Five for Friday: Technology in the Classroom!

Hey Hey Hey!

Okay, I am not going to lie...this post has been a draft in progress for a week now! oops!! But I figured Doodlebugs Teaching Five for Friday linky would be the perfect time to *finally* post it! I am going to be posting about 5 amazing tech ed tools you can use in your classroom!!

Last week, I was invited to apply/got accepted to attend the very first Educational Technology Summer Institute through my district!! Holy cow did I learn a ton! I met some amazing teachers in the district(shout out to my techy friends!!) that are just as excited/in love with learning how to use technology in the classroom as I am!! I wanted to do a blog post just to share with you all some amazing tools you can use in your classroom and/or connect with other great teachers..aka..Professional Development online!! Do you ever feel like you just learned so many awesome new things and you are super scared you are going to forget it all?! That's how I feel!

Here are some great things I learned about at the first couple of days of ETSI:

TWITTER!

Okay guys seriously?! I knew twitter was blowing up for educators..but REALLY! Talk about a PLN completely all online at your fingertips all day! This has been so great for me (I just started 2 weeks ago..hehe) to collaborate with other teachers, MEET other teachers, chat with educators, & more! There are twitter chats pretty much every night of the week that you can hop right on and off to get some great ideas and chat about educational things! If you haven't gotten a twitter..just do it!!! and follow me! :) 

Also!! A lot of teachers are using twitter in their classrooms! It is a great way to communicate with parents and show them what you are doing in the classroom! We will be starting a school twitter this year & I am super excited!

Mystery Skype!

Mystery Skype is something I have been wanting to do in my classroom since I began teaching. I just haven't! I WILL be doing it this year though!! Have you heard of Mystery Skype? Basically, you Skype with another classroom in another state. Your kids take turns with their students asking yes or no questions about where you live! The point of it is to try and guess what state the other class is in. Once you and your students have done it once or twice, it doesn't take that long! Which I love, because who has a ton of extra time throughout the day?! Before I Skype with another class I am going to have my kids practice their "jobs" with a partner. Looking up things in an atlas, asking questions, taking notes, etc! There are tons of resources online if you are interested in this! If you don't live in Texas (like me!) and want to Mystery Skype with my class..email me!! Once we get started on this in my room..I will "plot" all of the states we have "visited" on a map in our room!! I am sooo excited for this! p.s. remember twitter? You can use the hashtag #mysteryskype to see how others are using this and connect with other teachers skyping! 

Kahoot!!! {one of my FAVS!}

Kahoot is a fun, engaging game based classroom response system. (that is straight from their website! ha!) Basically, it is like bringing a game show to your classroom! Ummm hello!! Your students use devices-ipad, tablet, phone, computer- to answer questions that YOU create for them! It gives them a timer and then shows them the correct answer after the 30 seconds. After the time is up, they can see how many points they have and what place they are in. Best part? It is SO easy & quick to create questions! You can plan it ahead of time or just do it on the fly! I believe there is also a "survey" feature if you wanted to something like that. ex: What should we name our class pet? So here is what you do: 1. Create your question(s) 2. Students go to kahoot.it and enter in the game pin you tell them 3. GO! Again..can't wait to use this.

Popplet!

Popplet is a great tool, online and an app, to organize ideas. There are so many options with this! Your students can use this during research projects, to show what they have learned about a specific topic, or as a whole group class discussion about what we already know about a topic. This is basically a thinking map on your device!! 

Genius Hour!

I am sure a lot of you have already heard about Genius Hour or are implementing this in your classroom! I LOVE this concept! I will be honest and say it does freak me out a little bit (can you say, control freak?!) Watch the video above to learn more about what Genius Hour is. Students research a topic that they are passionate about. There are no limits!! They must get it approved by their teacher but other than that they go for it! They must show research to prove an answer to a question they have about a topic. They can do any type of project to show this information. Ideally you would want to spend about an hour a week on this. If you do Genius Hour I would LOVE for you to comment on this post with your thoughts!! 

Those were just five, FIVE, things/ideas/concepts that I learned from the amazing ladies at our training! If you read this whole post: thank you!! I hope I inspired you somehow to use technology in your classroom! Not just as a tool, but as another way to learn and create!

