an end to my third "all nighter" in a row I say "all nighter" because I usually attempt to go to bed but continue to toss and turn thinking of the next thing to do or create. I am exhausted but wide awake. I cannot turn my brain off and find myself hopping from blog to blog, pinning my newest project(S) OR I'm up late doing projects!

Since the beginning part of my summer was spent on wedding planning and relaxing the start of this blog was the first time I'd really thought about school at any great depth! AND I started to panic when I realized that summer is nearly over. Meghan and I will have lots of newbies (12, 16 new faces) to mentor and support this year so it is important that I am ready for them and I don't want them to see me frazzled so I headed into school this week to begin working in my classroom.

I have a tendency to be in the building for a LONG time before I ever make it to my classroom because I love chatting with everyone and Monday was no exception. I unloaded my car into the bright red wagon and set off on my journey. I spent a great deal of time in the front office before I made it to my *old* teammate's class (sniff, sniff) and met one of the other new first grade teachers. The little red wagon OVERFLOWING with stuff sat in the middle of the hallway for nearly 2.5 hours before I ever made it to even open my door. For some reason I did not envision TWO computer labs. Let's be clear, I have taught at this school for five years and have visited both computer labs hundreds if not millions of times BUT in my little head I was only planning for ONE new classroom so you can imagine my panic increasing as I realized I had two new rooms to "decorate." Thank goodness the furniture is fixed into the ground and I didn't have to worry about setting up and layout, bulletin boards and wall space is enough for this chick.

The elementary computer lab which is right next door to the middle school lab used to be a book/reading room which was converted into a computer lab. It has large book cases along two of the walls which have sets of grade level trade books on them. The books are 'organized' but it still drives me crazy so my first order of business was to figure out how to HIDE the book cases while still making them accessible. My *old* teammate knows my personality all too well and was quick to offer suggestions to fix the problem. She thought we could put some type of fabric over the cases and we would be all set! Not so fast because NOTHING can ever be just that easy. I also am learning that I need to take a step back sometimes and think things through before jumping into them. I am often so impatient and I want to get something done right away so I jump but later realize I could have done it better or differently had I just waited a little bit.

So day one was spent stressing and eating lunch with Alex :)! When she came to get me,  save me I really didn't want to leave even though we had been planning it for a week because a.) I had accomplished nothing in my room and b.) this no gluten and no dairy thing is really pain at a restaurant! She assured me that I would find something (AT A PIZZA PLACE). I thought this was hilarious since pizza is dough which has wheat and is likely topped with cheese. Funny story, Brixx has a gluten and dairy free menu. Not just one choice, several options! I didn't even know vegan cheese existed AND it didn't taste like bricks! The waitress was also awesome as my order becomes such a task now, the food was delicious and it was cheap.

Day 2 was much more productive and I left not so panicked. I enlisted a former parent who I've become great friends with to come help. She brought her worker bees and they did a great job. Meghan (my PIC) stopped in and we bounced some ideas off of each other which was great. My *old* teammate came by and the AP. My roomS are starting to come together and tomorrow is day 3. I may just make it to bed before tonight can be considered another "all nighter."

I have TONS of pictures to share of my room before and NOW, certainly not after yet! I also have some projects I've been working on and will be posting too!!! This blog got VERY long, very quick and I am becoming more and more sleepy.

Certificate Street

We all know that students love getting certificates and I found an A-W-E-S-O-M-E site called Certificate Street. There are tons of templates not only for education but also sports, special occassions, business, relationships and even blank certificates for your own custimization. You can browse the categories or search for a specific award type (reading, math, attitude, etc.). When you find a template you like all you have to do is download the editable PDF and you are all set! Once it is downloaded you are able to type the students name, date and even your name (no more signing 26 certificates, what?!)! The graphics are cute and I know students will love receiving these. Your wallet will also appreciate this cost effective reward :)!

remind101 and TodaysMeet

Long gone are notes apparently, check out this awesome technology tool!!!

Since *most* if not all of my middle school students will have cell phones, smart phones I thought this would be a great way to keep them up to date in addition to our class site! You could definitely use this with parents too!

