tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41096019631300276732024-02-22T08:08:43.792-06:00Jillian's Just Tinkerin' Around!Fiddling with Files for a Creative Classroom!Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-88675936107750100252013-09-30T20:50:00.004-05:002013-09-30T20:50:49.397-05:00The COOL Water Cycle Song!Have you heard it? Do you know what I'm speaking of? Oh yes, it's the most memorable, most catchy science song on the face of this planet...it's "The COOL Water Cycle Song" by Mr. Davies! <br />
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While this is not the "original"...it's pretty close...and it has the lyrics typed on top of the video, which I LOVE! <br />
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So today, we started learning about the water cycle. We took out our boring science books, and instead of simply reading and going over the diagrams, we added in this fun video and then "followed" the cycle with our fingers as it was sung through the song! So cute, so fun, and my kiddos were singing the song ALL day up until dismissal. Who could ask for more?! :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following the Water Cycle as it's sung by Mr. Davies in his way COOL Water Cycle Song!</td></tr>
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So I hope everyone's having a great beginning of the week, and if you haven't already taught the water cycle yet this year, I hope you'll keep this fun video in the back of your mind to pull out of your bag of tricks when you do begin! Happy Monday!!! (PS- Sorry in advance if you listen and the song gets stuck in your head the rest of the night! Enjoy!!!)<br />
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Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-86452519350736644982013-08-18T12:30:00.002-05:002013-08-18T12:30:52.359-05:00Are You Ready For Today?! TpT BACK TO SCHOOL SALE & North Texas Blogger Meet-Up!<br />
Busy busy! Today is going to be such a great day. Why, you ask? Only because it's Teachers Pay Teachers' Annual Back to School Sale AND the day of our North Texas Teacher Blogger Meet up! Woo-Hoo! Who could ask for more?! <br />
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<span id="goog_2130447775"></span><span id="goog_2130447776">Look for more pics to come of my fun afternoon in Southlake, TX with fellow bloggers!</span><br />
(Oh, and PS, I can't tell you how EXCITED I am for my new computer to be able to upload pictures to my blog now! Woo-Hoo!)<br />
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Happy Sunday!Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-71698541348887301142013-08-11T08:37:00.002-05:002013-08-11T08:37:53.547-05:00Want to "Excel"?!?<br />
Yes, we talk talk talk about teaching our kiddos technology, but when it comes down to it, I'd really love to see some statistics about teachers' use of technology themselves! Don't get me wrong, I'm GUILTY, too! All the time, I think, goodness, I <em>should</em> know how to do this! <br />
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So, what a better way then to ease into technology with one of Groupon's weekend deals! Have you seen it yet? <br />
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<a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-7203635-10872943?url=http%3A//www.groupon.com/deals/excel-with-business-151" target="_blank"><img height="100%" src="http://img.grouponcdn.com/deal/2yuhgtLLgQ68Uqtan9ry/5T-440x267/v1/t460x279.jpg" width="100%" /><br />Groupon: From $25 for Online Microsoft Excel Training Course and Test for 1 or 10 people </a><div style="text-align: left;">
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It's a 12 hour "course" teaching the ins and outs of Excel. (Yes, THAT Excel...the one that a lot of us know has charts and columns, and such, but not a lot of us use frequently...me included!)<br />
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So click on over and check it out! What do you have to loose?! :) (Hey, you may even get your administrator to make an exception and count those hours as PD, too!)</div>
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Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-9726883391385436132013-08-08T08:33:00.002-05:002013-08-08T08:33:38.636-05:00Hope or Goal for This School Year?<br />
Yesterday, when I was at my Literacy Cadre meeting, our "leader" asked us to think of a hope or goal for this upcoming school year. I'll admit...it caught me off guard. I don't quite have my "teacher brain" back yet, and I still am about 65% in summer mode. <br />
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That being said, I do create a goal for each school year. It's kind of a team thing...we sit down, think, discuss, and come up with one personal goal and one team goal. So, I guess now's the time to start mulling...<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-small;"><strong>(if my awesomely ghetto computer was working now, I'd upload a cute picture here...but alas, it's not, so this must be an all text post...I apologize up front.)</strong></span></div>
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According to MindTools.com, goals are important because it helps you focus and organize your time and energy. Basically, setting goals keeps you on track, AND allows you to clearly see your own individual progress! And, personally, I agree.<br />
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Last year, my goal was much more broad. This year, though, after a day of Literacy Cadre, I think I've figured mine out. It's something I wanted to start last year and just never took off with it. It is SENTENCE IMITATING! Or, at least, a rendition of it! :)<br />
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Here are my steps, (or so I think, so far...), to meeting my goal:<br />
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1. Each week, pick one sentence from a book or text that we have read in class. <br />
2. Copy that sentence either on a large sheet of paper, chart paper, or a sentence strip. Leave sentence in easily viewable area all week.<br />
3. First day-- read and examine the sentence together as a class. What do we notice? What do we like about it? What makes it great?<br />
4. Second day-- have students reread sentence on their own. Maybe on a sticky note, have them write an observation, like, want, etc. of their own about the sentence.<br />
5. Third day-- copy the sentence into their writing journals. ME (the teacher!) point out what is awesome about it!<br />
6. Fourth day-- under the copied sentence in writing journal, first model, then have students independently write their own "imitation" of the sentence. Pair and share.<br />
7. Fifth day-- go back and reread our "imitation" sentence from the day before. Edit, revise, or add to. IF time (and desire), students can come up with another, second, sentence imitation!<br />
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So there you have it! My goal. Step by step, day by day. It's definitely going to take some work and effort on my part to remember to designate a few minutes to it each day, but I think it shouldn't be bad and in the end, I know the results will be amazing! Crossing fingers! :)<br />
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Now you read mine, tell me yours! Haven't come up with a goal yet? Maybe it's a big one, or maybe it's more specific like mine? Either way, I'd love to hear it! Leave me a comment below, and maybe we can help each other stay accountable this year through!<br />
Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-36826040058725990892013-08-07T08:54:00.001-05:002013-08-07T08:54:22.266-05:00What Do Our 21st Century Learners Look Like?<br />
And we're off...<br />
At least I am. No, school has not officially begun, nor has staff inservice, but I for one, have begun my "back to school" regimen with changing classrooms, redecorating, cleaning, organizing, and most importantly, attending a few various meetings here and there. <br />
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Today I'm off to my Literacy Cadre meeting, however, last week, I attended a new "council" meeting of a technology group our district has just created. Technology is great, right? Last summer, I shared various "techie" things I learned at technology workshops, like <a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2012/06/alan-november-workshop-part-1-of.html" target="_blank">Alan November</a>. <br />
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Whereas last year's workshops taught me new, innovative, and <a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2012/06/alan-november-workshop-part-3-of.html" target="_blank">specific ways to use technology in the classroom</a>, this meeting last week was more broad discussion...all stemming around the question of how can we meet the needs and truly engage, inspire, and teach our 21st century learners? In a world of constant information, I'll admit, there are many times I struggle to gain my students' attention on "lessons" that I think are pretty darn good or engaging. But it's not my thoughts or wants/needs that I teach to. So that's the question to be thinking about as we start this year...<br />
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This little 5 minute video is oh-so inspiring and thought provoking. I'd love for you to watch it, think about it, and let me know your thoughts. What do you do for your 21st century learners? Are you part of the 14% that let your students create, explore, and examine technology or the 86% that barely do?<br />
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Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-7713111255488322002013-08-05T09:20:00.001-05:002013-08-05T09:24:45.810-05:00A Change In SceneryChange is good, right?! Well that's the attitude I'm picking when I'm up on campus in the middle of summer, hauling my classroom belongings from one side of the building to the other! That's right, friends, I'm moving rooms! (To be clear, just rooms, not grades.)<div><br></div><div>So I'm leaving behind my beloved s inside classroom with no windows, no sink, no bathroom (but yes, all organized and laid out perfectly!), to move to a bigger, we'll lit (because of my new window!), room with a bathroom, sink, and huge storage closet!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNez1ED0C6_gNGMvs8Z7U9r84bWr67vLxrOiucSNDv_w2iqiKfR1wfAe0iyz5uWWpYxvdQqdnm5t1cbMwh3u_T7ezCfksTOsBExkjcGXeyMeSxNUXeSNZWGhexQs7Tp5Tg3XuNH_zufE/s640/blogger-image-805523587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNez1ED0C6_gNGMvs8Z7U9r84bWr67vLxrOiucSNDv_w2iqiKfR1wfAe0iyz5uWWpYxvdQqdnm5t1cbMwh3u_T7ezCfksTOsBExkjcGXeyMeSxNUXeSNZWGhexQs7Tp5Tg3XuNH_zufE/s640/blogger-image-805523587.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj471-Fk9K8Ag4Asytf3c1TMQ2tLXm83t0Zp_TgkobYTjnv6Udnyl4h2nLuFVhcM4VjV2wG-oisEC7MNOKtIlDhBcZTLGdm7auxINKnCL185PQkhVI-vE_oO4urG8ZUpxVss-ApkwhVZ8Q/s640/blogger-image--372848068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj471-Fk9K8Ag4Asytf3c1TMQ2tLXm83t0Zp_TgkobYTjnv6Udnyl4h2nLuFVhcM4VjV2wG-oisEC7MNOKtIlDhBcZTLGdm7auxINKnCL185PQkhVI-vE_oO4urG8ZUpxVss-ApkwhVZ8Q/s640/blogger-image--372848068.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgJTF88JFNqW86kcxaDGVWSHbo3wDZbQ3FF0BCZaMIgqqodnm2rV-fOcw0dnj_RPFVYzJMrJewtu63HomV7BFVXNbU0WZiaVmR8w_-DQgMRdvAPR_qN9r_LFBU6K6V7o0V6XNh8buHTM/s640/blogger-image-1345269830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgJTF88JFNqW86kcxaDGVWSHbo3wDZbQ3FF0BCZaMIgqqodnm2rV-fOcw0dnj_RPFVYzJMrJewtu63HomV7BFVXNbU0WZiaVmR8w_-DQgMRdvAPR_qN9r_LFBU6K6V7o0V6XNh8buHTM/s640/blogger-image-1345269830.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>So, of course more pics will come, but in the mean time, I thought I'd ask... How many of you all have windows in your rooms?? And what's your favorite part of your room? Would you leave it behind for a bigger, better one or would you choose to stay in your fantastically organized room of 4 years?? Love to hear your thoughts! Happy Monday! :)</div>Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-12081101833768821202013-08-04T09:29:00.000-05:002013-08-04T09:29:16.220-05:00What Have YOU Been Up To? Want to See What I've Been Doing?!<br />
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Okay, so I’ll admit I’ve been a little MIA the past few
weeks (yes, even after I came back and started blogging “full time” again…).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here, in my mind, I
do have some validation and excuses for being gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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(Also, I'd like to take a moment to apologize for no pictures...I know, what fun is reading a blog without being able to see, right?! I had pictures all ready to go, but my awesomely ancient laptop is seeming to have some technical difficulties at the moment and will not upload them to Blogger...So I will keep trying to post them and see what happens!) :)</div>
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In the mean time, here’s what I’ve been doing with my summer (although not
totally glamorous, still tons of fun!):<o:p></o:p></div>
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<strong>“Thing #1”—</strong>Summer Learning Groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a few weeks, I’d meet with students from
my school for an hour each morning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Group session one was an enrichment book study
using How to Eat Fried Worms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love.
