Apps that earn YOU money! :)

The "Back to School" time of year is typically money tight for most people.

Well....breathe a sigh of relief...because.....

I am here to tell you about a few apps (four actually) that will alleviate the stress on your budget....and actually earn you money!

These apps are free.  No gimmicks.  No tricks.  And....they legit work!

In fact, I wouldn't share them if they were a scam.  I personally use all four of them! :)

Here are the four apps that you should download right now!

1.  Ibotta

Ibotta is an app that pays you for certain purchases.  Basically, you buy something, scan the bar-code of the product, take a picture of your receipt and upload it to Ibotta.  

I primarily use this app for grocery shopping.....but you can also use it for restaurants, apparel, beauty, electronics, travel and pets!

This is my favorite money earning app of the four!  It's my fav. because you can link your Ibotta account to your Paypal...which makes money earned super easy to access!  PLUS...you don't have to earn a minimum in order to transfer to Paypal.  If you earn $1.00....you can transfer the $1.00!  ALSO....Ibotta has rebates for items you really do use....like fresh produce, milk, bread, etc!

Oh...and there is a teamwork component.  If your friends redeem rebates via Ibotta, you can earn extra money just because they are using the app.  Everyone earns....and wins! 

Check out Ibotta's website to learn more, by clicking here! Sign up for Ibotta by clicking here.

 2. Snap by Groupon

Snap by Groupon, is very similar to Ibotta.  You purchase qualifying products, snap your receipt and upload it to Snap to earn cash.

I must admit .....this money earning app is my least favorite of the four.

I say this because you are limited to only grocery products.  The rebates that are available are usually specific brands (unlike Ibotta which offers generic rebates on customer favorites like bread, eggs or milk).  For example you have to buy Quaker Oat Squares to earn cash back, compared to a generic "buy any cereal" rebate.

Additionally, you have to earn $20 before you can ever cash out.  Snap will mail you a check when you reach $20....so no easy access to the money you have earned.  Nonetheless.....you do still earn money!

Check out Snap's website to learn more, by clicking here.  Sign up for Snap by clicking here!

3. Checkout 51

Checkout 51 is pretty identical to Snap.  Like Snap, Checkout 51 can earn you cash for grocery purchases.  Checkout 51 also makes you wait until you earn $20 before you can cash out.....and they also send you a check.

I like Checkout 51 a teeny tiny bit better than Snap because they offer generic rebates with more frequency.  Checkout 51's rebates go live on Thursday and expire the following Wednesday....which means there is more variety in the rebates and new ones will appear each week.

To learn more about Checkout 51 click here.  To sign up for Checkout 51, click here!

4. Shopkick

Shopkick is quite a bit different than the above apps.  Instead of earning cash for rebates, you earn points (although with Shopkick they are called "kicks") that can be cashed in for gift cards or products. 

When I first heard of this app, I thought the gift cards would be lame.....but they are actually pretty awesome!  You can earn gift cards for Lowes, Target, Starbucks, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Sephora Cheesecake Factory, etc.  

To earn "kicks" you complete various tasks.  The easiest way to earn "kicks" is by opening the app when you walk into a retailer that has paired with Shopkick.  You can also earn "kicks" by scanning certain product bar-codes throughout the store (no need to buy--all you have to do is scan!).  If you want--you can purchase products through Shopkick to earn kicks---but this isn't necessary--all the other ways of earning "kicks" are free!

This app is my second favorite (behind Ibotta).  I felt kinda silly competing Shopkick tasks at first....but when I got my first reward, it made it all worth it! It's easy to do....and there are great prizes!

To learn more about Shopkick, click here.  To sign up for Shopkick, click here!

So......what are you waiting for.....GO GET THESE APPS!

Comprehension Website--Read Theory!

I don't know about you all......but I feel as though the world wide web is lacking in quality reading websites. Not that there isn't any great sites....but it seems as though all of the quality websites available only cater to K-2 aged students as opposed to the upper elementary-middle school grades. These K-2 sites are awesome for kids learning how to read, but I want a website to reinforce and supplement reading comprehension!

Well I may have found it...... (thanks TPT forums!)

A while back, I briefly blogged about the website called Read Theory.  Yo can read the quick post by clicking here.

I love this FREE comprehension website, and I pinky swore I would write a more in-depth blog post about it.  Well...fast forward 2 months....and I am finally ready to blog about it! Sheesh.....time flies, right?!?

