What I'm Reading...

I am currently reading three books; one just for fun, one for work and one for a book study. 

Catch the Fever...Flipgrid Fever

What is Flipgrid?
Flipgrid is a tool to amplify student voice. It can be used on PCs, Macs, chromebooks or mobile devices. it is a simple video discussion platform which can spark creativity and engage students in a learning community. 

How can I use Flipgrid?
1. Book Clubs - This could be used as an asynchronous discussion platform about a book. Each student reads the book and then share thoughts or answers questions relating to the book read.

2. Introductions - Making introductions and new friends can be intimidating sometimes. Why not make introductions before school or an event occurs? This would calm the nerves of some and allow for possible collaboration and rapport building before the event.

3. Number Talks - Number Talks are awesome especially when you can see the wheels turning in young minds. Flipgrid would allow you to slow the pace of the Numer Talk as well as provide an opportunity for every student to share and add to the conversation.

4. Exit Ticket - Flipgrid would allow for oral ext tickets after a lesson and allow for students to learn from each other.

Join our conversation
Share a few of your favorite lessons or activities using Flipgrid. 

We Must All Exceed Our Own Expectations

A little leadership motivational video to help you make it through the week!

There's a Bitmoji for That

Did you know you can add Bitmojis to you Google Docs, Drawing, Slides and more? Bitmojis are a fun way to personalize emails, texts and much more.

Bitmoji Chrome Extension
First, install the Bitmoji Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store. Once you add this extension, it will show up to the left of the omnibox with your other extensions.Then create an account and customize your avatar to look just like you!

Adding Your Bitmoji to Google Products

You can add your bitmoji to items you create such as Google Docs, Slides and more. 

Bitmojis can be used not only to enhance products but also to provide feedback, highlight key words/ phrases, open a discussion, reinforce instructions or even as a response on a Google Form.

Share a few ways you are adding bitmojis to learning!

Stay Tuned for Some Exciting New Blog Posts

Stay tuned for some exciting new blog posts coming soon!

Discover Discovery Education

Discovery Education (DE) helps transform the learning environment by providing engaging, standards-based content. DE provides a digital textbook series, streaming services, professional development and a professional learning community.

Streaming Services
You can search for streaming content by topic or standard. There is content for all grade levels Kindergarten through twelfth grade. 

Professional Learning Center
The Professional Learning Center allows educators to learn and grow with each other as well as connect with others. DE offers resources such as instructional strategies, webinars and learning academies. 

Don't forget to connect with DE on social media.

These are just a few resources of what DE has to offer. Log in and discover all of the resources available to engage students and create digitally engaging content.

Buncee

What is Buncee?
Buncee is a tool used to create and present content. It allows for the impactful and visually appealing design to creatively communicate concepts.

How Can I Use Buncee in My Classroom?
Are you looking for ways to use Buncee in your classroom? Check out these ideas and examples from the Buncee Blog.

Announcements - Create an announcement to engage and prepare your students for the day.


Mini Lessons - Use in your mini lesson time or send it home the day before and start to flip your classroom. 


Exit Tickets - Check for understanding with a quick activity at the end of the lesson or day. 


What Else Does Buncee Have to Offer?

• Formative Assessments Using Buncee - Check for understanding with Buncee by creating graphic organizers, templates, and rubrics. You can also use the multiple choice or free response question type or even use it as a reflection tool.
• Interactive Student Notebooks - Take you interactive notebooks digital with audio and video recording.
• Buncee Buddies - This is your chance to participate in a digital pen pal program to connect with classrooms around the world.

Connecting Classrooms Around the World

What is Global Education? 

Global education helps enrich the lives of our students and broadens their perspective of not only the environment but also the world.

How can I get involved?

1. Buncee Buddies - This is a digital pen pal program which connects students and classrooms from around the world. Buncee Buddies do not only connect classrooms but also provide activity ideas as well as how these activities are aligned to our education standards. 

2. Global Read Aloud - The GRA is about sharing experiences around the globe with other students who read the same book.  


3. Global Math Challenge - This is a worldwide online math competition. This challenge will take your thinking to a new level while competing with others worldwide.

4. Global Maker Day - This experience allows you to connect virtually to learn about different projects, learning spaces, etc. 

