Snow Days are Productive

Hello, Friends!

I've thoroughly enjoyed my snow days this week.  We started Tuesday with a dismissal at noon. Wednesday and Thursday were snow days.  We have a 2 hour delay in the morning. 

What I like about living in the south is that the snow clears up pretty quickly and we don't have to miss too many days like my friends in the north.  However, what I hate about living in the south is that we don't have the equipment to handle snowstorms. When it snows here it quickly turns to ice which makes for awful driving conditions.  I'm sure that y'all heard on the news about all of the accidents.  It took my husband 3 hours (usually a 40 minute commute) to get home.  He actually got stuck.  His truck just wasn't doing its job.  My brother had to come and get him.  

What I enjoyed most about our snow days was that this was Brayden's first snow.  He LOVED it.  We had so much fun.   

These pictures were taken 3 hours later.  We got a good 2 inches of snow. 

Today, there was no snow to play in.  It's all melted an turned to slush.  We've just been silly all day. 

I have been a little productive despite being lazy.  ;-) I finished my Puzzlin' Prefixes and Suffixes. It's a freebie. Click either picture to download yourself this freebie. 




Last, I finished another product that I've been working on.  My students will fLiP when I show them this packet.  My teammates and I are going to figure out some lyrics to "What Does the Clock Say".  I'll share when they are all written.  Click the picture below to check this packet out. My students will be using a QR code scanner and finding the correct clock.  

I hope everyone has had a great week whether your had snow days or were at school all week. Friday is right around the corner. 

Lots of love,

Jeannie

QR Codes in the Classroom!

Hello, Friends!

I've had a few friends ask me about QR codes and how to use them.  I thought I'd whip up a quick post and explain how I use them in my classroom.

The generation of students that we are teaching have technology at their fingertips.  In order to keep their attention and keep them engaged, we have to incorporate technology when we can.  Not all the time...sometimes it's good for them to sit at their seats or just READ.  I like to use QR codes during their center work.  I also had my students make commercials to review our community.  Click here to see that post. 


QR codes are everywhere.  Next time you go to McDonalds.  Check out the QR code on the side of the cup.  Yep, it's there.  Like I said, pay attention and you will see them EVERYWHERE.

QR codes are easy to use.  Most of our students know how to use technology better than we do.  Or maybe just better than me.  Show them once...they've got it!

See, even my 1 year old can use an iPad. Easy, peasy!

Here are some of my kiddos last year using QR Codes in their math center. All my students do is open up the QR Reader.  There are several free ones in the App store.  They scan the QR code and do whatever it says.  Sometimes, it's a question.  Sometimes it's a problem.  Really, it can be anything.  In the pictures below, my students scanned the card and answered the math problem on the recording sheet. 

I promise, once you show them how to do it, they can do it independently without any problems.  You can make QR codes for ANYTHING.  Reading, writing, math, science, social studies...anything!

So, if you are interested in making your own QR code here are some pictures to explain how.  I promise, it's SUPER EASY!

First, click here to go to the website that I use to make QR Codes.

Second, click the more icon to the left so that the text option appears.

Click the text icon and type whatever you want your students to do.

Last, click generate.  You just made a QR code.  Copy the code or save the code.  Now it's ready for you to use!

Easy, right?!?!

I made a QR packet a few weeks ago.  My plan is to have my students sit in a circle.  I will explain how to use the QR reader and how to use the iPad.  Then, I will pass out the cards.  Each student will scan the card and answer the question.  The questions are "getting to know you" type questions.  Pictures to come in August when my new set of kiddos come! Click the picture if you're interested in using this packet in your classroom.  

If you have any questions, please let me know.  I love using QR codes in my classroom.  I just know that your students will to.  My kiddos smiled from ear to ear every time I told them that they were using QR codes today.  Those days I am "super teacher" and "the best teacher in the whole wide world".  

I hope everyone has a GREAT day!

Lots of love,