Apps I Love For My Firsties (Freebie Recording Sheets!)

Belated Happy New Year!  Now that the holidays are over and my kids are heading back to college, I wanted to share some awesome Apps I recently discovered.  I have 8 iPads in the classroom and I finally feel like I'm putting them to use multiple times throughout the day.  (I did just start implementing Daily 3 so that also accounts for increase in use.)   Hopefully, you can find some you like too.

First up is a must:

This app alerts me to 4-6 free apps every day.  They aren't all educational ones but I've found personal ones this way too.

Here are SOME of the freebies I got in last two weeks.

You see the one on the end?  Animal Math?  This APP is by EGGROLL GAMES and let me tell you, I LOVE all of their apps.  They seem to feature one on the site frequently.  The First Grade Math was featured, too.  Can I tell you it's one of my favorite ones that supports our math curriculum?  Really well done.  (And their Tech Support is top notch.  I emailed with a slight problem on MY end they sent me the free second grade app. On the First Grade App, Emma and a cast of animal characters are featured: Manny (counting games)  Phineas (Number Patterns), Charlie (Greater than, less than) Albert (Even and Odd) Hans (Place Value) Henrietta (Number Sentences) Lydia (Missing Signs),  Kicheko (Addition Set 1) Pria (Addition Set 2) Moe (Sub 1) Rupert (sub 2) and Louie (Flash Card Games)

NOTE: I bought the First Grade App a few months ago not knowing it was featured on the free app site.  He sent me the second grade one.  I find them VERY similar and was glad I didn't pay for the second grade one.  My Firsties could use either one and be fine...no multiplication /division on it at all.

Here are some pics of First Grade App

I love ALL Eggroll apps and they are featured quite frequently on the Free App.  I got one from them Yesterday as well as another cute app that my kids might use during Friday Free Choice.

I have their addition/subtraction flashcards and like having the kids use for Rocket Math practice. Although I paid for them, both were featured on free app BEFORE I discovered it.

You never know when they'll expire so grab them as soon as you see them.

While discussing math apps, although not featured on the free app site, I have to show you two that are perfect for my students and are FREE.   

This one is not only FREE, but AD FREE!  Kids have to make combinations of 10 (or you can set for any of these numbers to practice facts.)

It's the perfect way to have them practice combos of ten.  It's a fun, fast-paced game that ends only when you fail to clear a row and the last number in a row reaches you.  My kids love it!  

The one below?  I must admit that I am addicted to it!  While FREE, it honestly has so many ads, that I paid the 1.99 to make it ad free.  If I didn't think it was worth it, I wouldn't have spent it.  Even with the ads, it's still playable but I admit it took me a few minutes to figure out WHAT to press/not press.  (Forget anything marked with special-themed dice, coins, etc.  Just Press plain PLAY.) I 

When the LONG ads came on after a game, they would x it out and launch app again.  

It is so much fun and involves knowing how to add numbers to get to ten.  You can have a number line out to help kids.  The first few times they play, they score low but once they get the hang of it, watch out!  LOVE LOVE LOVE!  The game is NOT TIMED.  It ends automatically when it knows you have no other moves.  Once you download it, YOU'LL want to play over and over again.

Because I have to get my day going, I'm going just to highlight a few more from first pic above that were featured FREE.

Although BREATHING ZONE has expired, there are some free ones out there that are pretty similar.  I love this one for my students and although I have other ways I have my kids calm down when needed, adding this is just another tool in our room.  Sometimes I put it on the projector for everyone just to breathe/relax a bit when needed but recently, when a child needs to calm down/relax, he reaches for an iPad and uses this for 5 minutes.  Great self-regulation.  One child uses it before math each day.  I don't stress he has anxiety or is stressed but the important thing is HE feels it and knows he can do something to help him if his own strategies aren't working. 

