#SpEdChatSaturday August 1st

Welcome to our 2nd #SpEdChatSaturday Event!  Thank you to the wonderful collaborators from last week's blogger Back to School link-up.  A HUGE thank you goes to Ashley (Latte-Lessons-IEPS) for hosting! Yay!

This week we will be joining forces to create an eBook with ideas for using Google to enhance our special education instruction, student engagement, data collection, student and paraprofessional management, and the list goes on... As we continue to nurture our #SpEdTribe PLC, please consider what knowledge you have regarding Google (Drive, Docs, Forms, Slides, YouTube, etc.)_ that can help others in their special education journey.  

I encourage you to email or comment with questions, suggestions, etc. :)  I'll be on Google Hang-Outs (message) tomorrow morning, August 1st, from 10:00-10:30 CST to talk with anyone about this event! 

Please view the images below to understand the expectations for our eBook and to check out my example.  

Happy Google-ing! :)  Visit the PDF link here.

MY EXAMPLE PDF WITH CLICKABLE LINKS TO EVERYTHING

"Back to School Tip" Link-Up

My "Back to School" tip is based on setting yourself up for a great year with parents. The first week, Open House, Curriculum Night, etc. are very important events for getting off on the right foot with the parents you'll be with for the next 9-12 months.  I have a top 10 list of great ways to facilitate positive family communication, so when you must address tricky issues, you already have a great relationship going!

Top 10 Ways to Communicate Positively With Parents

1. Class Newsletter- Email a newsletter (or send a hard copy) home each week with lots of pictures and brief descriptions of the ongoings of the week.  Kids can write the articles too!  
2. Class Blog- Set it up, add pictures and short captions, and have kids write the posts. :) 
3. Friday Folder- Send home all papers on the same day.  Cut yourself some slack on grading homework immediately and save time at the end of each school day.
4. Class Twitter Account- Have your kiddos tweet and share your handle with parents.  They love connecting throughout the day! (Follow all school policies and get permission from parents.)
5. Send home notes before the year starts.  S"nail Mail" a little postcard sharing how excited you are to meet/see each and every student!
6. Create take-home information brochures for Open House/Curriculum Night.  It's a lot to take in during those nights, so share all the important stuff in a little take-home for parents to look over later.
7. Homeroom App- This is like a private Twitter with members being invite-only.  You can send out reminders and send out photos knowing parents will get a notification.  You can also set it up with kids!
8. Conference Form- Send home a form asking for questions or concerns prior to the conference.  Request kids bring back the forms before the conference, so you are prepared and can dodge surprises.
9. Mystery Readers- Each week, have a mystery reader (parent) visit class and surprise the students.  Have a sign-up for this ongoing event at your Open House/Curriculum Night.  Be specific on the timing, so parents know when to arrive and when to leave.
10. Be open, be reachable, be kind. Be a person who parents feel happy to leave their children with for the majority of their year.  Stand outside before school, chat after school on the playground, make the positive phone call home, join the PTA.  You in person are the best form of positive communication.  Show up with a smile. :)

    

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    Thanks for checking out my "Back to School Tip" through PopIntoPrimary!  Click on the link below to head back to the link-up!
    

    

Back to School Countdown: #SpedChatBTS

Thank you to the fabulous Ashley Sanchez for organizing our very first #SpedChatSaturday blogger link-up!  Our topic is BTS, so I hope you read, join in, and share with our little community of educators!

Oh my, lots of serious work to do in the next month!  Thankfully, we don't start back until late August!  Please share any ideas you have on #5- welcome kids for aides!  Any must-haves?  Check out some of my behavior plans in my TPT store.  Also, I made SMART Goals in Google Slides for my middle schoolers.

These are ideas I've "borrowed" from Pinterest!  Click on the image to check out other ideas in my "Classroom Organization" Pinterest page.! :) I'm in love with black and brights... Anyone have an opinion on whether or not the brights are too stimulating for kiddos who struggle with attention?

These wishes are for students, teachers, myself, my family.... all of the above! A major goal of mine is to be a role model in jumpstarting these characteristics for those around me. More co-teaching and collab, less lonely lesson planning! Here's a lesson plan template for differentiation based on assessment for co-teaching lesson planning. 

I can busy myself for DAYS during planning time.... rearranging desk, checking email, getting coffee, chatting, and the list goes on. This year it is my MISSION to use that time to save my sanity on nights and weekends. :)  Does anyone have any tips for accomplishing this?? I made progress monitoring organizational docs ahead of time this year, major time-saver!

