Bloomz App

What communication app do you use?  Have you tried Bloomz?  I like using the Bloomz app.  This is the second school year that I have used it. 

The parents have told me they like it better than some of the other apps out there.  I am able to use it on my phone or the computer.  I use it when I need to tell the parents something great their child has done or when there is an issue.

One of the best features that I like to use is the "scheduled" part.  I program message that I want to sent usually a month in advanced.  I like to be able to type one up while it is on my mind and have the app send it when it is time.  It is the best way to program reminders for our special events.

I also love being able to send photos of our fun learning activities.  They parents are able to see what their child is doing in class without having to visit the classroom.  They know while they are at work, their child is learning and are safe.

I am an ambassador for Bloomz.  If you have any questions or need more information, please leave a message and I will try to help you.

Member Spotlight

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My new year is off to a great start.  TCEA did a member spotlight on me.  I am so honored to be recognized for my love of technology! 

I love learning new technology tricks and sharing them with my class and other teachers. 

https://goo.gl/WzPBVK

Dollar Stores are Great for Teachers

I have heard other teachers talk about the Daiso Dollar Store that is in the Dallas area, so I finally was able to shop at one recently.  Gizmo and I decided we would take the new truck for a "test drive" and ended up at a DOLLAR STORE!  Those that know us, will not be surprised!

There are several in that area.  Most items are $1.50 and they have other items that are more. 

It was really cool and they had lots of neat stuff.  I think they probably have more during the year, I was there during the holiday break. 

It was fun to shop, even though I didn't buy a lot this time.  I look forward to stopping by there again when I am in town. 

I did find these cute strawberry scissors.  They are magnet.  I plan to hang them on my refrigerator so I will have them handy when I need to get a tag off something etc. 

The little clear kit is going in my classroom for bandages.  I don't like using the clear bag that it tacked to the wall.  Now we can use this cute little kit.  I will probably use my Cricut to put something on it to make it cute.

I also purchased a tool box for my truck.  I thought it would help keep things organized and all in one place.  

If you get a chance, stop in the Daiso.  They have lots of neat things.  Some of the things you didn't know that you need them until you see them!

JUST HAD TO SHARE

OFF TOPIC....

SHARING MY GOOD NEWS! I won the costume contest. I am so happy!! It is in honor of my daddy, because he use to love to dress up for holidays and fun festive events. #ilovemydaddyMORRIS

Sharing Good Google News

Each school year we have to pick a technology goal.  This year I decided to make my goal the Google Certification. 

Well, I have worried about it ever since I picked the goal.  Taking a test makes me nervous.  I have lost many nights of sleep thinking, "Did I study enough?", "What questions are going to be on the test?", "Do I know enough?", "How are they grading it?",  and again, "Did I study enough?". 

I studied a lot during the summer (anticipating I would take the test one day) while my daddy/best friend was in the hospital, rehab, back at the hospital, etc.  I tried to always have my laptop with me and "we" would study when there was time. 

He was always so interested in my getting more education, taking more classes, learning as much as my brain could absorb, and getting certificates as well as awards.  (Sadly, my best friend, passed away in July and I miss him more than I thought was even possible!) 

Well, I hope he is PROUD! 

THIS WAS FOR YOU DADDY..........I PASSED MY TEST!! 

I am now a Google Certified Educator, Level 1!! 

No Technology Required

It's that time of year again.  I am starting to think about Christmas gifts for my class.  The past few years I have made personalized scarves.  They always love them. 
Here is how I do it.....
I found the blankets at Walmart for $2.50 each.  They vary in patterns and designs. If you are careful when you unroll it, it is probably folded so that if you cut it on the sides/folds it will make 6 long strips.  I just “eyeballed” it and cut.  I don’t know what the measurements are, it’s more fun to “WING IT”!! :)



Then, cut the edges off.  The edges that have the thread on it. You can unravel the thread first, before cutting. Sometimes I was able to find the right spot and cut the thread so that it would unravel.Then, I cut the slits on the ends, to make the fringe.  I didn’t measure it, just “eyeballed” it and made them as long as I needed to make a knot.



Then, tie the knot.  I stretched them out a little so they would lay nicely.



I will put their names on them.  Last year, I used glitter paint.  This year I plan to use my Cricut machine and use HTV (Heat transfer vinyl).   THIS PART REQUIRES TECHNOLOGY!

More Bee-Bots

The students are loving the Bee-Bots.  They are asking to use them and are very exciting about learning. 
I have mats for rhyming words, beginning sounds, and shapes.  You can see a sample of them working in the below photos.

BEE BOTS

We now have Bee-Bots in our classroom.  Slowly but surely the students are learning to love technology as much as I do.  They understand that Bee-Bots are a learning tool that make learning even more fun now.  They love to push the buttons and tell the Bee-Bot where to go.  We started with beginning sounds.

I made a mat using real pictures of animals.  (It will help us make real-world connections because we are going to the zoo as our field trip in the middle of November.)

These are the animals that are used in a phonics program that we started using this year.  Each one has a sign they do when they say the sound.  They have to pick a card, say the letter and sound, then code the Bee-Bot to the animals that start with that letter.

They are using their critical thinking skills as well as problem-solving skills to get the the correct animal.  They cheer for joy when the Bee-Bot does it correctly.  Sometimes we would forgot to press "clear" before coding to the next animal and they would need to put it back and do it again.

I look forward to making more mats to use in the future weeks.

MORE GOOD NEWS - CLASSROOM CHAMP

GREAT NEWS!!

Recently I was honored as a Kroger Classroom Champ sponsored by Kroger and Dynamo. I was given a gift card to Kroger, a grant, and tickets to the Dynamo game on Sunday, October 22, 2017. We were introduced on the field during halftime. There were 250 submissions and they chose 5 teacher to honor.

It was an amazing experience to be recognized for my hard work and dedication. Thank you Kroger and Dynamo for doing great things for education!

Excellent Educator Award

At a recent staff meeting, the principal announced that I received the Excellent Educator Award.  I was nominated by the librarian, Mary Cook.  She wrote, "Ms. Herring is an outstanding teacher!  She has an excellent relationship with all her students and each student excels in her classroom.  They are well prepared for first grade!  She is always looking for professional growth and attends many workshops.  She is very experienced with technology and is using it all the time to enhance her lessons.  She is so deserving of this award!"  I am very honored to receive this award!!  A big shout out to my co-worker for her kind words!  It made my day to be recognized!!