Magnificent Monday- Rourke Educational Media Sound Adventures

Rourke Classroom Sound Adventures

I was SO excited to get my classroom set of Sound Adventures from Rourke Educational Media.  New books are always exciting in my classroom, and I know that my students are going to love these.

There are 36 of these fabulous leveled books.  Teaching in a multi-ability and multi-age classroom I am always looking for ways to meet the needs of all my learners and on all levels.  These books are going to be a great asset to my classroom.

Characters in the story (this is in each book!)

Words to know

Love the glossary that is in each book

How I plan to use them:
-Before we read the book brainstorm words that start with letter that is being focused on in the book.  As we find brainstormed words in the book check them off.
-Many of my students are working identifying characters and setting.  The beginning page that states the characters in the book is a great way to get the conversation going.
-I love the words to know.  Lower level students will be able to match words to know throughout the book (pointing/using wikisticks/post it notes) Higher level students will work on alphabetizing the words to know and then can check their work with the book.
-My 3rd-5th graders are always working with glossary and dictionarys.  This is perfect to extend on the concepts that we are already working on.
-The end of the book is also extension activities.

What great books that I can use in so many different ways to reach so many levels of students (but still use the same book!)  Do you have these Sound Adventure books? If not you can check out http://rourkeclassroom.com  How do you use them?  How do you level your various activities (without creating hundreds of activities)?

I can't wait to check out all of the other ideas for these books through the teacher resources that are going to be available in the upcoming months.

Magnificent Monday- #EdCampWaller

So, I have been promising this blog for over a week, but between Teacher Appreciation and just the fact that it is the end of the year.. things get a little crazy.  Speaking of Teacher Appreciation, that is an upcoming blog!  I do have to admit that it is turning out to be a super cute week.

I was pretty excited when I found out that Waller ISD and The Tech Ninjas would be hosting #EdCampWaller in April.  Rafranz and I loaded up the car and were off on a short road trip to Waller, Texas.  We started our #EdCampWaller experience with an awesome tweetup at Cielito Lindo

You can find all of my pictures HERE but of course I threw those all together in an iMovie

I have written about EdCamps before (because I have attended 3 now and Dallas is coming up October 12th)  You can find more information HERE about EdCamps in your area or just more information about them.

With any EdCamp, I think the most exciting thing is to be able to make connections.  It is exciting to connect with a new teacher or even sit next to a national/state presenter that decided to spend their Saturday learning from others.  I loved how this EdCamp Started out with TechNinjaTodd and TechNinjaStacey welcoming everyone and inviting all attendees to sign up on the board with ideas on discussions to lead or topics to engage learners on.  They even stressed that it is okay if it is not tech based!  They also reminded us that there very passionate people in the audience with stories and ideas to share and this was the time to do it. (I mean.. hello.. the audience was filled with passionate learners.. it was on a SATURDAY!)

The first block I went to was over apps and how you used them in the classroom.  It was sort of "roundtable" (but we were in a classroom.. so it wasn't that round) but I got a great list and even better ideas on how to use some apps in my classroom.  I was also able to share a few favorites of my own.  The next block I had a chance to share my passion over using technology in the multi-ability classroom.   Looking back I shared some ideas, but I do need to refocus on creating it as more of a discussion.  The third session of the day I had a chance to listen to Wendy Sanders.  This girl is AMAZING (I know that I say that about a ton of my friends.. but I mean it for each and every one of them)  She is awesome because of her grant writing skills.  In the past few years she has received over $20000 of materials and equipment for her classroom.  How lucky are those kids!  During this session she shared about Donorschoose.org  We discussed different ways to get grants, how to promote a grant, and keeping your tech in the loop of the grants that were received.  She also helped several people set up their own grants.  The last session I sat in on (yes.. it was sitting/standing room only!) was Chris Kesler's over #GeniusHour.  It was inspiring and I look forward to trying this out in my classroom next year.

Of course you can't have an #EdCamp without some FANTASTIC sponsors (which means doorprizes!)  Every person that walked into EdCampWaller walked away with some awesome doorprizes. Check out this sponsor page.  I was pretty pumped to win a Blue Bell Ice Cream Gift certificate that Michael Ogg brought and a cool USB Bracelet from TeachingHistory.org.  I even walked away with Todd Nesloney's new book Spruce and Lucy (and I had it signed by the author)

It was an amazing day of learning. From the students that helped lead sessions to the building that we were able to use for the day, I loved every minute of it.  Have you attended an #EdCamp?  Do you have any summer professional development plans?

