Beating Burnout During the Holiday Hustle: Tips for Teachers to Prioritize Mental Wellness

With Halloween just around the corner, we’re officially entering the busy season. Between the end-of-year assignments, parent conferences, holiday festivities, and the everyday demands of the classroom, it’s easy for teachers to feel overwhelmed and burned out. In fact, the holiday season can be one of the toughest times to find balance. But taking time for self-care and mental wellness can transform how you experience this season.

Inspired by my upcoming book, Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Conquering Teacher Burnout, I want to share some practical strategies you can use to manage the holiday grind and beat burnout before winter break hits. And, if you’re interested, there’s an opportunity to be one of the first to dive into the full book!

1. Reframe the Hustle: Acknowledge the Energy Drain

The first step to managing burnout is acknowledging its presence, especially during high-stress seasons like the holidays. Give yourself permission to feel how you’re feeling. Instead of brushing it off, recognize the energy you’re spending and validate that it’s okay to feel drained.

2. Set Non-Negotiable Boundaries for Rest

Establish non-negotiable “off” times that allow you to fully unwind. That might mean not checking emails after a certain hour, choosing a specific day for complete rest, or creating routines that help you recharge even on busy days.

3. Use Mini Wellness Practices Between Class Periods

Incorporate brief moments of mindfulness or breathing exercises between classes. Even one-minute breaks can make a difference. You might try techniques like box breathing or quick grounding exercises to help you stay centered.

4. Prioritize What Really Matters

As teachers, it’s easy to feel obligated to participate in every festive activity. Prioritize those that truly bring you joy or are meaningful to your students. Say no to things that drain you, and remember that you don’t have to do it all.

5. Have a “Holiday Survival Kit” Ready

Put together a small kit with things that bring you comfort or ease your stress: essential oils, a stress ball, your favorite tea, or even a short playlist. This can be a go-to to help you quickly de-stress during hectic moments.

6. Reconnect with Your Why

When the workload feels overwhelming, take a moment to reflect on why you started teaching in the first place. Remembering your passion and purpose can be a powerful motivator to help you navigate tough days.

Managing burnout, especially during the holiday season, is no easy feat. But remember, you’re not alone in this. Teachers everywhere are feeling the weight, and my goal is to support you through it.

If you’d like even more strategies and support, consider being an early reader for Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Conquering Teacher Burnout! Early readers will receive:

• A chance to win an Amazon gift card,

• A free signed copy of the book,

• First-look access to a new community of educators just like you, and

• Exclusive bonus content that isn’t in the book!

If you’re interested, sign up today and take this first step toward a brighter, burnout-free season!

Comment below 👉🏾 How do you stay sane during the busy holiday season?

Crack the Code: Digital Escape Room

I recently created a digital escape room style review activity for my students. Surprisingly, it was quite simple and my students had so much fun that I don't even know if they realized that they were applying all the things that they had learned. I have setup and used the Breakout EDU boxes in my classroom. The Breakout EDU boxes I used are shared by all the teachers in my district and that comes with the challenges of broken or missing pieces, scheduling conflicts, and many other things. Building your own boxes, on the other hand, can also get expensive. To eliminate all the possible stresses that came along with my desire to create a fun learning opportunity for my students, I began to brainstorm on how I wanted to setup up a digital escape room activity and "Crack the Code" was born. I like the idea of calling it "Crack the Code" instead of the traditional Escape Room because my students are not actually locked in a room and it is more of solving a puzzle or code situation. If you frequent my blog, Instagram, or Twitter feed; you know that I have a thing for using Google tools in the classroom. For this particular activity, I used Google sites, Google forms, and Google slides.

The Background 

This particular activity was created specifically for my supported group of students. I want them to be challenged without the tasks being too difficult and cause them frustration instead. I first decided what topics I would cover, then I chose the basic questions or problems that I wanted to use. Finally, I planned out how I wanted to use each question and the details.

Topics and Uses:

• Measures of Central Tendency - Created a 3 digit code
• Area of Polygons - Gave the location of the missing teacher with a 4-letter code
• Converting Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages - Sent students to a particular area in the room for a clue using mad libs
• Basic Probability - Created a 5 digit code

Since this is set up as if I was missing, I used ransomizer.com to create a ransom note for myself. I felt the ransom note added to the fun factor. I also created a missing flyer. The students had both the ransom note and missing flyer in the team folder along with 2 tip cards, group jobs sheet, and a list of teacher's room numbers.

