Reality and Giveaway

I recently wrote this short note....

Every single August for at least a decade I feel the same way.  Bummed the summer is ending. Wishing I could live amongst big mountains.  And excited about returning to school.  Talk about bittersweet.  Man, I feel like I'm living a tug-o-war.

Hence, my bad attitude lately.  I'm a curmudgeon - a word a didn't even know how to spell until right now. Like one second ago now.

Part of the problem is I spent my summer living like this photo below in Western North Carolina, chasing waterfalls, and swimming in that state's exhilarating rivers.  Miss O agreed; western NC is delightful.

To get over my bad self, Jackie and I are going bananas and giving away our ebook for free.  Yep, you heard me.  F-R-E-E.  Why?  Because it was her idea and she's crazy.  I'm a curmudgeon (which I just had to look up again to spell correctly).  And, it is the beginning of the school year.  If there is one thing we educators need to transition from summer to back-to-school, it is good ideas and some ease.  Our ebook is full of good ideas and ease (Oh, my! Now, I am an arrogant curmudgeon).  But really, our ebook is full of 50+ teaching strategies to easily use with kids, teens and adults.

Please go download our ebook for free.  It would decrease my bad attitude and would make the school year for you (or an educator you know) less bad attitude-y and more awesome.  To do so, go to www.hellostrategies.com and add an ebook to your cart.  Then, use this code to score it for free:

LETTHEFUNBEGIN2016 (expires August 21st, 2016)

If you don't teach, but know someone who does, please share this blog post with them.  We need less curmudgeons in the world - especially curmudgeons who work as educators.  Can you think of a worse combination - a curmudgeon who teaches?!

Oh, my -

Jen

Graduates, This is For You!

Dear Graduates -

Jackie and I feel the same way......

To celebrate all of the graduates in teacher education across the world, we are giving away 100 ebooks for free!  Yep.  You heard us correctly.  Giving em' away!

If you are a graduate in teacher education or you know a graduate who will be working with students (of any age - we don't age-discriminate here), go to www.hellostrategies.com and download your free Hello, Teaching Strategies ebook using the code: yourockgraduate2016.  Our ebook is full of 50+, ready-to-go teaching strategies ideal for grades K-16 students.  Half of the strategies are classics we've adapted; the other half are all new!

To claim your ebook, very simply, add our ebook to your shopping cart and when it is time to check-out, type in the discount code:  yourockgraduate2016.  Your ebook will be totally free!  The code expires June 30th, 2016, so don't delay, ok? Plus, we are giving away just 100 copies, so go now, so you can claim yours and be part of the 100 ebook graduation giveaway celebration!

Once you claim your free ebook, you'll be prompted for your name and email address.  The ebook download is automatically sent to you via the email address you entered.

Graduates, we are so excited you are embarking on the next leg of your teaching journey.  We know you have so much promise and will have a fantastically positive impact on your future students.

We adore you,
Jen and Jackie

Shaxi iPad Case Review & Giveaway

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!  CONGRATS TO OUR WINNER, K. REUSCH!

Ready for a review and a giveaway?!  Woot!  Did someone say give-a-way?!  It's been a while since we've done both on Upcycled Education.

First, meet my new friend.  The Shaxi iPad Case from Looptworks (retail $85).  I. love. this. case.  (I think that sums up my review).  But, seriously, look. at. it.

The Shaxi is made from all upcycled leather!  Yes, you heard me.  That leather was on its way to the dump - it was tossed out scrap leather - and now, it is our family's coveted iPad case - taking the place of our old, blue, roll-up case I paid $50 for at the Apple store (or was that Target) - you know, the $50 case that is falling apart.  Piece of junk - that old case.

But, the Shaxi?  Come on....Look at those lines....Look at the color blocking......

Look at how at how sturdy she is built.....Lil O can drag that Shaxi and iPad around the house and it is totally protected.  

And my very favorite part is this.....the Shaxi can stand up on its own and adjust to numerous angles. Sure most iPad cases can do that, but from my experience most of the other cases aren't as sturdy when they do - the other cases slip, slide, and come apart.  But, our Shaxi champions standing.

I was afraid the gorgeous leather would get stained, torn, or scratched.  Alas, it has been close to a month and it looks like the day it arrived.  The only downfall we can tell is it slightly hard to adjust the volume on our iPad while it is nestled in its Shaxi.  But, one strike against it doesn't sadden me.

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED! 

Today, we start the giveaway:  one Shaxi iPad case of your color choosing!  You can keep it for your lovely self or gift it to a friend for the holidays.  Enter by commenting below sharing which color Shaxi you'd choose.  One entry per person, duplicates will be nixed.  For an additional entry, however, browse the Looptworks website and pick one other product you think is amazing - again, one additional entry per person.  Enter by December 1st - midnight EST.  The winner will be announced on Upcycled Education's Facebook page on Monday, December 2nd.  VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Yay for cool iPad cases and upcycled products!

Jen

PS - Big thanks to Looptworks and all their Upcycled Education love & support and sharing a Shaxi with me!

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED! 

