Behind The SLANT BOX Scenes and Math Talk With Jameson from Lessons With Coffee: Radio Episode #06

She is quirky, authentic, has great fashion sense and she tells it like it is.  Enter Jameson from the blog Lessons With Coffee.  I was lucky enough to interview Jameson for the latest Sheila Jane Teaching radio show.

I never thought I would talk to a teacher that made teaching middle school math sound fun to teach.

 It was in middle school that Jameson received the help she needed to succeed with math.  Her special teacher in middle school used colors, graphing paper, and praised the small things to help Jameson line up numbers, and the colors helped Jameson to emphasize the steps in the algorithm.

Jameson is naturally sensitive to the needs of the struggling math students.  Fortunately she was open to teaching math when offered the assignment.  NOW she shares her special ways to meet the needs of all math students. Jameson stresses the importance of giving students choice when solving problems.  She advocates note taking, interactive notebooks, test taking strategies, visiting teachers and checking out teacher blogs; those who teach grades below and grades above.

   

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Jameson is also sensitive to the needs of new teachers, teachers who feel isolated and alone.

Her first year of teaching she decided to reach out to a mom's group that did exchange boxes.  She built a friendship with another person and liked the experience, so soon Jameson created SLANT boxes for teachers.

You may feel alone and not getting the TLC you need in your department, grade level, or school district.  Don't fret; Jameson assures us the SLANT box could serve you well.  400+ teachers have connected through her system.  She pairs up two teachers, provides a monthly theme, and next thing you know you have a teacher who appreciates you, and you are so happy to have a teacher friend who wants to understand your teaching context.  All parties benefit.

Jameson is Amazing; Listen to the Interview ---- teaching strategies, teacher out reach and best of all teacher match maker!!!!

I want to hear from you!  Do you belong to any monthly subscription box services?  Which ones?  I can't wait to read your comments.

Thank you for listening to the show.

Sending you love and happiness,

Sheila

breathe. Reboot. CELEBRATE! September Vlog and FREEBIE!

Do you ever need to reboot?

When the weather stays at a constant state of hot and sticky, month after month, it is hard to reboot.  When the Back To School overwhelm sets in and everyone wishes they had more summer there is no time for rebooting.

I see the signs of fall.  It is creeping in.  The grape harvest has started for Mr. Winemaker.    If I really listen carefully the wind rustles the leaves whispering... Reboot, Sheila.  Time to reboot.

I listen.  This is my favorite time of year.

Summer is blindingly bright.  I love the transition.  Fall is watercolors.  Rich and earthy.  Yummy smells.  The anticipation of the holidays coming is everywhere.  Snuggling under a blanket.  Lighting candles. I am ready for everything fall offers.

Last weekend I pulled out my large, orange Halloween bin from the garage.   We recently moved in to a new house.  I enjoyed the challenge of finding new places for my special spooky decor.

My pumpkin candle is lit, and candy corn is at the ready.  Rebooting in progress.

The Sheila Jane Teaching YouTube channel is getting a reboot as well.

Each week I post free teaching content----  Radio shows---- Teachers We Love videos----  Free content just for you.

Teach Happy. Live Happy. Be Happy. is integral to the Sheila Jane teaching philosophy.  Most videos on my channel focus on Teaching Happy.

To live and be happy is just as important as teaching happy.  The last Friday of each month will be a celebration of teacher life balance.  I will vlog (think video meets blogging) my interests like  makeup, decor, adventures, cooking.  I am bursting at the seams to let you into my home, my life and share some of my passions.

   

In addition to the vlog, there will always be a end of the month freebie surprise waiting for you. A treat to celebrate the end of a successful month of teaching.  This month's freebie is 'The Classroom Guestbook.'  Watch the video to see the freebie in action.

Click HERE to get your freebie

After you have watched the video, I would love to know what is your favorite Halloween candy?

Leave me a comment below.  Like a kid anticipating a pillow case full of Halloween candy I look forward to reading and replying to the comment treats you leave for me.

I hope as the season changes from summer to fall you get a chance to reflect and reboot.  Take care of yourself and pamper yourself.  You made it through Back To School, and you deserve to unwind a bit.  Reconnect with your passions.  Get out in nature.  Put the school work down.  It will be there tomorrow.  Your happiness is top priority.

Breathe and reboot.

