The Teacher Bag

To whom much is given, much is expected.

 

 

Perhaps more appropriately for this post - In which much must be stuffed, much is expected.

 

 

We all have one - that bag that we trust to cart all our most prized teacherly possessions back and forth on a daily basis. Some like wheeled bags. Others prefer stiff cases. Me? I have a love obsession with Vera Bradley. Here's a peek at what I keep in my teacher bag (minus all those lesson plans!):

1. The Tote  //  2. Make-up  // 3. Paper Clips  // 4. Post-its // 5. Agenda

 

 

1. The Tote: I already admitted my love of Vera Bradley. Those colorful bags are soft and flexible. I love how comfortable they feel on my shoulder as I'm walking on campus. The totes hold all my essentials and the bright colors are the perfect pick-me-up for those early mornings and late nights!

 

2. Make-up: I always keep a compact in my bag to freshen up in the middle of the day. Busy classes and fun activities may make me tired by the middle of the day, but a quick freshening up with some light powder makes me feel (and look) refreshed for my afternoon classes.

 

3. Paper Clips: If you're like me, you're carrying papers back and forth on a daily basis. Paper clips keep everything organized!

 

4. Post-its: So. Many. Post-its. This is a good thing because I LOVE those little colorful squares! I have them in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They help organize notebooks and remind me of important dates and assignments.

 

5. Agenda: I'm a bit old-fashioned in that I love writing my important dates on paper! Again, buying that colorful, cute agenda isn't necessary - but it makes looking at that busy schedule a little more fun. Lilly Pulitzer agendas are a bit pricey at $28 but it does last the whole year! (That's what I tell myself anyway! I LOVE Lilly Pulitzer...but my wallet always says "No!")

 

 

OH! Before you leave, don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY for a free resource from The Teacher's Prep - you, too, can have your students create their own documentaries!

 

Happy Teaching!

Create a Class Documentary and a GIVEAWAY!

 

Ok guys...this post is full of ALL KINDS OF AWESOME! 

 

 

{Two reasons}

 

1. There's a new Create a Class Documentary resource available on TpT

 

2. TWO PEOPLE CAN WIN THE RESOURCE THIS WEEK!

 

Ok...here are the details:

 

My kiddos love being creative in the classroom. I was in search of an idea that would inspire my kids to tackle a subject in a new way and allow them to demonstrate that they really understood the material. I decided I wanted to have my kids work in groups to create documentaries! When they heard the idea they were ecstatic! (Best teaching day ever.)

 

So my kids set off on an 8 day adventure to create documentaries on Ancient Egypt. They used Microsoft PowerPoint (although other programs could be used as well), smartphone videos, pictures, and research to create documentaries on a variety of topics - from the pharaohs to the pyramids! They recorded narration and set up the PowerPoints to play the slides automatically.

 

This resource could work with any subject! It encouraged my kids to delve into those higher-order thinking skills and work collaboratively to complete a task.

 

The Create a Class Documentary Resource is currently available on The Teacher's Prep store. It includes everything you'll need to set-up and run this multi-day class activity.

 

 

Included:

1. How to use this resource
2. A note on technology
3. How to add video and narration to Microsoft PowerPoint
4. A step-by-step guide for teachers
5. A rubric for the documentary (point values left blank for classroom customization)
6. Teacher observation form
7. Documentary Directions
8. Step-by-step directions for students
9. Know Your Audience – activity
10. Storyboard activity
11. Project calendar
12. Job Cards (six total)
13. Movie Poster directions
14. Movie Poster point sheet (point values left blank for classroom customization)

 

Best of all: I'm hosting my first ever giveaway on The Teacher's Prep blog! Use the Rafflecopter Widget below for your chance to enter! I'll select TWO winners and email the resource to you!

 

The giveaway is open today (Saturday) until next Sunday, January 18, 2015

 

Happy Teaching!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 



Currently January

Happy New Year!

Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade has generously provided another CURRENTLY post...so you know I had to start the year off right and join in!

 

Listening: Have you checked out the new TV series The Librarians on TNT? Guilt pleasure alert! It's a great show that combines a sprinkle of magic, a dash of intrigue, and a heaping helping of fun.

 

Loving: My new JBL Portable Speaker. I can easily blast tunes from my iPhone or iPad with the press of a button. Fact: I need to listen to music while washing dishes. Otherwise it is completely and utterly boring.

 

Thinking: I need to set some resolutions this year! Of course there'll be the staples: eating healthy, a little more exercise...but this year I'm adding some TpT goals to the list as well!

 

Wanting: An extra week of vacation! I love, love, love my school...but I'm not ready to wake up early!

 

Needing: I desperately need a new weekly planner. Any advice of where I can find one?

 

To all those near and far...HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope this new year is filled with adventures, blessings, and health for you and your friends and family.