Tech Thursday: Notability (App)

Technology Thursday is a weekly linky dedicated to all things technology related. Share reviews of websites or apps you've tried, tech tips that make your {teaching or personal} life easier, and helpful tutorials. Our hope is that this linky provides a place for teachers to share and learn new ways to use technology and engage students!

Be a rule follower!
Rule #1: You must include the image above and a link to our linky somewhere in your blog post.
Rule #2: Follow the Rule of Three...visit the two blogs who link up before you and the one immediately after you and leave some love on their pages!
Rule #3: This linky is not intended for product promotion. You may include products you've created in your posts, but they should not be the sole focus of the post. {Exception...freebies...because everybody loves a good freebie!}

This week I wanted to share with you a really cool app I used during the TPT conference. This one's not free (sorry), but I do think it's well worth the $5 I spent on it, and  I can see some great ways to use it in the classroom.

Notability - for iPad & iPhone, $4.99

Notability is a note-taking app with some really cool features. You can start from a blank page if you wish, but you can also import PDF files and take notes directly on them!

Since I was using this at the conference, I saved all of my session handouts to my Dropbox, and imported them easily into Notability. Just click the import arrow in the top right of the screen, and select your file! It couldn't be easier! You can even import only certain pages of a large file if you prefer.

Once your file imports, you can click to open it, and take notes right on your iPad! At the top, you'll see the different functions, where you can select your ink color, pen type, and size.

Need a blank page? (Because these sessions were all so amazing, I needed lots of extra pages or notes!) Just click the pages icon in the top right corner, and click the plus sign on the corner of a page. Easy-peasy!

Make a mistake? There's a handy eraser right at the top...just drag it across the word you want to erase!

Need to move something you wrote? Select the scissors icon, circle what you want to move, and drag it wherever it belongs!

Want to snap a photo of the presentation and add it to your notes? No problem! Just click the plus sign and choose your picture!
Want to type instead of writing? They've got that covered too! Click the T at the top, and you get a keyboard with all the usual text formatting options.
You can also use a highlighter, post-it notes, and bookmarks. If the screen is too small, like my iPad mini, you can zoom in the same way you would on a picture.

This app was PERFECT for taking notes at the conference. One way I thought I might use it in my class is during centers for students to do extra practice without creating more paper! How can you use this app in your class?

Link up your technology posts below! We can't wait to see how everyone else is using technology!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

What I'm wearing is usually Stitch Fix!

I'm loving Jivey's What I'm Wearing Wednesday, mostly because I get to see everyone else's Stitch Fix and Jane scores! Someone asked a couple of weeks ago when I would be doing another Stitch Fix post, so here it is!

My latest Stitch Fix arrived just in time for Vegas...the day before I left, actually.

If you haven't heard of Stitch Fix, it is basically a personal shopping service. Once a month (or whenever you request it) they send you a box of 5 items based on a "style profile" that you complete with your style preferences, price range, etc. You can even link a Pinterest board for inspiration! You can read more about how it works here. 

Unfortunately, I don't have "real" item names for you this time. My fix arrived, and I left the next day for Vegas. Well, apparently my husband threw out the paperwork that came in my box while I was away, and your account doesn't show the names of things once you've reviewed them and paid :(

Dory Braid Detailed Striped Tank - Loved the top. It is incredibly soft and a great style for teaching. Sadly, the blush color really washes me out. Never fear, though, I emailed Stitch Fix, and this top also comes in a turquoise color, which will likely look much better on me. Assuming they can find it in my size, it should be in my next Fix! PS - I learned that you can make specific requests anytime...just put them in your note to your stylist! Verdict: returned this one, but hoping to see it in turquoise next month!

Skinny Cargo Pants - The pants were at an odd length on me...too short to be considered ankle length, too long to be capris. High-waters is the only way I can describe it! As you can see, I tried, unsuccessfully, rolling them up to see if that would help. It's too bad, because they were super comfy, and a perfect fit in the waist/hips. Verdict: returned. 

This is the softest shirt ever! (Except for maybe the tank above) Plus, it's two of my favorite colors...navy & turquoise...Verdict: keep!

I liked the color on this top, but I am just not a big fan of tassels. Partly because I know my little man will just tug at them and untie the bow. Plus, it's very similar in color to the other white/blue shirt that I liked better. Verdict: returned.

I wasn't initially sold on this one, mainly because it's blazing hot here right now, and this wasn't sleeveless! I do really like the pink bird print on it, though, and my husband reminded me that I'm always cold! Verdict: keep. Actually, I've already worn it...on the plane on the way home from Vegas with some leggings. I was super comfy traveling all day, and stayed warm on the plane, where I usually freeze!

That's it for this Fix...I can't wait to get my next one and see if they found my turquoise top!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post; I have paid for my fix on my own and have not been given any type of compensation for this review. I do however receive a small referral credit if you follow my link, so if you want to try it, just click one of my links to head on over to Stitch Fix and get started!

Two for Tuesday is back!

I guess technically it never went anywhere, but I was so happy to see on The Teaching Tribune's Facebook page that they are going to keep Two for Tuesday going a while longer!

Since everyone is starting to think about back to school, I thought I'd share some of my classroom decorations. I'm sharing one of my most recent products & one of my most wish-listed at half price for today only!

