Have you ever heard of dmodo? It's basically facebook for the classroom. My students love it. I love that I have complete control over everything that goes on.
You create an account as a teacher and then set up different groups. I have one group for my Math classes and one group for my Science classes. Some teachers create their groups based on class periods. Students must have your group code to create an account and join your group. This lets you approve everyone who joins your group. Once they've joined, they no longer need the code, which you can change at any time.
A few of my favorite Edmodo features:
Calendar: I can post our day to day activity on the calendar. Both students and parents have access this. It really cuts down on all of those questions about what is going on. They just check the calendar.
Library: I can load files to the library which allows students to access them at any time. There is no more "I lost that". They just print it off from the library.
Assignments: Students can complete and turn in assignments online. They love this.
This year we have primarily used Edmodo to incorporate literacy into the math classroom. I've given my students a new online game to play for the past three weeks. They written paragraphs giving their opinion on the game, made Venn diagrams comparing two games, and much more.
Though I really like edmodo, I feel like I haven't been using it to its full potential. Do any of you use edmodo? How do you use it? I'd appreciate any and all ideas.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
The One With the Award
I am absolutely touched beyond words that I received a blog award.
Confession: It's my very first.
I started this blog to reflect on the school year and keep a running of list of things that worked and that I liked as well as things that I should never try again. I never dreamed I would write anything that others would care to read about.
Jena from Caught in the Middle awarded me the Sunshine Award.
Thank you Jena.
Here are the rules for accepting this award:
1. Thank the person who gave this award and write a post about it.
2. Answer the following questions below.
3. And pass the award to 10~12 fabulous bloggers, link their blogs and let them know you awarded them.
The Questions:
1. Favorite Color: Pink
2. Favorite Animal: Owl
3. Favorite Number: 3
4. Favorite Drink:Sweet Tea
5. Facebook or Twitter: Facebook
6. Your Passion: My family
7. Giving or Getting Presents: Both
8. Favorite Day: Sunday
If you are reading this, I would love to offer you this award. Leave a comment letting me know you are accepting the award. I want to make sure and visit your blog.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Kim @ Joy in 6th Grade
Kim,
I got your request for the blockus worksheet, but I don't have your email. Tried with no luck to leave a comment on your blog. Will you please leave a comment with your email address or email it to me. Thanks!
I got your request for the blockus worksheet, but I don't have your email. Tried with no luck to leave a comment on your blog. Will you please leave a comment with your email address or email it to me. Thanks!
Monday, November 7, 2011
The One With Homecoming Day One
It is Homecoming week. I think I love the festivities as much now as I did when I was in high school.
For the past few years it has been my job to help choose the dress up days. I handed it over this year. I am not disappointed in the days chosen.
Monday was my favorite day of the year. Get up and Go Day. I get to wear my pajamas to school! Yay!!!
Of course, I don't really get up and go. I have to apply some make up and brush my hair. :)
Tuesday - Duct Tape Day
Wednesday - Cowboy and Indians Day
Thursday - Baby or Nerd Day
Friday - Red & Black Day
What are you wearing to work?
For the past few years it has been my job to help choose the dress up days. I handed it over this year. I am not disappointed in the days chosen.
Monday was my favorite day of the year. Get up and Go Day. I get to wear my pajamas to school! Yay!!!
Of course, I don't really get up and go. I have to apply some make up and brush my hair. :)
Tuesday - Duct Tape Day
Wednesday - Cowboy and Indians Day
Thursday - Baby or Nerd Day
Friday - Red & Black Day
What are you wearing to work?
Sunday, November 6, 2011
The One With The Wardrobe
The husband and I went shopping last weekend because I felt like I need to extend my wardrobe. It ended up being a disastrous shopping trip, but I did walk away with a new dress from New York and Company. I decided to wear it to school on Monday. Comments were coming my way all day. I hardly ever wear dresses to school. I love dresses and skirts but find it hard to find any that are professional. I wanted to take my picture to remember this rare occasion. That turned into taking picture every day so I could share with you.
Not that you care. I just thought it would be fun. So, here are my outfits from last week.
Monday I wore my new dress. Like I said it is from New York and Company. I got it on sale for $30. My earrings are from Forever 21 and the shoes are from Payless.
