tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84057337335700398472024-02-25T23:01:45.509-08:00An Open DoorWelcome to my classroom! The door is always open!Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-49216651171270600802015-07-28T12:41:00.000-07:002015-07-28T17:34:49.409-07:00Trying Something New: Seesaw<i>No comment on the fact that I have not posted for two years. (Seriously, what can I say? I was busy? I had nothing to say? I kept forgetting? Nothing sounds too good, so let's let it go and move on!)</i><br />
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I like to begin each school year by writing goals for myself. Some goals I meet and others I don't. (Sounds just like New Year's goals, right?)<br />
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Well one of my goals is always to try something new. Not the something new that is a new district requirement. (Actually, there seem to be more and more of those, right?) No, this something new is something that I pick out myself. Something that makes me curious and excited.<br />
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For this year, my something new is <a href="http://web.seesaw.me/" target="_blank">Seesaw</a>. No, not the Scholastic Book order form. (That was very confusing for me at first, too.) Nope, this Seesaw is a "Student-Driven Digital Portfolio". It is a website and an app. But what does it do? OMG! It allows students to create online portfolios. For FREE!!! Students can easily add to their portfolios and parents are given a notification for each addition. Of course, all of the additions must be teacher approved (which seems easy to do). But there's more! Students can add comments to each item either in written form or (BE STILL MY HEART!) via a recording. That's right folks .. my kindergarteners will be able to add items to their portfolios and then record their voices talking about the item. OMG! So, so, so excited! I have been watching videos on the Seesaw site and got so excited that I couldn't wait to try it out. So I created a fake class with fake students who completed fake assignments that fake parents looked at. So far, so good! But I, of course, have to hold judgement until I have real students completing real assignments that their real parents look at. Once that happens, I will let you know how it goes.<br />
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In the meantime, if you want to learn more about Seesaw, here is a video to watch.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEOISp6Cp68&sns=tw" target="_blank">Seesaw: The Learning Journal</a><br />
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So what new things are you trying this year? <br />
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Love to all,<br />
CamilleCamillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-37411245599731554962013-07-21T18:10:00.000-07:002013-07-22T14:42:17.301-07:00iTalk Doodle Buddy<br />
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Today I am linking up with <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=5553235&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL3RoZWJyb3duYmFndGVhY2hlci5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20v&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">The Brown-Bag Teacher</a> to discuss iPads.</div>
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I will begin by telling a story.</div>
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I was sitting on a panel in front of a group of teachers. We were asked to name one "go to" app. I decided to name <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/doodle-buddy-paint-draw-scribble/id313232441?mt=8" target="_blank">Doodle Buddy</a> since I used it with my kinders all the time. But before I could answer, I heard a fifth grade teacher answer, "Doodle Buddy". What?!? I thought of Doddle Buddy as an app for primary students. Fifth grade?!?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/doodle-buddy-paint-draw-scribble/id313232441?mt=8" target="_blank">Doodle Buddy</a></td></tr>
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Yep. Doodle Buddy is a versatile app that can be used with any grade level. Doodle Buddy allows students to paint, draw or even stamp pictures. </div>
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Unfortunately, I can only share how I use this app with kindergartners. But I am hopeful, my ideas will spur you brilliant upper grade teachers to come up with even better ideas of your own. </div>
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Here are some ways I use Doodle Buddy with kindergartners:</div>
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1) Patterning</div>
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<li>Students use two (or three) colors to create a pattern. Another student has to tell what comes next.</li>
<li>I make a pattern with our manipulative bears (example: blue, red, red ... abb) and students have to make that same pattern using two different colors on their iPads.</li>
<li>Students use two (or three) shape stamps to make a pattern. </li>
<li>I make a pattern using attribute shapes (example: circle, square, triangle ... abc). Students have to stamp that same pattern on their iPads, using different shapes.</li>
<li>I make a pattern (example: aab) and students make that same pattern on their iPads, but they get to decide if they will make that pattern with shapes or colors or size.</li>
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What I am loving about all of this is that my students can quickly make multiple patterns this way. They can take a screen shot of their patterns and then add it to the photo roll on their iPad. Pretty cool! Sounds like the beginning of a portfolio to me!</div>
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2) Addition / Subtraction</div>
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<li>Students create a drawing to match an addition or subtraction problem I give them. They can draw circles / triangles / squares or they can use the stamps.</li>
<li>A student creates a drawing and a partner writes an equation to match the drawing. (Both the drawing and the equation can be created using Doodle Buddy.)</li>
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3) Decomposing</div>
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<li>I gave students a number (example: 5) and students decompose the number. I had them begin by drawing two squares and then drawing dots in each square. Then students shared the various ways they had decomposed. For example, one student drew 3 dots in one square and 2 dots in another. A different student drew 5 dots in one square and 0 dots in the other square. Then students erase their responses and come up with a second way to decompose the number.</li>
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4) Geometry</div>
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<li>Students draw and label various shapes. They can even take photos of a variety of items in the room, open the photos in Doodle Buddy and then label the shapes.</li>
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Yep, I L.O.V.E. Doodle Buddy!!!! What app do you love? Please link to <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=5553235&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL3RoZWJyb3duYmFndGVhY2hlci5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20v&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">The Brown-Bag Teacher</a> and let us know.</div>
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Love to all,</div>
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Camille</div>
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Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-42757744526653752782013-06-27T18:26:00.000-07:002013-06-27T18:26:41.879-07:00Just Claimin' My Poor, Neglected BlogSure hope this works!<br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-54913394371719039722013-01-26T22:25:00.001-08:002013-01-26T22:26:16.367-08:00Inauguration Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi all!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My class had lots of fun with the inauguration so I thought I would share some ideas for you. Although there won't be another inauguration for 4 years, President's Day is only a few weeks away.</span><br />
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Since the inauguration was on a holiday, we celebrated on Tuesday. I invited my students to wear red, white and blue that day. (However, I had so many ideas that some of these ideas were used on Wednesday.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0531235246/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link" style="clear: left; color: #003399; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Meet President Barack Obama (Scholastic News Nonfiction Readers: Let's Visit the White House)" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51nm2o1kInL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/President-Barack-Scholastic-Nonfiction-Readers/dp/0531235246/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359250893&sr=1-7&keywords=barack+obama+biography" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Biography of President Obama</span></a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I began by reading a biography of Barack Obama.</span></span></div>
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Then we created pictures of President Obama. This art project is from TLC. It was a bit complex, but my kiddos did a great job! If you haven't created TLC projects with your children, I highly recommend you check them out. Kaye Espinosa is the brains behind TLC. These lessons were created to teach children the kindergarten curriculum using art. All of the TLC projects begin with rectangles. Students then cut and paste to create amazing artwork and along the way, they learn a lot about math. The Barack Obama lesson is in the <u>America</u> book, but it is currently available as a free download at the <a href="http://www.tlclessons.com/samplelesson.php" target="_blank">TLC website</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Then students had to pick which color in the
American flag was their favorite. We made a tally chart and then graphed
our results on a simple worksheet I created. Later, I kicked myself for
not doing an art project about the flag. Hmmm ... please remind me about
that four years from now. Pretty please! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Then it was time for another read aloud:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="200" id="il_fi" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/613-dR-vbQL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/If-Were-President-Catherine-Stier/dp/0807535427" target="_blank">If I Were President</a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After reading this book, we brainstormed what we would do if we were president. Then the children wrote about it. I gave my kinders paper that already said, "If I were president". My firsties used regular lined paper. I LOVE what my kiddos wrote!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here is a kinder sample:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofN58RaIzZxdBUckd88j6KvIs7w-JWB9E7qWX5iw_ZdQmJ9dy7M_jSjvQ8RKhunw2ppD8P5BDHU_0yYVRaE74c2HeTa-3BXpl4bKsvvYNVL2ZFmZugoMWU-gOz_GPgO-KXnjQANNxUSDn/s1600/photo-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofN58RaIzZxdBUckd88j6KvIs7w-JWB9E7qWX5iw_ZdQmJ9dy7M_jSjvQ8RKhunw2ppD8P5BDHU_0yYVRaE74c2HeTa-3BXpl4bKsvvYNVL2ZFmZugoMWU-gOz_GPgO-KXnjQANNxUSDn/s320/photo-5.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If I were president, I would take a nap and eat whatever I want.</span></td></tr>
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This is a first grade sample:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love this one because it is so balanced. Maybe this is how I should lead my life: play with kids, work real hard, take care of the whole world, play with my DSI, and take care of the family. Love, love, love!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then we did another art project. I
created a guided drawing lesson about the White House. My sample is first
