Tech Challenge Update

We just completed our first month of Tech Challenges, and I am pretty happy how it turned out!  You can check out my first Tech Challenge Blog here.

My challenges for November were:

-Non-Negotiable-Complete the STaR Chart (guess what! Everyone did this!)

-Science- Use Voki to share science words.  These were posted on our Scientifically Sharing blog.

-Web2.0- Skype- connect with another classroom using Skype

-Data-Driven-Comment on either the Number Crunching blog or Wonderful Writing blog

-Support Staff- Create 2 Voki's to go with the Number Crunching blog

The end product for the first month

-Non-Negotiable- ALL the teachers completed this!

-Data-Driven- I had about 1/3 of the teachers participate in commenting on the blog

-Science- just a handful of teachers participated

-Web 2.0- just a handful of teachers

-Support Staff- I had about 1/3 of the support staff join in the challenge

To keep up with who was completing challenges I created an Excel document.  As a teacher completed the challenge I added an X.  I highlighted the box after I had put the badge in their box and given the swag that they earned.

My overall experience? I knew going in that not everyone was going to participate.  My goal for the Tech Challenges is to plant seeds!  It made my heart SO happy when I had a teacher approach me to ask for help on how to complete the Tech Challenges.  I loved seeing her class comment come up on the blog.  It made my heart SO happy when another teacher told me that she enjoyed the Number Crunching blog because it was a perfect transition.  It also made my heart SO happy that I had 2 teachers complete ALL of the Tech Challenges!

One of the Tech Challenge game boards

The badges for the Tech Challenge game board

I just finished up the December Tech Challenges.  I have contacted a couple of the websites/tools we will be using this next month.

Loved that Voki sent some great prizes for the teachers!

Loved that Skype in the Classroom also sent some great incentives!

I just finished creating the challenges for next month.  You can find December challenges here  I have enjoyed the communication that the Tech Challenges have opened between myself and teachers.  I have also enjoyed hearing teachers discuss with me how they are going to use these tools next (outside of what was required for the challenge!)  The challenges are basic, but who knows how big the seed will grow and where it might transplant.  I can't wait to see what else the teachers that I work with accomplish!

Have you tried Tech Challenges?  What are the pros/cons that you have seen?  What are some great tools that should be included in future Tech Challenges?

#kidwish-Connecting LIFE/Special Ed classrooms with Mainstream Classes

I am just so stinking excited to write this blog!  For the past 6 years I have had the opportunity to break down walls of my LIFE (Living in a Functional Environment) classroom by participating in online collaborative projects and virtual tours.  I had a chance to do these activities because I had amazing teachers that I could collaborate with. 

Being a teacher is tough these days, and being a special education teacher brings on even more challenges! Challenges that are worth it, but challenges none the less.  There are a TON of amazing projects online for classrooms and my class and I have participated in many of them.  I knew how to modify the projects so my students could be successful and participate, but also be challenged at the same time.  I have the same expectations as other teachers, I wanted my students to have the world! As I connected with other classrooms I noticed that there were not very many special education classrooms that were taking on the challenge of collaborative online projects.

And then...... it happened!   Several of my amazing friends (Dyane Smokorowski, Michael Soskil, and Karen Wright-Balbier) began talking about the idea of creating a project that would partner LIFE/special education classrooms with regular education classrooms.  http://kidwish.weebly.com/ #kidwish is starting out as a Holiday Card Exchange and New Years Wish for the World exchange using video conferencing and extension activities, but we hope that it expands to so much more than that. 

