It’s Currently Time! {Linky Party 8/01}

I can’t believe it’s August already!  And that means it’s Currently Time!

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After a very rough year two years ago, our team of teachers decided to implement a 6th grade Transition Camp to help our rising students get acclimated to middle school life.  For those that came directly from our feeder school, they were going from 1 teacher all day long to 6 teachers.  They couldn’t keep up with anything…..and I don’t even want to mention how difficult it is to teach 11 year olds about lockers when the locks are on the lockers.  They can’t even take them home and practice!  We spend the days of the transition camp discussing the ins and outs of our school, they get to practice with their lockers without the stress of a tardy bell, and the meet their teachers and do a practice run of their schedule.  The kids had an absolutely fabulous time!  All of them said they felt so much better about coming to middle school because of these days.

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I think that everything else probably speaks for itself, but I want to highlight my B2S items.

1.  A good pencil sharpener is like the hottest thing on the block for a teacher!  I’ve been eyeing the quietest classroom pencil sharpener for a while, and think that I will go ahead and purchase it.  I buy at least two electric pencil sharpeners a year, last year I was fortunate enough to win one at the Office Depot Teacher Appreciation Day!  And despite the fact that I purchase them, by the end of the year, we’re down to the $1 hand held sharpeners I buy at the beginning of the year!

2.  I love shoes…..I love cute shoes…..cute shoes do not love me!  For one, I have flat feet.  Secondly, there is no cushion between the floor of my classroom and the hard dirt it’s packed upon.  Which means that at the end of the day my lower back is aching, my right knee is throbbing, and the bottom of my feet hurt.  How can the bottom of your feet hurt???  So I need to keep it real with myself and buy myself some comfortable shoes…..but they have to be kinda cute…..any ideas?

3.  Last year I started using the Interactive Student Notebook in my classroom.  For someone just starting out, I think they went very well, but I’m ready to take it to the next level.  This year I’m using I’m Lovin’ Lit’s ISN Resources to assist with that.

Lovin Lit ISN

If you’re the remotest bit interested, I suggest you head over to Erin’s TpT store and take a look.

Well, I hope that all of you enjoy the remainder of your summer break!

Until the next time,

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Linky Parties – QR Codes {8/01}

It’s Thursday and I’m killing two birds with one stone! I’m linking with with iTeach 1:1 and Learning to the Core‘s for their last Tune Into Technology series.  *sad face*  I have really enjoyed this series and have learned so many things!  This week’s focus is QR Codes and there’s a great giveaway, too!

tuneintotech

I’m also linking with with Erin at I’m Lovin’ Lit for her Thursday Throwdown Linky Party.  QR Codes are definitely a way to keep learning interactive!

ThursdayThrowdown

What is a QR Code?  you might ask.  Quick Response Codes (QR Codes) are  two-dimensional bar codes that can contain any alphanumeric text and often feature URLs that direct users to sites where they can learn about an object or place (a practice known as “mobile tagging”). – EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative

QR Code Example

QR Code Example

With the advancement of QR Codes you can provide students with a variety of information:  URLs, YouTube videos, Google Maps Locations, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Four Square, App Store Download, iTunes link, Dropbox, Plain Text, Telephone Numbers, Skype Calls, SMS Messages, Email Addresses or Messages, Contact Details, Events, Wifi Login, etc.  Now that’s a whole lotta stuff!

I have not had the opportunity to use QR Codes in the classroom yet…..iPads coming in a few weeks! :-), but I’ve used them in a few ways and I have LOTS of plans for them.  Currently, I put the QR Code on our weekly contract that will give parents a link to our classroom website.  I’ve also created a QR Code to provide parents with my contact information.

Contract Pic

 

My upcoming plans entail the following:

Having a QR Code up on the Promethean board for students to scan as they walk in to direct them to the website I’d like us to start on or to embed QR Codes in the flipcharts once we get to a part of the lesson that will direct them to a certain site.

My dear bloggy friend Joanne over at Head Over Heels for Teaching, does a neat idea that I am stealing….Scan to Win Tickets. She makes little cards and on each card is a QR code that awards a student some type of prize.  If you’re interested, head over the her TpT to find out more information about it!

I also plan to use them for scavenger hunts.  This year and last, students use ActivExpression devices to go on a scavenger hunt about the important people in our school.  The iPads are not quite ready yet, so next year the students will use their iPads to go on the Scavenger Hunt.

ActivInspire Scavenger Hunt

ActivInspire Scavenger Hunt

 

The final plan that I want to share is using QR Codes as a quick check during small group or independent work.  Students will complete assignments and then scan the QR Code to see if they answered the question correctly.

So there are my plans for QR Codes.  What are yours?

Until the next time,

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