January Currently

I am a little late to the party {as usual} but I wanted to play and since I had a few free minutes tonight and little motivation for much else I decided to blog {GASP}! 

Listening: The wind is really starting to pick up! We have a winter storm advisory for our temperatures and the wind. We could see temps as low as 4 degrees and wind chills up to 30 below. We are setting record lows here in Virginia! As of 1:45 this afternoon school is CLOSED for tomorrow! WOOT WOOT! Snow day with no snow I will take it!

Loving: See above! Winter break ended on the 2nd for us and we were all a little bitter but after a snow day on Friday and a snow day tomorrow I think we will get over the silly two days back! I am starting to get used to this one day working, one day off thing! I think I could handle this on a more consistent basis.  SNOW DAY TOMORROW!!!!

Thinking: Unexpected snow days are always the best because I have nothing that I MUST DO which is lovely! I could take down the Christmas tree, work on my spring promos for my photography business, take pictures of frozen bubbles, clean the house, BLOG, read a book or just stay in bed and watch hours of Netflix. 

Wanting: This year I am doing a race a month including a half marathon in September (Nikki the Runner). Yesterday was my first race and I can barely walk so I am WANTING my knee to stop hurting so I could get on with this training business. See below.

Needing: Lately I have lacked all sense of motivation! See above. I need to start training for my races. As a side note let me just mention that I don't even LIKE to run but I have found a love for running races. I was dragged to one and I have been hooked ever since. I love the excitement of a race, hanging out with friends and of course the pictures :)! I love the way I feel after I run too, not during, but after. Since running a 5K and even an 8K came with such ease I decided to up the anti and it's my goal to do a race a month including a half marathon in September! I NEED to get some motivation to start training. I also need some warmer temps which may help with the problem. I also NEED to find my motivation for FETC. I will be presenting at FETC again this year with a  colleague. We are beyond excited about this opportunity and FETC is seriously the most amazing professional experience I've had . We know what we are presenting and the basics of it all but we haven't sat down and flushed it all out. I don't know if it is lack of motivation or lack of time with the holidays and such but I am hoping something sparks and we get the ball rolling, I am losing sleep over our lack of preparedness. Really I could use a little extra motivation in all areas of my life at this moment. 

Memory/tradition: this is our third Christmas together and we have made lots of memories and started our own traditions as a family but as a photographer my favorite is photographs in front of the tree! This makes me seem totally lame I realize but it is something I truly treasure!

3rd Grade Explorer Project

As promised, here I am making a quick post as I attempt to pull things together for tomorrow. I know I shouldn't complain since we just had the past week and a half off but let's be serious, why couldn't we just get Thursday and Friday off too?

3rd graders are getting ready to start a huge integrated project on explorers! They will be working in the library, lab and their classroom to conduct research on Christopher Columbus, Jacques Cartier, Juan Ponce De Leon and Christopher Newport. They will be using books in the library as well as this Blendspace (the new name for edcanvas) to gather all of their information.

Once they have completed their research they will be able to choose a project for each explorer. There are six projects to choose from.

I am really looking forward to starting this project and I think the kids will be excited too (despite having to come back to school on a THURSDAY)!

Hello blogging world!

Hello blogging world! I have not completely abandoned you! I have so much to share and have loved following and learning from so many amazing blogs this year. Thank you for all of the wonderful things that you've shared and I promise I will try to post more often! In summer 2013 I started my own business, actually my own business started and I had to keep up. I photographed maternity pictures for a friend and before I knew it people were emailing and calling me about photo shoots.

I spent the entire summer and fall behind my camera and MacBook (editing) leaving me little extra time for ANYTHING including blogging about school {sorry!}.

I did start a photography blog to keep track of {most} of my client's sessions. Things got a little hectic in September when I basically had two full time jobs with back to school and a full schedule of photo shoots including three weddings! I also did a few fall races and had somewhat of a social life.

I also started a personal/running blog since in 2014 I am challenging myself to a race a month including a half marathon. I know that life gets busy for us all but it is what we choose to make a priority and unfortunately this little blog fell to the bottom of my list.

As 2014 is quickly approaching and another presentation at FETC is right around the corner I would like to spend more time/effort on Sent From My iPad again :)! Happy New Year everyone!

August Currently

Wow, is it August already? I completely skipped July and have taken a serious hiatus from all things school this sumer! As I am frantically trying to get back into school mode I have been blog hopping and realized that August Currently is a great way to ease myself back into it. So I am linking up with Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade for her infamous monthly linky! Better late than never right?