Now you might be thinking, why is it so important to identify a LIFE/special ed classrooms and pair them up with a mainstream classrooms?  I had the opportunity to connect with Dyane's class for this very project for the last 5 years.  My students LOVED it!  It gave them a chance to be creative on a holiday card, they received something in the mail, and they were able to connect with someone outside of our school setting. I also was able to see a change.  My students began to take more time in their holiday cards (works on writing, following directions and most importantly... creativity).  My students also began to attend and participate more during the actual video conference.  Nothing could make my heart soar more to hear the students reading along with the book and then ending the video call with holiday carols (even my non-verbal students would attempt to participate)

So, LIFE/special ed teachers I challenge you to sign up and participate in this project! http://kidwish.weebly.com/ You never know what connections you might make from it!  Our classes ended up Skype calling with other classrooms and even other LIFE classrooms.  We have done science projects, shared ideas, and read lots of stories.  The ideas are limitless if you take that first step!  Want more information, check out the website http://kidwish.weebly.com/ ? Want to email me with questions akbusybee@gmail.com?  

My wish is for all students to have the same opportunities inside and outside the classroom no matter what the abilities are.

I have written about my fears of losing my niche as a special education teacher when becoming an Instructional Technology Specialist.  I am so stinking excited that this is giving me a chance to share my love of connecting, technology and special education.

New Adventure (A Not so Techy Blog)

I am the first one to admit I probably have over 50 different nail polishes in my closet.  I didn't ever paint my nails, but my toenails were ALWAYS painted!  Ever so often I had a gift so I could get my nails done (but that was always a special treat)  This past summer I was at a local conference and ran across a Jamberry Nails booth.  I skimmed through the catalog and look book that the consultant had and exchanged information.  A few weeks later I ordered my first set of Jamberry Nails and I haven't looked back!

"ABOUT THE PRODUCT
Jamberry has created the newest, most affordable and long lasting way to accessorize fingers or toes. Jamberry nail wraps are a solid film covering that can be applied directly to the nail to achieve a look not found anywhere else. This special material is both pressure and heat activated to create a watertight bond to your nail. The film is finished with a high gloss protective layer that prevents your nail wrap from chipping or scuffing.
This new nail treatment can be applied in just fifteen minutes at home on your own or with family and friends. With over 300 styles available, these designer nail wraps are made to last up to 2 weeks on fingers and 6 weeks on toes. With Jamberry nail wraps, achieving a salon look that was once reserved only to the professionals is now simple, affordable, and available to women everywhere through our growing network of consultants."  Jamberrynails.net 

Northern Flare

Things I LOVE about Jamberry

-They are affordable!  They have a special of buy 3 get one 1 free... which is only around $45!

-They look great on fingers and toes.  Each sheet can do 2 manicures and 2 pedicures

-They are super easy to put on!  All you need is a blow dryer (I do enjoy the Jamberry Heater much more though!)

-I love that there is no drying time.

-I love that when you take off the nail it doesn't kill your nail (I take mine off with baby oil)

This last weekend I had a chance to attend the Dallas Regional Conference where I learned even more about the company.  It was so inspiring to hear all of the stories of how being a Jamberry Independent Consultant had changed lives of these people.  Not only that, but it is based out of the USA and created by a family following their own dreams!

Team Cute Nails

Do you want to know more, purchase, or host a party.. let me know.  You can order directly from my site at akbusybee.jamberrynails.net   You can also check out my personal Facebook page where I will hold various contests and post information on specials and upcoming fashion! This new endeavor is going to help pay for various meds as we try to grow our family (but you can read more about my personal story here) 

Part of Team Cute Nails with members from the Jamberry Home Office

Tech Challenges

I wrote back in the first of August how I wanted to create Tech Challenges.  You can find that blog here.  I was inspired by so many people!  Such as Dave Tchozewski, Amy Mayer, Nancy Mangum, Angelyn Cheatham, Jessica Branch, Aimee Bartis and SO many more!  I just knew I was going to start these in October.

Well, it ended up being the end of October when I dipped my foot in to the Tech Challenge mode (just been a little busy getting everything figured out!)

Please feel free to use my ideas (but do credit back.. I have spent a bit of time on these getting them started)

Teachers had about 4 days to create and send me their posters.  I put little treats in their boxes today if they took the challenge!

Today I sent an email to staff with my first Tech Challenges.  I know that not everyone is going to participate...but I know that I enjoyed creating them and I can't wait to help teachers accomplish them.

