End of Year Writing Gone Tech

Hello everyone!  I am in the middle of the "May Crazies"!  (I mean really, how much more can you pack in a month!!)

It "May" be crazy at school, but great things are still happening!

Every year I have the students reflect on their year.  I love hearing what their favorite things were and even what they didn't like.  This year I added a little more to the traditional writing.

First, the students wrote their script.  On this planning form they wrote about their 3 favorite things and the one thing they didn't like.  They did this at their "Write On!" center.  (Click here to download this planning sheet freebie!)

After the students finished their scripts, I reviewed it with them.  Then they used one of our 3 class iPad mini's to publish/ record their writing piece.  Since it is the end of the year and we have used several different recording apps, I decided to let the students choose.  They could do a traditional video recording with the camera app, use Puppet Pals 2 or ChatterPix.  They would take their script and the iPad and go into the recording studio (my office or the hallway) and finish creating their project.

Once the projects were finished we screened them for the class.  The projects turned out better than I ever expected!  Check out this video created by Ms. Reina.  It literally brought tears to my eyes and reminded me why I do what I do!



Yes, she is in a traditional first grade class and did this all by herself!  I love the way she changes her voice to interview herself.

They turned out so well, I am using them to make an interactive end-of-the-year bulletin board.  I'm using a QR code linked to each video.  I will then post these on the hallway bulletin board.

Take Note!

Notability is FREE for a limited time! (Until Wednesday, May 7th, 2014)

Notability is an amazing app for the iPad!  You can do so many things with this app; it will increase your productivity!  Of course you can take notes with it.  You can also take write on top of any PDF, record notes, organize files... the possibilities are endless.  

To find out more information about Notability visit their web site here.

Both of my daughters are in paperless iPad classes and use this app for almost everything they do.  It amazes me how organized they are with it.  They also take their time with their homework and make it their own.  It is my goal to learn from them and become the expert they both are with this app!  (The teacher becomes the student!)

Learn Fit

Today I wanted to share these great desks with you.  My daughter (4th grade) is lucky enough to be in one of the first trial classes for the Ergotron LearnFit adjustable desk in the U.S.  These standing desk are are amazing.  Her class has had them for a little over a month and they seem to be working out great.

You may think standing all day, Oh No!  However, this really helps the students focus and be more attentive.  Check out this informational video about the desk. 


My daughter loves her standing desk!  She is a "busy" student and having the ability to move has really helped her.  I think these would be amazing in a K/1 class!  

They also have a teacher standing desk, I would love to have one of these!  Maybe one day...

Charging Station

I love using mobile devices in my classroom, but figuring out the best way to keep them all charged is a completely other issue.  Remembering to plug them in and keeping the cords from getting tangled or falling behind the shelf....

This year I found the solution that worked for me and it is super cheap!  You can find it in the kitchen aisle of any discount retailer.

I just have my charging station on a counter in my classroom.  The students can easily access all of the devices.  Each device has its own place.  The last group to use the devices for the day is responsible for plugging them in.

Click here if you would like to download the labels for free. 

If Only a QR Code Could Talk...

If only a QR code could talk... Well they can!  I am sure we are all familiar with QR codes and are integrating them in our classroom.  (If not, you should be!  They make things so much more fun, efficient, effective and makes it easier for teachers too!)  Everyone knows you can link a website or video with a QR code.  Did you know you can also link audio?  Think of the possibilities!  First, I thought of many ways I could create audio QR codes to help students.  I could record myself reading the directions or questions for centers.  This would help them to work independently.


We often display student work in our hallways at my school.  Sometimes it is hard for others to understand what they are seeing.  Whether it be the writing is hard to read or others may not understand how the project relates to learning.  It would be great if the students could stand out in the hall and explain their work to all of those interested who pass by.  By adding a simple voice QR code, students can add their voice to their projects.  Now anyone with a mobile device and a QR scanner app can simply scan it an listen.  Other students could scan and listen, learning from their classmates.  This is the ultimate way to easily incorporate the Common Core's speaking and listening standards.

I found this great website vocaroo.com !  It was so easy to record audio and generate a QR code; even  5 year old could do it!  I put these directions together and thought I would share, click here to get them free.

Here is a quick video tutorial on how easy it really is.

I am linking up with Technology Tailgate's Techie Tuesday Link Up.  Stop by for more great information from other tech bloggers.

Technology Tailgate

Happy Saturday!  I just joined the Technology Tailgate team as a contributor!  This is one of the blogs I frequently stalk, and love all of the tech tips I pick up from their authors.

Today I wrote my first post for Technology Tailgate.  It explains how "iFlash" my students and includes a digital tech freebie so you can flash your students too! 

Make sure to stop over at the Tailgate and check it out!

Safe Share Videos with QR Codes

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words is a video worth???  I often like to show quick video clips to help students understand more about a lesson.  There are many great video clips on YouTube; however there are also many not so good clips on YouTube.  In addition to the "non-educational" videos, the advertisements are often not kid friendly.  Well good news, there is an easy way around this!

You can easily import a YouTube video clip to be viewed through SafeShare.TV and even have students get to your link via a QR code.  Here is a short tutorial I created to show you how.



It is super easy!  Give it a try and let me know how it works for you.