You can set it to breathing rates, pick an accompanying soothing sound, and select a female, male or no voice at all.  I took the voice off but I discovered that the voice is part of the soothing aspect for my class.  After I used it for a week, I went back to see if it were still free for a colleague and it wasn't.  But others are.  I downloaded a few and although I didn't like them as much, they are still worthwhile downloads.  I did see these accolades on the site and my sister told me that she read the Mayo Clinic uses the app.  

Baby Flash Cards: I use this for my ELL students.  Lots of categories to pick from and can show pic or VIDEO of the word given.  (Word is always read to kids.)  Glad I discovered it and it was free.  

Paper Plate:  Just FUN!  No ads. I find it soothing as soon as you hear the background music of The Entertainer. This app shows kids how to make some crafts with paper plates.  They can pick from about 15 different patterns (also spin art!) and "make" it online.  Their finished craft is then painted and brought to life.  Honestly, so sweet and well done.  If free, grab it.  The snowman coming to life cracks me up.  Seriously gives me a case of giggles when the rabbit steals his nose.

Some pics:

Picked the dog...

They show me the pieces needed and I tap on one to get started.

 After tapping on the big plate, a new screen shows it with the yellow ball on it.  Follow the dotted lines across to "cut" the piece.  Then repeat and assemble dog.

Once assembled, paint it.  Gives finger a workout!  App helpful for those in need for fine motor skills practice.

Love how it immediately brings the painted pic to life.  Each craft has different "activity."  This one: press buttons on bottom to make dog: bark, beg, play dead, fetch bone, chase robber away, catch a Frisbee and a ball.  Adorable.

Gotta run.  Going to see The Post.  I'll be back again tomorrow with more apps to share.  Hope you found at least one or two you want to try.   Download some FREE recording sheets to be used to hold kids accountable and to let parents know what apps/technology kids are using in school.  Enjoy!

Read Apps I Love Part 2

What's in Your Cart?

Hi there!  Happy TpT sale day!  I've been busy filling up my cart- mostly of clipart that I can't live without!  Also looking at some STEAM activities.  My kids get so excited when I tell them it's Science time.

To celebrate the sale, my store is not only on sale for 20% off plus the 5% off from TpT, but I want to offer my BLOG READERS a freebie that you get to pick out if you shop my store.

That's right: buy anything in my store during the sale and PICK OUT A BOOK-IT for free.  So many to select from!  Just email me or leave a message here with the one you want.  I'll verify your purchase and then send you the Book-It.

Here's what I've been working on to get ready ready for the sale:

First up: I updated my How-To and All About Writing papers.  The update was long overdue!

I have them bundled, too!

I also finally finished an ELA/Math packet for Mother Bruce!  LOVE the book!  Seriously one of my new favorites!  The packet also includes a PowerPoint on migration.  Ryan T. Higgins has written and illustrated TWO sequels and the Response Sheets in my packet are good for all three!  Kids simply circle the title of the book at the top that they are responding to.  Easy Breezy lemon squeezy!

So much is included in this packet!  

Have a great day!  Happy shopping!

SAVE THIS: MRSA, Skin Infections, Essential Oils

Hi there!  Edited this post a little to leave out names!  :)

A close friend came down with MRSA.

That.
Freaked.
Me.
Out.

Big Time.

Seriously.  A lot of people don't seem to quite grasp the seriousness of it or have even heard of it.  (Example of how serious it can be:  Two years ago, a New York Giants player contracted MRSA.  It was career-ending and they contemplated amputation of his lower leg because the infection was...well, you can only imagine.)

I'm not going to go into the whole MRSA thing because you can Google and look it up.  But what I am going to do is tell you what happened to my friend, worked for her, and has continued to work in fighting it.  (Eliminating it?)

A timeline that's important: She got a boil on her thigh. Two summer's ago.  Painful.  Hot.  Red.  Warm compressions, soaks, etc.  Didn't go to Dr. at the time.

A few months later, another boil.

A month later: Called me to say her elbow was really red.  Next day, a smallish "pimple" on KNEE looked infected.  She is not a pimply person and before this, never had boils or funky stuff.