That. Book.!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, LOVE. That. Group!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We would sit out under the gazebo at one of our local parks,
read, discuss, and do activities with the book each morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fun, challenging, and meaningful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you haven’t read that book yet, I strongly
advise doing so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a children’s
chapter book, but I promise you’ll love it, and then want to share it with your
kiddos!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strong>“Thing #2”—</strong>My ever popular tutoring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll admit I did take a break for a few
months there, but now I’m back on the road again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put my teacher hat back on and my reading intervention
skills and knowledge of dyslexia to good use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<strong>“Thing #3”—</strong>Teaching Summer Camps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The first week of camp (a few weeks back) </span>was our K-1 “Zoologists in Training”
camp where our class of 22 little students learned about an animal a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to read lots of books, watch some interesting
videos about the animals, write little “reports” (really, like 2 sentences!),
and of course make cute animal crafts!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, do you forgive me now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I do have another camp this coming week, but I think now that my
co-teacher and I are in a routine, things will be a little more smoothly and I
will have a little more free time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
wait to hear what all of you guys have been doing this summer, and I honestly
can’t wait to see what everyone’s lives are like once school starts back
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 weeks and counting for me!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Leave me a comment, tell me what you’ve been up to!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d LOVE to read them, especially if you’ve
done something fabulously wonderful that will make me jealous!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>;) Hope you all enjoy the rest of your
weekend!<o:p></o:p></div>
Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-24605088613378682112013-07-13T10:54:00.000-05:002013-07-13T10:54:44.747-05:00Want to Win Some PRIZES?!<br />
Don't know if you've ever checked out the company Plum District, but they're a great deals site (similar to Groupon "goods"). Their offers are constantly changing, and I have to admit, I have been known to purchase 1 or 2 (...dozen...) deals from them!<br />
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Currently, they're throwing a huge promo, though, with their <a href="http://bit.ly/15qNhHz" target="_blank">July Month of Prizes</a>! <br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/15qNhHz" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-SEIBWFNY3H7z2RsXra0s5nBOxBCrqPeuECgZzclQ03yoe31ZqmMdWzG5vIe3dSjn8IPihVuHaK7HaNSHAhMBPnrm3OHFn_gsYdXIjqynrOGUYmW9RrtgSHEUjdRINRpFWZDx-ZxWfM/s400/PlumDistrictPrizesJuly.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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All you have to do is like them on Facebook to be entered for a chance to win fun prizes sponsored by companies like Nature Box, Core Bamboo, and The Learning Train! Take a break from all your Saturday chores and click over for a look-sie! Super easy peasy and it'd be super awesome if you (or I!) won!!!<br />
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Enjoy the rest of your weekend! :)Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-67031636836168929922013-07-04T10:51:00.001-05:002013-07-04T10:51:11.637-05:00Happy 4th of July!<br />
Hope everyone has a safe and exciting Independence Day! Just for kicks, here's a fun, free printable by <a href="http://thecraftingchicks.com/2011/06/4th-of-july-word-artfree-printable.html" target="_blank">The Crafting Chicks</a>:<br />
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I'll be back soon to continue my regular posts (and finish my dyslexia series!), promise! :)Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-40175932522170262602013-06-30T09:10:00.001-05:002013-06-30T09:10:20.832-05:00Congrats To My Glasses Winners!<br />
Well, we didn't reach 50 entries (which, I'm still quite baffled by...where is everyone out there?! gone for summer??...), but anyways, there's no reason to be sad, because we still have FIVE winners in my Firmoo Glasses Giveaway! Each of these lucky ones will be emailed one $20 e-voucher for their choice of any Classic Series frame over at Firmoo.com. Woo-hoo! So, if one of the winners is you...be on the look-out in your inbox! (Oh, and I'd LOVE to see which ones you actually pick, too...maybe even a pic or two when they come in?!) Everyone enjoy the last bit of your weekend! :)<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8d96912/" id="rc-8d96912" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-29859781169004340892013-06-29T09:41:00.002-05:002013-06-29T09:41:39.132-05:00Tips 6-10 To Help You & Your Students With Dyslexia<br />
Today I'll be sharing 5 more "tips" to help you and your kiddos with dyslexia out. In fact, as I've mentioned in the past, many (if not all!) of these little hints can apply to ALL of your students, not just ones with dyslexia. In case you want to brush up on some "back story" and read my two previous posts, you can click on over to my first recent entry: <a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2013/06/whats-it-like-being-dyslexic.html" target="_blank">What's It Like Being Dyslexic</a> to watch 2 videos and read some pointers, and then hop on over to <a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2013/06/tips-1-5-to-help-you-your-students-with.html" target="_blank">Tips 1-5 To Help You & Your Students With Dyslexia</a>. <br />
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If you're all caught up and ready to roll with tips 6-10, here we go! (And, just like before, some of these tips and hints are pretty common sense and cut and dry. Also, if you have anything to add or any ways to expand on these, please do share with myself and other readers through the "comments" section at the bottom!) Now, let's begin:<br />
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<strong><u>Number Six: Re-establish Self Confidence.</u></strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiot29tKzua0noXS3lmQJ_PejFaC8GYkl57iB4mqvgP-20saJorTUceDI5iWejzwnwe6yrumiOV20CJ9tiOmmxB26q0mWMs-_Me_zp5xVFjlAqbF6MOzaXDcKmDNSn0pZ84IJSHjJhKLqI/s188/thumbsup.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiot29tKzua0noXS3lmQJ_PejFaC8GYkl57iB4mqvgP-20saJorTUceDI5iWejzwnwe6yrumiOV20CJ9tiOmmxB26q0mWMs-_Me_zp5xVFjlAqbF6MOzaXDcKmDNSn0pZ84IJSHjJhKLqI/s188/thumbsup.png" /></a>Okay, here's the deal with number six. I truly believe there is a fine line between authentic, genuine praise and "fake teacher praise". AND, on top of that (yes, I do know it's not grammatically correct to start a sentence with "and", but I was going for the rambly, "on a mission", mean it, sentence starter there...) I truly believe students can tell the difference! So, instead of simply dishing out the "fake teacher praise", provide your students with the opportunities to succeed. Believe it or not, you spend more time with your students than even their parents do; therefore, you should know them well! Figure out what they're good at, how they can successfully complete tasks, etc. etc., and use that information to allow them to succeed and feel good about it!<br />
<br />
Don't forget, though, to also give praise for small achievements, too. Just make sure it's genuine! :) I love to write my kiddos small notes on their desks or whisper in their ears-- that way the praise is personal and simply between the student and myself...not the whole class (because I will tell you, too, that many of my dyslexic students have been a tad shy and sometimes even embarrassed at being called out in class, even if it was for a compliment!). <br />
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<strong><u>Number Seven: Do not expect a dyslexic student to copy from a board or book. Give a printout.</u></strong><br />
This one kind of reminds me of tip number one-- not asking students with dyslexia to read out loud. Let's face it...we can't ALWAYS have printouts ready. There are SO many times my class writes little notes or facts in our journals "on the fly". So, instead of never asking students with dyslexia to copy from the board, simply limit it when you can, and when you can't, well then help them learn how to SUCCESSFULLY copy from the board or document camera! <br />
<br />
What does that entail, you ask? Well, I can't seem to find where I once read this, but color coding notes really helps. Most (if not all) of your dyslexic students are going to be visual learners, so use that to your advantage!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><strong>Write every other line of your notes on the board</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">in a different color dry erase marker.</span> </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><strong>Be sure to change lines at the end of sentences, too.</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">This not only helps students visually discriminate</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><strong>where they are and what they need to write, but</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><strong>it can help with their processing, too!</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><strong>Neat and easy!</strong></span></div>
<br />
Also, don't forget what I mentioned in <a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2013/06/tips-1-5-to-help-you-your-students-with.html" target="_blank">tip number 4</a>-- even if you're not the most artistic teacher in the world, little visual doodles and pictures REALLY help! You draw them next to your notes, and the class can draw them next to theirs. By the middle of the year, your students will be coming up with their OWN "doodles" to represent each fact or piece of curriculum, which is AMAZING, because now they're not only copying information, they're making connections which will help them retain the information. (Hello, Bloom's!)<br />
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<strong><u>Number Eight: Accept homework or written assignments created on a computer or word processor.</u></strong><br />
In 2nd grade, we really don't have any written homework, nor do we have any long, hand-written class assignments. So, I can't really tell you much about this one, however, it does seem pretty straight forward! :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7VbELsrKyYneRahXP7tkBGIdC-xkSO4_tJkWD9mlSmgpbH-OS7mxhkV6y5XJLy_ji4h8ArspIuiQHKkFV8Rlvn2zBGgR7M6NNpbWQS4JVpsm6NluqRLmvwfUT3cJLFyUoHuvTvIs13g/s194/computer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7VbELsrKyYneRahXP7tkBGIdC-xkSO4_tJkWD9mlSmgpbH-OS7mxhkV6y5XJLy_ji4h8ArspIuiQHKkFV8Rlvn2zBGgR7M6NNpbWQS4JVpsm6NluqRLmvwfUT3cJLFyUoHuvTvIs13g/s1600/computer.png" /></a></div>
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
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<strong><u>Number Nine: Dyslexics have weak auditory memories.</u></strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOyR0NeldVROzF3zD_9-Q5NA1xDGoGMaXssD_AzBxPGuAbvXJvxiwDHzMpmBfUaF8TVuo9SgqpHGrflI0zMKDclbnltP6u0YQqer8axDO-TXUEt1kb-OMou9CD2-NO1l5PGG_lUY31nY/s411/nolistening.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOyR0NeldVROzF3zD_9-Q5NA1xDGoGMaXssD_AzBxPGuAbvXJvxiwDHzMpmBfUaF8TVuo9SgqpHGrflI0zMKDclbnltP6u0YQqer8axDO-TXUEt1kb-OMou9CD2-NO1l5PGG_lUY31nY/s200/nolistening.png" width="200" /></a>Do not expect anything you say to be remembered. Don't let this hurt your feelings or lead you to believe that you're not a good teacher. It's simply that students with <br />
