Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Technology Tip Tuesday-Educational Websites


1. Edmodo


Edmodo is a wonderful website to use with intermediate aged students.  It's a safe and secure way to use the idea of Facebook within the classroom.  


Click the picture to watch an informational video about what Edmodo is about.

Within my own classroom, I've used Edmodo to post questions to students about our read aloud, likes/dislikes and classroom decisions.  I love that students can personally message me if they have a question and that parents can even create their own accounts.

2. Tagxedo


Tagxedo is a fantastic website to use to turn your words into word art for any classroom project.  My class loved using this website to create word art for their biography presentations.  It's very user friendly and simple enough for intermediate students to use on their own.  

3. BrainPOP


BrainPOP is a great website to use when looking for kid-friendly informational videos.  Tim and Moby (the main characters) take educational topics and turn them into exciting videos that capture a given concept in just a few minutes.  BrainPOP does require a subscription to have access to ALL of the videos, but they do offer free ones.  In fact, BrainPOP offers a featured video for FREE!  This video changes day to day and normally corresponds with what's going on in the world or the special meaning of that day (Labor Day, Lincoln's Birthday and so on).

I'm posting for Blog Hoppin' for Teacher Week.
{if you want to link up too, just right click the picture and save it to your computer}
 

Enjoy!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Teacher Week: Must-haves Monday


Must-haves Monday


My addiction...I was able to find tons of wonderful resources that will proudly be displayed in my classroom this year.

Who doesn't love fruity scents while creating an anchor chart?


It's the only way to keep my plan book organized and colorful.


I WILL be ordering one of these this year. I can't wait to have a SHARP pencil without it sounding a jack hammer.


Being organized without losing it.  I love that everything has a place and would love for everything to be in those places when I need them.

I'm posting for Blog Hoppin' for Teacher Week.
{if you want to link up too, just right click the picture and save it to your computer}
 

Check back tomorrow for a helpful Technology Tip.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Catch Up

Well, it's been nearly a month since my last posting and I've been one busy gal!  I spent the month of July doing nothing but PACKING because Nick and I just recently finished moving into our new house!  Sigh...

Isn't it cute?

So...in the midst of unpacking and settling into a new house, I'm also trying to settle into my new classroom and prepare for the start of the school year.  I have to say that I'm rather lucky with a later start date of August 24th.  Some schools have already had their bells ringing since Monday!  (EEEKKK)

Last Friday, my district offered a Summer Literacy Conference and naturally I attended looking for exciting new ideas.  Here are some of my gems that I'd like to share with you:

1. Frank Serafini - Love, love, love!  He was our opening speaker and he had me crying (laughing) at 8:45 a.m. in the morning!  If you ever get the chance to see him at a conference....DO IT!  You won't regret it!  

2. Anthony Browne- What a fantastic author!  I love trying to discover the hidden pictures within his books and I'm really looking forward to the amazing discussions that my class could have on these books.  


3. Arlene Sardine - by Christopher Raschka- Who wouldn't want their dreams to come true?  Well, Arlene Sardine is bound to be the book that every teacher hates, but the kids WILL LOVE! Check out the Amazon review to learn more about the book and give it a CHANCE!


That's all for now.  I'm off to work in the classroom!

Enjoy!