Love and happiness,
Sheila

A How To Guide To Interactive Notebooks with Angie Olson a Teacher We Love

GUEST BLOGGER: Angie Olson From Lucky Little Learners

What happens when you take a passionate Minnesota teacher who loves creating and using interactive math notebooks and combine her with a California teacher who is full of humor and amazing energy?  You get a beautiful collaboration opportunity!

Sheila from Sprinkle Teaching Magic interviewed me for her Teachers We Love You Tube series and I will admit that I was scared out of my mind!  Put me in front of a room full of 2nd graders and I can be goofy and teach my heart out without any worry or nerves but put a video camera in front of me for my peers and I just may feel like I need to vomit!  I will say that Sheila made me feel very comfortable and after just a few minutes, I felt like I was just chatting with a good friend!  I am so honored that she asked me to be interviewed.  She has interviewed Greg Smedley from Kindergarten Smorgasboard, Amanda Nickerson from One Extra Degree, Christina DeCarbo from Sugar and Spice, need I say more????  Do you follow her You Tube channel because seriously, you don't want to miss out!  She has some great videos on Classroom Decorations, Classroom Tours, Organizing Student Work, and more!

Here is the interview that she did with me on Interactive Math Notebooks.  I hope that after watching this, you can take away a tip or two that you can bring into your classroom.  Please be kind, I've never done an interview like this so I will be the first to admit that I am no pro!  I just like to help other teachers and share ideas!!

   

Like I've said before, I love to collaborate with other teachers and so Sheila and I have decided to host a HUGE GIVEAWAY!  We are taking every single Interactive Math Notebook that I have created and giving away one copy of each to one lucky winner!  Yes, that's right!  Over 250 pages of interactive math notebook resources my friends!  Make sure to enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to scoop these up for your classroom!!!

Before entering the Rafflecopter, here are just a few sneak peeks at some of the interactive activities that will be included in this giveaway!

Alright, what are you waiting for?  Good luck to you!  I'd love to hear what you think of the interview!  What stands out to you?  What did you take away?  Do you have any additional tips and tricks to add?  I can't wait to hear from you!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

When Your Arm Doesn't Reach That Far: Photo Booth 101

Position the cell phone.  Snap a pic. I can take a better picture than that.

Reposition the cell phone. 10 more not quite right pictures. Ugh.  My arm is tired.  If only my arm could reach farther!

Now, will my finger be able to press the photo button without the phone falling?

Selfies are a lot of work for a very doctored "natural" photo.

We all deserve a candid photo showcasing our most photogenic self.  

A few years ago, at my cousin's wedding, I was introduced to the wedding 'photo booth' craze.

There were a variety of props, outfits, and signs to choose from.

No picture pressure. Everyone dressed up and looked rediculous.  My cheeks hurt from laughing.

I was hooked.

When these pictures surfaced on Facebook, my first reaction was to shield my eyes.  Surely, I showed too much teeth and looked a hot mess.

The pictures were amazing.  Hello, new Facebook profile picture! The camera had captured my authentic personality.

Photo Booth pictures work.

How could I use the photo booth idea in my classroom?

The first week of school I was the fun and cool teacher.  I had my photo booth bin and makeshift fabric background and the students ate it up.

The photo booth bin is now my beginning of the school year ice breaker activity. Student personalities shine through, we laugh a lot, and I get compliments on the photos year round.

In today's Teach Happy Friday Fun episode I help bring photo booth magic to your classroom.

Get ready to see your students in a whole new light!

Watch The Video Below! 

   


In the comments below I want to get to know and hear from you.

Fall is just around the corner.

What is your favorite fall food?

Thank you for watching and I can't wait to read and reply to your comments!

Remember to Teach Happy * Live Happy * Be Happy!

Love,

Sheila Jane

P.S. Stay tuned next Friday 9/19. I have a special 'Teachers We Love' interview with Angie Olson from Lucky Little Learners.  She is going to teach you the ins and out of Interactive Notebooks.  You don't want to miss it!

Using Technology Will Not Give You Typhoid: Podcast Episode #5 with Brittany Banister

       

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Have you ever felt behind the times or out of the loop when it comes to technology?  

You are not alone.  Technology is taking over our lives whether we want it to or not.    

As teachers, navigating the world of technology can seem daunting. iPad, Smart Board, Google Docs, QR codes, to tweet or not to tweet; we are left confused. 

Students are born speaking tech.  This new language allows 4 years olds to navigate a iPhone or iPad like they had one in the womb. Our sweet, little, innocent, kinder cuties know about hashtags.  #watchout  

Some schools are cutting edge and some are behind the times.  

