Another Snow Day

Yup you read that right! I am sitting here on another snow day! I woke up ready to go to work at 5:30 and the phone call came at 5:40! I couldn't go back to sleep. I wanted to be productive but I got hooked on teacher blogs! I have to say that I just found A Teeny Tiny Teacher and I couldn't stop reading/ laughing! I grabbed her button and I added it to my page! 


It occurred to me today as I couldn't sleep in on a free day off.... that I have a bunch of free time on my hands these days! I do!!!! I couldn't think why! Then I remembered I switched schools and grade levels. Its a whole different ball game now my friends! I hesitate to say this because it may sound like BRAGGING... but I have a LIFE. My life now includes time for:


Cooking--- My favorite hobby ( You create something wonderful, you get to share it and EAT it! 


Pinterest--- Did the world turn before this great invention? If you are interested in what makes me tick you can follow my boards! 


Teacher Blog Reading/ Blogging-- What did I do with my nosey self before I could invite myself into other peoples classrooms??? Comment PLEASE if you have a blog I should check out! 


The Gym--- Now I don't absolutely love the fact I have time for this.... But I am hoping I love the results in time for a busy summer including my 10 year reunion! 


Church--- I have time to get involved with my church! 


MY HUSBAND--- I actually get to see the guy and I kinda like it! 


Did I mention I love my job???? Plus blogging and Pinterest makes me a better teacher right????




Okay back to the purpose of my blog...


One of my new favorite apps is Rover!

Rover is a free  app! It is linked to games and Discovery Education ( a tool I couldn't live without!) Your class will love it. We had a teacher work day on Friday. Our principal taught us how to blog (little did he know). Anyways my teammate and I featured Rover and Discovery in our blog post and made a little video about it. Stroll down the red carpet for the video release!

Enjoy! 

Home Sick

It is one of those days that it was bad enough that I took a sick day and called in a sub! I even went to the doctor! I can't wait until I build up my system to first graders! 


I have spent the day in bed with my computer. It is an attachment from my arm. It's either my computer, my iPad or my iPhone. I know its bad! I just can't tear myself away! Good thing I work at a tech school! 


Today I worked on my Dr. Seuss unit and found some great new sellers in the TpT forums. Have you been there yet? It is just filled with teachers sharing amazing ideas! Did I mention I love technology? Its hard to believe that just last year the iPad came out! Now I use it to teach daily! Just this sumer I had no clue about teacher blogs. Now how would I spend my free time? 


Today I thought I would highlight some of the great teachers that I work with.


 I have a super cute teammate Ashlyn that challenges me to cute it up too! Here is a link to her TpT store and here is a link to her cute blog filled with great classroom management techniques. 


My teammate and I carpool with a kindergarten teacher Chassity and she has just about the cutest room and ideas that you will ever see! Here is her TpT Store!

QR Codes

The most exciting thing that has happened in my instruction this past week has been learning about QR codes!


Now I learned about these when I got my iPhone. Then I learned about using them in instruction at TIE which is Colorado's Technology in Education conference.  I attended this conference in June. The idea of using these has been in the back of my mind since. 


Last week my principal sent us a link about how to get started. Now they are appearing all over our school and all over MY classroom. 


Here is how to get started:

Check out this application on the App Store:

Scan QR Code City Category: Utilities Updated: Sep 26, 2011         1435 Ratings

I am not affiliated with this app. It is just a good one. 




Now create your own QR codes:




I recommend you visit this site:


http://qrcode.kaywa.com/




1. Choose your type of media.


2. Upload the file.


3. Press generate.


4. Save your QR Code as an image. ( I recommend naming them for what they are used for because they look so similar.)




Now you are set to insert them on assignments, around your classroom as directions or in your newsletter. 


As I mentioned before all of my kiddos have iPads so it is easy for them to get the information. I have had this knowledge about a week and this is what I have done:


 I have youtube videos linked to my centers for directions.


I have the QR code for the class website and volunteer website on my weekly newsletter and posted outside my door. 


My next step is to create directions and links to insert in my assignments. 


Here are a couple of examples that I have made:

If you have this technology available its great! It may just be helpful in your classroom to send it home for parents. I can't wait to create even more. If you have any ideas I would love to hear them leave your comment below!

Check out how this teacher uses QR codes: QR Codes in the classroom