So what’s new?

Looking for innovation?  Try the NBC Learn offering- Science of Innovation! There are 17 short videos (from what is innovation, the role of the patent office, to biometrics), these series will certainly jump start STEM  in your classroom.  You can also share via Google Classroom.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

New Hot Spots

In something for older grades (perhaps 8 and up), check out Heatmap News.  Linked with a map, you can select a hot spot and see a current news story.   It is a nice focus to check on news around the globe and there is a search feature so you can look for older stories.  Some of the content is too mature for younger students.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

More from K to first!

More from kindergarten as they look forward to first grade!  Special thanks to Ms. Greene's class for their comments.

Rio and STEM

Well not really Rio, but the Summer Olympics and STEM.  Here are 10 video clips (from NBC Learn) highlighting athletic performances with lessons that tie to some part of STEM. And you can easily share with Google Classroom.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

What we will learn in first grade

With kindergarten classes looping next year into first grade, several classes have shared their thoughts with me.  Here are Mrs. Magner's students with their ideas for next year's learning.

Show me the math!

Send your kids on a math scavenger hunt.  Math is all around them. Have them take pictures and then pair them with definitions - they will be able to show you they understand! Alice Keeler shared a blog post (along with templates for Google Slides).

Make it snow (or night) in Storyboardthat!

Now you can customize the backgrounds in Storyboardthat!  I’ve seen students creativity unlocked when they were able to customize the characters and now they have background choices as well.  Richard Byrne (Free Technology for Teachers) has a post here that explains all the details! In the screen shot above, I started with the original background then changed the color and in the third cell, deleted some of the furniture and changed the colors.

Cleaning out your digital classroom

photo

Here’s a post from Alice Keeler with some suggestions to clean up your Google Classroom.  You might want to organize your folders.

BrainPOP make a map gets even better!

BrainPOP has a new tool for making concept mapping easier- check out their mapping templates.  After  logging in to your account, open any video and select Make a Map. On the left-hand toolbar, select My Maps- you will then get an option for Use Map Templates.  What a great way to help your students learn!

Spreadsheet for the younger set

Alice Keeler recently shared a measurement activity that pairs clip art, spreadsheets, and measurement.  Please click here to read the complete post (including a template).

What I want to learn in first grade

Mrs. Cozzi's class shared their thoughts in this ChatterPIX!  It was a fun morning in her class- they liked using the Quiver app as well.

So what do you want to learn in first grade?

I recently joined a kindergarten class and asked the same question.  Their responses demonstrated a wide range of interests!  Please enjoy the ChatterPIX created in Mrs. Josiah’s class.

So how’s your fluency?

No, I’m not talking about how well you reading- I’m talking about your Digital Information Fluency.   I really liked this definition from the site 21st Century Informational Literacy -  “Digital Information Fluency (DIF) is the ability to find, evaluate and use information retrieved online effectively, efficiently and ethically. Information fluency (DIF) is the ability to find, evaluate and use information retrieved online effectively, efficiently and ethically.”   Isn’t this something we want for all our students?  This site (geared for grades 3-12) has tutorials, games, and additional resources.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

The NEW Patent Office site

This site has it all-from inventions to coloring pages to trademarks.  There are sections for kids, teens, and parents.  I think the flip book activity might be a fun June activity. Consider this as a jumping off point for MakerSpace activities.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Which way does your compass point?

Your digital compass, that is.  Digital Compass is a Common Sense product that exposes students to eight types of Internet safety. This is geared for grades 5-9.  While you can play the game on the website there are also apps.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Are you a visual learner?

Vidtionary might be for you.  Use this site to find images related to your vocabulary words.  Not only are there a variety of images, but the word is also pronounced several times. And it is not limited to only the concrete nouns.  This might be an interesting site for ELL students.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Really growing vocabulary (from the root up!)

There are days I wish I knew Latin.  No, it’s not for my fondness for foreign languages but rather to be able to deconstruct English words.  Word Root of the Day Archive might solve my problem.  Their easy to follow examples of key root words (along with several examples) might be one way to start your class.  You could challenge the students to think of other related words.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.