Mail Call Monday- The Tech Chicks

I am on this thing called twitter (I know that I never talk about that) So, a couple of years ago I came across The Tech Chicks Podcast  Helen and Anna are some AMAZING tech.. well.. as their name says Tech Chicks.  I remember I had a chance to meet them at TCEA a few months after I found them online... and I am sure that they thought I was crazy when I ran up to them (thank goodness they were wearing Tech Chick Shirts) and introduced myself. I have had the opportunity to catch up with them virtually through their twitter Helen and Anna and through their Tech Chick Tips Facebook page, but also in person.  These ladies are pretty amazing!

So, thanks guys for being my guest bloggers today!

I’m Anna and I’m Helen, and we...have a problem. Well, WE don’t necessarily consider it a problem, but some might. We love gadgets. No, see...you don’t understand...we LOVE gadgets. We can’t really pass up a nifty gadget--you know, those little somethings that make the magic happen, that make the ordinary extraordinary, the tedious easier, and the mundane awesome. And if we were going to be completely honest, even our gadgets have gadgets. And we even have gadgets that support our gadgets. And bags to hold our gadgets. We love to share our gadgets - well, not literally. We WILL share, but we feel a sad pull when we’re separated from them even for a little bit. But what we mean is, we like to share ABOUT our gadgets and encourage others to spend money on gadgets as well. It’s about the economy really. We’re trying to do our part.

So when Andrea asked us to do this guest post, we couldn’t wait to share some of our favorite gadgets and the gadgets that support our gadgets. What started as a few paragraphs turned into more of a booklet than a blog post, so we are going to keep it to our three most-reached-for favorites (maybe a few more if we manage to sneak them in)!

First, a disclaimer...there is nothing to “disclaim.” We are not associated with, nor have we received compensation in any form from any of the vendors we are about to discuss. We just happen to like and use their products. Now, if they WANT to give us anything, who are we to refuse? If that were to happen, we’d add a disclaimer.

So let’s get started. Our favorite gadgets, of course, are our iPads. Or maybe our iPhones or iPad minis or...we’ll just go with iOS devices. That goes without saying for us, so we won’t dwell on why iOS over Android and just talk about the gadgets that support our iOS devices.

One of the things we like about devices in general is that they almost all come with a camera now. We don’t go anywhere without the ability to capture our world. We may not win any awards for our photos, but we sure enjoy the neat things we can do. Our current favorite lens add-on is the Mobi-Lens (http://mobi-lens.com/). This little clip offers a wide angle, fish-eye and macro lens, and it’s not device specific! You can clip it to your iPhone, iPod, iPad or those other devices with cameras. Heck, it will even work with a built-in laptop webcam. You don’t even have to take a device out of its case. We do wish they had a telephoto lens option, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that it’s just a matter of time.

We both definitely like to use the iPad over a laptop as much as possible. While the virtual keyboard is great, when we’re taking a lot of notes or doing a lot of typing, we want a good external keyboard. Our preferences differ here. Helen like a case/keyboard combo from ZAGG.

I’ve used and liked both the one for the iPad 3rd and 4th gen (http://www.zagg.com/keyboard-cases/index.php#zaggkeys-profolio+ipad-3) and the one for the iPad mini (http://www.zagg.com/keyboard-cases/index.php#zaggkeys-mini-9+ipad-mini). I like the idea of having a case and keyboard combo when I need it. The case is protective and having the keyboard attached increases my productivity on the iPad for tasks that require a lot of text entry. These are one of the few iOS keyboards that have a natural feel and a true QWERTY keyboard layout. The cases also serve to protect the keyboards when I take my iPads out to use them with something else (I lost keys on my first keyboard that didn’t have a protective case).

Anna likes a separate keyboard. I don’t like the extra bulk and weight with my iPad and don’t do nearly as many text-heavy tasks as Helen does. Also, my iPad gets swiped by my kids a lot. When I used a combo case, they would take it off because of the added bulk. Then the iPad would be completely unprotected. I’ve been very happy with a separate keyboard. I use two regularly. I have a a Logitech Tablet Keyboard for iPad (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/tablet-keyboard-ipad?WT.ac=ps|8275). They actually make one for the OTHER platform if that’s your preference. It’s a full-size keyboard so no cramped fingers and no keys in weird places. It fits in a little case that doubles as a stand to lean your iPad against. So if I need a keyboard, I have it, but it’s not attached all of the time.

