Techie Tuesday: Embed Instagram Pictures into your Blog

I was reading Five for Friday posts last week and came across Learning in Wonderland. How have I missed this incredible blog? I have no idea... but I did love how she used Instagram posts to highlight her week. Today's tech tip will show you how to do just that.

Sunday Scoop: October 17th

Thanks Kristen from Teaching Trio for hosting this Sunday tradition. I look forward to this link up every week. This honestly has helped me keep the momentum in blogging faithfully every week. Here's what's on for today.

I just love this picture from our huge family reunion. The word hallelujah serves as a reminder to give praise to God. For me, this picture helps serve as a reminder of the power of prayer and finding the hidden hallelujahs in each day. I hope you are enjoying your Sunday and find time to give thanks for all your little hallelujahs.

Find the hidden hallelujah in each day. #bethankful

A photo posted by Lynnea Urbanowicz (@techiebookworm) on Oct 14, 2015 at 5:25pm PDT

Don't forget to grab this week's bible verse freebie. ;)

Five for Friday: October 16th

It's Fri-YAY! A short week was a success. Sometimes these shorter weeks can actually make you feel more exhausted, but this one was great. I am so thankful for all the amazing people I work with (staff, students, and families). Today's 5 for Friday is pretty random, but a great reflection of my week. I had each number stand for something I did on that day of the week (1-Monday, 2-Tuesday, 3-Wednesday, 4-Thursday, and 5-Friday).

Monday (Happy Columbus Day): Woohoo! I finally am Google Certified. I put my day off to good use to take AND PASS my tests.

Tuesday (Institute Day): Look who is on my new stamps!!! I can't wait to write some letters this weekend.

Wednesday: I am loving this little treasure of a cookbook "Honey and Jam" by Hannah Queen and am planning some more Fall treats to bake this weekend. The Apple Cider Donut Cake was definitely a success... Excited to try something else in the Fall section.

Thursday: I am loving our two typing programs this year. We made the jump from type to learn to different programs that are web-based and provide differentiated instruction for grades K-5. We are using Typing Agent (K-3) and Typing Club (4-5).  I will type more as we keep learning about these two platforms.

Friday: Treat YO Self! I am enjoying this sticker delivery and celebrating a very productive week. I will be excited to put these little beauties on my planner. Thanks InkyDinkPrinting!

Have an awesome weekend everyone. Don't forget to see the rest of the link up over at Doodle Bugs Teaching.

Techie Tuesday: Creating "Use YOUR Head" Writing Templates

Welcome to this week's Techie Tuesday...complete with the strangest title ever! I am not really sure what I should call this project, but I am loving the possibilities. Today, I am going to walk through how to make cute head templates for all your writing activities this year.

Here are some ideas for use:

• Character Traits
• Use with "Children Make Terrible Pets" by Peter Brown and have kids draw animal bodies
• Seasonal activities (pumpkin, bat, snowman, leprechaun...)
• Thinking like a scientist/engineer and have them draw themselves as an innovator.

I have pictures of the first two ideas, but imagine the upgraded cuteness when these are not filled with pictures of me :)

   

To CREATE:
1. Take pictures of your students and download the pictures to your computer.

2. Open PowerPoint and Insert Pictures on each slide.

3. Crop the picture to outline your student's head.

4. Choose the circle format feature "Picture Styles" to create a circle of these heads. Make sure you double click on the photo to find any of these editing features.

There are also visual directions from the freebie below to help walk you through the process of adding your own pictures to these pages.

Hope this was helpful and sparked some creativity!

I have included a FREEBIE for Character Traits and Children Make Terrible Pets on TpT. You can use these to create your own for a wonderful class book. Please leave feedback with this freebie. :)

Click here to download your "Use YOUR Head" FREEBIE.

Sunday Scoop: October 11th

Weekends are definitely better when they come with three days. That one day completely changes the game and Sundays truly become a day of rest. I need to build a habit of resting on Sundays, instead of having it be a catch all day filled with chores and lesson plans. Let this weekend be a good reminder of the importance of rest. I love linking up with Teaching Trio on Sundays and here's what is on the Scoop today. I have already been able to read and nap a bit outside in the gorgeous weather and I am especially excited about good food, football with my brother, and a little homemade goodness.

I am sporting my newest earrings today while enjoying this Apple Cider Donut Cake. Tastes just like those little pillows of goodness found at apple orchards...only bigger!

I can't believe this is my 10th week of Bible Inspiration Freebies. I hope readers are encouraged and enjoy this little weekly freebie. Today's verse came straight from church and will serve as a daily reminder for me to focus on eternal things each day and pray for a transformed and renewed mind. 

Click here to download your freebie.

 Have a restful Sunday! 

Five for Friday

Busy does not even begin to describe this week. Thank goodness for three day weekends! I am just giddy about having an extra day. Thank you Columbus...

This week's Five for Friday is filled with library randomness. Enjoy.

I started writing Reader "Book Notes" and placing them in some of my favorites around the library. This is so much fun and I am excitedly waiting for my first reader to discover these hand written treasures. This idea and others are included in my Library Excitement Pack.

I also added these gems to the Library Excitement Pack to stick out of books around the LMC and inspire readers to try something new. I will have kids write on the blank speech bubbles and recommend their favorite books in creative ways next week.

I had a few students find a golden ticket hidden in their books this week and their expression was priceless! They got to take a free new book/bookmark home with them. I just love this idea!

I have finally taught all kids in grades Kindergarten-5th how to check out their own books. Year two of self-checkout in the library has been a success! Look at these cute teacher card holders for my littles! I love the Create-a-Pal clipart set from Polka Dots and Pals. Each class has a page for boys and a page for girls with their library cards attached by velcro dots. This is a great visual and has worked like a charm for our Kindergarten and 1st grade students.

Number 5 is all about bulletin boards. This week I prepped two bulletin boards for upcoming library projects. The Pumpkingram board will house pictures of our Literary Pumpkins. Students are so creative and decorate pumpkins to look like characters from books. I can't wait to see what they create and fill this board! 

This "Wonder Wall" will be for an upcoming inquiry project that I will share in the next few weeks. Kids are already asking about what this is going to be...I love keeping them curious!