The Setup

After I determined the topics, questions and setup, I created a Google Sites. I embedded the Google Form and several of the puzzles/questions directly onto the Google Sites. Below you will find that I also embedded a timer with a count down so that students are aware of how much time they have to crack the code. 

I began with the task. The task is like an opener, it explained the problem that the students were expected to solve. My students were excited for the mystery.

Next, the students could read the roles and envelope contents. I believe every student having a job is beneficial to the activity running smoothly. My goal is that everyone participates and that no one tries to take over. There was a video included for the students to watch. I was in the middle of explaining the instruction for the day to the students when I was...KIDNAPPED. I set up the kidnapping to happen while I was on video to set the stage for the Escape Room activity.

Included on the Google sites is a form, images the students need to complete some of the clues in the folder, and a Google Slide. For my form, I used response validation. As seen below, response validation will show the students that their response is incorrect and will not let them move forward. 

With forms you have several options for set up, you can set it up in sections so that the students must solve the clues in order. I did not have a specific order for the students to move in so I put all the codes together with validation. You could also have all the codes on one screen but have the final code in a separate section to mimic how some Breakout Edu. games have a box within a box or one must crack one code to get to the next.

The Google slide was meant to be interactive and I wanted the students to move the items on the screen. In this activity, students were expected to move statements in a particular order to get the code. I see this being used in many different ways such as matching, putting together a puzzle, or revealing items as things are clicked/touched in the presentation.

Below you will find the Math Lib that I used. I like math libs during the digital escape rooms because it gets the students up and moving. Although this is a digital escape room, anything that sends students to a location within the classroom should be varied. I had students realize that a team found a clue behind the pillows without solving the clue. You can create variations on the Site by having one for each team and labeling them by team. You could also make multiple versions and share the link by team. My immediate solution was to have the clue take them somewhere outside of the classroom.

Tips for Creating Your Own Digital Escape Room

Some times you stumble across the perfect well put together activity on TPT and you are able to download and go. There are times that activities may not match the skills you'd like to review perfectly. For those times check out my tips for creating your own digital escape room.

• Save a tree - Your Escape Room can be all digital with no paper involved. The items I created and printed could have also been available on the Site or in Slides.
• Recycle, Reduce, Reuse - Laminate pieces you plan to re-use.
• Stay organized - If you have sets, organize them in labeled folders or envelopes.
• No need to reinvent the wheel - Use activities that you already have and make them digital. (I've used items I've created or purchased from TPT in bits and pieces to create my own Digital Escape Room).
• Don't confuse the kids - Make everything available in one space. Since I used a form, that I could not embed in a Slide, I chose to put everything on a Site. Had I not used a form, I could have used Slides for this Escape Room.

In the end my students were successful in saving me from the bandits. Below you will find a downloadable document that I use to set up my digital escape rooms. 

Until Next Time,

Teacher Side Hustles: Ways Teachers can Earn an Extra Income

We all know that depending on where you teach, salaries for teachers can be pretty sad. I was personally affected when my husband recieved orders to Colorado from Louisiana. In Louisiana I was by no means rolling in dough but the cost of living allowed us to live a comfortable life. Moving to Colorado shook all of that up, with a lower salary for myself combined with a higher cost of living and the military's Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) didn't even match the high cost of living in our new home state. Prior to relocating to Colorado, I crafted for fun, had a Teachers Pay Teachers store that I wasn't consistent with, and was just starting to get into blogging. All of those things brought in a little money but it was nothing to brag about or depend on from month to month. Living in Colorado has made me turn my side hustle into an art. I currently use my money that I make from my side hustle activities to pay my student loans each month, treat my kiddos to some extra activities, fund all of my gift giving, and fund my crafting habit. Below you'll find some of the things that I have found very lucrative. All of these things may not be a good fit for you but if you are looking to supplement your teacher income or maybe you are in a different profession, I have ideas to help you find your niche.

TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS
Most educators are familiar with Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT). TpT is the go-to place for educators to find tons of resources, knowledge, and inspiration to implement in their classrooms. They offer more than 3 million free and paid resources, created by educators who understand what works in the classroom.

