Make It Monday: Felt Christmas Stockings

As educators, we all need an activity that is good for our soul.  One that we can create and express ourselves while escaping from the day-to-day routines of lesson planning, scheduling, discipline, parent meetings, etc.

I have recently taken up sewing.  Specifically, I sew felt Christmas stockings.  All work is done by hand.  Personally, I use kits created by Bucilla.  The stockings I have made each have a significance.  

My first, Christmas Baby, for my first granddaughter, Stella

My second, Santa Paws, in memory of our Sheltie, Snoopy, and in honor of our Bichon, Chevy

I am currently working on Pawfect Gift.  I'll share it with you once I am finished.

I urge you to use this time of social distancing to take up a hobby.  Find one that you enjoy while allowing to calm your mind and soul.

~Cara

COVID-19 and School Restructuring

“Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”-Proverbs 4:13

Teachers, I know that the message of school closure for the remainder of the school year, although anticipated, reaches your core. You love your students. You wish the best for your students. You worry about your students. You miss your colleagues. You miss your work. You are and always will be a teacher. Yes, it will look different, be different, and feel different for a while. Pray daily for your students. Pray daily for the parents. Pray for one another. Pray for our local and state leaders. We don’t know what the future holds, and there are some big decisions to make.

Let’s use this time to support one another. There is no need for political bashing. Take time to call or text one another. Write letters. Continue learning a new hobby or skill. Make plans for bigger and better next school year. We’ve got this!

~Cara

Let's Build Our PLN

Image from https://www.thebalancesmb.com/what-is-social-media-2890301.

Blogging has been on hold... OK.  I haven't posted in two years! One goal I have for 2020 is to be more intentional in my professional online presence.  Connecting with members of my professional learning network (PLN) has proven to provide some of the greatest professional growth and learning opportunities.  I have "met" many educators who have made an impact on my leadership and instruction.

Feel free to follow me at the links below.  Add your social media accounts in the comments, so we can grow together.

https://twitter.com/WhiteheadsClass
https://www.pinterest.com/whiteheadsclass/
https://sites.google.com/view/cwhitehead/home
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-cara-whitehead-89741542
https://www.youtube.com/user/cjwteach
https://www.facebook.com/Teaching-My-Calling-260520777320839/

Happy posting!

~Cara

Canva

One of my favorite websites is Canva.  Canva is an online graphic design program that uses a drag and drop feature to create stunning, professional fliers, social media posts, announcements, etc.  

I am by no means creative.  Using Canva, I have been able to create designs such as the following to promote activities within our school system.  Although some parts of Canva are paid, the following were all free.

Take a look at Canva, and see what you think.  I know you'll love it!

~Cara

ISTE 2018

I have the elite honor of speaking at the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Conference in Chicago July 2018.  While there, I will be presenting two sessions.

• Are We Advocating or Educating? Social Media Guidelines for Students —As we implemented 1:1 in our schools, it was necessary to establish social media guidelines for our students. Follow our creation from beginning to end of our board-approved social media guidelines to educate our students on acceptable use. This presentation is scheduled for Monday, June 25, 2:00–4:00 pm CDT.

• Teachers' Perceptions of Their Administrators' Influence on Technology Use in the Classroom —Based on the 2009 ISTE Standards for Administrators, this study determined the technological leadership qualities that teachers perceived as most critical, most important, and most influential on their daily integration of technology into instruction. The presenter will give the results of the study and ways to improve those leadership competencies. This session is based on my dissertation research.  This presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 26, 10:15–11:15 am CDT.

For more information regarding ISTE 2018, please visit https://conference.iste.org/2018/.

~Cara

Google Certified Trainer

In November 2017, I received word that I had become a Google for Education Certified Trainer.  A Google for Education Certified Trainer "supports educators as they redefine learning with technology."

Visit my Google for Education Certified Trainer profile at https://edudirectory.withgoogle.com/en/profile/ccfa3ac6ba8281caf32537153b3b2b68.  Feel free to contact me through the form on the right of that screen.

Below is my Google for Education Certified Trainer application video.  In this video, I showed users how to create a Venn Diagram in Google Drawings and how to embed pictures and text.

I look forward to sharing my Google journey with you!

~Cara

Favorite Website: Science4Us

What is Science4Us?

Science4Us is an exciting and interactive online science curriculum for grades K-2. Science4Us is standards-based and inclusive of the Common Core State standards in Math and Language Arts. It also inclusive of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Teachers and students are guided through animated lessons, songs, games and cross-curricular activities in a sequence developed using the 5E Instructional Model: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. Embedded professional development provides teachers with the opportunity to review content, common student misconceptions, math and literature integration, and best practices as needed. Implementation is easy; there are no materials to order or software to download. All of the lessons, games, hands-on activities and teacher support materials are accessed digitally. Delivery of Science4Us is flexible. The curriculum can be delivered as a whole class using a single computer and projector, in small groups at centers, or individually with students logging in at school or home. The Science4Us curriculum covers traditional physical, life, Earth and space science content in a way that is designed to keep today’s digital natives engaged.  

For more information, visit http://www.science4us.com/.

~Cara

I have used VocabularySpellingCity with the students in my classroom for over six years. In fact, my entire school now has premium memberships for every teacher. Students take their weekly spelling tests online after practicing their words by playing the games at home and at school. They love the iPad app. Each child has his/her own username and password, so he/she has direct access to the site from any Internet-enabled device. I was so impressed with the site and how it affected student learning that I shared it through various social media platforms. I am now compensated to work with VocabularySpellingCity after school as a social media consultant.  Science4Us is a sister site to VocabularySpellingCity.

