Don't Forget!

The Back to School Boost TpT sale is today.  Just enter Promo Code BOOST at checkout to get your 28% off any of my paid TpT products.  Click here to go to my TpT store.

Happy Shopping!

Freebies!!!

I just looked over the freebies page on The Book Bug and there are 85 freebies posted.  All just for you!

 Have you checked out the Freebies page lately?   Just click on the freebies link at the top to go there now.

Hope you enjoy!

New web 2.0 tools

I came across some fun new web 2.0 tools this summer and thought I'd share them with you.

QR Voice is a web 2.0 tool that lets you type in a message and then it will create a QR code that, when scanned, will turn what you typed into a voice that reads the message.  There are different language accents to choose from to make the voice different.  It is very easy to use.

Scan the code above to see the example I made. Then go to http://qrvoice.net/ to try it out for yourself.

You can change the color of the QR code, but it does take a few more steps, and the use of another website.  

If you want to change up the color of the QR code, scan the QR code with a QR code scanner on your phone.  I like the app  iNigma. Then copy the URL of the page your QR code scanner sends you to and email the link to yourself.

Use the website QR Stuff to make a colored version of the QR code by copying the link in the email you sent to yourself.

 Paste the link into the content box.  Then you can adjust the color and download your new QR code.

I also used bitly to make the URL shorter so the QR code would be more clear (not so many little boxes in the code).

Similar to QR Voice is QR Voice Tags.  It's easy to use as well, but there are a few more steps involved. QR Voice Tags will actually email you your completed QR code to download, rather than being able to get it directly from their site.  The neat thing about QR Voice Tags, though, is that you record your own voice.

To try it out for yourself, go to http://www.qrvoicetags.com/

Quozio lets you turn "beautiful words into meaningful images in seconds."  This site makes it easy to share your creations because it connects to facebook and Twitter, or you can email it.  You must sign up for an account, but accounts are free.

Here is an example of one sign that I made.  Check it out at http://quozio.com/ and see what you think.

What are some of your favorite web 2.0 tools?

Back to School...Back to Reality

Anyone who stops by my house will know as soon as they walk in that we started back to school a few weeks ago.  Uh, yeah.  There is a little bit of housework that needs to be done. But this media specialist momma is plum worn out!  This past week was the first full week with the kids.  I held orientations with 22 classes last week and will do 2 more this week.  I am beyond tired, but feeling accomplished...at least at work anyway.

Here are some of the highlights from my week:

The kids are loving the Super Reader theme. From the front doors...

...to the book collection area and circulation desk, everything is decked out in our Super Reader theme!

I used the posters from my Super Reader Library/Media Center Pack to decorate.

And they are grabbing up the Super Reader Bookmarks, too.  I knew they would.  They just love them some bookmarks!

And they'll need some great bookmarks for all the books they are checking out since we started AR last week. They are already working on becoming the Reader of the Month for August to get their picture on this fun bulletin board in the Media Center...

...and this one in the hall just outside the Media Center.  

Source

Plus they get a special certificate from me and a cute little trophy I found on Oriental Trading.

I get to start implementing the Super Homerooms bulletin board next week. 

I used my Super Homerooms bulletin board  set to make the bulletin board.

They are very excited about possibly getting a prize from the Super Reader Prize cart if they return their books on time.

Even the shelf markers got in on the fun.  You can see how I use duct tape to make these guys from this post.

Super Reader centers are ready to go!  

Get the center signs here for free.  =)

I gave out the first prizes of the year for students who completed their summer reading READO boards. You can see what the READO boards look like by clicking here.

Students picked up their punch cards (K-2) or bookmarks (3-5) to earn more prizes by reading.

I got to share the short movie trailer I made to kick off the Super Reader theme this year.  The kids LOVED it, even if it is a little corny.

My principal shared with me that I will be receiving some money to purchase new books. Woot!  Woot!  That was sweet music to my ears!  I know what I will be working on over the next few weeks.

TpT announced there will be another SALE this month.  It's only a one day, August 20th...but, YAY!  Who doesn't love a good sale?  And my store will, of course, be in the sale.  Just enter PROMO CODE:  BOOST at check out and you will get 28% off all my paid items. Woot!  Woot!

As fun as this week has been, I am happy for the weekend to be able to relax and refuel.  More fun is in store next week as I introduce the augmented reality app Aurasma to 3rd-5th graders.  They are going to love going on a Book Hunt with this app!  Stay tuned to find out more about this fun activity!  =)

Note: Since this post was first published, Aurasma has become HP Reveal.  However, all trigger images created with Aurasma should still work with the new HP Reveal app.

Back to School Sale

Teachers Pay Teachers is having a Back to School Sale and my store will be included in the sale!

Just enter promo code BTS14 to get 28% off my store on August 4-5.  Click here to go to my store.

There are a lot of other teacher librarian and media specialists on TpT as well.  Check out this catalog compiled by Mrs. J in the Library and Staying Cool in the Library. It's a free download. You'll find tons of new items you'll love!  Click here to download the catalog.

And I will continue my TpT store sale through August 6th with all my paid items being 20% off.  Now is the time to stock up on those wish list items.

Happy Back to School and Happy Shopping!