Vocabulary Spelling City

Welcome to 2014! I just know it's going to be a GREAT Year! I can feel it in 'me bones'. (Even as old and achy as they are :)

I have fallen in LOVE with VocabularySpellingCity! I really feel behind the times with this one. I've seen several posts out there on it and kind of passed over them. Because a few years ago, I checked it out, saw that it was expensive but there were a few free things you could do. So I  told my parents to go there and have the kids play games with their spelling words and that was that. But over the break I checked it out again and WOW am I missing out by not using it. I either missed all the cool things it can do for FREE or it has really updated.

Go here to check it out for yourself: Spelling City

The Premium Membership is $49.99 with lots of cool extras. But if you are a poor district and/or poor teacher like me, the FREE version has a lot to offer. 

What I didn't know was that teachers can set up a homepage for FREE. Then you can create your own spelling and vocabulary lists for your kiddos to use. And did I mention it is FREE!!!

I can assign a list with activities for homework or use it in the classroom. It can be used on computers or you can get the app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices. I'm always looking for more ways to use my Kindles and iPad in the classroom and this is a GREAT one.

Here is what my firsties see when they go to my homepage and click on my teacher list.

I've created my list for week 19 with our 4 popcorn words and 8 word family words (4 each). I customized the definitions and sentences for each word which makes it great for my firsties. 

Now my kids can choose 'Teach Me' where they will learn each word one by one. 

Then they can choose 'Play a Game' where they can pick a game to play using these words only. They can play: Hang Mouse, Word Search, Word Unscramble, Word Match, Missing Letter, Read-A-Word, Alphabetize, Sentence Unscramble (my sentences that I customized), or print a Handwriting sheet. And finally they can click 'Spelling Test' where the computer will give them a practice test. 

There are lots of Teaching Resources for teachers too. The lesson ideas, videos, and printable worksheets look fun. There are also great articles and other word list.

I have a few little ones that are struggling with some sight words. So I can make a list just for them. Then they can do the activities with their words for extra practice.

If you are one of the those bloggers that has posted about Spelling City before, I am soooo sorry I didn't read your post sooner! This is a WONDERFUL FREE Tool for teachers. I hope you won't be like me and ignore it because you thought it was too expensive. Did I mention that it's FREE!!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great finish to your holiday break!

Early Christmas Present

My class got an early Christmas present yesterday.

5 Mini iPads! 

 This cute little firstie's dad's company donated them to us.

 I purchased this cool power dock to keep them charged. Along with some nice cases to protect them. My kiddos are EXCITED to start using them! Only problem is, I'm still trying to find apps and ideas. How do I use just 5 iPad with 28 kids? I'm going to use them in centers of course but I'd like to find more ways. If any one has suggestions, I'd LOVE to hear how you are using them in your room. 

Kimberly over on Funky First Grade Fun does a Technology Tuesday and has some great ideas I'm going to be trying for sure. She does a class journal on a free app called Kids Journal. It sounds like a great idea. So I've downloaded that one and I'm in the process of figuring it out. 

I tried this app yesterday and my kiddos love it. It's called Visual Timer. There are several timer apps out there. Some are free. This one cost $2.99. 

It's kind of like the quiet game while they are working. I set the timer while my kids were working at there desks. If they could work quietly without getting 3 strikes before the timer is up then they got a little reward. The cool thing about this timer is it reveals a picture as the clock counts down. I projected it onto my Smart board so everyone could see it. It was a good visual reminder. To do that, I have airplay on my computer which lets me connect the iPad to my computer. I wrote a post about it HERE.

If you have any suggestions for me, I'd LOVE for you to comment. I'm off to search more blogs and the app store for ideas.

Have a great weekend!

Things I CAN'T Teach Without Part 4 Equipment and Technology

I hope you're still with me. This is part 4 of things I CAN'T Teach Without. Today is all about Equipment and Technology. Most of the technology we really don't have a lot of control over. My principal gives us what the district lets us have. So hopefully I'm not too out-dated.

This is my NEW LOVE- My Smart board. I don't know how I taught without it. I'm still finding cool new ways to use it. I had to write a grant to get it but it was soooo worth it!!!

I also couldn't teach without my 'Elmo' document camera. And of course, neither would work without my projector. 

Our district bought us some Kindles last year and I'm finding cool apps and ways to use them more. My kiddos have even taught me a thing or two. 

Of course, I couldn't teach without my computer and I LOVE my iPearl hard shell case. It helps protect my MacBook Pro.

I LOVE my label maker! I use it for tons of things cause I'm a little OCD when it comes to organizing and I like things neatly labeled.

My second year of teaching, I bought my very own paper cutter with my own money. I CAN'T teach without it. I use it all the time. I even bought one for home so I can use it for school and church stuff.

Last by certainly not least, is my KIVA! (aka benches) My hubby made it for me about 10 years ago. There is even storage in the back. It's been re-carpeted and painted twice. If I had to pick only one thing that I CAN'T teach without it would be my KIVA. It's our gathering place, it's where I do over 80% of my teaching. It's more comfortable for my kiddos to sit for a longer period of time. It's easier for them to see because of the two levels.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!

Well, there you have it, some of the Things I CAN'T Teach Without. What things do you need to teach? I'd LOVE to hear your feedback.

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