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.