Twas the Week before Workdays

Twas' the week before workdays and all through the halls all the teachers were stirring even moving a piece of furniture or two... Anyways as you can tell I go back to school next WEEK. Yes, I know some of you blog buds are already back and you probably want to roll your eyes at me for whining. I normally would be so happy to go back but since lil boy was born (only 7 weeks ago) I have mixed emotions going back. With that said, my team is AWESOME!!! I am so pumped to work with them this year. We all have kids under 1 so it is going to be fabulous :) We have been meeting some the last few weeks to get things ready for the new year. Our principal required us to long range plan the 1st four weeks of instruction so actually my stress level (which is normally an 11) is not high at all. I feel that since all of the planning is done we can really focus on engaging and motivating our students. With that said, head over to my TpT store and download my M & M Place Value Activity. It is free right now so don't wait. This activity covers Common Core Numbers and Base Ten Goals 1 and 2 so enjoy!

QR...say what?

Last year at this time I did not have a clue what QR Codes. Fast forward to the present and I cannot imagine teaching without them. There are so many uses for them that I decided to come up with my top 10 uses for QR Codes.

What is a QR Code? To put it simply a QR Code is a barcode that once scan directs one to something be it a website, text etc.

Where can I create a QR Code? There are many websites now available to the techie for creating QR codes. Each quite simply require you to input your desired result for the QR Code (website, text, visual etc)

QR Stuff

Kaywa QR Code

Why use them in the classroom? Why not? They are an excellent way to motivate students to learn more information about a topic. My students LOVED practicing their multiplication because they could "check" their answer via QR Codes. Also, scavenger hunts were that much more exciting because of the codes.

How can I use them in the classroom?

1. Scavenger Hunts--what a great way to have students learn more about a topic. Students can read clues via their QR Scan and then complete a viewers guide to learn more. What a wonderful way for them to gather information prior to a whole group instruction.

2. Quizzes--link google forms to your qr code and you have instant data.

3. Multiplication Facts--students can check answers to problems they were given. I have bought several QR Games via teachers pay teachers. Worth.Every.Penny (Shhhh don't tell Mr. Husband ;)

4. Vocabulary Practice-word wall practice sort of like I have Who Has

5. Access to websites--I have a QR scan outside my room that anyone can use to access our class website.

6. Resources for Assignments--videos, websites, google docs

7. Interactive Notebooking Video

8. Project Links to show off student work in a gallery walk through. During our spring semester students presented a Thing LInk project all via QR Codes. It was awesome

9. Listening Stations--Croak it is a QR Code Generator that allows for voice capability

10.Grouping Students--students can scan a Code to find out which group they are working in and/or what their group job is going t be.

How are you using QR Codes in your classroom?

iPads

This year marks year TWO of 1:1 iPads in my room. I am so stoked to see the amazing products the students come up with using their iPads. Since I use iPads on a daily basis in my room I decided that I would blog weekly about our favorite class aps and WHY we love them. Enjoy


1. Edmodo-obviously this can be used through a website and not solely the app but it is a MUST for my classroom. I post daily morning work, track data and even use it for guided reading groups. This past school year our 4th grade classes collaborated via Edmodo on a NC History project. It is awesome to watch them communicate and work together in a 21st century way. This year my class is going to participate in the Global Read Aloud using Edmodo. More to come about that later.


2. Near Pod- Oh my word this app transformed my lessons. Nearpod allows students to view a presentation in real time on their iPad. Teachers can insert polls, questions, pictures etc to engage students. My kids LOVED when I said go to the app Nearpod. Also, nearpod has a data tracking feature so it is very teacher friendly!


3. Educreation- I think this was hands down a favorite of my kiddos. Educreations allows students and teachers to create video tutorials. Don't worry- it is so simple. I literally showed my students once what to do and they ran with it. By the end of the year students were creating videos to use in other classrooms and oh my they were amazing!


As you can tell I am obsessed with having iPads in my classroom. They have allowed me to take my teaching to another level. If you would like to check out my classroom blog head over to 4th grade friends!


