the VERY BEST iPad Storage EVER

iPad instruction is one of the best parts of my job, Be good to yourself and do not get stuck in an elevator with me and bring up 1:1. Be wise and don't join a Tech Advisory committee with me - I go a lot crazy when we go there.

This week, getting back into the building, I have been reminded just how much EXTRA work goes into iPad instruction. Especially that August prep groundwork so your teachers can jump and go.

Our Third grade teacher took on 1:1 instruction mid year last year and I was IMPRESSED with her flexibility and the learning that happened in that class. This week she did it again for sure.

Anyone who works with more than three iPads in a class knows how unwieldy, and space consuming iPad storage is. Not to mention expensive.

My teacher pulled out one of the cardboard mailboxes that every building has piled up and put it to use! Holes were drilled in each compartment (through the back) and the wires were strung to the charging units.

Teachers are amazing. I saw another Teacher this afternoon walking down the hall with an old mailbox and I hope she is doing the same thing. This unit puts the iPads at kids' height, it puts the charging and maintenance responsibility literally at their level.

This did not cost a dime. This Teacher already had the strip cords. Last year she stored the iPads using dishracks which is not a bad idea but I LOVE the reimaged mailbox!!!!

What Should Happen in a 1:1 iPad Classroom

Third ULTIMATE Bulletin Board Collection in ONE PLACE

WOW! I get it, I totally do. My Bulletin Board Posts are BY FAR my most popular. Here we go, I have pulled together the best bulletin boards from all over the web IN ONE PLACE.

There are soooo many beautiful boards everywhere but when I choose boards I have very specific criteria:

 A board must make maximum impact with minimum words.

Can I recreate this quickly? I have a central board in the school and change frequently.

Is this current and of interest to KIDS?

When possible I have cited the origin of all boards. If yours is here and I haven't given you credit PLEASE let me know so I can fix that.

FOR MORE INSPIRATION

CHECK OUT THE FIRST COLLECTION OF BULLETIN BOARDS

AND THE SECOND!

 www.mrsstembrarian.blogspot.com

 Anderson Branch Library Lincoln, Nebraska

via Colette Cassinelli Flickr

 Busy Miss B www.beulauhdj.blogspot.com

www.literaryhoots.com 

www.literaryhoots.com

 www.flourescentbeigeblog.com

TPACK Deconstructed in 3 Minutes

This summer I had the opportunity to do some Tech work with a progressive school district. One of the assignments I was given was to create a 3 minute video presentation on TPACK geared toward school administrators.

Each year our teachers get busier and more is asked of them. Each year technology changes, improves and seeps more into our kids' lives. I have noticed that each year more teachers resist technology (understandably so). This presentation is aimed to help teachers understand TPACK and help us understand TPACK as tech support specialists. When we understand the best methodology to apply successful tech our teachers' success skyrockets.

Best App to Intro Coding

We went through a TON of resources in December as we tackled the Hour of Code. Before we return to school I am sifting through what worked, what wasn't great, what we will use again. At the top of the  Use Again list is Cargo-Bot, a FREE APP from Two Lives Left. There is a .99 version available and I have not used that so I can not speak to any improvements or advantages that offers. The free version kept Coders of ALL ages engaged and productive.

It is interesting to note that Cargo-Bot was created entirely ON an iPad using the App Codea. Codea is available in the App store for a 14.99 fee and is hailed as the "Garage Band" of coding.

Cargo-Bot is not new but I have found it to be more effective than many Apps out there. In a striking visual way CB breaks down the process of Coding. There are instant consequences when you don't think through your problem solving.CB also introduces the language of Coding along with the thought process.

Educator Protectiveness Plan - The Best Three Essential Oils for Your Healthy School Year

As a family, we have been using essential oils for a few years. My youngest daughter has asthma and oils brought relief when nothing else did, and our use grew from there. It is fair to say that essential oils are a weekly if not daily part of our lives.

As a staff we have been using essential oils just this year. The uses are endless and the effectiveness is amazing (each time)! It is easy to become overwhelmed so I put together this easy gift pack for educators interested in essential oils. Could I add and add and add? Of COURSE! But I reflected for some time and came back to these three essential oils.

We go through some Frankincense. I consider this a universal oil and effective by itself or when combined. No list or group would be complete without Frankincense.

Thaves - or Four Thieves, as it most commonly known. I can NOT begin to communicate how much I love this oil. Cooties coming? Thaves. Caught the Cooties? Thaves. In my house this is mixed with Lemon in a gelcap and given every other day to my daughter with asthma. My daughter in college applies her topically when she feels something coming on.

Clary Sage. Before I begin, this image came directly from Edens Garden. I purchase all of my oils directly from Edens Garden and have been thrilled with the quality, service and prices they offer. I can not get behind multi level marketing and paying three times the amount for a middle man. Click on the link above to go directly to Edens Garden (there is no compensation from EG for this post).

OK, Clary Sage - in my building we are 99% women and this is known as the Women's Oil for good reason. The infograph mentions many uses but it does NOT mention that Clary Sage lets you get a good night's sleep INSTEAD of waking up dripping in sweat. When I apply Clary Sage to the bottom of my feet before bed I sleep through the night. When I wake up I may be sweaty but I slept through the night and we all know that when we don't sleep not only do we suffer but our classes do also.

As I mentioned, there are many other Oils I use throughout the week but I felt that this trio is a great start for someone new to Oils.

Design Thinking Process - Free Downloads!

 We use Design Thinking almost every day as I am sure most schools and teachers do. What is new for us is naming the process. The process is intuitive and it's fun to hear a 2nd grader say "Ideate".

Click on the link above to download the whole set of stars I created to make a bulletin board so we can all become familiar with Design Thinking and each step.