Toronto Teacher Mom: November 2015

Tutorial: Outlook Web App Inbox Rules #GAFE

Now that the Toronto Catholic District School Board has introduced GAFE to elementary schools, I have finally taken the leap and started using Google Apps For Education in some of my French classes. Right now, I am focusing on Google Classroom and getting the students to become more familiar with Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Drive and Google Chrome. One of the things that is a bit different with our board is that teachers do not have access to Gmail because our board email is based on Outlook Web App. This means that any GAFE notifications or emails sent to our Gmail address (username@tcdsb.ca) are automatically forwarded to our OWA address (username@tcdsb.org). The end result? Our OWA inbox becomes inundated with email notifications whenever a student leaves a comment, submits an assignment, etc. via Google Classroom. The solution? Inbox Rules.

Tutorial: Outlook Web App Inbox Rules - Filtering #GAFE Notification Emails

By creating Inbox Rules, you can filter any incoming email either by:

sender
recipient
specific words in the subject
specific words in the body
specific words in the sender's address

You can even filter email if your name is in the To or Cc field or apply the rule to all incoming messages. Then, based on that particular filter, you can have those emails either:

moved to a specific folder
marked with a category
redirected
deleted

You can even have OWA send a text message notification. Here is a quick tutorial to help you create your own Inbox Rule that will filter any incoming notifications from GAFE.

Step 1: After logging into OWA, access your settings by clicking on the gear icon next to your name at the top right corner.

Step 2: Select "Options" from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Click on "organize mail" from the sidebar on the left.

Step 4: Click on the + sign and select "Move messages with specific words in the subject to a folder...".

Step 5: A pop-up window will appear. Here you will name the rule "GAFE" or something similar and then click on "Enter words..."

Step 6: In the new pop-up window, type in the following: GAFE. Click on the + sign, then click on "ok".

Step 7: You will return to the first pop-up window where you will need to select a folder where you'd like all your GAFE notification emails to be directed. Either select an existing folder or create a new folder called "GAFE" by clicking on the "new folder" button. Click "ok".

Step 8: Ensure that you have typed in the correct words and have selected the designated folder, then click "save".

From here on in, any GAFE notification emails will be directed to your GAFE folder instead of your inbox. By automating your inbox to filter these emails, you will end up with a less cluttered, more organized Outlook.

If you have any questions about Inbox Rules or any related matter, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy GAFE-ing!

Friday, November 27, 2015
3 Comments

New Twilight Buddies Unicorn

Cloud B

Wednesday, November 25, 2015
11 Comments

Escape to Ooka Island This Winter

Gift Ideas

It is almost December and the colder temperatures are drawing near. This is always the time of year when I wish we could go on a family vacation to an exotic island and enjoy some outdoor fun in the sun. While we won't be traveling to an island in the Caribbean, my son will still be able to escape the winter weather and travel to Ooka Island, a virtual world where letters and words come to life and children become confident readers.

Ooka Island iPad Reading App - Cave of Sounds

Ooka Island is a game-based learning program that blends educational games with fundamental reading skills to help children learn to read. Through exploring a super cool island, children must find missing books and return them to the Popcorn Library while rescuing Ooka Elves along the way. One of the first challenges takes place inside Cave of Sounds where they must listen for a sound and tap on the gate to proceed throughout the mine. Once they have arrived at their destination, children must use a magnifying glass to find the letters that make a particular sound. This game was an instant hit with my son, who pretty much loves anything on wheels.

Ooka Island iPad Reading App - Alphabet Mountain

Next up is Alphabet Mountain where children practice the order of letters in the alphabet by tapping on the next letter. Their avatar jumps to that rock until they make it to the top of the mountain and then they hop on a skateboard to enjoy a fun ride down the mountain. They can jump off ramps, do tricks and practice the alphabet along the way. Of course, my son loves 'riding the skateboard.'

My son also harbours a need for speed so Z-Doo is another one of his favourite Ooka Island games. This is where children practice saying each of the 44 sounds in the English language which unlocks the gate and lets them speed around Ooka Bay. My son enjoys speeding up when approaching water ramps or jumping over docks.

