Category: Resources

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Keep Active With MOVE IT

Tired of sitting at your desk or the computer? Do you need your students to release a bit of energy?

If you answered yes to either question, then Move It is certainly worth a try. Get the Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store. It’s the easiest way to be reminded that you need a break. Set the notification interval and your screen will present you with a random brain break and exercise to complete in less than a minute. Hit done and the next break will arrive after the designated interval elapses again.

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SimPop for Science Simulations

SimPop is a web-based simulation program created by students for students in grade 6-12.  It encourages scientific inquiry, makes the invisible visible and helps build visual mental models. There are a variety of options and settings for manipulating each science activity. As students interact with these simulations, they explore cause-and-effect relationships. It makes understanding science concepts much easier with a visual hands-on approach. Resource is free so check it out.
simpop simulations

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ReadingVine for Improved Reading Skills

ReadingVine is a free web-based resource that provides fiction and non-fiction reading passages and question sets for students of all ages.

reading vine logo

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!

 

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Wizer for Blended Worksheets

Think of Wizer Worksheets as digital hyperdocs or online blended worksheets and you will provide a new way to assign students an assignment using a learning management system.

Create engaging, interactive worksheets that includes video, audio, images and a variety of question types that includes technology enhanced items (TEI). Audio features allow you to record your voice for differentiation.  Easily assign to students in any learning management system like Schoology, Google Classroom, or Edmodo.  You can also share your activity by embedding or providing a link or PIN.

Don’t have time to create your own Wizer?  Explore the collection of free resources created by other educators.  Use as-is or copy and edit them to suit your needs.

The free-forever Wizer Lite account gives you the worksheet creator, ability to assign worksheets via URL or LMS, access to thousands of worksheets in the collection, and one classroom roster.

The Moon Phases worksheet below is something I created on the fly in 30-40 minutes. Give it try.  It’s only a sampling of what you get with Wizer.

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Can Learning Be Transparent?

How many times have you used an image on a webpage, publication, presentation, or a paper and the background of that image messed up your format and appealing display?  Numerous times most likely.

Here are a few tips for finding and obtaining transparent images.

  • Google Image Search with Advanced Features – after browsing for an image, click on TOOLS underneath the search field, select COLOR, then TRANSPARENT. Save the image and use in your file.
  • Google Drawing – background is already transparent, create your image/drawing, then save and download.
  • NoBacks.com – isolated free stock png photos
  • Lunapic – photo editing web app – upload photo, edit/magic wand, click on background, save and download.

For educational purposes, transparent images could be used in PPT’s, Google Slides, student created flip books/videos, PBA’s, interactives, comics, and websites to name a few.

Transparent images are more appealing that’s a fact but it also gives the impression of a skilled user of technology at hand.