I created my TpT Store in 2012 with a few free resources and some that were $2 or less. I was not serious about my store. I mainly bought resources from others and did not do a very good job of uploading resources to my store. In 2016, after moving to Colorado I became a premium seller. I made the leap because I started to upload more resources and was starting to see higher deposits each month for TpT. My goal now is to match my teacher take home monthly salary. Some of the top sellers make over $5,000 per month which was a great motivation to get serious about my TpT store. There is a monthly pay out.  Premium Sellers receive 80% of sales and basic Seller receives 55% of sales. TpT provides residual income because you create the digital resource, upload it, and it can be downloaded repeatedly by teachers all over. To become a premium seller the cost is $59.95 per year. Once I surpassed that in sellers as a basic seller, I saw a benefit to upgrade to a premium seller.

I have a step by step course that will help you get your store up and running with some amazing tips and a guide to use along the way. The course is set to launch March 22. Sign up here, https://mrswelchknows.teachable.com.

If you are interested in the free mini course, sign up here and you will be contacted when the course is available for you to start.

AMAZON IGNITE
Amazon Ignite connects educational content creators with Amazon customers. You can sell your teaching resources as digital downloads. It’s free to join but by invitation only, so you'll need to apply here. It is similar to Teachers Pay Teacher but it's 100% FREE. You earn a 70% royalty on all sales unless products are under $2.99, then they'll deduct a $0.30 transaction fee per resource sold.

Another positive is that since all the content is reviewed to help protect the rights of creators and originality, if your products are posted to the Amazon platform they are considered high quality and original.

ETSY SHOP
Etsy is a global online marketplace, where people come together to make, sell, buy, and collect unique items with a no cost set up based on your market. I have sold everything from physical items to digital downloads. I've bought everything from clothing to craft supplies to images/cut files.

Etsy takes a percentage of each sell and you are charged a fee for each item that is listed for sell. You can have several Etsy shops if you'd like to have different niches or one store with multiple categories. I love Etsy for it's unique market and the fact that there are built in customers since you are listing on a marketplace. 

With anything that you choose to sell you'll need to do some research. Choose a niche, who is your target audience? Decide on your product, what are you selling? No cost/low maintenance items include anything that can be downloaded and uploaded digitally. You do not have to worry about shipping or creating an item by a certain deadline unless you are providing custom digital downloads. Other ideas include stickers, shirts, iron on transfers, party supplies, hand made clothing, decor, jewelry, body products, sew items, knitted items, art, reselling thrifted items, etc. There are probably items that I haven't even began to think of that can be sold on Etsy. I currently receive a few shirt orders per month and the profit is pretty nice. Check out Etsy or start your own shop today, https://etsy.me/39Onm47.

SELF PUBLISH ON AMAZON
I met this amazing entrepreneur with a dope soul and passion to teach others who introduced me to https://kdp.amazon.com/. She taught me how to create unique journal and book covers as well as pushed me with challenges to keep me producing so that I would get that shmoney. She started with no content/low content templates that can be downloaded then went on to give information on finding a niche that works and more about writing novels and short stories. With self publishing on amazon there is no upfront cost but a percentage of each sale is deducted before you receive a deposit at the end of the month. The Amazon Market is so large that many people will see what you have to offer and there is no limit for the customers that you will receive. Check out my journals and books here. My first book, Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Conquering Teacher Burnout, is available here.

To begin your own journal/self publishing journey check out my friend, Cinquanta:

• Cinquanta on Youtube
• Cinquanta's Website
• Cinquanta's Podcast
• Schedule a Call with Cinquanta
• Cinquanta on Patreon

BLOGGING
There are many ways to make money blogging. The few ways I've made money are with sponsored blog post, affiliated links in my blog posts, and blogging about my resources with links to my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

With sponsored posts, I've been approached to write blog posts for a set amount of money. I'm given a list of talking points, a post date, and any additional instructions such as promoting on social media, etc. Affiliated links are a little different. You can sign up for affiliate programs, put the links on your blog then every time the link is clicked on, you'll receive money. There is usually a threshold you must reach before you get a deposit. I am apart of the Amazon affiliate program but there are tons of others out there that may fit your niche if you are looking to monetize your blog. You can also use your blog to sell your personal items that others may find useful. You can show how the item is useful and offer a portion of your product for free and if they like it, they are likely to buy the full version.

