Math Tests Site

Good resource for teachers to share with students.

Link to Math-tests.com

Thanks to Mrs. Dean for sharing this site!

Adding Fonts

Another PDQ PD video from John Sedwick.

Some good tech resources...

Would You Rather?

A site that provides some interesting math tasks.

All The News That's Fit to Math

A blog that posts interesting articles that relate to math.

Symbaloo Math Resource page

Includes some nice tech resources.

Discovery Education Wiki

Math targets and Common Core Standards (Page 1)
Math Practice Standards, Grade Level Progressions (Page 2)
Tasks (Page 3)
High Leverage Instructional Practices (Page 4)

Answer Garden

Site that allows students to respond to a question via a message board.

Video - Illustrates what happens when we don't teach problem solving skills.



Flip Snack 

Create a virtual spiral book from a PDF.

NWEA Training Info

Here is a link to a Padlet Page that the trainer shared. It is a great resource that is full of documents and links to information.

Tech Tip - Contact Lists

Another instructional video from John Sedwick. This one talks about creating contact lists within your Gmail account. This will be a more and more valuable tool as teachers want to communicate to specific classes as we head 1:1

Link to video.

Friday Fun

DOK Article (Alice Keeler) shared by John Sedwick

John shared this article this week. It is not just about DOK (Depth of Knowledge), but about maximizing technology in a way that encourages a better utilization of DOK.

Here is the link to the article.

Friday Fun

Friday Fun

Chrome Bookmarks

Here is a video that shows how to effectively manage your bookmarks in Chrome created by John Sedwick, our Technology Integration Specialist at ACS.(Click on the link, not the video)

Friday Fun

Friday Fun

Friday Fun

Fun Friday

Fun Friday

Fun Friday

Data Videos

Video #1

Video #2

Since videos have student names on them, they are only accessible for those with an ACS email account.

Immediate Feedback! Using sheets.

Here is a quick video that uses Google Sheets to set up a spreadsheet that can be used to give students immediate feedback for a specific task. Includes example for Math (numbers) and Science (word answers).



This might be a neat way to introduce or review vocabulary.

Google: Force A Copy

This will allow you to create a doc and send it so that students automatically have an editable copy in their drive.

Link to the blog where this was found.

Video embedded from You Tube.

Friday Fun

Friday Fun

This one almost seems like it could be a reality.

Or is it real? (Cue Twilight Zone music...)

Friday Fun

Good videos...thanks, Robbie Grimes

Here are some videos that Robbie Grimes used in his e-Lead presentation this past summer. I am posting them here so I can find them! You can expect to see some of these in the future. And you might want to also use some of them in your own classroom sometime!

Math Sites

Bill Reed has posted some sites Google+ that are resources for Math instruction.

You can get to his post by clicking here.

Here is a part of what the post includes. If you want to see the whole list, click on the link above.

Friday Fun

Eminem knows the power of collaboration and google docs!

Google Tone

This one can be a real game changer/time saver. Imagine getting everyone on the same site without having to wait for everyone to type in a URL. No waiting to see if everyone got it right or is on the right site. Think of it as an audio QR code.

Heard about this one at the Google Ed Camp, tried it out at the 2nd 6th grade 1:1 session this summer, and it is a hands-down winner extension that is free on the web-store.

More resources!

This is one that was used by one of the main speakers at eLead 2015. (Robbie Grimes)

pollev.com

This one was also from one of the main speakers at eLead 2015. (Matt Miller)

goformative.com

Slides Carnival

Whether you use Powerpoint or Google Slides, this site has some great templates to choose from. Just follow the directions for the format you choose.

Exit Ticket

Powtoon Tutorials

Another good video...


My first attempt...

Best Practices Weekly

Mrs. Harvey shared this site with me today. It is all about Best Practices, and has some great suggestions for Math and ELa.

I took the time to watch the first Math video, about estimation. Even though it focuses on elementary students, the thinking behind the presentation is solid, that when teaching a strategy such as estimation in multiplication, if we want the students to comprehend the concept, it means more than just telling them how to do something, it involves multiple solutions and rich discussion of the thought process of each solution.

Think about the Standards of Mathematical Practice and how many apply in such instruction.