Ooka Island iPad Reading App - Submarine Listening

Also located in Ooka Bay is the Submarine Listening game where children peer through a periscope and pick the Fligg (flying pig) that is holding the sound that matches what they hear. If they pick the correct one, the Fligg dives into the ocean.

Ooka Island iPad Reading App - Clumsy Wacky Moving Co.

The water fun doesn't end there, though. Ooka Island is home to the Clumsy Wacky Moving Company. In this activity, children must help return the contents of the moving van by blending sounds together and rescuing the item that matches the sound before it floats over the waterfall. This is a great activity for developing phonemic awareness through rhyming words and sound blends.

Ooka Island iPad Reading App - Pop and Play Book 40

After playing a variety of games, children will travel under water to find a book that has gone missing from the Popcorn Library. These books are levelled from pre-school to grade 2 and progress in vocabulary, length, layouts, themes and content. Your children can enjoy the reward of their hard 'work' while they sit back and listen to the story. As it is read, the words are highlighted and supported by additional narrative that encourages children to look at the pictures and think about what they are reading. Then their comprehension is tested through Pop and Play where they answer multiple choice questions by popping a balloon, re-tell the story through sequencing and explore synonyms.

Based on 25 years of research, Ooka Island is a clear winner when it comes to unlocking the potential within every child to become a confident reader. Because it is fun and built on game play, even reluctant readers will have fun while developing the required skills that will help them become a strong reader. While it is recommended that they spend 30 minutes on Ooka Island three times a week, we have found that those 30 minutes fly by. My son is always anxious to unlock free play and visit Mist Mart where he gets to spend all of the Ooka Mist he has accumulated and purchase costumes, Zopets, and more. This is a great motivating factor for my son and one of the reasons I believe in gamification. I also love that I receive weekly reports so I can keep track of my son's progress. And did I mention? Ooka Island is Canadian made!

Enter to win a one-year Ooka Island subscription here!

Give the Gift of Reading

Share your love of reading with a budding bookworm in your life by gifting them a subscription to learn to read on Ooka Island!

Available now for the web and iOS, so kids PreK to Grade 2 can play and learn anywhere.

The Gift That Lasts a Lifetime

Built on 25 years of research and scientifically proven teaching methods, Ooka Island is a game based reading program designed to help children become confident readers.

Each subscription provides all-inclusive access to 1000's of educational games and 85 eBooks wrapped in a 24-level adventure.

STARTER SUBSCRIPTION - $39.99 - Gift a 3 month starter subscription to Ooka Island and jumpstart them into reading. An excellent choice for any kid!
1 YEAR PROGRAM - $99.99 - Gift a 12 month subscription and watch them become a confident reader! Recommended to complete program.
1 YEAR + FIRST LIBRARY - $149.99 - Gift their first paperback library by bundling the One Year Program with a colourful collection of 11 Ooka books!

Disclosure: I am participating in the Ooka Island Blogger Program and have received special perks. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Saturday, November 21, 2015
10 Comments

Join the Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco

#StopIllegalTobacco

Growing up as a child, I often found myself contemplating what the world would be like when I grew up. There was much uncertainty surrounding the world's fate and I felt like I was bombarded by endless doomsday messages of apocalyptic proportions. We had the Y2K scare, the Gulf War, the depletion of the ozone layer, oil spills that threatened the state of the environment. The list goes on. But back then, I felt like it was all out of my control. That all I could do was sit back and watch it all on the news. What could I, a child, possibly do to affect change? Now, as a mother of two young children, I feel compelled to take action on issues that not only affect me but my children and my future grandchildren. This is why I have chosen not to ignore an issue right here in our own backyard but rather, take the opportunity that my blog affords me and voice my decision to sign a petition against the spread of illegal tobacco via StopIllegalTobacco.ca.

Did you know...?

1 in 3 cigarettes purchased in Ontario is illegal.

It may be news to many of us that the sale of illegal tobacco has risen to a critical level in Ontario. You may have heard some of the radio ads talking about the issue but have you listened to them? The unfortunate truth is that well-financed organized crime groups are actively bringing guns and drugs into the province, making Ontario's illegal cigarette problem the worst in Canada. What should not come as a surprise is that, once Ontarians learn the facts, the majority of them express their dissatisfaction and demand action such as tougher penalties for illegal tobacco traffickers and greater powers and funding for law enforcement.