I'm still learning myself and trying to better understand SEO, keywords, and such to make my own blog more lucrative. Check out my Pinterest board on blogging: https://pin.it/gktnxiatphljkw

I was able to take an online course by Suzi Whitford in her Teachable.com school, https://startamomblog.teachable.com/.

CRICUT FOR BUSINESS
This could have actually gone under many of the other categories such as Etsy, Shirt Business, and many of the other ideas but I decided to put it in an area of it's own because you can sell on official platforms or create your own. There are so many things that you can create with having a cutting machine. I have a Cricut but there are others on the market.

With a craft cutting machine you can make many unique items to sell. I currently sell birthday banners, shirts, cards, labels, stickers, party signs, cake/cupcake toppers, custom bags, treat bags, gift boxes, custom cups/mugs, diaper cakes, and more.

I sell my items on my Facebook Page, Instagram Page, and on Facebook Marketplace. If you have holiday items, they do really well and should be posted about a month before the holiday to get the word out.

SHIRT BUSINESS
This can be done in many different ways. I used my Cricut to start my t-shirt business, Mrs. Welch Creates, but I've recently been introduced to dropshipping. I love that you upload the design and just press a button to initiate production and shipment of your item. The profit margin is smaller but you are doing less work. There are more avenues for running your shirt business.

• Cut Vinyl and Press: Create or buy a design cut it out and press it on a shirt with heat.
• Order Transfers and Press: Order your design from a transfer business and press it on a shirt with heat.
• Dropshipping: Upload your design, sell the item, then pay for production and shipping.

Stay tuned for an online course that is in the works for starting our own shirt business.

ASSESSMENT QUESTION WRITER
There are some companies out there. I found my home with Albert.io. I found this company on Linkedin and it was an amazing find. You are paid for each question published and there are bonus opportunities. When I search for these opportunities I usually include "remote", "content writer", and the the subject area. Last year, I made about $1,875 and only wrote test questions over the summer of 2019.

PODCAST
Podcasts are trending and you could jump in on the action. If you have something to talk about that is worth listening to, start a podcast. There's money in sponsorship, commercials, and paid ads. My podcast is a work in progress because I do more planning than necessary and sometimes you just have to get started which is not always my strong suit.

Check out my Pinterest board on starting a Podcast: https://pin.it/ehc6hqahkvq56h

My podcast: anchor.fm/welchteachertalk

YOUTUBE CHANNEL
People use Youtube for so many different things from learning to entertainment. My own children sit and watch other children opening toys and playing video games for as long as I will let them.  This proves that there's a market for any and everything. As an educator there are probably a plethora of topics you can have a channel on whether education related or not.

• Crafts
• Class Organization Ideas
• Makeup Tutorials
• Vlog
• Tutorial
• Learning Topic
• Shop with Me
• Wardrobe
• Haul
• Review Videos
• Skits
• Reading Short Stories
• Educational Based
• Beauty Based
• Kid Friendly

Comment below additional ideas that you may have.

Check out my Pinterest board on starting a Youtube Channel: https://www.pinterest.com/MrsWelchKnows/youtube-channel/

My Girls' Channel: http://bit.ly/DaniandSky

My Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChdhJ4jDJY5y1YxPH-0JStw

ONLINE COURSE
Are you an expert on a certain topic? You can share your gift with the world. There are several platforms but I use Teachable.com but I'm considering exploring other platforms. You can create an interactive experience, allow students to navigate on their own, or have drip content that release each week, day, etc.

• https://www.thinkific.com/
• https://thrivecoursesstudio.com/
• https://convertkit.com/
• https://www.udemy.com/
• https://www.patreon.com/
• https://www.skillshare.com/

START AN ONLINE STORE
If you opt not to list on a marketplace, you can open your own online store. There are many platforms for starting an online store. You are able to sell what you want without a percentage based fee but these platform require a monthly fee.

