Ask Your Students...

Consider this as an end of the year activity. Students can get creative to share their responses. They can create a sign/poster, an infographic, a card, a song, a poem, a letter, etc. The sky is the limit... on wait.. there is no limit. 

Ask your students...

What's Going on in This Picture?

Use pictures (or graphs, tables, songs, memes) to give students opportunities to think critically about what they see/hear. 

Read more here.

Here's an example.... 

What do you think is going on in this picture?

Share your thoughts on this Flipgrid.  

(use guest password Picture1)

Or on this Padlet

Discovery Education Spotlight on Strategies

YouTube Videos ~ Tips and Tricks.

Video Tricks and Tips by dwells6

Bloom's Digital Taxonomy

Seesaw and Google Classroom

  

Seesaw Users ~ Some feature updates that should be live now or coming soon (and some other ideas.) 

• Audio Recordings created in an easier way inside Seesaw or uploaded can now be attached to text boxes, labels, & images
• The ability to lock the size and shape of an image, label, or text box while the students could still move that object around the page... great for sorting activities.
• Folders are a wonderful organization tool. 

Quick demonstration video ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/N-Wnku1FUJs

Google Classroom Users ~ Some feature updates that should be live now or coming soon (and some other ideas.)

• Google Forms will soon be able to be saved in Draft so that students (or teachers) can go back and finish later without losing their information
• Rich text formatting (underline, bold, italicize) for Classroom Stream Posts 
• Clean up your Stream by having assignments only show on the Classwork page
• Using Topics is a wonderful organization tool. 

More ideas and resources on my Wakelet profile

Simply Synergy Slideshow

Spotlight on Some Discovery Education Resources

Hour of Code ~ December 7th-13th

December 7th-13th is Computer Science Week. The goal is for students to participate in at least 1 Hour of Code during the week. Here are some reasons why- 

Sketchnote: 10 Reasons...

Coding allows students to explore and experiment with hands-on, discovery learning activities. Coding incorporates literacy skills such as connecting, cause/effect, and sequencing. Skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and application of the Mathematical Practices are also involved. Students will practice perseverance and "failing forward."

Here are a few resources.

Sign up for Hour of Code

Hour of Code Activities

Tynker: Coding for Kids

Kodable

CS First Coding

Additional information worth checking out. 

Why All Students Should Learn to Code in Elementary School

​Edutopia Article About Coding​

​Impact of Hour of Code​

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Check Out My Simply Synergy Snippets on Wakelet

Donna Wells' Wakelet Profile 

Synergy Snippets 4

Synergy Snippets by dwells6

Synergy Snippet

 

Synergy Snippets by dwells6

Synergy Snippets 3

Simply Synergy ~ Synergy Snippets 3 by dwells6

Synergy Snippets 2

Simply Synergy ~ Synergy Snippets 2 by dwells6

Simply Synergy ~ Synergy Snippets 1 by dwells6

10 Considerations for Purposeful Tech Use

Virtual Viewing Party: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Discovery Education is offering a Virtual Viewing Party in celebration of the service and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life. This event takes place on January 15th at 1:00 pm. 

"Thousands of classrooms will simultaneously access this video and share their thoughts and reflections about civil rights, service, and community. If this is your first Virtual Viewing Party read the FAQs for additional information.

The content and activities are suitable for all grades, and we always recommend a preview to determine whether the content suits the needs of your specific class(es)."

You can register here. This link also provides suggested activities for before, during, and after the viewing party. 

Applied Digital Skills

Apply digital skills in the classroom to prepare students for everyday tasks and future job skills. #GrowwithGoogle https://g.co/applieddigitalskills

Digital Workflow Tools

Google Classroom and Seesaw are excellent workflow tools. Teachers can efficiently share assignments/tasks/resources with students. Students can find and turn in assignments easily. Teachers can offer feedback through the programs or face-to-face.

