Search it up... Google style!!!

Last night was a celebration at my house... the end of MAP testing!!!! That is right.  No more block scheduling.  No more missing out on my plan time.  No more limitations on technology!

As I am sure you can tell I am super excited.  I have already reserved my laptops for post tests and reflections using my favorite... Google Forms.  Not only are we going to have the technology back but we received exciting news that next year ALL of our 6th graders will have their own Chromebook.  It is like a sudden flood of techmazingness (a word that I just created for use when something amazing happening with technology).  I just feel like we should all take a moment to celebrate for a moment something amazing that has happened this school year before it is over.  Here is a little video to help us get started.

Now that we are thinking about how amazing we are as teachers lets get into the good stuff!

Google Searches

I know we have talked before about how amazing Google searches can be when used properly and I just want to review some of the advanced search options.  Here is a little video to help you refresh on all the amazing ways to search on Google.  

I love reviewing these easy techniques to help me with my google searches!  Most people forget all of the neat features that are available for google searches.  I know I have wasted several hours searching for classroom ideas or articles and I could have narrowed down things much more quickly if I had only remembered a few of these tips.  

Google Custom Search

This is by far the most exciting tool that I have ever encountered!  I know that with little 6th graders, I do not want them searching for topics and seeing everything that can pop up will pop up.  This little tool is something I will be using next year when my students are working on their research project.  Google will allow you to create a custom search engine using site that only you pre-approve for your students.  I used to make a list of links for them to click and explore to find what they want, but with this tool I can just add in all of my website and share the ONE link to my custom search engine and it will only allow for them to search that area.  Here check out my own search engine on nutrition!

Do you have a favorite tip or trick when doing your own google searches?  Leave it in the comments below! 

Until next time...

Back to Basics-Chrome Style

When unable to use technology with your students either due to restrictions (have I mentioned how sad I am about not being able to have access to technology for FOUR whole weeks in my classroom???) or because you are on a break from the kiddos it is always good to go back and check out the basics of what you are using and see if you can make anything better or easier on yourself.  For this post I want to focus on the basics of your web browser.  I personally love using Google Chrome and that will be what I talk about today.

I wasn't a Chromlever (yeah I just merged Chrome and Believer) until our school district became a google district.  All of a sudden I was forced to leave my small Internet Explorer world behind and accept that I needed to move on.  There are so many basics that I can not even begin to go over.  I have found a video that outlines the best parts of switching to Google Chrome just for you!

I just love the inspirational music in this video!

Google Apps

Another benefit of using Google Chrome is all of the apps that are available for you to use.  Some of the websites I have directed you to before are also in the app store!  Here are a few of my favorites and one that I want to try out next year!

Padlet

Padlet is like a digital cork board.  You can post websites and sticky notes for students to look at and they can even add the class board.   I have used this before as a visual tool for research projects.  I started the board by adding some videos and articles about inventions.  As students explored the internet on their own and found their own resources they added links to those resources or added sticky notes about various inventions.  

EdPuzzle

EdPuzzle is a website that allows you to upload videos from various online websites and add to them.  It would be great to use to flip your classroom.  You could add voice=overs, discussion questions, comments, and quiz questions.  I have used this when creating tiered lessons for my classroom.  My students start off their lesson watching a video at their level and then start on an assignment that is located in Google Classroom.  

Class Chart

This app allows you to chart behaviors in the classroom and then use those to organize where your students are sitting.  I have not yet used this, but I am always trying to track my students behaviors and place them in a seat that is proactive instead of reactive.  

I have not used this one but I am super excited to try it out next school year!!!

There are so many options when it come to customizing your Google Chrome web browser.  I highly suggest you make sure you have a google account and start exploring today.  

Until Next Time..

Google Smoogle - Searching and More!

Update- Working in a classroom with limited technology sucks!  I am currently on week two of no classroom technology.  It makes my day feel like it will never end.  It really has me thinking about the worlds current addiction to technology.  I have realized I am an addicted.  I need a support group to help me though the next two weeks of class without the use of technology.

This week I was so desperate that I went old school technology with my students.  We were working in stations to look at various components of a debate and I made a listening station.  You know the kind we had in kindergarten with the follow along books.  An surprisingly after showing the kids how to work a CD player they had a blast with it.  Being without technology has helped my student understand just how "vintage" their teacher is...