In a provincial survey conducted on behalf of The National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco (NCACT), it was determined that nearly half of Ontarians are unaware that illegal tobacco is at the root of gun and drug trafficking. Hence the need for greater awareness and action around this public safety issue, including dispelling misconceptions about the ‘legal’ purchase of cigarettes from reserves.

Did you know...?

The price of a taxed (legal) carton of cigarettes in Ontario is $88.64, while the sale of the same number of illegal cigarettes can cost as little as $6 to $20.

Personally, I was shocked to learn that the RCMP has estimated there are as many as 50 illegal factories in Ontario and Quebec operating outside of any government regulation, each of which can produce up to 10,000 cigarettes per minute. Fortunately, Ontario has taken steps to lead the way in the fight against illegal tobacco sales. In fact, this year, Ontario took control of raw-leaf production to better monitor and control leaves intended for the legitimate industry. Quebec has taken its own, even tougher, measures as well, such as allocating funding and granting greater powers to local and regional law enforcement agencies. As such, Quebec has reduced contraband’s share of the market to about 15 per cent (roughly half of the share of market in Ontario) thanks to the combined efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies across the province.

What Can You Do?

As this campaign is meant to drive awareness of the production, distribution and sale of illegal tobacco, Ontarians are invited to take a minute and visit stopillegaltobacco.ca to learn more about the impact this issue has on local communities across the province. If you feel so compelled, you can join me in signing the petition as well, or at the very least, share the message with your family and friends. You can also follow the discussion on the Stop Illegal Tobacco Facebook page and via Twitter using the special hashtag #StopIllegalTobacco. To learn more about the facts linking organized crime to the sale of illegal tobacco, visit StopIllegalTobacco.ca.

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored. Any opinions expressed therein are my own.

Thursday, November 19, 2015
18 Comments

Disney Pixar Inside Out

DVD Review

Friday, November 13, 2015
37 Comments

Cheers to Zevia!

Healthy Living

Zevia - naturally sweetened zero-calorie soda

Of all the things I want to limit in my diet, sugar is at the top. Unfortunately, it is also the one thing I just can't seem to avoid. What can I say? I have a sweet tooth. Last year, I made a choice to cut back sugar in my coffee to one teaspoon instead of two. At home, I like to use organic cane sugar but I have also tried using Stevia. While I have become used to less sugar in my coffee, I can't quite get used to the Stevia. The only beverage sweetened with Stevia that I genuinely enjoy is Zevia. Unlike conventional sodas, Zevia does not contain any chemically processed artificial substitutes as can be found in diet sodas. Instead, it uses a natural alternative that is derived from the stevia leaf and has no caloric value or effect on blood sugar levels.

This spells good news for soda lovers such as myself. As Healthy Shopper experts Andrea Donsky, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, and Randy Boyer will agree, Zevia solves the soda dilemma. Not only is it naturally sweetened, it is also non-GMO and contains no artificial preservatives, flavours or colours. For a number of years, our family has purchased Zevia as an alternative to conventional soda. My personal favourite has always been their Cola flavour but my husband prefers their Ginger Ale.

Recently, we had a chance to try out their additional flavours as well as their new clear varieties. When I first tried Zevia Cola several years ago, it took me a while to get used to the after taste but now I love it. I didn't think I would like the other flavours as much as Cola but I do, especially the Cream Soda and the Ginger Root Beer. I even like the Black Cherry, which I always avoided for no good reason. I'm glad I was able to try some new flavours because sticking to one flavour gets boring for me. And while their new clear Cola tastes different than their original Cola, I still like it. Personally, I prefer how it tasted with the caramel colour.

If you'd like to try Zevia, it is available at several locations such as Loblaw's, Bulk Barn, Shoppers, Real Canadian Super Store, Whole Foods Market and natural food stores at $5.99 for a six pack. Visit Zevia.com for more information.

