Hour of Code December 8-14, 2014

As a classroom teacher and tech enthusiast I can not wait to celebrate the Hour of Code.  I am not saying I do not teach my students coding throughout the year it just means I love to make it is a celebration!  Any time you can celebrate students learning it is a perfect moment!

http://hourofcode.com/us

I would love if you share your favorite site or app!
Thank you!

This is a Kahoot!

Looking for something new to get students involved with your lesson using their own handheld device or a device they use in school?

Looking for a way to see if students understand a concept you just taught?

Looking for some great ways to have your students start a discussion, complete a survey, or give a quiz?

Well, look no further!

KAHOOT!

https://getkahoot.com/

Kahoot is a game - based classroom response system which is prefect for all levels.

I teach 2nd grade and my students love Kahoot!  I also teach at the college level and will be using it with them as well.  Everyone can benefit from this great response system.  

You can set up an account for FREE and students do not need an account so it is perfect for the elementary level.

You can complete the process in a couple of easy steps.

1. You just project your discussion, quiz, or survey on your SMARTboard or whiteboard.
2. The students log onto kahoot.it , they are asked to enter the game-pin, then they enter a nickname and wait for you to begin.  
3. You press begin and the first question appears on the SMARTboard and students answer on their device.  

It is fantastic and quick!  You can go back later and look at the results!

There are some terrific tutorials on youtube if additional information is needed!

Take some time to check out Kahoot!
  

My Excitement about August 5th, 2014....The Bats are coming again!!!!

Bats In The Band

Written and Illustrated by Brian Lies

Houghton Mifflin Co., 2014

ISBN 978-0-544-10569-0

Available to Pre-Order at Amazon

I placed my order on June 18th, 2014

I can not wait to share this new book with my students in September!  I have not even seen this book in person but if it is anything like his other three, it will be a hit in my classroom!

As you can see from my previous post I am a HUGE Brian Lies Fan!  

http://happy2teach-myblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/more.html

Brian Lies has three additional Bats' Books: 

Bats At The Beach

Bats At The Library

Bats At The Ballgame

Along with an extensive list of books which he has illustrated.

I proudly have these books displayed in my classroom along with a stuffed bat! My students can not wait for their turn to read with the bat and they even try to recruit a couple of students to listen to them read.  This is what makes teaching so incredible, the opportunity to see students excited about reading!

I also enjoy visiting Brian Lies' Website because there are wonderful activities which go along with his books!  Take time to check it out!

As a side note - My pup looks like the bats with his big ears :)

Waiting for my delivery from Amazon :)

Great Joy

Do you ever wonder why you became a teacher? Why do you spend the countless hours at home differentiating your lesson so that your students understand the concept you are trying to teach?  And why once a lesson is over you sit and think of how you can change and make that lesson better?  

Then it hits you! 

POW!!!!

The student who is smiling from ear to ear because they are so proud of what they wrote!  

Or the student who is so excited because they reached the correct answer in math!  

Or the student who just stood in front of the class and read an entire book with confidence and then the class gives them a standing ovation!

This was my day today!  Watching my students succeed and overcome obstacles is why I do what I do every day!