dyslexia lack a little bit when it comes to listening, most likely because of their STRONG visual skills (as I mentioned before). Refer back to tip number seven, above, for facts, info, and tricks about writing and drawing to help your dyslexic kiddos!<br />
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<strong><u>Number Ten: Give the opportunity to answer questions orally, rather than in writing, to demonstrate understanding and ideas.</u></strong><br />
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Many dyslexic students are EXTREMELY bright, they simply struggle getting their ideas out. Don't make it harder by requiring pencil and paper. Help your students by allowing other forms of answering assignments. For more ideas, see <a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2013/06/tips-1-5-to-help-you-your-students-with.html" target="_blank">tip number four from my previous post</a>!<br />
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<br />
Whew! Ten "tips" down, and ten to go. Sorry for the lame-o Microsoft Word visuals today. I know they're not nearly as neat or "pin"able as the graphics from my Tips 1-5...but I was just a little tired today...<br />
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I'll be back soon with more posts. In the meantime, I'd love to know what YOU know! Leave me a comment, if you'd like, with any other new tip or trick you use in your classroom! Ta-Ta for now. Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.<br />
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Oh, and don't forget to enter in my <a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2013/06/free-glasses-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Free Glasses Giveaway</a>! It's ending TOMORROW!Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-55291092649588261532013-06-26T08:15:00.000-05:002013-06-26T08:15:25.004-05:00Giveaway Reminder (Ends Soon!!!)<br />
Have you entered for your brand new pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses yet?! <br />
<br />
Based on the poor, pathetic number of entries into my <a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2013/06/free-glasses-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Firmoo Glasses Giveaway</a>, I'm thinking probably not... So what's taking you so long?!? <u>All you have to do is leave one measly blog comment</u>...that's it! :)<br />
<br />
So, take this as a "formal" reminder (haha!) that my <a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2013/06/free-glasses-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Firmoo Glasses Giveaway</a> ends in less than a week. Click on over today to check it out!!! (Since there are so few entries, I'd say your odds of winning are preeeettty good.)<br />
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<a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2013/06/free-glasses-giveaway.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RDzFWo35A7_5wZpbi54upgH6-N_1g_b1Cg29fQB0MRBlhDJqKnm1ug1nAkZW-beDhgfc5aud24hWGq9-Mv5X8kfNRGVqUGXJgVx7an-0g3Re5BjN3zh5bYdBbg2YmeJQ8bFxS0oZjwk/s400/JustTinkerinAround+and+Firmoo+Giveaway.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Happy "Hump Day"!<br />
Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-89839996986671176212013-06-24T09:00:00.000-05:002013-06-24T09:00:11.156-05:00Tips 1-5 To Help You & Your Students With Dyslexia
<br />
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This past
Friday, I posted about “<a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2013/06/whats-it-like-being-dyslexic.html" target="_blank">What's It Like Being Dyslexic</a>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you missed it, I'd love for you to click on over to
watch both videos and read the tips!</span></strong><br />
<br />
Today, I’m going to go through tips #1-5, to more deeply explain how I use these
“rules” in my classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While some may
seem simple, I’ll simply explain how they help and/or work in my room, and by
any means, if you have any thoughts or ways to improve, please do tell!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J </span></span><br />
<o:p> </o:p><br />
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<strong><u>Number One: Do not ask on a dyslexic student to read aloud.</u></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6WgrgAARqZknlY8Z5LTXQhLR05pJBCpGi4JI-wQ40yLWYtIdkNAUrWfCHnmKsUrWEbNYG7M2PE6-KEL3hgOfA8vnFiyPgF_lhOKANEeFqPN1aUzSc_qBRcEVffdh_s1oUfo56t7O53Y/s1600/DyslexiaTipOne.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6WgrgAARqZknlY8Z5LTXQhLR05pJBCpGi4JI-wQ40yLWYtIdkNAUrWfCHnmKsUrWEbNYG7M2PE6-KEL3hgOfA8vnFiyPgF_lhOKANEeFqPN1aUzSc_qBRcEVffdh_s1oUfo56t7O53Y/s1600/DyslexiaTipOne.png" /></a>Yes, I completely agree—under NO circumstances should a student with
dyslexia be “surprised” with you calling on them to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s be honest…I’m not really a huge fan of “popcorn
reading” in the classroom anyways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Research
has shown there are various other ways more effective to teach; but let’s face
it, there are just SOMEtimes that we, as teachers, need to do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I begin the year not calling on any of my
students with dyslexia, in fact, I only call on students who are sure of
themselves to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the first few
months, I make sure to have the conversation (one-on-one, in private) with each
student about their thoughts and feelings of reading aloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s actually pretty interesting to get their
take on it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few months, here’s
how I work it, if I HAVE to have a “popcorn reading” in my class—I either A)
let my students raise their hands to volunteer when/if they feel comfortable OR
B) I “assign” the very first paragraph or sentence or chunk to one of my
students with dyslexia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tell them
AHEAD of time (like 5 minutes or so) that this is what I’d like them to read
aloud, then they can practice independently and make sure they’re comfortable
with the part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This way, they’re not
stressed during the reading, wondering whether or not I’ll call on them, or
practicing their part to come, thus NOT paying attention to what everyone else
is reading!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4YaqFqa_2tBvoT_Y_M3u-xdvPoK5eCUQqg_j64NFGVmkUbCOcR7vwdNCl2jPSoQYkc8PFkCs9lMXkj-t7tUWaEaLRIMx_GUC8uNKuLrTokUKfsCx9OaLGSkXP9R7ymHQoq0TvX5bDbU/s1600/DyslexiaTipTwo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4YaqFqa_2tBvoT_Y_M3u-xdvPoK5eCUQqg_j64NFGVmkUbCOcR7vwdNCl2jPSoQYkc8PFkCs9lMXkj-t7tUWaEaLRIMx_GUC8uNKuLrTokUKfsCx9OaLGSkXP9R7ymHQoq0TvX5bDbU/s320/DyslexiaTipTwo.png" width="320" /></a><strong><u>Number Two:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t punish students
with dyslexia for forgetting books and/or supplies.<o:p></o:p></u></strong><br />
It happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s face it, even as
adults, we forget things all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
a child, it’s easy to “just forget” something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Students with dyslexia are more prone to being disorganized (and even have
a higher percentage of ADHD diagnosis), therefore they are going to be your
ones to forget things more often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my
class, it is really no big deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Personally, there are so many other things to stress about with you
students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they start forgetting
something regularly, then I work together WITH the student to come up with a
system to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, this past
year, I had a student with dyslexia who constantly would forget to bring his
yellow “homework folder” or write down his reading in this folder each
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew he was doing it, therefore
punishment would do no good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, we
came up with the idea of a reminder bracelet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Each afternoon, he would cut a piece of yarn and bring it to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would tie it around his wrist (very
loosely, of course), with a small “tag” reading “homework” on it, as a reminder
for him to record his homework and bring his yellow folder to school the next
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After her wrote it down and placed
his folder BACK in his bag each evening, he would cut it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the year progressed, we didn’t need the
tag on the bracelet, and later on, we barely ever needed the bracelet at all!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<o:p> </o:p><br />
<strong><u>Number Three: Don’t call dyslexics lazy.<o:p></o:p></u></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXDsRyp6KLnPfW_gORsKYFxidtE1yvVxdMWbMQw6hA_Fcrx-VjXA-g4wrKuA2tZXNhqfRextqc7iscU2Rdp7B_qC1fuGEApQGxRevJ7UeYHDIM8whmVWM-HdaCcz3p3ikaEWeP0pioT8/s1600/DyslexiaTipThree.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXDsRyp6KLnPfW_gORsKYFxidtE1yvVxdMWbMQw6hA_Fcrx-VjXA-g4wrKuA2tZXNhqfRextqc7iscU2Rdp7B_qC1fuGEApQGxRevJ7UeYHDIM8whmVWM-HdaCcz3p3ikaEWeP0pioT8/s320/DyslexiaTipThree.png" width="320" /></a></div>
MY PET PEEVE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students with dyslexia
work 184058104875 times harder than your “average” student.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about what all their brains have to go
through to end up at the same place as their classmates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just remember—they’re trying…they’re trying
HARD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you feel yourself getting
frustrated (which I will admit, WILL happen), take a breath, and instead, give
praise and ask how you can help that student.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chances are, if you’re frustrated, so are they.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So remind yourself of that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This one took a lot of effort for me at the
beginning of the year, but once you start “training your brain”, it almost
becomes an automatic response!<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p> </o:p><br />
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<strong><u>Number Four: Expect less written work.<o:p></o:p></u></strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHSI1pSjLipyDjxRVoa5Sp4124tiVe3I51C3FdLuCKpW0oOy48yZ4_zVxZ8KH1ckx-wo4-R0c0_Xroy9WH8Zkl2WB0kErMLw1R0Lz_rl9fXpFyOydSsdJAXjE-jDfRZGFJbSMvHxsycs/s1600/DyslexiaTipFour.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHSI1pSjLipyDjxRVoa5Sp4124tiVe3I51C3FdLuCKpW0oOy48yZ4_zVxZ8KH1ckx-wo4-R0c0_Xroy9WH8Zkl2WB0kErMLw1R0Lz_rl9fXpFyOydSsdJAXjE-jDfRZGFJbSMvHxsycs/s320/DyslexiaTipFour.png" width="320" /></a>Now I know as students progress through school, there is simply more and
more written work required.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just
the “facts” of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This rule doesn’t
mean make things easier for your dyslexic students—simply “tweak”
assignments!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of 10 sentences,
have them write 3-5 WELL developed ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This takes some communication and modeling, but in time I promise it
works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, think of how else a student
with dyslexia could complete the assignment?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Could they use a computer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could
they use an app such as “Educreation” to create a visual tutorial where they
verbally explain what originally would be written?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (My kiddos LOVE working with Educreation!) </span>There are many, many ways out there to hold
