Motivation Monday!

Happy Monday!!!!

I don't know if this will be a weekly happening here on the blog, but I came across another inspirational video!  What are you teaching the world?  Take 3 minutes and be inspired by "Kid President!"  We could learn a lot from this kid!  

Teachers Pay Teachers!

Happy Friday to my Super-fantastic Schools!

I hope that you have had an awesome week!  Its' Friday....and that means that after today you ONLY have 10 more days until Thanksgiving Break!  It's almost here....hang in there!  :)

Todays Feel Good Friday Tip of the Week is a website called, "Teachers Pay Teachers."  I'm sure that several of you already know about this website, but for those of you that don't or those of you that haven't explored it, you are missing out...BIG TIME!  This site provides educators the opportunity to post or upload the things that they are doing in their classes or the things that they create that could benefit other teachers around the world!  You are able to purchase these things/items that they post including posters for your classroom, worksheets (I don't like that word...let's call them "extra practice sheets!"), bookmarks, clip art, etc.  These items typically cost between $5.00-$8.00.  There are a TON of awesome resources on this site!

Not only are there items available for purchase, but there are over 130,000 FREE downloadable resources that you have the ability to download.  All you need to do to access any of these resources is go to www.teacherspayteachers.com.  Register for a FREE account and then peruse the site.  You can search in the left hand tool bar by grade level, subject, prices, or resource type.

Now...if you are one of my awesome and creative teachers, which ALL of you are...you can even sign up and sell your awesome creations on this site!  I read a blog a few weeks ago of a teacher that made over $30,000 a year selling her awesome creations on this site!  

Here is a short Youtube video about the power of Teachers Pay Teacher!

I hope you take the time to take a look through the free resources that are available and hope that you find some things to use in your classes with your wonderful students!  Have a great weekend!  See you soon!  

Motivation Monday!

Happy Monday to my AWESOME and AMAZING schools!

Please take 8 minutes to watch this inspiring Youtube video (Ted Talk) on the power of connections with students.  I am a firm believer that EVERYTHING happens for a reason.  YOU are teaching the students in your class for a reason.  It's not a mistake that you have those bodies in your room.  They were put there, with YOU as their teacher for a reason.  Administrators, YOU have been assigned to YOUR school for a reason.  This is NO mistake.  

Are YOU a champion for your students?  Do your students matter?  Do you LIKE your students and even more importantly, do THEY like you?  

Have an awesome Monday and a fantastic week!  15 days til Thanksgiving break!  You can do it!

Flip Grid

This post is going up on the blog early but will be emailed out to you on this Friday, November 1, 2013!  So...if you are reading this post, you are getting this information earlier than everyone else! Lucky you!

The Feel Good Friday Tip of the Week this week is an awesome tool that I just found out about called Flip Grid.  This tool can be accessed through www.flipgrid.com.  It's FREE!  You get 4 free "classrooms" with unlimited question and answer capabilities!  With flipgrid, teachers can create grids of short discussion-style questions that students can respond to through recorded videos.  Using flipgrid boosts community and social presence in face-to-face hybrid and online classrooms, thus giving your students a voice!

You can create up to four grids with a Flipgrid account for free, after that they cost. Grids can be classes, sections, groups of students, research groups, faculty groups, or any collection of users interested in a common strand of questions. Each grid can hold an unlimited number of questions, and each question can hold an unlimited number of responses.

Questions are short, text-based prompts (think Twitter™) that can include basic formatting (e.g., bold, italic) and links to websites or documents.

Students can follow your grids and receive email updates when new questions are added. In addition, you can email a link to the grid or each individual question with ease. When students respond they snap a thumbnail photo (with multiple filter options to have a little fun and get aligned with the webcam), record their video response (up to 90 seconds) as many times as they need, and submit their video.

Students have several ways to connect with their personal videos and those of their peers: by likes and direct links, as well as Twitter, Blog, and Facebook integration. Remember, teachers set whether videos can be shared outside of Flipgrid if privacy is a concern. It’s up to you.

I have set up a "test" board for my schools!  Click on the following link:  http://flipgrid.com/#2f636163

From there, you will see the question that I've posted.  You will click on the question and a new screen will open.  Watch my video first.  Then click on the green + sign on the left hand side.  You will be prompted to "allow" the computer to take your picture.  Take your picture, click the approval button on the bottom right, and then record your response!  I look forward to seeing your responses!  

