Reading and Writing Support for Google Users

Kasey Bell over at Shake Up Learning has a great post about reading and writing with Google Apps.  If you are looking for great ways to enhance reading and writing in your classroom, go check out here post: Using Google Apps to support Reading and Writing in the Classroom.
There is a webinar there and a slideshow to help you.  In Stanly County Schools and want tech credit for watching the webinar?  Email Julie LaChance

Creating Comic Strips using Google Slides

Richard Byrne has shared a great video on how to create comic strips using Google Slides.  Really easy and a great way to get your kids to share stories!  Check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=104&v=dcTbckKjvpM

And if you're looking for more great info, here is Richard's Website: Free Tech For Teachers

Geoboard for Math

Geoboard allows your students to stretch virtual rubber bands around pegs to create shapes, angles, segments, etc.  Such a great tool and so easy to use!

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/geoboard-by-the-math-lear/gaakmmdiopnmcenkojohldanladpajak

Chrome Apps for Learning the States

There are a couple of chrome apps available in the Web Store to help kids practice learning the states and Capitals.  Check them out!



Learn States
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/learn-states/ccmcdoccfblngkdmnamaipbgaodafeeg

Learn States and Capitals
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/learn-states-and-capitals/cdblkfkcegbngjbibiefbjbeofmbgonk

The 50 States Free
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/the-50-states-free/aghnkdcgdglcilikhaclnbbhlpfbcdko

Gradecam and Powerschool

If you are using GradeCam, know that there is an easy way to get the grades into PowerSchool!  Check out this help guide to get started. 

https://gradecam.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/203084176-8b-Transfer-Grades-to-a-Gradebook-Program

St. Patrick's Day Activities

Don't forget your green!!  St. Patrick's Day is this Thursday!

St. Patrick's Day Kahoots

• https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/a35c1f0e-9c0f-4562-b5b3-73066efbf5ff
• https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/871ac2d5-f790-4c3c-8c5a-0c3937bf7ffc

Discovery Education

• St. Patrick's Day Board: https://app.discoveryeducation.com/builders/boards?assetGuid=9511A4E3-99EA-FD90-21B0-2B88C2BECB24&includeHeader=true&layout=default
• Story of St. Patrick's Day: https://app.discoveryeducation.com/learn/videos/19986C12-9337-4464-B483-D6920EB89656?hasLocalHost=false
• St. Patrick's Day Content Collection: https://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view?assetGuid=254CB0F2-D041-4B66-A6B4-73B7F7AA3ED1&search_id=9CFDE034-DE81-F3B8-71EA-3E06E13A1DE9

Scholastic Resources

• Leprechaun Math/Vocab Wheel: http://printables.scholastic.com/content/stores/printables/priv/23/9780439503723-022.pdf
• History of St. Patrick's Day Printable:  http://printables.scholastic.com/shop/prcontent/St-Patricks-Day-Story-Reference/9780439503723-016

History.com

• Video: History of St. Patrick's Day:  http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/history-of-st-patricks-day/videos/history-of-st-patricks-day
• St. Patrick's Day Collection:  http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day

SumDog

Another great game-based learning resource for your students.  Not only is it fun, but it's competitive!  Give SumDog a try today for math, reading and writing.  
https://www.sumdog.com/

Draftback: A great tool for research papers!

Draftback is an extension that will play back Google Doc revisions in a movie-type format.  You can watch a paper being created, changed and edited through the whole writing process.  This could be a great tool for English teachers especially, as it will help the student and the teacher be able to see the writing process in action.  

Check it out:  https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/draftback/nnajoiemfpldioamchanognpjmocgkbg

Note: This is an extension so it will add a button into all of your Google Documents.  Just click that Draftback button to create the "draftback" of your document.  

Interested in learning more?  Here is a great video on how to use the extension by Ann Radefeld:

Want to learn about using it with English papers?  Here is a great video by Jenna at Tips Team:

Brainstorm with Dotstorming!!

Want to do some brainstorming with your students?  This option is great and FUN for getting that done AND allows votes on each topic shared!  Check it out in the video below:

Zaption: Interactive Video Lessons

The video speaks for itself.  Zaption is awesome for helping students to pay attention and LEARN from videos!

