You Oughta Know for October

Hi everyone! I'm linking up with a fabulous group of bloggers again for the You Oughta Know blog hop. Thanks Mrs. McClain for hosting!

This month I'm going to share a few quick tips about ThingLink. ThingLink is my new favorite app, and the possibilities for classroom use are endless! There is an option to create web based accounts for you and your students but for now my class is just using the app to share our creations with each other.

For an example my class decided to create a "thing" about pumpkins. You can choose to use an image already saved or a new one.

There are four choices for adding media to your image.

Your image can be as interactive as you'd like. I've always called the circles pulse points or dots, not sure what the official name is! 

We discussed some pumpkin facts as a class and added them to our image. You'll notice the dots will look different based on what content you add. The writing part was fun, but what my kids loved the most was adding videos.

Before my students add a YouTube video they know I must approve it. I'm hoping the creators of ThingLink can somehow add safety features so students don't accidentally stumble upon something they shouldn't.

We were able to find a student friendly video that showed how to carve faces on a pumpkin.

How cool would this app be for a research project? You can also save a public ThingLink created by someone else if you'd like. I've discovered some amazing ones created by other teachers. I'm presenting a PD session for my district next month, and this app is at the top of the list to share.

An InLinkz Link-up

TEXAS Size Link Up

Hi everyone! I'm linking up with The Little Ladybug Shop, Planet Happy Smiles, and more fabulous teachers for a big 'ol Texas size link up! Get ready for lots of inspiration, organization, tips, and of course some fabulous classroom swag! 

Since I've returned from Vegas, I've been working like a mad woman giving products in my store much needed face lifts. Do you love giveaways as much as I do? I'm excited to have a little giveaway for the link up!

One amazing and very much deserving teacher is going to get $25 credit to my TpT store! Since returning from Vegas I've been working like a mad woman revamping products! My personal favorite products I've redone are Fluency With a Twist.....

and the QR Code Coin Challenge.

Enter the giveaway below, then visit all the other wonderful bloggers for more to help you get ready for back to school! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You Oughta Know

Happy Saturday friends! I'm excited to link up again for another month of...

Thanks Jasmine for hosting one of the best blog hops around!

Today I've got a quick and easy app you may not be familiar with. Think of Tap Roulette  as the techified version of rock, paper, scissors.

Kids can't agree on who goes first playing a game? Your team can't decide on who will pick where to eat during the oh so fabulous extended lunch during staff development? Tap Roulette to the rescue! The app automatically picks someone for you. Everyone places one finger somewhere on the iPad, press pick finger, and voila! No more kids wasting time over who gets to go first. Who doesn't love free apps that are easy? 

An InLinkz Link-up

You Oughta Know About...

Happy Saturday friends! I'm excited to join Jasmine again from Buzzing With Mrs. McClain for another month of...

This month I think you oughta know about VolunteerSpot. I have a fabulous group of techified parents this year, and use VolunteerSpot to organize Friday afternoon help.

Creating a free account is easy. Simply click on create new sign up when you're ready to begin.

Customize the sign up to best fit your needs. I need Friday afternoon help, so I always choose multiple days. I choose not to have participants see who else has signed up.

Enter your information and what information you want from parents.

Now you're ready to create dates and times.

You're able to add new "spots" to whatever dates you choose.

At this stage, you're now ready to invite participants in a variety of ways.

I've always preferred a shareable link that can be sent in an email.

Another great feature of Volunteer Spot is choosing what updates you receive and how often. Participants can get a reminder email when it's close to their volunteer sign up date.

An InLinkz Link-up

You Ought Know About Learning Spaces

Happy Saturday friends! I hope your weekend is all kinds of fabulous! I'm thrilled to participate in my very first blog hop this month with Jasmine over at Buzzing With Mrs. McClain.

Last year I started implementing learning spaces with my minis, and let me tell you it's been one of the best changes I've made. I'm a huge advocate of movement in the classroom. If our minis aren't getting the nourishment and oxygen they need for their brains we can't expect them to learn. Nourishment and oxygen will only happen with activity, not sitting in a chair all day in a lecture type environment. I'm so passionate about this subject I could ramble on, but I won't! On to the blog post...

This is what my classroom looks like at least a few times a day.

There used to be an extra bookshelf where those ottomans now are, but I wanted that area to be more effective. 

With the exception of taking tests, I allow students to choose their learning space with clear expectations. Students know learning spaces are a privilege, and if they choose not to make good choices that privilege is lost. 

This is our listening lounge which I originally intended only to be used during listening station but now is a popular area in the classroom. 

I was so scared the first time I tried learning spaces that it would only cause chaos. When everyone is in their preferred learning space it's so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I also make sure there are plenty of clipboards to go around so time isn't wasted looking for a flat surface to write on.

I'm hoping to add more pillows and some bean bags to my room this year. I wish I weren't so picky about what I wanted and it'd get done a lot quicker. 

An InLinkz Link-up