Anyway.... Read Theory is a wonderful free educational tool.  Once teachers set up a class, their students instantly gain access to thousands of leveled reading passages.

Teachers have the ability to set each students initial reading level, which ensures each student starts with text that is appropriate for them!

As the student progresses through the program, Read Theory adapts the student's reading level. Meaning....if a student scores 90% or higher on a quiz, their reading level goes up and passages get harder.  If a student scores 70-89% on a quiz, their level remains the same, thus passages remain the same.  The level will decrease if the student scores 69% or less, consequently passages will decrease in difficulty.

A student's reading level progression graph. This student started out at a third grade reading level and has progressed to the sixth grade! :)  Yay!

The program basically runs itself!  YES!!!!

Oh..... and teachers receive TONS of valuable data!!!  DOUBLE YES!!!!

Read Theory  gives you two types of data: whole class and individual.  All results are based on mastery of common core skills.

 

This is a whole class snapshot of reading level progressions.  Each blue bar represents a student.  Three data points are reported: initial reading level, current reading level and average reading level. 

Picture is another whole class snapshot on common core standards.  If the class average rises above 80% the bars turn green, if an average falls below 70% the bars turn red. 

For individual student data, Read Theory provides the teacher with a detailed record on each passage and quiz a student has taken.

If you click on the the blue quiz number on the right side of the screen (see picture below), you are able to read the exact passage and questions the student was given.  It also provides the teacher with the how the student answered each question, (i.e. whether they got a question right or wrong.)

Talk about awesome data---and great information for student-teacher conferences!!

Another helpful piece of data is the individual report on how students are progressing in terms of common core skill mastery.
 

So obviously the teacher gets lots of feedback.....BUT....what about the students?!?!

Don't worry---they get tons of feed back too.  AND--it is instant!

While taking a quiz, if a student answers a question incorrectly.... Read Theory helps them discover why....

See this website is pretty great, isn't' it! AND...its for older kids!  WAAAHOOO!

Now....I must admit that not all of my students are motivated (insert big gasp).....so I try to sweeten the pot a little by having a simple little contest.  And it is simple. Very simple!  

I have a little spot on my marker board that says "Leaders." 

Fancy, huh?!?

Every two weeks, the top three leaders get a prize.  Sometimes they get a mini-pop, a bag of popcorn or even 10 minutes of free-time.   

This simple little contest really motivates my kiddos.....not only does it motivate them to read more passages in order to take more quizzes, but it also motivates them to do well.  If a student does well, Read Theory awards bonus points. 

Keeping track of the leaders is super easy, because Read Theory does that for me.  All I have to do is look up how may points each of my students has scored in the last two weeks.....and update my board! 

I hope you get a chance to check out the website......let me know if you have any questions!

Katie

Snow Day!!!!

The snow gods have answered my prayers........

Our school district finally got a snow day today!  Yipee!!  But....you know what's even better......

We get ANOTHER snow day tomorrow!  Whoop Whoop!!

I have pretty much spent today doing a whole lot of nothing, but tomorrow I plan to actually get something accomplished. Ha!

Well I suppose I did accomplish a few things---like play around with a new app that I am completely obsessed with.  It's called InstaText.

I have always wondered how people get cute text on their pictures......and now I have the answer. InstaText!  It is basically like Instagram on steroids, because you still have the ability to play around with the lighting in your photos (classic Instagram)...but with InstaText you can add all sorts of cute text in a variety of fonts, stamps, and frames!!   Of course it is free......

Here is one of my InstaText creations.....

How cute is this picture of my puppy?  Adorbs, right?

So if you have some spare time---download the app!  I am thinking it would be perfect for bloggers who want to add their blog address/name to their pictures before they pin.  Just an idea....

Katie

Website Wednesday--Newsela

Happy Hump Day Y'all!!

Today I had a SUPER day---not just because we are over the midweek hump---but because I was able to attend (for free!!) a reading conference.  Not only was it for free (how often do teachers get to go to free conferences---ummm....hello...never) but it was really, really good!!

It was kind of a last minute deal--but I last week I received an email with a "complimentary ticket" for a Really Great Reading presentation on helping adolescent readers decode.  This type of conference was right. up. my. alley!  If you have time you should check out the website, because they have some awesome free resources for teachers.

