My New best friend

A package was delivered to our room today. A very important package. Our MimioView document camera. *gasps* We were so excited. 


I carefully opened the package as my kids watched in amazement. It was like Christmas morning. I took the camera out. Everyone gasped which was then followed by intense silence. Finally someone said "SOOOOOOO COOOOOL!" 

Here are some pictures:

Of course then the inevitable question arose, "Are you going to plug it in now and starting using it? Pleaseeeeeee!" (oh boy. I don't work well under pressure with 18 pairs of little eyes watching me, especially with technology) It was time for centers and the group that sits with me on Wednesdays promised that they would quietly read their reader's theater scripts, so I could switch out my old camera for the new one. I agreed and they were true to their promise. Installation for this precious gem was as easy as pie. I plugged the USB cord into my laptop and BOOM! Here are some pictures of the camera on my media cart. To avoid overusing my kiddo's expression of "SOOOOOOOO COOL," I will use my own. SUPERRRRRRRR COOOOOOOOOL. This camera is better than I anticipated. I am in love. Maybe more so than the love I feel for my classroom library. Hmmmm. I may have to think about that longer. 

I can use all the tools within Mimio Notebook while using the document camera. I can use the pen tool to write on sheets under the camera without actually writing on the sheet.

I am in love. <3

Here are some videos. Please don't mind my kids and I...

we sound ridiculous but we were so pumped! 

Let me leave you with this last thought...if you have any say or pull in what technology your district buys in the future, I ask that you consider DYMO Mimio products.

Their products are Kid Tested, Teacher Approved. :) 

Off to go lay down, I FEEL TERRIBLE (Sick again!) but I had to post about our fabulous addition to our class family. :) 

Me? WINNER?

I received an email from Mimio last night informing me I was a winner for the Winter Lesson Contest! A BIG ENORMOUS thanks to everyone who helped and voted. My kiddos and I greatly appreciate you! 

This will be the newest addition to our classroom products family:

I'm can't wait to get my hands on this baby! This document camera takes photos and videos which can easily be uploaded into Mimio Notebook. My kids and I will ensure that this camera is put to good use. THANKS AGAIN! 

A stupendous geometry filled math day!

Days like today make me fall in love more with my profession. 


We started chapter 9 in math today...geometry. The 1st lesson calls for introducing plane shapes and their attributes (line, line segment, ray, point, angle, vertex). It's not the greatest lesson in our curriculum in terms of engaging the students so I knew I had to prepare something good! We first completed a Mimio lesson which introduced all the vocabulary. Next, we used pretzels, M&M's, and Valentine's Day candy corn to make the figures. The kids had a ball and their brains were buzzing!

We are having to double up on math lessons to ensure completion of all the skills before the FCAT. I'm constantly looking for ways to review material that's exciting and fun to my kiddos. To review symmetry today we took rulers and made them our lines of symmetry. Then the students took pattern blocks and colored squares and made cool symmetrical patterns. I loved seeing their creativity shine through. You don't get to see this side of them when doing a worksheet or practice workbook page. 

Thanks kiddos for making my job so fabulous! 

Intense is an understatement

This Mimio Contest is CRAZY! People are going voting nuts. One second I'm losing and then within hours winning. I have employed coworkers, family, friends (including blogging ones), parents of my kids, and even my students; however, the competition is pretty stiff. 


Once again...any help with this is GREATLY appreciated!

I'm the multiple meaning words lesson.

Off to go bake brownies for my kiddos. They have an AR goal for every quarter. Those who accomplish their goal get to have lunch with me and share a special treat. Tomorrow is our AR luncheon day. 

And finally....I smell 100 followers in the near future. Already thinking of what my giveaway will be. I'm excited! Night friends. 

OH MY GOODNESS! NO WAY!

Ok...not to over use my quota of "help support" here, but I need some assistance this one last time (lets be honest Tanya).


I have a Mimio in my classroom. No surprise there...I have mentioned that quite a few times. Not so exciting....ready for the exciting part? A few weeks ago Mimioconnect.com had a contest for a "winter" themed lesson. So I submitted two lessons and assumed that I would never make the finals, BUT I DID! Mimio choose 3 lessons as finalists and my lesson on multiple meaning words made the cut. 


Winning prize: a MimioView document camera which will let me take video and pictures of what's under my camera and import them into Mimio lessons. I WANT IT! Now I sound like my 3rd graders...


