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.