I promise to blog more about some of the things I learned today--but it will have to be later, so all of my thinking can soak in.

I do want to share another great website.

Its called:  Newsela

Newsela is a wonderful website to supplement your current ELA classroom.  This is a FREE website where students have the ability to read current events that are written at a variety of reading levels.

There is truly something for every student---as students get to pick from seven different categories of non fiction text (War & Peace, Science, Kids, Money, Arts, Law, and Health).  Additionally, there are comprehension quizzes students can take after they are finished reading a particular text.  Not all articles, have quiz...but the vast majority do.

And if I haven't already convinced you to check this site out---there is a place where teachers can track their students progress and see the scores students are getting on their quizzes.  This makes grading a snap!!

Another helpful tool for teachers is this little symbol:

Newsela, puts that in the corner of an article to let teachers know what Reading Anchor Standard their student will be working on while reading the article. Thank you Newsela!

Check it out---it is worth your time!!

~Katie

P.S. I must admit--I didn't find this site.  My district's Director of Learning did---and she passed it on to us. I love how she passes on great websites to us!! :)

Website Wednesday

Before I reveal my website for Website Wednesday....I have to share my excitement for what tomorrow brings.  Tomorrow, I (and many others) will be attending the Kansas MTSS Symposium!!!  I wish you could see my face right no-- because my grin is stretching from ear to ear!!!

The Kansas MTSS Symposium is a HUGE conference that brings together teachers and administrators from all over the state of Kansas in order to strengthen instruction for all students.   It is a fabulous three day affair where I will be blessed to hear presentations from some of education's best and brightest ---we are talking national speakers from all over the US!!  Can you sense my enthusiasm?!?!  AHHHHH I can barely stand it!!!

I am most excited to see Anita Archer---she is one of my reading instruction idols!  Have you heard of her?  I am currently using one of her resources (Sopris Rewards) with my tier 3 kiddos.  The resource is paying off, as I have seen remarkable improvement in my students ability to decode multi-syllabic words.  Their fluency and confidence has also increased.  Do you think it would be lame to try and get a picture with her.....maybe even her autograph?!?  Maybe that would be creepy......

I promise I will blog about all I have learned :) So....stay tuned

Now on to the website. :)

I feel as though there are a multitude of reading diagnostics to assist teachers in diagnosing students' reading needs.....but what is there for math?  What is out there to help teachers determine math weaknesses in their students?  Lucky for you I have discovered a free diagnostic math website.  Yep--FREE!  Yep---a MATH diagnostic. :)  The website is called Math Reasoning Inventory.

Math Reasoning Inventory is directly tied to Common Core and allows you to discover how your students think and reason through math.  The MRI instant report is perfect to inform your instruction, organize intervention groups and awesome to share with parents.  You are able to enroll 160 students on the website--and it is FREE!!

I don't know all the ins and outs of the website---but I was just so excited I had FINALLY found a math diagnostic!!

Have a great night....I hope I can sleep...I feel like it is Christmas Eve!!

Katie

Website Wednesday

I hope all my readers and fellow bloggers out there have had a great start to their school year!!  We have been in session for almost 2 weeks....but according to my body, it feels like much longer.  I always forget how tired I am at the start of the school year.  I just can't seem to get down a good routine.....and I just feel worn out!  I am plum tired by the time the bell rings at 3:55.  I am looking forward to the day when I feel rested....will that ever come?!? Ha!

For this edition of Website Wednesday I am going to provide you with some great keyboarding sites!  

But first---let me give you the background story......if you don't care to read it....scroll to the bottom of this blog post for your keyboarding websites. :) 

Our district has been pretty thorough about mapping CCSS for both ELA and math.  One of the many focuses our district has this year, is on Writing Anchor Standard #6.  This standard basically says students need to use technology and the internet to produce and publish writing--hello keyboarding!!!  

Before jumping headfirst---our district wanted some specific goals....so we researched some already developed standards.  We looked at Davis School District in Utah and Arlington Independent School District in Texas. Click the picture below to take you to their websites---they have some fabulous technology standards!!

Thanks to these awesome districts, our district was able to come up with district keyboarding standards. For example in fifth grade, students will need to master home row keys and type 25 words per minute with at least 80% accuracy.  We quickly realized we needed to figure out a way to get these kiddos to type...and they needed to practice often!!!

