Blog Archives

Giveaways Galore!

7/31/2014

0 Comments

// I've Been Cooking Up Something Special //

You Could win this ENTIRE Stationery Set...& MORE!

// Want to win My STATIONERY & MORE? //

Hip, hip, HOORAY for Meredith over at Creativity to the Core! She's celebrating & thankful for a HUGE milestone of 1,500 followers on Instagram! I'm joining a whole crew of other teachers supporting her success by donating goodies for a super sweet giveaway! One lucky winner will win ALL of the goodies below, PLUS COUTURE TEACHER STATIONERY from It's Elementary, My Dear! The picture above is just a SNEAK PEEK of the glittery goodness the lucky winner will receive from me. Take a gander below at the glorious gathering of giveaways galore (say that 5 times fast) from over 30 teachers who have donated downloads, goods, store credit, & more!

// Look at all of this LOOT! //

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How do you get your hands on this TREASURE CHEST? Follow the awesome bloggers using the Rafflecopter to the left. For each follow, you are given 1 entry into the drawing! Meredith at Creativity to the Core will announce the winner at the end of the week. Good luck, & congrats again to Meredith!

0 Comments

Cruisin' Through Classroom Decor

7/30/2014

2 Comments

I must admit, classroom decor is one of my {absolute} FAVORITE back to school rituals! As a wannabe graphic/interior designer & lover of party planning, classroom makeovers are just my cup of tea! So, I’m linking up with Mrs. D’s Corner and Miss V’s Busy Bees for the B2S Weekly Linky Party to share my love of all things classroom decor!

Having taught EVERY grade, K-4 {Whew...makes me tired just thinking about it!} it seems like I’ve used nearly every decor theme under the sun. Along the way, there’s been a LOT of elbow grease, paint, decluttering, moving, money spent...I mean, “invested,” and bushels of fun {just don’t ask my husband about that…}. Some rooms were at new schools, move-in ready, and still smelling of new carpet and fresh paint. Others...well, if I’m honest some of the classrooms started out looking like something from “Saw” or “Last House on the Left.” In the end, it’s an amazing feeling to create a space that’s pleasing to you and both appealing and brain friendly to your students. After all, we practically LIVE in our rooms for the majority of each day during the school year. I want to LOVE the space I’m in each day, and aim for my students to feel the same!

// The BIG 10: Extreme Classroom Makeover //

I had a blast chronicling my many adventures in classroom moves, cleaning, painting, and decorating in two Scholastic Top Teaching blog posts titled The Big 10: Extreme Classroom Makeover: Part 1 & Part 2.
Check out the posts for tips, tricks, and techniques to help you live by my Big 10 rules for classroom makeovers as you go back to school this year!

Imagine the possibilities.
Start with a clean slate.
Lay on a base coat.
Keep function foremost.
Start styling.
Be fabulously frugal.
Date your design.
Pace yourself.
Send out an S.O.S.
What to do when disaster strikes!

// Evolution of a CLassroom //

See my classroom evolve over the past few years, prior to teaching
4th grade and implementing a "Retro Road Trip" themed decor!

// Themed Classroom Decor Galore //

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE a good theme. I don’t care what I’m planning (parties, outfits, home decor, you name it), I’m a bit of a theme addict. When I was first teaching, my theme choices and content primarily revolved around interest, cutesy-value, and other such fun factors. As I’ve grown as a teacher, I’ve learned to appreciate the value in two very important things involved in classroom environment: 1) Decor tied to curriculum content 2) Decluttering & creating a non-overstimulating environment.

When setting up furniture, bulletin boards, common areas, center stations, and more, I keep executive functioning in mind. Read all about executive functioning, it’s classroom components, and impact on students on my Scholastic Top Teaching blog post.

While you’re there, download these darling FREEBIES I created to support classroom design with executive functioning in mind that are both cute and functional {#winning}.