Google Search for Students

If you have been keeping up with my blog then you know that my students are currently doing some research for a debate they will be participating in soon.  IF we had technology I would be having them use the internet to research the topic of fast food in schools.  I recently had my library (have I ever mentioned how awesome she is???)  present how to do google searches and I learned stuff from her.  I thought I was an expert searcher, but she is the true genius.  There is more to google than typing in some keywords and clicking search.  You should check out some of these hint on how to do a REAL google search!

My favorite eye opening tool about google searches is the grade level search tool.  I usually differentiate my instruction based on students reading level and I used to choose and article and then go though and modify it as needed before printing.  Now it is two clicks and I have grade level appropriate texts!

This is another cool way of doing google searches that I learning while getting my bachelors degree.

I typically use this type of searching when trying to quickly look something up during class time.  It is just some quick hints on how to get a better result faster.

Google Classroom

It is no secret that I love Google Classroom.  Most school districts are becoming "Google Districts"  where they are using all of the lovely Google Apps.  Google Classroom is one of those apps.  If your student have gmail accounts created by the district then creating a classroom and inviting students is easier than ever!  I have made a screen-cast to help guide you through how to use it.  This one actually have audio explanation due to the fact that I spent some money updating my technology sense the last headset died on me... :( 

I hope you enjoy the screen-cast and are thinking ahead to the new school year that is only 3 months away (for my midwest audience).

Until next time...

Pinsperation, Symbaloo, and Socializing

I would love to tell you some humorous technology story, but I don't have one this week.  I made it through my first week of "no technology in the classroom"  MAP week and only had slight withdrawal symptoms.  I had a headache each day, the shakes, a little wooziness.  Okay, I might be exaggerating a little, but I did have a headache A LOT, but I contribute that to the noise and overall crazy level my room reached occasionally.  Trying to keep 25-30 middle school kids cooped up in a classroom for over two hours at a time (without technology mind you) is like trying to train cats to perform in the circus.  There is a lot of pain trying to keep kids at that age level motivated for long periods of time and I am truly blessed to work with such a great ELA team!  We are going old school creative with them and it is such a fun eye opening experience.

How I feel after the first hour with my middle school kids! "Lets all calm down it will be okay..."

Now onto the the good stuff.  I think it is only fitting that we talk about how my team has come up with some of the great ideas we are currently using in our classrooms.  Let talking about social inspiration!  How can we as teachers use social media sites to create more interesting lessons for our classroom?  

Pinterest

I am a self proclaimed Pinterest addict.  I use it for EVERYTHING!  Something breaks in my house...Pinterest.  I need a new crafty thing to work on... Pinterest.  My living room is looking bland... Pinterest.  So why not use it for classroom activities, setting up my room, tracking behaviors,  or organizing my curriculum?  I currently think I have five pin boards dedicated to being a teacher.  You can click here to check out my boards.  I love Pinterest because I am a visual person. I like to see images to peak my interest.  That is all the Pinterest is a bunch of interesting pictures that if you click on them it leads you to a website with direction on how to do the fun activity or create what is in the picture.  There is so much potential for using it to prepare for your classroom and during class time.  Look at this cool infographic for more ideas.

If it is hard to read click on this caption to see the full size infographic!

If you are new to Pinterest it is really easy to catch on!  Here is a video to help you get started.  It is so easy my great aunt can use it.  There really is not an excuse to not be using Pinterest for your classroom or personal purposes.  

Symbaloo

I was actually introduced to Symbaloo by the awesome librarian at my school.  I was looking at doing a research project for my students, but I wanted to make it more visual than a the list of links I typically use for them.  Symbaloo  is a bookmarking website that is much more visual for kids.  You can choose a image from the site to help identify what is in the article or you can choose a symbol and background color to help students understand what the link will lead you too.  

My ELA team is currently planning for kids to research for an end of the year debate they will participate in.  We are using a symbaloo site to collect articles the kids can use.  It is an easy way to share what we have found with each other before we start printing articles.  (remember I have have my kids use it this time during to our tech blackout!)  Typically I would just share the link of my webmix with the kids and they could explore the websites I found for themselves.  Here is the link for the symbaloo education website >>>Click Here<<<.  They have several video on this site for you to check out before you sign up.  