and then student samples follow. I LOVE doing guided drawing with my
students! Each piece of art turns out unique and wonderful. I tell them
step by step what to draw. Example: "Draw a large rectangle in the
middle of your paper." (More math incorporated into art. LOVE
IT!)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Whew! The children had so much fun and hopefully learned a lot!<br />
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Love to all,<br />
<br />
CamilleCamillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-87940051498220495582013-01-21T10:22:00.002-08:002013-01-21T10:23:38.230-08:00The LONG WeekendHi all! How are you spending this amazing three day weekend? The first two days of my weekend really were AMAZING!<br />
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Up here in Northern California the annual Kindergarten Conference takes places during this weekend. This is my second year to attend. It is about 30 minutes from my home so very convenient. It is one of those conferences that has you sign up for sessions months ahead and then you completely forget what you signed up for and hope, hope, hope that you chose wisely. Well, for the most part I chose very wisely.<br />
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My sessions consisted of guided drawing, insects, motor skills, curriculum mapping, singing, and buddy classrooms. I will talk more about some of these sessions in later posts. <br />
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But the best part of the conference was being surrounded by so many wonderful teachers. The teachers that attend are true learners. They want to improve their skills. They want to meet the needs of their students. They are passionate about teaching. Just being in their midst was inspiring. One of the amazing teachers I met up with was our very own Fran. Just in case you are new to the blogging world, Fran has a wonderful blog called <a href="http://kindergartencrayons.blogspot.com/">Kindergarten Crayons</a>. If you only have time to read one kindergarten blog, this is the one. Trust me on this!!!! I love spending time with Fran because she is so wise. One of my favorite qualities!!! I always learn a lot from her. Sadly, I have no picture to post of the two of us together because we forgot to take a picture. Next year! Right, Fran? (Or maybe in Las Vegas? I am considering going.)<br />
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Anyway, now I am off to the classroom to get caught up AND to incorporate a few of the new ideas I gleaned at the conference. (I want to start using EVERY new idea, but my head is spinning so I will limit myself to just a few.)<br />
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Love to all,<br />
Camille<br />
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<br />Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-70244914689785451832013-01-04T16:29:00.002-08:002013-01-04T16:30:08.925-08:00My Favorite Snowflakes!Hi all! Just wanted to share one of the projects I have prepped for next week. I shared it last year, but love it so much that I am sharing it yet again. I love, love, love these snowflakes! (Maybe I love them so much because these are the only snowflakes we will see in my neck of the woods!)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pattern Block Snowflakes</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Here is a closeup from a year I used light blue construction paper for the background. (I like the dark blue even more!)</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgvlok6vznWfgL6axwtN4NuGm-hyDiQVxAfp9ndDFn2X1CXdwNKJWvuGMrDfeoKH-0w6teFADbrH_u7cdPjXoyjNupliDmYkMSa7dWVLnugo4CYCljZQszqJvBBGb7To8NVCanR6cHmWa/s1600/IMGP0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #3c87b4; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgvlok6vznWfgL6axwtN4NuGm-hyDiQVxAfp9ndDFn2X1CXdwNKJWvuGMrDfeoKH-0w6teFADbrH_u7cdPjXoyjNupliDmYkMSa7dWVLnugo4CYCljZQszqJvBBGb7To8NVCanR6cHmWa/s320/IMGP0042.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">This idea came from my teaching partner Marlene. (THANKS Marlene!!!) To prep, I use a pattern block template and copy all of the different pattern blocks onto white copy paper. Then I get a helper (usually a middle school or high school student) to cut out the various pattern blocks. For each child, I cut a blue (either dark or light) 12" X 12" square (or circle which I LOVE) and glue a white hexagon in the middle. Each student is to create a symmetrical snowflake using the white pattern blocks. The hexagon in the middle gives them a base to build from. These snowflakes always turn out beautiful (although a few are always .. well, interesting) and they make a great bulletin board display. Plus this is really a math project! I expect students to use the correct names of the shapes as they work. Plus we have lots of discussions about symmetry. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.aug.edu/~lcrawford/Tools/pattern_blocks.pdf" style="color: #3c87b4; text-decoration: none;">Here is a link</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">to the templates for the pattern blocks.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">One project prepped ... many to go!!!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Love to all,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Camille</span>Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-77285485802989869432013-01-03T13:27:00.001-08:002013-01-03T13:30:10.555-08:00My GoalsAfter a million years of trying to keep New Year's Resolutions, I know better than to write resolutions that I won't keep. So instead, I am writing goals for myself. Long range goals that will help me stay focused on what is most important.<br />
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<b><u>PROFESSIONAL GOALS:</u></b><br />
1) Put my students at the forefront of my teaching. Not the mandates or even the curriculum, but the students should come first. Enough said.<br />
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2) Read two entire books that will help me grow as a professional. The key word here is "entire". I have a HUGE library of professional books. I have read a few chapters (or sometimes just a few pages - sigh) of each of these books. But I get sidetracked and put the book to the side. I have this mistaken notion that professional books are magical and all I have to do is open the book and I will become a better teacher. But then I start to read the books and realize there is no magic, double sigh. So my goal is to completely read COVER TO COVER two professional books in the near future. I already know which two and have started reading them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0307396185/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link" style="clear: left; color: #003399; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's" border="0" height="200" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AVQv6fmnL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" title="" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Look-Me-Eye-Life-Aspergers/dp/0307396185">Look Me in the Eye</a></td></tr>
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Book Number One: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Look-Me-Eye-Life-Aspergers/dp/0307396185"><b>Look Me in the Eye</b> by John Elder Robison</a><br />
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This is not your typical PD book. It is the autobiography of a man diagnosed with Aspergers at age 40. It is the story of his struggles growing up and finding his way. I am reading it because more and more Aspergian children are in our classrooms. I want to become better at loving and nurturing them. This book will help me do that. In some ways it is a tough book to read because parts are heartbreaking. But it is also humorous and sweet. I have read quite a few chapters already and know that I will want to finish this book!<br />
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<tr id="prodImageContainer"><td height="300" id="prodImageCell" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" width="300"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="productImageGrid" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 240px;"><tbody>
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<tr id="prodImageContainer"><td height="300" id="prodImageCell" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" width="300"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0988217600/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" style="color: #003399; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Teach Like a PIRATE: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity, and Transform Your Life as an Educator" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51c7vKRzfFL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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Book Number Two: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Like-PIRATE-Engagement-Creativity/dp/0988217600/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357247467&sr=1-1&keywords=teach+like+a+pirate"><b>Teach Like a Pirate: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity, and Transform Your Life as an Educator</b> by Dave Burgess</a><br />
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Check out that sub-title; how could I not want to read this book?!? Plus I put it on my Kindle so double love! I have actually already read the first two chapters and am loving it. Highly creative, engaging just like the title says! Maybe, just maybe, even transforming. Time will tell. I am actually thinking of doing a series of blog posts on this book both to inform AND to hold me accountable.<br />
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<b><u>PERSONAL GOALS:</u></b><br />
1) Keep my little family (my dad and sisters) at the center of my personal life, especially my dad as he deals with so many health issues. I know our time on Earth is limited and I want to sit at my dad's feet and learn from his wisdom as much as possible.<br />
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2) Pray. Not just quick one sentence prayers, but spend time in conversation with God. <br />
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3) Exercise. I so hate it. I mean really, really, really H.A.T.E. it! My favorite physical activity is turning the pages of a book (or pressing the page turning button on my Kindle). So my hope is to find a class that I can at least not hate and then commit to it. (Oh, commitment is also hard for me. Remember my issue with not finishing professional books? It is true in many other places as well. Once I make the commitment, I am very loyal, but actually making the commitment is soooooo hard.)<br />
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4) Eat healthy. When I get stressed (which is a lot), I turn to food. Chocolate especially. Yum, yum, and yum. The stress is still there, but chocolate makes me forget about it. Hmmm ... I guess chocolate is like a mind altering drug for me... scary!!!! My goal is to turn to fruits and vegetables instead. (I think I am in trouble because I couldn't even type that with a straight face ... I started laughing hysterically. But I will try!!)</div>
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5) Have some fun. I tend to be very serious and gravitate toward work related activities. I want to have a fun activity at least once a month this year. (Which would be a HUGE change from last year!!! Oh, don't worry too much about me ... I do have fun in my classroom. Teaching is my outlet for my humor and creativity and everything else!)</div>
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6) Blog at least once a week. In some ways this is a professional goal, but it is also a personal goal because you all are my friends.</div>
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Whew! Too many goals I think, but they are all doable (except the fruit and vegetable one).</div>
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Love to all,</div>
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Camille</div>
