April... Favorite Things (Game Edition)

I feel like I have been a very bad blogger recently! There seems to be no time to get #allthethings done everyday. At school we have been working on some "fun" test prep activities which means we have a few spare minutes here and there. What a better way to spend that time than playing a class game!! Here are a few of my favorite games...

Sunday Scoop {3/20/16}

The Sunday Scoop is based on the popular 3-2-1 graphic organizers so many of us use with our students. Tell us three things you HAVE to do, two things you HOPE to do, and one thing you're HAPPY to do. If this is your first time linking up, check out all the details on our Sunday Scoop page, then link up below!

Here's the Scoop on my week...

Sneezing! Coughing! Sniffling! Oh, My! Allergies and a sinus infection are kicking my tushy this week. Can't wait to get over this crud!

Even though I am not feeling fantastic, I love having my son home for Spring Break! Love seeing him and spending time with him!

What are you up to this week?

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Sunday Scoop {3/13/16}

The Sunday Scoop is based on the popular 3-2-1 graphic organizers so many of us use with our students. Tell us three things you HAVE to do, two things you HOPE to do, and one thing you're HAPPY to do. If this is your first time linking up, check out all the details on our Sunday Scoop page, then link up below!

Here's the Scoop on my week...

Link up with us and share what's going on in your world this week!

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Choosing a Platform for Flipped Lessons {Tech Thursday}

Technology Thursday is a weekly linky dedicated to all things technology related. Check out our Tech Thursday page for details on how to link up!

This week I am focusing on Flipped Lessons in your classroom! Over the last few weeks it became increasingly evident that I needed to switch up my math block. My students needed a change. We are at the point of the year that everything keeps building on what we learned weeks before and some students are struggling. On the other hand, there are students who are ready to move on to the next content. So, I introduced flipped lessons!

The set-up: Our district just rolled out 1:1 devices within the last few weeks. I decided to use Schoology as my platform for delivering and assessing my students. There are other options out there including Google Classroom. Both Schoology and Google Classroom are free for educational use. We have about 55 minutes of math each day. That's it... :(

Preparations: As I mentioned before, I decided to use Schoology to host all of my lessons and track my student assessments. I spent a few hours making videos that deliver my instruction in the same way that I would deliver it in the classroom. I used QuickTime Player to "make a new recording" of my instruction. I propped up my laptop on a table with the camera pointed towards the whiteboard in my classroom.

After I had the filming done. I saved a version that way and then had to save a version as a more compressed file. Schoology only allows videos under 1.0 MB so keep it small. You can always upload to another file host like YouTube and then link, but I think it is easier to keep the kids right in the lesson and not have them clicking out to external sites.

To compress your video simply go to "file" and then "export". I choose to export as 480p.... and that seemed to compress it plenty but still keep the video clear. 

In your Schoology account you can have a variety of courses (perfect for you teachers who are not departmentalized... I cannot even imagine knowing that many kids).  

This whole journey with a flipped classroom started with Math so that is what I am sticking to with my class. I made a quick image in PowerPoint for my icon and plopped in a folder for Area and Perimeter (our current unit of study).

You can see that on the bottom left corner there is a green box (halfway cut off). This is the access code your students will need to log-in to your class. When my students logged in for the first time on  Monday, I projected this screen so they could simply type in the code (not case sensitive).

When you click into the actual folder you have a variety of options that you can use to add content to your course.

An assignment might include a video, pictures, audio, just text etc. It can also include an actual assignment if you have apps that would allow your students to manipulate handouts. Under test/quiz you can select multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, etc. There are so many options! I think that is what I like the most about this website, they left it very open for teachers and I can make it work for my students. Here is a look at my math unit.

Each of my lessons start with a video. I also pulled some videos from Khan Academy and YouTube (but more about that during another Tech Thursday... hint hint). Under the settings icon (on the right side) you can link standards, change when items are available to your students or give items specific due dates.

For now, I have all the due dates turned off and all of the items available to students. As we go along over the next few weeks that might change. You can also see up above that every lesson also has a quiz. These are basically just assessments for each lesson. Think about them like an exit ticket. It is my way to gauge how they are doing with a skill before they move on.

I also added in their interactive notebook page for lesson 2. I set up a file system at the front of my classroom for all math papers. Thinking about the fact that I could have students on lesson 2 or lesson 18, I had to have everything organized before I began. Students would go find the file folder for lesson 2, take out the interactive notebook page and glue it in their notebook. The lesson on Schoology then shows them pictures (and in one case a video) of how to complete the pages. I DO NOT give students the answers to their interactive notebook page. That is for them to figure out.

I know that is just a little taste of Schoology. But I don't want to overwhelm you! I am going to post for the next couple of weeks all about this adventure and you can stop by on Thursdays to read all about it.

Link up below with your own Website or App recommendations, Tech Tips, Tutorials, or anything else tech-related! We can't wait to learn from you!

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Sunday Scoop {3.6.16}

The Sunday Scoop is based on the popular 3-2-1 graphic organizers so many of us use with our students. Tell us three things you HAVE to do, two things you HOPE to do, and one thing you're HAPPY to do. If this is your first time linking up, check out all the details on our Sunday Scoop page, then link up below!

Here's the Scoop on my week...

Have To Do:

-We are going to be painting our master bedroom, finally! So that means it is time to choose a paint color. Which really means it is time for me to redesign our decor. Which actually means I get to go shopping! See how it all comes full circle?

-I have entered the world of Flipped Lessons. Our classroom is now 1:1 with devices. My students do not take them home, but I have decided that I can alter my instruction a bit using Schoology and really differentiating to all of my learners. It is has been a process figuring out all of the details- but I will save that for a Tech Thursday post!

