Google Apps Tips

Update: The link in this post has been suspended.  Instead, here is another article on 10 things you should know about Google Docs!  I hope it helps take the place of the other article!

Original Article:
I was sent this article today on "5 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do with Google Apps" by James Ferreira.  Take a moment to look at what he has to share.  Then, feel free to browse the Apps4Gapps website as they have a lot of information there that can help you as a Google user.
What tips and tricks do you have for using Google Apps?

The Monster Project

My awesome friend Chad Lehman just posted an article on his blog about The Monster Project he just did with his 3rd and 4th grade classes.  While he chose to do it with 3rd and 4th, it could easily be adapted to other grades as well. Take a look at what he wrote on his blog (sorry, his blog is blocked for SCS teachers so I had to copy and paste):

"My third and fourth grade classes are participating in the Monster Project. All five of my classes are connecting with classes in Illinois, California, Florida, and Alberta. The project is rather simple, but really, really fun. Students create and draw a monster. Then, they write a descriptive paragraph about their monster. The writing is shared with another class and the new classes draws the monster based on the written description. Then, the monster drawings are compared. If the students do a great job in their writing, the monster pictures should look pretty similar. If not, the students can take a look at their writing and see where they could have improved. Pretty cool, huh?"

Great project and he used Google to do it.  You could use Google Drive to write the descriptions and use Google Drawings to draw the monsters!  If you attempt a project like this, I'd love to hear about it!

Technology Habits: Rewired

Everything in moderation, and there's a perfect balance in this life if we can find it." ~Ryan Robbins

This article, How to Break 5 Soul Sucking Technology Habits,  could be a great way to start a discussion with your students or even begin a great writing activity in your class.   It discusses some of the cons to this wonderful digital age we live in.  Many, many of our young people are falling into this internet addiction and while the internet is our friend, we need to use it properly.  Take a moment to read it and feel free to comment on ways you, your family or your students find to combat this problem.  

Holiday Gift Guide

Every year around this time, CNet shares a Holiday Gift Guide featuring techy gadgets that those on your shopping list might want this year! There is a section for top gifts under 50.00, one for phones and even one for best laptops.  This is just part of the list so I'm sure if you're looking to buy technology this holiday season, you'll find something here to help you make your selection.  Check out http://www.cnet.com/holiday-gift-guide/ to get started!