I’ve been a busy little elf compiling my list of December Themed Lessons. But, before you begin exploring, take a gander at all of the Google Doodles for 2013. The Los Angeles Times created a nifty slideshow with descriptions for each Doodle. Make sure you check the following list often, as I am still adding to the collection.
Monthly Archives: November 2013
Blendspace and Digital SSR
In an effort to provide lesson examples that give students choice in the tools they use to demonstrate understanding, I’m finding the best vehicles for this are curation sites. Listly is my usual go-to tool, but for the following example I’ve chosen Blendspace. I like Blendspace because it allows for Vimeo, YouTube and Educreations embedding, Google Docs and Dropbox integration, and even lets you upload files from your computer. Below you’ll find a Blendspace for Digital SSR. Kids Discovery has a wide variety of free informational text magazines. Students choose which article they would like to read, then will choose from various productivity apps to summarize what they have learned. The choice of apps will depend on what the teacher has downloaded on the device. An example rubric has also been included to guide specific expectations.
Geo Greeting for Spelling Practice
Geo Greeting is a neat little tool that allows you to create a message that contains up to 40 characters. It uses satellite images of buildings from all over the world that look like letters. The link it creates can be posted on your blog or emailed. It doesn’t generate an html code for embedding, but you can create a screen recording like the one below (AC/DC background music not included). This would be a fun way for students to practice spelling words. All the links can be submitted using a Google Form. It would also be a great way for primary students to chant word wall words.
November Themed Lessons
(If you are viewing this post from within NEISD, make sure to override Lightspeed so you can see the above video from YouTube)
It’s a new month, which means a new holiday, which means new themed technology lessons. Of course, I have to begin by sharing a Thanksgiving Google Doodle from last year. (Remember that you have to override Lightspeed to view the video from within the district.) The following list contains free sites and apps that you can use in the classroom or computer lab. My favorite lesson you should try is the Thanksgiving Timeline virtual field trip using Google Earth. I taught this a few times last year and it will take at least 2 lab visits to complete. It’s well worth the time investment!