Blogger Business Cards

I was so excited with the way my blog design turned out. I had asked Lindsey to create a matching business card design as well. Well, I ordered them from Vistaprint and they arrived yesterday!!! I am so happy with how they turned out! I can't wait to distribute them at networking events. Do you have business cards for your blog? How do you use them?

EduBlogging 101

This is the sample post from my session of EduBlogging 101 from Edcamp Steam 2014.

Post of the Month-April-Professional Development

My most powerful source of ongoing PD is TWITTER! I know it seems like EVERYONE says Twitter is their go to PD place, but it really is an AWESOME resource for educators. Through Twitter I have grown in AWESOME ways within the past year and a half. I have met many new educators whom I've added into my PLN, I've found new conference opportunities, and I've become an executive board member of an AWESOME professional organization.

I will continue to promote Twitter to other educators until I am blue in the face. I can only imagine what Twitter will help me accomplish in the future.

Post of the Month-March-Educational Videos

The easiest way I've incorporated videos into my teaching, is through song. Huh? Well, let me explain.

During my 2 months as a "long term sub" for 6th grade science this school year, I found a youtube channel that produces educational songs--parodies of popular songs which include science related information. Mr.Parr's songs got my students engaged. By the end of a week, we ALL knew the words to the Moon Phases song, and understood why the lyrics were what they were. Check out that song below.

When we, as teachers, can find interesting and engaging videos for our students, they can enhance our learning experience. If only I could find some good songs on Ancient China....

Post of the Month- January- Feedback

Feedback is the topic for January for the #blogamonth challenge. As a New Teacher (NT)/ Pre-Service Teacher (PST) and Substitute Teacher, I don't always receive constant feedback from my administrators. Very rarely, when I have been on an interview, do I receive feedback from those who have interviewed me. Feedback, as a NT, PST, and sub, is SO important. How am I going to land my first job, if I do not know where I "went wrong" in my last interview, or where my true weakness is when I am teaching? 

As a teacher, our students also need to receive feedback on their learning. This feedback comes, most easily, when we return assignments-homework that was collected, a project, a quiz or test. It can also come in our daily interactions with our students. If I saw one of the students I subbed for start to slip in their grades, I confronted the student. I would ask if they felt they needed extra help in that particular lesson, or if there were things going on at home. I would also send one grade reports, prior to progress reports or report cards. Not every family is going to have a computer with internet access, or they will not always sign up for the "parent portal", so sending the grades home is my way of trying to convey to parents, and students, how they are doing in my class. Emails, phone calls, and notes home are also good ways to give feedback to students. 

Feedback does not always have to be "negative". Positive feedback is more effective. I loved, during student teaching, when my 2nd graders would be able to move their clip up, especially if it was a student who rarely showed a specific behavior. As a teacher, I respond better to positive feedback than negative, however, I have gotten a lot better at accepting and listening to constructive criticism. 

During the rest of this academic school year, I am going to try my hardest to reflect more on my own practice to see if I can help myself improve. I will also not be afraid to ask others for guidance. My PLN grows more every day, and I know they are ready to help me when I need it. 

What do I post where?

Sometimes, as a "new" blogger, I get confused on where to post various things, or what content I should post on my blog. I found this great infographic from someone in one of my Google+ circles. Check that site out for yourself!
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/03/a-great-poster-on-how-to-use-blogs-as.html