What are your favorite apps? I am always looking for new ones to add to our collection :)

I'm {officially} Back

Hello my blog buds


Sorry for the LONG Hiatus from the blog. As of today, I am offically back in my blog mindset and will be {hopefully} posting more regularly. If you recall WAYYYYYY back in January I told you I was expecting my little bundle of JOY. Well, drum rolllll please..... I am so excited to introduce Joseph Timothy Justice to the blog world.

Baby boy was born June 30 at 6:59 p.m. He is a sweet and cuddly baby. Normally I am already working in my room and gearing up for the new school year. However, this little guy has my heart and time occupied. Although I am excited to return I will definitely put in my required hours during school then head HOME to see my boys.


Even though I have been rather occupied I have been pinning some ideas that I hope to implement this school year. Lets just say after school ended I had a little time before baby boy made his entrance so I organized, rearranged {and then some} ALL of my PInterest boards. Here are my top pins for the new year.


1. Interactive notebooking- this is something I always try but fail somewhere after the first few weeks. I bought these on TpT and cannot wait to use them to enhance my reading and math blocks.





2. Clip Chart and Class Dojo Combo- I love a good clip chart but after reading tips on how to incorporate class Dojo I feel that it will help track behavior and be a great tool for parent communication.





3. QR Scans- I absolutely LOVE QR Scans. They are so versatile in the classroom. I am planning to make QR Rewards for certain number of points on Class Dojo.





Well, its cuddle time with my lil man. I'm going to enjoy the next two weeks and spoil him while I still have time. Have a fabulous week blog loves!

Goals over Resolutions

It is crazy to believe that 2012 is a thing of the past. Where did the year go? Every year I attempt to set goals for the upcoming year. Here are my "blogger" goals:

1. Post weekly

2. Link up more often with fellow bloggers

3. Post more of my "stuff" on TPT and blog

To go along with my "goals" my first post of 2013 is to link up with my fav blogger Farley

Currently, I am soaking up what little bit of Christmas Break I have left. I should be completing lesson plans but I am blogging, snacking (hey I'm eating for two now), watching the Today Show and snuggling with my pups. This break has reminded me that I need to slow down and focus on what is important in life. I am looking forward to what the new year brings. I hope you all had a fantastic NYE and an even better 2013. Let's make it a great one together!

Wow...Long time no see

It has been forever AND a day since I last posted. Sorry for the extended hiatus. My school as you may remember was selected by our county to be the technology pilot school. We are 1:1 in grades 3-5. Every student and I mean every in 3rd-5th have an ipad to use every day at school. It has been an amazing learning experience. Through this initiative students have been able to learn to work collaboratively, think critically and have fun at the same time. My pins on pinterest have changed slightly in order to reflect the need to incorporate our iPads on a daily basis. Take a look at my top pins I have recently found.

Source: teacherspayteachers.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Source: swampfrogfirstgraders.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Source: cuentoexpress.wordpress.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Source: flapjackeducationalresources.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Im crafty and I know it... Haha, not really

As you know I love pinterest!!! I have pinned many fabulous ideas over the summer in hopes to transform my classroom. Well here is my latest pinterest adventure: crate seats. Hop over to my pinterest board for the link to the step by step directions I used.

Check out how mine turned out. Hey are not perfect but pretty close.

Here is the finished product

Hey friends! I posted earlier that I was working on my classroom using some of my inspiration from pinterest. Well, take a peak at what I have come up with.

Let me know what you think!!!

Pinterest Makeover Part 1

Hey guys!

I have been rather slack this summer on my blog. That is about to change. I am officially back in school mode. I know my husband will be happy to know that my days of schedules, work etc. are returning.

The last month has been filled with iPad workshops (more on that soon), common core sessions and working on my room. Here are some of the projects I am currently working on courtesy of Pinterest. My room is not finished yet so I am giving you a small preview via Pinterest. I will post my room pics tomorrow!

