Instructional Technology | Innovation Specialist | Retired June 2022
If you have an iPad or a Mac/Windows desktop and are interested in learning more about the Elements, then you’ll want to snag the app called NOVA Elements. You can explore an interactive periodic table, play a game, or watch a 2-hour program called, “Hunting the Elements.” Search your app store and get started today. The app is free!
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.
In recognition of the Hour of Code global event, Lewis and Clark K-5 students were introduced to coding using a program called Kodables
. We began on November 31st and continued through December 6th. Logins were sent home with students just in case anyone wanting to continue the program could do so at home. The feedback from teachers and students was that the majority of students enjoyed it very much and left them asking for more. As I came upon other events, I began sharing a new coding project with teachers expressing an interest. Today I took my first group of fifth graders and introduced Google Logo and Scratch. They loved it!
When their projects are complete, Ms. Taylor and I will share their logos for all to see and have the class determine each theme.
Mystery Animal is a new spin on the classic 20-questions game. The computer pretends to be an animal and you have to guess what it is using your voice. Ask any yes-or-no question you want, like “Do you have feathers?” or “Do you sleep at night?” Play it on a Google Home by saying “Hey Google, talk to Mystery Animal,” or try it on your PC or laptop with access to the microphone.