Listening: My husband and I love watching cooking shows! Chopped, Sweet Genius, Master Chef, Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, Bar Rescue, OK you get the point. We are a little obsessed with Food Network! My husband is also an amazing chef himself.

Loving: I am really loving every minute of summer. I took a complete hiatus from school and I haven't thought about one thing school since the end of the year. I really needed a break although I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I haven't even unpacked my school bag the end of the year! Every summer I devote to researching, reading, planning, organizing, etc. and this year I just really needed to step back and enjoy summer on different terms. Don't get me wrong I love my job and all that it entails but I just needed a minute {or summer} to feel refreshed. So this summer has been full of fun and throwing myself into another project which has been starting my photography business, Nikki Lee Photography!

I've had a blast spending time with my husband and puppies, going to the beach, tons of girls nights, going on fun play dates, hanging out with friends, sleeping in, reading lots of books not related to school and just relaxing. Roger and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary <3 and I started a photography/personal blog!!! I guess this kind of has three loves so the second is my photography business. I love being able to help people capture memories through photographs that they will treasure for years to come. I could go on and on about this but I will spare you. 

I am also in LOVE with PopSugar's Monthly Box! My friend Erica got me hooked! PopSugar Box comes each month with the latest and hottest goodies. It is a monthly present {to yourself - says my husband}. It is a fun way to try new products that you might not necessarily buy or treat yourself too for a super discounted price! Do you love presents?! Then you should sign up here and use the code REFER5 for a $5 discount! The anticipation of the box alone was well worth the $! Haha!

Thinking: Really? Is it August already? Summer has gone way too fast but has been a blast which always makes going back a little tougher! I am feeling a little overwhelmed with all that has to be done before BTS and the lack of time. {Maybe I should've gotten started a little sooner! OOPS!}

Wanting: I am drooling over two Canon lenses! I really really really want one! I also want the stress of getting my room set up and all of the back to school stuff to be over and done, set up, organized, etc. It is fun watching it all come together but I am feeling like I am so crunched for time that this year I just want it DONE! 

Needing: I really need to get into back to school mode. I am still very much in summer mode and the thought of anything school gives me a mini panic attack. I haven't thought about anything and in addition to the regular back to school business this year I am presenting at a countywide conference for new teachers. I applied back in the spring when I was asked by my supervisor to present one session. I was then asked to do two and when I just opened my school email I see that I am now presenting SIX DURING TWO DAYS! I need to get that together within the next few days but I really haven't grown professionally during the summer months so I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with the idea of creating a presentation for newbies! 

B2S Must Haves: 

1. I am obsessed with Sharpie fine point pens! I love that they write smooth and don't bleed through the paper. I LOVE the pink ones and have been scouring the BTS aisles for the double pack of pinks that I got last year! No luck yet!

2. I am super OCD and organized so I must have my calendar and agenda ready to go for BTS! I found a great printable at the end of the year so I am all set to go. {Phew, one thing off my to do list!}

3. Part of the fun of back to school is shopping for a few new outfits! I might have to use this as motivation or bribery to get myself in gear! 

Happy August blogging friends and I apologize for my summer hiatus! I will try to begin posting more consistently :)! 

Educreations

educreations is a free app for iPad that allows you to turn your iPad into a mini whiteboard that records your voice and any annotations that you make. It is super easy to use and works a lot like Show Me! I love that this app can be used with any curriculum and I have two examples to share! By creating a free account you are easily able to save lessons and they are sent straight to the internet as well as all iPads logged in under that account. educreations.com allows you to share links and embed codes with a breeze! You could use this app with ANY content area!

3rd Grade Math:

 

Each student had was given a word problem on a label. First they solved it on paper and then once had their answer checked and were comfortable explaining all of the steps they created their educreation.

2nd Grade Social Studies:

These 7 geographic features are part of the 2nd grade Virginia curriculum! First students worked to complete their "script" using their Social Studies book and place mat maps. They had to figure out where each feature was located and fill in the cardinal directions on their scripts. Once their scripts were complete students worked in pairs to create their educreation. 