your dyslexic students to the same standards and accountability, just with
various methods-- and remember, just because you're expecting less writing does NOT mean you're expecting less!<br />
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41VFLWUND2ulUyw39HkQRuzCuiNWELTLHm3DTt5vVk6DvZPQm0hNUKNTBYV0VEDBab32yKnCy3h80F57ZXLtVwByj7N9EerFr6CiJi-IB24stJWWhAX4bZlGKJ8CL8UrOKDLlEQIzdC0/s1600/DyslexiaTipFive.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41VFLWUND2ulUyw39HkQRuzCuiNWELTLHm3DTt5vVk6DvZPQm0hNUKNTBYV0VEDBab32yKnCy3h80F57ZXLtVwByj7N9EerFr6CiJi-IB24stJWWhAX4bZlGKJ8CL8UrOKDLlEQIzdC0/s320/DyslexiaTipFive.png" width="320" /></a><strong><u>Number Five: Prepare a printout of homework with step by step directions and
stick it in their book.<o:p></o:p></u></strong><br />
In 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> grade, our homework is very student driven—20 minutes a
night of reading their book of choice and 10 minutes a night of math fact practice,
in their “method” of choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So this “rule”
doesn’t fit completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do use the
step by step direction part, though, on a regular basis!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It not only helps students with dyslexia, but
ALL students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a math page with
multi-step directions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course you’re
going to explain them and go over them verbally, but now, as you go over them,
LABEL each one!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BOTH you and the
students can write a “1” next to the first part and even draw a mini picture!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, a “2” by the second step, and so
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, students with dyslexia
need visuals…visuals that work well with ALL students (and adults!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll have to admit, since beginning to write
out/draw/label step by step directions, my WHOLE class performs better on
assignments, and rarely forgets any steps!<o:p></o:p><br />
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So, here's a quick pic of all the "rules" combined (because let's face it, plenty of us love visuals, too!). Feel free to share it, Pin it, use it, love it, etc. etc., AND be sure to come back by soon for tips 6-10, 11-15, and 16-20. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QRyghgqeohg3mmR4JGX7DWmtGf-HD64Lik-z8mpesemsGelSaEYBNCqPDgYg-J0GJgdSCqZ_clyUc71di6jJ7DR9OAQCoWGz7XDGvnkcct4Wpp_CCD5HXjqMqSWlDSXfHRQaLjdgT8g/s1600/DyslexiaFiveTipsToHelp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QRyghgqeohg3mmR4JGX7DWmtGf-HD64Lik-z8mpesemsGelSaEYBNCqPDgYg-J0GJgdSCqZ_clyUc71di6jJ7DR9OAQCoWGz7XDGvnkcct4Wpp_CCD5HXjqMqSWlDSXfHRQaLjdgT8g/s1600/DyslexiaFiveTipsToHelp.png" /></a></div>
Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-10396762231218235782013-06-22T08:00:00.000-05:002013-06-22T08:00:01.256-05:00A Freebie and Giveaway Reminder!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJD0jvHBgseXugrWQYM5MRnRfDl7eLmgYzQwbB78kFr8Z124uhEsiltzhZvdmbuSsfTlyPrzX_KcMWlIMuxWqIZEzZL1sCc0_Rv55joCdQWi7gOaX7_jtU1FEECrUnOdZpLONUiCybTpc/s1600/SSS.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJD0jvHBgseXugrWQYM5MRnRfDl7eLmgYzQwbB78kFr8Z124uhEsiltzhZvdmbuSsfTlyPrzX_KcMWlIMuxWqIZEzZL1sCc0_Rv55joCdQWi7gOaX7_jtU1FEECrUnOdZpLONUiCybTpc/s200/SSS.png" width="193" /></a>Happy Saturday! It's going to be a bit happier in just a few seconds when I tell you about Janaye's <a href="http://frogsandcupcakes.blogspot.com/2013/06/new-series-sweet-simple-saturday.html" target="_blank">Sweet and Simple Saturday</a> Freebie! Starting this Saturday (TODAY), she is going to share a sweet, simple freebie with you. "It could be an activity page, game, graphic organizer, foldable, or craftivity. And the best part is the freebies will be for multiple grade levels and subjects! And the even <b><i>BESTER</i></b> (coined term) part is that they will all be FREEEE!"<br />
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So click on over to her <a href="http://frogsandcupcakes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes</a> to cash in on her Sweet and Simple Saturday Freebie!<br />
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Also, don't forget to enter my <a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2013/06/free-glasses-giveaway.html" target="_blank">FREE Firmoo Glasses Giveaway</a>! It ends in week, and I don't know where everyone is out there...but as of now, the pickin's are slim...meaning YOUR chance of winning is even better!!! Click on over NOW! :)<br />
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Happy Saturday Everyone!!!Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-19077085471662160502013-06-21T10:18:00.001-05:002013-06-21T10:18:17.239-05:00What's It Like Being Dyslexic?<br />
Back at the beginning of this past school year, I mentioned in my <a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2012/09/dyslexia-in-classroom.html" target="_blank">post about Dyslexia in the Classroom</a> that I'd be sharing with you tips, tricks, and teaching methods that I learned throughout the year that seem to help with my kiddos with dyslexia. Aaaaand, I failed. It's funny, how even back in September, I could see how busy and crazy this school year was going to be, when I wrote: "No promises though-- I don't know what it is, but I just can't seem to juggle this year like I could last!"<br />
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Now, though, that school is out, and I have a few more minutes of free time, I really am going to try my "darndest" ;) to share with you a few nibblets of knowledge that I've picked up over the year...starting with "What's it like being dyslexic?"<br />
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For most of us, that's a question that's truly hard to wrap our brains around. I mean, I had SO much interaction with so many students with dyslexia this year, and I still can't even come close to relating to what it must be like to have dyslexia. <br />
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You may remember this video that I shared back in September on my original "Dyslexia in the Classroom" post:<br />
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Now, in addition to that, I have a new, animated video to share today. <br />
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This video was actually part of an app that I downloaded this year, simply called "Dyslexia". This app has 4 parts-- "What's it like being Dyslexic?", "Tips for Parents", "Tips for Schools", and finally "Take the Dyslexic Quiz". </div>
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In addition to sharing the video with you today, I also want to share the "Tips for Schools" portion...because it truly has some great advice. Although some of the tips are "no brainers", it is great to be reminded of these things every so often (because actually, many of these tips can be used for ALL students!)</div>
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<strong>#1 Don't ask a dyslexic to read aloud. </strong>Words are likely to be misread or skipped, causing embarrassment.<br />
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<strong>#2 Don't punish a dyslexic for forgetting things like books or sports kits.</strong><br />
Offer positive strategies such as having one place to put things away.<br />
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<strong>#3 Don't call a dyslexic lazy.</strong><br />
Dyslexics have to work harder to produce a smaller amount. Dyslexics have difficulty staying focused when reading, writing or listening.<br />
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<strong>#4 Expect less written work.</strong><br />
A dyslexic may be verbally bright but struggle to put ideas into writing.<br />
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<strong>#5 Prepare a printout of homework and stick it in their book.</strong><br />
Provide numbered steps, e.g. 1. Do this, 2. Do that, etc.<br />
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<strong>#6 Re-establish self-confidence.</strong><br />
Provide the opportunity to succeed. Give praise for small achievements.<br />
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<strong>#7 Do not expect a dyslexic to copy from a board or book. Give a printout.</strong><br />
They can highlight key areas and draw thumbnail pictures in the margin to represent the most important points.<br />
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<strong>#8 Accept homework or written assignments created on a computer word processor.</strong><br />
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<strong>#9 Dyslexics have weak auditory (listening) memories.</strong><br />
Do not expect spoken information to be remembered. Adding funny stories and pictures will make it memorable.<br />
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<strong>#10 Give the opportunity to answer questions orally rather than in writing, to demonstrate understanding and ideas.</strong><br />
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<strong>#11 Background noise or activity will cause distraction and prevent concentration.</strong><br />
Dyslexics need a quiet, structured environment.<br />
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<strong>#12 'Look-Cover-Write-Check' as a way to learn spellings does not usually work for dyslexics.</strong><br />
Draw or visualise a funny picture linked to the word and say aloud each letter as it is written.<br />
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<strong>#13 Encourage key word bullet point planning of ideas before writing.</strong><br />
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<strong>#14 Dyslexics have poor sequencing ability, making it very difficult to learn times table multiplication facts.</strong><br />
Use a table square or a calculator.<br />
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<strong>#15 Look out for signs of stress.</strong><br />
Consequences of dyslexia are frustration, anger, low self-esteem or becoming withdrawn.<br />
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<strong>#16 Provide worksheets, notes and screens with a coloured background.</strong><br />
Dyslexics often find that black text on white creates page glare making reading tiring.<br />
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<strong>#17 Allow a dyslexic more time for reading, listening and understanding.</strong><br />
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<strong>#18 Dyslexics respond well to a multisensory, phonic approach.</strong><br />
Advance in small steps and revise frequently.<br />
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<strong>#19 Encourage a dyslexic to use their finger to reveal a word in chunks.</strong><br />
Build up the word by syllable and learn to recognise prefixes and suffixes.<br />
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<strong>#20 Discuss an activity to make sure it is understood.</strong><br />
Visualising the activity or linking it to a funny action may help dyslexics remember. </div>
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The above tips were taken from the Dyslexia Nessy.com app. (Keep in mind that they are a British company, so many of the words are spelled just a teensie bit differently, such as "recognise"!) :) </div>
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So, what do you think? What will you use? What do you already do? I'd love to hear your thoughts and see if you have any other "tips" to share!</div>
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My next post will be about these tips and how I specifically used them. Later on next week, I'll chat about movement and dyslexia. Be sure to click on over! :)</div>
Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-19115529525186888432013-06-20T11:34:00.001-05:002013-06-20T11:34:24.694-05:00My Most Recent Thoughts on Technology... (and a giveaway reminder!)
