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Monday, February 27, 2012

Express Yourself...With A Glog

Glogster (www.glogster.com) is a site where students and teachers can create "glogs" about basically anything.  A glog is a personalized project someone can put together to express their thoughts and ideas about a topic.  You can personalize the background, graphics, music, videos, colors, and texts on your glog.  The best part...it's free! It's also user friendly for students and teachers of all ages.


Glogster for education.

I think this education version might cost money.  The free version already offers a number of options, so I'm not sure you'd actually need the education version.  I haven't looked into it much.


Once you create a free account with your e-mail, this is what your dashboard will look like.  From the dashboard, you are able to update your status, post a new glog, check your glog's stats, and view other glogs.  To create a new glog, simply click the "post new glog" button next to your profile picture.  


Each time you create a glog, you are given a template.  You can go in and delete it all, or just change the items.  To change the graphics and videos on the template, double click on them.  


Around the outer edge of the graphic, there will be boxes of editing options.  Just start clicking on them and playing around with them to check out all the options.  It's pretty simple!


Once you finish editing your text and graphics, simply click on the outside of the object and it will take you to the original screen.  You can then click on the various options--text, graphics, images, wall, audio, or video--to edit your glog.  There are many pre-loaded options, and you can also upload your own images, audio, and video. 


On this practice glog, I changed the glog wall.  I also inserted a heart graphic.  To change the color, I double clicked on it and chose the eyedropper option.  


You can also link other websites to your glog!  The link option is below the eyedropper option.  Simply click on it and enter the website url.  When someone views your glog, they are able to click the heart and link to the website you provided.  


Next, it was time to add a video!  Once on the home screen, you can click the video option to add a video.  You can add a video you already have saved on your computer or you can search Google for a video.  The video above was added from Google.  On the same screen you choose the video on, you can pick a frame for the video.  There are lots of pre-made options available.



Adding a picture is similar to adding a video.  You are able to add your own saved pictures, search Glogster's gallery, or search Google for images.  There are lots of pre-loaded graphics available.


And...don't forget to add a frame to your picture!


Another way to add videos, photos, or audio is the grab tool.  You have to have a webcam to use this tool.  The grab tool allows you to take a picture, record audio, or record a video and add it to your glog.  


You are also able to add music to your glog.  You can upload your own music or search for pre-loaded sounds.  There are also player graphics available to add.  You are also able to choose whether your song automatically starts when someone goes to your page or if they have to click the play button on the player.


When you're finished creating your glog, click the save and share button at the top of your page. (I believe it's hot pink.)  It gives you options to share it on Facebook and Twitter.  This site is an awesome tool to use for projects and with the creative kids in your class.  It gives students an opportunity to mix creativity and learning.  The possibilities are endless!



Go to www.glogster.com to create your own Glogster account and begin "glogging."  



Happy Glogging!



















Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Google +

If you aren't familiar with Google Docs, Google +, or anything else Google for that matter, you need to get familiar with it.  I've jokingly been saying that Google is taking over the world, but I'm seriously beginning to believe it.  I have the awesome opportunity to work with staff who are on the forefront of technology and I LOVE it!  Every day I'm learning something new from either my principal, other teachers, or co-workers.

I've been using Google Docs for some time and it has made my life so much easier.  I'll go into detail about all the awesome features of Google Docs in a future post.  Tonight, I was introduced to Google + Hangouts.  Talk about amazing....

Hangouts is a platform combining video chat, chat, and live viewing options.  You can video chat while sharing documents live with other hangout members.  Also, you can have multiple people chatting simultaneously.  Tonight, my principal, Joel, and one of my co-teachers, Christie, and I "Hung out" trying to figure out all the features of this nifty little tool.  We were all 3 able to video chat with each other while sharing and viewing docs and screenshots.  Oh, and the video camera option can be switched off if you don't want other group members to see you!  We don't have it all figured out yet, but I see it being an awesome tool to use in the classroom with both students and co-workers.


I'll share more details about Google Docs, Google +, and Hangouts in future posts, but I just wanted to share a little bit about these amazing things.  With Google, the possibilities are endless!




Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Ryan Gosling in the Classroom

I've been seeing these Ryan Gosling education Hey Girl pictures everywhere and they make me laugh every time I see them.  

Ryan Gosling knows what's up :)








Monday, February 13, 2012

Have A Wild Valentine's Day

Well, it's that time of year...Valentine's Day parties at school!  In the past, parties have been on Fridays.  It's nice that way because we can sugar the kids up and then send them home to settle down over the weekend.  This year is different.  Valentine's Day parties are tomorrow!  It should make for an interesting week to say the least.  I'll use any excuse to make fun crafts, so Valentine's day was the perfect oportunity for me to try out some new ideas.  See what you think!


First, I made these "dynamite" valentines.  They are super cute and easy to make.  I wanted to use Rolos candy, but I was unable to find single packs of them.  I settled with Mentos.  I covered them in red card stock first.  Next, I hot glued the three rolls together.  After that I wrapped black pipe cleaner around the three packs and added a short piece at the top.  Lastly, I attached a piece of card stock with the saying, "You're the Bomb." They only took a few minutes to create and are super cute!



Next, I made treats for the students in my after school group.  I found this idea from a blog, thegunnysack.com, and fell in love! It was awesome because there was a template of the tags that just had to be printed.  This project was also pretty simple.  I did have my mom help me hold the balloons open so I was able to stuff them with candy easier.  I think they turned out pretty awesome :)


the finished product <3


i had to use pink balloons too :)

Finally, I made treats for my co-teachers.  I used to make these pretzel cookies for Christmas with regular Hershey Kisses and M&Ms.  For a creative twist, I used the Hugs & Kisses Hershey Kisses for a "wild" themed treat.  


Simply place a kiss on top of each pretzel.  Place in an oven heated at 300 degrees until the kiss begins to melt.  Press an M&M into the center of the kiss.  I placed mine in the refrigerator so they would cool more quickly.  After they cooled, I placed them in snack bags that I had decorated with homemade tags.


so cute!


finished product :)

I used Elmer's dot runner glue to attach the labels to the baggies.  My friend, Julie, introduced me to this AMAZING craft tool, and I can't believe I crafted before without it!  They run about $3.00 at Wal-Mart and are awesome!


I hope you all have a great Valentine's Day <3











Friday, February 10, 2012

S'COOL

S'COOL
River View Junior High School Choirs
Friday, February 24, 2012
7:00 P.M.

River View Junior High 7th and 8th graders are currently practicing hard for the musical, S'Cool.  I've been helping with the musical with some of my awesome co-workers.  Those of you who know me know that I can't carry a tune to save my life, so I'm of no help in that area.  I've decided to bring my craftiness to the table.  While Dawn, Heather, Julie, and Erin work with the students on vocals and choreography, I drift back to my cheerleading days and create some posters for the set.  Here are some of the posters I've made so far!


My cat, Rama, thought he needed to assist with the project :)



Still helping....


My personal favorite...


He is worn out from helping :)


The kids are working really hard, and it is going to be an awesome production!  Come out and support the students! 








Thursday, February 2, 2012

Desk Decorations

My desk at work has too much paperwork and not enough decorations, so tonight I decided to fill a few picture frames to spice it up a bit.  I started out just going through some of my old pictures hoping I'd find a few good ones.  I came to some of my kids who were in my class during student teaching.  I miss them a lot, so I figured the pictures of them would brighten up my desk a bit.  I put this together really quick & I think it turned out pretty cute :)


I used scrapbook paper & stamps to recreate a poster I found on pinterest for the center picture.