• Shopify
• SquareUp
• Squarespace
• Weebly
• Big Cartel
• 3dcart
• Wix
• Ecwid

OTHER SIDE HUSTLE IDEAS

• Baking for Profit
• Ghostwriter
• Teach English Online
• Online Surveys
• Freelance Writer
• Virtual Assistant
• Sell on Amazon
• Graphic Design
• Tutoring
• Flip Items for Money
• Shop for Others
• Shop with Ebates
• Design Websites
• Ride Share Driver
• Food Delivery
• Babysit over Breaks
• Social Media Influencer
• Develop an App
• License your Photos
• Flip Domains for Profit

Until Next Time,

Staying Connected with Messenger Kids

Kids are receiving cell phones earlier and earlier now and days. I have a 10 year old and 7 year old and as a mom and educator, I am against cellphones before high school. I know that may sound old fashion but I didn't have one before I was able to pay the bill myself and I turned out just fine. I am not ready to hand over a cellphone to my two girls quit yet but I still want to be able to contact them when we are apart and Messenger Kids by Facebook is the perfect answer to my needs as a parent. Messenger Kids is not, I repeat NOT, a form of social media. Messenger Kids is a free video calling and messaging app designed for kids to connect with close friends and family from their tablet or smartphone. Kids can only connect with parent-approved contacts, which creates a more controlled environment. Group or one-on-one video calls with loved ones are more fun with interactive masks, reactions and sound effects. Guess what? IT'S FREE!

Check out this short video on Messenger Kids:


There are so many things that I love about this app. Although I love, love, love apple products, I personally own an android phone. With my kids having iPads, Messenger Kids makes it easy for me to message or video chat with them when I'm away from home or when they are staying with friends or family. I like my kids be able to video chat with me when I have a PD day and they are home with dad or when they are sick. They also message and chat with me when they have sleepovers and go stay with their grandparents.

Another feature that is pretty awesome is that my kids can not communicate with anyone without my approval. Whether it's friends or family, I still have to approve it. When they have friends with the app, I have to get/give a unique code from/to their friends' parent in order for them to connect with one another. I love that the parents stay in the loop. Messenger Kids empowers kids to have online communications in a safer, controlled space which I truly appreciate. Messenger Kids content never disappears and it can not be hidden like some other forms of communication. As a parent, I love that I or my kids can report or block contacts when necessary. My girls also love being able to video chat and message with their uncle and aunt through their existing Messenger app. It is so convenient to not have to download an additional app.

Another great feature is the ability to set "off times" for the app to manage screen time. I personally along with many other parents that I know set screen time limits for my girls. This way I know that they do not have access to Messenger Kids when I do not want them to have access to it.

One last thing that I absolutely love is that Messenger Kids allows kids to message and video call using Wi-Fi so they don't need a phone number. This is also perfect since my girls don't have cellphones yet. I would also like to reiterate that it is FREE. Who does love free stuff with awesome features.

Things My Girls Love:

• All of the stickers, GIFs, and filters. The bonus it that they are all kid-appropriate.
• Getting to communicate using one-on-one or group video chat and messaging.
• Getting to laugh, play, and stay in touch with their friends/classmates and family.
• Being able to create fun videos and decorate photos to share moments with masks, frames, stickers and GIFs.
• The games and drawing tools.

Get Started today:
Parents can get their child started with safe messaging & video chat in four steps.

1. Download the Messenger Kids app to your child’s Wi-Fi enabled phone or tablet.
2. Authenticate your child’s device using your Facebook login.This will not create a Facebook account for your child.
3. Create an account for your child by adding their name. Then the phone or tablet can be handed over to your kid so they can start safely chatting with family and friends you approve.
4. Parental controls are available in the Parent Portal in your main Facebook app.Through the Parent Portal you can monitor who your kids chat and text with by adding and approving contacts and setting on and off times through our Sleep Mode feature.

Messenger Kids has many useful, fun features that benefit the parent and child. If you are like me and want to stay connected with your child and allow them to be connect with those who you approve of in a safe, controlled environment then Messenger Kids by Facebook is for you. Check out more here. Leave a note below if you think your would like to use this app.

Until Next Time,

Disclosure: This post is a sponsored post although it does contain my honest opinion, it does include affiliated links. 

Tech Tip Thursday: QR codes and Forms

Being a 1 to 1 iPad teacher has made me the biggest fan of using QR Codes and Forms. I use both tools separately and together seamlessly. Today I'd like to share some of the ways I use them both. Below in the comments tell me some ways you use them.

