Today I wanted to share a HyperDoc designed to help students set goals for the 2021 year. This activity is inspired by Mike Ashcraft's and Rachel Olsen's book My One Word: Change Your Life With Just One Word.
If you don't know why you are doing something connected to teaching and learning, why are you still doing it? Join us as we explore resources to help educators and students grow as leaners. #LifelongLearning #BetterTogether #HappyLearning #AlwaysLearning
One Word to Rule Them All - 2021 One Word Student Challenge HyperDoc
Today I wanted to share a HyperDoc designed to help students set goals for the 2021 year. This activity is inspired by Mike Ashcraft's and Rachel Olsen's book My One Word: Change Your Life With Just One Word.
Reboot the Noggin - 2021 New Year's Welcome Back HyperDoc
I love being an educator and I am always excited to return to school after a break, but for some reason don't think most of my students always feel the same way. In an effort to reconnect with my students after a break, I like to do something more than just review for our final exam or jump right into new content.
Today I wanted to share a HyperDoc designed to help students reflect on 2020 and set goals for 2021.
Year in Review - 2020 Resources for Teachers and Students
I always welcome back my students to the New Year with several activities connected to the events, stories, and trends from the previous year. The goal is to reflect and make connections to our learning experiences. Here are some resources connected to 2020 in review.
I've also posted our 2021 One Word HyperDoc Activity and our Reboot the Noggin - 2021 New Year's Welcome Back Activity this week. Educators are welcome to copy and modify these for their own students.
Recommended Books for Remote, Online and Distance Learning
We've created a Recommended Educational Book Site to organize and share some great books connected to teaching and learning. We are currently working on updating a new section for Online Learning.
Today I am recommending a book connected to our new world of online learning written by one of my favorite educators, John Spencer.
Embedding Google Drawings in HyperDocs and Interactive Digital Activities
Google Drawings has become one of most important tools in Remote Learning Toolbox. I've always thought that I've done a lot with Docs, Forms, and Slides, but Drawings was something that I never utilized as much as I could.
These posts share a few examples of how I've used Google Drawings with my students this year.
- Google Drawings Venn Diagram Template
- Google Drawings Meme Generator
- The Power of Google Drawings to Engage Students
In todays post I want to focus on how I am using Google Drawings embedded in Google Docs to create HyperDocs and Interactive Activities for remote learning. While my focus is on Earth Science and the Environment right now, I think these ideas could be adapted for any content area or grade level.
2020 Digital Shopping Guide and Online Holiday Specials for Educators
Every year I do more and more of my shopping online. The thrill of driving from store to store and fighting the crowds just isn't there for me anymore. Add in the fact that we are living in a world where many stores are closed, online shopping make quite a bit of sense.
I wanted to stat this year with few sites that are new to me, that I will definitely be exploring this year.
Best Online Deals These sites work in a variety of ways to find some of the best deals online.
- Mr. Rebates - Online Coupons and Cash Back
- Rakuten - Online Coupons and Cash Back
- Honey - Online deals and coupons.
- Amazon’s Black Friday Deals
- Amazon Best Sellers
- My Amazon Store for Teachers and Learners
- Amazon Prime Membership
- Ebay Daily Deals
- iPad, iPod, Apple Watch, or Macbook? Apple typically runs their once a year sale on Black Friday online and in store.
- The MacRumors Site typically has the most updated details about Apple Store Sales.
Android and ChromebooksUnion Membership
Product Reviews
Online Electronics Retailers
Unique and Creative Gifts
Google Drawings and Google Slides Venn Diagram Templates
- 30 Free Google Drawings Graphic Organizers - Control Alt Achieve
- 25 Free Google Drawings Graphic Organizers - Ditch that Textbook
- Get Creative with Google Drawings - Learning in Hand
- Google Slides: Create A Venn Diagram - Teacher Tech
Friday Fun- Learning Reflections with Google Doodles
Happy Friday and Happy Almost Halloween!
I know it has been a while and this is not even close to the most useful post I've shared, but when you are struggling to engage in teaching and learning it can be a strange journey to inspiration. I found a bit of inspiration today and wanted to share. Yeah!
Today I discovered the 2020 Google Halloween Doodle and this led me down the rabbit hole that is the Google Doodle Archive. My exploration inspired me to create something I might use to engage my students in both the Google Doodle Archive and our course content..
Google Doodle Assessment / Reflection Template
Even if this just leads to something fun for my students, I totally think it will be worth exploring during these strange days we are all living in.