Source: theteachersdesk.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Source: anotherdayinfirstgrade.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Source: clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

Source: scholastic.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Source: blasclass.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

I am so excited to show you the finished product tomorrow! I am going to bed, this girl is exhausted!!!

Back on Land

Hello blog buds

I have been MIA the last 10 days or so...this has been my home

For 7, yes 7 glorious days the hubs and I explored the Western Caribbean. It was amazing to get away and not worry about email, twitter, facebook, phone calls etc. We ziplined and did a rope course in Cozumel. In Belize the hubs and I hiked through the rain forrest on our way to cave tube. Our last two stops were Mahogany Bay and Grand Cayman. We decided to relax on the beach.

Here are some more of our travels!

I cannot wait to share all of my experiences with my kiddos come August. Once I have a grip on laundry I will blog more about my back to school prep.

Classroom Makeover Wish List

Every year I seem to be "switching" rooms so I am really excited to be in the same room this coming school year.

Here are some of the ideas I have found that I plan to use in making over my room. What do you think? Also, what are you doing in your room to make it organized?

Source: theteachersdesk.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

I love this organization. I have already purchased a lot of the crates, binders etc. needed for each group. I still need to purchase the book shelves.

Source: sciencenotebooking.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

What a beauty. I have longed for ways to make "take our your math journal"--simple. This is easy and I cannot wait to see how it goes this year.

Source: clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Love how there is a designated place for all anchor charts. Why didn't I think of this?

Source: adayinthelifeofmisskranz.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Wow! Such a clean and organized look

Source: littlestlearners.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Great way for those early finisher's

More to come blog friends!

Can't wait to take pictures.

Happy Tuesday!!!

My TRWPDI Friends and I have been working hard on our project, which we are presenting this afternoon. Since we are finished I figured I would update you on what we have been up to.

We were to update an existing unit we teach and include technology. Simple enough. My team chose our Underground Railroad Unit. Here is a link to our lesson

I am discussing how to use Glogster in our classrooms for my group

Here is my glog!

#TRWPDI12

Hey y'all Click here is what I was up to today at the Tar River Writing Project Technology Workshop...http://screencast.com/t/a2EhQNnE Enjoy!

I am from

Here is what I have been up to at the TRWPDI12 Workshop

Monday: Where I'm From

We used voice thread to create a digital version of our poem



Tuesday: Word Mapping



Wednesday:Prezi

I am from on Prezi

Thursday:Historian Report

My day to be historian...check out my report! I created a prezi first and then used Jing to screen cast the enter report.

Friday

Check out my tweet of the day...Writing Map. This is a fabulous activity to see what kids writing processes are. I plan to do this at the beginning of the school year and at the end to see how they grow and evolve as writers.

Can't wait to write about next week at TRWPDI12!

Top Pins

I love Pinterest...I absolutely LOVE pinterest. I love even more when my workshop requires...wait...yes, requires me to get on Pinterest. Here are my top 5 pins.

1.

Source: cherylsclassroomtips.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Great way for my "tickets out the door"

2.

Source: eberopolis.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Love this self assessment...fabulous to end a lesson or activity

3.

Source: blogs.scholastic.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Why didn't I think of this?!?!?

4.

Source: littlestlearners.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Fabulous new way to post objectives

5.

Source: the-creative-apple.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

I love Guided Math!!

Happy Pinning Blog Buds Can't wait to post my historian report for class tomorrow!

Digital Literacy

Hey guys! I am back from my long hiatus...boy, have I missed blogging. With everything the end of the year brings my poor blog had to take a back seat.

The past two days I have been in a Digital Literacy workshop and it has been amazing! When I originally found out I was accepted into this workshop and it was 2 weeks long I was a little skeptical. However, on day one I was floored by its awesomeness.

We began our day by reading Where I'm From by George Ella Lyon. We recorded our thoughts on Evernote. Evernote is an amazing way students can electronically record their thoughts, feelings, notes etc. My school is going to be a technology pilot school (HOLLA) so I was immediately engaged.