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<br />Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-4073673543142186692012-12-28T22:26:00.001-08:002012-12-30T18:41:02.502-08:00Organizing ... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hi all!</span></div>
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I like to think of myself as being organized, but the truth is that I am not organized when it comes to paperwork. I am a logical, sequential thinker, but I tend to put papers into piles. When one pile gets high, I start another. Sad, very sad .. and definitely not organized.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">But there are some areas of my classroom that are very organized:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1) My student drawers ... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYx4rNWZ1Vqoav3Kg4WoDmNRute7oA4RpTV-Td_1P5JzkNBWc9G30Wx3EQW1GuSxysXzPjO33m_HgOpkJADgC71W-1mxPU7drd5tIqcZe38Ee8bgNDKNp8CBUB1DBSJpEOVLbVhoGRmVf/s1600/DSC02867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYx4rNWZ1Vqoav3Kg4WoDmNRute7oA4RpTV-Td_1P5JzkNBWc9G30Wx3EQW1GuSxysXzPjO33m_HgOpkJADgC71W-1mxPU7drd5tIqcZe38Ee8bgNDKNp8CBUB1DBSJpEOVLbVhoGRmVf/s320/DSC02867.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I do not have cubbies, so I use these drawers from Costco. The drawers are numbered from 1-30. (In the past I only had 20 students, but now I have gone up to 26.) My students are numbered from 1 to 26. After I correct their work, it is placed in the correct drawer. Then homework folders are easy to stuff once a week with their finished and corrected work. (I am so blessed to have an amazing volunteer aide from the middle school next door; she spends about four hours a week helping me with this type of clerical work. I love her dearly and will be sad at the end of the semester when I lose her!!!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2) Our classroom library ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQJV_Yb2JC18TkjGkpac6Zvu4CIeaEpT0jSi-KnCr4jeh2DmF68-YzL6ghqGauaTrOTan0yxKVhSMTDZMgY0Gh93NTY-DlpVYIdC-FU6mXX4uIvbhu7idfZ_9tEo7-5KbDG_j4s9EplWG/s1600/DSC02845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQJV_Yb2JC18TkjGkpac6Zvu4CIeaEpT0jSi-KnCr4jeh2DmF68-YzL6ghqGauaTrOTan0yxKVhSMTDZMgY0Gh93NTY-DlpVYIdC-FU6mXX4uIvbhu7idfZ_9tEo7-5KbDG_j4s9EplWG/s400/DSC02845.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I have about 2,000 books in the classroom library. (The longer you teach, the more books you accumulate!!! In other words, I have been teaching a long time.) With that many books, I needed to create a system that would allow students to both find and put away books. I sorted books by topics and then put each topic into a different tub (example: weather). I have about 50 tubs. This photo shows just one section of tubs. Each tub was given a number and each book in that tub labeled with that number. <a href="http://camillesopendoor.blogspot.com/2012/07/labeling-my-library.html">My previous post has more information on this system.</a> I also have a "book hospital" for books that need repair. My students place books there when they notice a rip (even if the rip is invisible to the naked eye).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, now on to my goals for organizing ... </span><br />
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I will create an organization system for my paperwork. This will consist of:<br />
1) A tub for papers I want to copy.<br />
2) A tub for papers that need to be corrected.<br />
3) A tub for papers that need to be sorted. NO MORE PILES!<br />
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I also want to create a better system for my stations that are supervised by parent volunteers. I plan to have five tubs (one per station) that I can label and prep ahead of time. No more scrambling around in the hours before dawn (not really, but you know what I mean).<br />
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Whew! If I keep these goals it will be a HUGE positive change for me!! Wish me luck!<br />
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For more tips on organizing, head on over to Second Grade Shenanigans. <a href="http://shenanigansinsecond.blogspot.com/2012/12/organize-meplease-plus-flash-giveaway.html">Here is the link!</a><br />
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Love to all,<br />
<br />
Camille</div>
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Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-36326950007250857152012-12-16T08:56:00.002-08:002012-12-16T08:56:40.222-08:00Silence for Sandy Hook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-10845727361386114062012-12-14T20:29:00.000-08:002012-12-14T20:29:01.589-08:00Silence to Honor and RememberA parent came up to me after school and threw her arms around me. With tears in her eyes, she said, "I just felt like hugging you today." Then she told me the news. <br />
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My heart is broken for all of the children, teachers and parents of Sandy Hook. We will hold our little ones a little closer to our hearts as we remember you.<br />
Love to all,<br />
Camille<br />
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Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-27241511578608003862012-12-11T21:34:00.001-08:002012-12-11T21:34:42.846-08:00In Honor of 12-12-12Tomorrow is 12-12-12! I got to thinking about it and realized that there won't be another 12-12-12 for one hundred years. That means this is the only one any of us get in our lifetime. That is pretty monumental! So .. I came up with 12-12-12 challenge for my firsties. I found other ideas online, but I needed to simplify things for my kiddos. We will be using this form tomorrow. Here is the link in case you are interested:<br />
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1I09fzCYmTBeM8gGriwvof_cebFKXOw1XhUH1MN2H1gk">12-12-12 Challenge</a><br />
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Love to all,<br />
CamilleCamillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-56027863314355113862012-11-22T10:10:00.000-08:002012-11-22T10:10:18.822-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!Happy Thanksgiving my dear bloggy friends! No special graphics, no brilliant ideas, just a wish for you. We all have so much to be thankful for ... my wish for you is that you are able to spend time savoring the special moments on this holiday!<br />
Love to all,<br />
CamilleCamillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-35762167878817909192012-11-03T21:24:00.004-07:002012-11-03T21:24:56.002-07:00Make a Turkey ... One Feather at a TimeI am swamped! Assessments, report cards, special projects, just plain old survival in this crazy world and so what do I do? BLOG!!! <br />
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Okay, this is a simple, fun family project from 2011. (You could also do this project in class.)<br />
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Here is the finished bulletin board:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVNA_dxCrieaiymVRByeW_19d6svhHUXDDewnC2ijhxNF82OwGKnkbSdpEHKvYm6YkVFU0xCOJAtpW9_UPW_n-2s-XcdJ16QifuwtSaLUzaD0gYT25MWjyMJubKHVDobsrgyIJgShqz2L/s1600/DSC02195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVNA_dxCrieaiymVRByeW_19d6svhHUXDDewnC2ijhxNF82OwGKnkbSdpEHKvYm6YkVFU0xCOJAtpW9_UPW_n-2s-XcdJ16QifuwtSaLUzaD0gYT25MWjyMJubKHVDobsrgyIJgShqz2L/s400/DSC02195.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is a close-up:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWiykIWwFlkZ1MCNXQ-cPsrES0uSBz8b5ut1M0r8RGvTnN8MlXGG-b0zLiZtYQCSlcvELOeFG-zUB3BJJoax13gqojs7paXuPso-UBt4d-y3wVZlYGaGDPC6mbEPuaM5ViVZu_LJj9o-b/s1600/DSC02194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWiykIWwFlkZ1MCNXQ-cPsrES0uSBz8b5ut1M0r8RGvTnN8MlXGG-b0zLiZtYQCSlcvELOeFG-zUB3BJJoax13gqojs7paXuPso-UBt4d-y3wVZlYGaGDPC6mbEPuaM5ViVZu_LJj9o-b/s640/DSC02194.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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(The hands were from a previous bulletin board that I loved and just couldn't bear to take completely down so for the rest of the year, those hands were a backdrop for everything that went up on this board.)<br />
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Family Feather Project:</h2>
I sent home a white feather cut from cardstock. I asked each family to work together to design a feather to add to our very bare turkey. The directions said they could use any materials they wanted to decorate the feather. (One child used his sight word cards from our HM reading series to decorate the feather. Made.me.laugh.so.hard. It is the feather with the red rectangles.) We talked about how we needed all of our feathers to create the turkey. Just one feather would not be enough.<br />
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<!--EndFragment--><u>Note:</u> <i>A thousand apologies for not knowing where I got the adorable turkey from. It was a TPT purchase and students were supposed to measure the turkey, but I made an extra copy for this bulletin board. But after searching through all of my purchases, I cannot find the original. (Note to self: If you must purchase so many items from TPT, please keep your purchases organized!) If you are the creator of this cute, cute turkey, just let me know and I will tell the world how wonderful you are!</i><br />
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Love to all,<br />
Camille<br />
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<br />Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-88951174408768270242012-10-29T22:06:00.000-07:002012-10-29T22:06:21.374-07:00Guess Who?I haven't posted in a month so I think it is super ironic that this post is entitled "Guess Who?" But the title has nothing to do with my lack of blogging. (Although I am hoping you all remember me!)<br />
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Here is the true meaning of the title:<br />
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My students are working on their questioning skills so I pulled out one of my favorite activities to help with this: <br />
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<b>Guess Who?</b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfGO29hD9ihQtZQLF4-lDXiycRqtuAeSm3NZzkl1kuizhBYnIYqrBryEV5rjyoO9YD9_dvx2xhyphenhyphenFVb2sCUJBJNFRtxA_YqEN9nfnCOZpif-g7vjZXDzU9_9wtxWUnWPnVf36O_Iw00lTu/s1600/DSC03079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfGO29hD9ihQtZQLF4-lDXiycRqtuAeSm3NZzkl1kuizhBYnIYqrBryEV5rjyoO9YD9_dvx2xhyphenhyphenFVb2sCUJBJNFRtxA_YqEN9nfnCOZpif-g7vjZXDzU9_9wtxWUnWPnVf36O_Iw00lTu/s320/DSC03079.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I bought this game at a garage sale for 50 cents a few years ago. I hadn't played the game before, but I figured it would be worth at least 50 cents in my classroom. Well, it has been worth quite a bit more than that!! The price of the game is $18 at Target. I am not sure I would pay that much, but many of you may have this game tucked away in a closet at home.<br />
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We play this game during our station rotation. Here are the rules we use:<br />
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Guess Who? A Game of Logic</div>
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1) Adult secretly picks a yellow card.</div>
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2) Children take turns asking yes/no questions to
determine who the mystery person is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Example: Is it a woman?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Does she have red hair?)</div>
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3) The adult answers each question and the child
asking the question gets to “slide” down all of the people who cannot be the
mystery person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(example: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If “Is it a woman?” gets a no answer,
then you must slide down all of the cards that have the picture of a woman.)</div>
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4) Continue asking and answering questions in turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When only one card is left, that must
be the mystery person!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compare the