 

It's called remind101. It's totally free and easy to use. You can visit the website here or download the app here. All you have to do is provide an email address to sign up for an account. Then you can begin inviting students or parents to basically subscribe to get your texts and/or emails. Students/parents just send a message to a specific number with a message @something and tada they are subscribed to get your texts/emails. You type your message, press send and off your message goes to anyone who has subscribed. You can even delay when they message is sent. The app is just as awesome and as easy to use as the website. Download, sign in and send your messages. The site even provides PDF directions for you, how awesome is this?

Oh the best part, there isn't a reply and students/parents will NEVER actually have your cell phone number!

I set up my account and tested it with my phone! It works perfectly and I can't wait to start using it with my Geek Squad class! I am sure they will love it, how cool will it be for them to get texts from their teacher?

This is another "cool" website tool for use with older students. You can create a "chatroom" at Today's Meet. Just send students the tiny url and they can chat away in a safe environment where everything is monitored. One of the best things about it is that you don't need a username or a password to set up your rooms. Students just enter their first name to join and the chatting begins. Blogs are great but it's always good to switch things up a bit.

Liebster and Versatile Blog Awards

Thank you to Alex over at The School Potato for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger and Liebster Blog awards! I'm so excited to be working with this enthusiastic new educator. She is truly a breath of fresh air and reminds me WHY I love education so much. I cannot wait to work with her in a mentoring role as I know I am going to learn just as much from her as she will from me. I've already stolen several ideas from her, sought her for advice and it is her encouragement that got me here blogging in the first place! I am so looking forward to having her awesome group of second graders visit the lab and to co-teaching with some fancy technology integration. Pop over to her blog to check out her amazing resources (Can you believe she is a first year teacher?)! How lucky are we to have her at our school this year?

 

Versatile  Blogger: 7 Random Facts About Me

1. I am allergic to life...no seriously, I have severe allergies! I am allergic to almost everything under the sun!

2. I have two puppies (hypo-allergenic), Lilly & Gremmy. Lilly because lilies are my favorite flowers and Gremmy because the name had to end in a "y" or /e/ and she looks like a gremlin. 

3. 7.28.12 the best day of my life when I married my best friend and an amazing man in my favorite place OBX.

4. I live, eat, breath, sleep, walk, talk ... school. I'm kind of a nerd!

5. I am obsessed with AWFUL reality TV (Bachelor, Bachelorette, Bachelor Pad, Big Brother). I am embarassed to admit this fact.

6.  I try to love working out and exercising but the whole time I am thinking of all the "better things" I could be doing or things I should be doing. I am attempting to run, maybe a book on tape will help me be more motivated.

7. I love to shop! It's not that random, basically every girl loves to shop but I have two closets full of clothes and two large dressers plus bins to switch out for each season and to think I can never find anything to wear!

I nominate the following bloggers for The Versatile Blogger award:
(I am new to this but I am a rule follower so I will link 15 friends! I know some of these bloggers have been around but are definitely worth the link up even if they've already been nominated or have several followers)!

1. Hello Mrs. Sykes
2. Enchanted With Technology
3. Techie Bytes
4.Teacher Playground
5. Trendy Tech Tips
6. The Inspired Apple
7. Me & My Gang
8. EduKate and Inspire
9. Teach With a Smile
10. Fun in 4B
11. 5th Grade Rocks 5th Grade Rules
12. Little Miss Glamour Goes to Kindergarten
13. I Live 2 Learn I Love 2 Grow
14. My Heart Belongs in First
15. Finally in First

Please, visit our new and familiar friends. :)

The rules for the Versatile Blogger award are as follows:
1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.
2. Include a link to their site.
3. Include the award image in your post.
4. Give 7 random facts about you.
5. Present 15 other bloggers with the award by commenting on their blog.
6. When nominating, include a link to their site.

Thank you again to Alex @ The School Potato for nominating me for the Liebster Blog Award. This award is given to new bloggers as a way to encourage them! It seems to hav eoriginated in Germany where the word "Liebster" means beloved or favorite!

I am passing the award to the following new bloggers! Please hop over to their blogs and leave them some love!

     

I Live 2 Learn I Love 2 Grow  (her button wouldn't work)

When you receive this award you should:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.