Unfortunately we don't have a technology teacher at the elementary schools...so we have to squeeze keyboarding into our instructional day.   Therefore, our district needed a cheap and easy way to practice keyboarding in lower grades.

Below are some great sites (that we found) to practice keyboarding!  The best part is they are all free!!! So if you are in need of keyboarding practice.....here are your websites!


1.  DanceMat Typing:

2. Barracuda

3. Freetypinggame.net

4. Doorway Online

5. Power Typing

Website Wednesday

I am always on the hunt for a great game website to easily incorporate into my classroom.....and I think I found a great one with Grammaropolis!

Students can easily practice parts of speech with this interactive website.  Kids of all ages can play games, watch videos, read books, take quizzes and listen to songs over nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions and interjections.  I mean---what more could you want?!?!

Most of the items on the website are free, however some require a paid membership. 

Check it out and see what you think :)

Katie

Website Wednesday

Do you ever have kids ask you questions that you just don't have an answer for.....

I sure do!!  I am hoping other teachers experience this too---or I may find myself back in college, haha :)  Let's face it--kids are naturally curious and their growing minds always come up with great (and some cra-zay)questions!  The most recent question I had was, "Mrs. Orr what would a cross between a wiener dog and a Yorkie be called?" Any answer for that one????

         

Anyway.... kids can put their inquisitive thoughts to good use on the website Wonderopolis.

Wonderopolis is a fabulous site that presents a "Wonder of the Day" every day of the year!  For example today's wonder was: Where is the Big Dipper?  Some past wonders have been: Does every rose have a thorn?  How do you paddle board? What is martial arts? Why do monkeys love bananas?

All of the past wonders are saved to the site---so you can scroll through and discover almost anything!  The site is user friendly and has the wonders organized by category--so you are just a click away from making your brain grow!! :)

Each wonder has informational text to read about the wonder, a way to "try it out", great visuals and wonder words!  I love, love, love the wonder words part---perfect for word walls, practicing decoding/word attack skills or even word work!

The best part is that kids can nominate their own wonder!!  How cool would it be for a student to see his/her question get picked for a "Wonder of the Day!"

Do some exploring and see what you think. And, hey, if you don't like it---at least your kids have a place to ask crazy questions! :)

Katie

Website Wednesday (One day late....)

Nothing can beat the feeling of helping someone in need!!  Personally, lending a helping hand is always a great reminder to me on just how fortunate I am.  As a teacher, it is not only my job to teach students the content and curriculum---but also how to be a caring citizen.  

With that being said, allow me to introduce you to the website Freerice.com!  Free rice serves double duty!  First students gain valuable practice on skills in math, English, humanities, chemistry, foreign language, geography, science and SAT prep----AND---secondly, by practicing those skills  they are helping to provide nourishment to starving people all over the world!

For every 10 question a student answers correctly, FreeRice donates 10 grains of rice through the World Hunger Programme to help combat world hunger.

The site allows you to create a group---which makes it easy to track how many grains of rice your students (maybe even your whole school!!) has donated.  There are even lesson plans for each subject area, and certificates you can print out and give your students.

Next time your students have downtime---let them get on to FreeRice and help people all over the world!

Katie

Website Wednesday

Where is spring?  Here in Kansas, we have had three days of cold, rain, sleet and snowflakes!  I probably shouldn't complain---I can't go outside and enjoy the weather anyway.  Instead I get to enjoy the bright fluorescent lights of my classroom. :)  hehehehe...

The website I want to showcase today is called Kerpoof. :) 

It is a great website, and I used it a lot when I taught fourth grade---as the kids really seemed to enjoy it.  I haven't used it as an interventionist, but only because I have such little time with my struggling readers.

 

Some of the features of the website are:

•  Free lesson plans for a variety of disciplines, from math and science to social studies and foreign languages.
• Free teacher accounts where you can register your students and assign them in specific classes.
• A class message board
• Student chat
• Kerpoof lessons and activities have been cross referenced with national and state standards
• Variety of games
• Students can create art, movies, stories, pictures, etc

I hope you have time to explore it!

 

Katie



We Give Books

We have done it!  We have made it half way through the week. :) Yeah!  And...not only is it the middle of the week, it is also time for Website Wednesday!!

