Instructional Technology | Innovation Specialist | Retired June 2022
ReadingVine is a free web-based resource that provides fiction and non-fiction reading passages and question sets for students of all ages.
Hone in on skill sets or search material by grade level. There is a myriad of different reading passages to help your students improve their reading skills.
Whether you are a teacher, parent, or tutor, ReadingVine is a resource you will want to use. Create your account today!
Designed to boost interest and proficiency in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM), the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest challenges public school teachers and students in grades 6–12 to create solutions using STEAM skills that can be applied to help improve their community. All you have to do now is start thinking about a local or relevant issue that impacts your school. Once the next school year begins, Samsung will remind you to brainstorm a solution with your students for a chance to win a share of $2 million in Samsung technology for your school. Sign up now to receive Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest emails and updates to be the first to know when the contest officially starts.
Sesame Snap is a free app to capture student assessment and record student performance much like the SeeSaw app for digital journaling but with the option for rubrics.
Easily save photos or videos of student work on the go – even without an Internet connection! Furthermore, record assessments using comments, rubrics, checklists and rating scales with just a few taps. Everything is automatically organized into each student’s portfolio.
You can even grant student access with unique scan codes so they can capture their own work and reflections – without ever having to memorize usernames or passwords.
Student-driven documentation
∙ Create “snaps” with photos, videos, audios, Google Docs, links or PDFs as evidence of learning.
∙ For younger learners, sign in on shared devices with QR codes instead of passwords. Or you can sign in using Google Apps for Education email/password.
∙ Import directly from 100’s of your favourite apps to show off learning in one place.
Instant authentic feedback
∙ Assess with comments, rubric, checklist or score tools that become instantly visible to students.
∙ Build trust and respect with families by inviting them to view updates in each student’s portfolio.
∙ Teachers always have control of who can see what.
Easy tracking and collaboration
∙ Tag local curriculum standards to student artifacts and assessments.
∙ Gradebook export and student portfolio makes report card writing a snap.
∙ Showcase students by their skills rather than test scores.
Whether your students are writing a story, a poem or lyrics to a song have them jazz it up by making the text twinkle like Christmas lights. This activity is suited for students (and teachers) familiar with Google Docs and Google Slides. It’s sure to capture their attention all the while encouraging students to write. Check out my example of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Students begin by writing their story or poem in a Google Doc and add the Rainbow Maker add-on for changing the text color. They’ll use Google Slides for creating the animated story.
Interested?
Scroll to Activity #6 from the link titled
Template and Activity courtesy of Eric Curts, Google Expert
Other activities include Emoji Rebus Stories, Pixel Art Ornaments, Holiday Greeting Cards, Magnetic Poetry, and Build a Snowman.
Memes are everywhere… in educational games, social media, and in advertising. Most often, memes portrait a sense of humor that fits right in line with the image chosen. Memes are pictures with text imposed to relay a message. Examples of how you could have your students create memes with a purpose are:
Memes can be made in many ways such as with Word and Google Docs/Drawings or you can use websites like imgflip.com or memegenerator.net. Having students create their own memes allows them to show what they have learned and how they chose to communicate their ideas.
