Improving student writing

Kasey Bell (in her blog post here) has several good suggestions for helping students with their writing in Google.  Revision history and the use are comments are two of my favorites. She does reference Read and Write for Google.  While you can get a free teachers' version, this extension is not free for students and requires a subscription.

Going in reverse

Most folks know to use the TAB key when moving forward while completing a form- but do you know how to move backward in a form?  Please see Alice Keeler’s blog post here for the secret!

Book Creator and Auto Draw

BookCreator is one of my favorite bookmaker tools.  Now, even with my limited drawing skills, I can draw in Book Creator.  Please see the post from Richard Byrne here.

Want to know when a form is submitted?

While there are add ons that will notify you when forms are submitted, there is also a method already in forms.  Just go to the response section and click on the 3 dots (or the snowman as I tell my younger students). Then make your selection.  For complete instructions, read Alice Keeler’s post here.

Changing columns in Google Sheets

Ever want to take the data (like first and last names) in one column and split it into two?  All you need is the split text to columns command. See Alice Keeler’s blog post here for all the details.

STEM Lesson plans

Looking for a way to show your high school students how math works in the real world?  How about data analysis with a naval twist? Discovery Education has partnered with the US Navy.  You will find lesson plans, virtual field trips, and virtual interactives on their site STEM for the Classroom.

Sending the students to an assignment via a link

In this blog post, Alice Keeler shares the secret of the three dots to get the link to a specific assignment.  Please click here to read.

HyperDocs

Last June, I attended a PD session (at South Brunswick) where Jamie Rattien gave a great over of Hyperdocs.  She has shared her presentation here.  This is a nice overview to help get you started using this digital format with your students.

Everything you always wanted to know about sharing Docs

Alice Keeler does an outstanding job walking you through all the aspects of sharing in Google Docs.  Please see her blog post here.

Google for Social Studies Folks

Richard Byrne's blog post from early September focused on Google Tools for social studies teachers. Here are his video highlights.

𝔽𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕪 🅣🅔🅧🅣

🆂🅴🅴 🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆈🅾🆄 🅲🅰🅽 🅳🅾!

I know what you might be thinking- why would I be interested in a web site that creates interesting fonts?  Can’t I just use the myriad of fonts in Google (or Word)? The Cool Fancy Text Generator is helpful for those places that don’t allow fonts (think Topics in Google Classroom or Titles in Google Forms).   Special thanks to Jen Hall who shared this tool on the recent Discovery Education Virton.

Slides instead of Docs?

I will admit that I use Google Docs much more than I create Google Slides.  But after reading Alice Keeler’s blog post here, I’m starting to think differently. I especially like the feedback options and the ability to add a video. Not that slides will always replace a doc, but it is something to consider.

Versailles -your personal view

Google Art and Culture has launched a new project - Versailles: The Palace is Yours.  From palace secrets to up close artwork- this is a tour like no other!

Conditional Formatting in Sheets

Those who have worked with me in the escape rooms have experienced conditional formatting.  Basically, you can set up rules in a spreadsheet cell to change color based on the response.  If a quick way to provide feedback to your students. Please see Alice Keeler’s blog post here for step by step directions.

Using timelines so show progress

Over the summer, I read this blog post from Richard Byrne (Free Technology for Teachers) and liked his idea.  Timelines could be a great way to show progress. While I am sure the first two he mentions will work [ReadWriteThink and Sutori (while there are paid features in this one) will work- Timeline JS I haven’t gotten to work (due to the publishing requirement).]

Alice Keeler and Halloween!

Make a copy of Alice’s spreadsheet and create away!  The above is a pumpkin I made- just think how your students might show their creativity! After all, who doesn't like a little pixel art! You can even create your own challenges. Please click here for Alice Keeler’s blog post (includes the spreadsheet and suggestions).

Halloween Template

The folks at Carnival Slides have (what seems like) shared their annual Halloween slide template.  Please click here to view.

Google Scoot

This is an interesting way to combine multiple slides into one presentation

as well as providing some movement in class.  Google Scoot is a game

where every student has an open-ended question (on a slide) on their

device. Students move from device to device adding their response

(or emoji). Sort of gives me a musical chairs feel. For more details on

Google Scoot, please see the blog post here.

Once all the students have responded, the teacher can combine

all the slides into one presentation (using the import slide feature-

step by step directions are here).

This idea is from Erin at Erintegration.

National Geographic Resources

Here’s a free site full of images and information.  Filter by grade, content types (from activities to lessons, maps, and more!), and subject. This National Geographic site also includes links to events and professional development opportunities.

Celebrating Nuclear Science Week?

Next week is Nuclear Science Week and Discovery Education has you covered.  Visit their website here for classroom resources (for both middle and high school students), as well as career options and a virtual field trip.

Looking for Halloween lessons?

Richard Byrne (Free Technology for Teachers) shares several math and science websites for Halloween themed lessons on his blog here.

Creative BrainPOP Ideas

Here’s a post from BrainPOP - it’s more than just watching movies!  Click

here for some creative ideas. Need more back to school ideas? Click here.

Clever use of Version History

Many of you may have used the revision tool to look at previous versions of a Google doc. But have you thought of periodically naming your version to help you find the exact point? Alice Keeler suggests (in this blog post) you name the version prior to collaboration- this way it will make it easy to go back to see the previous version.

Cyber Safety Month

Richard Byrne (Free Technology for Teachers) has shared several internet safety resources in his blog post here.  Some of the StopThinkConnect items looked very interesting.

Priority- it’s not just for mail anymore!

You might have noticed a new page in your Google Drive.  You will notice a priority page populated based on a Google algorithm- it will show material based on your recent work or material shared with you.  You will be able to see comments without opening the document. For additional information, please see Richard Bryne’s blog post here.

That first quiz

This Alice Keeler blog post discusses the impact (and importance) of

that first of the school year assessment.  After you read it, it might

change how you create your first assessment.

Timesavers for Google Users

Richard Bryne (Free Technology for Teachers) shared his favorite time-saving tools for Google users.  With the exception of canned responses in Gmail (since we Outlook)- take a quick look and see what could make you more productive.

The great UNDO shortcut

Have you ever made a change and wanted to undo it?  Or been typing something and (in error) deleted an entire paragraph?  You need Ctrl + z- this quick tip will undo your last action.  For more details, please see Alice Keeler’s blog post here.

BrainPOP and SEL

BrainPOP has augmented its collection to include social-emotional learning content.  After you log in to your account, just enter social emotional learning (either in BrainPOP or Junior).

Pasting without the formatting

Many people use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl +V to paste- but what if you want to eliminate the formating?

In this blog post, Alice Keeler shows you how to add the Shift key to this equation and have the text match your existing format.  Please click here for the details.

Looking for art resources?

TeachersFirst has curated a series of art resources on their page here.  From color to murder at the Met- you will find something for every grade level.