What we are thankful for

While working with some augmented reality apps (and teaching first graders how to use the iPad), the students shared their thoughts of thankfulness.  We used their cornucopias to speak their words!

Vaping

About a month ago, I was having dinner out with my son and noticed there were folks vaping at the next table.  Here is a TEDx talk by Dan Giovenco (SWMHS alumni) on vaping and public health.

Teaching CS without a computer?

That’s the aim of Computer Science Unplugged!  There are many coding skills that can taught without a computer or any electronic device.  For activities for grades 4-12, please check out the site.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Tagul (chrome word clouds)

While I have been a big Wordle and Tagxedo fan, neither of those tools works on a chromebook.  Recently I was reminded of Tagul (see the post here from MIchelle Bond).  It works on chrome, allows you to sign in with Google, and has many of the same features as Tagxedo.  Here’s a sample I created- see if you can guess the topic.

Sizing up the universe

One of my former colleagues had a favorite planet scale complete with a variety of planets and how far they would be from the sum ( I remember one of the planets would have been down at the local Shop Rite).  Here’s an online activity from the Smithsonian that allows you to create your own solar system to scale.  Once you select the size of your earth (and the moon), you can see how large the orbit would be in your neighborhood.  From the team at ScienceNetLinks, you are Sizing up the Universe.

Wisdom from kindergarten

I had a great time this morning in kindergarten.  In addition to using the iPads to make flashcards fly (AR Flashcards), the students also colored sheets and brought them to life.(Quiver).  While all this happiness was going on in the classroom, I worked with students (a group at a time) to create this iMovie with ChatterPIX using their drawings and reflections on their time in kindergarten.

Here are some photos from our morning:

Bring out your inner wizard

With Wizer!  Here you can make online worksheet like projects ( matching, fill ins,and many more).  You can sign in via Google and then share the link (including a link to classroom) for your students.  Here’s the link to a sample I created.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Science for the very young

While Science4Us has a paid component, there are many free resources for younger students on this site. There are interactives (the screenshot here is one example) as well as songs and projects.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Want history with attitude?

Or really hip history?  Check out Hip Hughes History (here’s his channel)- there are many videos on a wide variety of history topics.  While it is geared for grades 8 and above, I think you might be able to use clips with upper elementary students.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

And then J.J. posted

What if well known atomic scientists used Fakebook to share their theories on the atom?  That’s what Tyneesah Stokes and Brian Garsh's high school students created recently in class. Here are a few examples- click on the link to see the complete Fakebook page.

http://www.classtools.net/FB/1584-yeCaXp

http://www.classtools.net/FB/1716-vz2scH

http://www.classtools.net/FB/1742-Gfgfhq