New Computer Info

Here is some information regarding the new computers. I will try to update this post as I get new information.

1.  The computers for your schools should arrive in 10, to 15 days..

We ask that you place them in a storage/work area...possibly the library

 

They are packing them 2 to a box, so we will not have much trash to deal with.

2.  Soon after the computers arrive, a project manager will arrive on site around noon, prepare the computers and do the initial inventory.  Your registrar has a list for your school about who will receive one of the new computers.

These funds came from the textbook fund, so some teachers that move between rooms may not be on the list,   We just do not have the funds from this account to get one for everyone. 

3.  At around 3PM on installation day, the project manager will be on campus and will start swapping out the computers. We are using student labor and will get with you on finding about 10-15 upper classman that want to get paid for work..lol

4.  If you have laptops, you will get a new computer monitor and wireless keyboard with a mouse...If your teacher has a larger monitor than our new 19", you will not get a new monitor.

5.  The computers will be ready to go right out of the box...we will log them into our domain then add printers.  The software will already be loaded.

6.  The student workers will, in MOST cases, pick up the old computer and take it back to the storage work area for re-image over the summer.  Then you may decide how to re-deploy them.  

7.  The day after we deploy, we will be on your campus to help with issues...somehow we will work through it.

Choice Menus

Choice Menus, aka Choice Boards and Learning Menus, are a great way to differentiate instructions and activities.

Students can choose from a list of options what activity they would like to do. Although it takes time to plan on the teacher's part, the benefits for the student are what matter the most.

For more information, please visit ShakeUpLearning.com's site on Choice Boards. They even have templates!

Here are a few links to some pre-made Choice Boards to check out:

Persuasive Argument Choice Board

Halloween Choice Board

AutoDraw

I have a wonderful/fun tool to share with all of you - it's called AutoDraw!

I was impressed with this when I first used it. It is a site that allows anyone to "draw" something with their computer, and it will "guess" what you are trying to draw. You can then click on what you are going for. For example, I tried to draw a coffee mug. It looked awful using my mouse, but the program gave me some options at the top of what it thought I might be trying to draw. I was then able to choose the coffee mug. I tried again with a dog. Even though my drawing looked like some random critter, it did recognize it as an animal, so various animals came up as options.

Creations can then be downloaded and shared.

This can be used as part of an assignment or something you can have students play with when they finish an assignment.

Enjoy!

Here's the link:  https://www.autodraw.com/

25 Google Add-Ons

I haven't posted in almost a month! We finally moved, so that has taken up a lot of my time! I apologize!

One thing I am always on the hunt for is something to make my job a little easier. It's always the little things that help the most, such as a Google Add-On/Chrome Extension. Richard Byrne has compiled a list of wonderful resources that can make our jobs easier as teachers.

25 Great Google Add-ons

Virtual Field Trips

Field trips seem a thing of the past due to the lack of time and resources. Many teachers are turning to virtual field trips. Virtual field trips offer students an opportunity to view a place or meet a person without having to actually be there.

I came across this website that has gathered a list of virtual field trips and sorted them by subject and grade level. You can even set up a Skype interview with someone in a particular field. Most of them are at no cost. It might be worth a try!

Virtual Field Trips

I have come across similar resources before. I'll add to this post if I find them.

Seesaw - Digital Portfolios

A goal of mine this year is to create digital student portfolios to use as a summative assessment for my students. I remember saving important (or what I thought was important) notes and projects from classes just in case I needed them for future reference. Since almost everything has gone digital, it makes sense for students to keep track of their most important accomplishments digitally.

One good resource to do this is called Seesaw. I tinkered with the idea last year but never implemented it in my language arts class.

As a teacher, you can set up the portfolio requirements. Students then submit their assignments. I would use this only to display the work, but you could use it however you wanted. Parents could also be able to view the work. Some teachers have described it as almost Facebook-like. There are settings in which you can control the content.

If you would like to know more about it, here is the link: Seesaw

If you are interested in using it or something like it, let me know, and I will be happy to help you!

12 Good Social Studies Apps

Social Studies teachers, here are some resources for you guys!
This website has a list that gives a short description of each app.
Even though the site says it is geared towards high school students, I'm sure any of these apps can be used at the middle school level. 

Here is the link to the site: 
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2017/10/12-good-social-studies-apps-for-high.html

Cignition's Fog Stone Isle

Math Teachers: This one's for you!

Kids are all about games these days. I think it's a great idea to incorporate gaming into whatever lesson you are teaching because that will keep the students' attention. It's the digital world they live in.
Cignition's Fog Stone Isle is a Minecraft-like game. It lets students build a virtual world using math skills as they go. Teachers are able to monitor student progress also. This looks like an awesome resource for math classes. Check it out!

Control Alt Achieve

On Twitter, I came across Eric Curts. He runs a blog called Control Alt Achieve and is all about Google. I always find his posts relevant to something I'm doing in class. I also think about how other subjects could use the activities he posts. 

Here is a link to a cool post of his that lists quick Google searches that students can use for various activities: 20 Instant Google Searches Your Students Need to Know

I would also recommend following him on Twitter because he also posts about other great resources that are not listed on his blog.  Twitter: Eric Curts

Hyperdocs

Hyperdocs are a way to incorporate links into Google Docs or Google Slides to enhance a lesson with technology.
If you are feeling brave and would like to create your own from scratch, here is the template to follow:

If you're like me and would like to find a Hyperdoc that has already been made, here are some links to a few:

• http://hyperdocs.weebly.com/get-going.html
• https://padlet.com/mourakd/kg7szw5nerr9

Welcome

Thank you for visiting! I hope you find beneficial information that you can use within your classroom. I am trying my best to narrow down sites and apps by content/subject area. There are many that can be used across the board. If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just send me an email. Thank you!