Technology Centers

Implementing technology centers was a big goal for me this year and I couldn't be happier with the way they have worked out! Last week I created math centers to help the third graders review for their big state test coming up. It is amazing how engaged, motivated and silent students are while participating in technology centers! One of the areas of concern from the third grade teachers was solving word problems so this was the focus area. I am ALL about less paper but I am also from the school of thought that students need to have accountability for their work so here is the recording sheet they were responsible for. I will update with the recording paper since I cannot seem to put my fingers on it at the moment. I thought I had sent it to myself from my work computer but it doesn't appear that way so I guess it is saved at school :)!

Center 1- Educreations with Mrs. Jones- At this center I worked with small groups and reviewed the steps to solving a word problem. We completed one together and then I gave them their own word problem which I printed various levels on labels which they worked out on their paper. Once they had their problem checked and were comfortable explaining they used the iPad to create an educreation! If you have not downloaded this FREE iPad app you definitely should. It is MUCH like Show Me which you all know I am in love with but you are able to add more than one slide, TYPE, and change colors :)! I love how easy it is to save work and that it is sent to the web for easy viewing! Here is one example of a completed educreation!

 

Center 2- iPad Games- Math Quiz Game Show 1-3 was a quick grab from Apps Gone Free. It is an awesome LakeShore Learning app that plays much like jeopardy! You pick 4 categories and between 1-4 teams. I love that the questions are higher level and you can use work space on the iPad to solve the problems. It also keeps track of your score and gives feedback! 

QuickMath is a free app that makes practicing math facts fun! You can do addition, subtraction, multiplication, division or all four operations combined on three different levels! The best part is that the iPad uses handwriting recognition to record your answer not just a multiple choice or type in :)! The kids L O V E it! The intermediate level also switches the order of the equations which is also love because it makes them really think (i.e. 6 X __ = 48). It also forces them to use neat(er) handwriting because they get really frustrated when the iPad doesn't recognize their crazy looking numbers which impacts their score and time! They get super competitive trying to beat their own high score as well as others fastest times!

Center 3- Teacher Center- Students worked in small groups with their classroom teacher to review a particular objective! Each group was working on something different which really allowed for differentiation. It was a great time to remediate and extend with those who needed it.

Center 4- edcanvas- I know I have shared a little bit about edanvas before but it continues to amaze me! I learned about edcanvas at FETC this year and have been obsessed with it ever since! It is a perfect way to organize a completely independent lesson with a ton of structure. The kids LOVE it too and because it is super engaging. It has everything they need all in one block without having to click around and remember what to do next! Edcanvas has added a few new features and I know it will be a Web 2.0 tool that I use year after year! Check out the edcanvas that they worked from.

Center 5- TEI SOL Practice Items- Last year Virginia introduced TEI, technology enhanced items on the SOLs which has really increased the rigor of the test. Third grade is the first grade in our state that take standardized tests so we are trying to give them as much exposure to the type of questions that will be asked and the format of the test. We also want to get them familiar with using the tools independently. We have done lots of practice already but this was a great review! Check out the questions here.

I would love to hear what you think :)!

June Currently

I am doing a happy dance as I say goodbye to May and hello to June! 

One of the first thoughts I had today was I need to link up with Farley, Oh Boy 4th Grade for June's Currently, priorities I know! I promise now that summer is right around the corner I will be more diligent with my blog (I hope)! Sadly, my last post was May Currently! Oh boy am I behind on some really cool tech things! 

listening: Yes, I am listening to Chopped again on the food Network. I absolutely love this show! It is one of the first shows my husband and I started watching together. He is an amazing chef and can immediately think of ways to use the mystery ingredients. I usually have to Google half of the ingredients although I do love to cook I can't figure out how to put ingredients together.

loving: Summer is so close I can taste it! We have 11 and a half days left of school. Last week I was chatting with a coworker and her teammate came in with a countdown of 13 days. I almost fell off the desk. I knew it was close but it sounds that much better in numbers!

thinking: This year has flown by! I did not feel that way around Christmas but the last few months have really flown. I think it is because I've had lots of fun between January and now with Florida in January, Vegas in March followed by the beach and tons of weekend events! 

wanting: We are heading to OBX the day after school is out and will spend MOST of the summer there ;)! 

needing: Our house is always "clean" because I am super OCD but I need to do a serious scrub and deep cleaning this summer, ya know the hands and knees nooks and crannies type of cleaning. I keep trying to convince my husband that we need to hire a maid for this type of cleaning but since he keeps laughing at me when I mention it I must do it myself this summer. We also each have an extra room in our house and my goal is to clear the clutter from mine. 

essentials: Obviously it is impossible to take just three things on vacation but since my summer vacations will include beach, beach and beach it is important that I have my bikini and flip flops! I will also need my iPad for entertainment and communication purposes :)! I cannot wait to read some good books this summer, pin,pin,pin on pinterest and play games galore! I am obsessed with Words with Friends, Bookworm, CANDY CRUSH and Fruit Mania. I don't go anywhere without my camera and I will be capturing our summer through my lenses! 