Have a wonderful day and an awesome weekend!  "See" you next Friday!

Bulletin Board Ideas!

Happy Friday!

I hope that you've had a wonderful week!  I have some good news for you….Thanksgiving break is ONLY 20 school days from today!!!!!  I think you can make it!!!!  :)

Today's tip is not technology related, but I still feel that it is helpful one for you.  When I was in the classroom, coming up with creative and eye catching bulletin boards was always a task.  Trying to figure out something that someone hadn't already done, or that was related to the content that I needed it to be connected to was not always easy.  Well, Kathy Schrock has a PLETHORA of resources for you as you seek to come up with new ideas for your boards!  

You can access all of the ideas that she has collected at the following link:

http://www.schrockguide.net/bulletin-boards.html

She's got several different websites listed for you to get great ideas from as well as having ideas separated out by grade levels, topics and content areas.  It's like a one stop shop for bulletin board ideas!!!!

I hope that you all have a Fantastic Friday and a great weekend!  See you soon!

World Book Night 2014

Happy Thursday to my wonderful schools!

I hope that you are all doing well!  I wanted to share this opportunity with you.  It's NOT technology related but thought I'd share…..

For the past three years I have been a "Book Giver" for World Book Night.  As educators, we all know the joy that comes from reading and how it takes you to another world, serves as an escape.  Participating in this initiative allows you to pass along that passion for reading to others that may not be into it as much as you are.  

Basically, you "apply" to be a giver.  Applications started today and include basic information (ie. Demographics, your choices of books that you'd like to give away, and why).  There are 35 books that have been chosen for this year.  The content of the books ranges from middle aged to adult.  No elementary books….sorry!  You will choose your top 3 of interest from that list and they will select the 1 that you will pass out.  If you are "accepted" you will be provided with a box of 20 paperback books to "give away" on World Book Night (April 23, 2014).  You will pick up the books from a location that is convenient for you.   There is NO COST associated with this at all.  It's just about passing along your passion for reading books!  :)

If you are interested, here is the link:  http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/

Celly

Hey ya'll!  You are getting a 2 for 1 this Friday!  :)

I have found a new resource that I'd like to test out.  It's another form of Remind101 (the resource I shared with you back in August) and serves as a communication tool for your parents/students.  It's called "Celly."  It can be accessed from the web or as an app on your cell phone.  One of the differences from what I can see is that you are able to send polls out through this resource (unlike Remind101).  I've created a "cell" for my "east region peeps!"  This includes my south schools as well….a group for all of the schools that I serve.  If you are interested in receiving texts periodically from me that could include different information on apps, web 2.0 resources, etc. send the following text: "@eastregionpeeps" to 23559.  

You will not be able to respond to the texts, as I've set it up that way, so this will be a one way communication tool from me to you.  You can set it up with your parents/students (for teachers) or your teachers (for administrators) to be able to receive responses if you like.   

If you decide to join, thanks for helping me test it out!  Once I get it rollin' if you'd like some additional assistance with this tool, don't hesitate to let me know!  Have a wonderful weekend!  

Flubaroo

Happy Friday to my wonderful schools! 

Congratulations!  You not only made it to another Friday, but you got through grades and report cards….for that I give you HUGE KUDOS AND SNAPS!!!!!!  YOU GO TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS!!!  YOU DID THAT!!!  :)

It's time for your Feel Good Friday Tip of the Week!  This week I am sharing another Web 2.0 resource!  The resource is called Flubaroo!  This is a Google app that allows you to create a quiz/test in your Google Drive through "forms."  You will give the link that it creates to your students.  Students will click on the link, take the quiz and submit it!  It's that simple! On your end, once you log back into your Google Drive, the results from the quiz/test that you have administered will appear.  It disaggregates the data for you and you even have the option to email the results to your students!  Watch this short 3 minute video below to see how it works!  

http://youtu.be/QJ60szcUbBE

As always, if you are interested in learning more about this resource or need some assistance with anything else, email me, call me, or put in a request at the link in my signature!  I'm always here to assist you and make things easier for you through the use of technology!  Have a great, wonderful, and restful weekend!!!!  

