The geometry of castles

While I don’t teach math (or even pretend to try), I was memorized with the math lesson suggestion from Richard Byrne (Free Technology for Teachers). Google Earth is the starting point for these premade lessons (there are three). 

Add music to your Screencastify video

While background music might not be appropriate for all Screencastify videos- it might work for some applications.  Please see Richard Byrne (Free Technology for Teachers) blog post for step by step directions.  While he downloads it first to YouTube, I went directly from Screencastify to YouTube and I was able to add music.  The nice feature since you are using the YouTube editor, all the music is approved for YouTube.

It’s the perfect time for a (virtual) field trip!

TeachersFirst recently shared their list of virtual field trips- from the White House to Ellis Island to natural Wonders of the World- there is something for everyone here.  Since these are not “live” you can visit whenever it is convenient.

Ideas for Tour Builder

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Several of my middle school colleges used Google Tour Builder remotely this week.  I will admit we did have some image issues (but they were resolved by saving the images rather than using the URLs).  Richard Bryne  (Free Technology for Teachers) shared 10 interesting ways to use Google Tour Builder that reach across all disciplines.  You can read his post here

Journey under the sea

Are you interested in a virtual trip below the sea?  Want to see the dolphins and the great white sharks?  Explore this 360 virtual reality tour of an unmanned vehicle.  Geared for 6-8 graders, I think it would be interesting to both younger (and older) students.

Click here to start your adventure.

Human Rights From Home

New from DE:

Learn How to Teach Students About Human Rights From Home

Learn how to teach human rights with Speak Truth To Power’s new online Master Class Series highlighting five incredible human rights educators across the United States. Foster the next generation of human rights defenders by taking bold and mindful action using engaging 21st century content. Please click here to get started.

DNA for high school students

Discovery Education has a variety of real-life DNA explorations on their site here.  This might be just the thing for an end of the year project.

Get your Jam on…

Jamboard is a free  Google (GSuite) app that allows you to collaborate with your students and share information.  It’s an interactive whiteboard

(perfect for video calls) and you control the sharing rights.  While it is a physical product, you don’t need to have the board to use the application.  There is also app for IOS/Android.  Here is a brief video from Richard Byrne that demonstrates the product.

PBS Learning Resources

Here’s the latest newsletter from PBS learning- from animal adaptations to extracting DNA from strawberries!  Make a free account and explore!

Itron's Family Activities Will Help Keep Your 6-9 Graders Busy

These family activities offer two options to show how your family consumes energy—one for electricity and one for water consumption. Learn how you can save energy while you're staying at home!  Click here to start.