Category: Check this out!

Happy New Year!🎆

Posted on By PassionateAboutTeaching 3 Comments on Happy New Year!🎆
HNY!

I’d like to wish all of you a very happy new year! There’s been happiness, sadness, grief, pain, and loss in all of our lives, I’m sure.

As we move into the new year, we must remember we are worthy of grace, forgiveness, and happiness.

As most of you know, I ended this year with a torn ACL. It’s been a tough journey to say the least. Physical therapy is tough and hard work. However, my goal is to walk into my doctor’s office next week without a walker or crutches. 🤞🏻

Other new year’s goals- to not be so hard on myself, to cherish every moment of every day, to watch more sunsets, to curl up and read more books, and to not let others control my emotions.

What are your goals for the new year?

Thanks always for reading! I’ll leave a recent TikTok of this tough journey. It makes me appreciate the small things in life (like the ability to walk on two feet). 👣

Join me on TikTok @passionateaboutlifeteach

Until next time,

Check this out!

New CANVA Feature!

Posted on By PassionateAboutTeaching 2 Comments on New CANVA Feature!
Created with CANVA

Check out this new CANVA feature! 👏Teachers, we already know how awesome CANVA is, right?! I use it for everything…blog images, worksheets for class, PowerPoints for teaching, designs for social media, and the list goes on! However, they have released a new mind-blowing feature- AI (artificial intelligence) on their DOCS template. The possibilities with this are innumerable!

BENEFITS OF AI IN THE CLASSROOM

✏️ As a writing teacher, one of the most common problems I observe with students is getting started on a paper (writer’s block). This could be used to give students ideas on how to start a paper. Why not take the piece of writing and go through it, together, pointing out the strengths of the writing or what could be added to make it better? In addition, teachers can also have students research and validate the reliability and validity of the piece before them. This certainly covers important objectives, concepts and, if in Texas, your TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills). The options are endless! 👍🏻

HOW CAN WE EMBRACE AI IN THE CLASSROOM?

It was actually a student of mine that first introduced the capability of the AI application to me. I couldn’t believe it!!! Once I checked it out, I knew there would be differing opinions. I knew there would be some that point to the plagiarism aspect. However, I think we need to embrace and discuss this with our students in the classroom. It’s here (like it or not), our students know about it, and we can use it to their benefit. 

Check out this video from @Algebramadesimple speaking of this new CANVA feature below. Let me know your thoughts and how you would use this in your classroom.

While on TikTok the other day, one of the best ways I saw AI being used was having the program write a lesson plan. 👀 Ponder on that for a minute, teachers. It sure sounds like this might not only benefit our students but us as well! Wow!!

Try out CANVA PRO for FREE! 

Until next time,

Check this out!, Classroom, Classroom Activities, Teacher Resources

Are You Missing Someone this Holiday Season?

Posted on By PassionateAboutTeaching 2 Comments on Are You Missing Someone this Holiday Season?

Are you missing someone this holiday season? If so, I’m there with you! It’s during this time that the hole in our hearts rears its ugly, painful head again. Yes, I usually cry big, ugly tears this time of the year (already done that, check)!✅

Me? I’m missing my dad. 💔That empty chair is a huge void around the table. I miss his deep voice, constant encouragement, and telling me, “I’m so proud of you. You can do this!” I miss calling him on my way home from work and conversing about our day. I’m so blessed to have a few of his voice mails saved (like precious gold). Hearing his voice, however, is a blessing AND curse- I love it, but it yanks hard and rips opens that chasm in my heart even wider.

I’m wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and sending an extra little thought and prayer for those dealing with hurt, anger, loneliness, and loss during the holidays.

 I can’t believe it’s been six years!! I miss you terribly, Dad!😇

Join me on TikTok: @passionateaboutlifeteach

I miss you, Dad! 💔

Until next time,

Check this out!, Life & Family

Global Maker Day

Posted on By PassionateAboutTeaching No Comments on Global Maker Day
                                                                              Global Maker Day 💡

Have you heard of Global Maker Day? Were you involved in this year’s event? Recently, our school was fortunate enough to be a part of this year’s Global Maker Day 2022.

We actually have the founder’s daughter at our school. Therefore, some of our teachers were involved in this amazing day (Heather Brantley & Amy Heim). ❤️

Here are a few of the stats from this year’s event:

  1. Who started Global Maker Day? Jaime Donally
  2. When did this event start? May 17, 2016
  3. When does Global Maker Day take place? Annually each October
  4. What day did this take place this year? October 18, 2022 and was live streamed from Roper Mountain Science Museum in Greenville, South Carolina
  5. How many classrooms were impacted? 665 classrooms
  6. How many students were involved? 76, 284
  7. In how many states did Global Maker Day take place? 41 states
  8. What is the purpose of this event? Student engagement, and they are provided the opportunity to be creative and think WAY beyond a worksheet
  9. You can see more of this amazing day on their website at: Global Maker Day

You’ll view how students are involved in so many higher-level thinking activities such as: coding, Maker Space, creating objects with 3D pens, making games, using straws and Play Doh to create while using math formulas, and much more. How cool is that?! 👏

Thank you, Heather Brantley, Amy Heim, and Jaime Donally for involving our middle school students in this fun and memorable day! 🙌

#globalmakerday

Check it out, and think about being a part of this amazing event next year (TBA)! Your students will thank you for it.

Until next time,

 

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Happy Halloween 🎃

Posted on By PassionateAboutTeaching 2 Comments on Happy Halloween 🎃

Happy Halloween! 👻🎃

Last week, I injured my knee. Therefore, I’m having major trouble getting around (especially at my age). However, that didn’t stop me from adding our black lights for a little “glow” today! Yes, some students had to help me! 😂

A little candy and pencil treat tops off the day for my kiddos! Add the spooky background music, and we’re set!

Be safe! Have fun! Tomorrow should be a fun day for teachers!🤪

Happy Halloween Glow Day🎃

Until next time,

Check this out!, Classroom

I Love What Sheryl Lee Ralph Says! 💜

Posted on By PassionateAboutTeaching 1 Comment on I Love What Sheryl Lee Ralph Says! 💜

I love what Sheryl Lee Ralph from the television show Abbott Elementary says on the Kelly Clarkson show regarding teachers. Thank you!!

If only more people felt this way about educators – how little we make, how much we 💵spend💵 out of our own pockets, how much we do, and how we put our hearts, energy, and lots of TIME into teaching!! Tell a teacher today how much you appreciate them. I promise it will NEVER be forgotten!

Happy Friday and Until Next Time,

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