Turns out she was diagnosed with Cellulitis which is a soft tissue infection.  Meds.  She was okay.  Drs. at the hospital felt that she might have cut herself shaving, entered in knee and traveled up to elbow.  Odd.

Two weeks later, at her Drs. appointment, her doctor recommended HIBICLENS to use 1-2 times a week.   After her reviews and researching it, I got some. Love this stuff.  Research.  I will never be without it in house and you shouldn't either.  (Must get foaming pump with it!)

Few months later:  ANOTHER Boil.  So painful she couldn't walk.  Had to have it lanced.  They didn't swab it.  Looking back, they should have.

Fast forward to 6 months later: a normal INVISIBLE spot on forehead started to bother her.  Monday morning, she felt like it was below the skin.  Maybe a TINY pimple she said.

By Wednesday, full blown BOIL that was so big, her eye was closing.  Emergency room didn't do a thing.  She found a great Dermatologist who took her right away when she said it was size of a golfball (!)  and an hour later, lanced and LOOKED fine.  Amazing how she looked!  A tiny scratch.  This Dr. swabbed it and said by looking at it and hearing about her boils/cellulitis, etc.,  she felt confident it was MRSA.

It was.

Test results came back positive.

The Dr. seemed like it wasn't a big deal but my friend wasn't taking any chances.  She had a special cream she had to use in MRSA-friendly body places and that was it.  (Now she puts the Hibiclens in those same spots once a week,)

After researching how MRSA can make tunnels under the skin (She thinks that was happening on boils) she knew she had to do something and I was happy to research for her.

NOTE: As scary as it was, after Googling and seeing IMAGES of MRSA infections, I knew hers was pretty "mild" but the pics of what could be scared the heck out of me.  Google MRSA images at own risk.

I researched essential oils and came up with an Essential Oil recipe that I swear has been a miracle. FOR ANY SKIN INFECTION.  Seriously, over the last year, I cannot tell you how many people have used the spray for ALL SORTS of skin problems and it's cleared them up.  Friend has had a few hard "spots" appear and taking no chances, she sprays them and they are gone the next day.

I will never be without the following recipe:

In a small SPRAY bottle  (Not a roll on since it's used for infections and you don't want to share roll-ons) I added 20 drops of each of the following:

Lavender, Tea Tree, Frankincense, Lemongrass, Thyme, Oregano, Thieves, RC, and topped with Fractionated Coconut Oil (No smell!), shake gently and spray directly on area when needed.

In the last two weeks, it has cleared up a friend's infected fingernail, boils on my colleague's 15 YO son who wrestles. eczema on my niece, and used on a friend's nasty scrape from falling off a bike.  (Not infected but probably would have been!)

The oregano, lemongrass and Thyme are HUGE anti-bacterial oils. (I finally understood Perdue Chicken commercial: "We don't use antibiotics on are chickens.  Instead, we feed them oregano.")  Everyone knows about the benefits of Tree Tee.  All the oils above are awesome!  Together, they really work well.  THIEVES is probably best known oil.  Research it!

I also read that you should diffuse with above oils (minus the coconut oil) on a regular basis and my friend has gently swabbed nose area too as that's where lots of MRSA colonize.

We used Young Living Oils but as long as it's 100% oils with nothing added, you should have same results.  (Eden's Garden?  doTerra?) I wouldn't buy supermarket ones but I would buy from any of the trusted companies out there.  I'm sure there are a lot more companies out there that are awesome that I'm just not aware of.

If you are still reading, we also learned about the amazing healing powers of MANUKA Honey.  Look it up.  If someone has a wound that isn't healing (diabetics, MRSA patients) buy some of this.  I spent $45 on a smallish jar and have it on hand "just in case" for my family.  Seriously, look up MANUKA honey.  Amazing.  I used it on a sore throat for a few days and loved it.