There have been so many incredible Google Doodles shared over the years. How can you use these to inspire and engage your students with a dash of fun? (Please, share your ideas in the comments below!)
I promise I'll be back to creating and sharing soon.
Happy Learning Everyone!
BTW - The animated GIF for the Doodle was created using Screencastify.
Curiosity and Critical Thinking Resource - What's Going On in This Picture?
Getting to Know My Students - Making Connections 7 Days and 7 Photos
Getting Started - Remote Learning, Pear Deck, and More
Welcome to Class!
Remote Learning Style!
This is a year like no other! You've probably heard this a time or two, but how is it changing how we teach and learn?
I'll let you know what I think in a few month's, but for now I am just trying to start the year without being in the classroom. We are full remote for a bit. Today I wanted to share one piece of how I am trying to get to know my students while I introduce them to the way we are going to do learning.
Chromebook Keyboard Shortcuts for Teachers and Students
Google Applied Digital Skills Back to School Collection
Google Applied Digital Skills is a free online project based learning curriculum. The lessons engage students in essential digital skills connected to Google's G Suite for Education applications. Students watch short step-by-step video tutorials, that support a variety of activities in each lesson.
I love the curriculum and I've shared several posts about Google Applied Digital Skills since the product went live a few years ago. I think the student paced videos lessons and activities are a great ways to engage students in both content and essential digital skills. it is also a perfect tool to engage students in remote learning experiences.
Tips to Use Google Applied Digital Skills for Remote Learning
Google has even put together a collection of 20 lessons that are perfect for back to school.New Google Sites Tips, Tricks, and Training Resources for Teachers
New Google Sites has been around for a few years, so I am wondering when Google will drop the "New".?I have a tendency to just say Google Sites or Classic Google Sites. Using Google Sites alongside Google Classroom or another LMS is a great way for teachers to engage parents and students. We've organized a new website using to help teachers explore the features of Google Sites.
Split Screen on Chromebooks - Two Tabs One Window
Sometimes having two screens open side by side on a Chromebook is much more efficient then toggling between tabs. There are a few different ways to evenly split your screen into two separate Chrome windows on a Chromebook.
Google for Education Professional Development and Learning Resources Website
Google has some incredible learning resources for all learners. The Google for Education team also organizes and shares some incredible professional development and training resources. We've done our best to organize and share the best Google for Education learning resources in a newly updated Google Site.
Remote Learning Daily Agenda Templates - Organization for Teachers, Parents, and Students
Free Interactive Pear Deck Templates for Google Slides and PowerPoint
Prepared to Learn: A Virtual PD Series Presented by Pear Deck, Screencastify, Book Creator, and Google for Education
In Event of Moon Disaster . . . Unique Digital Literacy Resource to Learn About Deepfakes
Favorite Google Resources for Teachers and Learners
Remote Learning Resources to Support Digital and Hybrid Learning Experiences
Have You Seen the New Pear Deck Trivia Templates?
Summer Reading for Teachers
Pear Deck PD Choice Board - Advanced Features
Pear Deck is an incredible tool that educators can use to add interactive questions for students to any presentation. I've primarily used Pear Deck with Google Slides, but it also works with PowerPoint. If you are curious to learn more about how I use Pear Deck with my students, check out these blog posts.
I recently explored a great post by Pam Huber about Coaching Choice Boards. It is an awesome way to deliver professional development. I was inspired to try something similar with a focus on one of my favorite EdTech resources, Pear Deck.
Picture Book Collection Connected to Equity, Empathy, and Kindness
Inspirational and Motivational Learning Video Challenge
It's not all bad! There are many great educators doing incredible things to inspire and motivate learners during these unique times and I want to do my part. With this in mind, I am challenging my PLN to share videos or quotes connected to teaching and learning. The goal is to inspire and motivate our teaching friends. #BetterTogether
I think the rules our simple.
- Find a video or quote that puts a positive spin on being a teacher and lifelong learner. What inspires and motivates you?
- Share the quote or video using the #ShareYouWhy hashtag and any additional teaching and learning hashtags you love.
- It is ok to share more than once. The more the better!
- Feel share to explain why the quote or video matters or leave it open to interpretation.
Awesome Templates and Visual Design Add-Ons for Google Slides 👀
3 Simple Things to Consider When Creating a Presentation
- Less is often more when it comes to text. If you can't make your point with a few points, you may want to reconsider your purpose.
- Backgrounds should connect to you message and not distract the viewer. Backgrounds set the theme for your message.
- Images should emphasize essential ideas and not just be space fillers. Remember a picture is worth a 1000 words if it is used in the right way.
