5+EdTech+Tools+to+Try https://t.co/7KgdscQtDR via alicekeeler
— Shelley Smith (@ssmith2teach) November 27, 2015
from Twitter https://twitter.com/ssmith2teach
November 27, 2015 at 04:18PM
via IFTTT
Friday, November 27, 2015
5+EdTech+Tools+to+Try https://t.co/7KgdscQtDR via alicekeeler
from Twitter https://twitter.com/ssmith2teach
November 27, 2015 at 04:18PM
via IFTTT
Saturday, November 21, 2015
I'm+participating+in+this+year's+#HourOfCode,+are+you?+@codeorg https://t.co/HXUMDZrSoX #
I'm+participating+in+this+year's+#HourOfCode,+are+you?+@codeorg https://t.co/HXUMDZrSoX #
— Shelley Smith (@ssmith2teach) November 21, 2015
from Twitter https://twitter.com/ssmith2teach
November 21, 2015 at 03:36PM
via IFTTT
8 free iPad apps to encourage creativity in young learners - https://t.co/zlzjVxk0kH via eschoolnews
8 free iPad apps to encourage creativity in young learners - https://t.co/zlzjVxk0kH via eschoolnews
— Shelley Smith (@ssmith2teach) November 21, 2015
from Twitter https://twitter.com/ssmith2teach
November 21, 2015 at 03:20PM
via IFTTT
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Honoring Our Veterans
Saturday, August 1, 2015
weareteachers's photo https://t.co/dRJFDXVo4p
weareteachers's photo https://t.co/dRJFDXVo4p
— Shelley Smith (@ssmith2teach) August 1, 2015
from Twitter https://twitter.com/ssmith2teach
August 01, 2015 at 10:15AM
via IFTTT
weareteachers's photo https://t.co/fpHOqG5Hys
weareteachers's photo https://t.co/fpHOqG5Hys
— Shelley Smith (@ssmith2teach) August 1, 2015
from Twitter https://twitter.com/ssmith2teach
August 01, 2015 at 10:13AM
via IFTTT
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Top 10's for Pinnacle XIX http://t.co/oK0Gndy9vV #gcsk12
Top 10's for Pinnacle XIX http://t.co/oK0Gndy9vV #gcsk12
— Shelley Smith (@ssmith2teach) July 23, 2015
from Twitter https://twitter.com/ssmith2teach
July 23, 2015 at 02:35PM
via IFTTT
This week I have attended Pinnacle XIX training. It has been an awesome week and I have learned so much more about so many things, just not technology. I have formed some new friendships and have attempted some new tasks. Thank you goes out to Chris, Teresa, Sandy, Aundrea, and Lisa for doing such a great job in planning and facilitating this week. It is much appreciated!
So now.....here are my
Top 10's for this week:
10. NearPod-----Awesome, Amazing, the Bomb9. Wonder Notebooks-----this keeps making me think of
Wonder Pets. Definitely giving them a try with my kiddos this year.
8. Inquiry Circles-----Love it and will give it a go!
7. Move It!------We will be moving it this year!
6. Explain Everything------Cool App for, well, explaining
just about everything.
5. IFTTT------This is so simple, yet neat!
4. Personalized Learning------ Well worth the time.
3. Game Based Learning------More of my style gaming
2. App-Mazing Race-----So much fun and met a few strangers
along the way.
1. Gamification (MindcraftEdu)-----All I have to say about it is everybody, can't do everything and I can't do that!!!!
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
#Skitch is a little confusing to me @#gcsk12 http://t.co/GOi476Z6kg
#Skitch is a little confusing to me @#gcsk12 http://pic.twitter.com/GOi476Z6kg
— Shelley Smith (@ssmith2teach) July 22, 2015
from Twitter https://twitter.com/ssmith2teach
July 22, 2015 at 04:32PM
via IFTTT
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Nearpod, Explain Everything, & Broadcast URL. Learning more and more at Pinnacle 19 Summer@#gcsk12
Nearpod, Explain Everything, & Broadcast URL. Learning more and more at Pinnacle 19 Summer@#gcsk12
— Shelley Smith (@ssmith2teach) July 21, 2015
from Twitter https://twitter.com/ssmith2teach
July 21, 2015 at 03:01PM
via IFTTT
Monday, July 20, 2015
Having a good day at Pinnacle 19 Summer Session 1
Having a good day at Pinnacle 19 Summer Session 1
— Shelley Smith (@ssmith2teach) July 20, 2015
from Twitter https://twitter.com/ssmith2teach
July 20, 2015 at 12:55PM
via IFTTT
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
The End of the Year
It's that time of year where things are ending.
As a look back at this school year, I become somewhat sad. I had one of the most awesome classes ever. Over the past 23 years of teaching, there are certain classes that stick out in my mind more than others. All of the kids I have taught are special, however, some are just more memorable than others. This year I had one of those classes. There just seemed to be the right chemistry within this group. In my class, my students know they are my kids and that we are a family. We were a family. Not everyone always got along with one another, but in the end, I believe the kids knew that every single person in our class had their back.
We had days of laughter and days with some tears. Highs and lows, ups and downs. My kids know that I am always truthful with them and as I said probably a million times, sometimes the truth hurts.