Often times, people (myself included) just need that little boost, those few words of encouragement to have a positive outlook, try something new, or have the courage to stand up for what they believe in.  It is my promise to my students, colleagues, friends, family, and myself to encourage and support at all times. :)

Thanks for visiting the #SpedTribe link-up! I look forward to hearing your comments and advice. :)

Head on back to the Link-Up to check out more great ideas!

"Fun Friday" Link-Up

 Topic: Lego Robotics

I'm excited to share with you an after-school extra curricular course for elementary students that was offered at my school last year... Lego Robotics!  I was able to help (and by "help" I really mean learn alongside) the kiddos as they build running cars, monsters, and other creative contraptions.  It was so fun to see kids, who may struggle in class, shine in this area!  My goal for next year is to find a way to get more girls to sign up and build and program robots with Legos!  I'd love to hear any ideas from you regarding how to get more girls involved in STEM/Lego Robotics. :) Thanks!

Kids first built the robot then programmed it by writing a code on the computer.

This activity facilitated cooperative learning, problem solving, and perseverance. 

Thanks for checking out my "Fun" post!  Click the link below for more Fun Friday ideas! :)

Lots of Love,

"Throwback Thursday"

My "Throwback Thursday" topic is a community service project my class undertook two years ago when I taught 3rd grade.  The kiddos in my class were always bothered that there was no public library in town, so they decided to do something about it! 

We made a Little Free Library! 

Here's an example of a LFL with a door, roof, and post.
LFLs should be placed in a high foot-traffic area like a park or playground. 

Our fabulous librarian had the idea, and we put it into action.  In short, a Little Free Library is an oversized birdhouse that is home to books.  It is set out near a sidewalk/street for community members to visit.  To begin, it must be filled with books to share.  The check-out policy is based on the motto: "Take a Book, Leave a Book."  People come visit, donate a book as they take one home.  

 Students brainstormed ideas for a location around the school, connected with other LFL owners on Twitter, and shared responsibilities on a Google Doc.  With the generosity of a parent, our library was built and ready for service by the end of the year!  We received donations from school families for books to get us rolling.

Many are painted to match the type of books they contain or geographic location.

If you're looking for a motivating, low-budget community service project, I highly recommend making a Little Free Library!  

Thanks for linking-up with me!  Click the Freebielicious icon below to check out other #TBT posts! 

"Wonderful Idea Wednesday" Link-Up

My "Wonderful Idea": Flipping Class Content Lessons into Shareable Google Slides

I've dabbled with "flipping lessons" for a couple of years now, and I've decided to dive in this year with my 6th grade resource class.  My working definition of a "flipped lesson" is one that provides the content for students to learn where they choose, how they choose, and provides them the freedom to take breaks, ask questions, backtrack, etc.  I'm using the University of Kansas Writing Strategies program, and I'm in the process of converting the material into Google Slides.  Doing this will allow us to use class time for working, creating, and problem solving!  Here are a few screenshots of my work in progress.

I'm planning on addd some videos and voice to my slides... Students can also comment with questions or ideas at home, study hall, etc. 

Thanks for checking out my "wonderful idea"! I'd love to hear about your use of Google and/or flipped classroom lessons! :) 

Check out other linked-up bloggers here!

"Tell Us About You" Tuesday

Our wedding day :) 

 

Hello!  Thanks for reading!

Vacationing with my hubby

I'm Emily, a K-6th special education teacher and math interventionist.  I'm going into my 6th year of teaching, and I have taught kindergarten, 3rd, and 5th in the past.  I love special education because I get to know my students more personally and each day is unpredictable and a fresh start!  I'm currently working on my masters degree in Educational Technology.  I'll graduate in November! 

I am lucky to be teaching in my dream school, married to my best friend, and call myself mom to 2 fur babies.  I am beyond blessed to teach with inspiring, intelligent people each day. :) 

My husband and I have been married almost 2 years, are new homeowners, and parents to a cat and a puppy.  I love my little family. We recently ran our first 10K in Chicago, traveled to the East Coast, and will be competing in a RibFest this weekend. :) 

Charlie, love of my life

We survived the Rock n Roll 10k!

As a professional, I have recently started blogging, Instagramming, and opened a TPT store. After 5 years of teaching, I decided I needed a fresh start and a way to connect with all the fabulous, inspiring educators out there. One of my passions in education is technology... I LOVE Google and all things techy, nerdy, whatever you call it. :) Check out our Google+ Community ongoing event #SpedChatSaturday collaborative team and join in on the fun!