I like to have my cake and eat it, too, so I want my classroom design to be both cute and facilitate learning. Since the regions of the United States play a major role in most of our curricular content, both our academic and classroom decor is themed as a “Retro Road Trip.” From the welcome pack students receive from me in the summer, to classroom decor, and graphics used throughout, students are immersed in a retro road trip experience. Take a peek at tidbits from my decor and setup last year, and read on to see NEW ADDITIONS {bargain finds!} for this year’s design!

// Keep on Cruisin' //

For the past 3 years, I moved one grade each year: new hire starting in 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, and then 3rd to 4th. Each year I tailored my decor to a new theme that correlated to our curricular content. {Yes, it was an exhausting whirlwind, but it was also a lot of fun!} This year I’m parked firmly in 4th {LOVE 4th grade!} and this gives me the opportunity to tweak, add to, and omit items that I feel would make our classroom environment better. For me, that means FUN raiding of Hobby Lobby and Goodwill clearance sections! So far, I’ve scored BIG TIME at Hobby Lobby. Many of the authentic vintage signs I wanted last year are now on 80% off, and so I felt like I was practically STEALING them as I loaded my cart up and hauled them to my vehicle. Take a peek at the revved up loot I’ll be adding this year to my decor!

Stay tuned for future posts with more details about full 2014 classroom decor reveal, year-long classroom themes, bargain hunting sprees, & much, much more!

2 Comments

Binder Blunder: Help me Choose!

7/30/2014

2 Comments

// Wordless Wednesday @ Sugar & SPice //

I'm linking up with Miss DeCarbo @ Sugar & Spice for my 1st ever Wordless Wednesday! I LOVE photographs, so this seems like a perfect fit for a weekly link-up! Check out the linky rules & other pic posts to join in on the fun!

// HELP! I can't Choose! //

There's just something about new school/office supplies that makes me giddy, & this year it seems like my favorite supply shops (Target & Walmart) are loaded with smart style for trendy teachers! I {might} have gone a little overboard on purchasing new, cool binders for myself and will probably take one back because I most likely will only need 3 of them. HELP! Which ones would YOU keep?

I'm taking a poll below, but also want to hear your reasoning. You can vote for your top THREE binders below. Then, leave a comment telling why you love them as much as I do! Have fun & happy voting!

Tell me WHY you chose the 3 you did in the comments below!

2 Comments

Tune into Technology: Crazy -for- QR Codes

7/29/2014

5 Comments

It is a public running joke at my school that I am CRAZY for QR codes. Tease all you want, because I’m totally fine wearing the crown of the resident QR code queen (....or crazy lady). So much of what the students are learning and reporting on involve creative, multi-media applications that simply cannot be conveyed on paper. To tie in video, audio, photo, documents, games, and more, students utilize iPads for a variety of applications. Communicating such layered projects can be tough! Using a QR code to link to a video recording, student-created webpage, portfolio link, online document or presentation is a 21st Century, interactive way to engage students, parents, and hallway bypassers in everything from center instructions to hallway displays. Get your scanners ready to be QR code crazy with Mrs. Petlak’s class!

Interactive Tech-Based Student Work Displays
Check out my Scholastic Top Teaching blog posts featuring interactive QR code use (linked below) from the 2013-2014 school year. You’ll get a kick out of some of the awesome student recordings and creative applications for this simple tech tool! See how we use QR codes to provide interactive multi-dimensional hallway displays that provide an in-depth profile of student learning! Projects featured using QR codes include:

Student Pinterest boards and pins
Greenscreen student video reporting/recording
Educreations screencast recordings
Hands-on math games video tutorial recordings
Project-based Picasso research

Clone the Teacher:
I know I can’t be the only teacher who wishes they could clone about 5 of me so that there were enough hands and eyes and ears to most effectively provide individual support as needed in my classroom! Since that isn’t possible (...and is a bit frightening, trust me….1 of me is enough!), using a QR code to convey meaning, instructions, and more is the next best thing! While you’re manning small group instruction, record your voice or video demo of what needs to be done at each student workstation. We actually did this for a recent STEM family event {watch for future fun posts!!} & it was hugely successful with both students and parents. Heck--you could record an ENTIRE LESSON via video or screencast and link it to a QR code! This works really well, when you have substitute teachers, too. It’s like you’re there even when you’re NOT!