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This <span style="font-family: inherit;">coming</span> school year, our campus
is adding 3 new iPad mini carts to our inventory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>90 new tiny digital tablets with which to use in a meaningful way…when
you think about it, it’s kind of mind boggling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The role of technology has changed so dramatically recently (yes, I
know, DUH…we all know that!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now,
instead of merely one teacher computer and a few student desktops, many
teachers have the opportunities, like mine, to put technology in the hands of
all their students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9nb2JDSMO6B7O_BNA1rWJrv2fPgMhmIMj_UMG4zMs-zRm_zcJ2r7v4p08ZXy8OG1umyve8jL0eRktJ6tOY0GMYPOnAPMqmqpOFxNbfLFLCXv24C5oTL8g0YGLK7SqOlzg860OeuWlEQ/s1600/kids-and-tech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9nb2JDSMO6B7O_BNA1rWJrv2fPgMhmIMj_UMG4zMs-zRm_zcJ2r7v4p08ZXy8OG1umyve8jL0eRktJ6tOY0GMYPOnAPMqmqpOFxNbfLFLCXv24C5oTL8g0YGLK7SqOlzg860OeuWlEQ/s320/kids-and-tech.jpg" width="221" /></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How we use it, though, for benefit of
our students, or just for our own ease, is up to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By having these new iPad minis, is learning
going to get pushed farther or just simply a digital “center” to keep students
static but happy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The question, I think, is: <strong>What do we
really want students to accomplish with technology?</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ll admit…it’s a big, loaded
question with no one correct answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s why I thought I’d throw it out there and see what you all
think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are our state standards, by
the end of 2<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>nd</sup> grade:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Basic Operations—open, save, save
as, print, audio, video, close<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Participation in virtual field
trips, etc., Skype, Lync, blog<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Use a processfor creative thinking and
problem solving<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Use fonts, font size/color, spacing,
graphics, copy, paste, cursor, presentation tools, and drawing/painting tools
in a simple document<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Describe the difference between
search engine and browser<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Use internet 1-2 keyword searches
and navigate<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Follow copyright and cite work<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Internet permission, who owns the
work<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Know vocab—CPU, document camera,
SmartBoard, tablet, printer, mouse, keyboard, storage devices, drives<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Keyboard home row, letters, numbers,
shift, spacebar, enter, ctrl, alt, delete, backspace, ESC, capslock <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That’s a pretty long and in depth
list for 7 and 8 year olds, I must admit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But just because it’s long, doesn’t mean it’s out of reach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what do you think?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could your kiddos do these things?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll admit, thinking back on my students this
previous year, I did not do my very best to make sure they were all 100%
successful at these technology standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Which is where my goal comes in—next year I need to be sure to make my technology
use meaningful and purposeful to help my students become prepared for today’s “connected”
world!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">PS—Don’t forget about my <a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2013/06/free-glasses-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Firmoo FREEGLASSES Giveaway</a>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an easy entry
(just a blog comment), and I’d love for you to win!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: inherit; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Click on over
today. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2013/06/free-glasses-giveaway.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskqJLKT89Sfw-ppkkSSBcgcSToy9GJ-yxgKgl2_5hQBi3Hs_7J2dRLc_E53uvIVyht7yCMNeLvZP-kopfOYjgwzbyYuMwh5yCVBrXl9aX5-iYulXoKYNVCbP3PaL9hAcYwSgjAl3Mz9g/s1600/JustTinkerinAround+and+Firmoo+Giveaway.png" /></a></div>
Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-50979577975458494512013-06-19T08:49:00.000-05:002013-06-19T17:59:33.711-05:00FREE GLASSES GIVEAWAY!!!<br />
Okay, I hope my all caps title grabbed your attention! :) What can I say-- I was looking for something catchy, so you could learn more about....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKoIQiaau3CqaS6n_CFl2H1Ot7sFUqJrFmJtTaqy5otJXdICnH4kUxQC2hoqrvv6KNY8JIN3QI2bwxDJ4r51vffkmqPmcNCcG7_LDGCVEmlVXRlkZcpxvaWVVR42QdQrcZFyEcQdXid8/s1600/JustTinkerinAround+and+Firmoo+Giveaway.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKoIQiaau3CqaS6n_CFl2H1Ot7sFUqJrFmJtTaqy5otJXdICnH4kUxQC2hoqrvv6KNY8JIN3QI2bwxDJ4r51vffkmqPmcNCcG7_LDGCVEmlVXRlkZcpxvaWVVR42QdQrcZFyEcQdXid8/s400/JustTinkerinAround+and+Firmoo+Giveaway.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now that you're here, let me tell you about this great little <strong>GIVEAWAY</strong> I'll be hosting over the next 10 days! I'm pairing up with <a href="http://www.firmoo.com/" target="_blank">Firmoo</a>, a global, online, optical store, and at the moment, the world's most popular online eyeglass store! <br />
<br />
For this pair and share (of sorts!), Firmoo will be giving my lucky readers a chance to win one of FIVE (5) $20 e-vouchers to use towards a pair of their <a href="http://www.firmoo.com/classic-series.html" target="_blank">Classic Series Frames</a>. And GUESS WHAT?!? Many of the frames in that line are under $20 (or pretty dang close), so you know what that means?!? You have the chance to make your winnings next to nothing!!! :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.firmoo.com/eyeglasses-p-1363.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGrDI8Pe84mHALAxRK2AOe8D4R35QP094YG7jo4hdOazDpx8eOGYqRXndvRgnFkrZeHi_XdnvAkrWQRCy6T4dVN_Gya96qfcQ8R53GhEd0eCs76NEhdAKHPvUdVTguUxoox0ghbrfhSg/s320/FirmooBlackNerdy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This little pair is only $16! (And would probably be the ones I'd pick...let's face it, I'm ready to dive head first into this whole "nerdy glasses" trend!!!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKa7rwQxuHNW_cVkven-iU87FyVf-FKSyQMHafcZFsXyW3feTEbTcbb8tQou_1UtRDJqVXahMorTpRHqPLnLDS5zN8JIHmthgT0cYMONUfZqTFQ_a0jwjgpkqrn57nY6w0dAmphk4Bdg/s1600/FirmooBlackNerdyModel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKa7rwQxuHNW_cVkven-iU87FyVf-FKSyQMHafcZFsXyW3feTEbTcbb8tQou_1UtRDJqVXahMorTpRHqPLnLDS5zN8JIHmthgT0cYMONUfZqTFQ_a0jwjgpkqrn57nY6w0dAmphk4Bdg/s320/FirmooBlackNerdyModel.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or maybe I'd pick these...hmm...the options are limitless!</td></tr>
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Not digging the nerdy theme? That's okay, because there are PLENTY to choose from...69 pairs to be exact!<br />
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The best part of this Firmoo promotion, you ask?! Well, it HAS to be that if we gather up to (or over!) 50 valid entries, <strong><u><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">one grand prize winner will receive a TOTALLY FREE PAIR of classic series frames of their choice</span></u></strong>, including shipping! Woo-Hoo!!! <br />
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So, now you have all the facts, use the Rafflecopter box below to enter. <br />
<strong><u>***Important UPDATE</u></strong>: You MUST visit Firmoo.com and comment with your favorite pair to be qualified for the giveaway! Don't forget that very important part! :) Good Luck!!!<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8d96912/" id="rc-8d96912" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></center>
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Winners will be notified Monday, July 1, so keep an eye on your inbox!</div>
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Worried about not winning? Don't be! You can still score a free pair from Firmoo with their <a href="http://www.firmoo.com/free-glasses.html" target="_blank">First Pair Free</a> promotion. All you pay is shipping! Check it out <a href="http://www.firmoo.com/free-glasses.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Good luck to all! Can't wait to here from you and see your favorite frames! :)</div>
Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-80794133353852416582013-06-18T09:00:00.000-05:002013-06-18T09:00:02.558-05:00Donor's Choose Projects of 2013<br />
I love Donor's Choose. I know many of us use the site to help provide our classrooms with materials and activities we otherwise could not afford (or should not have to pay out of our own pockets). Of course I love the site for myself, but I also love to go on and browse other teachers' pages. Honestly, it really helps ME put things in perspective. After all, I AM pretty lucky to work in a school with mid to high SES. And sometimes, <em>many</em> times actually, it's nice to be reminded...because I'll be honest, it is quite easy to forget.<br />
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So, although I do work in a school with a higher socioeconomic status population, there are still items out there that I wish to have in my room to help my students succeed. And for that, I'm thankful for Donor's Choose! I have submitted a total of 3 projects, 2 of which have been filled. (The one that didn't was actually my first project, which I submitted in late April, early May, not even realizing how that would impact the project getting funded or not. Now, I know better to "plan" my projects and their timing!)<br />
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The latest project I had funded this year was "Fabulously Focal Math Fluency: Building Our Speed In Grade 2". It centered around math fluency supplies to help my students build their foundational skills in other ways than just file folder games. Don't get me wrong-- I'm SO not hating on file folder games...trust me, I have PLENTY, and my students use them daily. It was nice, though, to have new, fun, and <em>different</em> centers for the students to use for math facts, because let's face it, they are SO important. I think my favorite part of my submission hits home on this point: <br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">"Grover Whitehurst, the Director of the Institute for Educational Sciences (IES), noted this research during the launch of the federal Math Summit in 2003: "Cognitive psychologists have discovered that humans have fixed limits on the attention and memory that can be used to solve problems. One way around these limits is to have certain components of a task become so routine and over-learned that they become automatic." These new math items will help all learners with this fluent retrieval!"</span><br />