After we read the article and recorded we then listened to the poet read the poem. This two step process really helped turn my prospective on what the poet meant for certain stanzas. The workshop leaders then challenged us to write our own version using Evernote. To take it a step further we then had to record our poems using pictures and words using Voice Thread.. After playing around with Voice Thread I was amazed by all the lesson possibilities that could incorporate this technology.

Anways...times to start day 3! Will post more Digital Literacy resources later in the week.

Here is my voice thread

Whats I've been up to:

Say What?!?

Hello Sweet Blog Buds! Today was the dreaded back to school after spring break....well, it was an AWESOME Day! My kiddos were ON it, ALL day! I couldn't believe it. I kid you not, they were making connections between what we were learning in guided reading and our read aloud. I really almost hit the floor! It was just one of those days... How do you assign jobs in your classroom? Well, in mine I have job application. At the beginning of the year I model the various classroom jobs and explain the importance of having a job. Students are then allowed to apply for their top 3 jobs. For the most part students keep their jobs throughout the year. This seems to really work well with my students. Just like the real world students have a possibility of being "fired" from their job. Harsh, I know but this seems to motivate them in their behavior. I say all that to finally come to my "Say What" moment of the day. We were in Cheetah Academy (after school tutoring) and one of my students requested to head to the cafeteria to grab the trash bag for our snack. I told him to wait until we all went to the cafeteria that way we knocked out getting snack and the trash bag at the same time. He agreed. Well, we went to the cafeteria, traveled back down the hall and outside to have our snack (since it was a BEAUTIFUL day). I did not see the coveted trash bag anywhere outside so I pulled the student aside. To which he told me since he was not getting paid he did not get the bag. Needless to say after picking my mouth off the ground, rolling on the picnic table laughing moment I sent him running back to the cafeteria. I am going to assume his "forgetfulness" was a result of being off for Spring Break. Anyways it made for a funny and unforgettable moment.

Dazzling Decimals

Hello blog buddies! I hope you are having an outstanding week. My week has been amazing, so far! I am on Spring Break this week and am enjoying every minute of it. I have filled my days with coffee, the Today Show, naps, and good times. ANNNND its only Tuesday! Man, this makes me long for summer break.

As much as I have enjoyed my free time, I decided to work on my decimals unit today. My plan was to start on my unit, well I ended up finished it. It includes lots of uses for thinking maps and hands on/real world applications. Let me know your ideas for teaching decimals. I would love any advice you can give.

To view the unit visit Mrs. J's docs

Let me know what you think!

Eggcelent Day!

It's finally spring break!!!! Let me pause to take in the excitement....

Ok, what a busy week we had in 4th grade! I was determined that we WOULD finish fractions this week and test. I did not want to carry over this topic and test after the break. We pushed through the unit and the kids had a lot of fun! Today we worked in centers before our awards ceremony. We needed a little extra work on adding and subtracting fractions so I had 3 math groups and 1 reading. Here is our day in pictures.

My kiddos love when I check out the iPads! They were so careful and quite while working. Unfortunately I was right beside them and kept distracting them by throwing chocolate eggs....

It truly was an EGGcelent day, especially when you use jelly beans for fractions! I quickly made this activity yesterday prior to leaving school. It assessed comparing, adding and subtracting. Email me if you would like a copy :)

We have been working on comparing fiction and nonfiction text this week. In this groups students were comparing a chapter of a fiction Magic Tree House book with a nonfiction one. I included two pictures that way you could see their thinking maps at work.

Finally...this was my guided math group. I use a lot of daily quick checks to monitor students level of mastery. I look at the data and determine my math groups. This group was working on Adding and Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.

So, who is on Spring Break? What are you going to do with your week? I am looking forward to coffee, the Today show, and Sleeping in. I am sure that I will work on school stuff lots but its nice to know that I can take my time and relax. In honor of Spring Break I am joining Farley's link party (she is AMAZING!!!!). Enjoy :)