QR Code Attendance

Ok....so I'm not sure if I'm the first one to blog this idea, but it came to me today as I spent the first day in my classroom.  I'm thinking about doing QR Attendance codes so the kids can just scan themselves into class.  I came across an app for the iPad called FancyQR.  What's cool about this QR code maker is that it can be made with images and colours instead of just boring black.  Here is a peek below.  Now I am a newbie to QR codes, but wouldn't this be fun?

                  

This is the one I made for myself.  I typed my name and gave myself the number one....now...how to create the attendance from here....this was just a random idea I had while staring at the blank canvass of my classroom! So....any thoughts on how to proceed from here?

Also, stay tuned for my classroom pictures.  I hope to have a transformed room tomorrow!

Happy Monday!

I Can Do It Boards - Classroom Decorating Here I Come

Ok, so I have been doing a lot more blog hopping than I have been writing lately, mainly because there are so many great classroom ideas and reveals going on that I can't help myself.  I am gathering ideas for my own classroom and am thinking of planning for September now!  I admit, I have stolen this idea from Joann over at Teaching in Cardigans, who used it in her favourite pins post from pinterest. From there I found it was Michelle from My Own Twist on Things.  Thank you Michelle!!!

So, the idea?? Well, we all know how important it is for the kids to know their goals for the day.  The problem has been posting these in a way that students and administration can walk in and know what is going on during the day! So the idea that was posted used picture frames as wipe off boards for the "I Can" Goals.    The original post actually described getting 8x10 picture frames from Michaels for $1.50, but I went there today and didn't want to spend $10 per frame, but I did find these and they were only $7 on clearance!!  The awesome thing is that they can be posted to a bulletin board using push pins or mounted by the magnetic strips already attached to the back!

Here is the original idea that had me inspired...don't they look lovely?

Ok...so here is what I found at Michaels for $7!!!  It came in a pack of ten!

Here is a view of the package - Multi-Purpose Acrylic Magnet Frames

You can see the magnetic strips on the back - they are heavy duty!!  Perfect for a chalkboard!

Ok...so here is what they might look like when I finish them all....my printer needs some adjusting for sure, but this is what I have.  If you are looking for the copy from the original author (Michelle at My Own Twist On Things), you can download the form here.  I'm so glad that she shared with everyone!!  Go to her website to see the step by step!!  I just wanted to share how excited I was about her idea!!

I've only shown you the first four that I have made, but there is one for every subject.  The nice thing about the cases that I have bought, is it is very easy to take a page in and out, so if you didn't have science every day, you would just pop it in on the days that you do!!

Sorry about the flash!!  These are only four - there are more!!

Thanks again Michelle!  Maybe if I do a project a day, I will be ready for September and all I will have to do is put this stuff up!  Stay tuned for my next project!

Calling All iPad Users, I'm a Newbie!

                                  

Guess what?  My hubby and family got together this year to buy me an ipad mini for my birthday!  I'm so excited to be able to start out the school year with my new toy, but am soooo in need of advice.  I have to admit that I have no idea what I'm doing but have gotten this far anyways to be able to post in my blog and access my google drive.

So, what are your most favourite apps for school?  I don't have much time so I need your input as soon as possible!  I have downloaded Evernote, but am not sure how to use it!  I just remember someone posting that it was good!  I also downloaded the icloud app as well to be able to use Word and PowerPoint and also have BlogLovin  but that is it!  So bring on the tips!

Happy Monday!

A Chance Encounter = A Happy Heart

Last night was one of those chance encounters that brought a smile to my face and love to my heart.  I happened to be late for an appointment as I couldn't find the address of the practitioner I was going to see and I happened to see a parent whose son I taught two years ago in grade two.

He was a kind child and we worked really really hard to make sure that he made it to grade level by the end of the year and he did!  We were all so proud of him and his hard work and it was one of those moments in my career where I felt I had made a difference, but last night was the icing on the cake we baked two years ago!

 This child's mom told me that I was his favourite teacher and that he wanted to write me a letter but they didn't know what school I had transferred to.  To be called someone's favourite teacher two years after the fact just made my heart happy and made me so proud to call myself a teacher.  I remember my favourite teacher and always hoped that one day maybe someone would say the same about me and it happened.  These are the moments that teachers live for and I'm so greatful to be honored in this way by a parent and their child.