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ANYWAYS...enough with the ramble...now it's time to share what all came with my funded project: <br />
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<strong>~Math Dash:</strong> A fun way to practice math facts, instead of simple flash cards. Students pick a color, draw a "fact", and if correct, get to place their "fact" tile down on the sum or difference. First color to get 4 numbers in a row on the board wins. You can read the actual rules/directions <a href="http://www.edupress.com/pdf/LRN2348_key.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. Review? My class LOVED it! And all it was was simple addition and subtraction problems...but having them in this new format was great! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCAqvdI932GCzERCr8jH51qsAXdKhf366oKgonj2lt00G2M6QTghtZFlyB77I0aWbm4i8WnR3B1d1I2ZN8r_xgqqvH-ukXSt1aEZJKyNEzWC90kFp_7PAj7X5ffJyO9FW3G7b31KVaHs/s1600/MathFlash1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCAqvdI932GCzERCr8jH51qsAXdKhf366oKgonj2lt00G2M6QTghtZFlyB77I0aWbm4i8WnR3B1d1I2ZN8r_xgqqvH-ukXSt1aEZJKyNEzWC90kFp_7PAj7X5ffJyO9FW3G7b31KVaHs/s1600/MathFlash1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8YL8u51LdI_hponlzxIddombn2FInPAY6hfrS71Uyimw6pvFit9vNqLm-az5PQUClhbnSSAVBX_EuRya9FzKGimph3mg97M8-8_65wy_T9YWPDFXS_LWAPlXdYcnnriW-nlZXCpp1ss/s1600/MathFlash2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8YL8u51LdI_hponlzxIddombn2FInPAY6hfrS71Uyimw6pvFit9vNqLm-az5PQUClhbnSSAVBX_EuRya9FzKGimph3mg97M8-8_65wy_T9YWPDFXS_LWAPlXdYcnnriW-nlZXCpp1ss/s1600/MathFlash2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong>~Math Mat:</strong> A plastic, battery powered "mat" that spouts out questions about numbers, counting, addition, subtraction, and even missing addend. Players listen to question, then press correct answer. Features 3 games with 2 skill levels each, although we stayed pretty much on level 2. The level 1 questions were a tad too easy for end of the year in 2nd grade. Review? Another GREAT tool my kiddos loved! It was fun, colorful, talked, and they got to move. I loved it because they had to <em>listen</em> to the question before answering, so it also taught them that even though it was fun, they couldn't be CRAZY or loud, because they would miss their question!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g1zqrKk0qJmx1DLPAV-3GJul9Lcz11SspkTREMSBlb6AG8xrpD3wvZ7SjzRuE0-Oa4XAMF4i-VQTS_kcSlpBPnxqdwjMbR_QYBcNksyv6NoaMYncRW2EbqcrFJ0tSlso44uGr5SPcJc/s1600/MathMat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g1zqrKk0qJmx1DLPAV-3GJul9Lcz11SspkTREMSBlb6AG8xrpD3wvZ7SjzRuE0-Oa4XAMF4i-VQTS_kcSlpBPnxqdwjMbR_QYBcNksyv6NoaMYncRW2EbqcrFJ0tSlso44uGr5SPcJc/s1600/MathMat1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4Skq2CnyKSJvzjSZun2vCLQhfr2SToXfNm8o8wQOmW7wJO_shZjLvNIoTIYeszCOlNLMCMs8P0Xld0asH_xIySGDzmJO_YSxgBH_WSd1Na25-N2ZsHYurK5WgXhEMHD_Z36TCjN00Hs/s1600/MathMat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4Skq2CnyKSJvzjSZun2vCLQhfr2SToXfNm8o8wQOmW7wJO_shZjLvNIoTIYeszCOlNLMCMs8P0Xld0asH_xIySGDzmJO_YSxgBH_WSd1Na25-N2ZsHYurK5WgXhEMHD_Z36TCjN00Hs/s1600/MathMat2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong>~Math Diction</strong>: A "Pictionary" type game, where students would draw a math vocabulary word or phrase. Then, they would spin to see if they had to act it out, draw it out, give a hint, or read the definition for their partner to guess. Review: Although the cards were separated into Grade 2, 3, and 4, some of the 2nd grade cards were not content we learned, and some of the 3 and 4 cards were! Nevertheless, it was a good little review game where my students got to think about important vocab from throughout the year (that otherwise, we may not have had time to review!).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinb4nXx-_uohWoYwJwJEEopfzLjsKR4Ea3HYfF679NvZR3gY1moZ1ocI7HN9BVdu_yU3S_IE_cYD05U1KZl3QH0X7bPJx83lv_RCqocd3CaWbWUXstHd8HPUSgyhzq6qEEejpxO0cHl30/s1600/MathDiction1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinb4nXx-_uohWoYwJwJEEopfzLjsKR4Ea3HYfF679NvZR3gY1moZ1ocI7HN9BVdu_yU3S_IE_cYD05U1KZl3QH0X7bPJx83lv_RCqocd3CaWbWUXstHd8HPUSgyhzq6qEEejpxO0cHl30/s1600/MathDiction1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thinking and drawing a math word/phrase during Math Diction!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUottkszu8qYekEpVekLsCy5wzS4zh22DBpYF8HxzbNRmU0YQFwi5NFb_RnV7Rfuc6qmWchDafI4VfuszMg6TyLjmw93LhGgvme6KDg-RI32ytkI9gbpME382NZhWssuhFwkJ2SNBfFfo/s1600/MathDiction2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUottkszu8qYekEpVekLsCy5wzS4zh22DBpYF8HxzbNRmU0YQFwi5NFb_RnV7Rfuc6qmWchDafI4VfuszMg6TyLjmw93LhGgvme6KDg-RI32ytkI9gbpME382NZhWssuhFwkJ2SNBfFfo/s1600/MathDiction2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acting out a math vocab word/phrase during Math Diction!</td></tr>
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Three other parts of our project not photographed were Mathological Liar, Block Building, and Place Value/Ordering/Missing Number cards. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1d9VFm74ymfpYnYvO6I2GFEQ0BRRUPgokWDYs9HF1eCM-xQDOPPrN0DJtAlCCDzZyFFFP1A9kRfrdhCjtIUKnc2VWYVVS2RtQNXT4NJNd265PMh32adR0owbNDXQ961BXmxM8hVmU8-4/s1600/MathologicalLiar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1d9VFm74ymfpYnYvO6I2GFEQ0BRRUPgokWDYs9HF1eCM-xQDOPPrN0DJtAlCCDzZyFFFP1A9kRfrdhCjtIUKnc2VWYVVS2RtQNXT4NJNd265PMh32adR0owbNDXQ961BXmxM8hVmU8-4/s200/MathologicalLiar.jpg" width="170" /></a>Matological Liar is an interesting little game that we played as a whole class. It is a "card game" based on sets of math mysteries. Each round is a new "case". Each "case" presents a setting and a problem. There are 4 suspects per case, one or more who may be guilty. Out loud, I would read the "case", and then read each of the 4 cards containing each suspect's alibi. If the math in a suspect's alibi is correct, then he is innocent. Incorrect math indicates guilt. Players decide if their suspect is innocent or guilty as a table! (These are not the "exact" directions, because it is meant to be a small group game, but I loved doing it as a whole class!) Then, on white boards, tables would tell me who the guilty person/people are and WHY. This made them think about their math reasoning and work together. There are over 50 "cases", and needless to say, we did NOT get to them all! Review: SO very awesome, and I'm so glad to have this fun game for future use. <br />
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The Block Building and Place Value/Ordering/Missing Number cards were more individual activities, but our class loved them both, too. <br />
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So, enough about me. Tell me about you! What all have you submitted in the past? What all have you had funded? (My first project was for a <a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802464048&pid=23499475&adurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.officemax.com%2Ftechnology%2Fcomputers%2Ftablets%2Fproduct-prod4260736%3Fcm_mmc%3DPerformics-_-Technology-_-Computers-_-Tablets%26ci_src%3D14110944%26ci_sku%3D23499475&usg=AFHzDLvZGDGYuIaDWbtULxeoOagwbbEplg&pubid=590467" rel="nofollow">NOOK Tablet</a> that my children loved to use and abuse...)<br />
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I'd love to hear about your experiences (and maybe even get some ideas...), so feel free to leave me a comment below! :)Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-10198335369763282252013-06-15T13:00:00.000-05:002013-06-16T07:08:15.742-05:00Part 2 (and a FREEBIE) of My Summer Gift For Students!<br />
For those of you who read my previous <a href="http://justtinkerinaround.blogspot.com/2013/06/hope-you-have-ball-summer-gift-for.html" target="_blank">post</a>, I explained the first part of my summertime "gift" for my students. Along with the beach ball and activity booklet, I add a few other goodies to their paper grocery bags. What are they, you ask?<br />
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Well, the first is the part that actually contains the rest of the goodies...an adorable cardstock box. My students were absolutely OBSESSED with my Silhouette this year, and every time I brought it in to use, they always loved to watch it, ask questions, see how it worked, and of course, got little cut-outs of their own. So, what better than to make them their own little "secret box" to keep for ever and always?! :)<br />
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Inside the box were 3 more small gifts...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYfucPW8Ud0Mox-wOkqo5cLEcgTqRUNLSZQNes30rLls2ogNLU0VxExonYGrgZavx_CwxnNMeXq9K2HKH-6P93_Z0YEiyMA6JYr3pZ6FzdJeKcXEBap_yLHdgOqq2tBi7BbGxpd57U8g/s1600/EndOfYearGiftBox.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYfucPW8Ud0Mox-wOkqo5cLEcgTqRUNLSZQNes30rLls2ogNLU0VxExonYGrgZavx_CwxnNMeXq9K2HKH-6P93_Z0YEiyMA6JYr3pZ6FzdJeKcXEBap_yLHdgOqq2tBi7BbGxpd57U8g/s640/EndOfYearGiftBox.png" width="599" /></a></div>
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1. A black & white picture with me-- Of course I LOVE to take pictures (not normally of myself, though!), and my students know it. All year long I'm snapping pictures, so what a better way to end the year than with a picture of each student and myself?! The reason I did black and white this year, you ask? Partially because of my OCD, and partially because it fit my "theme" of the boxes, where everything was black/white and one color...</div>
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2. A "hippo forever" award-- Our school has a HUGE award assembly the last week of school, where students are recognized for "legit" awards, such as "AB Honor Roll All Year", "Perfect Attendance All Year", etc. etc. What a more fun way to celebrate the end of the year than with a mini award reminding the students that even though they're leaving my class, they'll still always have a place in my heart (and theirs) as a hippo forever (our class "mascot", if you're confused!). :)</div>
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3. A small, top open card, containing an end of year letter for my parents-- </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZV73bPIJ2E2ktzZ7oerwBJ6bw8iZSPICOEWGsiiKb6CfoIJwZFDYw0SFIHrXHgj1KNrhFrliJKlMtF6EBGDkuht36EoiGLuT_hg2iTjXVx8lvI6TKxvHu8bB6XWI0mKMa1Ms7ZHA3dlk/s1600/EndOfYearLetterSample.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZV73bPIJ2E2ktzZ7oerwBJ6bw8iZSPICOEWGsiiKb6CfoIJwZFDYw0SFIHrXHgj1KNrhFrliJKlMtF6EBGDkuht36EoiGLuT_hg2iTjXVx8lvI6TKxvHu8bB6XWI0mKMa1Ms7ZHA3dlk/s320/EndOfYearLetterSample.png" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know it's small and blurry, but you can <br />
see it all by downloading the <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5n9RwbyyP7QOTdPSUpDTllFNUU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">freebie file</a>!</td></tr>
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To coincide with reminding my students that they'll be hippos forever, I also place this extremely loving letter in each end of year gift for the parents of my students. WARNING: It always makes me cry the first time I reread it each year. I did not come up with the wording, but it's something I've used since my very first year teaching, and I believe it truly expresses the heartfelt feelings of a caring teacher at the end of each school year.<br />
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You can have a free, generic version of this letter as a PDF file by clicking <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5n9RwbyyP7QOTdPSUpDTllFNUU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here</a>. There are 2 pages-- one blue for boys (with the wording containing "he", "him", etc.) and one red for girls (with the wording contain "she", "her", etc.). <br />
