Hello Darlings! What better way to take a mundane activity and add some color and a little mystery! Pixel art is one of the greatest ways you can engage students in mathematical thinking while holding their focus as they use their creativity and problem solving skills to uncover the mystery underneath. My Digital Hidden Picture Activities for Google Sheets are magical and mysterious! My students love to reveal the missing pieces of the Picture Puzzle every time they answer a question correctly and I absolutely love the self-checking, instant feedback it provides! So how does it work? Assign students the Google Sheet ... Read More about Add a Little Mystery and Color to Math with Pixel Art
Blog
Letting the Work Grade Itself – Let’s Talk About Google Forms
Hello Darlings! As educators, we have a TON on our plate. Aside from managing a classroom, fostering positive relationships, instructing, and differentiating…we are constantly finding ourselves assessing. Which also means that we are constantly finding ourselves grading assessments. We stuff them in our bags and carry them home; sometimes more than once because we are simply too tired to tackle them by the time we sit down. We review each question with our favorite flair pen and record a score that provides meaningful feedback to our kids. It is working– but what if we could do it better? Better yet, what if we could stop this ... Read More about Letting the Work Grade Itself – Let’s Talk About Google Forms
Test Your Luck – How to Turn Worksheets into Games!
Hello Darlings! Worksheets. Some of us love them and some of us love to hate them! Our students feel the exact same way. Only here is the challenge…we can’t go without them. Worksheets are fantastic for independent practice, formative assessments, and so much more! So how do we go about adopting them while changing with the times? The answer is actually pretty simple. Games. What kid today doesn’t love games? They all talk about their Ipads and Xboxes as if they are a third limb on their body. In some way, I can’t help but wonder if gaming is just a part of their DNA now (too far?). All this to say that kids LOVE ... Read More about Test Your Luck – How to Turn Worksheets into Games!
It’s the FINAL Countdown…To Summer!
Hello Darlings! The end is in sight! Summer is coming!! via GIPHY A time when you can and should recharge after yet another difficult year in the classroom. Since the start of the pandemic, there is no question that what we do is incredibly beautiful, yet extremely challenging so HUGE kudos to you for all that you are doing (and have done) for your students. As the end of the year approaches, a whole lot is going on in the classroom. You are finishing up your curriculum, testing, grading, planning memorable activities, and so much more! All while managing the classroom. Ah yes, classroom management at the end of the ... Read More about It’s the FINAL Countdown…To Summer!
Combat the End of the Year Slump With CAMP SKEETER!
Hello Darlings! We all find ourselves getting excited about the end of the school year as it approaches! Yet, as that last week rolls around, we find ourselves dreading it a bit. You’ve likely run out of curriculum, your kids are mentally on vacation already, the kids that desire the routine of school are struggling with the transition, and your energy is waning as you balance the circus. You might even feel as though you are dancing on your head to keep them engaged and excited. Sound familiar??? What if I told you that you could improve the last week of school, support student learning, create positive memories, ... Read More about Combat the End of the Year Slump With CAMP SKEETER!
Hands-On Economics Your Kids Will LOVE!
Hello Darlings! As a kid I never realized that economics could be…well…fun! It seemed like such a boring unit that we trudged through, read about in a textbook that was dusted off each time we pulled it off the shelf (with lovely old graphics might I add), and then tested on. It wasn’t until I became a teacher that I realized how fun and engaging economics could be for our young, growing learners! In my excitement, I created an Economics Unit (yes, a whole unit!!) based around the concept of a real world carnival that spans for 14 fun and engaging days! It begins with a simple letter home, explaining to parents what we will be ... Read More about Hands-On Economics Your Kids Will LOVE!