Each month there will be 4 challenges.  

Non-Negotiable- This challenge will be something that is either required by the school, or required by the district.

Science based

Web 2.0 Tool

Data Driven

The challenges are fun, but there are prizes involved too! Each challenge has a specific logo that will be attached to a certificate that I created.

Complete the 1 Non-Negotiable- logo for the certificate

Complete 2 challenges-Logos and some goodies in their box (I am contacting the companies that our challenges are about to see if they will send swag for me to give to teachers)

Complete 3 challenges-logos, goodies in the  box and a free jeans pass

Complete all 4 challenges- logos, goodies in your box, a free jeans pass and I will take the class for 30 minutes!

If all 4 are completed the names will go in a drawing and there will be one winner chosen each month that will get an hour lunch.

Now, I don't just have awesome teachers on staff... I have some pretty amazing support staff (paraprofessionals) that I think we sometimes forget about.  I decided that I wanted them to have 1 challenge a month too.  This challenge will be somewhat like a challenge a teacher has, but I know that there are time constraints that are involved.

If they complete their challenge they earn a free jeans pass.  For every 2 they earn I will cover their lunch duty for 30 minutes.

I love that my principal is on board with this!  I am also excited that hopefully with a little nudging even more technology will be used.  I have already enjoyed meeting with teachers and even doing some co-teaching!

Want to see what the challenges are for the month of November?  Check them out here.

How do you get your teachers excited about using tech. What supports do you put in place to have both teachers and students be successful?

My goal is... even if a teacher does not do a challenge, that possibly their way of thinking changes a little bit.  I work with some pretty amazing teachers!

I leave you with a product from my first tech challenge.  This one was submitted by my school nurse!

Magnificent and Movie Monday

What a whirlwind year it has already been!  I have been neglecting this blog.  I am pretty excited that this next week that I don't have ANY meetings (insert a knock on wood here!)

Magnificent Monday- Liveslide by AtlasLearning
I heard the buzz about LiveSlide this summer at ISTE.  I quickly signed up for the wait list ready to find out more about the product.  You can find out more about the AtlasLearning company here.

After talking with @ipadsammyI am SUPER excited to use this product!

LiveSlide is a product that works across platforms.  I have to admit, this is one of the things that is most exciting to me!  As we have various devices in each classroom

LiveSlide offers the availability to set up classes and create a more interactive environment for your students. The ideas are limitless for using LiveSlide in the classroom. 

Things I am excited about:

-The ability to quickly poll the class to see where the students are

-The option to upload and use my own PDFs and pictures (but there are also some fantastic backgrounds included!)

-The ability to quickly add a slide while interacting with students

Did I mention that there is a replay and note option... and it is ACROSS platforms!  This next month I will be in classrooms more, and I can not wait to showcase it!  Be watching for a follow up blog!

Movie Monday
I have 3 movies to share!  I want to finish completely decorating my lab before I take a video showing it off.

I made a commercial using iMovie about using devices

I made another iMovie with actual directions for using various devices in school

I created a how-to video over Tech or Treat Challenge using Big Huge Labs.  Want to see my whole challenge?  Check out this document

How has your year been?  Are there things that you have fallen behind on.. or caught up on?  On another note.. I became a Jamberry Nails Consultant!  Interested in purchasing nails, let me know.

Mail Call Monday- Most Asked Question about Unique

I can't believe that we are about to start our fourth week of school!  Although I have been teaching for 12 years, I feel like a brand new teacher this year!

I have mentioned in my previous blogs that I am no longer in the LIFE (Living in a Functional Environment) Classroom.  I am now our campus ITS (Instructional Technology Specialist) I just thought I was done with the acronyms! One of my main fears when I left the classroom is that I would not be relevant anymore in the field of special ed.... but with my copious videos and my blogs that I have posted I still get questions (and this makes my heart happy!)  I am also the mentor for the teacher that took over my classroom (who is rocking it out!)