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I always "address" each of mine with the parents' names up top and sign my name and the year at the bottom, but you can choose to do it how you'd like! :)<br />
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So, that's it! There's the last of my "End Of Year" gifts for each of my students. Like it? Hate it? Have something better? I'd love to hear what you guys do for your own students at the end of each year! Leave me a comment...I'll be waiting to read 'em! :) </div>
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Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-90409733053779434482013-06-15T09:00:00.000-05:002013-06-15T09:00:03.365-05:00Hope You Have a "BALL" Summer Gift For Students (& a GIVEAWAY)!<br />
The end of the school year is hard. I mean, on top of all the <em>teacher</em> stuff, like paperwork, folders, files, documentation, grades, and so on and so forth, you have the <em>class</em> stuff, too! And, I'll be honest, most years it's kind of sad. Even those tough years can get me a little blue in the end, too. We spend 9 months in a room with 20+ kiddos, each and every day, and then, all of a sudden, they're not going to be ours anymore. It's certainly a weird feeling that I do believe no other profession experiences. <br />
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So, end of year activities are always fun. We always complete a "Memory Book", do other fun Summer activities, travel to other 2nd grade rooms to sign yearbooks, and much more. But, for the past two years, I've also been partaking in a few, special "End of Year" gifts which are both meaningful to me (and the kiddos, too!) and fun!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgiZnUNit44BqFjCiSrD1V_JMIGXmbXjlNcb6NfhNmmujMIHv6qC3G8ZhWTzJNPJJIlIIEiE6qmwm8tdmr6sVQCXBFqebwVyp02wMkcm3YywdtCeY-IVs3yVhUzBVT03zmOsSVLXlty8/s1600/HopeYouHaveABall2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgiZnUNit44BqFjCiSrD1V_JMIGXmbXjlNcb6NfhNmmujMIHv6qC3G8ZhWTzJNPJJIlIIEiE6qmwm8tdmr6sVQCXBFqebwVyp02wMkcm3YywdtCeY-IVs3yVhUzBVT03zmOsSVLXlty8/s400/HopeYouHaveABall2.png" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can find this fun activity with more info on <br />
what's included <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hope-You-Have-A-Ball-A-Student-Gift-for-Summer-248488" target="_blank">here on TpT</a>!</td></tr>
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The first fun "gift" is one the students get to participate in. It is a neat beach ball "scoot" that ties in with my "<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hope-You-Have-A-Ball-A-Student-Gift-for-Summer-248488" target="_blank">Hope You Have a "BALL" Student Summer Gift</a>". Since I knew I'd be giving this little booklet out at the end of the year, what better way than to incorporate the students into it, and make/keep some memories in the process?! Basically, each student gets one plastic, UNinflated beach ball. I generally buy cheap ones, no more than $1. (Last year, I got mine in the dollar section at Target, and this year, I got mine at the Dollar General-- both were $1 a piece.)<br />
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We unwrap our beach balls, and I give the students about 5-10 minutes and ONE section (generally the white one) to write the name LARGELY and doodle with sharpies. I try to spread out the colors of sharpies, and they share at their tables.<br />
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After the students have had ample time to "doodle", we all choose one color sharpie, then play "scoot" with our signatures! For those of you who are unfamiliar, basically we start out at our desks, then SCOOT to the next "stop" (desk), where we will sign out names, put our sharpies up in the air to signal we're ready to move, then SCOOT again! This continues until we're all done signing and return back at our own desk.<br />
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After we finish signing, the balls get returned to me, I put them in a large paper bag (paper grocery bag is a great size), and store them away until I can add the rest of the "gift". What's the rest, you ask? Well, of course, it's the little booklet that you can find on <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hope-You-Have-A-Ball-A-Student-Gift-for-Summer-248488" target="_blank">TpT</a> to accompany the beach ball, BUT, there's also a 2nd part to my gift each year...</div>
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<strong><u><span style="color: #660000;">**Want to win a free copy of my "Hope You Have a "BALL" Summer Gift"?</span></u></strong> See if you can GUESS what else goes into the paper bags for my end of year gifts. I'll give you a clue...there are 3 other parts! The first 3 people to correctly guess one part (that hasn't already been guessed!) will WIN a FREE copy of my TpT file!!! Woo-Hoo! So, whatcha waiting for? Start guessing!!! :) I'll be back soon to post "part 2" of what goes in the bag!</div>
Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-11047232507174542032013-06-14T10:45:00.000-05:002013-06-14T10:45:19.343-05:00Eric Wight Author Visit!<br />
Last year, our elementary school paired with a few other schools around town to bring Kevin O'Malley to our campus to chat, perform, inspire, and just be a little silly with our students! :) THIS year, we were blessed to have another author visit from the chapter book author and illustrator, <strong>Eric Wight</strong>. For those of you unfamiliar, he is the creator of the "Frankie Pickle" series. <br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=justinaro-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1442413042&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">School Library Journal describes his first book: "Franklin Lorenzo Piccolini is a fourth grader with a big imagination and an alter ego named Frankie Pickle, an amalgam of pop-culture icons from Indiana Jones to Batman. His messy room spawns an adventure that ends when the filth is too much even for him. Wight matches a silly story to black-and-white cartoon graphics in a chapter-book format. Readers who have graduated from Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants and Ricky Ricotta series (both Scholastic) will be charmed by this longer story." <i>–Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC</i></span></span><br />
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Well, not only does the main character in Eric Wight's chapter book series have a huge imagination filled with creativity, but the author himself most certainly does, too! In our hour long, grade level presentation, Mr. Wight not only told the students about himself and his life, but he also truly inspired the students to write themselves by sharing his experiences and his writing styles and techniques! He made it seem SO very fun and effortless, that we all left with a new story frame/outline to help us create our own, new story, but also with a new outlook on writing for most of my kiddos! <br />
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The new story idea, you ask? Well, it's none other than "Frankie the Hilarious Hippo"! <br />
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Just like Kevin O'Malley, Eric Wight used the students' ideas to come up with this new, outrageous story line/knock-off of Frankie. Our class was so proud to help focus the new character around none other than a hippo (our class "mascot")! Who knows, after all his fun and kooky stories, maybe Frankie as a hippo could be next?! I mean, it's not too far off from some of his other tales...<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=justinaro-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1416964851&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /></div>
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Anyways, of course, after hour of fun inspiration, we just HAD to pose with our newest favorite author!<br />
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So, 2 visits in 2 years...LOVE it! How about you? Do you have author visits? If so, who have you seen in person? I'd love to hear about it! :)Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-27221637721088393582013-05-27T08:30:00.000-05:002013-05-27T08:30:01.623-05:00What Your Social Media Habits Say About Your Teaching Style - | Diigo<br />
Last Summer, during one of my many technology workshops and learning opportunities, I signed up for Diigo Education Updates. About once a day, I'm sent an email with some online articles on different topics about education. Almost all are in someway related to technology, and I will admit, there are some days where I don't click to read any...but then there are other days when I read all of the new links to posts they've sent! <br />
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Well, yesterday, I was sent quite a few interesting ones that I'll be sharing with you all over the next week or so. And, here's the first. <br />
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It's called, <strong><span style="color: blue;">"</span></strong><a href="https://www.diigo.com/bookmark/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.teachthought.com%2Ftechnology%2Fwhat-your-social-media-habits-say-about-your-teaching-style%2F?gname=diigoineducation"><strong><span style="color: blue;">What Your Social Media Habits Say About Your Teaching Style - | Diigo</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color: blue;">". </span></strong>Click on over to read the full article. It's super interesting, and I'd love to hear where you fall and how accurate it was for you! Although I'm not a 100% "Power User", I do seem to fit in that category the most, and the synopsis of my corresponding teaching style fit pretty accurately! :)<br />
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Like the article and want to sign up for the Diigo in Education group? It's free, public, and optional: <br />
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Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-91913424683254830292013-05-26T10:41:00.002-05:002013-05-26T10:41:40.373-05:00Teaching Arrays with Sticky Notes<br />
Okay, I'll come right out and say it-- teaching multiplication in 2nd grade is hard. <br />
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A few of my students still have yet to master their addition and subtraction facts, but then, many of my students are at the point where they're itching to learn multiplication and division! Some kiddos already have started memorizing their "times tables" with the help of siblings or parents, so I have to ask myself, do I really want them just learning those rote multiplication facts without a conceptual understanding of why multiplication is what it is (and what it means)?! Aye aye aye! You can see what I mean!<br />
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So, with only 3 weeks left in our school year, our curriculum begins to introduce multiplication. By no means do my second graders have to master multiplication nor division by the end of year, but I guess I do believe that now, a small, well planned out introduction is necessary and can be done...as long as it is done slowly and "deeply" for all students!<br />
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Along with teaching "groups of" and "skip counting" as methods to begin multiplication, our curriculum also calls for us to teach arrays. For those of you unfamiliar, an array is basically an arrangement of a group of objects or numbers, lined in equal rows or columns, neatly...so students can see "___ rows of ___" or "___ columns of ___". <br />
