Kinders

Here I am collaborating with our Kindergarten teacher Mrs. VanPolen as her students created a timeline with photos in class. A common core objective is learning about the past, present, and future.  Here the kids are labeling their photos!

Kahoot!

These kids are loving practicing fractions with Kahoot! I've never seen them this engaged with math!

Have you ever used Kahoot?  As a teacher you go to getkahoot.com and either search for an already made quiz or start your own.  The most important thing I've learned about using a premade quiz is to made a copy and EDIT!  I realized that I am super picky about the usage of proper punctuation and capitalization in a teacher modeled event.  If I'm administering this quiz, I'd like it to be properly done.  The solution is to make a copy and tailor it to yourself.





- Stacy

GeoguessR Fun

The students today are using a site made by Google using Google Maps called Geoguessr.

There are different maps the students can choose from including famous places.  We had a fun and educational time making educated guesses based on what we've learned from our Social Studies unit.

https://geoguessr.com/#more-maps

Advanced iPads

At our latest school professional development day I gave a presentation on Advanced iPads.  I had a fun time putting it together and I have to admit, even as an avid iPad user I learned some things.  During the class I was surprised at how many staff wasn't using AirDrop or AirServer.  Take a look at the slideshow below and you might learn something too.

Slideshow to iPad 201

Screenshots taken from the best blogs such as Google, Apple, Kathy Schrock.

Breakout Edu

What do you get when you mix technology, critical thinking and gamification? #breakoutedu!!  Breakout is a critical thinking game that locks (mentally) students into a room, where they have to work together and solve puzzles to breakout.  The topics are many.  Being a technology teacher myself this type of learning fits perfectly in my lab.  An online Facebook community of super creative teachers have been publishing these breakout games in drones! I started by using one created by Patti Harju and it was just for fun for our Halloween celebration.  The students were using technology, think QR codes, online puzzles, Webquests and Magic Forms.   You set out the clues, you give your safety guidelines (make sure to include no prying open the box), you set the timer, and you watch collaborative critical thinking insue! I'm hooked!

PBL Cartoon Public Service Announcement!

Students have to research a social problem.  Next, they have to create a #powtoon public service announcement teaching me a lesson.  Some topics they've choosen are bullying and saving pandas.  I like AJ's a lot because he's trying to convince me to buy my son an ATV.  He's teaching me all the different  specifications so I can make an informed choice!

Have you thought about using Google Classroom?

So... Google classroom.  What is it?  What does it look like?  Why should I use it?

Google classroom is in essence a Moodle, Blackboard, or any other classroom learning platform.  It is super easy to use and is already connected to your educational email address.  It's a place to push out assignments, share links, and provide digital materials. My favorite thing about Google Classroom is its ability to collect assignments and organize online materials.  Another great feature, when you have 600+ students like me, is its ability to organize emails and quickly send communication.


How do I start a class?

Easy.  Log into your educational email and click on the box of apps.  Go to even more and your google classroom should appear (if you don't see it do a search on google for google classroom)

Once you open the icon you should see a PLUS up in the corner to start a class.

Add a name and description.  You'll also see a code that you'll need to provide the students you would like to join your class.  They will find Google classroom in the same spot you do.  Remember to tell them they MUST be in the MAIL section for them to see the classroom icon in the box of apps.

I only have each class for a 45 minute period, so this tool is incredibly useful.  I can see who has completed the assignment at a quick glance and if I click on the assignment I'm able to see a list of students and the view of the assignment they turned in.  One quick once over will give me some insight on the quality of work.

As a teacher of 600+ students, I love the organization Google Classroom provides me.  I can see the sessions very easily and find the students email.  If I need to send a quick email, note, or a reminder, this is the easiest place to do it.  I find creating groups in the email component of google quite cumbersome.  This is much more streamlined, AND the kids did all the work!