What I've learned about Technology lately!

I don't know if the "technology" in my title needed to be capitalized, but I'll just go with it - completely ignoring all title capitalization rules.

So let me say that when it comes to technology, I'm somewhere in the middle. I'm definitely not great with it, but I can function on a computer. I also have to admit that I don't particularly go out of my way to find out new tech things and tips. Well that is until I absolutely must learn them for whatever (in which case I google) or I happen to learn something by coincidence and just remember it.

Lately I've learnt a few new things that are probably not new to anyone, but I just felt like sharing.

1) The Magic Pen on SMARTBoards - Umm, I don't know if this is the technical name but there is a magic pen/ink on SMARTBoards that seems really cool. The ink fades, you can enlarge part of the board by drawing a square around the section and when you draw a circle around part of the board  . . . I think it highlights it or something but I actually can remember. Oh well, remembering two out of the three tips isn't bad! If you have a SMARTBoard you should try this, at least for the fact that it will get the students excited when they see the writing disappearing and we all know that in these last few months (or weeks for some lucky people) we need all the tricks we can to keep the students engaged.

2) Videos in Blog Posts - Who knew that it was so easy to put (I don't think that's the proper word . . .  maybe embed?) a video in a blog post. Uhhh, as easy as putting a picture in a blog post. Well I finally realized that and successfully did so in this post (click {HERE}) where I added not one but two videos. I may be an expert now!

3) If you use TumbleBooks in the class, students suddenly think books are movies - This one is kind of off topic, but kind of on topic as well. Does anyone else find this? We can read a Robert Munsch book, the students fully realize it's a book but if we see the same one on TumbleBooks, suddenly it's a movie. Not sure why.

4) I am the WORST Googler ever! - So this is more of a personal thing and it's definitely getting off track, and well, unfortunately, it's true. For some reason whatever I search for I can never find. I was googling something the other day that I can't remember, it was only three words (all spelt correctly) and I got no hits! Ummm, is that even possible? In fact, I just googled "How do you spell cat?" (no offence to anyone but I thought that was a ridiculous search that no one would ever do and I wanted to see how many hits it got) and I got OVER 40 million results!  If anyone has any videos/tips they can link me to on how to properly Google search, I would appreciate it. I would Google search for my own tips, but chances are I wouldn't find anything!

5) My computer can show the time in either analog or digital form - This is really nothing special, I just didn't want to end my list on number 4!

So any tech tips you can share, I would love to hear them, as I'm sure they would be new to me!

Class Decor and a Freebie

Well I don't know about you but I love a bright, fun, cheerful classroom. That was the thinking when I started making my own classroom decor pack (way too long ago). Well this weekend I finished it up and wanted to share it here. So far I've gotten four packs finished. I just have to finish up a Calendar Pack and then I will bundle the whole thing. Click on the pictures to check out the individual packs:

Alphabet Posters

0-20 Number Posters

Shape & Color Posters

Word Wall

And now for the freebie. I don't know if this is wishful thinking or what but today I'm going to share an old Summer freebie. Based on my similar Spring Break Mini Pack (found {HERE}) I've got a Summer Mini Pack. Click on the picture to check it out.

Check out Manic Monday at Classroom Freebies for more great freebies!

Mother's Day Freebie

Well it's that time of the week again - freebie time! This is an old freebie but it's the appropriate time of year to share it so here it is - Sunflower Mother's Day card template:

I'm not very crafty, but this is fairly easy to make. The freebie comes with the template to make the card as well as writing paper options for the inside. Click the picture or {HERE} to get the freebie from TPT and {HERE} for non-TPT users.

Check out Manic Monday at Classroom Freebies for more fantastic freebies

In other news, I finally finished my Daily Math Bundle Pack for Second Grade. That took way too long!

Here's to a good week!

Earth Day Again & a Song . . . or 2

Well before Earth Day comes on Monday I wanted to share a few more things. Is it bad that I've been thinking of Earth Day things non-stop but didn't realize until today that Earth Day was Monday? I guess I was so busy that I didn't realize it was coming up so fast.

Are you looking for a cute song for Earth Day? I just heard about Jack Johnson's 3 R's Songs - an absolutely perfect fit for Earth Day. Jack Johnson has been one of my favorite artists for the past couple of years so I have no idea how I completely missed this song.

How about Lights Out Canada? If you live in Canada will you be participating by having an electricity-free day at school? It may be tough will all our computers and SMART Boards, but it's definitely do-able. If you live outside Canada, do you have any similar initiatives going on, I would love to hear about them.

