Upcycled Education

Embedding YouTubes into PowerPoint

Are you one of those folks who hyperlinks from PowerPoint to YouTube when you want to share a video with your class? And do not say, you are one of those schools that disallows YouTube. If the Smithsonian can have its own YouTube channel, certainly you should be able to access it, right? I think that is in the United States Bill of Rights. Or, it should be.

Anywho, this 4+ minute video will teach you (or your students or colleagues) how to embed YouTubes right into PowerPoint 2007 so you look uber-professional (if you have PowerPoint 2010, try one of these tutorials). Can you believe this particular tutorial above has over a million views! Most of those views came from my amazing college students. Yep, future tech-savvy educators.

Best,
Jen

A Thankful Thanksgiving

This was my busiest Thanksgiving, yet. Busy, in a good way. Ever since I finished my training for the TTCT (The Torrance Test of Creative Thinking; more on that another day), I've shifted how I see things. Even how I parent. I can't quite put my finger on what has changed, but I know the TTCT training and understanding creative thinking more has inspired me, which is why I think we jammed-packed our long holiday weekend with so much fun.

Here's a peek at the weekend.....

Polka dancing with Mr. Upcyclist and lil O. We all go to bed so early that we literally were home from polka dancing by 8:30pm and were exhausted. Our family loves to dance. Did you know Mr. Upcyclist and I met salsa dancing? Sounds steamy, no?

A very yummy cranberry apple cake (for the recipe, scan the QR code from this post). I adore that wavy chopper lil O is using. It was the best buy from this Montessori catalog a few years ago. Yes, I just snuck Montessori in a post! Sneaky me.

Don't you adore dear friends? Here is lil O with two friends who happen to be brothers. Their mom and I are super friends from grad school. That day, my gradfriend and I talked and talked and talked and talked while the kids played and played and played and played. It was sooo nice to see them; it had been a while.

And let's not forget a good craft session. You know I adore craftucation. Wait to you see the posts for December. Some of you may think I've lost my mind. This is a gift in progress.

Mr. Upcyclist rarely gets involved in crafts, but lil O and I finally brought him to the ~~dark~~ awesome side. He pays so much attention to detail, we've offered him an open invite to craft with us at anytime. What a natural crafter!

Lastly, what is a long weekend without some fresh air and...you guessed it....cycling! I mean, the name of this blog is UpCYCLED Education - for more than one reason. Lil O is working on her mountain bike skills. Me? I'm just trying to keep up and get in shape for ski season which is right around the corner.

Oh. I. Loved. This. Holiday. Weekend.

Grateful and happy,
Jen

Printable Artwork {for your classroom and home}

I don't know about you, but I appreciate easy. Easy day. Easy dinner. Easy gift. Easy artwork.

Last time I blogged about easy, printable artwork, I ended up printing off a bunch of cool artwork for myself - though I really did plan to frame some of the artwork and give 'em away as gifts.

Anywho, enough of me blabbing on a Saturday, why don't you check out Laura Winslow's Memorable Words Monday - lots of great, free printables for your classroom or home. I mean, great printables to give away as gifts, geez.

Happy Saturday, Upcyclists,
Jen

Dedicate your work {Flashback}

Remember this post about dedicating your work? Today seems like the perfect day to revisit this idea. For my USAmerican readers, it is Thanksgiving after all, yes?

Thus to you, fabulous blog reader, I am grateful. Thank you for coming back to Upcycled Education, reading our sweet blog, and inspiring & encouraging me - with your comments and emails - to stay the course.

This blog post is dedicated to you (and Mr. UpCyclist and Lil O who never give me a hard time when I retreat to our studio to blog). Who is your day dedicated to?

Jen

Are QR codes too much for desserts?

Since you know I love QR codes, I was wondering....is it too much to label the two desserts we're bringing to my in-laws house for Thanksgiving? Just in case someone wanted to have the recipes, the QR codes would make it easier to share. My hand model (lil O) and I think the codes are nifty.

Hmmmm...

Jen

PS - In case you want the QR codes for the desserts. This one is for Ina Garten's Easy Cranberry and Apple Cake. Yum!