Puppy Jedi Recommends {and Giveaway}

Puppy Jedi had a lovely surprise recently.  I ordered him a personalized dog treat from My Dog's Bakery.  Kris, the owner of My Dog's Bakery, was kind enough to send the treat since I had newly "liked" the bakery's Facebook page.  When I read the ingredients on the treat, I was in shock.  I am not kidding - I could have eaten the treat myself.  Everything was food-based and real.  No fillers, junk, or words I couldn't pronounce.

Want to order a {free} treat for your dog?  All you have to do is support a growing business, My Dogs Bakery by "liking" their Facebook page.  Then, email or message Kris to let her know the name of your furry friend.  The bakery sends out the treat lickety-split (pun intended :).  Kris gave me the thumbs up to share this awesome giveaway.  Of course, My Dog's Bakery is in Colorado - you knew that since they are so kind and generous.


Oh, and Puppy Jedi completely recommends their treats!

Now, you see it....(Jedi is practicing his "leave it" command. Look at his patience.)

Now, you don't.....

Thank you so much, Kris and My Dog's Bakery.  And thank you to Clipper's Canine Cafe for turning me onto to this bakery.

Bow wow,
Jen (and Jedi)

{Free} Sandwich Container for Kids!

I've been meaning to write a lunch series as our family packs 2-3 lunches a day and almost all of the contents are waste-free.  We use nifty containers and things to make packing lunches faux fun and doable.  In the meantime since I am bogged down with my college students' final exams, you'll have to find the nearest kid and ask them to draw some artwork for Rudi's Organic Bakery's free sandwich box giveaway.  Yep, all free.  Rudi's will even cover the expense to ship the lunch box container to you.  Kind, no?


See what you think here.   The only catch is you have to "like" Rudi's on Facebook, upload your image via their Facebook page and order by June 30th.  Lil O will be designing her artwork soon.  We She loves this kind of stuff.

Big ole' thanks to Rudi's,

Jen

PS - Figures Rudi's is a Colorado company.  You know how I adore Colorado and its awesome spirit.

And the My Memories giveaway winner is....

Lil O, my trusty assistant, pulls a name from a (ski) hat......

Drum roll, please.......

Congratulations, Damara!  You won the My Memories Suite software giveaway.  I will email you with all the details how to download your free copy.

Big thank you to all the giveaway participants and of course, to My Memories for sponsoring the giveaway.  If you'd like to purchase My Memories for you (or as a gift for a friend),  use the Upcycled Education coupon code  (Copy and paste the coupon Code: STMMMS57701) for $10 off the software and $10 in free merchandise from the My Memories store.

Enjoy your Sunday,
Jen

Parting Words

It is Friday, the 13th.  Fitting and a touch creepy.

I always think of the horror movie, Friday the 13th, on days like today.  The only thing I personally admire about those movies is the element of surprise.

Ready for a surprise?

...keep reading.

Today is officially the last day of blogging for me.  How do I know?  Remember this post, where I committed myself to blogging for 15 weeks?  I'm actually five days past due.  I'm like a carton of milk that has expired.  Or Lactaid for more lactose-free, readers.

In celebration of our accomplishment, yes, I just included you, I thought I would share some parting words and updates related to our sweet blog, Upcycled Education.

Updates:

• We've had a handful of celebrity sightings on Upcycled Education.  The Graphics Fairy herself and Martin from the Icon Finder left comments on the blog.  Carol from Wolfram Alpha emailed to wittily say thank you for blogging about the coolness of Wolfram Alpha.  For my fellow craftucators, we landed on the Mod Podge Rocks tweet - thank you, Amy!
• Remember I was getting shredded?  Well, let's just say there is a touch more work to be done to prepare for summer bathing suit weather and road bike season.
• Did you read this post here about t-charts and t-shirts?  I've been dreaming about designing Upcycled Education t-shirts and bike jerseys. We might need hoodies, too. Any pre-orders?



(My birthday tee from P and little O; The Fat Cyclist blog cracks me up.)

• I've re-examined my hatred of food in the classroom and my pessimistic classroom party philosophy.  If, and only if, educators are inclusionary with food (meaning:  no alienating students with food allergies, intolerances, celiac disease, etc.) AND educators aim to heighten students' awareness with regard to food quality, then I am OK with food in the classroom.  Otherwise, I stand by my mantra:  Keep-food-at-home.
• Dedications:  With my daytime college students, I consistently dedicated my day and lessons to someone.  However, little O and I did not follow through on our joint daily dedications; we were playing too much in the morning and eating breakfast and getting ready for school.  Something's got to give, right?
• "Glow and Grows" from this post is by far everyone's favorite feedback tool.  I concur.  Just saying the words, "glows and grows," brings me delight.  One of my career-changing-students who teaches fourth grade, used the Glows and Grows tool for parent-teacher conferences.  The tool was well received.
• The Emotional Bank Account concept hit home with my parent-blog-readers.  I received numerous emails related to this helpful metaphor from Stephen Covey.  Have you made any emotional deposits today?
• No, I never received my wish list from Crayola.  Maybe they are still packing my boxes as I type.
• You know how I adore Montessori Education.  You remember this post, right?  Look what I found for you?  Scholarships to become a certified Montessori teacher!  Yes, you can thank me later.....maybe we could do a virtual latte together.