The other keyboard I use is the Logitech Easy Switch (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/illuminated-keyboard-for-mac-ipad-iphone?crid=26). OMG! This pretty much stays at my desk at work. My MacBook Pro is propped on a stand with this keyboard in front of it. There are three buttons that allow you to instantly switch your pairing between three different devices. I have my iPad propped up on a stand next to my laptop and my iPhone charging on the other side. I get a text from someone on the OTHER platform that I have to answer on my iPhone since I can’t use iMessage with those, so I quickly toggle the keyboard and --

voilà 

-- I’m typing on the iPhone. And then I’m using an app on the iPad and need to enter user information, so I toggle the keyboard and, voilà, I’m typing on the iPad! If you’ve ever had to pair and re-pair among multiple devices, you will appreciate the toggles. I LOVE this keyboard! It would be my travel one if it had a case and stand.

Finally, we can’t do without our New Trent everythings. We each have several of their battery chargers and can’t imagine going anywhere without one. The iCarrier (http://www.newtrent.com/store/ipad-external-battery/imp120d-portable-iphone-battery-pack-newtrent-icarrier.html)  is a nice compact size, but a little on the heavy side. It holds a lot of charge--12,000 mAh and features two USB ports; one even powerful enough for the iPad. It’s little brother, the iGeek (http://www.newtrent.com/store/ipad-external-battery/newtrent-igeek-imp99d-portable-battery-pack.html) is a wee bit lighter and carries a wee bit less charge (9,900 mAh). Both of these have special places in our bags and backpacks so that we’ll never be without a good charge when we need it. They also have a svelte baby sister which is much lighter. The actual model we use is no longer available, but the EasyPak (http://www.newtrent.com/store/iphone-external-battery-iphone-portable-battery/newtrent-easypak-nt70t-external-battery-ipad-battery-pack.html) is close. This is a good one for the purse or the bag you always have with you for emergencies. What we like about New Trent over the other brands we’ve tried is the power button. It may not seem like a big deal, but it’s our best guess that this is why the New Trent devices seem to hold their charges so much longer than any of the other brands we’ve used. Even when it’s been a good month since we’ve had to reach for the iGeek or iCarrier, it’s still packing a full or nearly full charge. Whether it’s long days at work, play or travel, we never worry about being without our devices because the battery has died.

We could certainly go on and on about our gadgets and the gadgets for the gadgets and the gadgets we wish we had and the gadgets we wish existed, but we’ll spare you the ramble. We thought it better to share those go-to items we don’t like to ever be without. Thinking back to our initial point, let’s not think of it as a problem. Let’s think of it as celebrating inventiveness, inspiring creativity, and supporting the economy. Jump on the gadget wagon and share your favorite, can’t-live-without, go-to gadgets!

Magnificent- #Quest2Matter and Movie-Spring Cleaning Monday!

Magnificent Monday is all about Choosing 2 Matter!  I have had the opportunity to guest blog for Tim Holt.  I of course had to talk about International Dot Day and #Choose2Matter.  I so agree that it is so very important to remind those around us that they are important, but also continue students and adults alike to make their mark in this world.  Angela Maiers is on another mission and this one is MAGNIFICENT!

Quest2Matter

 "The Quest2Matter will spread the "You Matter" message to millions of students around the world   and inspire them to act to change our world." from the Student Launcher Quest2Matter site

As I look around at the students that I come into contact with from teaching, Destination ImagiNation, Girl Scouts and the various other activities I am involved in... I hope that I have taught them one very important thing.  That is to have manners.  Not just please and thank you, but manners of being kind to one another and reminding others they are important.  I think this is why #Choose2Matter and #DotDay hit such a chord in my heart (and have for some time now)  Each one of us is faced with so many hardships.. ones that might not be a hardship to others.. but a hardship none the less.  We all need encouragement.  #Quest2Matter is giving students the opportunity to share with others that They Matter.

"The Quest2Matter is a five-week, student-focused initiative that seeks to inspire students to tackle problems that break their heart. This is an unprecedented opportunity to unlock the potential of students to think entrepreneurially and innovatively and use modern tools to solve problems that break their heart."

As the website says, it is a beginning.. but not an ending.  The world is hard, and it is only going to get harder.  If we can remind others that they are important, but also encourage students to make a change. It doesn't matter what age you want to change the world.. you just need to do it!  Thank you Angela for sharing something so very important and encouraging others to do the same- #YouMatter

Want to know more? Introducing Quest2Matter
How can you help? Check out the Student Launcher Page
Want to be a student intern? Quest2Matter

Have you reminded anyone lately that they matter? Do you know a student that this would be perfect for?


I couldn't miss a movie Monday! This week is all about spring cleaning. You can find more information on my upcoming blog for the Follett Software Company.  You can also check out some of my other blogs while you are there.

This week my movie is over Spring Cleaning!  Our school is going through renovation this summer, so we have to have everything moved out by the day after the last day of school!  I am an organizer anyway, but what better motivation to clean and your organize your room than moving.

