From Blank To Beautiful

Just a bit more than a month ago Richard Byrne, educator, speaker and blogger at Free Technology for Teachers tweeted and posted on his blog about a new graphics design tool.  Canva is in invitation beta.  You can request a username at the home page.

Within a day my request was fulfilled with a message arriving in my email.  You are asked to click an Activate button to begin the registration process.  You can sign up with your email address or your Facebook account.

You are next cheerfully prompted by a Welcome screen to begin using the service.  With a single mouse click a new window opens.  At this screen you are invited to learn the basics of Canva.

To begin participate in the offered 5 Starter Challenges.  Page by page you learn how to change colors of an element, search for an image and add it to a picture, add a background, search for a favorite food to add to a page, change a layout and upload an image from your computer.  It's as easy as dragging and dropping from the tool bar on the left-hand side of the page.  Follow the screenshots below.

When the challenge is completed you are congratulated and ready to start creating your own design.

The next window is the dashboard which will appear each time you log in to Canva.  For this first time an explanatory overlay is visible.  It shows three options, create, edit and learn.

Designs offered are:

• Christmas Card
• Document (A4)
• Presentation
• Blog graphic
• Facebook cover
• Social media
• Card
• Photo Collage
• Poster
• Invitation and 
• Business card.

Above and to the right of the designs you have the choice to use custom dimensions. At the top of the page you can access their blog for up-to-date news and suggestions, get support by viewing videos, reading articles, conducting a keyword search or submitting a request, and edit your settings or log out.  You can also view any invoices you might have if you choose to use extras offered.  Keep in mind though, this is a free service.  Beneath the design choices you can view your creations, access two tutorials and invite friends (five invitations are given to you).

I decided to begin with creating a greeting card for those students, colleagues and parents who are readers of my blog.  I clicked on the icon for Christmas Card.  When the new window opens the layouts appear first.

There are more than 100 layouts from which to choose.  The first layouts are themed for the holiday template.  When you click on a layout, it becomes outlined in blue and appears on the right.

Then I uploaded images from my computer by clicking on that option on the left.  I was able to drag the images into the template. If you notice the dotted outline, the circles in the corners and circle in the center at the bottom, this element can be resized and rotated.

At the top of the element the icons represent the choice to bring forward, copy, delete, crop and transparent.  To the side of the element the number represents the page and again, you can copy the page.  Beneath this page you can also add another page.

Above this you can name your design, share it on Twitter, Facebook, preview it, undo it, send it or go home.  I previewed my creation before sending it.  It's really neat how the card is presented to viewers.  When you click on send you select Facebook contacts, Gmail contacts or enter in email addresses.

If you choose Download your card as an image or PDF, you are given a URL link, or your design is converted into a png or pdf file automatically, depending on what you choose.  Here is the link to my design so you can see how a card is delivered. (I emailed it to myself so you could view it like this.) The image alone is shown below.

As I clicked through each of the design choices the layout templates continued to change.  The amount of choices is mind-boggling; so many opportunities for making beautiful graphics.  I decided to make a couple of one page presentations to give you an idea of the templates.

If you decide to search for images from their gallery rather than loading your own, they are grouped in categories of:

• Christmas
• Lines
• Banners
• Grids
• Text Holders
• Speech Bubbles
• Shapes
• Frames
• Icons
• Arrows
• Infographics
• Technology
• Dress Ups
• Web Wireframes
• Food
• Animals
• Hand Drawn and
• Travel.

If you wanted to create a presentation for your Mock Caldecott unit, you could use a compare template like this.  Notice that each text box can be moved backward or forward, copied, deleted, have the box color changed or made more transparent.  The font style can be altered, the size changed as well as the color.  It can be made bold or placed in italics, listed or moved to the left, center or right.

For my second single page presentation I decided to focus on memorable moments from 2013.  This was the year I premiered two book trailers, Warning: Do Not Open This Book by Adam Lehrhaupt with illustrations by Matthew Forsythe and Tea Party Rules by Ame Dyckman with illustrations by K. G. Campbell, during the school year we Skyped with Ame Dyckman discussing Boy + Bot, Tom Angleberger and his Origami Yoda books and Lynda Mullaly Hunt spoke with us about One for the Murphys after our entire fifth grade read the book.

At my home in July and August a small book group met.  One of our titles was Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff.  We had an amazing Skype visit with Liesl Shurtliff.  To our great joy we had two successful Mock Caldecott units with the students in Katherine Sokolowski's classes for 2013 and 2014.  One of the most exciting few days though, were spent in Chicago at the American Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition.  

I have to say last week when my invitation activation arrived for Canva; it was all I could do not to spend the whole weekend trying out all the options.  This is a graphic design web application I can comfortably give high recommendations. I think you and your students will really enjoy using it.

"Doing Everything You Can"

The most detailed information I have on World War II is my Dad's perspective as a soldier in the United States Army.  Several photograph albums are filled with small black and white snapshots representative of his tour of duty.  Many of the stories he told are as fresh in my mind as if I only heard them yesterday, rather than twenty years ago.