 Unfortunately, since grade two, this little guy has been diagnosed with a learning disability and is having a rough year.  I hope I can write him a letter back that will help him remember how much success he can have when he believes in himself like he did in grade two.

Sometimes we all need reminders that we are on the right path and really making a difference in the lives of those we touch.  I'm proud to say I teach but also proud to say I do it with love that has been returned ten fold!

Happy Saturday!

I'm Such a TEACHER...

I just had to post this because last night made my heart happy.  I was reading with my daughter who is in JK last night and she has just started bringing home guided reading books to read with us at night. As many of you know I spent ten years in the primary grades before switching to grade six and seven last year.

I have really missed teaching reading to my little kiddos but have enjoyed my time in a new grade as well! Well, last night I grabbed a book from my daughters bag and guess what -I got to teach her some reading strategies that I used to teach my kiddos in grades one and two! Then, today, I spent time putting the high frequency words that she struggled with into a bingo game that we can play this weekend!  As I was making the game and thinking about the reading last night, I realized that this is allowing me to have the best of both worlds (teaching reading while still discovering a new age group).  The cool part is now I get to see my own child's growth and that's a teacher moment and a proud mamma moment all rolled into one! It's almost like the switch happened at the perfect time and I didn't have to give up my love of teaching reading because my daughter needs me as her teacher right now :)

So, with that being said, the other exciting thing is that this will be the first weekend spent in our NEW trailer!  We found that with two young children, we needed more space so this weekend will be our first sleep in the new trailer and I can't wait. I know what you are thinking (LOL) a trailer park with "trailer folk" but it's not like that, if anything it is a great group of people and a place to get away from all of the"I shoulds" we thinking about on a long weekend when we are at home!

Happy May Long Weekend!

Wonderful Science Resources Online - FREE! Check Out an Example HERE!

Do you spend hours scanning the internet for resources to teach like I do?  I happened to stumble across this website today and it's FANTASTIC because it has a variety of resources for all age groups for FREE.  If you don't use ARKive Education to teach with, at least download the videos for your students to watch in a technology workstation!  They are high quality resources!  I'm going to post one below because it relates to the curriculum here in Ontario. I'm trying to find some neat stuff for next year - and this looks fantastic!

This activity has come from the 11-14 year olds, but as you see when you visit the link for ARKive Education, you will see a wide range of resources for 5 to 18 year olds!

So as you can see in the picture that I captured above, each topic comes with teacher's notes, a powerpoint presentation and an activity pack zip file.  In the Teacher's notes, there are links to videos.  The video below comes from this lesson plan.  As you can see from watching the video below, these are high quality video resources!  In this particular video, students dissect the birds to see what kinds of items they have ingested!  This video can be downloaded as well so you can keep it for future use!

I have posted the teacher's notes below so that you can take a look at what kind of material you get and then the powerpoint will follow.  I hope that you can use these resources :)

11-14yrs - Human Impacts on the Environment - Teachers Notes

The worksheets that accompany this lesson plan must be in the downloadable activity zip file!  I didn't actually open it up to check them out as I'm not a big worksheet gal!

11-14yrs - Human Impacts on the Environment - Classroom Presentation

When you open up this powerpoint, you will see notes that you can use while you are teaching to provide more information - it is absolutely fantastic!

I hope you enjoy this cool resource!  I haven't checked out the younger student activities yet but I know that I will be using this one with my kiddos next year!

Happy Mother's Day

I hope that everyone is having a great Mother's Day!   I just wanted to share what I got from my daughter who is in Junior Kindergarten this year.  I have seen a lot of hand art, but I've never seen this before and thought it was really cute!  Kudos to her teacher!   She also made me this wonderful sundae with a bunch of adjectives!  I have yet to ask her if she chose them from a list or made them up herself, but I love that playful is up at the top!

My family took me out to a wonderful brunch this morning which was awesome! What a great choice of food, everything from jumbo shrimp and prime rib to traditional breakfast foods.  I also got a pot of beautiful yellow mums from my little guy!  What beautiful art work did your child(ren) come home with?

Happy Mother's Day Everyone!  Pamper yourself if you haven't already!