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After introducing my kiddos to the vocabulary, we made a few changes to the definition to make it work for our activity!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieF8sDPFaComPHg2-ySZv-f3XYZXF_ckUIrvi6nWw-L5wh67ucms_UyKEXLe0lUVAll181lznhxk7hdzkIwzk3QCe3sfm5mzjIFnCUZvmJl4KPN9b-1UqeGFfKKUVbutV4VLYImf6hpqg/s1600/arraydefinition.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieF8sDPFaComPHg2-ySZv-f3XYZXF_ckUIrvi6nWw-L5wh67ucms_UyKEXLe0lUVAll181lznhxk7hdzkIwzk3QCe3sfm5mzjIFnCUZvmJl4KPN9b-1UqeGFfKKUVbutV4VLYImf6hpqg/s400/arraydefinition.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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We crossed out "numbers" and under the word object, wrote "sticky notes", so our new definition to use for the day was "an arrangement of a set of sticky notes in rows". Perfect! <br />
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Then, we got going with some hands-on practice, because after all, that's the best way to learn anything! On the board, I would write a statement, such as "10 rows of 2". The students then would write the same on their dry erase boards. Finally, as a table, they would make these arrays with sticky notes, and on their dry erase boards, under the "10 rows of 2", they would decide upon the corresponding multiplication sentence and write it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIq3hjTLnnrKg9T3FD7HuQ2su4rB_J9TSHr9riGnRaGgVdFlSLFfCdbe1MbC0vnxCMRE5LCST_FOndVgJ32256h6ZVuX34Ce4x4xO4MZqnMsTFzNywD4ilDR1i0qltRyuLqvrwK3Erb4/s1600/arraypractice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIq3hjTLnnrKg9T3FD7HuQ2su4rB_J9TSHr9riGnRaGgVdFlSLFfCdbe1MbC0vnxCMRE5LCST_FOndVgJ32256h6ZVuX34Ce4x4xO4MZqnMsTFzNywD4ilDR1i0qltRyuLqvrwK3Erb4/s640/arraypractice.png" width="634" /></a></div>
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At the very end of our class practice, I gave each table a different multiplication sentence, such as "8 x 3" or "5 x 4", and together, they had to figure out the array, arrange it, and write both the array statement with "rows of" and multiplication sentence:<br />
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Finally, we stuck our posters on the wall, to use as reference material for the rest of the year, and added an entry to our math spiral, to use as a reference, too:<br />
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So, there you have it...a quick, easy, and fun yet conceptual array lesson to help introduce students to multiplication! This was the first year to use stickies (considering the idea popped into my head at 3:56 in the middle of the night...isn't that always when the best ideas come, in the middle of sleep?), but I couldn't of asked for a better way to teach my kiddos. They loved it, I loved it, and they learned...what more could a girl ask for?! <br />
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I'd love to hear how you all introduce and teach multiplication and division concepts...I'm always looking for new teaching strategies, especially this late in the year, when my brain is fried and ready for summer! :)Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-2455806295560143942013-05-18T15:42:00.000-05:002013-05-18T15:42:20.066-05:00Fun Box of Yum! Healthy Surprise Delivery<br />
Recently, I stumbled upon <a href="http://mbsy.co/healthy-surprise/187466" target="_blank">Healthy Surprise</a>-- a subscription program which delivers a box a month of healthy, natural, vegan, gluten free, and soy free goodies. I chose the "Starter Box", which includes about 16-20 servings of yummy goodness. <br />
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Everything can be kept at room temperature (which I LOVE, since I just took my whole box with me to school). Inside, there were tons of new snacks that I've never had before, so I thought I'd share a little "review" with you! :)<br />
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<a href="http://mbsy.co/healthy-surprise/187466" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg86FCbkzQx4C_JzpsjUV3aYSAeiqfxygcjY004YMxCRLrQjQAVVSXBVaFvjNfZ3Bvi4sFwwJ35Z5zmOI4vq5FFFb2dQGtqJFXdrKlfHPo7NAclMPBW3iM3qqbGYIwkuB-9NohWuAkb6Y/s640/healthysurprisebox.png" width="619" /></a></div>
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I ordered my box on Sunday, and it was delivered on Wednesday. How's that for speedy delivery?! The box was oh-so cute and branded, and you can see inside was stuffed with munchies. Let me separate them and give you a little "run down"...<br />
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<a href="http://mbsy.co/healthy-surprise/187466" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcc-CecUE8yvtKZl0T3rPphmRBs2-MDYZmF2wpq_AGtG4PZVerxNVp-qZFKKfham11LnO9cRGZ-OtyvfPZ75nfne31oO682iKrQPVYA63v52CO8zNrevZ05NH5ctufFLCjhol5yLR0b4/s400/healthysurpriseitems1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u>Cocomojoe Cranberry Bar</u>: This was the first thing I ate. YUM. Yes, it was a little high in calories, but it was a scrumptious compilation of coconut, cranberries, and more. I actually ate this as an after school snack one afternoon, and it filled me up!<br />
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<u>Thunderbird Energetica Lemon Rain Bar</u>: Gluten free and very heavy for its little package. Quinoa based, it's not your typical granola bar. Very dense, not my favorite flavor, but all in all, it kept me satisfied!<br />
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<u>Just Fruit Bar</u>: All that's in it is fruit purees and juices. It was like "fruit leather" but much more moist and yummy. Love it a lot and would definitely eat again!<br />
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<u>Alter Eco Dark Chocolate and Almond Bar</u>: Of course, super delicious. Not like a normal super sweet Hershey's bar, much more bitter, but just letting a square melt in your mouth was enough! I broke this into pieces, and it lasted me three separate times, even though the package says 2 servings!<br />
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<u>Rawma Bar</u>: TBD. Yet to be tried!<br />
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<a href="http://mbsy.co/healthy-surprise/187466" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpj_hNNT5jZ24Ih_uTqbYN4IEZENIrSQN4__d-Yy2zsMvZyFrEQwKILCdqUWkamptICiRuq6sQT7UYJ8_9lKD6Eq9j-UDOKcAUMXQnGw3z332tVVtdjJjeiM9Zv3n_ulkukyGT_XbVvxY/s400/healthysurpriseitems2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u>Kale Krunch</u>: Dried kale snack with a "kick"...it has a coating on the outside. Mine was "Southwest Ranch" flavored. Tried a piece, but it was way too spicy for me...I'm a weenie when it comes to "hot". Donated the rest to the teacher's lounge, and it was gone within the day.<br />
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<u>Hail Merry Macaroons</u>: OMG. These are gluten free, dehydrated coconut macaroons. DELICIOUS. Very crumbly, so at first I was a bit leery, but after eating one, I was in love. I actually got on line and ordered more from the manufacturer!<br />
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<u>Plentils</u>: These are lentil chips. A good substitution for potato chips, much healthier and gluten free. A good snack when you need something crunchy and salty.<br />
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<a href="http://mbsy.co/healthy-surprise/187466" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcCB8LsnBlsbjY0-QcpuWrUijpVRT9LTWuZAiubR5a1NxcGeLERkdaekf9gXieadd1PCiKEbxfE834s0GLUFTz4SK-xVKNtO1ISm75P3wZkeBj373Baf9yxevLayVvoDH8sBrLHMM_dw/s400/healthysurpriseitems3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u>Peter Rabbit Fruit Snack</u>: This particular one was a banana and apple "puree" type snack. Kind of like baby food...I felt kind of silly eating it, since it's in a squeeze type bottle. But, it is just banana and apple...yummy and healthy. (I do have to admit, I ate this after school in the confines of my room, though, because I thought I'd look really funny eating it as a snack in front of my kiddos!!)<br />
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<u>Freeze Dried Pineapple Crunchies</u>: TBD. They're actually my "next up" in snack rotation. I'll let you know on Monday!<br />
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<u>Happy Hemp Seeds</u>: TBD. It's a healthy size pack of hemp seeds. Not quite sure what to do with them yet. Never had hemp seeds before. Maybe I might mix them in yogurt or another snack... :)<br />
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So, there you have it-- my mini, informal "review" of my first <a href="http://mbsy.co/healthy-surprise/187466" target="_blank">Healthy Surprise</a> box. Nope, I wasn't paid for any "promo" or given anything for free, just signed up and enjoyed it for what it was. It's perfect for teachers like us, so I thought I'd share the program to anyone who's interested! It's a month by month subscription that you can cancel at anytime. For now, I think I'll leave mine and see what shows up next month-- after all, the items inside constantly change, which is what makes it a "surprise"! Interested to sign up or learn more? Here's a little more info, and of course, you can always click on over to <a href="http://mbsy.co/healthy-surprise/187466" target="_blank">Healthy Surprise</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://mbsy.co/healthy-surprise/187466" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSmHRTjIGpfoouo4a256vvoAnTMZeHfTyRGmCEL3HgxOJtGxlMCpSQzTm7iDOd2KFmCLoWipDxKoeaY9zCElqPN-yRklfsGTNBIcGkHoQPUEmiQ1-Ep4nX_D2URN9tAbaX9h4eTVY_dw/s1600/healthysurprisepic.png" /></a></div>
Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109601963130027673.post-73528764294813329722013-05-07T06:30:00.000-05:002013-05-07T06:30:00.890-05:00Showin' Us Teachers a Little Love!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Isn't it always nice to know you're appreciated?! Well now, it's quite clear just how much TPT loves us teachers! This Tuesday and Wednesday, May 7-8, Teachers Pay Teachers is throwing a huge sale! Lots of sellers will have their stores on sale, including my own! That's right, everything in my store, <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Just-Tinkerin-Around" target="_blank">Just Tinkerin' Around</a>, will be on sale for 20% off-- now through Wednesday, May 8.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Just-Tinkerin-Around" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubUlaJEVFCNv0s9eynoA1oq1kXY2i1Wm-EWPb36O0_hfysV8NiREP_wSoNHn6Oxc7SDq37jg5T4e_660AR5LK3bcW6wNMygPoMz5Se53AUQHJFSgEyn5mwPBt1VaMXXgmppXHGjQV_Y8/s1600/tad-13-product.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">TPT is offering an additional
10% of my discounted price for a total sale of 28% off! I simply LOVE being appreciated...don't you?! I've already got my wish list items picked out, and I can't wait 'til the clock strikes midnight so I can get to buying some items for myself!!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hope you have a happy Teacher Appreciation Week, and don't forget to s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">top by my store today or
tomorrow to get the deals!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><i>When checking out on TpT, use the promo code: TAD13 to recieve your extra 10% savings!</i></span></div>
Jillian's Just Tinkerin'!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12730500102541518685noreply@blogger.com0