I know much less about how it was for those here at home.  Filling this gap are compelling historical fiction books by authors whose meticulous research is evident page after page.  Until I read Duke (Scholastic Press), Kirby Larson's most recent title, I had no idea family pets were used to assist military personnel during the war.

Hobie pushed harder against the bike pedals, harder against the cold wind scrubbing his face, as he followed the Adairs' Chrysler sedan.

It's January 1, 1944 in Seattle, Washington.  Eleven-year-old Hobie Hanson is saying good-bye to his best friend; the family is moving to Portland so the father can work in the Navy shipyard.  Hobie's Dad is flying a B-24 on missions in Europe and his Mom has joined the Red Cross.  His seven-year-old sister, June, is even attempting to knit socks for the soldiers.

Remarks by a neighbor, announcements on the radio and even a conversation after his favorite radio show, Hop Harrigan, all urge people to do their part by loaning their pets to Dogs for Defense.  Hobie's head is telling him he should give up Duke but his heart won't let him do it.  He constantly worries about whether he is as courageous or committed as the other men in his family.

An incident with the school bully, Mitch Mitchell, and a chance meeting with the assistant regional director of Dogs for Defense, cause Hobie to reluctantly loan Duke to the program.  As if the sadness of Duke being gone is not enough, tensions at school escalate when a new student, Max Klein, joins their class.  Mitch continues to pick on Hobie, calling him names, looking for opportunities for subtle physical contact, and starts a campaign against Max due to his German heritage.  What's hardest for Hobie to understand in himself is his inability to stand up to Mitch.

A letter from the Marine assigned to Duke increases Hobie's worries.  He thought Duke would be a guard dog here at home with the Army.  Despite the kindness extended by the Marine writing the letter as if it is from Duke, Hobie, to his shame, starts to think of ways to get Duke back.

Special events at school, summer vacation baseball games, more letters from Duke and Pfc. Marv Corff, helping on his family's fishing boat and finding an abused stray dog, make up the days of Hobie's life.  Hobie learns through trial and error some tough lessons about friendship, the difference between knowing the right thing and doing the right thing and the value of family.  News from a Western Union messenger and a nurse at the naval base on Pearl Harbor change everything for Hobie.  Readers will wonder along with Hobie, if he will see his Dad or Duke again.


We quickly become attached to the characters, especially Hobie, in Kirby Larson's Duke through her brilliant writing skills.  Each chapter is titled with words designed to hint at what readers can expect within the next few pages.  Readers are made to feel more personally involved in the story with a date assigned to the chapters.

Descriptions of radio programs, products used during this time period, the buying of Victory stamps by the students, meals cooked (Porcupine Meatballs) and rations used for the purchase of certain items contribute to the authenticity of the story; you are there experiencing life on the home front during World War II.  Dialogue between the characters, the exchange of letters between those serving in the military and Hobie's family and Hobie's thoughts about all the decisions swirling about him, draw you emotionally into this book. Here are a couple of passages from this title.

"Get off," Hobie hollered. "That's mine."
"Finders keepers." Mitch pedaled faster.  Hobie picked up his pace.  He snagged part of Mitch's jacket.  The bike wobbled.  Mitch shook him off.
"Give it back!" Hobie ran harder.
"When I feel like it," Mitch called over his shoulder.  He bumped the bike over a tree root. "Ya-hoo!"
"Young man!" the Doberman's master called. "That's enough. You've had your fun."
"Yeah. Come back here," Hobie yelled.
"Come back?" Mitch repeated. "Okay." He wrenched the bike around sharply, legs pumping like pistons, and headed straight at Hobie.

Hobie and Duke sped for home together, as they'd done hundreds of times before.  But something was different for Hobie.
Like a record with a scratch in it, Mr. Rasmussen's story played over and over in his head.
And in his heart.
His are-you-doing-everything-you-can heart.


Once started Duke written by Kirby Larson will be one of those books read from beginning to end without stopping.  Readers won't be able to turn the pages fast enough, wanting to know the outcome of all the little and big things happening in Hobie's life.  There is so much love in this book; love of country, love of family and the love of a boy for his dog.  I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Please follow the link embedded in Kirby Larson's name above to access her personal website.  Enjoy her conversation about Duke in the video below.

Take Me Back Tuesday: Holiday Highlights 2012

Almost there! Almost there! We have almost made it! PTL! 

 It's almost time to snuggle up by the fire with hot chocolate, cozy blankets and Christmas movies. AND...we won't have to move for 2ish weeks! I am sure we are MORE than ready for a break, but most of us do have a few days left before the holidays. I am positive that everyone is running wild getting last minute holiday crafts and lessons in and parties planned, so today for Take Me Back Tuesday, I will be sharing my holiday highlights from last year just in case you need a few extra holiday ideas! :) 

*****************************Originally Posted: 12.20.12******************************

Hi Friends! Grab yourself a cup of coffee for this post! Warning: it's lengthy!