So what did I do after all this tech talk?! I made some cute posters for my classroom of course! I created a BYOD stoplight (when to use their devices), technology rules for the classroom, Before you.. THINK! (tech version), and a digital citizenship poster. I think teaching our kids how to be good digital citizens is SUPER important!! You can get these posters here!

Thank you for stopping by!!!

-Ash

Scripture Sunday: Sharing {HIS} Love

Happy Sunday! Are you ready for an amazing week?! Our "to-do" lists are overwhelming, but we are attacking it one task at a time! As we go about our busy days, we are reminding ourselves why we are doing this..FOR HIS GLORY! We wanted to start something simple, but will help to remind us that we are not in charge. God will protect us and guide us even on our more difficult days. 

Introducing:

Every first and third Sunday of the month we will have a printable verse for you to place at your desk, on your kitchen memo board, anywhere that you are able to see it daily. There will also be one for you to give to a friend or coworker! We wanted to start with Romans 11:36 since this one holds a very special place in out hearts! Click the picture to grab yours and one to share! :)

We hope you enjoy these verses throughout the school year! 

Monday Made It {Connect with Articulation}

Happy Monday! I am very excited to be linking up with Tara for Monday Made It!

This made it is part of my newest TPT item and I thought Monday would be the perfect opportunity to "make it!" I have provided a quick tutorial and helpful recommendations for my new activity, Connect with Articulation!

Connect with Articulation is to be used in accompaniment with Connect 4. There are over 400 target words included in this set. Target words are provided with red and yellow rings which will allow you to create the discs that will best fit your needs. The target position and sound can be found at the bottom of each disc to help with sorting. So, here's how to assemble the discs for the game. 

There are 21 red discs and 21 yellow discs in the Connect 4 game. You are able to target 4 different sounds if you choose to use both sides of the discs. For my first set, I have /s/ and /z/ target words the red discs and /ch/ and /j/ target words on the yellow discs. 

Cut out the target words. Using a one inch hole punch makes assembly easier, but it is not required. I found this hole punch at Hobby Lobby for $4.00 (with the 40% off coupon.)

By purchasing additional discs, you can make multiple sets with different target words. I found this one at my local thrift store for only $2.99!

Have your students say the word on the disc before taking a turn. You may also have your students make phrases and sentences with the target words. 

Hope everyone has an amazing week! :)

Ths

Five for Friday {Linky Party}

It's FRIDAY!!! I am super excited to be linking up with Doodle Bug Teaching for her weekly linky party, Five for Friday! This summer is going by so fast, but I am starting to get the "back-to-school" itch! :)

I have been working on a home office makeover and I am loving my new space! This week I reupholstered two old ottomans to help hide ugly wires and internet boxes. The colors and functionality of the ottomans are just what I need for this space. Super easy and very inexpensive DIY! 

I absolutely love summertime crafts (...I think most teachers do)! This week I finished a banner to go behind my desk at school (only $1.50 for the entire project) and I started on "back-to-school" teacher gifts. I love this adorable notepad idea from Aris from Sailing into Second!!

And...of course, many TPT updates for the new school year! This week I updated my Welcome Back Bundle and Articulation Word Search Bundle. 

I am working on making my games more functional during therapy sessions. I purchased a 1" hole punch from Hobby Lobby (40% off this week) and the target words fit perfectly in the discs. I am able to target up to 4 sounds during one therapy session! Super easy and I hope my students love it! 

Finally...WE HAVE COMPLETELY PAID OFF OUR STUDENT LOANS!!! We made our last payment this morning and we so super excited to be done! God continues to bless us in amazing ways and all of the glory goes to Him for making this possible! :) 

Hope y'all have an amazing weekend! 

Wordless Wednesday!! (Wait, WORDLESS?!)

Hey y'all! 

I am excited to link up for the first time for Wordless Wednesday with Second Grade Sugar and Spice! 

I have to say I don't think I can actually make this post completely wordless but I get the concept!! 

Even though my summer has been packed with relaxation, gym time, tpt products, and decorating my home, I recently got to work on another project that was really fun and meaningful. My husband and I helped begin/serve in a non-profit ministry. We lead the worship together and he works with the youth while I lead the Elementary aged kiddos. It is definitely hard at times, but I know it is what God has called us to do so that always makes it worth it! 

