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

Edcamp Connect

EdCamp Connect is a collaborative effort of the Attalla City, Gadsden City, and Etowah County School Systems in Northeast Alabama.  This "unconference" will allow the educators within our districts to be a part of participant-driven, peer training at its best.  The concept of an unconference is to provide a free day of professional development to educators within our system.  During the day, you will network with educators from the three districts, attend sessions of your choice, and be given the opportunity to present a presentation or panel discussion on any educational topic of choice.  Breakfast and lunch are provided, and door prizes will be given.  The best part is that the entire day is FREE and will count as a full day toward your variance day.  

Edcamp Connect will take place on Monday, July 7, 2014, at Gadsden City High School.  Registration is limited to the first 300.  Since it is open to all educators within the three systems, I would suggest that you go ahead and register through STIPD.  The number is ECBOE-T121.  

If you have any further questions, please ask.  We are exciting about bringing an Edcamp to Etowah County!

~Cara