QR Codes
A QR code, short for quick response code, is a machine-readable code that can be easily scanned by any electronic device with a camera. QR codes have a wide range of uses from stores use for advertisement to individuals using it to give out their contact information. There are so many possibilities since you can use QI codes to access a URL, save contact information to a phone, send a text message, send an email, display text, display a Facebook button, display a PDF, play a MP3 file, open an app in the app store, play an audio file, or display images.

I find QR Code helpful when creating instant feedback center activities or rotation stations. I love that I can have students to scan for feedback. I have even tried my hand at given feedback as a voice clip.

Forms

A Google Form is a web-based app ran by Google used to create forms to collect data. You have the option of displaying that dat in a spreadsheet. Google Forms are free and can be used for a wide range of uses. You can create polls, surveys, quizzes, and much more using Google Forms. I use forms for surveys, self-reflection, pre-view activities, checks for understanding, reteaching, and assessments. A unique way I use Forms are for "Choose Your Own Adventure" style review.

QR Codes and Forms

What do you get when you combine QR codes and Forms? I'll answer that for you. You get complete awesomeness that runs as well as a well oiled machine. Combining the two tools makes completing some tasks more seamless. They can also come in handing if you do not have a one to one class like myself but you have to check out devices to use in your class. How much do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

1. Discipline for Students: You can have students scan a code to complete a form as they reflect on their behavior.
2. Discipline for Teachers: Create a unique code that you scan and it notify the parents upon completion of the form.
3. Passes: Have students complete a form when they are given permission to leave the class.
4. Tardies: Have students scan and complete a form upon enter the class tardy.
5. Tracking: You can tracking behaviors, pass usage, etc.
6. Warm Ups: Have students scan and complete a form for warm up.
7. Notifying Parents: You can use a unique QR code each student or a generic form that will notify parents each time you complete it.
8. Checking Books Out: You can have students scan a code to check out books from your class library.
9. Feedback: Use QR Codes to give feedback for behaviors, projects, papers, etc.
10. Classroom Observations: Scan a code for the teacher then complete the form that they will then have access to.
11. Lunch Count: Have students scan then choose a lunch choice. You be able to quickly check the numbers on the response tab.
12. Event Registration: Use a QR code for access to the form for event registration.
13. Activity Checkin: Use a QR code for access to the form for activity check in.
14. Digital Gallery Walks: Students can create a code that give access to their product in a form. Students can view the product then give feedback in the form.
15. Scavenger Hunt: Scan a code for the clue that will send students to the next code.
16. Collecting information: Use a code with a form to collect information from students or parents. Parents can even scan the code at him to complete the form.
17. Late Work Submissions: Now that you can submit attachments to Forms, students can scan a code to turn in a make up work.
18. Assignment Submission: Students can scan to submit an assignment. They can submit to one form on a different form based on the assignment. Warm Up Form, Journal Form, Homework Form, etc.
19. Parking Lot: Have students submit comments and questions to a Form via scanning a code while you are teaching or working in small groups. Address questions when convenient or at the end of class.
20. Sign Up Sheet: Use to sign up for an event. Use multiple codes for multiple events. 
21. Input: Use QR codes to get input on a topic.
22. Professional Development sharing: Use a QR Code for sharing and give all access to the results in Google Sheets.
23. Preview Activity: Use a code to gain insight from students as they preview upcoming materials. You can set up stations with codes to scan.
24. Brainstorming: Use a QR Code for brainstorming and give all access to the results in Google Sheets.
25. Collecting Data at Stations: If you are collecting data, use a code to collect it and share with data via Google Sheets allowing students to analyze it and decide how to display it.
26. Scheduling: Use limited time slots with forms for schedule. Once a slot is filled it will be removed from the form.
27. Lesson Plans: Code can be scan to complete plans as a team or can be used to access plans and give feedback via a form.
28. Rubric: Create a rubric for a project and scan the code to complete the rubric and give feedback to students. Have students code your form and create their own unique code to receive feedback instantly after it has been graded.
29. Evaluations: Use codes with Forms to share evaluation notes.
30. Digital Breakout: Have the students scan codes in multiple areas and crack the code to go to the next code for the next challenge until all challenges are completed.