Learn a tech skill in one school year, and the next year it is out of date.  I can barely keep up with the daily software updates on my little needy laptop.    

Remember the days when computers were just big, slow, clunky boxes?

In 5th grade, Apple Computer donated 30 computers to my school.  The only thing we used the computers for was to play Oregon Trail, of course.  Dysentary. Typhoid. Watch out for those snakes that just jump out and bite you!

Technology has come a long way. 

Many teachers argue that technology is the future of education, and technology impacts education in a positive way.

Brittany Banister, from Mrs. Banister's kindergarten, is a tech advocate. I must say.  If she can make technology work in a classroom full of kindergarteners then we should stop and take note.  

In today's podcast, Brittany shares how she uses technology in her classroom, how we can effectively use it in ours, and how tech can really provide a positive impact for student learning. 

    

Tweet It Out Teachers! Tweet: The biggest shift for educators using technology is not skill set; it's mindset." George Curous @sheilajteaching #edchat

Here is a list of Brittany's favorite Links:

*Mrs. Banister's Kindergarten Kids --My blog :)

*Two Techie Teachers --A joint blog I do with my best friend.  This is a work in progress, but we love sharing our knowledge!

*mattbgomez.com --GREAT resource for primary teachers!

*Buck Institute --The PBL guidebook

*Tech with Jen --She has a lot of great tech related products.  Her reading interactive notebooks are fantastic!

*I Teach with iPads --She's the real deal!

*Kleinspiration --Another great edTech resource!

I want to hear from you!   Leave a comment below and tell me:

What technology do you use the most? In your classroom? At home?  An app. Kitchen appliance?  

 I want to know.

Thank you for listening, commenting, and sharing this podcast with your friends.  You are an amazing teacher that deserves to teach happy, live happy, and be happy.

Love,

Sheila Jane

Teachers We Love With Christina DeCarbo- Let's Keep It Real

Do you ever compare yourself to other teachers? 

You think: they have more followers, cuter products, better blog posts, and a prettier classroom.

Instead of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, you are keeping up with them.

I did this. I still do.

I wanted to be just like Cara Carroll, Babbling Abby, and Amy Lemons.

Who am I kidding?  I STILL want to be like these amazing teachers.  

Back in my first years of teaching, I would wonder 'How do they make it look so easy, cute, and perfect?'

My anchor charts ended up in the trash.  Students cried over my craft-ivities.  I cried over Power Point.  

I would teach a full day and stay up all night working on TPT products. I was forcing something that wasn't happening.

In all the comparison to others, I forgot to be me.

Long story short, I burned out quickly and my life became unbalanced.

Teachers will always be smart, crafty, talented, creative, funny and amazing.  That includes YOU TOO!

Be human. Share your insecurities and imperfections. Celebrate your unique talents and successes.

Simply put.  Be real.

Christina DeCarbo from the blog and TPT store Sugar and Spice, keeps it REAL. 

Christina manages newlywed life, a successful TPT store, a blog overflowing with ideas, and a classroom.

In today's episode of Teachers We Love, Christina is all HEART.

Here is a sneak peek! (below is the entire interview)

Christina shares how to stay balanced in a relationship despite a stressful career.  How to laugh at yourself when you make mistakes.  She puts TPT in perspective with helpful tips.  She also tells us how to shop a clothing sale.

   

Teachers, Tweet and Pin The Happy Out!

Tweet: Things are going to go wrong. You have to laugh at yourself and laugh with your students. Christina DeCarbo @sheilajteaching #edchat

Now I want to chat with you!  What is your favorite subject to teach?

Leave your comment below and take a few seconds to read and respond to a comment left by another Sheila Jane Teaching community member.   You never know how your comment or reply could brighten a day and make a difference.

Thank you so much for watching.  I look forward to seeing you below in the comments.

Sending you love and happiness,

Sheila Jane

Meet The Teacher: Who is Sheila Jane Teaching

I heard there was a Meet The Teacher Blogger Party going on over at Falling into First.  I think I am WAY beyond fashionably late.

 

I hope there are still some wild party animals out there! Anybody?!?!

Instead of typing my questions in blog form, I like to think of this post as a remix.  I took the questions and video taped my responses.

I like to call it: Get To Know The Teacher VLOGGER.

Think of vlogger as a cross between video and blog.

I hope you enjoy my video!

I promise you lots of cheesy singing and a big announcement.

Also, don't forget to comment below and let me know your favorite song!