QR Code Quick Start Guide

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The rowdy kids in 3 love using QR codes. It makes them feel very tech savvy! I've incorporated QR codes into our school day in many different ways. One way that is mutually beneficial to me and the students is to add the QR codes to task cards. I link the QR codes to the answers to each task card question. It is super simple and allows the students to check their own work and works so much better than simply printing the answers on the back of each task card. I know the students can't check the answer until I give them a device with an app to scan the qr code. It eliminates any temptation to take a peek before solving the original problem.

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There are several websites to generate QR codes, but my favorite is QR Code Generator. This site is completely free. Most only offer a limited amount of QR codes for free or limit how many characters you are able to use. To link an answer, click on the icon of a page and enter your answer in the box. The site automatically generates a QR code. Hit the download button and choose jpeg. An image of this unique QR code is downloaded to your computer. Just insert that image into your document. If you are using a ready-made worksheet, just print out your QR code and paste it onto your worksheet before copying for the students.

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Once the QR code has been generated, in theory it should work indefinitely. I have yet to have a problem with QR codes no longer linking to the original information.  The QR Code Generator site also allows you to make color QR codes, but I prefer to work in black and white for most situations.

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To see an example of task cards with QR code answers, check out my Multiplication Review product on TpT.com. If you have any additional questions about using QR codes in the classroom, just leave a comment below or send me an email.

Taking the Stress Out of Math Test Review

The closer we get to a math test, the more stressful math class becomes.  I know there is a limited amount of time to help each child master the skill.  We started using Math In Focus three years ago.  I finally have a group of students with enough experience with this Singapore based curriculum, that I feel like we can move at a reasonable pace.  However, we still have that test deadline looming and not everyone is ready.  After a particularly stressful day-before-the-test review, I invented a better way.

In 3B, the rowdy kids have a Math Dance Party.  Task cards with review questions are placed around the room.  Each child has an answer sheet and a pencil.  I play appropriate dance music, and the kids work on the problem in front of them.  When they solve the problem, they may dance to the music.  When the music stops, everyone moves to the next task card and starts again. The task cards are closely matched to the test.  If a child is able to get most of the problems correct with music blaring, I assume he or she is well prepared for the test.  The rowdy kids have a blast dancing and burn off some energy.  It also lets me know who is still struggling.  If several students missed the same question, I know it is a topic I need to review.  Any set of task cards in any subject will work for a dance party as long as you have enough cards for each child.  If you need to review for Math In Focus: Chapter 4 for 3rd Grade, Subtraction to 10,000, visit my TPT store for the same Subtraction to 10,000 Dance Party used by the rowdy kids in 3B.

Failing Up on a Rainy Sunday Afternoon

Like many teachers, I've used Teachers Pay Teachers for the past few years.  Several of my colleagues recommended I start posting some of my creations, but my first attempt can only be described as pathetically halfhearted.  In August of 2013 I signed up to be a seller and posted the Place Value Chart Signs I had designed for my own classroom.  It was my first product and it was listed for free.  In the past two years, it has been downloaded 367 times.  Woohoo! Sadly, my first paid product, Place Value Dance Party, was not quite so successful.  It was only downloaded once.  I guess I'm not the only one that peruses the free products before I pay for anything.

My son started high school this fall and is taking a Digital Design elective.  His excitement about this class reminded me why I majored in Advertising and Graphic Design twenty years ago.  So, I'm challenging myself to post one new product each week.  I'm already constantly creating new resources for my own students.  It just takes a little more effort to post them on TPT.

As a working mother of two teenage kids, it isn't like I have free time.  I could let the whopping $1.80 I've made on Teachers Pay Teachers in two years deter me from devoting any more time to this endeavor. However I'm jumping in with both feet!  I teach my children to embrace failure. Without failure we would never learn to push ourselves harder. We would never learn to accept our own shortcomings, so that we can grow, learn and become better.  You must take a risk to fail. Risk takers rule the world!

Click the title to download my free Place Value Chart Signs.