Google Classroom- a place to store your assignments?

In this video from  Scott Latimore, he presents a novel use for Google Classroom. Since you can reuse assignments (from one classroom to another), Scott suggests creating a Google Classroom to act as a library for your assignments.  Think how you and your peers could collaborate and use the topic feature to help you organize your work.  I think this would be easier than scrolling through old archived classes looking for assignments from last year (or term).

The perfect use for “Students can edit”

Often I lack good ideas on how the option “students can edit” document can work in the classroom.  In this option, every student can write (and read) the same document. It can get a little hectic!

But over lunch with Leah Magielnicki (SUES), she shared the idea of Notice and Wonder as part of her small groups in math.  

It starts with a Google Doc with access given to all 5 or so students in the group.  Here’s a sample:  (Click here to see the entire document.)

The small group enters their thoughts and can see what their peers are thinking.  

Leah shared the source of her inspiration- The Math Forum (lesson from 2015).  

Such a great way for students to show their thinking and understanding.

How to access Google at home

Maria Vella very kindly shared her "How to access Google from home" directions.  This is especiaolly useful if you want your students to access classroom or other sites we have linked to their Google accounts (BrainPOP, Discovery Education, Storybird, Storyboardthat are just a few examples).

How To Access Google Account Away From School

1. Type Google.com into the web browser
2. Upper Right hand corner you will see Blue Sign In Rectangle
3. Click Sign in
4. Type in your email address –

Your 6 digitnumber@sayrevillek12.net  - example - (123456@sayrevillek12.net)

5. Type in your password – your 6 digit number (123456)
6. You can access all the google apps at the Waffle House
7. You can then access your school Google Classroom or BrainPop.  Since you are signed into Google, there is also easy access from the Storyboardthat, Discovery Education, or Storybird websites.  These two sites will not appear in the Waffle House (apps launcher).

EdcampNJ

Edcamp NJ is a free unconference held in New Jersey the Saturday before Thanksgiving (this year 11/19).  I have attended several times and always walked away with new ideas.  To register for this free PD event or get additional information, please click here.

Navy + Discovery Education = STEM

Discovery has partnered with the Navy to produce a series of STEM lessons. Many include slide presentations and other activities including lesson plans. Visit STEM for the Classroom with the US Navy.

What can you do with 20 pieces of spaghetti?

What’s the tallest structure your students could build with 20 pieces of pasta, some string, tape and 18 minutes?  And with a marshmallow on top? Join Jenn Wagner’s Marshmallow Challenge (10/10-11/18 for grades K-6).  Here are the complete directions.

Election Commercials from the past

Richard Byrne recently shared a blog post on election commercials. The Living Room Candidate allows you to search by year (starting in 1952) , type of commercial or by issue.  

Taking a screenshot

Photo from 180 Technology Tips

Here’s a good tip from 180 Technology Tips on how to create a screenshot on a windows machine.  If you would like to get a new tip each day, just sign up on their site.

Map Reading

I’ve been in many elementary classrooms where I can tell by the material on the board that map reading is on the agenda.  Here’s an interactive site from the National Park Service that might help your students.  For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Map games online

Looking to improve your map skills?  Visit Seterra either online (or their free app). You can select one of 100 games and see how well you do! For the complete post, please see TeachersFirst here.