final card to the selected yellow card and see if they match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, they do!</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">5) </span> </span></span></span>Prep the cards for a new round. Once the children get the hang of it, they can pick the mystery person and answer the yes/no questions.</div>
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Challenge the children to ask questions that will eliminate
as many people as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Example: “Does the person have a hat?” eliminates more people than “Does
the person have a green hat with a feather?”</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">After playing this game, the children have a much better understanding of what it means to ask a question. Hurrah!</span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Love to all,</span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Camille </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-66159469133975319842012-09-29T21:41:00.001-07:002012-09-30T11:19:08.115-07:00iTalk iPads: Story CreatorI am going to try to focus on one new iPad app a week. That will insure that I keep trying new apps, plus will help me reflect on our use of iPads.<br />
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I have a new favorite iPad app: <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/story-creator/id545369477?mt=8">Story Creator</a>. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! What about my firsties? They LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it, too!<br />
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Here is what makes this app so special:<br />
<ul>
<li>It is free. (How awful that I list this first, but you all know why!!)</li>
<li>It is easy to use.</li>
<li>Children can create their own books.</li>
<li>Drawings, photos and text are all easy to add to the books.</li>
<li>Audio can be added, as in, children type in their text and then record themselves reading the text. Then when you scroll through the story, you hear the child's voice reading each page to you. Oh, be still my heart. I SO love this feature!</li>
<li>The tech support is phenomenal! I sent an email to the developers asking a few questions and I received a reply. A real reply. But it gets better. I got the reply within hours. The reply contained answers to my questions. Like I said: phenomenal support!</li>
</ul>
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Here is what I don't like:</div>
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<ul>
<li>The only way to share the created books is via Facebook. That means we are NOT sharing our books. But this is one of the improvements on their list for the December upgrade. (Which I know because I received an email telling me this. : ) This same thing tends to be a glitch in quite a few apps, especially the ones that are free. So the books will stay on each iPad and have to be shared via buddy reading or author's chair.</li>
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Here is how I unrolled this app for my first graders:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ahead of time I created a three page book using Story Creator. The first page had a drawing and text, the second page had a photo and text and the third page had a photo, text, AND audio. </li>
<li>I used my document camera to unveil my three page book. (I just placed the iPad directly on the document camera so my kiddos could see.)</li>
<li>I showed my students how to access the app, how to start a book and explained each icon at the bottom. All in all, my presentation was five minutes max. I really try to not overdo my instructions with apps. I want my students to have lots of freedom because then they will be much more creative.</li>
<li>I let my students loose to use the app. Some of them began to draw pictures for their books. Other started by taking photos. A few students began adding audio as soon as they had typed in text. Some students discovered the spelling correction feature. (Which can be both a help and a hindrance with beginning readers!!!)</li>
<li>I buzzed around the room listening, reading and mainly learning from my amazing digital natives!</li>
<li>As a few students finished books, I sent them to the office to share their stories. They came back with HUGE smiles.</li>
<li>We ran out of time or we would have had a sharing time at the end. As it was, my students were VERY upset with me when I had them cleanup because it was time to go home. ("What school is over? "Can't we stay longer? PLEASE!!!!")</li>
</ul>
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That's it for now!</div>
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Love to all,</div>
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Camille</div>
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Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-19941128329813214442012-09-22T10:53:00.000-07:002012-09-22T10:54:08.623-07:00iTalk iPads in September!Sigh ... I really meant to post a lot more iPad ideas, but using iPads in kinder and first in the Fall is so very different than using them in the Spring that I am once again a beginner. <br />
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(Background: A class set of iPads was delivered to my room in April 2012. My kiddos already had our routines down and had so many skills that we were able to immediately start using the iPads. Starting off the year with iPads is completely different so I still figuring this out!! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the iPads. It is just that I am at ground zero in the learning curve once again!!)<br />
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My kinders are learning about patterns so we have been using the iPads to aide our learning. The kiddos have been using the app Doodle Buddy (free) to create patterns. Doodle Buddy allows them to paint, draw or even stamp pictures. We have been working on color and shape patterns. So here are some of the activities we have done:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Students use two (or three) colors to create a pattern. Another student has to tell what comes next.</li>
<li>I make a pattern with our manipulative bears (example: blue, red, red ... abb) and students have to make that same pattern using two different colors on their iPads.</li>
<li>Students use two (or three) shape stamps to make a pattern. </li>
<li>I make a pattern using attribute shapes (example: circle, square, triangle ... abc). Students have to stamp that same pattern on their iPads, using different shapes.</li>
<li>I make a pattern (example: aab) and students make that same pattern on their iPads, but they get to decide if they will make that pattern with shapes or colors or size.</li>
</ul>
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What I am loving about all of this is that my students can quickly make multiple patterns this way. They can take a screen shot of their patterns and then add it to the photo roll on their iPad. Pretty cool! Sounds like the beginning of a portfolio to me!</div>
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Now I am off to plan for next week!</div>
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Love to all,</div>
<div>
Camille</div>
Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-25234843002738128752012-09-16T14:30:00.000-07:002012-09-16T14:30:15.836-07:00An ApologySigh ... I am one of those people that rarely listens to their instincts. The other day I blogged about a product that I had not used, but had seen a sample of and it looked promising. Anyone who blogged about it, got the product free. I LOVE free! So instead of listening to my instincts that said, "Slow down! This is too good to be true!" I blogged about it and received it and ... it is not something I can recommend for teachers. So I removed that blog post and emailed the company, but I still feel icky. Like a liar. Like one of those celebrities that advertises a product that they would never use just for the money. (Well, except I am not a celebrity and I never got any money, just a not-so-good product.) So I apologize to anyone who read that post and if I ever mention a product again, it will be one that I have used and LOVE!!! I promise!<br />
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Love to all,<br />
CamilleCamillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-68028412945074456062012-09-16T10:37:00.004-07:002012-09-16T10:37:53.872-07:00A Wreath for My DoorOne of my goals this year is to have my students take more ownership of the room. One way to do that is to make sure THEIR work is featured, instead of mine. So when I saw <a href="http://kindergartensmorgasboard.blogspot.com/2012/08/schedulin-sunday-and-currently.html">Greg Smedley's wreath idea</a>, I decided to have my students help me make a wreath for our classroom door.<br />
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Here is the result:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPy-_olSGx0_Fd8oMqTvBDKNPc-VqutA9xzMJj9wsHRt9CJgiGfhMwQmdUtLVtjc4TIum5hu774rvWZxgz7WLSDOaojtGkKGGnTu_iIZgFaabVm944z4LFQ7DlOM7gDPYu-Evw59kUWz9/s1600/DSC02968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPy-_olSGx0_Fd8oMqTvBDKNPc-VqutA9xzMJj9wsHRt9CJgiGfhMwQmdUtLVtjc4TIum5hu774rvWZxgz7WLSDOaojtGkKGGnTu_iIZgFaabVm944z4LFQ7DlOM7gDPYu-Evw59kUWz9/s400/DSC02968.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I laminated the final result so it is shiny and a bit hard to photograph. Sorry!</div>
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Here is a closeup ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0BQLrbbwnzOgzc7JXVITu_lfieeuw82xYYSNyRzwFZ2V1PJ3RiItZIutoAfBYUvbz6SOv4qpnCyI-_TTrVfYpRe9RPqfhpGFipWO_Vx9ob7LjEczYRbzjVK3vm_o4Wvpkxbx_ZVAIOJE/s1600/DSC02970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0BQLrbbwnzOgzc7JXVITu_lfieeuw82xYYSNyRzwFZ2V1PJ3RiItZIutoAfBYUvbz6SOv4qpnCyI-_TTrVfYpRe9RPqfhpGFipWO_Vx9ob7LjEczYRbzjVK3vm_o4Wvpkxbx_ZVAIOJE/s320/DSC02970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My kinders are the green hands and my first graders are the blue hands. I wanted to color code it to show how we complement each other. I used the large ink pads from Lakeshore because the ink is washable and so much easier to use than paint. BUT I love the bright colors that are in <a href="http://kindergartensmorgasboard.blogspot.com/2012/08/schedulin-sunday-and-currently.html">Greg's wreath</a>. So ... next year I may brave the paint. Not sure yet. Since this was my first time creating a wreath like this, I was a bit controlling (sigh ... I am trying not to be, really I am!).</div>
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These were my steps:</div>
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1) Have each student make a handprint on white contruction paper. (I did this on the first day when they were also making handprints for their Kissing Hand puzzle. Very time efficient to make two handprints at once!) I lightly wrote their name in pencil on the papers ahead of time so that I could make sure each child made a handprint. (You know how confusing that first day is!)</div>
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2) I cut out each hand and wrote each name with a Sharpie.</div>
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3) I arranged and rearranged the hands on a large sheet of blue posterboard.</div>
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4) I glued the hands down and then cut out the posterboard in an appealing shape. (Maybe only appealing to me!!!)</div>
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5) I laminated and then recut the wreath.</div>
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Yep ... lots of teacher steps! I WILL GIVE UP CONTROL! I WILL GIVE UP CONTROL! I WILL GIVE UP CONTROL! (But I have to check my schedule and decide when that will be!)</div>
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Love to all,</div>
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Camille</div>
Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-37396183597504601212012-09-06T00:01:00.001-07:002012-09-06T00:01:10.462-07:00A Personal TributeToday I am using my blog to pay tribute to a man who died far too young. His name was Larry and he was my best friend and husband for 21 years. Two years ago today Larry died in an accident doing what he loved best: biking. He had just completed his favorite (and very strenuous) bike ride and was on his way home. It was an accident with no one to blame. It just happened.<br />
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So here is a photo tribute to my very favorite guy.<br />
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As a child ... (early 1960's)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9KcHRY66vWITQ4X1mOwzfTfIySBTcPmVrRVXrw8EDhVgRs80Qj28DCiL22iNvdGxm0Lh5FyFK93WprHp5Uynny2rBUTa3La9F4GJD237inio8W3vb_zPWfDO01lrQa6OfjRTCc4cAP-A/s1600/19860012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9KcHRY66vWITQ4X1mOwzfTfIySBTcPmVrRVXrw8EDhVgRs80Qj28DCiL22iNvdGxm0Lh5FyFK93WprHp5Uynny2rBUTa3La9F4GJD237inio8W3vb_zPWfDO01lrQa6OfjRTCc4cAP-A/s320/19860012.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
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As a newly engaged man, with guess who? Look at that smile! I used to tease him that if he kept smiling those ear to ear smiles, he might crack his face in two. (1988)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WzEFOrsrBT5zkzRixcM8qVPGDe-rhkYtQyvpP7iryuG_CKb86VDFn7rw7r2jdlYI7J6_wQK8TZwE73SGo-vrOPS7Qgo6uggisuNVh8b3asSVCgVodGD3v6_6Q1vKCYKddFkiHCa8GzDT/s1600/sc0027dc5c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WzEFOrsrBT5zkzRixcM8qVPGDe-rhkYtQyvpP7iryuG_CKb86VDFn7rw7r2jdlYI7J6_wQK8TZwE73SGo-vrOPS7Qgo6uggisuNVh8b3asSVCgVodGD3v6_6Q1vKCYKddFkiHCa8GzDT/s400/sc0027dc5c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Just married ... and again that smile! (1989)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQoMkC9RvFvbWryMC0g1mGi4Ynl58RjE1sQtxPKwfLSd8fHheVdNqaBdAiK7FgrCJNo35kctim-2tKSK1kvw7w5MeXbt9MAwt0VhZJ7piKgvPuA7orrDVwgggelKAQG-ES09cna-CHsAY/s1600/sc002821dd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQoMkC9RvFvbWryMC0g1mGi4Ynl58RjE1sQtxPKwfLSd8fHheVdNqaBdAiK7FgrCJNo35kctim-2tKSK1kvw7w5MeXbt9MAwt0VhZJ7piKgvPuA7orrDVwgggelKAQG-ES09cna-CHsAY/s320/sc002821dd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The honeymoon ... we went biking, of course! (Tahoe 1989)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJVwLXienZ9Pfljb4CxH7-E_By2Qbh8HgU2BjCiTQyv4ZzbkAhPeXexZJOFDad-ncy-LbSD_YOrkUO8_AwNYI1XxNhvLjvjcKaVuFXgldvLSR2o7bon7vw7k9hzNPps1qL2pXWdXcu2wM/s1600/sc0028df33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJVwLXienZ9Pfljb4CxH7-E_By2Qbh8HgU2BjCiTQyv4ZzbkAhPeXexZJOFDad-ncy-LbSD_YOrkUO8_AwNYI1XxNhvLjvjcKaVuFXgldvLSR2o7bon7vw7k9hzNPps1qL2pXWdXcu2wM/s400/sc0028df33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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He had both a serious side (on rare occasions)...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKklnhbzydRCzMRFMbacqGhrLV-qR6MJUvQhEsq3W0rE1Gjex11Dc7F0AU5K4ZphImZDwtqVPj9UZycUYbPRJRPKaqVUsqF0QmJk0o5uBmDYJAVDGdtZeGHRqYK2Jt6RfVHM5-DpB7XeF/s1600/sc002a772d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKklnhbzydRCzMRFMbacqGhrLV-qR6MJUvQhEsq3W0rE1Gjex11Dc7F0AU5K4ZphImZDwtqVPj9UZycUYbPRJRPKaqVUsqF0QmJk0o5uBmDYJAVDGdtZeGHRqYK2Jt6RfVHM5-DpB7XeF/s320/sc002a772d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and a goofy side. The goofy side was MUCH bigger so he always kept me laughing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bLI7v8VsVzGGj96dLuu1n1KrIDIBtLWKMsa6dvfPo1524Ry58gPQeGmuQeaTdXkCe8scVttPpbQbNEsrzMTzpHh_TL2HErpHwGHhrbVfWr4Su2kdZk8E3zUBprBkK3qhfutkcqwbBPkE/s1600/sc002afe75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bLI7v8VsVzGGj96dLuu1n1KrIDIBtLWKMsa6dvfPo1524Ry58gPQeGmuQeaTdXkCe8scVttPpbQbNEsrzMTzpHh_TL2HErpHwGHhrbVfWr4Su2kdZk8E3zUBprBkK3qhfutkcqwbBPkE/s320/sc002afe75.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaK58w1Da5iZj4jQbONNr6hMuBe4ejJhTMPq7GO_D8Uta8nCtrdS4WmBgTCyle2rmgwdQfxvswRtIr8uAd1MnzU6zztWF9DTH7ElaiYtddFwpzlkisgpvqzQWTxSi6OiY6swU0CA8k67Ls/s1600/Photo+9-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaK58w1Da5iZj4jQbONNr6hMuBe4ejJhTMPq7GO_D8Uta8nCtrdS4WmBgTCyle2rmgwdQfxvswRtIr8uAd1MnzU6zztWF9DTH7ElaiYtddFwpzlkisgpvqzQWTxSi6OiY6swU0CA8k67Ls/s1600/Photo+9-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaK58w1Da5iZj4jQbONNr6hMuBe4ejJhTMPq7GO_D8Uta8nCtrdS4WmBgTCyle2rmgwdQfxvswRtIr8uAd1MnzU6zztWF9DTH7ElaiYtddFwpzlkisgpvqzQWTxSi6OiY6swU0CA8k67Ls/s320/Photo+9-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As the best man in his dad's wedding in 2010. I love this picture because he is smiling at the photographer (ME!!!!!).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYP33eyTZa8WjBk_Wi0b43E-tnNYTeYWC2PNYQcQfDgHcps34zFlkw1d9Tq6lDJ3-DI3uVS1tiikzQ6p3e0yxneFYV-ykrynk8dM2n569kTWj5irm9Ojfd25L1KbxdYoji8ebnhPqrjh9/s1600/DSC00283-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYP33eyTZa8WjBk_Wi0b43E-tnNYTeYWC2PNYQcQfDgHcps34zFlkw1d9Tq6lDJ3-DI3uVS1tiikzQ6p3e0yxneFYV-ykrynk8dM2n569kTWj5irm9Ojfd25L1KbxdYoji8ebnhPqrjh9/s320/DSC00283-1.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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Our last trip to Lake Tahoe just a month before his death. I am so glad that we took the time to go!</div>
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His favorite activity! He loved to wear a yellow shirt when biking because that is the color won by the biking champions in the Tour de France. </div>
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So, for those of you still with me, thank you for reading this and taking a moment to learn about my Larry. He was an amazing man! Sweet, fun, compassionate, courageous. I could not have asked for a better husband. Larry loved helping others and never let anything interfere with that. Larry struggled with diabetes for over 40 years, but he never let that define who he was. After his death, Larry's favorite nurse told me that he had every possible diabetic complication possible and that his pain must have been incredible. I knew this and yet hearing it defined that way was stunning. You see, my sweet husband got up each day, put a smile on his face and provided cheer for the rest of us. After his death, I was amazed at how many people came forward to tell me that Larry was one of their favorite people: grocery clerks, pharmacists, many people that I did not know. Once they found out who I was, they told me beautiful stories about Larry and how he had helped them in some way. Most of the stories I did not know because for Larry being kind to others just came naturally. It was his normal way of life. So often I reflect on our time together and always come to the same conclusion: Given a choice of being married to Larry for only 21 years or not at all, I would always take the 21 years. It was not long enough, but it was wonderful. I know that my sweet guy no longer feels pain and is busy biking and gardening in Heaven. When I think about joining him there, I just know that he will be waiting for me with a tandem bike in hand so we can go biking together. I can hardly wait!</div>
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Thanks for indulging me, my dear bloggy friends! My advice to all of you is to savor each moment with your loved ones!</div>
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Love to all,</div>
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Camille</div>
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<br />Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-44542526152583712652012-09-02T18:51:00.001-07:002012-09-02T18:51:45.209-07:00Worst First Day EVER!Okay, so it really wasn't THAT bad. In fact, most of the day went really well. Really, really well. Until 1:50 and since we dismiss at 2:15, how bad could the last 25 minutes have been? A.W.F.U.L.!!! It wasn't my kiddos, they were great. It wasn't me, I was trying my best to be engaging, which was easy because it was love at first sight with my class. <br />
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So what went wrong? Well, at 1:50 our principal came on over the loudspeaker and announced, "Teachers, please lock your doors. Dismissal will be delayed." What???? Keep in mind that I teach in California where the classrooms are not in one building. Instead, our doors all lead to the outside world. That means once I locked the door, I was on my own. The only adult. No bathroom. With a class of kiddos asking, "Why did she say to lock the door?" My response, "I think she wants me to practice locking the door." Huh? I was not at my best since I was clueless as to what was going on. But then my awesome principal (I really do love her), organized the office staff to call each classroom and let us know what was going on. What was going on you wonder? It turns out there was an armed robbery at a nearby bank. One thief got away so the police alerted all of the nearby schools to go into lockdown. A real, true lockdown. Although over the years, we've had lockdown drills, this was my first real lockdown. As soon as the police called, the gates around the school were all closed and locked. All our classroom doors were locked. We were completely safe the whole time. But it was scary! I was so glad that I teach first graders because they were completely clueless as to any problem going on. They were also clueless about dismissal time. We ended up being dismissed at about 2:45 and my kiddos didn't even know they were in school an extra 30 minutes. I was also grateful that I was a veteran teacher and could reach into my bag of tricks and come up with an instant lesson. What did we do? Clay! I had it all prepped for the next day, so I pulled it out and the children were enamored and oh, so sad when I got the "all clear" call and we got to evacuate.<br />
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I told you this was the worst first day ever, but it was also the best. The most amazing thing happened as we evacuated. The entire community pitched in to help. Classes were called to the front gate one at a time. There were escorts all along the way ... support staff, district office personnel, parents. All making sure we knew what to do and that all was well. It was so moving to see the support we were being given. I actually started crying (and then had to quickly suck it up so my kiddos wouldn't get worried.) As my class got close to the front gate, a parent announced, "Mrs. Johnson's class". The waiting parents who had children in my class stepped forward and all of the other parents stepped back. I still get teary-eyed thinking about it. And bear in mind that this was the FIRST day of school. Somehow our amazing school community came together and created a safe, nurturing environment in the midst of a lockdown. So on the first day two messages came out loud and clear: Children are loved and protected at this school! AND We are a community that works together!<br />
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So that is my first day story. After that, the rest of the week was lowkey. ... and yes, the other thief was caught miles and miles from my school.<br />
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Love to all,<br />
CamilleCamillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-41532943845550630692012-09-01T19:49:00.003-07:002012-09-02T09:46:52.417-07:00My Room With a View<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hi all! I just finished my first week and thought I would show you some photos from my finished classroom. These photos were taken prior to the first day of school. The bulletin boards are sadly lacking student work, but in just five days that has changed! This is my new room and I have never, ever taught in a room this large. I have already told my principal that I love this room so much, I want to stay in it forever!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Welcome to my classroom! My school is located in a city with mild weather so our classroom doors open to the outside world. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiOmpxeilz-0hmrXnjNrVMRywYiSfdVHlCg5O8Ghyphenhyphen2NFYAGRjg60x4JlMSuTdhy1kloPx9Wezlu2mkOPu2zYJZv7lOS72CAwrQyTWpOcxAbj26FXinyt12HulmTBGF56lOt51NRvFw_WZ/s1600/DSC02840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiOmpxeilz-0hmrXnjNrVMRywYiSfdVHlCg5O8Ghyphenhyphen2NFYAGRjg60x4JlMSuTdhy1kloPx9Wezlu2mkOPu2zYJZv7lOS72CAwrQyTWpOcxAbj26FXinyt12HulmTBGF56lOt51NRvFw_WZ/s320/DSC02840.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is my third year teaching a kindergarten / first grade combination class. I refer to my class as a "winning combination". Since we are in room eight, we are "Team Eight". The only problem is that I was in room five for about fifteen years so I keep slipping up and calling my class "Team Five". Whoops! My kiddos keep laughing and reminding me of our room number. The other sign to the left of the door is a class list.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mCFtdKhn6kWweKJdPZ273DchukWSi9bODsp7F1veEBmcjZp6p6p2z4RHdxczBXhCRgm79CE-yEcqIkLSkb8YpmsTRWVP8nhhiHowBgZnOGXW48-g-_AihoTOaJEtC31Nzmy1PUNphxXw/s1600/DSC02841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mCFtdKhn6kWweKJdPZ273DchukWSi9bODsp7F1veEBmcjZp6p6p2z4RHdxczBXhCRgm79CE-yEcqIkLSkb8YpmsTRWVP8nhhiHowBgZnOGXW48-g-_AihoTOaJEtC31Nzmy1PUNphxXw/s320/DSC02841.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I usually make an adorable door display with student names, but I had important family obligations this year, so I quickly put up this poster. I added "and first grade" to the title of the poster just after taking this photo. (I don't want my first grade families think there is nothing left to learn!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSutPdxYc_L2kTJONKhEizUetIVD51KSJ0qNGEHueHi9RHj6dMA-2blS-IAmVdjdddVBW6WbJubkkkTsHLlv6eGgqS_BneR_VEt_GQVS006J66C_8qAcT6QnPHokoP0qwi4oTnDwidxJ6/s1600/DSC02842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSutPdxYc_L2kTJONKhEizUetIVD51KSJ0qNGEHueHi9RHj6dMA-2blS-IAmVdjdddVBW6WbJubkkkTsHLlv6eGgqS_BneR_VEt_GQVS006J66C_8qAcT6QnPHokoP0qwi4oTnDwidxJ6/s320/DSC02842.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwinNzTJUMb9oItknyEEfm_PGN7QeUOBWE_vRcZVr9FaSgHfBPprtjGqV-6ZTggacOLfj7ERoBt00IugB7tMDf21wmmhONoV1G0V31ej_JedpdJGF3b1Lep4alvbMAlR42w6QEovbyA2J2/s1600/DSC02843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwinNzTJUMb9oItknyEEfm_PGN7QeUOBWE_vRcZVr9FaSgHfBPprtjGqV-6ZTggacOLfj7ERoBt00IugB7tMDf21wmmhONoV1G0V31ej_JedpdJGF3b1Lep4alvbMAlR42w6QEovbyA2J2/s320/DSC02843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the entry to the classroom. I put a bookcase (backwards) next to the door so it would feel like an actual entry way. On the bookcase are my "Stop and Drop" (the short blue tub) which is where students place notes, homework, etc. The two cute tubs are for snacks. Kinders place their snacks in green and firsties in blue. (I try to color code as much as possible since my students have different dismissals and that makes clean up so much easier.)</div>
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Here are the two snack tubs close up. They are a Dollar Store find!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii53B_VoiYU93bs21JrMToTKm-DjHJoBTX91cWHgTU4SbVVOKzE38AvYqYvuzJI0ctPAP2pe22Tx74eiDm-SaCTGY4E1PP7Jtta9q1nEPxJkSvcV5I7Sv-HMgdEQjA9Ur2iISoxL9KYW0F/s1600/DSC02844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii53B_VoiYU93bs21JrMToTKm-DjHJoBTX91cWHgTU4SbVVOKzE38AvYqYvuzJI0ctPAP2pe22Tx74eiDm-SaCTGY4E1PP7Jtta9q1nEPxJkSvcV5I7Sv-HMgdEQjA9Ur2iISoxL9KYW0F/s320/DSC02844.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the other side of the bookcase. This is the main classroom library, but there are tubs in other places in the classroom also. My books are organized by topic or author. Each tub has a number and each book in the tub has a sticker with that number on it. I learned this system on the Sisters website and I LOVE it!!! Oh, if you look closely, you can see my READ letters (Thank you Pinterest!) on the left. I velcroed them to that case. Side note: Who chose this carpet for a classroom? Seriously, it makes my eyes spin in my head just looking at this photo. Walking on it is far worse.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQJV_Yb2JC18TkjGkpac6Zvu4CIeaEpT0jSi-KnCr4jeh2DmF68-YzL6ghqGauaTrOTan0yxKVhSMTDZMgY0Gh93NTY-DlpVYIdC-FU6mXX4uIvbhu7idfZ_9tEo7-5KbDG_j4s9EplWG/s1600/DSC02845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQJV_Yb2JC18TkjGkpac6Zvu4CIeaEpT0jSi-KnCr4jeh2DmF68-YzL6ghqGauaTrOTan0yxKVhSMTDZMgY0Gh93NTY-DlpVYIdC-FU6mXX4uIvbhu7idfZ_9tEo7-5KbDG_j4s9EplWG/s320/DSC02845.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Continuing around the room, here is my read aloud area. There is actually plenty of room for all 26 kiddos to sit, but I know it looks super small - it is NOT!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZOgO6bv9zNGuaKU8zww4i3qMEaFzJZOSKv3b-9miTOaeTYM9ca8CpwdRsdmCWWDptRQAjEfPby9j1eHVtviSRjVP-vaIhdQ74SV2206bZMeRx9tLfSy4D0J0d7Q77_0gkaS4hn_vUP0k/s1600/DSC02846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZOgO6bv9zNGuaKU8zww4i3qMEaFzJZOSKv3b-9miTOaeTYM9ca8CpwdRsdmCWWDptRQAjEfPby9j1eHVtviSRjVP-vaIhdQ74SV2206bZMeRx9tLfSy4D0J0d7Q77_0gkaS4hn_vUP0k/s320/DSC02846.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The calendar area. I tried to place most items low enough for students to reach. It looks way too busy doesn't it? In real life it looks a little tamer.<br />
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Pocket chart all ready for day one. I am not sure which blog I got this chant from. But I love it! So thank you to the creator!</div>
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Our math manipulatives. All tubbed and labeled and ready to go!<br />
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Okay, time for an age test. Are you old enough to recognize these containers? If not, they originally contained wet wipes about 15 years ago. I used to have parents of babies save them and send them in. I have been using them ever since. I only wish I had more!<br />
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Here is my small group teaching table. It won't normally look like this, but I wanted it cute for day one. Behind it are more books, and two bulletin boards. One is for FACE / CAFE and the other is the Word Wall.</div>
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An EL teacher once told me to use photographs whenever possible, so I love these cards for the Word Wall. This wall now contains all of our names. I had each student walk up and show me where his/her name should go. Harder for some than for others!!! Oh, I do love this blue color so much. I painted all of my bulletin boards this color.<br />
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Birthday bags ready to go. Thank goodness since I had a birthday on Day One!!!! This was the first time I put border around a white board and I love it! Thank you Pinterest! Oh no, here is my voice chart and I can't remember who to credit. Sorry times a thousand!<br />
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My Welcome Sign a la Pinterest. I purchased the black letters from Fourth Grade Frolics at TPT. <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Welcome-Sign-GrayBlack-and-White-Theme">Here is the link</a>. I actually meant to cut out triangles to glue them on, but I got distracted and starting cutting out circles. By the time my brain re-engaged, I had already cut several circles so I went with circles. What a dope! You can't tell, but blue and green paper is totally adorable. I got it from the Dollar Store.<br />
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Behind the Welcome Sign is my almost new Smartboard. Sigh, I love it so! BUT I have so much to learn about truly using it to its full capacity!!!<br />
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My area. Teacher computer (also used by students as needed), my Pinterest inspired organizer, and various pens, etc. The blank spot has now been filled in with my document camera. (Thanks to the marvelous IT guys in my district!!) I made the table skirt two years ago and velcroed it to this table to hide all the wires and electrical boxes, etc.<br />
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More books, more books, more books. (I have over a thousand books. Not sure how many over.)<br />
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The bulletin board is for our monthly TLC quilt squares. The title reads: Our Class Quilt. You can order the <a href="http://www.tlclessons.com/catalog/index.php">TLC Quilt Book here</a>. I highly recommend it!! If you teach kinder, prekinder or first be sure to check out the many wonderful TLC books that are available at their site.<br />
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Our computer area. We stopped using our computers last year when we got iPads. Not sure what this year will hold.</div>
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... and here we have my favorite of all favorites: my filing cabinet! In case you missed my previous post, I painted this myself and do love it so! It was once a plain, gray filing cabinet. Now it is my pride and joy! (Oh, please do not panic ... I do love the kiddos in my class even more than I love this file cabinet!)<br />
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Check out all this counter space! (Sorry for the dark photo!) There are cabinets underneath the counter and I am amazed at all this storage space. (Of course, I have already filled it.) On top of (and under) that table are more books that need to be numbered to go into bins.<br />
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Look at all those windows and that great view of trees. L.O.V.E.<br />
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One more small group area. Not sure how I will use this yet.<br />
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I don't have cubbies (and wish I did!) so instead I use these drawers to sort student work. Back in the good old days (three years ago) I only needed 20 drawers. But now I need 26 for my class. I am hoping we stop at 26, but I look at other schools in California and see that many of them have 30 or more in kinder and first grade so I am thinking that my numbers may go up in future years.<br />
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I feel like I took a billion photos, but realize now that I left out the back part of the room. I think maybe it was so messy that day that I didn't want to photograph it. Now the messiness is shoved into cabinets and may never be straightened out.</div>
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Thank you for touring my classroom with me!</div>
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Love to all,</div>
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Camille</div>
Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-47961561162801068012012-08-20T01:00:00.000-07:002012-08-20T07:53:01.013-07:00Made It and LOVE It!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 30px;">This is my third and last "Monday Made It" post. Goodbye to lazy summers and hello to school starting! </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2012/08/monday-made-it-12.html">Monday Made It with Fourth Grade Frolics</a></div>
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Oh, I so love my two newest projects. Love, love, love them!<br />
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First up: <b><u>Lovely Curtains</u></b><br />
I already showed you my little curtain for my window in the door. I liked it so much that I decided to make curtains for all of my windows. I got the inspiration from <a href="http://welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com/2012/07/cheap-valance-makeover.html">here</a>. However, I could not find an adorable plastic tablecloth so I found a paper one I loved and laminated it. (Thanks to Lakeshore and their 29 cents/foot laminating charge, my total cost for tablecloths and laminating came to under $20. Not too bad since I have 34 feet of windows!!!) Yes, my new room is giant-sized and I have windows running the entire length of one long wall! Love, love, love!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTyTOxDhpZ_H0-lt4UhWzZtLwSkQ0Dn6fZuIaFIiuA01ooEaDpXRkl56cVnhuxhFf5Wrs2B8gtro4lh1INR4vK1aOiFeFMiP9U0lznrYGo7qduqUlsAHUxZG1Q7wv81AQfJqixONWiNxj/s1600/DSC02839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTyTOxDhpZ_H0-lt4UhWzZtLwSkQ0Dn6fZuIaFIiuA01ooEaDpXRkl56cVnhuxhFf5Wrs2B8gtro4lh1INR4vK1aOiFeFMiP9U0lznrYGo7qduqUlsAHUxZG1Q7wv81AQfJqixONWiNxj/s320/DSC02839.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and now onto my favorite of all favorites ... <b><u>My File Cabinet</u></b>. True confession: I am in love with my file cabinet!<br />