Social Media Debate

I feel like at least once a month I heard about some teacher abusing social media when it comes to interacting with students.  My district has a "no social media interaction"  policy along with Missouri's law against teachers being friends with students over social media that prohibits even thoughts of connecting with students over social media.  I know we are not all bad and the few have ruined it for the many, but I am personally not one to want to meet with my kids over social media.  Some teachers argue that is gives a safe space to help students out, but shouldn't our classrooms be created to be that safe place?  I have several students talk about difficulties in their lives and it does not require for us to do that online in any way.  I has have students email me if they are feeling too uncomfortable to talk about it.  I feel that there are many other avenues that are more secure for students to learn and talk to me other than social media.  

This is just my opinion, if you have found a way to balance the teacher/personal social media juggle then kuddos to you!  It is personally just not for me.  I challenge you to think deeply about your opinion about social media.  It is not something that is going away and we as teachers need to be comfortable with our opinion.  Do a little research and figure out what works best with you and your classroom.  I am going to leave you with a little inforgraphic I found in my research.  

Click here for the link to the larger version!

Feel free to leave your thoughts below in the comments section.  I am always excited to see how others are feeling about conversational ideas.  Who knows maybe you can be the one to change my mind.  

Until next time...

Techie Teacher Tools-For those with Little Tech

This week my school had to say farewell to the majority of of our techie tools.  No more laptop carts, video streaming, or computer labs... For four straight weeks we will all be with out amazing websites and the motivation that comes with them... Sigh... I can't describe the despair this new computerized state testing is causing many teachers right now.  One day we will have enough technology in our schools and will not have to give up all the fun while testing is going on in the school.  But for now farewell my beloved technology.

Although my students will not have individual laptops for the next four weeks I still have my mine.  I am limited slightly.  We have been asked to avoid streaming videos and music to help minimize the chance that our wifi will fail in the middle of the test.  So I have to strategically plan lessons that challenge the use of my smart board and honestly myself.  Not only do I lack my typical access to technology, but I have to now plan for classes of varying lengths. One reading class is 90 minutes and the next is 130 minutes.  I know I am not alone when facing these issues so this post is dedicated to helping those who have to plan with little technology in their classroom.

Step One:  The Planning Portion

The first step to using the limited technology is to collaborate with others and make a plan.  Now I know you are thinking that you always make lesson plans, but by talking over what you want to achieve with others you can get more done!

First thing I would suggest is keeping notes and using a space that will help you organize a brain storm session with your colleagues.  A great resource is called Evernote.  I love this website/app and it is one I use for personal projects.  One great feature is that if you have multiple people working on that same concept then you can share it with all of those people and work together from the same note.  You can also insert pictures into your notes to help others see your vision for your plan.  Here is a quick tutorial on how to use the online version.

Now that you have brainstormed ideas you can get online and use an online plan book to share you plans so that you can divide and conqueror without too much stress!  My personal favorite is planbook.com.  Now I am going to be upfront it does cost $12.00 a year, but it is well worth the dollar a month if you do department or even team planning.  The reason why is so that you can share your lessons with the teachers around you and you will not have to retype them into your own book.  You can also attach all the files and links needed for the assignment and they are shared along with the lesson.  Planbook has an excellent youtube channel with tutorials on everything click >>>> HERE<<<<!  These are just a few images of what you planbook could look like, but you can really set it up however you would like to set it up!

 This is my own personal plan book.  I also have my English class below the reading and during debate season I include my plans for practice too!

I find that every year I tinker with the website I find even more cool tools they have added!  So please check it out I think they even will give you a free trial period.

Step Two:  Finding Great One Computer or Smartboard Lessons

So you only have your teacher computer to use.  There are several idea you can do to incorporate student interaction with your computer/board.  

One place I would look at for lesson ideas and templates is the smartboard exchange.  I was looking to create some vocabulary games and review some general concepts and I found so many templates on this website and then could quickly make a few fun games to keep in a folder.  If for any reason I have some extra time I now have content related activities to use with my students.  Click HERE to check out the website.