There are many ways to get involved and connect with others around the world. So, make those connections and open up the doors to the world for your students. 

Back to School Excitement

We start school in 11 days...yes 11 days! Yikes! As I head back to school, I am sharing a few ed tech resources to make life easier for teachers to prepare for the year. Below are a few of my favorite tools!

1. Flipgrid - This is my new "it" tool for 2017. The reason I love Flipgrid is that it allows for equity of student voice. If you are on Twitter follow the hashtag #flipgridfever for more ideas of how to use it in your classroom.

2. Adobe Spark - I have been presenting on this tool A LOT over the last year. Spark allows you to create meaningful and visually appealing web stories and videos.  

3. Twitter - If you are still not on Twitter, you are missing out. This is where I learn about new resources, see what's going on around the world in education as well as connect with other educators. 

This year I am looking forward to sharing more great resources with teachers and campus leaders, encouraging risk-taking and personalizing professional learning!

Blogging Buddies

Recently I signed up to participate in Blogging Buddies. This is arranged through ISTE's Ed Tech Coaches PLN group. There are, currently, about 100 participants ready to learn from each other. The Blogging Buddies PLN was inspired by The Compelled Educator. 

Part of this adventure is a commitment to blog at least one time per month and offer feedback in the form of comments on blog posts by participants in my group. Since there are almost 100 participants, we have been divided up into smaller groups of 4-5 group members. 

If you are interested in joining Blogging Buddies, sign up HERE!

I am ready to get this adventure started and learn from my group members. 

Whole Brain Teaching

Whole Brain Teaching (WBT) is an approach to teaching to maximize student engagement focusing on the way to the brain learns. This approach can be used with all ages. Yes, I even  use it occasionally when I present with adults!!!

What are the Basics of Whole Brain Teaching?

1. Class-Yes

2. Mirror, Teach, Scoreboard

Resources
What is Whole Brain Teaching?
Getting Started with Whole Brain Teaching
Whole Brain Teaching
WBT On YouTube

Adobe Spark

What is Adobe Spark?

Adobe Spark is a program to create videos, images and web pages. It is a way to make your communication more impactful. 

How can I use Adobe Spark in my Classroom?

There are many ways to use this in your classroom, from school tours to science fairs to memes. Class Tech Tips has several other ways mentioned in her blog post, 5 Classroom Activities for the NEW Video Feature in Spark.

Recently our district's instructional coaches participated in PD about Adobe Spark. To learn more about how to use the tool and think about how to integrate it, they had to complete three challenges. 

There are many other ways to use Adobe Spark. Share with us your favorite ways to use Spark in the classroom in the comments section!

~Happy Learning~

5 Awesome Chrome Extensions for Teachers

SMART Notebook 16

SMART came out with SMART Notebook 16.1 this past summer. It has many great features. Below is a highlight of two of my favorite SMART Notebook 16.1 features.

Widgets
SMART has updated a few of their old flash based widgets to HTML 5. Your favorite widgets including the timer, clock and dice are still available!

To access your widgets go to your gallery, then search for widgets and they will pop up. Then you can select the one you are looking to use. 

SMART Lab
The top hat icon has been replaced with a tiny monster icon. To access SMART Labs, just click on that icon. Creating an activity takes a few minutes. Labs can be customized and are very engaging for students. 

As you are using SMART Notebook 16.1 to create fun, engaging and meaningful learning activities for your students, don't forget to visit SMART Exchange for your pre-made resources!

2017 Goals

As we begin 2017, it's like a fresh start. We have the opportunity to choose what we want 2017 to look like. In my professional life, I have several goals. 

1. I want to read more.
Last year I set a goal to read 25 books in the year. This year I will not be setting a number goal. I want to read for enjoyment and I want to read interesting books relating to education. The first book I'm reading is 48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller.


2. I want a better work-life balance.
I tend to be really good at work or really good at home. I want to make a conscious decision every day to work hard and to enjoy my personal life. 


3. I want to be more intentional with networking.
I would like to dedicate my lunch hour to networking. I am really good at meeting people but I am often lackluster at following up. My goal is to follow up and build authentic relationships. Even if I only do this one time per week, that's 52 chances to build connections!


What are your goals for 2017?