Tech Tip: Showbie App

Showbie App

I was in as a Relief Teacher for a Year 6 class today and I came across a new app that I found quite beneficial! It's called Showbie, and you could easily scan a page, upload it to your classroom, and give the code to students and they would complete the "worksheet" on their iPad and instantly turn it in.

The Benefits

1.) It's FREE! Yay!
2.) Less paper copies needed! (Great for those you only get a certain amount.)
3.) Less chance for students to lose papers.
4.) Easy grading/documentation for anything (data meetings, student portfolio, etc.)
5.) Students can easily write and erase without extra materials.

This is such a great tool, especially if you have a device set for your classroom.  I'm seeing more and more schools using iPads/devices in the classroom.  This is such a great eco-friendly substitute to all those papers!  Watch the quick informational video:

My Review

After seeing this in action, I'm definitely saving this as something to add to my classroom! Helpful for both the teacher and students.

Have you used this or something similar in your class?

Writing Anchor Charts

I just finished working on my Writing Anchor Charts and it's uploaded on TPT!  My Reading Anchor Charts still seem to be a hit on TPT, so I like to create others with the same styling for anyone to use in the classroom.  There are two types of themes: Bright Chevron & Ocean Waves!

Writing Process

I included 7 steps with the writing process: Prewrite, Draft, Revise, Edit, & Publish are the usual.  I added in Peer Review & Present as optional steps.

I have done these steps with my class in the past and found good benefits from it!

Types of Writing

Persuasive, Descriptive, Expository and Narrative writing have been explained with some helpful tips.

You can easily use these to help introduce each type of writing and display as a reference for students.

Editing Marks

Tons of poster pages to display for students to use while the editing & revision stages of writing.

These are bright and easy to read.

Thinking Maps & Charts

I made sure to display all types of Thinking Maps & Charts I've used to organize information.  Each poster names the use for each.

These allow students to understand & utilize the "Prewrite" stage fo writing.

I have also included these extras & more:

• Writing Hooks
• Transitional Words
• Essay Writing Layout

Free Blog Design Winners!

I actually decided to pick two winners!  :)  Sneaky surprise! Congratulations to Joanne & Nikki for winning!  I sent an email to both of you ladies to fill out a form of information so I can get started on your blog design!  I can't wait to get started!  Make sure to keep a look out for their designs!

Didn't win and still want one?  Keep a look out for more information soon on how you can get your own revamp or new blog design!

**Apple Clipart by Krista Wallden

Teacher Appreciation Week

As the week ends I realize how much I miss Teacher Appreciation Week while I do temporary/relief work here in Australia.  Not for the goodies, but for the love from all my current & former kiddos.  My old school used to do it just right and our PTA was amazing with all that they do.  They would definitely go all out!

This poster was the coolest and I kept it up in our classroom until it started to fall apart.  My Room Mom took pictures of the kiddos and made them into penguins because all my students know I love penguins! Some of these faces were priceless!

Cute little gifts can always bring a smile on a teacher's face. Plus, chocolate never hurts!

My favorite will ALWAYS be handmade gifts from the kiddos themselves.  This creative genius made me a scroll of appreciation letters with a star poking out because our classroom theme was "Reach for the Stars!"

How was your Teacher Appreciation Week?

** Smiley Face Clipart by Krista Wallden

Five for Friday

Five for Friday is a weekly teacher linky party where you post five random things from today or this past week and on your blog. Check out the linky party at Doodle Bugs Teaching.

Free Blog Design Giveaway

To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week I'm hosting a little giveaway, a free blog design from top to bottom!  If you're looking to spice up your blog, then click the image to enter the giveaway!  Spread the word and share with a friend who might want to enter too!  I love creating blog designs and would often change my designs, but I'd rather put that energy to someone else! :)

My Aussie Mum Book

I was in PrePrimary classes throughout the week and got to read some great Mother's Day books.  I came across this book and thought it was so fun!  Love the fun story and the kids were entertained with funnies.  The illustrations are amazing!  Great read at any time!

My Science Journal (Freebie)

I focus on working with Science with the PreP kiddos on Fridays.  We just finished up understanding materials, what things are made of, how you would describe them, & how certain materials are used for certain things.  I have to do reports on them and sharing our drawings and findings in a Science Journal is very helpful at this age.  Click the image to download my FREE Science Journal cover! (Clipart by EduClips)

Eleanor & Park (Book)

Finished my last book and my friend was happy enough to share a book she just finished that was on my "To Read" list on my GoodReads account.  Looks like a feel-good story of young love.

Read more at GoodReads.com

TPT Sales: Teacher Appreciation

Love how TPT celebrates teachers during this time & allow sellers to participate in their sale!  

I hope you all got a chance to take advantage of this like me! (Clipart by Krista Wallden)

Teacher Appreciation Giveaway: Free Blog Design

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all of us teachers!  I truly enjoy creating Blog Designs for teacher bloggers.  (Check out the blog design I just did at Australian Teachers Blog!)  So in honor and appreciation of all the teachers out there I'll be giving away 1 FREE BLOG DESIGN!

What You Get 1 Complete Blog Design that includes:

• Custom Header
• Background
• Sidebar Title Images
• Blog Button
• Post Separator
• Post Signature

Terms & Conditions:

1. Open to ALL teachers
2. Blogger/Blogspot site only
3. Enter using Rafflecopter below
4. Starts 5th May & ends at 12:00 AM on 11th May
   (Sunday is the last day to enter.) 
5. Winner will be announced on the blog!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
**Apple Clipart by Krista Wallden

Five for Friday

Five for Friday is a weekly teacher linky party where you post five random things from today or this past week and on your blog. Check out the linky party at Doodle Bugs Teaching.

Australian Teachers Blog

Last week I worked on creating a collaborative blog of Australian Teachers to connect.  I know I'm from America (USA) originally, but this is where we plan to live and I found it hard to get to know who the Australian Teacher Bloggers were.  I look forward to collaborating and learning from my fellow Aussies and hope to connect with everyone!  Please check it out and comment to add your button if you're an Australian teacher who blogs!

Instagram Account

Started up an Instagram account to showcase all my teacher life!  I didn't realize what a huge teacher community was on Instagram.  I find new stuff everyday, things that make you smile, fun/creative new activities, and so much more.  If you are following, add me! #teachersfollowteachers

My Onesie

It's nearly winter time!  I'm excited for the cold weather mainly because I can wear my onesie more!  It's just so comfy and so cute. Who doesn't like looking like a cute Japanese bear?!

Looking for Alaska

Been reading this book and I'm nearly finished.  I've been enjoying John Green's books lately.  I read The Fault in Our Stars (before the movie came out) and Paper Towns.  I think I enjoy Paper Towns more, but that's probably because it was set in Orlando, FL and I'm feeling a bit nostalgic for home.  

I Wonder... Book

Don't have a picture, but this was something I did this week with some Kinder/Preschool students I worked with.  We talked about what we think happens to the sun at night.  It's so funny to hear what they think happens.  It goes to sleep behind or in the clouds, it runs to another planet and comes back the next day, flies to the other side of the world, and so on.  One student was able to explain how the sun doesn't move, but that Earth rotates and turns around the sun.  He even explained how it is tilted on its axis and thus causes winter and summer.  WOW!