True Story...I have NOT: 1) Taken OFF my pajamas 2) Stepped foot OFF of my couch 3) Talked ALL day long! Seriously! I so did not feel exhausted until yesterday, I swear! Now, my body has been screaming at me all day to NOT MOVE! Thank goodness that I have two weeks to enjoy total bliss! :)

After this past week, I may need a few more of these worthless days. Since I figured that I would not be heading out for a night on the town, {I mean...who wants to put on makeup?!?} I might as well catch you all up on what we have gotten ourselves into this week. Then, I will begin feeling worthless again as I watch my 5th Christmas movie for the day {don't judge!}. ;)

On Thursday, we had our big time Polar Express Day. Our "to-do" list was crazy long this day as we were furiously trying to finish up all of our last minute craftivities, activities, and gifts! Call me crazy, but y'all I can't STAND to leave things unfinished before the holidays...much less...unfinished period. Does anybody feel me? So, on Thursday...it was GO BIG...or GO HOME day! In all seriousness, this is the hardest working class I have EVER had. They are so stinkin' sweet {most of the time! :)} and even volunteer their recess time to finish work {ALL on their own}. So, I am trying to soak up all of their sweetness to carry me through those years that aren't so sweet leave a lot to be desired!

Maybe their hard work had something to do with this little friend that we had visiting from the north pole?!? Maybe! Just Maybe! I like to think it is just their love for learning! Ha!   

On Thursday, we began by listening to a reading of The Polar Express and watching a few music videos on YouTube since I couldn't actually show the movie. While they watched the music videos, I passed out the hot chocolate! Here are a few pictures from my little cuties aboard the Polar Express!

Since we have been working through our graphing unit, after our little ride on the Polar Express, we graphed the way that we like our hot chocolate best. {Little idea courtesy of Pinterest}



 We were also able to finish up our caribou research by writing our conclusion and creating our caribou craftivity to display our work. {Idea also courtesy of Pinterest. I am echoing Amy Lemons when I say...I owe this Pinterest...BIG TIME!}

So proud of their writing! I already have a big list of things that we need to work on come January, but they have worked so hard and are becoming very confident writers! {Can I get a Hallelujah?} 



We recently finished up our nonfiction unit and have been working on using context clues to identify character traits. During the CAH-RAZY cyber Monday sale at TPT, I bought a wonderful unit by Lesson Plan SOS called Crazy for Christmas.  We made these adorable little Santa's and used our clues from the stories that we have been reading to identify character traits. We worked on several other activities this week from the same unit and let me just say...the kids loved them to pieces!

I am pretty sure that some of these little darlings look more like winter characters straight out of a snow globe. Ha!

What would the week before Christmas break be like if we didn't make parent gifts? This year, I decided to make ornaments for our parents since Pinterest was swirling with ideas. I let the students take complete responsibility for adding all of the details and they did a pretty amazing job! I am sure their parents will LOVE their gift.

After all of our hard work, it was finally time to PAR-TAY! Let me just ask you...does it look like we had fun or what???

Two Words: SUGAR HIGH!

My philosophy = Sugar 'em up and send 'em home! I so hate that I do not have more pictures of our wonderful hot cocoa bar, but y'all seriously...this was one WILD party and I got caught up in all of its craziness! So, here are a few pictures from our party table, games, and fun! {Side note: I had some wonderfully amazing parents who made this all possible! They are FABULOUS!}

I am about 99% certain that we had over 50 cupcakes and only had about 5 left! My kids turned into little piglets!

 I made gourmet marshmallows to dip into our hot cocoa. Ummm...about 5 minutes into the party, they were eating them like straight up lollipops. I swear, if we had about 10 more minutes of school on Friday, they would have been hanging from the chandeliers! OH.MY.WORD! It was too much! :)

Our Minute to Win It Games were a total HIT! Our two favorite?

Have Yourself a Hairy Little Christmas: One player became Santa and one player was the elf recreating Santa's famous white beard. The team with the most cotton balls glued {or should I say Vaselined} to their partners face won! To some, I guess Santa is a SUPER hairy kind of guy! They had cotton balls EVERYWHERE!

{note: also check out the Vaseline in one child's hair. Can we say crazy competitive?}

Light As a Feather: The object of this game was to stand a holiday pencil on your desk and manage to place a feather on top without knocking the pencil over. This was a game of TOTAL and INTENSE concentration.

LOVE their faces!

The funniest part of this game? One child SWORE his pencil was broken because it would not stay standing. What he neglected to see was his hands shaking faster than the human eye could see! HA! Bless!

AND....FINALLY {I know, I know, I have bored you WAY, WAY too long}...the photo booth was a total success! It was a great way to end our party. The kids adored it, but the parents were the true crazies in there! This little activity comes highly recommended for all holiday parties! ;)

Well, that's all I have for tonight blogging buddies! So, from my crazy classroom to yours....HAPPY HOLIDAYS, FRIENDS! :)

Disclaimer: If anything is misspelled or does not make sense...I am TOTALLY OK with it! ;) 

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Be sure and link up below and take us back to some of your favorite holiday highlights!