These Birthday Cupcakes make an adorable birthday bulletin board! I just love the bright patterns & sprinkles on each one! I cut them out and display them on one of my doors since we are a little short on bulletin board space. I've also had a buyer tell me she puts the current month's cupcake beside her calendar, and the birthday kids feel extra special all month! (Love that idea!) On sale today for just $1.50! 

My Turquoise Dots Classroom Decor Pack is a best-seller and highly wish-listed item! This is a BIG pack of classroom decorations that I made so that my classroom could have a cohesive look and feel. Includes editable signs and labels, schedule cards, a "where are we" sign, word wall letters, & much much more! On sale today for only 6.25!

Hop on over to The Teaching Tribune to see what else is on sale! 

Best Weekend EVER! (#TPTVegas2014!)

I just got back from the first (of many, I hope!) TPT Conference in Las Vegas, and I honestly can't even put into words how great it was! I learned so much, that I typed up 13 pages of notes on the plane on my way home. Seriously, if you were on the fence this year, or thought it was too expensive, start saving now! I guarantee the amazing things I learned will earn back every penny the trip cost me!

Today, I wanted to share my top takeaways from the conference. Many of these are things that were mentioned by multiple top sellers, so I'm thinking they're important! FYI - I went to sessions by Jen Jones from Hello Literacy, Nikki Casassa from Melonheadz, Rachel Lynette from Minds in Bloom, & Erin Cobb from I'm Lovin' Lit. They were all fabulous! Thank you, ladies, for sharing your expertise with us!

*If you aren't a TPT seller, I'm sorry... There's some good stuff in here for you too, but most of it is directed at other sellers. Scroll to the end and check out my Vegas pics!

Here goes...

This really resonated with me. I think something similar was said by both Deanna Jump during her keynote and by Erin in her session. Sometimes it's easy to get discouraged if we aren't selling as much as we want or if our newest product doesn't seem to be taking off. It is true though, every single sale is someone who believes in us & thinks our product is worthy of their hard-earned money. Every sale is a classroom that will see our work and learn from it. (If that doesn't make you feel good about what you sell...)

The theme all day, from Paul & Deanna in the keynote to all of the individual sessions, was that this is a family. When one of us is successful, it brings attention to the site, and helps us all. When we are nice and play fair, everyone wins. When one of us is...not so nice or fair... it hurts our reputation as a whole. Lesson learned: Help each other, be nice, and always play fair! Remember that you represent not only yourself, but thousands of other teacher-authors and TPT as a whole.

I'll admit, I haven't been in the sellers forum very  much at all. Apparently, there's a lot going on in there, because this was mentioned in at least 3 of my 4 sessions. Lots to learn from TPT staff & other successful sellers, updates on new stuff and special opportunities. I'm heading to check it out when I finish up this post!

Again...not something I've done well with. Sellers who have had something in the newsletter have seen immediate increases in store traffic & sales. I hereby promise to submit to the newsletter on a regular basis from here on out! Scout's honor!

Raise your hand if you've seen boards that are full of products, and not much else... Now raise your hand if you've unfollowed those boards... I thought so! No one wants to follow boards that are only full of product pins! Pin stuff people can use without making a purchase. Keep your boards clean and organized. Get out of collaborative boards that are too product-focused unless you know for sure they are bringing you lots of traffic.

Seriously, y'all...no one wants to be bombarded with advertisements for our products constantly! The 80/20 ratio means that 80% of  what you post should be real, relevant, and valuable on its own, no purchase required. The other 20% can be direct marketing of your work.

Don't post something as a freebie simply because you think it isn't sellable. Aside from those things that *have* to be free for copyright reasons, like Daily 5/Cafe, 7 Habits, etc., if you're posting it as a freebie, it should be something worthy of selling as a paid item. That also means to include everything you would normally include in a paid product (see more below on that).

TPT offers you four places to convince shoppers to buy your product. Use all of them! Every time! They are: product name, thumbnail images, product preview, & product description. Every product needs to include a few things...don't skip out on these, even on freebies. Here's the list: an eye-catching cover page, copyright info on every page, and a credits page for clip art & fonts used.

Get to know other bloggers/sellers. How? Visit their blogs & social media. Leave comments on their posts. Buy their stuff, when it works for you, and ALWAYS leave specific, positive, meaningful feedback. Why? See #2 above. We are a family. We need each other! We learn from each other and improve through our interactions.

Deanna said that someone told her this before her store took off. It is so true! For most of us, if not all, success isn't just going to happen! We have to work for it! Find what sells for you, promote it, build relationships, go out there and work for your success!

Here are a couple of fun pics that you may have already seen on Facebook or Instagram, but since I like them, I'm sharing again! This was such a fun & inspiring time, I am already planning for next year! #tptvegas2015, y'all!

     

     

Head over to Deirdre's What happens in Vegas linky at A Burst of First to see more fun stuff & learning from the conference! 

Free Font Friday!

Hi everyone! I am so excited about all the good stuff going on in Vegas this week! Most of my fun will happen today, so I'm sure there will be a post about it one day next week, but in the meantime, I'm linking up for Free Font Friday!

   

Free Font Friday has been so much fun this summer! I really hate that this is the last week, and hope someone picks it up year-round! Everyone loves a free font, amiright?! I asked on Facebook and Instagram and this was overwhelmingly the favorite choice from my TPT store for this week's free font! Grab it this weekend, because it goes back to paid on Monday night (a little extra time for all my Vegas friends to get home!)