BEST . GIFTS . EVER .
As favors for our STEM family event, we filmed students using a greenscreen app, then linked a QR code to each video. Next, we created keychain tags with design on the front and corresponding student video recording QR code on the back. Now, students can scan the code and watch their video whenever they want!

Big Time Book Use:
QR codes can be AMAZING tech tools for creating interactive books and related activities! Talk about making the magic of reading come to life!

Student self-recording of book read aloud
Teacher recording of book read aloud
Student-created dramatic version of book using apps such as FaceTalker & Puppet Pals.
Student book reviews using video or audio recordings.
Book movie trailers to pique interest when browsing the library searching for books.

I LOVE Sue Lynch’s twist on the traditional reading center. Let’s face it, CD recordings of audio books are becoming tough to find...and so are CD players! {I felt really, REALLY old when I had to explain to my students how to use a CD player and CD discman. Can anyone say “child of the 80s & 90s????} Sue uses the trendy tech-appeal of iPod graphics, inserts a QR code linked to an audio recording of the book, and then, VOILA! Students scan and listen to the stories on their own handheld device. Check out her product, Listening Center Twist on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Keep ‘Em Honest:
Cloning yourself via QR code to help students check practice work is not only fun for your kiddos, but it helps them practice honesty, and makes quick checking for understanding simple & efficient. Simply link the answer (I use Google docs to link & share) to individual questions, task cards, or answers for an entire practice sheet to a QR code. Copy and paste the QR code onto the activity page(s) or do the old-fashioned version and PHYSICALLY {gasp!} cut and paste the printed QR code onto the activities. Our very own linky hostess-with-the-mostess, Kristin Kennedy of iTeach 1:1 has AMAZING answer & check (via QR code) activities that are perfect for student workstations that promote independence!

On the Hunt:
QR code scavenger hunts are SO . MUCH . FUN. We have used them in our classrooms for fun math facts practice, geography challenges, evidence of STEM in our school building, word hunts, and much, much more! Again, tech-teacher-extraordinaire, Kristin Kennedy of iTeach 1:1 has fab QR code scavenger hunt materials that are perfect for independent skills practice with a fun twist!

Secret Treasures:
This year I want to make or purchase secret rewards using QR codes. Simple create a reward coupon, upload it to a share site (like Google Drive), link it to a qr code, and then print a paper coupon/ticket that has the QR code visible. Students scan the code to see their prize! Joanne Miller has a great example of such incentives with her awesome Scan To Win Reward Tickets.

I love this idea because you could use this process to make CUSTOM secret rewards. We have done something similar in the past using invisible markers with students who have individualized behavior/incentive plans. Have the child work with you to create a list of rewards he/she would love. Follow the instructions above, but program the coupons with the incentives specific to that student. When that child earns his/her reward, they will scan and receive something JUST for them! They’ll love it.

What’s Next for this QR Code Queen?
I’m always looking for ways to expand my tech-tool use, and in the year to come, I want to try out augmented reality through apps like Aurasma. Check out this post on augmented reality by my friend, tech-wiz, and fabulous edu-blogger, Erin Klein. Similar to QR codes, this brings classroom activities and displays to life and I can’t wait to try it this school year!

Still QR Crazed?
I get it….you can’t get enough! If this is the case, you have to pop on over to 2 amazing posts by my fellow Scholastic blogger, Christy Crawford. You’ll be so inspired and adding to your to-do list that you’ll be QR crazed for days!

