How Confidence and Buncee Go Hand in Hand

My introduction to Buncee stemmed from student need. I was working with my students on writing about an animal that they researched and saw on a recent field trip. Then, they were creating a Google Slides presentation to share with peers and families. The rubric we were using included having an introduction sentence, three details, a conclusion, and pictures that matched their text. Most of my students (a class of higher achieving students) had little difficulty navigating through Google Slides, Google Photos, and the camera roll on an iPad.

One of my hardworking students, Sarah, came to me in tears and said that she just couldn’t bounce back and forth from Google Photos, Slides, the camera roll, and asked if she could use something else. I thought back to an app called Buncee that I had heard about during a webinar called “PD in your PJ’s”. At the time, I downloaded it to my iPad with the intention of checking it out later. Even though I had yet to explore it, I offered it to Sarah. I told her that I hadn’t even opened the app yet and she’d have to figure it out on her own and then teach me. She was hesitant, but up for the challenge.

To say I was flabbergasted when she came to me with a huge smile on her face and a multi-page Buncee in her hand would be an understatement. She had not only figured out Buncee, but she had solved her own problem in a beautiful, engaging, and inspiring way using her planning sheet as a guide! Her first Buncee, created in about 15 minutes, had age-appropriate text, gorgeous images, and fun animations!

I love to tell this story to illustrate how easy and intuitive Buncee is to use. It tells the story of my sweet Sarah who built up her confidence, allowed herself to be a leader, and found her voice with a new choice. It also tells about my story to find my voice by being able to share Buncee, my ideas, and my classroom with other students and teachers around the world.

Stacy Johnson is a first-grade teacher in Flagler County, previously in Osceola and Orange Counties. She has taught for over 19 years; all in primary grades. She earned her B.S. in Exceptional Student Education and M.S. in Early Childhood Special Education from Florida State University. She has taught ESE Pre-K, Kindergarten (ESE and Advanced), and 1st Grade. She is the proud mother of four boys who are the center of her world! She enjoys collaborating with other teachers and is an ambassador for Buncee, GoNoodle, and Seesaw. She loves sharing and learning about her passions; educational technology and giving student’s choice and voice!

Stacy Johnson