Using folders/topics to organize tasks and then establishing protocols with guidelines about where, when, and how to access tasks and information in the programs will be beneficial and save time. 

Example: Create a folder/topic for Spelling or Vocabulary. Add new words each week. Students can access their words for the week easily when it is time to work with these words. They won't need to find their planner or search through their desk for word lists. Students will have all of their words for the year in one place to refer to if needed.

More Review Ideas

Have students work with a group to write a script and use iMovie or Flipgrid to explain a concept or strategy. Use Google Classroom or Seesaw to share the videos with the whole class or grade level for review. 

Get students up and moving with a Task Card Review. Students can work individually or in pairs. Put your review questions/concepts/vocabulary on cards around the room. Students put their answers on a recording sheet or in a Google Form as they move to the different cards. Have more task cards than you have groups to avoid pile-ups and give clear expectations of procedures (show/explain work, stay with partner, etc.).  Review answers in small groups or put the answers on QR codes for students to self-check.  Check out Teachers Pay Teachers for some free premade task cards or make your own.  Find more task card ideas here.

Use a Google Form with validation for students to enter answers to questions from a reading passage or group of math problems. They'll need to enter the correct answers in the correct order to move on. This 3 minute video explains the process. 

Ideas for Review

With the end of year approaching, here are some ideas to use for review. 

Use one of the formative assessment tools like Kahoot, Quizizz, Quizlet, Jeopardy- but have students write the questions. They'll have to think critically to give correct and incorrect answer choices in their quiz. Of course, you'll want to preview their work before sharing with the class. 

Have students use Flippity (Flashcards, Quiz Show, or Scavenger Hunt are good choices for review) to create study games. Directions are provided with the templates. Once you have previewed their work, links can be shared out with the class.

    

Create a Google Form for students to do a Brain Dump. Here's a sample form that you can copy and edit to meet your needs. Share the form and give students a time limit to complete. Use the data in the form spreadsheet to gage understanding of content,  group students for remediation, discuss misconceptions, and to determine specific material for review. 

This Graffiti activity gets students working collaboratively and thinking critically about text or math problems. 

Check out That Quiz. 

Digital Writing Resources

Using a digital writing tool gives students an opportunity to share their writing with a wide audience. The tools in this chart have some features that might engage both enthusiastic and reluctant writers.  Credit to John Spencer for the Video Writing Prompts and Eric Curtis for the Random Emoji Generator.

Flashcard Factory

F​lashcard Factory​ is a component of Pear Deck and​ was designed to transform the way students engage with vocabulary. ​S​tudents pair up and work together to create dynamic and engaging flashcards. Students collaborate to illustrate and define terms​. ​Flashcard Factory​ is free to use and integrates with Google and Quizlet.

Short video explanation Step-by-step directions

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Check for Understanding: Generative Sentences

Generative Sentences is a way to check for understanding in any subject while including some sentence structure and grammar. This strategy is also helpful as students demonstrate understanding of vocabulary words. To determine if students have a grasp of the content…

• Ask them to write 1 sentence to demonstrate understanding.
• Sentence must have the word you give them at the position you tell them and sentence must meet your length requirements.

In the first example below, students must use the word “cell” in a sentence with more than 6 words and “cell” must be the 3rd word. If your content is biology and their sentence is “I love cell phones that are pink.” You know they don’t understand content. “A plant cell is surrounded by a thick, rigid, cell wall.” This sentence might demonstrate understanding of content about plant cells.

The second example shows some additional criteria that could be used.

Make it your own based on your students and your content.

You can add your criteria to this template and share it on the screen or through Google Classroom/Seesaw. Find this and more great ideas in the webinar recording Unstoppable Learning with Dr. Douglas Fisher.

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Chrome Extensions for Your Classroom

I learned and relearned about some useful Google Chrome Extensions last week at NCTIES Conference. Here are a few of my favorites.