How to Edit a PowerPoint in Google Drive

Can a PowerPoint be edited on a Chromebook and opened on a desktop computer.  The answer is YES! 

1.  Download the PowerPoint needed.  

2.  Open drive.google.com, and log in with your Google account.

3.  Click the red box labeled NEW at the top left of the screen.

4.  Choose GOOGLE SLIDES.

5.  Select CANCEL on the CHOOSE A THEME screen.

6.  Select FILE.  Then, choose IMPORT SLIDES.

7.  On the screen that pops up, select UPLOAD at the top.  Click the blue box labeled SELECT A FILE FROM YOUR COMPUTER.  

8.  Select the PowerPoint you downloaded.

9.  Once it finishes uploading, next to SELECT SLIDES on the top right, choose ALL and then IMPORT SLIDES.

10.  You can now click the slides on the left that you do not want and delete with the delete button on your computer.  It automatically saves your changes.  

11.  Where it says UNTITLED PRESENTATION at the top, click on it and rename it to the PowerPoint name.

12.  When you get ready to use the presentation, log back into drive.google.com on your desktop computer.  You will see the presentation in the list of files.  Click the PRESENT button at the top right to make it full screen.  

~Cara

Make It Monday: Pecan Pie Bark

I love to bake for others.  I want people to know that I appreciate them.  By making something homemade, they usually feel the extra effort in order to make them feel special.  However, I don't always have time to bake.  The following recipe is one of my favorite quick fixes.  It is easy to make, easy to travel, and easy to store.  There is no refrigeration required.

Pecan Pie Bark

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (Chop into large pieces.)
• 2-3 sleeves of honey graham crackers (I prefer dollar store brand because they are often thinner and crisper.)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Line a cookie sheet with foil.
3. Place graham crackers tightly onto cookie sheet.  You may need to trim some of the crackers to fit.  Do not break the larger pieces apart.  Leave them whole.
4. In a saucepan, melt the butter and sugar to a boil over medium heat.  Stir continuously for approximately 3 minutes.
5. Stir in chopped pecans.
6. Carefully pour the mixture over the graham crackers.  Spread it as evenly as you can.
7. Place the pan in the oven.  Bake for approximately 8 minutes.  Watch them carefully not to burn.
8. Cool completely, and then, break into pieces.
9. Store in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

~Cara

Favorite Websites: VocabularySpellingCity

We all look for great websites to use with the students in our classrooms.  As the instructional partner for an elementary school, I get the joy of visiting all classrooms on a regular basis.  This allows me to see and hear from teachers, students, and parents what their favorites resources are.  Overwhelmingly, one of the favorites at my school is VocabularySpellingCity.

VocabularySpellingCity is an award-winning, game-based learning program for vocabulary, spelling, phonics, writing, and language arts that gives you the ability to use any word list with more than 35 learning activities, assessments, and games.  Districts, schools, and families use K12 educational service worldwide with more than 5 million active students.  The site correlates with educational standards, including Common Core, state, and international.  There are also apps for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices available.  Be sure to visit http://www.spellingcity.com/teacher-resources.html featuring premade word lists and lessons.  My favorite part is the precreated lists for our new reading series.  My teachers simply have to import the lists into their accounts.  No need for them to spend time entering the words. 

For Back to School, VocabularySpellingCity is offering a free trial of their Premium Membership.  Visit http://www.spellingcity.com/teachers-overview.html for more information.  Give it a try, and let me know what you think.

~Cara

I have used VocabularySpellingCity with the students in my classroom for over six years. In fact, my entire school now has premium memberships for every teacher. Students take their weekly spelling tests online after practicing their words by playing the games at home and at school. They love the iPad app. Each child has his/her own username and password, so he/she has direct access to the site from any internet-enabled device. I was so impressed with the site and how it affected student learning that I shared it through various social media platforms. I am now compensated to work with VocabularySpellingCity after school as a social media consultant.

EdcampNBCT

We invite all National Board Certified Teachers and candidates to join us for a day of professional learning and networking at EdcampNBCT.

~Cara

I Will Give You Rest--Matthew 11:28

http://galleryhip.com/faith-quotes-facebook-covers.html

~Cara

Help Wanted: Blog Ideas

Life became busy, and my blog was pushed to the wayside.  There is something special about connecting with readers on topics that we find important.  Nothing compares to having a network where we can share and gather ideas, provide a support for our day-to-day tasks, have a laugh, or learn something new.  

In the past couple of weeks, I have had an urge to become an avid blogger again.  However, knowing myself, I need a plan.  The best plan for me would be themed days.  I wouldn't necessarily post every day of every week, but it would provide me a guide of ideas to post. 

This is where I need your help.  What would you like to see posted?  What themes would you like?  Here are some of my ideas.  Be sure to add, comment, or question.

Monday: Make-it Monday (Crafts, recipes, instructional tools, etc.)
Tuesday: Tech Tuesday (Favorite technology tools and websites)
Wednesday: No Words Wednesday (Picture of something important)
Thursday:  Throwback Thursday (Influences, ideas, etc. from the past)
Friday: Finally Friday (Free post)
Saturday: Strategy Saturday (Instructional strategies)
Sunday: Simply Sunday (Words of inspiration, rest, and refreshment)

Thank you for your help and continued support!

~Cara

Chatterpix: A Fun, Free App

I love cool apps.  This is one of my new favorites because it is so fun.  Even better, it is free.  Chatterpix allows you to give your pictures a voice.  Download Chatterpix from http://www.duckduckmoose.com/educational-iphone-itouch-apps-for-kids/chatterpix/.  Once finished, you can share your Chatterpix on Youtube, Facebook, via email, or to your photos to share in a text.  What do you think of Chatterpix?

~Cara