#6 Google Classroom

I can see using Google Classroom in all areas I teach! This is a very easy way to go 'paperless' and be organized! I like that you have everything you need in one spot. You can look at assignments when you have time (at home on the couch is a good option) and comment/grade when you need to. Classroom also provides a way for students to get feedback that only they can see. You get away from passing back papers with tons of RED marks all over them. They are also able to share assignments with others so they can get peer feedback before the teacher has the final say. Students can work at their own level, at a pace that works for them. You can also check to make sure they are progressing towards the necessary goal in a timely manner. (The group I worked with last year was difficult so I had them turn in their assignments at the end of each class just so I could check on them. They quickly learned how to unsubmit their work to continue.). Hopefully you can somewhat avoid the students that do not get started until the very end.

I had fun with this activity. I used Classroom last year but very limited. I really only attached docs for writing assignments. I learned through these activities that you can easily add videos or websites to add to the lesson. It was so easy to do that I can't believe I didn't do it last year! I love the idea that you can save assignments as drafts. I could honestly set up my whole unit on figurative language and have it ready to go! Talk about summer work that you could use!! I also enjoyed the blog on naming assignments. I have noted before but my Google drive is a mess & I need to fix that this year! Creating a naming system would certainly help. I am excited to do more with Classroom this year.

#3 Screencasting

Well.....I kept putting this one off because I thought it would be hard. WRONG! Reason #1,429 why I love Chromebooks......they make screencasting EASY! I used Snagit to do it. I picked that one because it would run with Chromebooks and I saw a lot of other campers use it. (Side note: when I took the Web 2.0 class I spent DAYS working on screencasting. I did not have the right supplies to record my voice. I ended up NEVER having sound. I love that the Chromebook has all of what you need already in it!) Super easy to add it on and use! I played with the side bar tools a bit and was ready to roll. I wasn't sure what to do it on so I picked how to log-in and use RAZ-Kids, an online reading site. I have been lucky enough to get a subscription to it every year so I can register up to 36 kids. I have never had good luck with kids using it at how so maybe this will help.

# 7: Assessment/Polling & Data Gathering

I had fun using Poll Everywhere!  It was quick and easy.  I like the option to change the background.  The Flicker search had a lot of good options.  I also like the response settings.  Too often kids like to vote more than once and then it can throw off your class data.  I can see using this for interactive math lessons.  Everyone can input their data and we can discuss it.  Graphs are hard to understand and interpret so I think this would really engage the students.

I also made a Kahoot!  I know students LOVE these!  A lot of our 5th grade classrooms used them last year.  (in fact I had to cover for one of them last year and I did not know how to use Kahoot.  I had trouble pulling up what she wanted me to do so I changed the lesson.  Wish I would have known how easy it is to use!)  It is such a fun way to review anything.  The competitive nature of it makes it engaging.  I did a quick book review for the book Stone Fox.  I quickly grabbed a quiz from Super Teacher Worksheets and used most of their questions.  I liked adding pictures and those were easy to find on Google Images.  I can see using this for just about anything in school.  I can see it as an easy way to review vocabulary.  It could be used as a tool to see where the kids are at.  I like that they can use a nickname so other kids don't necessarily know who is answering what.  I want to spend more time looking for public games.  These are fun but a bit time consuming to make.
https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/85f600b4-11b0-4191-92b5-701a8fdc2327

#5 Apps, Add-ons & Extensions, Oh My!

Love, love, love all of these EASY to use tools!  I can only wish I had these while I was in college!  I hope we can all share things that we use because there are a lot of good things out there.  I love anything that helps me stay organized or makes things go faster.

For apps, I added Monster Math Flashcards, Haiku Deck and Newsela (already had Pear Deck).  Monster Flashcards will be helpful for all kids.  I find basic facts a huge struggle with kids and all they need is practice!  I like that it offers addition, subtraction and multiplication.  You can set the range of numbers and number of problems.  I had my second grader try it out and she liked doing it.  I added Haiku Deck, also.  This is my most favorite thing to use with students.  It is such a great way for them to organize and present on things they have learned.  I am amazed how quick they pick up on it and the quality of their final product!  The last one I added was Newsela.  I used this a lot in my class last year.  I love the option of students doing it online without printing the articles out.  Newsela does such a great job offering articles at different lexile levels.  It makes for an easy way to differentiate within your classroom.  It also has new articles all the time.  Current events helps boost motivation and interest which is KEY to reading.

Extensions were my favorite. Quick and easy....one click get it done!  I could see myself adding more and more of these.  I added Add This (to instantly share, print or email things online), Last Pass (saves login information for sites) and Save to Google Drive.  I am excited to use these on a regular basis.

I also played with Add-ons.  I love the idea of Bibliography but it is a bit advanced for my students.  That is one I wish I had.  I think older students would LOVE this.  It makes things SO easy.  I remember spending hours on that!!  I did add Thesaurus and Open Clip Art.  I do a lot with Shades of Meaning and using synonyms.  Using the Thesaurus makes looking up different words so easy.  Forget the ABC order.....just click and search.  So much easier.  I think students would actually use it because it is right there.  The Open Clip Art is good, too.  Who doesn't like adding graphics to enhance your documents?

Super excited about this lesson.  I am ready to share them with other teachers & students.

Here is a Haiku Deck that a third grade student made.  It was her first time using Haiku Deck.


Hershey - Created with Haiku Deck, presentation software that inspires