NOTE:  I've been using oils for about two years now.  My family, in the beginning, didn't buy too much  into them.  Now?  Let's just say they are all believers. (My husband gets terrible poison ivy.  Nothing stops it except this combination of oils someone made for him. )  OILS mentioned above should be RESEARCHED before used.  Oils are STRONG and ones like OREGANO above can be dangerous on kids.  A little goes a long way.  (Please research oils!  PLEASE!  For example, if you get oil in eyes, NO RINSING WITH WATER!  Some oils are PHOTOSENSITIVE too.  You can get a TERRIBLE burn if you have them on in the sun.

NOTE: When I first used Peppermint oil, I applied it to my rash I had from an allergic reaction to meds.  My itching was intense and the Peppermint oil was INSTANT RELIEF.  I loved the smell and cool sensation.  I used it for 5 days straight and without mixing with a carrier oil.  On the sixth day,  I could feel my skin burning inside. Like a terrible sunburn inside my legs.  I didn't know I was supposed to add a carrier oil and called my friend who promptly informed me.   I immediately went to store and slathered it on and (I use coconut oil) the burning instantly stopped.  That's why I urge you to research first and proceed with caution.  I seriously could have had serious burns and damaged some organs if I kept slathering it on my legs and used on torso where itching was just starting.

Don't let the above story scare you off.  Just EDUCATE yourself and you'll be fine.

NOTE: Lots of people I know INGEST oils in capsules or add to tea.  NOT ME.  Never.  After researching, this isn't something I want to take a chance on at all.

I hope you never need this information or spray but if you find yourself with a nagging skin infection or something more serious, know there is help.

What's that Greenish, Ghoulish Glow?

We finally made Jasper from

 Creepy Pair of Underwear!

Aren't they adorable?

We had a blast making them while listening to WEE SING Halloween on Spotify!  A must!

Right in the middle of making Jasper, I spotted a GHOULISH, GREENISH, GLOW coming from 

under the desks.  No...REALLY!

(Who knew there was not REMOTE CONTROLLED sneakers that changed colors with the press of a button!  Could my little one have planned her sneaker choice any better that day?  I think not!

I have a little writing assignment to go along with this craft and I took a picture of a few of the responses:

Other popular responses:  Taking a shower instead of a bath, swallowing a pill instead of getting it crushed in applesauce, and using the microwave.  I would have snapped a few more pics of responses but I was out of space on my phone.  AGAIN!  UGH!  

Check out my packet if interested in making Jasper and doing some activities to go along with the FABO book!  I've read it to my class four times already!

Boo to You!

Enjoy this clip art Freebie!! 
I cannot believe October is just a few days away!  Now THAT'S SCARY!

Creepy Pair of Underwear Fun!

I cannot tell you how much I love Aaron Reynold's and Peter Brown's book, A Creepy Pair of Underwear!  So much fun! The illustrations (Peter Brown) crack me up.  It's a companion book to the Caldecott Honor book, Creepy Carrots, which my kiddos love as much as I do!  There should be a HEE HEE Award! This is totally worthy!  There are a few readings on YouTube.  I love the "creepy" one above!  FUN!

It's a companion book to Creepy Carrots.  Lots of time the second book doesn't quite live up to expectations but this one was spot on.  I've read it to some little ones (not my class...waiting a few weeks) and they rolled around belly laughing.  LOVED IT!  It's going to be THE OCTOBER BOOK this year although you can read it anytime.  Trust me, you'll be rereading to your kids throughout the year.

I made a packet (80 pages of ELA/MATH) that's available here if you want to check it out.  It's on sale for the next 48 hours so grab it on sale if interested.  It includes a a Jasper and underwear craft above with a cute writing activity.  (Jasper's not a little bunny more. I"m growing up. too!  I can...) The ones above were done by my friend's third grade class as she already shared the book. She didn't yet send me her bulletin board pics with the writing attached but I'm eager to see it!

Here are preview pages:

I cannot wait to share it with my class!  Speaking of my Fabo Firsties, I am thrilled with my class! What sweet kids!  It's only been a week but they are caring, work well together, work hard, and laugh at all my jokes!  Really sweeties!  My day flies by so you know it's a great group!

Have a great week, everyone!  No, have a CREEPY, FUN week!  :)