2. Copy and paste the award to your blog!

3. Present the award to 5 other bloggers who have less than 200 followres & leave them a comment on their blog!



inlinkz

So as I've been exploring the world of blogs I have been amazed with the wealth of information and resources out there! Blogging is such a great way to build a professional learning community on the internet, oh how far technology has come! As I've wondered from site to site and "grabbed buttons" to share on my site I've found a few blogs that have you *link up* and after some research I created one as I begin the networking process! So link away friends!

QR Codes

Last year I became obsessed with QR Codes in the classroom! They have the potential to do SOOO many different things and my kids loved using them! The engagement level was insane and I looked for every possible way to integrate them into 1st grade curriculum and can't wait to use them in the lab this year.

I'm sure you have seen them EVERYWHERE! They look like this ------------>

A QR Code is actually short for a quick response code! All you need is an iPod, iPad, tablet or smart phone with a QR Scanner app. There are tons of apps but I prefer QRafter for iPod/iPad and QR Droid for my smart phone. It is pretty much a point and scan to bring up whatever is behind the QR Code. Go ahead scan it, you know you want to!!! There is a message waiting just for YOU (and Alex) just click the link! Don't forget to click the word SMILE to brighten your day too!

There are also TONS of generator sites that are so user friendly and simple. Basically you can link ANYTHING to a QR Code (text, pictures, email addresses, websites, maps, phone numbers, you get the point, etc. etc. etc.). I really loved QR Stuff to make basic QR Codes with text or websites but QR Code Maker allows you too add pictures or files which is awesome. There are millions of other sites just Google QR Code generator! Some have the possibility of changing shape, color and even adding a picture in the middle. They are so easy to copy and paste into a Microsoft Word document or even a SMART Notebook file or you can print several at a time on labels!

One of the *many* hats I wear at work is co-lead mentor with my PIC (partner in crime), Meghan! As we were preparing for our new staff orientation (we have 12 new teachers, yes you read that right, 12 new) we decided to integrate QR Codes into our day with a scavenger hunt to get the teachers acquainted with the building. How fun, right? I cannot wait to teach the newbies about QR Codes and show them just how fun and easy they are if they haven't already explored with them. The scavenger hunt goes to 15 different key places in the building with a funny, witty, lame rhyme clue and they have to take a silly picture at each place to prove they were there! Now this is just ONE professional development way to use QR Codes.

Kids LOVE scavenger hunts and QR Codes are a great way to design a hunt, self-checking worksheets or activites, questions in a book to promote reading comprehension, learn more about places on a map, the list goes on and on and on. How have you used QR Codes in your classroom OR if you haven't before where will you begin using them?

Class Dojo

While checking out some other technology blogs I found this awesome classroom management tool over at Technology in High Heels. The site is called Class Dojo. I think it would be an awesome tool for early elementary students although it says up to 8th grade I think. It is awesome behavior management, student motivation and a great way to save behavior data with just a simple click. The site is FREE and super easy to set up. I created a class of "teachers" just to see how it worked and I was really impressed. You can award students points for positive behaviors and subtract points for negative behaviors. There is a bank of common behaviors but you have the ability to change those or add more of your own. You can even print OR email "report cards" which would be a great thing to send home or to have handy at a conference. Let me know what you think? Is this something you could see yourself using in your classroom? What grade do you teach?

Overwhelmed!

This whole idea of creating a blog has got me OVERWHELMED! I want a place to host and share all of my ideas but I haven't quite figured out how to undertake the project! I am working on a few projects that I will post as they come together but today my post will be simple. I LOVE Tagxedo which is a word cloud generator! Wordle is another awesome site and ABCya! has an awesome "kids" site that is super easy to use! It is so simple to use and I plan to use it with students this year whether it be "About Me" at the beginning of the year or to review unit academic vocabulary words, what about synnonyms. What other ideas do you see coming together using a word cloud generator? You can add any words you want which will randomly appear in any shape you choose from or import! One thing I love about it is that it is so user friendly and easy to work with. You can change the theme colors, the orientation of the words and other more specific details. The word cloud is easy to save, share or print which is another great feature! So here  is the word cloud I made today that I hope to frame and have on my desk :)! I found another AWESOME project on pinterest with an old keyboard so I am in the process of getting my hands on an old keyboard and willbe posting that SOON!