Technology Toolbox

This week I'm sharing some tools I've found that are helping me get rid of my paper piles.  

Today let's tackle the homework pile.  

Are you tired of getting piles of crumpled, coffee stained papers each day?  
Do you long for a desk that is free from straggling homework that didn't make it in on time?   
Then let me introduce you to... 

If you haven't heard of it you are in for a treat.

The kids love it because it lets them choose an avatar, chat with their friends on the class wall, and earn badges and rewards.  

I love it because it is aligned with the CCSS, grades their work, monitors their progress, and sends me a report! (what's not to love?)  

There are many more features to check out so scoot on over and take a look.  Oh, and did I mention that it's FREE!  There are premium features but the free account is amazing.  

Your kiddos can download the ScootPad App to use on their devices and if you are all fancy schmancy like Mrs. Wills you can use them on your classroom iPads!

Remember me?

The last time we "talked" I was still enjoying the sweet days of summer.  You know the days.  The days when you can sleep in, and your house is clean, and the dinner choices aren't pizza, chicken nuggets, or pizza.  Those days seem so far away now...and life is just SO busy!  

Today I took a break and met up with some other great bloggers from Georgia.  I'm so glad I did, because now I am motivated to get back on track!  Now, between the planning, grading, and pizza ordering I am going to post!    

This week I'm going to share a few things I have found to make my life easier.  Can I get an amen?  I have a paper problem (totally unrelated to my obsessive book buying problem) and I'm tired of shuffling piles.  

Don't get me wrong, I know how to organize and I can do some damage with the hole puncher.  I have the notebooks, and tabs, and sticky notes, and tabs (did I mention that I have tabs?) but I have 60 kiddos so there are a lot of notebooks and sheet protectors flying around and I.am.over.it.  

I have been on a mission to go as paperless as possible.  Not long ago I came across planbook.com, and let me tell you I {puffy} heart this online planbook.  

Here's a little screenshot of what the plans look like for the week:

I can type in my plans, link to all my resources (how cool is that?), and add the standards by choosing from a drop down menu.  Best of all...NO PAPER!  It only costs $1.00 a month, and in my opinion it's worth every last penny!  You can get a free 30 day trial, but let me warn you...you will get hooked!  There are other helpful features as well as video tutorials on how to set it up, so go check it out.  

One notebook down and more to go!  

What tools have you found to help with the piles?  I'd love to hear your tips!