This contest is now open for voting on Mimioconnect.com. <Insert fabulous blogging friends> Will you help me? Would you mind taking out a few minutes of your insanely busy teacher lives and voting for me? It would mean the world! 


Here is the link....


http://www.mimioconnect.com/mimioconnect_winter_lesson_contest_voting


I am the 1st lesson (Turn the light bulbs on with multiple meaning words.)

Here are some sample slides from lesson...

Thanks in advance! I truly appreciate everything you guys do to help out!

New Mimio Files

Hello bloggers. Sunday night already? How did that happen? 


I have added two new files on MimioConnect.com for those who are Mimio users. 

Please check them out. :)

One is a gallery pack, which contains different shaded shapes to display fractions. Just click and drag into your lesson for quick, already made examples of fractions! 

The 2nd file is for teaching fractions/equal shares. My students ALWAYS struggle with concept, so I wanted to create a lesson that was student friendly and relatable for them. Isn't food always intriguing for them? Enjoy!

I'm feeling so much better. Thank goodness because I can't miss any school with our "big test" coming up. Unfortunately to get to this point, I have slept the weekend away, but oh well. It worked. :) I did find the time to blog over at The Best Endings. I just finished the book "32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny." If you haven't read this book, please do! It's hilarious! Going to watch the rest of the football game. :)

One last thought...I HAVE REACHED 50 FOLLOWERS! Is that a milestone in blogging world? I doubt it, but I'm certainly happy! 

Back in "Teach Mode"

Well I survived my 2nd day back. Actually, its been quite enjoyable. My students came back mature, quiet, and ready to work. How long will it last? :)

Of course they were full of stories yesterday. Everyone had 56 stories to share from Christmas break, and when I asked them to tell me one story from their break, they merged the 56 stories into one sentence! Gotta love 3rd graders!

As mentioned before, we started back up with fractions this week (a big skill on the FCAT).

I have done 2 read alouds on fractions this week. The first one was called "Whole-y Cow! Fractions Are Fun." Naturally my kids loved the title...the content was perfect for beginner fractions.

We also read Jerry Pallotta's "The Hershey's Fraction book." Relating fractions to food = SUCCESS and UNDERSTANDING! If you are not familiar with Palotta's books, please check them out. He has WONDERFUL math books.

I even managed to fit in math centers today and that seldom happens. You know that you had a productive learning day when your back table is covered with math "stuff." They were rocking it though. I can't ask for anything more.

I always use my Mimio as a center. Have you checked out Lakeshore's interactive learning games? They are AMAZING! They are Lakeshore's board games in an interactive form for the computer. I have every title connected to my curriculum. Pros to these interactive activities: no set up required or having to explain the directions. I love Lakeshore's board games but the first time I have my kids play them, they need help with the directions. This causes major loss on instructional time and that's never good. These are truly grab and go! Plug and play! Insert disc and review! Learning made simple! Click on the 1st picture to check out other titles from Lakeshore's website.

Off to go snuggle with Penny. I'ts freezing! I love it but so not accustomed to this. It's supposed to get down to 26 degrees tonight. YIKES! Everyone has sheets on their bushes and trees out on their lawns to prevent frost. It's a lovely sight.



Mimio..anyone?

Does anyone have Mimio interactive boards in their classrooms? I have had mine for almost 2 years and I love it. I'm also a certified Mimio Master... which was a great experience. I learned so much on lesson creation and how to hook my students.

Even if you don't have a Mimio board, you can still use their software for free (one of the many reasons why I love Mimio). Click on the picture below to get started.

You do need a key to download the software but I have it and I'd be happy to share. Just comment this post and include your email. The software is totally free and can be used without a Mimio board.

On MimioConnect.com (a place where teachers post their lessons) my username is tvillacis. I have a ton of lessons on there which can instantly be used in your class!

Please comment if you do have a Mimio or any interactive board in your room. I'd love to get some new ideas!

Technology in my classroom? ABSOLUTELY!

Mimio is the core of my teaching. When my school's FCAT scores came in, I was pulled into the Principal's office and asked what was the contributing factor that made my scores so successful. Without hesitation I replied with "Mimio." Interactive boards stimulate students and engage them in the learning process. Rather than being spectators during a lesson, they are active participants who contribute ideas. I don't know what I would do without my interactive board.

Ok, that's enough lecturing for tonight.

I heart my Mimio. :)

Here are some snapshots of 2 of my Mimio lessons.