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Thursday, November 12, 2015
30 Comments

PLAYSKOOL Play, Stow and Go Playtime Essentials

Family Fun

PLAYSKOOL Play, Stow and Go Stacking Cups

Let me tell you a story. Picture it: Toronto, 2005. I had been living in the city for barely a year when my eldest was born. We were living in a small one bedroom apartment and I knew not a single person in our neighbourhood. To save my sanity as I coped with the challenges of motherhood, I would often take my daughter on a little road trip to visit my parents in Hamilton. Even if it was just for the day, I would find myself stuffing the back of the minivan with a mountain of baby gear and toys... You know, just in case. This was in addition to the toys I kept within arm's reach to keep my daughter entertained during the car ride. Once in Hamilton, I'd unload it all and fill my parents' living room with all the gear. This was the routine for me. Pack. Travel. Unload. Repeat. Surely there had to be something that could simplify my life as a new mother. If only we had had some portable playtime essentials from the latest PLAYSKOOL Play, Stow and Go line.

At the top of my holiday purchase list of playtime essentials that I wish had, was a set of PLAYSKOOL Play, Stow and Go Stacking Cups. Not only do they come in a rainbow of bright colours, all seven cups have a shape cut into them. Plus, these nesting cups store easily inside a base with an adorable lion face. The tabs form a circular frame to create the look of a lion's mane and the tail doubles as a handle! There's so much cuteness in one little package, you almost forget these stacking and nesting cups are great for teaching shapes and colours, and building hand-eye coordination. Great for toddlers age 9 months and older.

Next up is the PLAYSKOOL Fold 'N Go Busy Elephant. This ultra cuddly plush toy includes a squeaker, a clicker, a mirror, a peekaboo flower, a rattle attached to a pocket, and a crinkle ear. My favourite feature? The ability to fold all the parts into a compartment hidden at the back and sealed with a Velcro closure. With teething babies that love to chew on their toys, it's the perfect storage solution that protects the toy from getting dirty when not in use. It's also machine washable. Ideal for babies age 3 months and older.

Finally, we can't forget PLAYSKOOL Sesame Street Play All Day Elmo. Yes, Elmo. Need I say more? I have yet to meet a baby whose face didn't light up at the sight of this adorable character. With Play All Day Elmo, children can enjoy two modes of play, eight games and activities such as "Red Light, Green Light" and "Pat-a-Cake," plus more than 150 responses. They can hug him tight while he sings a lullaby or - my favourite - tickle his tummy in toddler mode. Elmo requires 4 AA batteries (demo batteries included) and is recommended for children age 18 months to 4 years.

So make this the best Christmas yet and buy these toys for the little one in your family! Any of these wonderful PLAYSKOOL toys can be purchased at your local Walmart store or ordered on Walmart.ca.

This post is sponsored by Walmart Canada, as part of the PLAYSKOOL Play, Stow and Go program. In exchange for this review, I have received special perks in the form of products and/or compensation. All opinions on this blog are my own.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015
11 Comments

Dyson V6 Mattress - My Superhero Sidekick

#cleansleep

Like many superheroes, I possess an alter ego who harbours an innate desire to make the world a better place. And by 'a better place', I mean a cleaner place. Scrubbing the grime off the bathtub, polishing the ceramic stovetop, dusting off the furniture, mopping the floors and removing fingerprints from the stainless steel appliances. As much as they can be tedious chores, very little brings me greater pleasure than the resulting shine of a polished surface. My favourite chore, however, is vacuuming. It has been for many years but even more so since I made the switch to the Dyson DC78 Turbinehead Animal. There is a certain je ne sais quoi when it comes wielding the power of a Dyson vacuum. Take the Dyson V6 Mattress, for example. This small handheld vacuum packs quite the punch, kind of like Batman's sidekick Robin.

If it weren't for a friend of mine, I never would have considered vacuuming our mattress. I knew it was the perfect place for dust mites to hang out and party while they feast on our dead skin cells. But I completed an allergy test years ago that showed I was allergic to dust mites so I had invested in a not-so-inexpensive mattress cover. Surely I haven't been sleeping in a bed that contains anywhere between 10,000 and two million dust mites and their product droppings. 'Cause that would be gross. Still, I agreed to test out the Dyson V6 Mattress just to be sure.

