New Peter H. Reynolds Poster- Celebrate Digital Learning Day Feb. 7, 2013

Digital Learning Day (February 6, 2013), is a national celebration of teachers that shines a spotlight on successful instructional technology practice in the classroom. Spread the word at your school by downloading this inspiring poster by Peter H. Reynolds!

Visit the Digital Learning Day site for more information!

Griffin RESA's Technology Conference 2013

I'm excited that my presentation proposal was accepted for the Griffin RESA's Drive-In Technology Conference 2013.
I'll present "Create a Curriculum Rich Classroom Blog in 60 Minutes".
We will use Google's Blogger platform, and handouts to all sessions will be posted on the Griffin RESA website. Registration information can be found here:

http://www.griffinresa.net

My ABBA Resolution

Have a fitness goal for the new year? 

Let's talk about my newest time killer that is actually good for me: ABBA DANCE for my Wii.

My family wishes it (or I) would stop, but I am not stopping until I get a perfect score on every single dance.  You really need to make sure your wrist strap is secured to your Wii Remote before you start dancing... trust me.

Indoor recess could be tons of fun if your classroom had a Wii and a few of these games:
Just Dance
Walk it Out
Family Game Night
Wii Play
Mario Kart
World of Zoo
Big Brain Academy
Think Fast
Smarty Pants
Jump Start- misc.
Reader Rabbit- misc.

As my family will tell you- just watching someone ABBA dance is completely fun.
Enjoy!

Limit an IOS 6 Device to Running only ONE app! Guided Access for iPad

With Apple's IOS 6, you now have the ability to limit an iPad  to the use of a single app, and turn it off and on as needed. Here's how...

In the General Settings of your ipad, click Accessibility and turn ON 'Guided Access' and set a passcode.

To use this feature, open the app you want to use, and Triple-Click the home button.    
Tap the Start button. 

To turn off Guided Access, triple click the home button again and enter your passcode. 

So excited to be nominated for a Liebster Award!

Liebster Award - Recognizing New & Upcoming Blogs

I am so excited about being nominated for a Liebster Award!

 I was nominated by: Nikki
at Smart Tarts Learning
http://smarttartslearning.blogspot.com/ 

Thanks, Nikki!

 

 

  

 So, what is a Liebster Award? It is an award given by bloggers to bloggers ... a  way of saying- " I appreciate the work you're doing and I enjoy reading your blog... now pay it forward!".  Google it, and you'll see tons of recognized blogs.

The word "liebster" in German means: adj. favorite, preferred above others; liked or loved above others {source: babylon.com}

Basically this is a way to get new bloggers' {under 200 followers} blogs out there and recognized and to let you in on some facts about the person who spends precious time blogging for the good of others.

So, here are the rules:

• You must post 11 random things about yourself.
• You must answer the questions that the nominator set for you.
• You must create 11 questions for the people that you nominate.
• You must choose 11 blogs (w/ less than 200 followers) and link them to your post and let them know they were nominated.
• You cannot "tag back" the other blog, but leave a comment on this post with the URL of your Liebster post so I can learn more about you and see who you nominate.

  

11 Random things about myself...

1. I would play tennis every single day if I could- regardless of the weather- and have played in the snow, rain, sleet, frost, windstorms, and sahara-like heat.
2. I LOVE to organize and beautify things.  
3. I have a personal laminator and a DYMO label machine- and I'm not afraid to use them.
4. I have a son at College of Charleston in South Carolina.  He is the president of his fraternity (Phi Kappa Tau) and he loves it there.
5. I have two Ragdoll cats- LOVE them.
6. My daughter is a smart, kind-hearted, talented artist (for real).
7. My husband and I went on our first date on July 4, 1986.
8. My favorite place in the world is London, England.
9. I have a freckle in my eye.  
10. I am a horrible driver.  I cannot remember driving directions.  Ever.
11. I am a horrible cook... but a great party planner.

My Answers to Nikki's Questions:

What is your favorite thing about blogging?  Connecting with people I do not even know, and helping them in some way.

Do you cook? (See 11 above) If so, what is your favorite thing to make? Take- Out Chinese

Technologically savvy or not? Yes-- Very

Favorite color{s}? Light Purple

Do you collect anything? Books!

What is your favorite music genre & artist?  Everything- lately Mumford & Sons

Which states have/do you live in?  Always a Georgia Girl

Have you always lived there? Yes!

What is your absolute favorite meal?  Mexican

Do speak more than one language? No

What was your favorite subject in school? English/ Creative Writing

Questions for my nominees:

What is your favorite web 2.0 tool or site that could be used for teaching (if you have one)?

Name your favorite young adult or children's book?

Name your favorite adult novel?

Technologically savvy or not?

What area of technology (topic or skill) do you wish you knew more about?

What type of computer/technology do you use? Apple or Other?

Do you collect anything?

What is your favorite music genre & artist?

What is the last thing you bought for yourself that was not a necessity?

What is your favorite vacation location?

What is your absolute favorite meal? 

Who was your favorite teacher and why?

My 11 blogs:

1. (This one is my daughter's most excellent 4th grade teacher!)  http://eberopolis.blogspot.com
2. http://fearless5thgrade.blogspot.com/
3. http://www.yoursmarticles.blogspot.com/
4. http://g2reading.blogspot.com/
5. http://ateachersbagoftricks.blogspot.com/
6. http://thewritehandedteacher.blogspot.com/
7. http://readingsthething.blogspot.com/
8. http://talkingtechteacher.blogspot.com/
9. http://www.powerpointmaniac.com/home-page/blog/
10. http://josettebrouwer.edublogs.org/
11. http://mrsjacksonsclasswebsiteblog.blogspot.com/

Next Issue Magazine Treasure Chest

I actually saved a little money today!

I bought a subscription to "Next "Issue" after doing the math and figuring I am spending about 40 dollars per month buying magazines.
http://www.nextissue.com/

I would throw magazines into my cart in the supermarket, send off the 'bill me later' cards tucked inside, and simply LOVED to get them out of my mailbox. All shiny and unwrinkled. But I have moved on.

I do recycle my friends when we part ways- but I have trouble letting go. I kept my original "Martha Stewart Living" for YEARS. In fact, now that I think about it, I guess my husband threw them away when I was out of town. Or otherwise distracted.

Anyway- I am now learning to love Next Issue. For around 15.00 per month, I  get dozens of digital interactive copies of excellent publications. (around 75 choices!!!)
I even get about 15 back issues of each mag and I am enjoying this so much.

Next Issue offers a 30 day free trial-- give it a go. The fine print says you can cancel at any time. And remember to download what you need to read in advance- especially if you travel with your ipad as a reading device.

Lost camera? Use your technical detective skills to find it!! Stolen Camera Finder

Lost camera? Do not fret-  use your technical detective skills to find it!!  The use of this site appears to be free for one search(see pricing link)--  drag a photo in that you took with the same camera, and the site will tell you if anyone else has taken a photo with that camera and posted it online.  Love it.

http://www.stolencamerafinder.com/