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Using QR Codes to help review!

Before winter break started, my 3rd grade intervention students were finishing up a division unit.  I wanted them to have an opportunity to review all that we have learned and a chance for me to informally assess them.  I've seen several posts in blog land and products on TpT using QR codes and thought I would give them a try.  

As we've upgraded our iPhones, we've kept all the old ones, and my kids use them to play games.  Essentially, an old iPhone becomes an iPod once you take away the phone service.  You can still download apps to it using either wifi or plugging it into your computer.  This is an easy way to get some technology for your classroom without spending money, especially if you're upgrading anyway.

I made these Winter Division QR Task Cards for my students' review.  


I paired my kids up and divided my task cards up between them all.  They each got an iPod and recording sheets.  They solved the task card problem, recorded their answer, and then scanned to see if their answer was correct.


My favorite part was that they were super engaged!  And they worked together so well.  This was super easy for them to figure out.  I had to do some reminding that you record your answer FIRST and then checked your answer, but that was minor redirecting.


Once students check their answer, they put a check mark in the snowball if the answer was correct.  This was a really great way to review the different division skills and for me to see which students were still struggling.


I love seeing my students working so diligently!


Since this was such a big success, I think I'll be using them again.  Have you ever used them in your classroom?  If not (and you have the technology), you should!  It was super easy.

Exploring Hawaii: Moana Falls

A few days ago, I posted about my One Little Word balance that I will be focusing on this year {here}.  While I'm still super invested in my teaching and creating things, I'm also trying to focus more on my family.   So you guys might start seeing some of my experiences in Hawaii mixed in with some of my teaching posts.  This place is just too awesome not to share with all of you guys.  :)

This weekend, we finally made it to Moana Falls.  This is one of the more popular hikes here on Oahu, and I can see why.  It was beautiful!


Seriously, how lucky are my kids to grow up experiencing this kind of beauty in nature?


Every kid likes to swing on a vine!  Ok, this isn't actually a vine.  It's really the root that grows down from the tree branches of a Banyan tree. Pretty cool, huh?


If you're coming to Oahu, this is definitely a great little hike to check out.  

Pros:
1.  It's beautiful!
2.  It's only $5 to park.
3.  This is quick, only took us an hour.  Mile in and mile out with without being too steep on a mostly gravel path.
4.  You can bring dogs, but I would keep them on a leash.  We kept ours on their leashes and it was fine.

Cons:
1.  This is a popular tourist spot, so it was pretty crowded.  The crowds will probably keep us from doing it again unless people come visit that would like to see the falls.
2.  If it's been raining, the path will be muddy.
3.  The path is narrow at some points so you may have to wait on people to pass.

One Little Word……Balance

It's been pretty quiet around here lately.  Another blog I follow has been quiet lately, and she wrote that she had lost her voice.  Of course not literally but more figuratively speaking.  I don't think I've necessarily lost my voice, but I have moved my voice onto other things.

The last month I've been spending a lot of time with my family and really reflecting on what I want this new year to mean for me.  I thought hard about what One Little Word I wanted to use to represent my focus for 2014.

What I realized is that I need a lot more balance in my life.  The funny thing is that I've noticed a lot of other bloggers have also picked this word.  It seems that many of us are all looking for the same thing.

Finding balance means I need to focus more on these precious children that I am responsible for raising.  I need to focus more on enjoying moments like this and taking a break from the rush of life.


Balance means I need to enjoy life more.  I look at my Great Dane and think I could really use to learn a few lessons from her.  A roll in the sand and an orange ball makes her incredibly happy.  Sometimes it's not about the big things but just the little ones that can bring us peace and happiness.


Finally, balance means I need to treat my body better.  Over Christmas break, I hiked this and it felt amazing!  It was one heck of a climb (like a bajillion steps) but so worth it when I reached the top.  The last year I haven't treated my body that well.  Not enough sleep or exercise and way too much junk.  It's time to treat me better!


And I need to find balance with blogging, creating things, and teaching.  I love doing all of these I really do.  But these things shouldn't come before my family and taking care of myself. 


My 18-year-old daughter came from college to visit over Christmas break.  That was such a reminder that time does go by quickly.  It seems like just the other day that she was a baby and now she's off to college.  


So while I haven't lost my voice here on this blog, I'm not sure how my voice will be changing.  I do know it's time to take some pressure off myself.  I'm not sure what direction this blog will take during the next year, but there may be a shift in the direction.

What's your focus for this year?

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