1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Estimation begs the very questions, "Does my answer make sense?" While many a students goal is to simply provide an answer, our desire should be that students come up with a reasonable answer.
2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. We want our students to think about numbers in a variety of ways. Multiplication can be a rather abstract concept to many students, even as time goes on. Presenting multiplication as "times" (abstract) and "groups of" (quantitative) helps students make stronger connections to the processes involved.
3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Did you see in the video the way he presented 2 thought processes and discussed their reasoning?
4. Model with mathematics. Manipulatives, drawings, diagrams, that promote the understanding. An area model is especially appropriate for multiplication.
5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
6. Attend to precision. Notice that this is paired with #1 in the diagram above. It's not just about getting an answer, it's about getting the best answer.
7. Look for and make use of structure. Patterns!
8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. More patterns. Critical thinking!

Web 2.0 Sites

Here are some Web 2.0 sites and what they can do.

Kahoot - Sign up for a FREE account to give quizzes in a game-like setting.

Quizlet - Simple tools that help you study anything.

Weebly - Create a FREE website.

Classflow - Allows live communication between teacher and devices.

Padlet - Communicate via a bulletin board-type board.

Today's Meet - Allows live feedback during instruction.

Sumo Paint - On-line image editor

Time Toast - Create time lines on line

Chogger - Make and share comic strips

Khan Academy - Instructional videos on many topics

And here is a site with even more...cool 2.0 tools.

Here is a symbaloo page that has a lot of resources. Haven't checked them all out yet, but they all come highly recommended.

Using Google in the Classroom

Link to the post

Teach for Google

Want to hone your Google skills? Need some ideas? Interested in spicing up your lessons? Whatever level you want to take it to, Teach for Google can help.

Everything from instructional classes for teachers to lessons and ideas. Check it out here.

Timer App

Chrome App - Timer. Also has an alarm feature and a stopwatch. Get it at the Chrome Store (Free).

Chrome Apps

Here is a list of 22 apps for teachers.

Google Docs 101

Found this site. Seems to have some good, basic info on Google Docs.

Interactive Graphing

Great site that allows you to graph points and lines.

http://www.mathsisfun.com/data/cartesian-coordinates-interactive.html

Here is one for quadratics...

http://www.mathwarehouse.com/quadratic/parabola/interactive-parabola.php

Here is an on-line graphing calculator.

https://www.desmos.com/calculator

Here is one that does lines, connect points, and scatter plots.

http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/OrderedSimplePlot/

UPDATE: 4/17/2015

Here is an app that you can add to Chromebook. Go to the Chromebook Apps Store and search "Graph.tk." This app allows you to enter the formula, and it creates the graph.

Creating Contact Groups in Gmail

9 Tutorials on Chromebook

Okay, I found this on Pinterest. Yes, I use Pinterest, but only for work, I promise.

One thing that I did not like about Chromebooks was the fact that there was no caps lock. Apparently, I was wrong. And did you know there is also a delete function? Me neither, until today.

So much to learn!

Here is the link to the site I found.

Socrative

Like Kahoot, Socrative is an interactive tool that can be used for formative or summative assessment. You can set up quizzes or have students interact with you. Socrative accounts are FREE, and free is good. You can go to their website for a quick tutorial video.

Google Keep

If you are OCD like me, then this is the app for you!

Seriously, if you put up Post-It notes to remind you that you need to buy more Post-It notes, this will help. Or, if you get back from the store without Post-It notes because you didn't have your Post-It note reminding you to get more Post-It notes, this should help!

Google Keep allows you to makes lists and notes from any device and then syncs those so you can access them anywhere, any time. Need to remember to pick-up some bread on the way home? Note it on your Chromebook, pull it up on your phone after you leave school. Have a fender-bender? Take pics and add annotations for your insurance records. You can even set reminders and share your to-do lists! List getting too long? Import it directly into a Google Doc. Yeah, it does that and more...

Click here to go to a post giving more details about using Google Keep! Then try it out!

Flubaroo Grading for Google Forms

This is a great instructional video on using Flubaroo to grade quizzes and tests submitted on Google Forms.

The second video  not only shows Flubaroo, but goes through the steps for creating a quiz using Google Forms.

Create a Graph, Pro Con

Website from today's 6th Grade Learning Log Meeting...

Link: Create a Graph

Great tool for creating graphs you need, such as to display student data, or you can use this site when teaching graphing as well.

Another item from the 6th Grade meetings:

Link: ProCon.org - For reading skills...

Great Tech Site - When deciding on media use

This site allows you to search a variety of types of media...

to determine if it is appropriate for classroom use on a variety of levels...

It also includes a brief summary.

