Blogging

For the last two years I have enjoyed introducing my students to the world of blogging. Published work takes on a new meaning when people from all over the world can leave comments and give feedback. Students can post their essays and stories by typing them directly onto the blog. Handwritten works and illustrations can be scanned and displayed as images within the blog post. With programs like Sketchcast, Prezi, and Vocaroo, students can also post amazing presentations!

Here is an example of an elementary blog from Healthfield CPS - Year 5 Class Blog

This is a kindergarten site with fun student work - Kindergarten Tales

I designed this blog to showcase student work and to discuss literature - Ink Slingers & Bookworms

With free sites like Blogger and Word Press, blogging is easy and affordable. Students will love publishing their work online and waiting for comments! I know I do.

Blog ya later,

Wordles: A Novel Idea!

A fun and easy way to wrap up a unit is to create Wordles online. Students type a list of words relating to a story, math concept, science study, spelling list, or any other subject area. With the click of a button they can create a wonderful word cloud! Layout, font, word size and background can be modified as well.

I especially like Wordles that relate to a novel because they can be so different. One student may choose to put characters names into the Wordle, while another may choose to include literary elements. The ninth graders in my Literary Analysis class created the following Wordles to go along with our first semester novel study of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Cool, right? To create your own word cloud, visit www.wordle.net.

Nice job students!

In Honor of Our Veterans

The Four Lego Guy Salute

On Veterans Day we honor all,

Who answered to a service call.

Soldiers young, and soldiers old,
Fought for freedom, brave and bold.
Some have lived, while others died,
And all of them deserve our pride.
We’re proud of all the soldiers who,
Kept thinking of red, white and blue.
They fought for us and all our rights,

They fought through many days and nights.
And though we may not know each name,
We thank ALL veterans just the same.

Happy Veterans Day!

Trick or Yummy Treat

I love this time of year! Halloween decorations are my favorite. Decorations you can eat? Even better! If you are having a Halloween party at school or at home, these spooky treats will WOW your ghosts and goblins...

 Come on now! These treats are to die for! Who would not want to eat a Marshmallow Zombie? This creative idea came from Meaghan at The Decorated Cookie.

We are definitely making Monster Mash Popcorn Mix this year! I found this fun recipe In Katrina's Kitchen. So easy to make and very Halloweenie. The creepy mix-in possibilities are endless!

These Shrunken Apple Heads are from Our Best Bites. You may not want to eat them, but they would make a fun science experiment. Check out lots of tasty party treats on their site this month!

 

Also from Our Best Bites... Mummy Dogs! 

I could see making these little guys for an Indiana Jones party too!

Cut crescent roll dough into thin strips and wrap around hot dogs. Bake according to crescent package directions and use ketchup or mustard for eyes. I cut my hot dogs in half to make them bite-sized.

These Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are from the Betty Crocker website. The spiders are made out of Rolo candies, m&ms and black string licorice. These would be great on cupcakes too! 

 Ahhh... Nutter Butters. Dip them in white chocolate to make ghosts or dip them in melted green candy wafers for goblin feet. For this recipe, visit Family Fun!

 My son requested a Halloween-themed birthday party... in June! We hauled the decorations up from the basement, found favors at Oriental Trading, and took advantage of the "Over the Hill" tableware at the party store. We even went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood (yes, the neighbors were in on it). 

Instead of a cake, we ate Graveyard Dessert...

Fill a cup 3/4 full with chocolate pudding. Top with crushed Oreos and gummy worms. I used Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies for the tombstones with RIP written in frosting. 100% creepy!

Trick or Treat!