Buncee Blog

Ever wonder how to make writing have more of an impact on students? Wonder no more! Introduce your students to the magical world of Buncee! I have been using Buncee with my students for over five years now – and it has absolutely been a game-changer in all academic areas – but especially in the area of writing.

The Buncee canvas invites students to bring their writing pieces (in all genres) to life in a way unlike any other tech tool. I have seen firsthand how Buncee entices reluctant writers to write more than they ever would on a sheet of paper or even type far more than they ever would on a normal document. Being able to create the perfect background with amazing stickers and animations on the Buncee canvas for each page of their writing piece has students begging for more writing time – which truly is music to any teacher’s ears. It is absolutely MAGICAL to observe this transpiring in the classroom. An added bonus is students are so eager to share their creations with their classmates!

This year, in the midst of our Exhibition journey focusing on wildlife conservation, my students were inspired to create haikus after listening to the book Animal Ark. Animal Ark features Joel Sartore’s incredible photographs and Kwame Alexander’s haiku poetry inspired by Joel’s powerful images. My students immediately began crafting their haikus after listening to the book.

I loved seeing them collaborating while trying to find the perfect words with the needed syllables. Once they were sure each line had the required syllables, they excitedly began bringing each haiku to life with the Buncee canvas. Before we knew it, we had a collection of more than seventy powerful haikus! Buncee truly inspires students to bring their writing to life by offering them the perfect tool to visualize whatever piece they are crafting – no matter the genre!

Meet the Author

Barbie Monty received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education (Cum Laude) from Mississippi University for Women. Upon moving to Tampa Bay and marrying in 2000, Barbie came to Carrollwood Day School. She was drawn to CDS after learning of its character education initiative. She quickly became an active member of the CDS faculty taking a position in the fifth grade. She eagerly accepted the role of Inservice Coordinator and became the advisor to the fifth-grade Safety Patrol providing fifth graders with an incredible opportunity to experience leadership roles before beginning their middle school journey.

Upon completing Differentiated Instruction Made Practical, the intense 12-week course offered by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Barbie Monty was asked to participate in their Differentiated Instruction Made Practical Coach Training Program. Barbie Monty assumed her role as a Coach for the Harvard Graduate School of Education course Differentiated Instruction Made Practical after completing their rigorous Coach Training Program. She is thoroughly enjoying this incredible opportunity mentoring educators from around the world as their coach. She is committed to working with these participants sharing her experience differentiating instruction for ALL learners in a variety of contexts within this course. With the current situation in the world, Differentiated Instruction is now necessary more than ever!

Barbie loves working with the CDS fifth grade students and has been instrumental in developing many of the Units of Inquiry they currently enjoy each year. Follow Barbie’s class on Twitter!