Technology Tip: Wallwishing

I was introduced to Wallwisher last year.  It is basically a wall (bulletin board) where you can share, collaborate and have everyone participate at the same time. You can add videos, music, URLs...

We read a book in class about a brave sheep. Then we visited the computer lab, where I posted an entry : How can you show braveness? Students started entering their responses.  You can see their responses appear as soon as they hit enter.  It is quite "cool".

* You are going to have to imagine the next step (the actual wall), because I do not know how to take a screen picture.

So...I borrowed some images from the WWW for you :)





Here are some ideas on how to use it in the classroom :
- Show students a cover of the cover and they share their predictions.
- Book recommendations
- Math explanations (Why, How do you know?): Students respond to a math question.
- Brainstorm writing topics
- Suggestions for the classroom library
- Author Study: Students share their favorite book
- Great Beginnings
- Word Choice: What are some other words we could use instead of...?

Happy Wallwishing!

Must- Have, Blogging and Turning 36 :)

This is my third week of school and I am still running around like a crazy person.  My to do list is disappearing s-l-o-w-l-y. Common Core, data collection, lesson plans, behavior issues, conferences, meetings, more data collection... are killing me!

Which brings me to my question:  How do you decide when to post? I get ideas, I take pictures and then suddenly run out of time! 

I turn 36 today. I was born at midnight, so I am 35 for at least 4 more hours.   I woke up to a nice card with gift cards to Kohl's and Target from my kids and the Mr..  My kids in the classroom brought beautiful cards, gift cards (Starbucks and Target), Skippy JonJones books, Skippy blank cards, Laffy taffy, cupcakes and a beautiful bracelet. I felt spoiled...and loved :)

Time for Some Blog Hoppin': Can't wait to see what you must have!

Happy Monday,

Meet My Class

I have twenty one students this year (so far) and they are so super cute. 13 boys and 8 girls...need to say more? :)

Since I work at a year round school, there is no need to do a lot of get to know activities, because they know each other pretty well.  The kids are grouped in tracks were there are two classrooms per track. Each year the classes change a little bit, but for the most part everyone knows everyone.

You have seen those classroom bingo games, right? The ones were they are to find someone who...  Well, I did just that.  I found someone who loves to eat chicken wings, someone who has freckles, someone who has a pet, etc.

Meet My Class :)

Told you they were cute... I mean adorable!

Last week was our first week of school and we were busy! I finished my first set of assessments (AIMS Web) and this week my goal is to complete some running records. Wish me luck!

August Currently and New (School) Year Resolutions

August is my birthday month, and Farley is hosting a Bigotes (Mustache) linky along with her fabulous Currently.

ALSO...

I have always been very goal oriented and this is a super cool way of sharing my goals.  Amanda (Teaching Maddeness) is helping me stay accountable :)

Resolution number one:
Finding balance between home and school. I'd love to spend more time with my family and work a little less. I want to be able to leave school with nothing but my purse. I am one of those workaholics.
How do you find balance? It's been 8 years and I can't seem to be able to do it.

Resolution number two:
I have implemented Daily Five for a year and a half. This year I would love to add CAFE. My goal is to have Daily Five, CAFE and Writer's Workshop create a group of lifelong readers, writers and thinkers.

Resolution number three:
Learn, familiarize, and implement Common Core as best I can with all the amazing resources available.

Resolution number four:
Find the time to blog about my classroom life and share what I can with all my amazing followers. I have learned so much from others and I would love to pay it forward.

Resolution number five:
Let it go!  I need to learn to let things go...