Google Site Professional Portfolio-Danielson

TPT Product 

Thank you for reading this brief snapshot of me!  I'd love the hear comments and/or gain you as a follower on Bloglovin'   

Click on the Freebielicious icon to head back to the link-up!

"Must Have Monday" Link-Up

I'm joining in on my very first Link-Up with Freebielicious!

As a special education teacher, there are three main areas where I have some "Must Haves" to share for Back to School: for my students, aides, and myself.  Here we go! 

1. For my students... Smelly Pencils and Osmo!  

• The smelly pencils seem never to get old for motivation, to change things up, or just to make kiddos smile.  I use these for many different purposes, and I have yet to meet a student who doesn't get at least a little bit excited about a grape, bubblegum, blueberry, etc. smelling pencil!  
• Oh, how I love the OSMO... :) The Osmo is an add-on device for the iPad.  The students can manipulate tangrams, practice spelling (with letter cards), work on physics skills with the "Newton" app, and draw "Masterpieces" with the art app.  The Osmo is a tool for academics, motivation, and fun! 

2. For aides... Google forms and Starbucks gift cards!

• I use Google forms to collect student data, gather observational information, and total things like time spent on interventions and student behavior plan points.  I've found Google forms to be a simple way to manage data coming from multiple people. Make sure to include training for aides during your BTS inservice!  Using Google has saved us time, and now we can spend face-to-face time problem-solving for students! 
• As we all know, everyday isn't always the easiest or most rewarding.  So I always keep extra Starbucks gift cards and notes handy for whenever anyone needs a little cheer (and coffee) in their life.

3. As for me... My phone and iPad are my lifelines! 

• As I move throughout multiple classrooms and meetings throughout each day, I NEED an on-the-go schedule, timer, email, etc. device.  I've gained so much time and energy from the efficiency of on the go data gathering using Google Drive, ideas from Instagram, reading on my Kindle app, connecting on Twitter, and student progress with the sand timer app.
• Next year, I'm going to begin using Homeroom with my 6th grade resource class.  My sister, a 3rd grade teacher, uses it as a private Twitter feed to communicate with parents and share photos and reminders throughout the day and has received so much positive feedback from parents, administrators, and students.  I'll share out my experiences with it in the school year! 

Thank you for checking out my "Must Haves" for Back to School 2015! 

Click on the Freebielicious Icon to check out others' ideas

1st Post: WHY I'm Blogging

Well, here we go!

One of My Blogging Inspirations

I have finally sat down to write my first blog post.  This post has been intimidating me for weeks, as I have been running through ideas and long rambling posts in my head. As I develop as a new blogger, I need to begin with my purpose and I have pinpointed major goals for myself in this journey. Influences for me include the countless inspiring teacher blogs out there that I have been "lurking" on for years and most recently, a book by Starr Sackstein in the Corwin Connected Educators Series" books called "Blogging for Educators--Writing for Professional Learning".  Much of what you'll read next in my "WHY" section has been borrowed/adapted/found in this book.
THANK YOU for being a part of my learning network, as you are reading this blog and joining me in this journey! :)

WHY I'm Here 
In short: I'm Here for my Students and Myself.
1. Reflection- Throughout my first 5 years of teaching (K, 3rd, 5th, and now special education) I have had "REFLECT" on my to-do list every single year.  Now I am finally REALLY going to purposefully reflect, using this blog as my outlet, a home for my thoughts, and a tool to better identify my strengths and weaknesses.  In turn, I will, hopefully, be a better teacher for my students and they will reap the rewards of my improved instruction and practices!

2. Connection- As any human, I long to connect with others.  I am inspired and excited by relating to others, sharing ideas, encouraging, and being supported. I am the sole elementary special educator in my district, and I heavily rely on my digital connections to help me learn and grow.  Thank you, in advance, for your support! :)

3. Growth- As Starr Sackstein introduces "Blogging for Educators", "Generating an online space to openly share ideas and reflections richens the complete education experience." (p.1)  I know there is more to gain and experience as a teacher beyond the classroom, colleagues, and students (while I love them so!).  I am here, blogging, to grow as a professional and personally.  Through creating my own voice online, I hope to become a deeper, more thoughtful educator and person.

Just as I'm "here for my students and myself", I hope you're here for yourself, growing and connecting online and can join me in this journey for growth as 21st century educators.  I hope you're here for those kiddos you teach everyday, the ones who deserve a teacher who is connected and constantly looking to improve.

Sackstein strongly recommends ending each blog post with a question or challenge, so... WHY are you here?  WHAT are your goals as a #TeacherBlogger?

Lots of Love,