Check out Zaption today: https://www.zaption.com/
Zaption training coming to your school soon! 

SeeSaw in the Classroom

SeeSaw is a classroom tool that uses a social networking concept to allow students to turn in work and communicate with the teacher.  Below is a screenshot of the calendar dashboard showing how the teacher can locate a date with "turned in" material and view it all at once.  There is a picture (yes, a goofy one, of me), a Discovery Ed board and a text document in this example.

More or less, students can take pics or upload items to the teacher....the teacher approves them, either for his/her viewing or for whole class viewing....then the students can see other students' work as well.  This is great for art projects, stories, first day introductions, and more!  Kids and Teachers can even leave audio notes on the work they submit!

Check it out today: https://app.seesaw.me
I'll also be training on this app at your school in February!

Nat Geo E-Books

This is a great resource for Nat Geo E-books.  Just click on the book you want to view! Also be sure to check out the other offerings just below the comments as there are other similar options broken down by grade level.  Check it out: http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/natgeobooks

Udemy for Teacher Training

Udemy is an online course site dedicating to learning at your own pace.  I've taken a couple courses from there and they have been great!  Best news is that from now until January 11th, most all of the courses are insanely discounted!  I was able to purchase a course that is normally 400.00 for 9.99!!  

Check it out and see if it is for you:  https://www.udemy.com/courses/

Prodigy Math Game (Grades 1-8)

Do your kids love gaming?  Of course they do!
Do they love math?  Ok, maybe 50/50 on that one. So, lets even it out and explore Prodigy Math Game!  This is a really fun way to practice math skills in a gaming environment.  Students love it and teacher love it too as they can assign topics, gather reports and monitor the student progress.  And, best of all, it's FREE!

Check it out: https://prodigygame.com/referral.

Techie Holidays

We are in the countdown window for sure!  If you're like me, you might just be scrambling to get those last minute things all wrapped up.  I thought I'd take a moment to share a few things to help you make it through.

Late on Christmas cards? 
Try Sendoutcards.com or shutterfly.com.  You can even create a customized card with a picture of your family....to make it look like you really had your stuff together and it can be done quickly!

Need a last minute techie gift? 
Try Tile.  This is great for anyone that has a hard time keeping track of things....especially your phone or your keys.  Phone on silent and have no clue where you left it?  Just press the tile on your key ring and it will make your phone ring!  Lost your keys? Use tileapp.com to make them ring from the couch cusions or use the map locator to learn that you left them at your sister's house!

Need a last minute personalized gift? 
Shutterfly.com offers economy shipping for anything purchased by December 17th.  They don't only do cards.  They also offer personalized mugs, calendars, photo books, blankets, candles and more!

Shipping Internationally and not interested at all in the high prices to ship?
Try Amazon Global for international shipping.  Find something you love and ship at a more reasonable rate!

Moby Tablet

If you're a MobyMax user, at the bottom of your dashboard window, you'll see a button to enter the daily tablet giveaway.  It's easy to do and you could win a free tablet!  Click here to learn more about how to enter: Tablet Giveaway

Hour of Code

I tried out the Hour of Code myself last week and had a great time.  I'd love to see some classes try this one out.  It only takes about an hour.  It is likely a great activity for 3rd grade and up.  This site gives more information about it and Code.org is a great place to get started with your Hour of Code activities. With Ana and Elsa, Minecraft, Angry Birds and even Flappy Bird as characters to help you, the kids can find something to make this fun!

Google Text To Speech

Google Text-to-Speech allows your stuents to highlight words, sentences or paragraphs and reads it to them.  This can be great for read alouds and providing general help with reading.  Check it out and learn more here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.tts&hl=en

Virtual Field Trips

If you're looking for great ways to show your students nature, science, farming, etc without actually taking them on a trip, check out these great resources from Discovery Education!

Glacier National Park

North America

Animals of North America

Live from the Farm

Fun Google Slides Backgrounds

Do you ever wish your Google Slides had more pizazz?  Now there is an answer!  Check out Slides Carnival!  When you find a template you like, just click the "Use this Presentation Template" button.
Check it out: http://www.slidescarnival.com/category/free-templates