We had a field trip on Tuesday, so I was shooting for comfort. My khakis are from Gap Outlet and the shirt is from Old Navy. My shoes are Bobs, Skecher's version of Toms.
Today's outfit comes from Banana Outlet and Gap Outlet. I did quite a bit of school clothes shopping on vacation this year. The t-shirt and cardigan are from Banana. My pants are from Gap and are sooo comfortable. Payless is again the source for shoes. I just can't bring myself to pay a lot for shoes, so I shop at Payless a lot.
I went to bootcamp Wednesday night and was very sore Thursday morning. Therefore, this look was about convenience and comfort. And school spirit of course. My jacket is from Old Navy. I had a friend embroider the cardinal and my name on it. My gray pants are from the Tommy Hilfiger Outlet. Shoes are Toms.
We get to wear jeans on Friday with a school shirt. That pretty much sums it up.
This week is Homecoming week so I will be "dressing up" each day. I plan to share those daily. If I can figure out how to do it, I'm post a linky each day. I would love for you to link up and share your outfits either daily or at the end of the week. I know you won't be dressing up, but that's okay. I'm always curious what other teachers wear.
Not that you care. I just thought it would be fun. So, here are my outfits from last week.
Monday I wore my new dress. Like I said it is from New York and Company. I got it on sale for $30. My earrings are from Forever 21 and the shoes are from Payless.
We had a field trip on Tuesday, so I was shooting for comfort. My khakis are from Gap Outlet and the shirt is from Old Navy. My shoes are Bobs, Skecher's version of Toms.
Today's outfit comes from Banana Outlet and Gap Outlet. I did quite a bit of school clothes shopping on vacation this year. The t-shirt and cardigan are from Banana. My pants are from Gap and are sooo comfortable. Payless is again the source for shoes. I just can't bring myself to pay a lot for shoes, so I shop at Payless a lot.
I went to bootcamp Wednesday night and was very sore Thursday morning. Therefore, this look was about convenience and comfort. And school spirit of course. My jacket is from Old Navy. I had a friend embroider the cardinal and my name on it. My gray pants are from the Tommy Hilfiger Outlet. Shoes are Toms.
We get to wear jeans on Friday with a school shirt. That pretty much sums it up.
This week is Homecoming week so I will be "dressing up" each day. I plan to share those daily. If I can figure out how to do it, I'm post a linky each day. I would love for you to link up and share your outfits either daily or at the end of the week. I know you won't be dressing up, but that's okay. I'm always curious what other teachers wear.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
The One With The Book Recommendations
I found this idea on pinterest. Whipped up my own poster tonight. Hoping the kids go for it. I think I will let my artistic students make the next poster when this one is all full.
The One With Writing and Numbers
I'm still here. Life has been crazy busy. I can't seem to put together a post about what has been going on in my classroom.
In uploading some new things to my TPT store, I realized that I never blogged about an activity that I did in math at the beginning of the year. I must say that I really enjoyed this assignment. I came up with the idea while doing a top ten list on my personal blog.
Students write a short essay about themselves using numbers. I put in requirements such as having three numbers that were not whole numbers. They had to include a number greater than one hundred and a number less than one.
It really required them to be creative. I wrote an example about myself to give them. It is things like converting your height to centimeters instead of feet or inches. It gets them a larger number and gives them practice converting.
All numbers must be written as words which can be challenging for some of them.
I loved reading about my students and getting to know them. It was also an easy way to incorporate literacy into my math class.
This assignment is now for sale in my TPT store. Enjoy!
In uploading some new things to my TPT store, I realized that I never blogged about an activity that I did in math at the beginning of the year. I must say that I really enjoyed this assignment. I came up with the idea while doing a top ten list on my personal blog.
Students write a short essay about themselves using numbers. I put in requirements such as having three numbers that were not whole numbers. They had to include a number greater than one hundred and a number less than one.
It really required them to be creative. I wrote an example about myself to give them. It is things like converting your height to centimeters instead of feet or inches. It gets them a larger number and gives them practice converting.
All numbers must be written as words which can be challenging for some of them.
I loved reading about my students and getting to know them. It was also an easy way to incorporate literacy into my math class.
This assignment is now for sale in my TPT store. Enjoy!