I am also using my smartboard when I set up stations for my students to learn about debate.  I will be downloading videos from youtube using Keepvid.  This allows you to download videos and not stream them from online.  I always stream them, but because of my restriction I will be using this for the next few weeks for various assignments.  This website will help me hook my students to lesson, plan socratic seminars, and use them while my students work in stations.  

Another tool if you are all for brain breaks is GoNoodle.  I honestly just got on this site a few days ago and have not used it in my classroom, but the concept is so fun.  There are videos on the site that you can choose from and as students do the brain break there creature (which each class will get to choose from)  will grow and change.  Here is a little character I chose for a tester classroom!  

Isn't he cute!

Step Three:  Enjoy your classes!

This is why we teach!  To see the students enjoy lesson and learn at the same time.  There are some many more websites than the ones I have listed!  If you have a favorite website please share it in the comments section.  Collaboration is what allows for us to grow as educators and get to enjoy those moments in the classroom.  Sharing is caring! :)

I am going to leave you with a little poster I made using Google Drawing for your enjoyment.  

Until next time...

Google Forms to the Rescue!

Technology is so awesome... Sometimes... I mean that is what we are all here for is to read up on a little bit of technology to use in our room.  This week I was feeling so ambitious and invited my curriculum coordinator to come and observe me using technology for a lesson in my room.  Of course that is when all starts to go wrong.  Here are just a few things that happened on that fateful day:

1. The internet decided to work off and on due to rain.
2. My school district decided to block the website that we have been using for MONTHS that was the base of the whole lesson.  
3. One computer cart decided it did not want to charge ANY of the computers.
4. Our technology lady was in meetings that morning trying to make sure that technology would work for our state testing and could not come to my aid!

Here are a few images that best express my feelings that morning:

After troubleshooting for the first two hours of the day.

After troubleshooting hours 3-4.

Needless to say technology does not always go our way but that should not stop us from using it.  My coordinator showed up during 6th hour right after the technology lady showed up 5th hour.  The next day I showed off even more technology to the superintendent of curriculum and all went just fine.  The moral of the story keep using technology even if it is frustrating at times, because the majority of time it does work.  We just need to stay positive.  

This week I would like to focus on the use of Google Forms in the classroom and other "hidden" Google gems.  

Google Forms

Google forms are a great tool that ALL teachers should use.  The first time used it can seem a little daunting, but then it becomes a cake walk.  Here is a tutorial on the basics of Google forms.  

I started using Google forms for surveys in my classroom.  I would have students do self-checks and give feedback on how I was doing as a teacher.  Then this January for our unit pretest I thought a little more about it put the test online using Google forms.  We have readings with our tests and I showed the kids how to put the reading and the test side by side.  I talked about this on my very first blog post. Remember this image!

Now when you use a Google form for assignments and tests it places all of the answers into a spreadsheet; which is much more easier for grading purposes instead of toting around packets of papers.  

This week I upped the ante and instead of just using links to readings I used links to portions of text I have recorded (using a voice recorder I found in Google Apps).  The students used the listening to answer questions about author's purpose and author's point of view.  We were practicing multiple standards in a fifteen minute activity.  Here just take a peek by clicking here!

Now I know you are BUT it gets even better!  I then used Flubaroo to grade the activity right in front of my students eyes.  We then made goals based on the results of the quiz.  What is Flubaroo you ask???  

Flubaroo

Flubaroo is a Google Add-on that will grade your assignments for you!  You have to check this out >>>> Flubaroo.  It has cut down on my grading time for test significantly.  I can even give students feedback in the same class period.  

They have a test form you can use to test it out.  I didn't believe it would work until I tried it out!  It is a life changer and something you must add to your teaching repertoire.  

Bonus Teacher Tool

We all know how amazing Google Apps is, but did you know that people share their templates they create so that everyone can use them!  I was unaware of this tool until literally this week.  Here is how to explore templates.  Here is a video I made to explain how to find various templates.  My microphone has decided to go to the great beyond today, so sadly this is a silent screencast.

I hope you find this information as inspirational as I have and find use for it in your own classroom.

Until next time...

What the heck-no-tec-no is a LMS???

