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!

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!

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!

eduClipper is READY!

It's official.  I just received an email this morning that eduClipper is open and ready for pinning.  In case you're not sure what eduClipper is be sure to check out the video below.

eduClipper is your educational pinboard that will allow you to "Clip anything and Share Everything"....aka a Pinterest for Teachers.

You can sign up using the link below.  What are you waiting for?  Get started pinning now!

eduClipper Sign Up

Enjoy,

What an EXCITING day!

It's been such an exciting day to find out that my blog has been nominated for two blogging awards:  The Versatile Blogger and the One Lovely Blog Award.  WAHOO!

     

I'd like to thank:

Emily at I Love My Classroom Blog

 

Sara at Ramblings of a Deaf Ed Teacher's Mind

Award Rules

1. Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you.

2. Include a link to their site.

3. Include the award image in your post.

4. Give 7 random facts about yourself.

5. Nominate 15 other blogs for the award.

6. When nominating, include a link to their site.

7. Let the other bloggers know they've been nominated.

7 Random Facts about Myself....

1. My first initials in my first, middle and last name spell ALF.  Yes, I love the character.

2. I wish that the door for my classroom opened to the beach so that I could surf.  I should probably learn how to surf before it does.

3. I read the entire 50 Shades series and LOVE IT!  I won't lie.

4. I enjoy baking and decorating cupcakes and cakes.  

5. I just made a HUGE change in my life today. (More information to come)

6. When I was in HS, I wanted to become a doctor.  Now, I think back as to how crazy I was because I LOVE teaching.

7. I never thought that I would love blogging as much as I do.

The Nominations

Young Teacher Love



Life is Better Messy Anyway!

These blogs continue to inspire me everyday!  Check them out!

Enjoy,

Fabulous Find Friday

I've decided to link up with Elizabeth over at Fun in Room 4B for a Fabulous Find Friday Linky Party.  My fabulous find this week would be....

I will now be on the hunt for a straw dispenser so that I can "craft" it  into a pencil holder for my classroom.  

I can't wait to see what it will look like when I'm finished. 

Be sure to head over to Elizabeth's website to link up your Fabulous Find Friday!

Pinterest for Teachers

Yep! You heard me right... a version of Pinterest for Teachers is in the works!  Well, it won't actually be called Pinterest, but it will be called eduClipper.  Adam (from eduClipper) is currently putting the finishing touches on this lovely website that is going to allow teachers to clip anything and share everything.  I'm so excited to have a teacher version that will completely be dedicated to the teacher and the classroom!

Be sure to check out the informational video on eduClipper.

Sign up now so that you'll be the first to know when eduClipper is READY!

Sign Up for eduClipper

Enjoy!

Top 5 Vacation Pins

I've been MIA for the past couple of weeks because I decided to take some time to relax and escape on a little vacation.  While on vacation, I was able browse countless pins on Pinterest.  WAHOO!  Here are my "Top 5 Vacation Pins."

1.) Social Studies- From Pinterest - I would love to have my students complete a project like this at the end of their study of United States.  Students would be able to select their favorite state or region that they study during the year and create a college similar to this.

2. Literacy- Courtesy of Jill at My Primary Passion - Only One You - I love this idea for the start of the year!  I'm thinking that we could put all of our rocks into a jar and it not only becomes a reminder for the students during the year, but an awesome classroom decoration!

3. Back to School- Classroom Magnets- Courtesy of Shae at Kindergarten Cupcake Crumbs -  My teammate and I were talking about this same idea just before the end of school in anticipation for next year.  I would love to put important teacher contact information on the magnet so that parents can have it all in one place.

4. Blog Related-Courtesy of Ms. Jessica at A Turn to Learn - It's always nice to find these helps resources for those who are new to the blogging world.

5. When I Grow Up Collage - From Pinterest - This just melts my heart and I think it would be an awesome end of the year gift.  I could even see myself this turning into a writing project and having students write about what it would take for them to reach their profession.

Anyone else finding some awesome pins?  I'd love to hear about your latest finds!