Twitter

Happy Friday to my "tweeps"!!!!!

It's that time of the week again!  I hope that you all have had a wonderful week!  I have!  It's a Feel Good Football Friday and your tip of the week this week is…..drum roll please…….TWITTER!!!!!  Did you know that Twitter is the #1 community of networking and collaboration place for educators???  There have been times when I've had a question, I tweeted it out, and was immediately inundated with a TON of responses!  If you do decide to create a Twitter account, follow me: @apsitnatasha

For my administrators: Twitter is a great tool to have an account for your school in which you could tweet out information for your parents, teachers and students.  You could tweet out upcoming PTA meetings, info about Christmas programs, etc.  

For my teachers: You could tweet out information for you parents and students.  I have know teachers to have all of their students set up a Twitter account and then they had a "live tweet" conversation during the Presidential debates!  Imaging how powerful that could be!  To actually have your students engaged in meaningful conversation about what's going on in the world, live, while it's actually happening!  

Remember that your tweets can only hold a maximum of 140 characters!  That means you have to say what you have to say in a quick, clear, and concise manner!  It's like a game to see if you can say what you are trying to say in only 140 characters!!!!  I hope you give this tool a try and I will "see" you on Twitter!!!!!  

Here's a quick 4 minute video on how to use Twitter:  http://youtu.be/J0xbjIE8cPM

Please click on the links below to gain some information on why you should join Twitter and to see what you can get out of it!

Kathy Schrock's Twitter Guide  http://www.schrockguide.net/twitter-for-teachers.html

Why Educators Should Use Twitter  http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/feb10/vol67/num05/Why-Teachers-Should-Try-Twitter.aspx

Padlet and Lino

Happy Friday to my hard working Peeps!!!!

I just have to start this email and thank you for all of the positive feedback that you all provide in regard to my Feel Good Tips!  I am so glad that you all are reading them, saving them, writing them down, and sharing them with each other in passing and during grade level meetings!  I send them not knowing what everyone needs but I am so glad that some of you are finding them useful and are actually using them in your daily practice.  I also want you to know, as always, that I REALLY do appreciate all that you do on an everyday basis!  Your hard work, passion and dedication towards your students and schools is EXTREMELY noticeable and I want you to know that you are appreciated!!!!  It's that funky time of year when we realize that summer REALLY is over, we are in the groove of teaching and learning, BUT the Thanksgiving break is peeking over the horizon!  Hang in there!  You are ALL doing a fantastic job!  Keep it up!!!!! I'm going to have to start traveling around with gold stars for you guys!  :) 

So.....here you go!  Your Feel Good Friday Tip of the Week focuses around COMMUNICATING, COLLECTING, AND COLLABORATING WITH STICKY NOTES!!!!

Click on the following link:

http://learninginhand.com/blog/2013/6/2/communicate-collect-collaborate-with-sticky-notes

From here, I want you to watch the Vimeo video (it's 15 minutes) that Tony Vincent has produced to outline Padlet and Linoit. These are online resources that allow you to create virtual sticky notes/virtual bulletin board/type of thing!  I hope that makes sense!  I have created a Padlet "wall" for each school.  Click on the link below that relates to your school and leave a "kudos" message so you can see how it works!  You will leave a kudos to a fellow colleague, administrator, or staff support member in your building!  Everyone that logs into your specific link will have access to it!  Let's spread some "happy" on this Friday!  I can't wait to see what you all post!  

Burgess Peterson

http://padlet.com/wall/zxd1rdl600

Centennial Place

http://padlet.com/wall/7fjwj3v8oa

Dunbar 

http://padlet.com/wall/8lwy845ul1

Morningside

http://padlet.com/wall/8hbzxakab4

Parkside

http://padlet.com/wall/oggzyrqjso

Springdale Park

http://padlet.com/wall/k5i9opscem

Thomasville Heights

http://padlet.com/wall/gp8wqnxmnc

Have a wonderful day and weekend!  It's a FABULOUS, FEEL GOOD, FOOTBALL FRIDAY!!!!  As always, if you need any assistance implementing this tool or any other technology tool, please don't hesitate to let me know!  You can either fill out the request form at the bottom of my email or you can shoot me an email!  I'm loving collaborating with you and working with your students!  Have a great day!