May Currently

Happy May! I am a little late but couldn't miss a monthly Currently with Farley! 

listening - We <3 hockey. That's it AND the Caps are about to blow a two game lead. *SMH*

loving- I am really loving the warmer weather and being able to wear something other than a huge sweater or sweatshirt and boots! I have even busted out my flip flops a few times! We spent ALL of last weekend outside (at an outdoor 80s concert on Saturday and gardening on Sunday)! May really reminds me that summer IS just around the corner!

thinking- One of my best friends is having a baby and I ordered some monogrammed and personalized etsy gifts which should be arriving tomorrow (or soon) and it has been raining and by raining I mean DOWN POURING! I hope they are packaged well and not left on my NON porch.

wanting- I am still in love with my camera and my 365 project but I really want a new macro lens or tube which will allow for super close up shots. I also need a new flash. This hobby is very expensive!

needing- The FETC 2014 presentation proposal deadline is May 31st! We have lots of ideas but nothing officially on paper and the days are sneaking by! Do you have any suggestions?! If you were attending a technology conference what type of session would you like to attend?

summer bucket list- 1. Last year I had so much fun with a great friend and her three little monkeys doing local "adventures" to the lake, zoo, Washington Monument! We are planning to do it again this year :)! 2. The beach goes without saying. I think we will be spending more time in OBX than at home this summer haha or that is what I would like to happen! 3. I have to get my little self running again so I am forcing myself to sign up for at least one 5K for a little motivation. I am signed up for the Color Run in DC in September with a large team and I am really excited about it. Running has continued to go on the back burner and this week when I've been semi interested... it's been POURING. 4. On July 28 we will celebrate our 1 year anniversary and I hope to celebrate in some special way whether it be at the beach or elsewhere!

FETC 2014

FETC 2013 was so amazing that we have decided to submit a proposal to present again next year! I learned so much and had a blast presenting with two of my colleagues in sunny Florida! We have a few ideas but I want to know what YOU suggest! Please complete my PollEverywhere to help me and post a comment or suggestion!!!
Have you ever used PollEverywhere?! I love that you can vote online or by texting a "code"! Have you ever used your cell phone to vote before?! What do you think of PollEverywhere?

Tech Showcase

The Technology Showcase was a huge success and I couldn't have imagined it running more smoothly! All of the technology worked throughout the show and within 13 minutes of ending all of the technology was returned and accounted for which blew my mind (at one point I nearly had a heart attack when my "geek" running the QR Code Scavenger Hunt forgot to sign out the iPads/iPods)! This picture is taken AFTER we survived and realized we had no pictures of us!

A huge part of our success was the helping hands and support we had from the staff and my Geek Squad (a team of 13 technology smart kids in 5-8th grade)! We enticed the staff to help by providing dinner (Chik-fil-A) and also by entering everyone who helped into a drawing for a gift card.

We set the gym up like a large exhibit hall with tables along the outside edge for all of the presenters. We had a large corner sectioned off for the VEX Robotics team to demonstrate with their robot. The middle of the room had five interactive stations including Clickers, QR Code Name That App Scavenger Hunt, iPods/iPads, Today's Meet and Geek Squad!

We created and laminated color signs for each table (student names removed) with the title of their project, the app or tool they used, their grade level and name(s). We had some students present in teams while others were pairs or independent. 

Each presenter got a badge to wear and an encouraging note with smarties attached since they are all "tech smarties"!

The parents and students really got into the QR Code Scavenger Hunt running around the gym searching for the ten brightly colored iPads!

Parents and staff members LOVED seeing what is going on with technology in our building! While I post often on my website as well as monthly in the newsletter it is much different to see and feel for yourself!

We were so appreciative of our lovely helping hands that we created little thank you notes with coupons or candy attached for our 31 teachers who assisted!

I provided this app list as a resource for parents which was a big hit! If you have questions or would like copies of any of the resources I created just post a comment or send me an email :)! Happy weekend blogging friends!