This year I got to organize and help purchase school supplies for all our kids! We got them everything they could need plus new backpacks! I LOVED combining my heart for teaching kids with my passion for showing God's love to them. Plus I got to throw in my creative side. ;) I made them each a nametag and bible verse (laminated of course!) and attached it to their backpack. Here is how they turned out:

I love this verse so much! This is a reoccurring verse I pray in the mornings on my way to work. It is a good reminder for when I don't necessarily "want" to go to work..it's not for anyone else but Him.

You can download this verse here!! I already have my copy ready for my desk at work! 

Okay so, my post wasn't so wordless! ;) But I did technically use only one picture so that is a step right?! 

-Ash

Monday Made It (FIRST one!!)

Hey guys! (Ash again!)

I am super excited to FINALLY link up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics for "Monday Made It". I have been reading these posts to this linky for at least a year! Soooo here is my FIRST Monday Made It! It isn't necessarily school related..but I am super excited about it!! 

I am *almost* done with my home office!! Eeek!! Here is what I have done so far..

 

I loooove my chandelier and chair from Ikea!

Desk and accessories are from Container Store..is anyone else just as obsessed with that store as I am?! I love the look of the acrylic accessories. 

My shelves are no where near finished...( & I can't figure out what to put in those glass containers yet! grr!) They are from Target (of course!)

I bought my cute chalkboard mailer from Home Goods (another obsession) thinking it would just be something pretty to hang on the wall. HA! It has actually been pretty handy for all those bills to file and Jamberry samples to mail!

As you can probably tell, I still need a thing or two for the empty walls, need to tape down the rug (darn those folds!), and to fill up those shelves! BUT I really do love it!! I actually make myself sit at desk while working because I just over being in there! There is a window directly across from my desk and I have a little hummingbird friend who comes by daily! 

So my Monday Made It is not necessarily for school or anything, BUT I definitely use it for creating/blogging! ;) and I am sure I will do loooots of grading in there come August. yuck! ;)

&&& I guess you could count my newest product I posted last night as a "made it" too! It only took me a few hours! ha!! Check it out if you are looking for some new classroom decor for the new year!!

Head to Tara's blog to link up and/or read other posts!!

Summertime {I'm looovin it!} + New Blog Design!

Hey Hey Hey!! (Ashley here)

We are in {LOVE} with our new blog design!!! We wanted to go with an anchor theme to compliment our name. Always *anchored* in HIS love! Do you want to give your blog a face-lift? Head over to Blogs Fit For a Queen and Courtney can hook you up! Seriously yall..she was the best! She answered SO many of our questions and worked with us back and forth through email! Fast & adorable! 

Are you guys loving summer as much as I am?! I was originally supposed to teach summer school this summer. That didn't work out, but I am super glad it didn't!  I have been relaxing with the Mr., taking care of a LOT of house stuff (fence building, home warranty, inspections, blah blah!!), and just working on some creating! I haven't done near as much creating as I have wanted, but the last week or so I am getting back to it! Check out what I am working on now:

This is one of the decor packs I am hoping to have posted to our store soon! Math bin labels, library labels, signs, calendar cards, alphabet, and MORE!

I decided to make my own teacher binder for this year..don't you just love that tribal print?! *hearts in eyes*.. coming soon! :)

A fellow teacher instagrammer, The Teacher Talk, just reached 2,000 followers on insta!! Awesome milestone! She is having a giveaway to celebrate..super excited to participate! Head to her blog to enter to win some {fabulous} prizes!! My thinking maps product is one of the prizes! If you are on instagram I would love to follow you! My instagram is: thirdgradethinking. I am kinda obsessed! I knowww I am not the only one! Right?!

I only have ONE month of summer left...noooooo! I am sure I will be ready to go back by then but, now? nope. nope. nope. I AM attending a Technology Institute in a couple of weeks put on by my district. It is the first ever one so I am super pumped to attend! I *might* even be doing a small presentation on using Instagram use in the classroom/to collaborate with other teachers! Stay tuned for a post all about what I learned!! Hopefully this PD will get me excited to get back into the classroom! Meanwhile.. I am trying to decide on which bluetooth keyboard to buy on amazon..hmmm. Suggestions?!

Well that is my summer so far in a teeny tiny nutshell! I would love to hear what you have been up to!