Finally, another Canadian-wide thing. Have you heard of Music Monday? If you haven't you should check it out {HERE}.  On Monday, May 6th, schools across Canada will participate in singing "ISS - Is Somebody Singing" with Commander Hadfield at the International Space Station - so cool! If you haven't heard of this, check out the video below of  Commander Hadfield recording with the Barenaked Ladies. Students love the magic guitar pick and spinning guitar!

Have great plans for Monday, leave a comment, I would love to hear them!

Go Green . . . in the Classroom

**Image clipart provided by KPM Doodles & Clip Art by Carrie Teaching First**

Earth Day has been on my mind now that's it's April, but really Earth Day is on my mind all year long. I think it is so important to keep a "green" attitude throughout the year, not only at home, but in the classroom too. "Green" behaviours are necessary (I feel) to teach to our future generations.

So, some tips (even though I am NO expert):

1. Recycle - Hopefully all classes and schools encourage this. It is great to move beyond just the recycling of paper and show students that there are more things (plastics, cans, etc.) that can & should be recycled.


2. Reuse - As much as you can in the classroom (I know many teachers are thrifty by nature anyways) reuse stuff. There are a ton of different art projects that can be made by reusing everyday household items.

How cute are these recycled garden pictures from Laugh, Create, Paint!?

3. Reduce - Use less in the classroom. This could mean so many things - use less paper, use electricity, etc. However you can do it in the classroom - use less!

4. Turn it Off - Whenever you can, turn off electricity. This is great for classrooms with lots of classroom windows as you may not need to have all the lights on all the time.

5. Compost - Of course this depends on the facilities available to each class/school but if possible, encouraging composting in the classroom and teaching students what can be composted sets a great example.

What are some of your tips, I would love to hear them!

Something New and an Update

Well I have to say, I sure make the most original blog post titles. That is all I have to say about that.

I am way too tired for it only being Monday. That is probably because I have been working away on a new 3rd Grade Daily Math packet. This one is for Summer practice. It's a little different from my other packets because this one is designed to make a little booklet to send home with students during the Summer to help them review their math skills. Clic {HERE} or on the pics to check them out:

I've also added this new booklet to my Daily Math Bundle Pack. Once again, click {HERE} or the picture to check it out:

Well I'm off to relax for five minutes, have a great week!

School Supplies & a Freebie

How do you organize student school supplies in your classroom. Do you keep it all and dole it out as needed? Are the students in charge of their own supplies? What do you do when students run out?

I'm always interested in these little organizational tips for the classroom. To keep students accountable for their supplies, I made this little letter for students to fill out and send home when they run out of supplies.

 Click {HERE} to check out the freebie.

Share your tips for staying organized in the comments!

By the way, after yesterday's link-up I realized that only as a teacher can you go to work, have your appearance insulted, and have it become a funny, cute story to share!

**Graphics provided by KPM Doodles**
**Frames provided by Teaching in a Small Town**
**Font provided by Rowdy in Room 300**

What Did They Say? Linky

Awhile ago (after a chat in the staffroom) I had the idea that it would be so fun to hear about all the hilarious things that students say. Well I thought about it for an afternoon and then forgot about it, but then today, I opened up my dashboard to see this link-up:

This story isn't from today but a couple months ago. I was wearing a new outfit - nothing particularly amazing - and one student walked into the class and said "You look better in those clothes." Awww what a sweetheart - I think?! The innocence of childhood.

I'm sure I've got more lovely remarks similar to this, but I'm tired so I'll leave it at that!

Earth Day & a Freebie

Well it's been awhile and I cannot believe it is already APRIL. This month sure snuck up on me . . . as did March, and February too. This year sure seems to be zooming by! I thought I would stop in today to show what I spent ALL DAY on today. Mind you, I've been working on updating this unit for awhile but today I finally sat down and finished it.

One of my favourite days in April (well really of all year) is Earth Day. I think it's really important to encourage conservation in the classroom throughout the year, but I'm glad we have a day to really focus on it. I updated the Earth Day unit that I created last year and I think I'm pretty happy with it!

The first part of the unit uses activities and printables for three of my favorite Earth Day books. I've also included independent printables and activities that don't require any additional books or resources. Click on any of the pictures or {HERE} to check it out. I hope to be back soon with some Earth Day ideas.


I also spent today updating an old freebie, my Telling Time Unit so I thought it would be appropriate to link up with Manic Monday at Classroom Freebies. 

Click {HERE} or the picture to access the freebie. Hope you enjoy!

Hope everyone has a good week!