Teachers pay Teachers

Check out my products on TeachersPayTeachers.com - I have just reduced many items. Happy shopping!

My Newest Obsession...

I have absolutely fallen in love with my SmartBoard...the things it can do amaze me daily. The kids love it and are mezmorized by it. I am dumb-founded by the number of lessons out there that are premade. My most useful site has been the link below. I love their Every Day Math lessons - my kids love them and they're the best when you have a sub- it's all done for you! I can't tell you the number of hours I spent making my own lessons before I found these. What a time saver!

http://technology.usd259.org/resources/whiteboards/smart-lessons/everyday_math_SB_4thGrade.html

This site also has tons of other premade lessons as well...what a gold mine!

Scribe Solution

As a Special Edu teacher I spend a lot of time copying from the board for students to their desk so that they can copy with greater ease. I hate using all the extra paper - such a waste. I was recently given a Smart Pal tablet (thanks Nici!) It's a large envelope of sorts made out of clear plastic with a dry erase maker. You slide a sheet of paper into the opening and voila! You can model 1:1 for any student and simply erase when done. I love it, but have only one problem - I don't have enough! I have only one, but have 5 students who need to copy from desk to paper, not board to paper. Solution - make my own! I simply took a sheet protector and put in several types of paper (lined, blank, graph, some students have special lined paper as well). This is working great so far! Kids love it too!

Back to school!

Here's wishing all my fellow teacher friends a great school year! I hope you all have the best year yet, with the best students yet!

Best of luck to all!

The Count Down is On

There's only one more full week before school begins. To some this means one more week to enjoy time off with family and friends. To me, it means now I really have to get stuff done! I have a list 2 pages long of things to do before vacation ends. I'm being optimistic in hoping that it all gets done, but realistically I know that only the necessities will be completed. Some other years that may have bothered me, but this year, if it means that I get to spend some more time with my daughter it's OK with me. Good luck to everyone completing their own list - hope you can enjoy this last week!

DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP IN MY LAST BLOG FOR FREE SPELLING SOFTWARE!

SpellQizzer Software - FREE FABULOUS GIVE AWAY!

Recently I was lucky enough to try out a new spelling software called SpellQuizzer. It is exactly what it sounds like - a program that quizzes students/children on their spelling words. You can either choose the pre-programmed words (which there are many) or you can record your own word and sentence. It is very user friendly and easy to use for students. I had my 7 year old try it out and she not only was able to use it, but enjoyed the novelty of it!

I definitely plan on using this software in conjunction with my spelling program at school this year. I am going to incorporate it during my reading time as one of my centers for the kids to use during independent. This is going to be great extra practice for my struggling kids.

I also plan to use it at home with my kids. Having 3 kids life gets hectic and I try to read and work with the older 2 every night. Sometimes between dinner, faculty meetings, planning, and my second job that can be quite a challenge - I think I found a way to help on those busy nights!

Now, for the FREE GIVEAWAY - you can win a free license for this wonderful spelling software! All that is required it a useful spelling tip/suggestion! Be the first to post your tip and win! How much easier can it be! Also, please include your e-mail address so that I can forward on your prize - get posting and win! I can't wait to read your suggestions!

Check out this spelling program at www.SpellQuizzer.com

My classroom!

I finally made it into my room today! I had way more boxes to unpack than I realized. So, I took a deep breath and delved in. I managed to unpack them all and check everything in, but now I have to put it all away! I have moved to a smaller room this year, so it's time to clean out! I think I managed to fill 3 garbage cans and several boxes. I'm quite proud. As many others in my profession are, I too am a pack-rat! I feel the need to hang onto that stack of copies I never used 2 years ago, but this year might be the year! However, I trying to turn a new leaf! I recycled a huge box of papers and tossed it or gave it away if I haven't or don't plan to use it. Who needs all the clutter? Let's hope I continue to purge when I go in Thursday and don't hang on to it all anymore!