After removing the mattress cover, I decided to use the Boost mode for added suction given that this was the first time I had ever vacuumed my mattress. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed how much the Dyson V6 Mattress managed to remove. Some of it looked like fluffy bits of dust. Some of it looked like fine sand. I was half expecting it to be dark and dirty looking but it wasn't. Still, the amount of dust and particles in the bin shocked me. To think I could have been potentially inhaling these tiny particles every night, all night long... Shiver.

Luckily for me, I have a brand new sidekick to help me combat those evil mattress dwellers and purify the air all at once. The Dyson V6 Mattress is the first Dyson handheld to have a post-motor HEPA filter that captures over 99.97% of particles (0.3 microns in size which sounds really, really small). This includes allergens and bacteria.

The Dyson digital motor V6 is what gives this vacuum the most powerful suction of any cordless handheld vacuum. While the battery holds its charge for up to 20 minutes, the battery power is only used during vacuuming thanks to the run-time enhancing trigger. Plus, the motor is so powerful, it ensures that you don't have to vacuum the same spot twice. You will also recognize the 2 Tier Radial™ Cyclone Technology which is designed to fling dust out of the air and into the bin while separating the most microscopic particles. Included with the unit is a motorized mattress tool, a combination accessory tool and a crevice tool, making it perfect for vacuuming upholstery. The Dyson V6 Mattress is available at BestBuy.ca for $249.99 plus free shipping.

Unlike previous handheld vacuums that I've tried, the Dyson comes out on top in terms of quality, effectiveness and ease of use. It is also more lightweight and the unit doesn't overheat while in use making it comfortable to use. The quick release button also makes it easy to empty the bin with minimal fuss.

After vacuuming all of the mattresses in our home, I have sent off my sidekick on a special mission to my parents' place to capture all those nasty allergens and microscopic particles. I am confident Dyson V6 Mattress will be victorious. In fact, he will be making his rounds throughout the province ensuring that my family members will enjoy a #cleansleep. My hero!

So... when was the last time you vacuumed your mattress?

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015
6 Comments

'Prince Farming' Chris Soules Visits Ontario Grain Farm

Good in Every Grain

Photo Credit: Tim Hutchison Photography

Last month, as part of its Good in Every Grain campaign, Grain Farmers of Ontario partnered with Chris Soules. You may remember him as the charming former star of The Bachelor. He also happens to be a grain farmer. Together, they want to help Canadians be more food-aware and educate them about the origin of their food. During his first ever trip to Canada, Chris Soules visited a family-run farm in Smithville near my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. There he met with local grain farmer Daryl Haanstra to talk about the benefits of innovative technologies, the value of agriculture and the importance of generational farming.

Photo Credit: Tim Hutchison Photography

Later that day, Chris Soules accompanied members of Grain Farmers of Ontario to Toronto where they sat down to share their expert insights at a special event at Woodlot Restaurant. It was there that I was able to sit down with 'Prince Farming' in a one-on-one interview and learn about his hands-on experience at the Ontario farm.

Photo Credit: Tim Hutchison Photography

The more I spoke with Chris, the more apparent it became that he harbours a genuine interest in building awareness surrounding agriculture and dispelling misconceptions about grain farming. He credits this ability to share his passion for farming and sustainability to his newfound celebrity status. Because he takes great pride, as most farmers do, in "taking a farm and leaving it better than it was."

Enjoyed a delicious Grilled Hen o' the Woods Mushroom Salad and cocktails with #grainfarmer @souleschris @lucialulula and @goodineverygrain. Learned about his first trip to Canada where he visited with an #Ontario #farmer near my hometown of #HamOnt. I could talk #ONgrains with him all. Night. Long. #grains #grainfarmers #farmersfeedcities #flirtwithfarmers

A photo posted by Diana (@torontomom) on Oct 21, 2015 at 4:00pm PDT

Grain Farmers of Ontario released a video this week called, "'Prince Farming' Chris Soules visits an Ontario grain farm" which documents his journey and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the real world of modern agriculture. Check out the video to learn all the great ways farmers contribute to the day-to-day lives of Canadians and visit GoodinEveryGrain.ca for more behind-the-scenes with Chris Soules. And in case you are itching to ask a question about how grains are produced, you can also submit questions and get a response from a real Ontario farmer!