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!