Great tool when there are so many resources out there!

Smart Board - Erase to Reveal

How to Use Pin Tab in Google Chrome

Here is a tip that I had not seen before, but one that I think would be useful for teachers. Using the Pin Tab allows you to pin sites to the left side of the browser AND removes the "x" for closing that site. No more, "Oops! I just hit the "x" by mistake!"

Click here for information.

Technology Resources

I have added a new topic to the list of resources at the right side of the blog. It is titled "Technology Resources." For now, I will leave it at the top of the page so people will know it is there.

This is a resource for all things related to technology, a must with HMS going 1:1 next year. I am also posting links to the resources already blogged about using the labels.

And as we move on to a deeper use of technology, let us understand that we are not the first to delve into a new and exciting time of change in technology...that transition from scrolls to books was apparently killer too.

Smart Board Tip - Random Name Generator

The Smart Board has a built in random word generator that you can set up to pick random names in your classroom. 

To access this feature, first go to your gallery. 3 ways to get there. 1. Press Alt + 2 keys at same time. 2. Go to the toolbar, click on "View." From the drop down menu, select "Gallery." 3.  From side toolbar, click on the icon for "Gallery."

Once you are at the gallery, type "Random Word Chooser" into the search bar.

After hitting enter, click the arrow that says "Interactive and Multimedia." When the "Random Word Chooser" comes up, drag and drop it onto your Smart Board.

From here, you can now set it up for your class. First, choose the number of names you will be using. You can set up different Random Name Choosers for different classes, or for groups within a class.

Then, type in the names you want to use. Once you have this set for your class, then save the file with a name such as "Random Chooser Period 1." Next, just open this notebook and you can quickly tab over to it to choose a name, then tab back to the Smart Board or any other program you are using.


Tip: If you do not want the Random Name Generator to pick a name until all names have been chosen, click the box in the lower left-hand corner. Unchecking this box will start the process over.

Rigor - from the DOE

Also, here is a link to a PDF shared by the DOE "So THAT'S What They Mean by Rigor."

Math Game Sites

This is from Bill Reed at the DOE...

Adapted Mind site

Have Some Fun - Text Message

Want an interesting way to get your student's attention? Try posting an announcement (or anything else for that matter) as a text message. ifaketext.com

A Plethora of Smart Board Resources

I've been wanting to use the word "plethora" all day. Now I have. But there really are a lot of Smart Board resources on this link.

Brain Food

For those who like research about the brain and Ted talks, this should make your day. Click here.

Google Classroom

Site from John Sedwick (posted in My Big Campus)

Here is the link.

Chrome Apps and Extentions

From Shake Up Learning...

Favorite Google Chrome Apps

• Lego Build
• Voice comment on student work
• Publisher functionality in Google Apps
• Newsela
• Desktop notification from Google calendar
• Powtoon - Create animated presentations
• Geometry tools
• Collaborative Whiteboard App
• and others...

Favorite Chrome Extensions

• Boomerang - schedule the sending of e-mails
• Extension manager
• Grammarchecker
• URL shortener
• Last Pass - Password manager
• Omnibox timer - Set a timer from your Omnibox (address bar)
• Omnidrive - Search your Google Drive from the Omnibox
• Save to Google Drive - Save web pages or browser screen shots
• and others...

Also, if you go to Shake Up Learning website blog now, they are offering a FREE PDF, "Google Cheat Sheets for Teachers and Students," a 32+ page PDF e-book. All they ask is that you sign up for their newsletter.

My Big Campus - Chrome Book Group

John Sedwick has created a Chrome Book group with a lot of informational tips for teachers. You can also share information here or ask questions. Here is how you can access that group...

Step 1
Go to www.mybigcampus.com and log in using your Powerschool username and your SPN as the password. You will also need to select your school when you log in. Make sure that you choose Highland Middle School in Anderson, IN.

Step 2

Once you are logged in, go to the "Groups" icon along the left side of the screen. Once you click that icon, you will be taken to a page that includes the following in the upper right.










Step 3

 Click on the "Find a Group" option. You will then be taken to a window that includes the following on the right side:









Step 4

Select the "Join By Code" option. The following will appear:

Step 5
Enter the following code into that field: kd9fqva0 (Last character is "zero")

Once you have entered the code, click "Join"at the bottom of the box. You should now be a part of that group.

Please contact John Sedwick (jsedwick@acsc.net) if you have any questions.