Never Miss
A Beat:
Subscribe
>>>>>>>>>

5 Comments

Tune Into Technology: iPad STUDENT Use (PART 2)

7/28/2014

2 Comments

If you’ve read Part 1 of my Tune Into Technology posts, the you know the iPad is my favorite tech-sessory for countless {teacher-centric} reasons. In this post, I’ll be focusing on the STUDENT impact and use of these fantastic tech tool. Few things irritate me more than seeing iPads being used as a classroom babysitter. Of course, app games are fun and have their place and time in the classroom, but the capabilities of iPad use with students are endless. See how our class attempts to maximize our iPad implementation, even without 1:1 devices. We have MUCH more to learn and try, but so far the iPads have been a serious game-changer!

Very little of what we do in class is strictly paper-based. Students dig deep into their creativity to produce documentation of learning in multi-sensory, media-rich ways. Using iPad apps, photo and video capabilities, students are able to truly SHOW what they know! Check out my Scholastic Top Teaching blog posts to see students demonstrate and document their knowledge using iPads.

Some of our favorites {linked below} include:

Pinterest-inspired "show-what-you-know" activities w/video recordings linked via QR codes.
Educreations app for math explanations & problem-solving
Greenscreen by DoInk for on-the-scene student reporting
Math games tutorials via video recording & QR codes
Communication & collaboration tech tools to support Project Based Learning (PBL)
Student-curated digital portfolios courtesy of the OpenSchool ePortfolio (OSEP).

// See Us in Action //

// Which iPad Use is YOUR Favorite? //

Take a peek at the posts (many include videos and awesome photos or other fun links) linked above and tell me which of our uses for the iPads was YOUR favorite? Which one do you want to go back and try in YOUR class? Share your opinion & see what others say, too!

Thanks & happy voting!

2 Comments

<<Previous

Giveaways Galore!

// I've Been Cooking Up Something Special //

You Could win this ENTIRE Stationery Set...& MORE!

// Want to win My STATIONERY & MORE? //

// Look at all of this LOOT! //

Cruisin' Through Classroom Decor

// The BIG 10: Extreme Classroom Makeover //

// Evolution of a CLassroom //

// Themed Classroom Decor Galore //

// Keep on Cruisin' //

Binder Blunder: Help me Choose!

// Wordless Wednesday @ Sugar & SPice //

// HELP! I can't Choose! //

Tell me WHY you chose the 3 you did in the comments below!

Tune into Technology: Crazy -for- QR Codes

Never Miss
A Beat:
Subscribe
>>>>>>>>>

Tune Into Technology: iPad STUDENT Use (PART 2)

// See Us in Action //

// Which iPad Use is YOUR Favorite? //

// CONNECT //

MEET LINDSEY

Find Me On
// TPT //

FAVORITE THINGS

ERIN CONDREN

SITE DESIGN

SHOP NOW

PHOTO LOVE

PIN-TASTIC

CATEGORIES

ARCHIVES

LINKED UP

// Home // Blog // About // Shop // Connect //

Giveaways Galore!

// I've Been Cooking Up Something Special //

You Could win this ENTIRE Stationery Set...& MORE!

// Want to win My STATIONERY & MORE? //

// Look at all of this LOOT! //

Cruisin' Through Classroom Decor

// The BIG 10: Extreme Classroom Makeover //

// Evolution of a CLassroom //

// Themed Classroom Decor Galore //

// Keep on Cruisin' //

Binder Blunder: Help me Choose!

// Wordless Wednesday @ Sugar & SPice //

// HELP! I can't Choose! //

Tell me WHY you chose the 3 you did in the comments below!

Tune into Technology: Crazy -for- QR Codes

Never Miss A Beat: Subscribe >>>>>>>>>

Tune Into Technology: iPad STUDENT Use (PART 2)

// See Us in Action //

// Which iPad Use is YOUR Favorite? //

// CONNECT //

Be an INSIDER!

MEET LINDSEY

Find Me On// TPT //

FAVORITE THINGS

ERIN CONDREN

SITE DESIGN

SHOP NOW

PHOTO LOVE

PIN-TASTIC

CATEGORIES

ARCHIVES

LINKED UP

// Home // Blog // About // Shop // Connect //

Never Miss
A Beat:
Subscribe
>>>>>>>>>

Find Me On
// TPT //