One of the main questions I get is about my Big Idea poster

I absolutely LOVED using the Unique Curriculum and News 2 You.  It had so many resources, ideas, lessons and so much more.  Although I used the Unique Curriculum, I still had IEP's that I had to cover too. This is why the Big Idea board was  created.

Title- Was the Big Idea from the Unique Unit that month

Subtitle- Was each subject I focused on in class

Bullets- First bullet- The big idea for that subject

              Second-Fourth bullet were more IEP based

              Second bullet- Level 1 focus

              Third bullet- Level 2 focus

              Fourth bullet- Level 3 focus and extension activities

Each of my students was on a different level.  Unique is set up this way, but so is our standardized testing.  

Having this Big Idea board not only helped those that entered the classroom see what the different students were working on, but it also helped keep me on track!  Working with so many different grade levels can be a challenge at times (well worth it), but being organized in every way possible is important.

Do you have questions for me?  Have you checked out my youtube page?  Would you like to be a guest blogger for my Mail Call Monday?  Let me know!  You can find me on twitter @akbusybee or email me akbusybee@gmail.com  I LOVE hearing from readers!

If you want to read a few more of my Unique and News 2 You blogs, you can find them here:
Unique Curriculum

News 2 You

Lesson Plan Writing

Next week is Movie Monday and I hope to actually have a video up of my new office and classrooms!

Make it Monday- Preparing for International Dot Day!

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter.. you know the chatter is about #DotDay.  This Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of The Dot (one of the best books!)  I have written about International Dot Day several times and have had T.J. Shay even guest blog for me!

This weekend our school will be celebrating (along with over a million people) International Dot Day.  We are inviting families to enjoy festivities at school that will allow them to be creative and Make Their Mark.  My partner in crime (our Amazing Art Teacher- Alex Alkire) and I decided that we needed new shirts this year.   Last year we made Dot Day shirts using sharpies and rubbing alcohol.  It worked pretty well.. until you washed it.  This year we stuck with easy (and they turned out great!)

Dot Day 2012

Do you have a Dot Day shirt yet?  Here are 2 ideas for you to use!  The first one is uber easy... and the 2nd one takes a few more steps.

Shirt Number 1
Materials:
-shirt of your choice
-fabric paint
-circle stampers

Finished product

 Step 1- choose your colors

Fabric paint and circle stampers

 Step 2- Stamp Away! We put placemats in the middle of our shirts so the paint would not bleed

Ms. Alkire adding some sparkles to her shirt

Step 3- Let it dry then it is ready to wear!  When I wash this shirt, I turn it inside out.

Shirt 2- Thank goodness for Pinterest!  Ms. Alkire found this blog with a cool tutorial for a do it yourself hand-dye t-shirt

Materials:

-white t-shirt

-Elmers glue (the directions say the blue gel.. we use regular Elmer's glue and it seemed to work

-Rit dye

-gloves

-bucket

Step 1- Create a design on your shirt using the glue. Something we learned.. if you put a drawing underneath the shirt to trace, it will bleed through.

 Step 2- Let dry for 24 hours

 Step 3- Prepare your dye.  I did this outside.  I put about 3 cups of water in the tub and the full package of Rit

 Step 4- Let shirts soak in the tub for 10-15 minutes.  It was pretty cool to watch it change color

 Step 5- Let dry completely (I sure do love that we have space in our backyard to do this!)

 Step 6- Rinse- I rinsed it in the bucket first with a little dish soap.  I realized; however, that not all of the glue had come out yet.  I threw it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle.  I then washed it one more time regular with a little bit of soap.

 Step 7- Take them out and let them dry!  I will probably wash the shirt on its own for a few more times.  There is still a little residual glue left (when we do this again we are going to try with the original directions of the blue gel)

Overall I LOVE this idea!  I can't wait to showcase our super crafty shirts!

Have you created your own Dot Day shirts?  How are you celebrating Dot Day?  Have you signed up at the Dot Club?