Assessing with Technology

Hey there!
I recently (as in *ahem* months ago kind of recently) found two new websites that are very effective for assessing.  The first one is Kahoot. I'll post about the other one later.

I LOVE Kahoot! It is a super fun, competitive, response game which you can do quizzes, discussions, or surveys on.  Students compete against each other and then you can download data immediately afterwards.  I used to use Clickers in the classroom, but what a pain! The batteries would be dead half the time or there wouldn't be enough clickers for all the students... All the students need here is any kind of electronic device that connects to the internet (iPods, iPads, cell phones, etc).

Another great component is the Public Kahoots option. You can use any other Kahoot that another teacher has created and there are some great ones. Just search specifically what you are looking for and then check the box on the right saying that you only want to see Kahoots that are made by teachers only.

I am a definite Kahooter and have even trained some of our staff in my district on it because I love it so much.  Check it out, you won't regret it!

Around Here...

I absolutely love fall which is ironic since I currently live in Phoenix that does not resemble anything autumnal whatsoever. Just because it's 90 degrees outside doesn't mean I can't dream of cute fall outfits with fun colored tights, sweaters, and hot coffee... right?

 Here are some iPhone snapshots of what's been happening around here:

Greek Festival - Phoenix

Fur Babies

Glass Blowing Class

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! 

But It's A Dry Heat...

You guys... it's really hot here. I know everyone says that in the summer, but here in Phoenix it is REALLY hot. Today I was in and out of volcanic cars all day long and I thought I was going to burst into flames.

I'm so glad that I have gotten a few choice items recently that make the summer slightly more bearable.  I bought this beautifully flouncy cardigan from Modcloth recently and it is everything that I wanted and more for the summer. It's light enough where I hardly notice I am wearing it, but covers enough so that I am not constantly stressing out my cafeteria lady arms.

Also the fabulous people at Jord sent me a beautifully made wooden watch - in love! What I love about it the most is that is so light because it is made from wood. All of their watches are completely swoon worthy. Normally I am not a watch person because I am constantly flicking it on my wrist trying to get it comfortable and not to stick to my skin in this heat, but this one is for keeps people.

Cardigan from Modcloth; Jeans from Torrid; Glasses from Bonlook; Watch c/o Wood Watches by Jord; Necklace by The Shine Project 

I started work this past week and this weekend was filled with everything I didn't get to doing during the week. It's amazing when mundane errands like going to the bank, post office, or grocery store end up being your whole weekend! Luckily I got to see an old friend this morning for breakfast and catching up is the best. :)

Have a wonderful week friends! Wooden Watches For Sale

Flagstaff or Bust

A few weekends ago, George and I had a weekend getaway to Flagstaff.  It served several purposes and was exactly what we needed.  My mother passed away around 8 months ago and her birthday was on June 27th.  Needless to say, I knew I needed to get out of town and have be distracted. We also needed to desperately escape the Phoenix heat and have some quiet alone time just the two of us.

We booked a cute little vintage trailer to stay in through Airbnb and it took every bit of strength I had not to hitch that thing on the back of our car and take it with us! It was *sigh* completely adorable.  I need to get a vintage trailer stat.

The mornings were definitely my favorite. Waking up lazily taking our time with no internet, TV, or cell phone service to interrupt.

We took one day to venture to La Posada in Winslow, Arizona. I have a HUGE crush on this place. It is absolutely beautiful and, honestly, my pictures don't do it justice. If you are within a 500 mile radius of La Posada just go to it and you will thank me.  Read more about it here. :)

We ate in the Turquoise Room in the La Posada hotel and it was un-freaking-believable. I can't even talk - I am having a moment here.

Here's a few other random snap shots from the trip including the rodeo with my lovely friend Maria and spending some time downtown shopping and eating.

It was the best medicine anyone could prescribe for what we needed and I know I will never forget our lovely weekend in our little trailer.

4th of July Fun

It's hard to be motivated to celebrate a predominately outside holiday in the middle of July in Phoenix, but we tried to pretend like it wasn't 109 degrees outside and enjoy it with much gusto!  Our celebration was pretty low-key, but it was perfect and just what we needed.

I had seen this tutorial on A Beautiful Mess and wanted to try it out with my Nikon J2. It was super fun! I only wish that I had thought ahead of time of some cooler patterns to do because when the time came I felt myself a little stunted for inspiration.

According to the tutorial, you slow your shutter speed to a 10 second exposure. After wrestling with my camera manual for a time longer than I am going to admit to you, I finally got the hang of it. You definitely need a chair or tripod to steady the camera other wise it turns into a blurry mess. Unless you have strongman arms then I am super impressed.

Here are some smoke bombs, just because it feels right. Who doesn't love a good smoke bomb?

I also made this strawberry poke cake.  I was a little hesitant about this, apparently it's a big thing and I have never heard of it.  It was pretty tasty! I didn't hate it. Sorry for the poorly lit picture.

What did you all do to celebrate July 4th?

Currently July

Linking up with Farley's July Currently!

All of mine kind of go together, but we are moving this weekend and I am so excited and nervous all at the same time. If you have read my blog, you know that my husband and I have been living with my mother in law for a few months.  I am so excited to just see my things - it's funny how attached you get to your "stuff" when it's been in storage for months.

We are moving into a significantly smaller home (about 850 square feet, yikes!).  I actually wanted to go small in hopes that it would force us to purge our junk and focus on living more simplistically yet meaningfully.   It might end up exploding in my face and meaning that we live like hoarders for a few years, but hopefully we can embrace the challenge ahead!  I've had this book in my library queue for FOREVER, but I heard that it is total inspiration for decluttering.

Has anyone read it??

Tonight I am making tostadas so we will see how they taste. I had eaten them at a friend's house before so I am hoping that I can replicate their righteous tastiness. Haha, yes you read that correctly! Righteous... ;)