Good even all.  I hope your Easter holiday was half as great as mine!  So much candy, great brunch food, and family time.  The best three day weekend I have ever had!  I am just wondering how I will top my next weekend...

Learning Management Systems

Okay friends, when I first heard of a Learning Management System I was clueless.  Let me give you a quick run down of what exactly a Learning Management System is:

Learning Management System (LMS):  A system which allows instructors to prepare content for the classroom that will also track progress and grades.  

Okay, my definition is a little short so if you would like to get a little more deeper into the discussion then here is a video for your enjoyment.  

What are my options for LMS at my school?

Previously my school used Moodle which I found difficult to maneuver.  I think I would have done much better if some professional development were offered, but I shortly gave up.  Currently we are using Google Classroom which I love, but it is not the most high tech system yet.  I have faith that this is only the beginning for Google, but I must be patient and wait.  I also used blackboard as an undergrad to help set up training for job, but I did not have much to do with that either.  Needless to say I am not an expert on all of the options out there, but I did find a website for your persual right >>> here<<<.  The two I am going to focus on this week are Schoology and Edmodo.  

Edmodo

1.  Edmodo looks like facebook.  This could be a plus or minus depending on what you are looking for your classroom.  I could see this being highly motivating for students to want to work, but on the other hand it doesn't really feel like a "classroom".  

2.  Edmodo has a set up where students can read all about the assignments that are working on without clicking around too much.  Here is an example of a few assignments on my classroom.  

See, everything is posted up front and there is no need for extra clicking around on the students part. This could be very useful for students who are not yet comfortable with using technology.  I find that those students are almost afraid of making extra clicks thinking they might break something.  

3.  Edmodo has a variety of options for teachers to put in as assignments:  Notes, Alerts, Assignments, Quizzes, Polls, and Snapshots. All of these are very easy for teachers to put into the site, but make sure to put them in the order you want them in.  There is not really a way to change the order once it is on the class page.  

4.  Edmodo has a great help page.  >>>Here<<< is a link to their help page so you can get a better idea of what is in Edmodo.  Below I have included a video for the basics of Edmodo. 

In general I think Edmodo is a little easier for a teacher use.  If you are new to using technology (I know you are out there!!!) then start off with Edmodo.  It is very simple to use for both the teacher and student.  I would encourage all technology newbies to check out the Learning Management System.  

Schoology

1.  Schoology set students up in a more of an academic mind set.  It is very clean and not too much on the page. 

2.  Students must click on the assignment to open the whole assignment.  This gives them one thing to focus on at a time.  This could be very helpful for students who struggle to focus on one things at a time.   Here is a peek at my classroom homepage:

When student clicks on the assignments it looks like this:

3.  Schoology has a host of opportunities for giving your students assignments.  Here are some of your options: Assignments, Links, Discussions, Quiz, Blogging, Media Album, and Web Content converted to a zip file.  Like a said several options for teachers and many of them are very advanced.  This would open up complex assignments for the students and make things a little more complex for the teacher.  Although there are a variety of option they are all VERY easy to use.  

4.  One thing I especially love about about Schoology is that you can assign things to specific students.  This is very helpful for differentiating in any classroom.  Have high, medium, low assignments or various literature circle roles.  The ideas are limitless!

5.  There is also an app that classrooms that have ipads can use!  I have not checked out the app, but I have heard great things from other teachers.  

6.  Schoology also has a great help site.  Check it out to get a better idea of what the site is about right >>>here<<<.    Below is a video about how to use Schoology in your classroom.  

Weekly Bonus Tech-Tip

These are just two of a million options of LMS.  If you are not comfortable with these then keep looking.  I would highly suggest that if you prefer one of them then try it out by setting it up for one classroom and doing a trial.  THEN if you still don't like it try out a different one.  Technology is just trial and error.  It takes a little time to get used to something new and the end of the year is the perfect time to try things out.  You have just the right amount of time to test out something and new technology always re-energizes your students.  If it doesn't work out try a different one with your students.  Then next year you are comfortable with the new LMS and ready to set up all of your classrooms for use.  I did this last year with Google Classroom and I was completely prepared for this year. The short testing period and the summer to prepare allow for a great start to my school year.  Now I am an "expert" (ha ha) at using Google Classroom in my school.