OK, ready for the surprise? 

I cannot stop blogging.  I just can't. I love this experience way too much and I still have more to say about education and life.  I have programs - yes, programs - I want to launch in the fall.  Fundraising I need to begin.  Mini-grants to award.  My mind is racing.

So, let's do this.  Meet me back here - on the blog - June 15th.  That will give me a full month to talk myself out of continuing and give me some R & R time, as well.  I can work on other projects like my new craft - metal stamped jewelry - and continue parenting little O my way.  I might throw in a couple of trips to freshen things up; new scenery and new sights inspire me.  Maybe I'll post some random photos just to prove I'm doing something.

Fabulous blog reader, thank you incredibly much for sticking with me on this Upcycled Education journey.  If you are still in school or teaching, enjoy the final weeks of your semester.

I will see you June 15th right here.  We can share that virtual latte then.

My absolute, absolute best,
Jen

 

Giveaway Winner!

Drum roll, please.....

The winner of the first ever Upcycled Education giveaway in partnership with Presenter Media is....

Star W.!  Star wrote:

"Here's another idea--I love to make science and math word problems that "hook" my middle school students. In addition to using student names and creating wacky scenarios, I think adding animation from this website would be a great way of keeping students engaged in critical thinking problems. I can see it already...A gecko was playing hoops one day (insert animation of gecko playing basketball!) and decided to calculate the density of the basketball...So great!"

Congratulations, Star!  To claim your prize for a free, one year subscription to Presenter Media's collection of templates, animations and clip art, email me at jenglara at gmail.com.

To all our entries, thank you for leaving your thoughtful comments.

My best,

Jen

Presenter Media and Giveaway

The giveaway is now closed, but check back in late March or early April for our next giveaway!

Happy Anniversary to Upcycled Education!  We've been at this bloggin' thing a month and we have over 2,000 page views and 75 comments by blog readers to date!  Yay, for educators, students, parent-followers and teaching & learning!  Special thank you to little O and P for letting me sneak up to our studio to blog away.

Are you ready for our most popular day - Tech Tuesday and our first ever giveaway?  Yep, all this week until Friday, March 4th, 2011 at midnight EST, you can enter to win.  I'll let you enjoy the suspense until the end of the post to reveal the prize.

Today's Tech Tuesday was recently introduced to me by a colleague. Let me set the stage... I am sitting in a department meeting, which I adore because I seriously work with the most amazing colleagues.  These women are uber-bright, avid go-getter, teacher types.  Working with them is like working with the dream team. One of our colleagues - who happens to be a stellar ex-principal and chooses to continue working although she's retired - is walking us a through a presentation on the latest Blue Ribbon Panel report on transforming teacher education.  This super colleague starts using PowerPoint - sometimes I call it PowerPointless as it is entirely overused.  But, nonetheless, here I am at the meeting and I am interested in the contents of the report.  However, this is no ordinary PowerPoint.  This one is completely engaging!  Welcome, Presenter Media.

Presenter Media is a subscription-based treasure trove of animated clip art, high quality graphics and captivating templates.  The aforementioned all work on PC or Mac operating systems and are available in formats that play nicely with PowerPoint versions 1997-2010.  Very simply, you join Presenter Media - they kindly have a discounted subscription rate for educators.  Email them here to inquire; they are quick to respond to emails from my experience.  Once you are a member, you can download as many templates, clip art and graphics as you desire!  Once they are downloaded, they are yours to use forever!

Here is a sample of animated symbols and signs.  Click here to see the Math Symbols Bouncing Up and Down - it's a favorite of mine.

Here is a sample of templates for science lessons.  My two favorites are the sweet Green Earth Butterfly and Red Blood Cell Vein  - which sounds creepy, but it is entirely engaging.



Using the templates and artwork is easy.  I think the getting started tutorial is well worth the watch as the owner, Art, literally walks you through the process of downloaded and using the templates and artwork.  Plus, once you download, they are yours to use forever!  Did I mention that already ? 

And now.... a BIG thank you to Art and his colleagues over at Presenter Media - the first ever giveaway on Upcycled Education is a free subscription!  If you use PowerPoint, have wanted to use it or you know someone who would benefit by having a one-year subscription to Presenter Media - enter the giveaway!

The giveaway is now closed, but check back in late March or early April for our next giveaway!

Here's the skinny:

• Domestic and international entries welcomed!
• Visit Presenter Media and explore the engaging templates, animations and clip art.
• Down below this post where it says "comments," leave a comment about which template, animation or clip art you like best and how you think it could be used for teaching and learning.  As always, no passwords or usernames are required.
• You can enter up to three times; just leave three different comments below. 
• All entries must be posted by midnight on Friday, March 4th, 2011, Eastern Standard Time
• One lucky winner will be announced on Saturday morning, post-my-morning-cup-of-coffee-with-cream-and-sugar.

The giveaway is now closed, but check back in late March or early April for our next giveaway!

Isn't this fun?  Free stuff and Tech Tuesday?  Do enter below and entice your friends and colleagues to play. 

Thank you, Presenter Media and yippee! 

Jen