Use the Crafty Cursor Extension to highlight the cursor to point out specific information on a website when projecting your screen.

Crafty Text Extension adds a text box on a website to point our a vocabulary word, share a class code or URL, etc. You can enlarge the text so your students can easily see the info. 

ScreenShade Extension lets you quickly and easily cover your screen, or a portion of it.

Here is a short demo video for these extensions. 


Sir Links-a-Lot is great for when you want to change up a Google product URL (for a force copy, preview, or template).

Having many Google Extensions enabled can slow your computer. If you're not using it regularly, disable it or get Extensity to help manage your extensions.

Happy Googling!

Dr. Jane Goodall Broadcast

Here's a great opportunity to "step outside your classroom walls" and learn about how you can have an impact in the world. 

Learn how every individual's actions can make a big impact with Dr Jane Goodall

Join us for this an inspirational student Q&A with Microsoft guest, Dr. Jane Goodall, which will be followed by a live chat with Dr. Goodall and the Jane Goodall Institute's Roots & Shoots team

Timesaving Classroom Template

I found this idea and template on Twitter. There are so many great resources in the Twitterverse! You can make a copy of the template and then modify it to meet your needs. You might want a slide for each class or each activity type.  Read all about it here. Here are some ideas for using this tool..

• Questions/Standards/CHAMPS expectations
• Group rotations and timer link
• Noise Meter Link (Bouncy Balls)
• Random name/group generator link (Flippity Random Name Spinner)
• Homework/Early finisher work
• Use the Chrome Extension Side by Side to open links to other resources in a new window beside your template instead of on top of it. 

 Example Slides 

Pear Deck: Google Slides Add-on

Pear Deck is an add-on for Google Slides.  Use your existing Google Slide Shows (or create new ones) and embed interactive components to help with student engagement and to facilitate discussion during a lesson/unit.  The free version has a few limitations but has proven to be very useful to several teachers in the district. It can be used with iPads or Macs.  Here's a quick intro video and check out Pear Deck on Twitter.

Click here to check out a few Pear Deck templates that you can browse through and copy. I like this Critical Thinking template and this Social Emotional template. 

Digital Stories (part 2) ~ Book Creator

Why use a Digital Story Tool? 

• Motivation, engagement, creativity 
• Students' writing can easily be shared with a wider audience
• Images can be added easily to inspire/enhance writing
• Students take ownership as they write in their "own space"

This week I'm highlighting Book Creator.  Although the free account has some limitations (read more here) this digital tool is still a great option for students to use to "show what they know."

50 ways to use Book Creator in Your Classroom

Book Creator Features: 

• Can be used on iPad or MacBook
• Several book formats to choose from
• Add images from a file or from camera
• Add text, drawing, and voice

Storybird ~ Digital Writing Tool

WHY use a digital writing tool?

- Motivation, engagement, creativity

- Easily share with wider audience

- Easily add image to inspire and enhance writing

- Student ownership as they create in their "own space"

This week I'm highlighting Storybird. I used this slide deck at a recent training. Click on the setting wheel on the slide deck to access speaker notes for more information. 

Storybird Features

~ teacher can create private class

~ students join using code or Gmail

~ use with tablet or computer

~ students can collaborate

~ can share via link

~ extensive art collection to use with stories

~ write picture books, chapter books, or poems

Personal Learning Networks for the Win!

I learn something (often many things) every day from my Personal Learning Network (PLN).
Fortunately, no one has to be an island. According to Anthony Alvarado, “isolation is the enemy of improvement.” And we all want to improve, right? My PLN is huge and continues to grow.  It includes... but is certainly not limited to:

• The extraordinary team in the BCPS Teaching and Learning Department
• The amazing teachers/staff that I work with in the schools I serve 
• The fantastic members of NC Digital Learning Coaches Network
• The spectacular educators I follow on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus
• Follow me @donnawells50 and see who I follow
• The wonderful authors of the MANY blogs/sites I follow
• Just to name a few...
• Cult of Pedagogy
• Edutopia
• Mindshift
• 3 Tech Ninjas
• Getting Smart
• Shake up Learning

Here's a great article about PLNs.   Personal Learning Networks

Are you growing your craft and your PLN?  Consider finding time to learn from and share something with your PLN often. Thanks for being part of mine! #HappyLearning!
Help others grow their PLN by sharing on this Padlet.