Are you spring cleaning?  What are your tips?

Mail Call Monday- Let's get Busy!

I have to admit.. Mail Call Mondays are becoming one of my favorite days!  I LOVE when people agree to guest blog for me. I love social media and how I am able to connect with people from all over the world!  My guest blogger is no exception this week!  

I think I have mentioned before that I follow several hundred blogs. The Busy Librarian by Matthew Winner is a great one.  I mentioned him in my last blog as a the founder of the #LevelUpBC and #Shelfchallenge.  I tweeted him last week to see if he would be my guest blogger.. and he agreed!  

Thanks Matthew for an AWESOME blog!  Find all of his information at the end of this blog.  Are you participating in #levelupbc and #shelfchallenge?  I just love the power of social media.  Enjoy the read!

Let's Get Busy

Guest Blogger Matthew Winner

I'm a teacher librarian and I only teach for fun. That's the rule. If I can't find enjoyment in what I do with the students, how will they?

I'm also involved in a lot of different projects. Many consume time outside of the school day. Most are projects of which my school colleagues are unaware. Each is an undertaking I consider to be central to my character as a professional.

I am a busy librarian.

But I happened to be a busy librarian on a quest. 

I want you to be busy. In fact, it might even be best for you to be busier. Hear me out before you send the angry pitchfork-wielding mob to chase me out of town.

No matter what position you hold in education, be it a classroom teacher, a teacher librarian, a student aid, a principal's secretary, a recess monitor, chances are you're already busy. Like many, you probably feel stretched beyond your means and absolutely exhausted at the end of each day. Adding another thing to your plate would ludicrous and out of the question.

But what if the one thing you added brought so much joy to your day that it actually changed your attitude about school? What if that one thing felt less like work and more like play? Less like to-do and more like an adventure? Then would you be willing to add one thing to your plate?

On October 10th, 2010 I started the Busy Librarian blog with little more than the ambition to be a voice for the busy. I wanted people to know they weren't alone and I wanted to, in many respects, be the change, as Mahatma Ghandi famously spoke. My first post was really short and pretty vague... more a a mission statement than anything else. And yet it's been a source I've returned to over and over to make sure I'm keeping myself on track.

The text read:

This is a blog for busy librarians. 

For those of us who feel, well, overwhelmed. 

It's a place of comfort and, hopefully, a source of inspiration. 

Here you will find the opportunity to interact globally and to impact locally. 

We'll synergize moments, ideas, and activities that will enable us to become more effective librarians, more efficient in our libraries, and more energetic with our students, without feeling like things are careening out of control. 

So, let's get busy!

Being busy is not a bad thing. On the other hand, feeling like your stuck or overwhelmed or uninspired where you work... that's a different story. That's something I wouldn't wish on anyone.

I have added to my busy schedule in the best ways over the past 6 years as a library media specialist. Some of the things added lasted a week or two before I ditched them for something different. Others, like this blog, are still going and/or have actually increased in the number of hours to which I devote my time outside of work each week. But no matter what the task, the important part to recognize is that I'm volunteering to take it on because I see it as an opportunity for me to grow as an educator, contribute to my profession, and make my work a little more fun.

Being busy works for me. It's very easy to accomplish things when you're doing them from a place of love and with a sense of purpose.

I don't allow my work to come before my family, but I also try not to allow my work to come before my students or before my growth as a professional. Breaking routine, trying new things, and challenging myself to offer the best of myself to my students and my profession has made me a busy librarian, but it's also made me a very blessed librarian.

I hope you, too, can find yourself busy and blessed.

- Matthew

Looking to get busy? Here are a couple of things I did or do (and you can, too) that brought me a lot of joy:

• Volunteer to be the recycling coordinator at your school. Work with students to collect recyclable materials from classrooms each week and deposit in the school's recycling containers. 
• Serve on your state's book award committee. Help nominate titles for your state's book award and learn about a ton of great books for your classroom or library in the process.
• Found an online book club. Meeting online takes a lot of pressure off of coordinating events and meet-ups while, at the same time, allowing for some really creative ways to connect and interact as a book club.
• Connect your class with others via Skype. Whether collaborating on a project or simply connecting to say "hi", Skype helps your students get to know the world outside of your classroom as well as the many ways we and those we Skype with are the same.
• Help your school celebrate a big event. International Dot Day, Poem in Your Pocket Day, and World Read Aloud Day are just a handful of truly awesome events you can celebrate school-wide while promoting literacy and creative expression, a win-win for any educator.