As a reading specialist, I am always looking for ways to build our school's literacy lab.  Our literacy lab is where we house reading resources for the whole school that any teacher can borrow at anytime.  We have novel sets, reading theater plays, Reading A-Z books, National Geographic magazines, etc.  All reading materials are organized by reading level....so teachers can easily select an appropriate text for their whole class instruction, novel groups, or small groups.

Recently, I stumbled upon this GREAT website that will help me in my mission to build the literacy lab. Not only can it help my school...but it could also help your school earn FREE BOOKS!  The website is called We Give Books.

When you sign up for a free account at We Give Books; students, teachers and parents can view children's books online for free.  The books that are available aren't boring books---but rather  popular books---that students would enjoy.  Readability of the books are ages 0-10.  Did I mention it is free? 

 

Another great thing about We Give Books is that when you sign up you can read for a certain cause.  Every time you, or a student reads a book online---a book is donated to the cause of your choice.  Until April 5th---you can select "Read for my School." and earn the books for your school (after you register your school of course---but it is not hard...don't worry)!  I know April 5th is literally right around the corner and you probably don't have time to earn a lot of free books---but We Give Books does this every year----so----make sure you sign up for this next year!  However... go ahead and visit the site and start earning books for another worthy cause!

Katie
                            



Spring break is over......sad!

My oh my......I feel like the last week has been a whirlwind! I hate to describe it that way, because I wasn't even at school...it was spring break! Nonetheless....it was still VERY busy.....therefore I had no time to blog! Sheesh....this is terrible....I am only on my fifth blog post and I am already coming up with excuses as to why I couldn't blog!! Goodness.....

So I guess I will get you all up to speed......two weeks ago our school had parent teacher conferences. From my standpoint the conferences went well. As the reading specialist in the school, I only participate in conferences when the teachers ask me to be there. Our school has an "open house policy" when it comes to conferences and teachers are available for four hours two nights. Parents just stop by when they can.....instead of having a set time slot. So, I am sort of on call....when a teacher needs me he/she can call down to my room and I am available. I maybe had two or three conferences....so for the rest of the time I was in meetings and working with our other district reading specialists on a "reading progressions document." I promise to reveal it when I am finished with it....and I am really close!

Last week was spring break, and my family was able to take a much needed vacation to Tennessee to visit my sister! We had a great time....minus the long 10 hour drive it takes to get from Kansas to TN! We spent three days in Nashville and visited the Hermitage (home of Andrew Jackson), the Parthenon, Opry Mills....and even went zip lining! Fun, fun fun!!

One thing I meant to do over spring break (besides blog) was to make more products for my Teachers Pay Teachers store....which I didn't have time for! Ugh! However I did stumble upon a great website for free fonts!! Not only are the fonts free.... but you can search for "free commercial use fonts" under the font categories tab. All of the fonts that pop up under that search, you can use when you make products to sell! Soooo.....for all of you TPT sellers....this is a great resource for fonts when you make TPT products! Make sure to search "free commercial use fonts."!!! We don't want any lawbreakers...

http://www.1001fonts.com/


Well....spring break has come to an end.....and work awaits me tomorrow! We have 37 days of school left....and I hope my kids can continue to make great gains!!


Katie

Website Wednesday :)

Wow…two blog posts back to back….I am pretty impressed with myself.  Haha.

 

Anyway….. I have decided to start a trend every Wednesday called “Website Wednesday.”   Every Wednesday I will provide you (my fabulous readers) with an amazing website that is floating out there in cyberspace.

 

So…..the first website for “Website Wednesday” is:

 

Easy CBM--- http://www.easycbm.com/

 

At Easy CBM anyone can sign up for a free account.  Once signed up you are able to download FREE fluency and comprehension passages that are perfect for progress monitoring your students. Easy CBM doesn’t just have reading resources---but also math resources.  These tools are for K-12, so it is a fit for all grade levels.

 

In addition to all of the free monitoring probes, Easy CBM allows you to set up your class on their website---that way you can track each student’s progress.

 

In my district we use AimsWeb to progress monitor students, so we don’t have a huge need to use EasyCBM; however it is a nice resource to have for extra practice.  I have printed off all of the passages and have my students practice them once or twice a week....especially before a progress monitor test.  This extra fluency practice puts their heads in the right spot! If your district doesn’t have a tool to progress monitor students…..you should definitely check out EasyCBM!!! 

 

Katie