Digital Learning Journal Ideas

WHY: A learning journal helps students think about the learning activities that teachers assign. Understanding "the why" will help make the activity more meaningful. 

Here are a couple of digital learning journal ideas. I worked with Mrs. Waters at Glen Alpine to develop these.  Feel free to copy and tweak to meet the needs of your students. 

Google Slides - Teachers can share out the link in Google Classroom (make a copy for each student). Students respond to prompts and can also add a photo. The Google slide deck is shared with teacher to review and discuss with students as needed. Students can look back over their learning and share with parents. You could also give students the prompts and let them design a slide to share their learning. 

Seesaw Activity- Teachers can share the activity through Seesaw. Adding a folder will provide easy access to the learning journals. Students respond to the prompts using text or voice. Teacher views the activity in Seesaw dashboard to review and discuss with students as needed. Students can look back over their learning and share with parents.  You could also skip using the learning journal template and have students create a post to share their learning reflections with images, text, and/or voice. 

Global Collaboration

Connecting and collaborating outside the classroom is super easy using digital tools such as Skype or Google Suite Apps. 

WHY collaborate globally?

"Exposing students to global collaboration builds cultural understanding, communication skills, and knowledge and awareness of the wider world."  

Here are other benefits of global collaboration from the article "5 Ways Students Benefit from Global Collaboration" by Julie Randles.

• Showing students we are more alike than different.
• Giving students the opportunity to learn through inquiry.
• Allowing students be the experts.
• Introducing students to careers they have never imagined.
• Teaching empathy.

Check out Skype in the Classroom for ideas about Mystery Skype, Skype Collaborations, Guest Speakers, and Virtual Field Trips. 

The slide deck from the ISTE presentation "Top Tools for Global Collaboration" by A. Jambor, A. Mirtschin, and M.Rogers gives more global collaboration ideas. 

Computer Science Week and Hour of Code

What is HOUR OF CODE?

Code.org states, “The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science.”

Read more here.

Why should students participate in coding?

• Coding allows students to explore and experiment with hands-on, discovery learning activities.
• Coding incorporates literacy skills such as connecting, cause/effect, sequencing, and communicating.
• Skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and many  Mathematical Practices are also involved.
• Students will practice perseverance and "failing forward" as they identify a problem, develop a plan, and test solutions.

You can register your class for a live Seesaw webinar and  then incorporate a follow-up activity.

Coding is a great early finisher activity, too. Consider how you can ignite learning with an Hour of Code.

Mind Maps

 Mind Maps

WHY Use Mind Maps: 

Generate discussion

Organize thoughts

Create connections 

Encourage creativity and ownership

Visualize information when studying or debriefing

Collaboration

WHAT are Mind Maps:

A mind map is a diagram that is used to visually outline information. You can think of a mind map as a large brainstorming web, where a central word or idea branches out into related subjects. As ideas are fleshed out and connect to one another, you can see how concepts tie together to get a better understanding of the content.  

Digital Mind Mapping Tools:

Using Google Suite products allows for easy saving and collaboration. Here is a template and an article by Matt Miller that explains how to use Google Slides for mind mapping. Teachers could share the template through Google Classroom and each student would have their own copy to use throughout a lesson/unit. Students could also create a mind map in Google Docs, Google Drawings, or Jamboard.

Smart Notebook, Seesaw, Pic Collage (iPad app), Educreations, and Padlet are other digital tools that could be used.  Mind mapping PD Challenge.