About Matthew:

Matthew C. Winner is a teacher librarian in the Howard County Public School System in Maryland. His library media program is aligned with ISTE’s NETS for Teachers and the AASL Standards for the 21st-Century Learner. Before teaching in the elementary school library, Matthew taught in the 4th grade. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education from Towson University, a Master’s of Science in School Library Media from McDaniel College and is a National Board Certified Teacher in the area of Library Media.

Matthew has given presentations at conferences at the state, national, and international levels and has presented virtually at the TL Virtual Cafe. He has had articles published in Knowledge Quest and School Library Journal, and he is the author of the Busy Librarian blog. In 2012, Matthew was named Maryland Outstanding Educator Using Technology by the Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET). His love of video games and passion for teaching have earned him recognition as a 2013 Library Journal Mover & Shaker. He is also the cofounder of the Level Up Book Club, an online book club for teachers and professionals focused on game-based learning and gamification.

For more information on the Level Up Book Club, visit http://levelupbc.blogspot.com. Learn more about Matthew’s library program and work at large at http://www.busylibrarian.com. Follow Matthew on Twitter at @MatthewWinner or email him directly at mwinne2@gmail.com.

Recruiting Authors/Illustrators and a Challenge!

Last year I moved schools.  With every school there are changes and new activities.  One of my FAVORITE new things is CARE day!  CARE Day you ask?  Celebrating Authors and Readers at Elliott.  It is a chance for students to create and share their own books with other students, a chance to have guest readers come in the classroom, a chance for authors and illustrators to share their love of a good book, and just a FANTASTIC day of reading!   This year I am even Co-Chairing the CARE Day committee!

We had our big meeting last week to work on logistics and we came up with the COOLEST idea! I am an avid social media user and skype classroom collaborator.  I have also started to use Google Hangout recently.  Are you an author or illustrator that would like to help us out?  Here is all that we need :)

We are looking for authors and illustrators that could spare 15 to 30 minutes of their time in early May.  We are going to set up a google hangout and invite the Author/Illustrator to be interviewed by one of our very own students.  Once the google hangout is over we will publish it to youtube!  Our CARE day is not until the end of May, but we plan to record our interviews at the first of May.  We will then be able to share our recordings with the school but also the entire world!  Please fill out this short survey at the bottom of this post (and if you are not able to participate, would you please share through your various networks) I don't know if we will be able to do every author/illustrator.... but I sure hope so!

So, I am excited about CARE day, but I am really excited about a Shelf Challenge that The Busy Librarian I follow some of the coolest people on twitter!  April is School Library Month so Matthew Winner has posed a challenge.  Super easy (and I am not a librarian, but I can't wait to go dive into a shelf!)

"Your mission, if you choose to accept it:

• Select a section of your library collection to read throughout the month of April. 

• Try to read every book in that section over the course of the month. 

• Share selected gems (and cringes) through a favorite social media outlet"

Matthew also helps host this really cool online book club.  Level Up Book Club is starting again!




How does your school promote reading?  Are you gearing up to participate in Level Up Book Club or the Shelf Challenge?

#DENapalooza2013- Start of the Tour in McKinney Texas

As you know,  I am one of those crazy people that loves to fill my brain with learning all of the time (I am sure that you didn't realize that!) So, what better way to spend a Saturday than attending the first DENapalooza Event!

You know that I can't ever pass up time hanging out with my Awesome DEN Guru friend Elaine!

First Stop- McKinney, Texas

I LOVED the welcome sign!

There were so many great sessions that were offered.  Two sessions in the morning, awesome lunch and then 2 unconference sessions in the afternoon.  I knew that I would not be able to attend them all so I had my twitter feed ready to catch any great quotes or sources at #DENapalooza (go check it out!)

Started my day with Joli Barker

Joli does some amazing things with her students.  She was also named TCEA Teacher of the Year this year. You can find her presentation on the wiki.  My favorite quote from her.  "I don't want just fact finders, I want thinkers!"  

Second session! Of course I had to go listen to Elaine Plybon

Elaine showed some great ways to use Discovery Education media in various ways (and if you don't have much tech available!)  I can't wait to use some of the ideas.  Favorite one: Cut a Discovery Education media picture in half and have students describe the picture and try to figure out what is going on.  A great way to start conversations and work on inferring.  

Love hanging out with rockstars!  Rafranz Davis, Elaine Plybon,  Kristy Vincent and myself

Of course I had to get a picture with Dean Shareski

It was a GREAT day of learning (and seeing friends!)  I really enjoyed taking part in the Twitter unconference conversation.  I also got to meet some people that I stalk... I mean follow on twitter!  I can't wait to follow along with the rest of the conversation as the tour continues.  Do you plan to attend a DENapalooza?  How do you continue your own learning?