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I got the inspiration from <a href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2011/07/paint-a-file-cabinet-blue-5-revamp/">here</a>.<br />
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I did not take a before picture so you will have to imagination a perfectly fine, gray file cabinet. Nothing wrong with it at all. But nothing to write home about. Now look at it:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QO1DItNKJ_VtpZ6AcJBiTNxwdngNds310Jw7ekoVobgjxhLHTnKWGhOXQP5mIwTu6ZDrpnN5DZF1yqvx7EKJCb1MTI9A_YRrbbJjaLWs1f3BmFzc9yafOp7HdXxrCa4cTUnXIlRGlQZQ/s1600/DSC02837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QO1DItNKJ_VtpZ6AcJBiTNxwdngNds310Jw7ekoVobgjxhLHTnKWGhOXQP5mIwTu6ZDrpnN5DZF1yqvx7EKJCb1MTI9A_YRrbbJjaLWs1f3BmFzc9yafOp7HdXxrCa4cTUnXIlRGlQZQ/s320/DSC02837.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here is another look:</div>
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And a closeup:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVr1R1ALJoryntLelXrf8GerSu5dZXc7jCVhRV7VCMwhp6KPRHtL_1pMs3udcKPsDpDDqePVnXfZqz_zwnZswz925W2ZsscZ0CgncEMGDqHUB4sk4qUSMR9BxsZomitpltIRpGzpIyhXt9/s1600/DSC02833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVr1R1ALJoryntLelXrf8GerSu5dZXc7jCVhRV7VCMwhp6KPRHtL_1pMs3udcKPsDpDDqePVnXfZqz_zwnZswz925W2ZsscZ0CgncEMGDqHUB4sk4qUSMR9BxsZomitpltIRpGzpIyhXt9/s400/DSC02833.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Love, love, love, love, love!<br />
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First I spray painted the file cabinet. (My beloved custodian hauled it outside for me and then brought it back in the next day when it was dry.) Then I used a white paint pen to draw the lines. I know it looks like a five year old drew those lines, but it was me trying my best! I actually think those crooked old lines look quite charming! So this file cabinet is now, officially, my favorite part of my room.<br />
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Be sure to check out the inspiring projects over at <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2012/08/monday-made-it-12.html">Tara's Fourth Grade Frolics</a>!<br />
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Love to all,<br />
Camille<br />
<br />Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-20913997028661290052012-08-13T08:31:00.000-07:002012-08-13T08:31:29.437-07:00Monday Made It Number Two!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Tara over at Fourth Grade Frolics is already on <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2012/08/monday-made-it-11-and-yipee.html">Monday Made It #11</a>, but this is just my second time to link up.<br />
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I have been painting like crazy in my new room. First the bulletin boards, then the bookcases and then ... anything that didn't move. (Well, not really, but almost!!!) Besides painting, I did FINALLY made a few Pinterest items that it seems like EVERYONE else made months ago. Try not to be too, too, too bored. Here they are:<br />
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1) READ letters<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9M8StN88UwAMxFb2SdgdFZkaClMtflDMkbfJQcec2x9vnV_lORy53QaGgwnGopPOZDM6KRo8RfIhJUC0L0nonmQDcwLWryzt2afQ1X3NH_HcYvOUhgWqZjkciTUO2cXKyMwJPVXS5iaP/s1600/DSC02828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9M8StN88UwAMxFb2SdgdFZkaClMtflDMkbfJQcec2x9vnV_lORy53QaGgwnGopPOZDM6KRo8RfIhJUC0L0nonmQDcwLWryzt2afQ1X3NH_HcYvOUhgWqZjkciTUO2cXKyMwJPVXS5iaP/s320/DSC02828.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love these! I used scrapbook paper and ModPodge. This was my first ModPodge project ever. The bubbles were unexpected and a pain, but with persistence, I got rid of most of them. A few stayed, but I still love my letters.<br />
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2) Teacher's Toolbox<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictVPYIF1Fdar7YPhaapCTWm4b-EC04RhnjzokB-DIfPeJgkp10_FsaNrZnI2f86NYj7SmzPbDIBKXn9OPDDhMQkAp_4Y9HCzsX8yD7cMfmvZDzpIoXctrrqpmxDzuTR1Jt162zSdDHDvt/s1600/DSC02830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictVPYIF1Fdar7YPhaapCTWm4b-EC04RhnjzokB-DIfPeJgkp10_FsaNrZnI2f86NYj7SmzPbDIBKXn9OPDDhMQkAp_4Y9HCzsX8yD7cMfmvZDzpIoXctrrqpmxDzuTR1Jt162zSdDHDvt/s320/DSC02830.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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While a friend was in my classroom today, she asked me for a postit. Rather than just handing her one, I dragged her over to my toolbox so she could watch me open the labeled drawer and pull out a postit. What a dope I am! But she is a sweetie so she oohed and awed over my toolbox. Heh heh!<br />
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Be sure to check out the amazing, brilliant, creative things that other teachers are making over at <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2012/08/monday-made-it-11-and-yipee.html">Fourth Grade Frolics</a>!<br />
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Once I have the painted furniture in place, I will post pictures. I am so excited that my classroom is starting to shape up and look like an actual classroom (versus a storeroom filled with boxes).<br />
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Love to all,<br />
CamilleCamillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-73429611417503297932012-08-06T23:56:00.001-07:002012-08-06T23:57:16.729-07:00Monday Made It!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2012/08/monday-made-it-10-its-start-time.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 20px;">Monday Made It</span></a></div>
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Hi all! It is still Monday for a few more minutes here so I am going to take part in Monday Made It!!! This is a first for me. Every week I carefully read all the amazing posts about what you all have made. Now, FINALLY, I get to add one. Don't get too excited ... but here are my Monday Made Its ...<br />
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<u>Exhibit #1: Cute decorations for the classroom</u><br />
My last name starts with a J and I just moved to room 8 so these two items will hang somewhere in my new classroom. I especially love the 8 because I used a paint pen (FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER) to make those dots. I may make them on the J also, but I don't want to go overboard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJOADcOOX-hyveJytcIb0Jj4PujNJZyA1CayGnps6KMcQxBW-16yOSFy1CHGySQM4g_449RulfsacMRLR70tfhm_Nl8xCAQQVja7WqN5DFNcWqwkyJx-jWxr3w42PJceq49kxBIuXv6EH/s1600/DSC02819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJOADcOOX-hyveJytcIb0Jj4PujNJZyA1CayGnps6KMcQxBW-16yOSFy1CHGySQM4g_449RulfsacMRLR70tfhm_Nl8xCAQQVja7WqN5DFNcWqwkyJx-jWxr3w42PJceq49kxBIuXv6EH/s320/DSC02819.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u>Exhibit #2: Birthday Bags</u></div>
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Actually a former class mom and dear friend decorated these for me. (Thank you Melynda!!!!) I set out lots of stickers and she got to be creative. Then I stuffed them with goodies that will be loved by five and six year olds. Usually I put their names on the bags but this year I am doing it differently. (Do you notice the beautiful blue bulletin board in the background? Read more about it in Exhibit #3!!!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVj3U44PzLtzpi_N8TsflyZ4so3Sq3ZRJYoh-_uCnmacopmujiPyXQpthXDNIFC5J58PZ42AD4g3ayAAQsz8hUeH3iSJwHbPqIXqvk7DIivlb-gtRPqGukuLwJcxYwLDaom9a2vCrCGdJe/s1600/DSC02822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVj3U44PzLtzpi_N8TsflyZ4so3Sq3ZRJYoh-_uCnmacopmujiPyXQpthXDNIFC5J58PZ42AD4g3ayAAQsz8hUeH3iSJwHbPqIXqvk7DIivlb-gtRPqGukuLwJcxYwLDaom9a2vCrCGdJe/s320/DSC02822.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u>Exhibit #3: My BEAUTIFUL Bulletin Boards</u></div>
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This may not technically be a "Made It", but I am going to count it. Since I moved to a new classroom, I decided to paint my bulletin boards. This is the third time I have painted bulletin boards and the other two times it was super easy; NO problems. This time was a nightmare. The paint started running, it was all streaky. I ended up putting on three coats of paint and used up two gallons of paint. YIKES!!! That is a lot of paint!!! (...and remember, I only painted my bulletin boards, not my walls). All I can think of was that I started on a hot day and that caused all of the initial problems. BUT now (three coats later), I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how my boards look. I have had many compliments already (and I don't even have a single thing on my boards yet ... except one birthday bag). Now I can smile and say it was worth it ... but if you had talked to me last week, there were moments when I thought I would have to cover the paint with butcher paper. BUT now I am happy and it is so, so, so lovely!</div>
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<u>Exhibit #4: My New Curtains</u></div>
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I saved my favorite for last. I made a curtain for the window in my back door. (My new classroom has TWO doors.) The sun was shining in so this is not a great photo. But I am in love with this curtain. (Oh, have you figured out that I am having a blue and green classroom? Blue and green are my favorite colors. I love nature and love the blue sky and all the green found in plants. So having lots of blue and green in my classroom makes me feel like I have brought nature inside.)</div>
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So ... I got the idea for this curtain from Mrs. Anderson at Welcome to First Grade. <a href="http://welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com/2012/07/cheap-valance-makeover.html">Here is the link</a>. That brilliant teacher found two plastic tablecloths at Target and cut them in half to make a valance for her blinds. I loved the idea, but couldn't find any plastic tablecloths that I loved. I found this one at Party City, but it was paper. I knew it wouldn't last long. But I really, really loved it. So I laminated it. Perfect!!! It is being held in place by magnets right now because this is a metal door. I will probably end up using velcro dots to hold it in place. I am also going to laminate more of the tablecloth to create a valance for my blinds, just like Mrs. Anderson.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsfoak3Mux_0_4gv2tk1UcmrkeYgZA0OWeWOIvyJjN_xxi02ivtOb1L04hFrlGSkFEaLDEeDgXNq7peU02i2qbxGgIPqkN8UB1H3632yxZRph3QssiiGe1IdPdk35zeu0MS5fR-5YMR43/s1600/DSC02821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsfoak3Mux_0_4gv2tk1UcmrkeYgZA0OWeWOIvyJjN_xxi02ivtOb1L04hFrlGSkFEaLDEeDgXNq7peU02i2qbxGgIPqkN8UB1H3632yxZRph3QssiiGe1IdPdk35zeu0MS5fR-5YMR43/s320/DSC02821.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now, be sure to go on over to see all the other Monday Made It projects at <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2012/08/monday-made-it-10-its-start-time.html">4th Grade Frolics</a>. Thanks Tara for creating this great linky party!<br />
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Love to all,<br />
CamilleCamillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8405733733570039847.post-44241084051785681022012-08-03T15:36:00.001-07:002012-08-12T10:36:58.856-07:00iTalk iPads - GuideThis post is dedicated to my new bloggy friend Erica from Minnesota. Erica sent me the following email:<br />
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<i>Hi Camille,<u></u></i></div>
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<i>I came across your blog and am in LOVE. I am feeling your adrenaline as I recently found out my teaching partner and I were awarded a class set of iPads for our kindergarten class. AHHHHH!!! I am sooo not ready and we start in 3 weeks! Exciting and scary. Do you have any other advice for newbies just getting started- organization wise/setup etc? I am all ears in case you do. Erica</i><u></u></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;">Well, my life has been crazy and my head has been spinning so fast that there was no way I could think of one single thing to post about. Erica to the rescue! Seriously, how could I not respond to this sweet email? So here goes ....</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Camille's <strike>Quick</strike> Guide to Getting Your iPad On :)</span></b></div>
