Thursday, April 17, 2014

Finding my Focus

I started my blog in in October 2012. I had a family blog.  I enjoyed reading teacher blogs. I figured that I would post ideas from my classroom.

I’d previously tutored to supplement my income. After my second child was born, I just didn’t have time. I discovered TpT at about this time. I found that there were some wonderful resources that I could make myself, but that with two small children at home it was worth paying $3 for an afternoon with my family. I decided in place of tutoring to start a TpT store. I could spend time working on things for my classroom anyway to sell.

My store now almost makes enough to support my clip art habit. I enjoy having just enough tucked away to buy clip art for each project I start. I haven’t posted new products in a while. I’ve lost the desire to be the next millionaire. It would be nice, but it isn’t worth the time and effort. I’m okay with that.

This year has been full of changes. I have always liked my job, but I truly love teaching in the STEAM Lab. I have had the freedom to create an ideal space. I have been able to explore and expose my students to digital citizenship, gaming in the classroom, week of code, GAFE, augmented reality, and more.

My blog has changed, too.  It is still there, but I am not worried about my TpT store.  I want to share ideas and interact with like-minded educators. I love the community of educators I’ve found online. The cardboard arcade we spent a month working on in the STEAM Lab all started with a blog post I read. Thanks to a technology newsletter in my inbox, several of my students have extended the ‘Week of Code’ and are currently working taking online courses in coding outside of school. A Pinterest post about the ColAR app has me addicted to using augmented reality. I love the way things are developing.

I hope you will join me through this process as I find my new focus! I cannot wait for my blog redesign in May. I found the perfect clip art and an amazing blog designer. I can’t wait for a new look to go along with my new focus.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Unintentional Blogging Break

I’m back! I started three posts this week, but never had a chance to actually post anything.

Last weekend was our first ever cardboard arcade. Each of my 18 classes made two projects. It was my ideal STEAM project. I was at school for 20 hours Friday/Saturday of last week. The end result was a LOT of work, but it was a success.  Expect blog posts to follow. Most likely more than one!

For now, I’ll give you a quick preview with pictures of my own kids having fun with my students’ creations.






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They had so much fun that day that my son actually managed to fall asleep standing up. They cannot wait to be big enough to come to “Mommy’s school.”

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Of course spending that many extra hours at school + two small kids = getting sick. My two-year-old was happy to tell anyone who would listen that “Mommy got my boogers.” After living on hot tea and cough drops for most of the week, I’m feeling better.

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Our home computer also took ill since my last post. Thankfully it was still under warranty. During a call to Apple during my lunch break for help getting the iPhoto pictures off the dying machine, they asked if I happened to have another Mac in the house. I laughed and said no, but that I was in my classroom which just happened to have 25 iMacs in it. They talked me through it and I am happy to report that the photos are safe and the hard drive has been replaced. My husband spent most of today trying to put everything back the way we had it. Fun times!

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In other “more about that later” news, I was picked to be a 2014 PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovator. I submitted a video back in February, and I am thrilled to get to be a part of this program. I’m just starting meet some of the other educators on Twitter.

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It is date night, so I’m off to spend some time with the Irishman. He just picked up dinner from Outback and we are going to watch The Help. After a PJ day, it is the perfect way to end to my Saturday!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!