Today I am going focus on the tools that support visual design in Google Slides. Here are some recommendations for templates, images, and fonts. (While I am focusing on Google Slides, many of these can also be used with PowerPoint or Keynote.)
Recommended Book - Control Alt Achieve: Rebooting Your Classroom with Creative Google Projects
Control Alt Achieve: Rebooting Your Classroom with Creative Google Projects by Eric Curts
Screencastify Updates To Support Remote Learning
I also love that Screencastify is always looking for new ways to support teachers and students. There are many innovative EdTech companies that I've gotten to know over the years and Screencastify is one of the best. 2020 has been no exception and today I wanted to share a few of the more recent Screencastify updates.
Google Read Along - Reading Practice App for Young Readers
I had a chance today to explore the new Google Read Along App on my Chromebook and I think it is something that will engage young readers in reading practice at home. Right now the App only works on Android-enabled Chromebooks and Android devices, but I hope it will be available for iOS in the future.
Here are some of the features that I really liked.
- It is free with no in-app purchases or ads.
- It is available in nine languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese and Hindi
- The in-app reading buddy that listens to the reader, offers assistance when they struggle and rewards them with stars and badges as they successfully complete passages.
- Students can also tap the reading buddy to get help pronouncing a word or sentence.
- Parents can create profiles for multiple readers.
- The app can recommend difficulty levels for stories and games based on the reading performance of the student.
- It works online or offline, but you do need to be online to download new stories.
- Google is looking for feedback, so I think the App will continue to improve. They have even created a place for anyone to send feedback at readalong@google.com.
Recommended Book - Tech Like a PIRATE Matt Miller
Matt Miller has done it again. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for new ways to use technology to enhance student engagement.
Updated Guide to Sharing Files in Google Drive
Google started rolling out some updates to sharing files in Google Drive. This includes Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, and just about everything else but forms. The main changes include the interface and renaming some of the sharing options. If you haven't started to see the new sharing options you probably will soon. These changes are specific to drive and don't impact the drive sharing settings in Google Classroom.
Thank You Educators!
I just wanted to take a moment to thank all the teachers and educational leaders who are doing so much to support all learners. I am thanking you all as both a parent and an educator. Parents, students, and teaching friends need to do this more often than once a year. #TeacherAppreciation
- The Best Teacher Appreciation Giveaways and Deals for 2020 (We Are Teachers)
- Teacher Appreciation Week: What Teachers Would Like to Have During Distance Learning (Mindshift)
- #TeacherAppreciationWeek Hashtag on Twitter (Great Daily Giveaways)
- 50 of the Best Quotes About Teaching (teachthought)
- A Teacher Appreciation Week for the Ages (Edutopia - YouTube)
- Teacher Appreciation Week: They wanted respect. It only took a coronavirus pandemic and worldwide economic collapse (Newsweek)
- Erducator Strong....it’s what we are! (Gerry Brooks - YouTube)
- Teacher Appreciation Day 2020 (Pearl Jam - YouTube)
Please feel free to share additional appreciation resources or thanks you's to a special teacher in the comments below.
I hope everyone is well and is finding moments of joy when and where you can.
Explore the World with Google Arts & Culture
Google just released a new collection of lessons to engage students in virtual field trips that explore the mind of an artist, the history of a palace, the mystery of space, and more. Students will engage in exploring topics, collaborating, and practicing essential skills.
Pear Deck Now Lets Teachers Record and Upload Audio
Adjusting To Working at Home - Tech and Home Office Tips and Resources
I've been working at home for almost two months now and I've begun to think about what I need to efficiently work at home. Today I wanted to share the top 10 things I think every home office should have to maximize the space.
Curiosity Matters - Unique YouTube Channels to Engage Curious Learners
Curiosity still matters and it is an essential skill for all lifelong learners. Learners need to challenge themselves to explore something new as often as they can. I'm not just talking about content or learning how to do something you need to get done. I'm thinking about exploring something unexpected, something unique.
"There is frequently more to be learned from the unexpected questions of a child than the discourses of men." John LockeI think we sometimes get so caught up in what we have to learn that we forget to explore something we could learn. Today I wanted to share a couple YouTube channels that inspire me to explore something unexpected. How would you use these with your students?
Earth Day 2020 - Introducing TED-Ed Earth School for Remote Learning
Today I discovered a new resource from TED-Ed and it looks like an awesome remote learning resource for educators and students.
Audio in Google Slides - Enhancing The Learning Experience
Pear Deck Student Paced for Remote Learning
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