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<i><u>Disclaimer:</u> I first touched an iPad on March 26, 2012. A class set of iPads arrived in my K/1 class on April 16, 2012. GULP! My kiddos used iPads for 7 weeks. So repeat after me: Camille is NOT an expert!! </i><i>Camille is NOT an expert!! </i><i>Camille is NOT an expert!! </i></div>
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<i>Okay, onward we go:</i></div>
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1) <b><u>Smile!</u></b> Smile and enjoy the moment. Magic happened and you, yes you, are getting a class set of iPads!!</div>
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2) <b><u>Practice!</u></b> Get your hands on one of the iPads as soon as possible. Give yourself permission to play with it. Get comfortable using an iPad. If you already have one, great, but make sure it is the same (1, 2 or 3) as your students are receiving. This was super important for me because I had never used an iPad before. Luckily, I have a MacBook and an iPod so had a beginning familiarity. </div>
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3) <b><u>Be Aware That Your Students WILL Become Experts!</u></b> No matter how much time you have spent using an iPad, you WILL have students (yes, even kinders) that will know more than you. Accept it, celebrate it, rejoice in it and learn to ask your kiddos for advice. I learned the true meaning of "digital native" when I placed iPads in my students' hands. Also, your kiddos will automatically became collaborative when using their iPads. It is amazing to behold! Have your camera ready at all times!!!</div>
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3) <u><b>Learn to Download Apps the District Way!</b></u> Find out how you are going to download apps. Talk to your IT people about that. You will need a special iTunes account. Find out how this is going to be handled. Our six teachers were each given our own account and password. I am making this sound very simple, but it can become super complex. In some districts teachers are not allowed to download apps, that is up to the IT people. We were given free rein (lots of trust here and I LOVE that). We were given a small budget to work with, but strongly encouraged to seek out free apps. (More on that in #3.)</div>
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3) <b><u>Investigate Free Apps!</u></b> Know that apps can be very, very expensive. Two dollars may not sound like much, but multiply that by 26 iPads and OUCH!!! If you do find apps you want, look into the Apple school voucher program which gives you half off when you buy in quantity. (Note: Not all apps qualify for this, but most do.) However, I would encourage you to look for free apps. In the primary grades, we have thousands of free apps to choose from. Some of them are fantastic! <a href="http://camillesopendoor.blogspot.com/2012/06/italk-ipads.html">Here is my post on my favorite free apps</a>. Get connected with a free app website or email list. There are many out there and they work in different ways. My favorite is <a href="http://www.smartappsforkids.com/">Smart Apps for Kids</a>. I have signed up for their daily email and each day receive a summary of their "Free App of the Day". I like that there is not a long list, but just one app so I can make a quick decision as to whether this app would work for us or not. They also send out emails if a great app suddenly becomes free for just a day. (Companies like to do that to boost their numbers quickly.) If I see a free app that might work for my class, I quickly download it because it may not be free tomorrow. Then later, I try it out and may end up deleting it.</div>
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4) <b><u>Plan!</u></b> There is not one right way to set up your iPads. However, iPads are different than desktops or even laptops because they are personal devices. You will want each child using the same iPad each time. So we numbered ours and the students always knew which iPad was theirs. <a href="http://camillesopendoor.blogspot.com/2012/06/italk-ipads-organization.html">Here is my post on how I organized my iPads</a>.</div>
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5) <b><u>Questions to Ask!</u></b> Become good friends with your IT people. Really, really good friends! (The six teachers involved with the iPad Academy in my district have nicknamed our IT guys "The Magic Men".) Here are some questions to ask:</div>
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<ul>
<li>What is the procedure for downloading apps?</li>
<li>Is there a budget for downloading apps?</li>
<li>What is the procedure for syncing iPads? (Syncing allows you to add apps to ALL of your iPads at the same time, rather than individually adding them for each iPad. See #7 for how I go about this.)</li>
<li>Is there enough bandwidth in my room for all students to be on the internet at the same time? If not, what is the limit?</li>
<li>Are we allowed to use an app like Rover so that students can access sites that use Flash? (Since Apple and Flash are mad at each other, you have to use a third party app like Rover to deal with this. Rover basically streams the Flash sites onto the iPads. My IT guys checked out Rover and approved it. It was created for teachers and is free. It does NOT keep information on students stored anywhere.)</li>
<li>Where will the iPads be housed at night? (I take them to the office at the end of each day because it is the only building on campus that is alarmed. Oh, side note: I am in California and out here, our schools are typically not all under one roof.)</li>
<li>Will the iPads go home with the students? (We do not send the iPads home ever. But some districts do allow for that.)</li>
</ul>
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6) <b><u>Glitches Will Occur!</u></b> Not only are we dealing with technology, we are dealing with new technology. Be prepared to be frustrated at times. You cannot just go down the hall and ask a veteran teacher what to do. Your questions may even stump your own "Magic Men/Women". But together, you will prevail. (How cool that there are two of you that are beginning your iPad journey together!!)</div>
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7) <b><u>Accessories! </u></b> Yes, even iPads need accessories. What you get will depend on your budget. But here are some ideas:</div>
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfZnsMIsCUMwk8bGq1z13zD_tFkzZVhVZvYQTDLNaC_hoKNVJbj6hBTaFwMap5b0Es81d12izZeW7FbNbSo6aXtFeLaB28RCHyYxPnmMiBKexIUiWRJXvKJjS6l86uXM4QBUr1_tFsz44/s1600/DSC02610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfZnsMIsCUMwk8bGq1z13zD_tFkzZVhVZvYQTDLNaC_hoKNVJbj6hBTaFwMap5b0Es81d12izZeW7FbNbSo6aXtFeLaB28RCHyYxPnmMiBKexIUiWRJXvKJjS6l86uXM4QBUr1_tFsz44/s320/DSC02610.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<li>Cases - Ahead of time a friend told me I had to get "grippy" cases. I didn't know what she meant, but now I do. You need cases for the iPads that are not slick, but instead are "grippy" so that the students can hold onto the iPads. If given a choice, get them in different colors to make the cases easier to differentiate. Mine are all black, so I used four different colors of tape and ran a strand along the front of each case. The tape won't hold up forever, but it will help in the beginning.</li>
<li>Stylus- Since my kiddos are just learning to write, I use several handwriting apps and want them to practice the correct grip. Using your finger to practice making letters just doesn't cut it for me. I looked around and picked the <a href="http://www.dano2.com/products/appcrayon">AppCrayon from Dano</a>. These are pricey, but Dano gives a 50% discount to schools. There are much less expensive ones, but I liked Dano because it was fatter and triangular in shape so it helps primary students grip correctly. Dano also has a free app called AppCrayon that is good.</li>
<li>Charging / Syncing Cart - My district provided a cart that allows us to both charge and sync. I LOVE IT! Syncing is a pain, but this cart makes it manageable. There are some glitches with this cart, but still it makes it possible to sync all my iPads at once. (Glitch: Sometimes the cables don't connect correctly and a few iPads don't sync so you have to go back and manually sync those. The first time this happened it caused tears in my class because one sad girl didn't get the new apps that everyone else did. After that, I knew to check.)</li>
</ul>
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7) <b><u>Think about your philosophy!</u></b> There is no right answer here. My decision was to view the iPads as tools. Just like my kiddos use pencils, paper, etc. so they use iPads to aide their learning. They got their iPads out of the cart first thing in the morning and had them available in a team tub on their desks all day. I feel like I only scratched the surface in terms of using the iPads as tools. This year, I plan to integrate them far more. Not sure what that will look like, but I will keep you posted.</div>
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8) <b><u>Prepare for Negativity!</u></b> I hate to bring this up, but want to forewarn you. Please realize that there may be jealousy and misunderstanding from other teachers. It has nothing to do with you, so just let it go. The teachers at my school were supportive, but not so at some of the other schools. Comments were made about our students not using pencils, paper and paintbrushes, but instead sitting and playing Angry Birds all day. I typically stayed very quiet at district meetings, but looking back I wish I had shared what it actually looks like in my classroom. The fact that my students do use pencils and paper and paintbrushes. They also use clay and crayons and construction paper. They build with blocks and legos and Lincoln logs. You get the idea. We found humor in the anonymous quote <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i>"You can always tell who the pioneers are because they have arrows in their backs and are floating down the river." </i></span><i> </i><br />
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9) <b><u>You ARE a Pioneer!</u></b> You are taking part in something that is so new and different that there are no manuals to help you on your way. I told my students that it was our job to do research for the district. The question we were supposed to answer was, "Do iPads help students learn? Of course my kiddos all knew the answer before I did. (A resounding YES!!!) </div>
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Here is a quote to leave you with: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i>“A pioneer is not someone who makes her own soap. She is one who takes up her burdens and walks toward the future.” </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"> Laurel Thatcher Ulrich </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">So there will be glitches, there will be issues, but your iPad journey will be amazing! So just start walking!</span></div>
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Whew! Longest post ever! Hope this helps!</div>
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Love to all,</div>
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Camille</div>
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Links to learn more:</div>
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<a href="http://iteachwithipads.net/">I Teach With iPads</a> - Katie has been using a class set of iPads for a few years and I feel like she is my mentor!!! (I have only met her in Bloggyland, but I think she is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.)</div>
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<a href="http://digitalkindergarten.blogspot.com/">Digital Kindergarten</a></div>
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<br /></div>Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15944280556679586400noreply@blogger.com1