I firmly believe that just as the kids learned from me, that I learned from them as well. So thank you Khania, Noah, Jersey, Preston, Dawson, Tommy, Shelly, Lauren, Madison, Aylon, Chloe, Kobe, Karlie, Gracie, Gage, Andraya, Guadalupe, Ethan, Aymee, Hayden, Ashton, and Emma. Thank you for letting me be your teacher. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, hopes, and insecurities with me. I will cherish you always. You guys are amazing!!
As a look back at this school year, I become somewhat sad. I had one of the most awesome classes ever. Over the past 23 years of teaching, there are certain classes that stick out in my mind more than others. All of the kids I have taught are special, however, some are just more memorable than others. This year I had one of those classes. There just seemed to be the right chemistry within this group. In my class, my students know they are my kids and that we are a family. We were a family. Not everyone always got along with one another, but in the end, I believe the kids knew that every single person in our class had their back.
We had days of laughter and days with some tears. Highs and lows, ups and downs. My kids know that I am always truthful with them and as I said probably a million times, sometimes the truth hurts.
I firmly believe that just as the kids learned from me, that I learned from them as well. So thank you Khania, Noah, Jersey, Preston, Dawson, Tommy, Shelly, Lauren, Madison, Aylon, Chloe, Kobe, Karlie, Gracie, Gage, Andraya, Guadalupe, Ethan, Aymee, Hayden, Ashton, and Emma. Thank you for letting me be your teacher. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, hopes, and insecurities with me. I will cherish you always. You guys are amazing!!
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Junior Achievement
I had heard of Junior Achievement before, but never had a clue what is was really all about. So about four years ago, when my Emma was in fourth grade, I began to research it a little bit. I thought it might be something that Emma could do over the summer, kind of like a camp. Little did I know the impact that this little bit of research might have on my teaching.
Junior Achievement in my opinion is one of the best, yet little known programs that are out there and available to teachers and students. Junior Achievement is a program that teaches students about financial literacy. In the lesson, the students learn what a community is, why we support businesses in our community, philanthropy, what are financial institutions, what do they do, how to write checks, make deposits, and keep a register.
However, to my students the program is so much more. During the time that we are working on JA, the students have to fill out job applications for the job that they would like to have at JA Biztown (our simulation field trip) and then have a formal interview with a stranger. This is probably the most nerve day for the students. The students come in on job interview day dressed in their best. They have practiced what makes for a good job interview, and are ready to put everything they have learned into action.
At the end of the day, the students find out what position they will hold at JA Biztown. It is so exciting to watch as those students that may not always shine as bright in the classroom, shine very brightly as they find out that they were picked for some of the most important jobs at Biztown. AND isn't that why we teach. We teach so that kids can shine, be proud of themselves, and show what they know!
Junior Achievement gives kids confidence. Confidence to go out in the world and know that they can get a job or maybe even open up their own business. This type of confidence is priceless. So for the small cost of Junior Achievement materials and the time that it takes to work on in class, Junior Achievement is completely worth the effort.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
So JuSt WhAt Is TeAcHeR LeAdErShiP?
When I think of Teacher Leaders, several thoughts run through my mind. Some of my thoughts are not that positive. Having been a teacher for what seems like forever, I have met up with many types of teacher leaders. Two extreme teacher leader types come to mind, the teacher that is bossy and overpowering. This type of leader will obviously be met with much opposition.
As teacher leaders, we need to be role models to our peers. Leaders should be a provider of resources, a curriculum specialist, a mentor, a learning facilitator, as well as be a catalyst for change. These are huge roles for teacher leaders to fill. I have a special friend that is the epitome of what a teacher leader needs to be. This friend just so happens to have been the Instructional Facilitator at my school. This lady is everything that a teacher leader needs to be. I must admit that there were times that I did not like what this person suggested we try as a grade level or school. However, after getting to know her well, I realized that she only wanted the best for our students and if I would try what she suggested then more than likely I would experiences success.
Ultimately, this is what teachers want. These leaders want successes for our students and teachers.
Monday, January 26, 2015
What in the WORLD am I doing?
What in the WORLD am I doing?
I have asked myself that question a couple of times recently. Well, to be honest, more than a couple of times. Here it is a Sunday afternoon and I am working away at school. Mind you, I am not complaining. I am so thankful that I could get into the school and work today. There is just so much to do and no matter how hard I try, I just can't get as much done at home. I become too distracted!
The puzzling part to me is when educators are being so badly treated in the political scene, then why am I here working on a Sunday, and for free none the less. However, no matter what anyone says or thinks, I am not here for the money or because I am not capable of doing anything else. I am here on a Sunday afternoon for my kids. The kids that I have been challenged to work with this year. Yes, this is the reason I do what I do on a Sunday afternoon. It is all about the KIDS!
I have asked myself that question a couple of times recently. Well, to be honest, more than a couple of times. Here it is a Sunday afternoon and I am working away at school. Mind you, I am not complaining. I am so thankful that I could get into the school and work today. There is just so much to do and no matter how hard I try, I just can't get as much done at home. I become too distracted!
The puzzling part to me is when educators are being so badly treated in the political scene, then why am I here working on a Sunday, and for free none the less. However, no matter what anyone says or thinks, I am not here for the money or because I am not capable of doing anything else. I am here on a Sunday afternoon for my kids. The kids that I have been challenged to work with this year. Yes, this is the reason I do what I do on a Sunday afternoon. It is all about the KIDS!
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