Online Resources

The idea of teaching in the classroom can be daunting enough, add online instruction and models we can't remember the names of, and it becomes almost too much to handle! Where to even start? In hopes of relieving some of the stress, I have compiled some of the online resources that were my go- to's in the classroom. Take some time to familiarize yourself with a few. I am in the office M-Th and would love to help support you in any way that I can to help make this transition into the school year less stressful.

Remember, our goal is to stay in communication with our kids and to teach them what we can. We know we have a huge task at hand, however, I know you all have what it takes to make it happen this year!

This will be our 'home base' platform this year. We are a gsuite district and all students have access to emails and their classrooms. We are hopefully moving to a one-to-one model and each student will have a device to use daily.

We will have a Google Tutorial when we come back to school, however, I know some of you are eager to start setting things up and going. Below is a great tutorial for getting started. It walks you step by step to setting up and getting going in your own google classroom.

Google Classroom Tutorial

Google has a ton of features that are useful for online learning. Google Slides, Google Docs, and Google Forms are probably my favorites. There are lots of pre-made slides and docs you can find out there (teachers pay teachers is great!) but you can also create your own. It can be intimidating at first, but with a little practice- you have endless opportunities!

I have found this blogger with a YouTube channel called Pocketful of Primary. She is an elementary teacher, however, she is very detailed in explaining how to create different templates that could be useful across the grade/content areas. Here are two tutorial videos I found really helpful - (full disclaimer, shes peppy, but she really is good at explaining things!)

Creating Drag and Drop Google Slides for Assignments

Best Websites for Distance Learning

One of my favs! Endless opportunities to use in the classroom!

I used this resource weekly in my classroom. We did short answer responses, video reviews for things (books, topics, etc.), 'how to' video for topics (great for math!), back to school getting to know you videos.

My 5th grade team and I also used this resource to record our Unit Assessments or anything that needed to be read aloud. It's super easy, student user friendly, and compatible on pretty much any device! It was great because a student could use their own computer without bothering anyone and they can work at their own pace. LOTS of opportunities!

I'd love for you to try this resource out. I've made a grid for us to practice on! Post Middle Grid

If you are interested in signing up and getting started, this is a great How to Video.

Using Flipgrid How To Video

www.flipgrid.com

You have probably already seen Quizlet and might have used it in your classroom. You can use this resource with or without student logins. The free version is great. I generally created (or imported and tweaked an already made set) and had the link house in my google classroom for my kids to work on in those free moments when they had them.

Quizlet Live is an extension of Quizlet. If you have never seen it in action, we will be using it during our back to school campus PD. It is great way to have your student collaborate while working on vocabulary (even with social distancing).

www.quizlet.com

Example Quizlet set

Quizlet on steroids! I stumbled upon this resource just before distance learning started. The neat thing is, you can play real time with your kids even at home!

This was ideal for quick review of vocabulary or even math questions that need to be worked out. I am super competitive and found myself wanting to play along with the kids!

www.gimkit.com

How to GimKit

A super beefed up Power Point is what I like to call Nearpod. Chances are, if you have done any online training this summer (especially at ESC 17), you have probably come across a Nearpod.

Their website has several free already created decks to choose from, but they also allow you to create your own. The neat features about this resource...

• it can be self paced or teacher controlled
• great for distance learning at home or school
• interactive
• compatible with most devices!

www.nearpod.com

Nearpod Getting started

Padlet is another tool that is great for collaboration while still being able to social distance. You can create boards for students to respond on. It updates in real time and can be printed out.

The free version is limited, however, there are ways to still make it useful without having to upgrade to the paid version!

Check out my padlet here - Post Middle School

www.padlet.com

Plickers is another weekly resource I used in my classroom. Students are assigned a QR code that is printed off. We always stuck them to the back of our journals. You can create or import up to 5 questions that can be projected on the screen. Students give their answers by turning their QR codes a certain direction and you use an app from your phone or tablet to scan the answers.

I used this as an end of the week quick check. It is very user friendly and a quick and easy way to collect data in your classroom.

The perk to plickers in the classroom is it requires little to know sharing of anything. The downside, its not really great for distance learning unless you can scan their answer over a virtual meeting (someone try it and let me know!!)

We will also become familiar with this resource at back to school PD.

www.plickers.com

This platform is what you are viewing now. It is a very user friendly, click and drop, type template. I like to use this template for newsletters or informational pieces. During the spring and online learning, I used this as my weekly lesson plans for students. It was nice for students to be able to view several time and find the links to what we were doing in one spot.

SMORE has opened up their templates for free for the COVID learning. If you sign up at www.smore.com - you will see a button with COVID TEMPLATES at the top. These are free to use and edit as much as you'd like to.

Legends of Learning - primarily Math and Science focus

Kahoot- can get a little crazy, make sure to set expectations before play

Quizzizz - great for review (be mindful of timer to answer questions)

Discovery Education

Texas Gateway

Lead4ward - check out their playlist of learning strategies

BoardWorks - I know there was some issue with this resource because it didn't work on student Chromebooks. I am looking for more info on this and will share when I find it!

*iReady will be something we will have access to shortly.more to come later!)

*APEX Learning is also a resource we are looking at for the fall.

www.wizer.me worksheet creator/sharer

Education Galaxy (for grades up to 6, however, might be a good starting point for lower learners)

Learning Farm - all subjects

Prodigy - math resource

Teacher Pay Teachers - just remember to check alignment for your content and grade!

Facebook - There are a TON of teachers groups out there that have wonderful resources and ideas

Here is a little song that represents how I am feeling most days... enjoy!

Email: checorbin@postisd.net
Website: www.postisd.net
Location: Our School
Phone: 817-403-0198
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Twitter: @ourschool