Learnist

Happy Friday!!!!

It's that time again!  Here's your Feel Good Friday Tip of the Week!!!!

One of my colleagues shared an AWESOME rsource with me called Learnist.  Have you all heard about this???  It's like Pinterest within Pinterest!!!  :)  

Go to the following link: http://learni.st/category/10-education

On the top menu bar, click on "education."

From there type "Common Core" (as an example) and your content into the search box.  (ie. Common core math, common core elementary english, etc)

You will then see several different resources open up!  But here's the kicker…when you find one you like….click on it, and then you will see MORE resources open up related to that topic!!!  Resources within resources!

PLEASE take some time to check out this resource!  There are a TON of great and valuable things there that I know you will love!  I've spent hours getting lost on this site!  

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your "extra" day off on Monday!  :)

Assessments and Rubrics

"Happy Feel Good Friday" to my schools!!!!

Here is your tip for the week!!!!  

Kathy Schrock is an Educational Technologist and if you haven't heard about her you are missing out!   You will probably see me send a few of these Feel Good Friday tips from her site but I wanted to give you the entire site in case you have extra time and want to check it out!  Click on the link below….it's her "Guide to Everything!"

http://www.schrockguide.net/index.html

Once you click on her link, click on "Assessment and Rubrics" on the left hand tool bar.  Viola!!!!!!  There are rubrics there for you based on Common Core Standards, Projects, Web 2.0 Projects, Media & Apps, etc!  There are rubrics galore!!!!  Take a look around and see what you think!

As always, if there is anything that I can assist you with, please don't hesitate to let me know!  I hope that you all have a "Feel Good Friday!" and a Wonderful Weekend!!!!!

Grade Cam

Happy Friday to my wonderful schools!!!!

Here's another "Feel Good Friday Tip of the Week" for you!!!!

Gradecam.com is an AWESOME resource that was shared with me from Parkside's own, Mr. Farmer! I cannot take credit for this one, but I am sharing it because it's AMAZING!!!!  

How would you like to quickly grade assessments simply by flashing a scantron in front of a webcam (laptop or iPad)???  Imaging grading your class set of assessments in under a minute?  You literally scan and go!  It keeps a class grade book for you. You can disaggregate the data!  The first 10 questions are always free…any more than that and you will have to pay!  Take a sneak peak at the following youtube video to learn more!

http://youtu.be/b4O4xGs3ptk

If you need further assistance with this tool, don't hesitate to send me an email or a request!  I look forward to continuing to give you more and more resources you can use in your classes and schools to make your job easier, and to increase your integration of technology!  

Have a wonderful weekend!!!!  "See" you next Friday!

Remind 101

Happy Friday to my wonderful schools!  

Here is a tip for you that will CHANGE YOUR LIVES!!!

For my principals, this is a tool that you can use to reach out to your parents, teachers, etc….You can set up one "class" for your parents and another for your teachers.  You can also download the "Remind101" to your cell phones (Android and iPhone).  With the simple click of a few keys, you can send mass messages to your teachers and parents!!!  Here are some ideas:

• Don't forget the faculty meeting on Thursday at 330!
• Great job on increasing CRCT results this year!
• Wishing a Happy Birthday to Ms. Smith today!  Let's all celebrate her!
• Parents, please make sure your children eat a good breakfast today!  CRCT starts today!
• PTA meeting on Wednesday at 500pm!
• Bake sale in the foyer on Friday!

The possibilities are endless!

For my teachers, you can send mass messages to your parents and students that have cell phones.  You can set up one "class" for you parents and another for your students.  Text them things like:

• Don't forget your math test of Friday!
• Science fair projects due on Monday!
• Robotics meeting on Wednesday after school!
• Great job on your math test today!

Here are two short youtube videos showing you how easy it is!  If you'd like additional assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to me!  You can either call me to set up a meeting or fill out the request form at the bottom of my email!  I'm telling you, this is an awesome resource!  Happy Friday!!!!!

http://youtu.be/fUkhoTrUhkU

http://youtu.be/_ToXNmkX968