-The end of our 3rd quarter is coming very quickly (two weeks away). Which means this is the last week for grades for the quarter. Our report cards are due the same day the quarter ends (strange huh). 

Hope To Do: 

-We are a few episodes behind on TWD, that means it is a must to finally catch-up!

-After taking a online course all about Pinterest, I have been completely overwhelmed to tackle old blog posts and make them "Pinterest Optimized". But, now that Kristen completely redid my blog (click here to check it out) it is time that I get those posts updated!

Happy To Do:

-My class earned ten compliments (we keep track in our compliment can). They earn compliments from administration, paras, lunch ladies, custodians, other teachers, substitutes, etc. When we hit 10 compliments I surprise them the next week with something special. This time it is a 10 minute dance party! I will turn off all the lights, turn on a disco ball (on YouTube) and crank the jams! I know they are going to flip out! It is a fun way to reward them for working hard and being kind without spending any money. 

An InLinkz Link-up

The Magic of Wordless Picture Books

Wordless books are pure magic! They are great for igniting students' imaginations. Students can have loads of fun writing down the words that the illustrators have left silent.

Sunday Scoop {2/28/16}

The Sunday Scoop is based on the popular 3-2-1 graphic organizers so many of us use with our students. Tell us three things you HAVE to do, two things you HOPE to do, and one thing you're HAPPY to do. If this is your first time linking up, check out all the details on our Sunday Scoop page, then link up below!

Here's the Scoop on my week...

What are you up to this week?

An InLinkz Link-up

Sunday Scoop {2/21/16}

It's standardized testing week at my school, no teacher's favorite time of year. I'm not looking forward to my "have to"s this week at all, but on the bright side, when it's done, we can all relax and get back to what we do best!

The Sunday Scoop is based on the popular 3-2-1 graphic organizers so many of us use with our students. Tell us three things you HAVE to do, two things you HOPE to do, and one thing you're HAPPY to do. If this is your first time linking up, check out all the details on our Sunday Scoop page, then link up below!



   

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Sunday Scoop {2.14.16}

The Sunday Scoop is based on the popular 3-2-1 graphic organizers so many of us use with our students. Tell us three things you HAVE to do, two things you HOPE to do, and one thing you're HAPPY to do. If this is your first time linking up, check out all the details on our Sunday Scoop page, then link up below!

Happy Valentines Day! Here's the Scoop on my week...

I think the have to do #1 is a weekend must for any teacher. We keep our house spotless during the week, but the weekends is when we dust/wash floors. Ugh. I dread weekend cleaning. On another note, we just wrapped up our Division unit in math so tests need to be graded and prep work for our Fraction unit has to get finished!

Our district has been in the process (this ENTIRE school year) of rolling out 1:1 technology. FINALLY, devices are in the building!!! WAHOO! But, the cases are on backorder. UGH. Anyways, I am in the process of creating some engaging lessons to teach my students the ins/outs of some specific apps that I know we will be using a ton over the next few months. Plus, they will be doing a rule scavenger hunt to practice using QR Codes and a few other apps. Great way to get their hands on the devices and learn all about the classroom usage at the same time.

And of course, last but not least... It's VALENTINES DAY. Yesterday the hubs and I "celebrated" the fact that he proposed 6 years ago. So V-Day is always a bit special to us. Yep, you got it... he proposed on the 13th. I always told him that a Valentines proposal is cliché so, he did it the night before. And if you really want to go back on the calendar and look... it was Friday the 13th! Bad luck?! Good luck?! I think it is unique and special, so GOOD luck. ;)

What do you have going on this week/today? Grab the template and link up below.

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OpenEd.com

Technology Thursday is a weekly linky dedicated to all things technology related. Check out our Tech Thursday page for details on how to link up!

I am so excited about this new resource! Okay...new to me anyway. I can't wait to explore all it has to offer! Where has this been all of my teaching career??? I am talking about OpenEd.com!

Sunday Scoop {2/7/16}

The Sunday Scoop is based on the popular 3-2-1 graphic organizers so many of us use with our students. Tell us three things you HAVE to do, two things you HOPE to do, and one thing you're HAPPY to do. If this is your first time linking up, check out all the details on our Sunday Scoop page, then link up below!

Here's the Scoop on my week...

What are you up to this week?

An InLinkz Link-up

Favorite Things (February)

Teachers all have favorite grades and subjects to teach. For me, I've known since I started teaching that I was meant to teach upper elementary. When I am asked what grade I teach, most people cringe at the word "fifth," but I love it here! Yes, they can be smelly and their hormones are out of control, but there's a lot to love about these kiddos. Here are my favorite things about 5th grade...

There is one thing I hate about fifth grade though... At the end of the year, they leave for middle school. And unless they have a younger sibling, I don't get to see them again, except for rare occasions.

The Favorite Things Linky is a great way to share your 3 favorite anythings! Grab the template and button and link up below! If this is your first time linking up, check out our Favorite Things page for more details!

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Sunday Scoop {1/31/16}

The Sunday Scoop is based on the popular 3-2-1 graphic organizers so many of us use with our students. Tell us three things you HAVE to do, two things you HOPE to do, and one thing you're HAPPY to do. If this is your first time linking up, check out all the details on our Sunday Scoop page, then link up below!

Here's the Scoop on my week...

What about you? Link up and share what you are up to this weekend!

An InLinkz Link-up

Sunday Scoop {1.24.16}

The Sunday Scoop is based on the popular 3-2-1 graphic organizers so many of us use with our students. Tell us three things you HAVE to do, two things you HOPE to do, and one thing you're HAPPY to do. If this is your first time linking up, check out all the details on our Sunday Scoop page, then link up below!

Here's the Scoop on my week...

What are you up to today and this week? Link up below!

An InLinkz Link-up