Tell me in the comments how you use QR Codes and Forms together.

Until Next Time,

Digital Interactive Notebooks in Math

I have been a math teaching, technology integrating, innovation seeking, interactive notebook loving middle school teacher since I've been in the classroom. My goal has always been to deliver what the students needed in the most fun, innovative, and exciting way possible but we all know that there are some things that can't be given in such a way. It this is true for all subject areas and not only math.

Since I've began my journey as a 1 to 1 iPad teacher in 2015 it has been a goal to have a paperless classroom. Being a math teacher and believing that you just have to write, not type, certain things out in math I have have been stagnate in my journey even though I've seen the transformation and takeover of digital interactive notebooks in classrooms. I use the LMS Schoology daily and I've witnessed students trying to type some things out that are just not possible with the letters, numbers, and symbols available on a regular keyboards. When I think about those instances things such as number lines, probability trees, and tables come to mind. Sure, these things can be created in several programs but not in the programs that are big hits for digital interactive notebooks for students such as Google Slides and other programs similar to PowerPoint.

Do you see my dilemma now? As a math teacher, I want my students to be able to write or draw certain things out but with Google Slides that is not possible without app smashing which I choose to avoid as much as possible to simplify the daily process in my classroom. Every year I've explored how I could possibly go paperless. I considered many thing but none allow me to create interactive digital pages and had the capabilities for my student to write/draw on the screen of their iPads simultaneously. I have finally found a game changer! Granted, I may be late to the party but my mind is blown. Did you know that Keynote has an added feature of allowing drawing on the slides?

Yes, Keynote! The Apple created presentation software and app. It has an awesome feature that allows it to do all the things we use Google Slides and the veteran, PowerPoint, for BUT, wait for it, you can draw/write on the screen!

I do not even know if this is a new feature but it is a new feature to me that I am excited to have discovered. Not only am I able to go paperless but I can get rid of my group supply sets and many of the other things I used for my class with interactive notebooks. By going digital, my supply list to families will basically be kleenex, sanitizer, and earbuds, I will not have to deal with lost notebooks or things falling out, and lastly, clean up at the end of every class will be ahh-mazing!

A digital interactive notebook allows you to take cut and paste, sorting, or matching interactive activities and allow them to be completed on an electronic device without the paper, scissors, tape, glue, or crazy clean up. You can even recreate plain old worksheets to make them digital and interactive. I was able to take all of my doodle and guided notes and use them in my students' digital  interactive notebooks.

Some of the pluses include:

• Teachers can bulk share from Macbook or iPad.
• Students can import the keynote directly to their iPads.
• Slides can be interactive allowing students to move objects around on the screen.
• Students can import additional slides throughout the year.
• You can create or use slides created in Google Slides or PowerPoint.
• While creating the slides from your MacBook you can import pdfs directly to slides for your students to draw on.
• You can link slides to the pages listed in the table of contents.
• Students can insert pictures, audio, or video to slides.
• Teacher can downloads videos including those from Youtube and add them to slides.
• Keynote is a free app/software for iPads and Macbooks.

It would be great if:

• There was a highlighter marker. There is only a pen, crayon, pencil, and marker feature.
• Students could import pdfs on iPads.
• Fonts would import. (If using Google Slides, the fonts will not remain but there is a work around for this.)

Overall, this was an amazing discovery and I feel that I literally just upped my game as a teacher. I have been able to almost eliminate my class supply list, I no longer have to worry about students losing pages or notebooks, and I do not have to deal with a hot "glue-tape-paper" mess. I see a heightened interest with the digital interactive notebook with my students. Some of them also are relieved to not have to remember to bring their notebooks to class.

Download your personal copy of the starter pages of a digital math notebook and some integer concept pages plus some page templates that you can make your own.

Leave a comment below. Are you a fan of digital interactive notebooks? 

Until Next Time,

Tech Tip Thursday: Padlet

Ever need to gather all your students responses or ideas in one place? Need help putting a twist on your everyday activities? Padlet is a wonderful tool to help with that. This week's Tech Thursday is all about using Padlet in the classroom. I was first introduced to Padlet as a way to share learning experiences during my first Ed Tech Team GAFE Summit. I was sucked in from the moment I click on the shared link and starting sharing and reading about my colleagues experiences in the different sessions.