iHeart Holiday Math Blog Hop

Have you been following the iHeart Math Blog Hop. It has been soooo fun! 

I have the pleasure of linking up with several wonderful math bloggers for a month long holiday hop. 

We are excited about this collaboration because each day you can access a different blogger with 

great holiday tips and a special gift. You can click on each date of the calendar, but remember that it's an advent calendar, so each day is unlocked on that date. 

Stocking Stuffer #1

I want to share how our middle schoolers give back. 

Each of our advisory classes is given an elementary student from one of our 3 local elementary schools and they "adopt" that child for Christmas. 

Our students provide them with presents and a Christmas party, specifically for them! 

It is a really awesome time in our school. We are low socioeconomic school, way over 50% free and reduced lunch ourselves. But, our students NEVER let these young kids down. 

This will be our 3rd year and each year it just gets better and better. 

The week before the holiday break is hard for all grade levels. 

For me, at the middle school level and high school, our students have semester exams. They are required to take a two hour test for ALL their classes. Our schedules are crazy and there are days that I don't see my students. So, my tip for you teachers that have to deal with the same issues is to make reviewing interesting. Play a game, work in groups, allow students to teach the class, just mix it up and have some fun. Not only will they review, they will have fun and hopefully not make you lose your mind. 

                                                       

To help you with my Holiday Tip from above, I want to provide you with some 

Order of Operations Review 

 A fun activity next week to keep yourself sane and help your students review.  

Here is a forever freebie for you. 

Thanks for hopping along with us.

Tomorrow, Christina at the Recovering Traditionalist will provide you with wonderful holiday tips and a special gift.

                                                     

Happy Hopping!  

              

Terrific Tuesday- Technology

Today is terrific for so many reasons. 

1) I have a half day off. I know, we just got back, but my son has his first post-op appointment, so we travel back to San Antonio this afternoon. I don't like driving, but I do like working half days! 

2) Secondly, we get a SECOND day to shop at TpT and get CYBER Monday prices!!! 

I did some shopping last night, and yes, I will probably do some more today! 

3) It is also day 2 of the iHeart Holiday Hop 

Have you seen this? It is so cool.

It's an advent calendar and each day it unlocks so you can get some great tips and FREEBIES from lots of math bloggers. 

Day 1 and 2 are open, click away!!! 

                   


4) And because it's Tuesday, let's talk
TECHNOLOGY

If you follow my blog you know we are now a 1:1 iPad school. We have been challenged to use as much technology with our students as possible. 

I have implemented iTunes U and shared about that here. 

We have also been encouraged to use an app called eBackpack. 

eBackpack is like an assignment log. Students have all their classes in one place, all their assignments, and they can turn in assignments there. Teachers can grade and return grades to students as well. It is obviously we are headed toward a paperless school. 

These may help: 

This is my homepage. The student homepage looks similar. They have all their assignments in a calendar and they are colored coded as well. 

I can tell what assignments are upcoming and what I need to grade. 

eBackpack is like a mini computer because I can store my files on eBackpack. 

Here's an example of what an assignment would look like. 

This is what I see when I grade and when I am complete, I can send it to them with the grade attached. I see this as no more lugging tons of papers home on weeknights or weekends!!! That is a WIN for me!!! 

So, here's how I used it in class with task cards. 

I love task cards. I use them a lot, but I thought I would try something different. 

My issue with paperless anything is I require my students to SHOW THEIR WORK and if students don't have a stylus for their iPad, using the "marking items" on eBackpack can be cumbersome. I decided to try it anyway. 

I added my homework for the week. That is helpful because now if they lose it, they have access to it. They can turn it in this way as well. (I could do this on iTunes U too, except they cannot turn it in to me) 

I still gave them a paper copy of their homework each day. I told them they could use either method. 

For our classwork, I decided to try it as well. 

I uploaded my task cards for exponents and prime factorization into each class on ebackpack. 

During class, I had each student open the document and gave them the choice again. They could either use a paper copy to show their work OR turn it in through eBackpack. 

The majority of students used the paper copy. I am okay with that. I asked my students if they liked having the task cards on eBackpack and they did. It was different and worth trying. 

I have told my students to ask Santa for a stylus. They just looked at me weird. LOL 

We also sell them here at school and students can earn them with our PBIS incentive program as well. I think if we implement more eBackpack assignments they will start using them more. 

Have you heard of eBackpack? Does your school use it? 

What do you think I would love to hear your experiences. 

Monday Madness

It is December 1st!!! In 31 days it will  be 2015!!! How do we even wrap our heads around that??!!! 

Let's take it one day at a time. 

Today, Monday, December 1st: 

CYBER MONDAY!!! 

Day one of a big sale at TpT. Be sure to check it out. I have my cart armed and ready! Do you? 

Today also marks day one of the iHeart Holliday Hop by 23 Math Bloggers. There will be tips and FREEBIES from Dec1st-Dec 23rd. You do NOT want to miss this!!! Check out Mr. Elementary Math's post. 

And of course, being December 1st, you know the ever fun CURRENTLY linky is upon us. I love linking up with this non school related linky and just getting real with blog friends. 

It's hard to believe I ever hear silence, but it did happen (for a moment at least). 

I haven't gotten them all up, but I love seeing Christmas decorations up. 

I was productive in some areas during our break. In others, not so much. I will keep crossing stuff off the list though. 

I enjoyed being home. A LOT! I want more!!! (15 more work days!!!!) 

One area I wasn't productive was lesson planning. So, that is what I am doing this week!!!! :( 

My giving is to my family. My goal is to spend more time with them this month. And to be even more specific is to spend it WITHOUT a device in my hand or near me. I have my phone ALL THE TIME and I work at the kitchen table a lot when we are "watching TV". This month, my goal is be truly present with them. 

Disclaimer: I wrote this and then realized that I was supposed to give to all of you. Oops... It's Monday, forgive me please.