Tuesday Tips January 26, 2016

TECH TIP:  Flowchart Makers

A teacher asked for something that could make an organizational flow chart for a project she is involved with.  Organizing information is also something students need to do for things like research projects, science labs, etc, so these tools could be useful in your classes as well.  Here are two flow chart makers that I recommended:

 LucidChart is an online and iPad app that easily makes flow charts through a quick drag and drop software.  Here is a link for the web version: https://www.lucidchart.com/  a link for the iPad app:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lucidchart-flowchart-diagram/id611543423?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 and a link to a quick video showing how to use:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHk0CzKaS6Y#t=31

Text2 MindMap is a site I have used with students before in order to create an outline and organize their information before writing a paper.  You can see in the image that on the left, you create your outline, then click on "Draw Mind Map".  On the right, pops up your web based on your outline.  This is good for more visual learners.

BOOK TIP:  Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The Alex Award is an award given by the American Library Association each year to a book written for adults but that has appeal to teens.  Between the World and Me is a winner this year of the Alex Award.  This is a memoir of sorts.  The book is a series of letters written by Coates to his son about what it means to be a black man in America today.  A powerful read.  

Tuesday Tips January 12, 2016

TECH TIP:  New York Public Library Public Domain Images

The New York Public Library recently released 187,000 of their images into the public domain.  This allows these images to be reused and remixed.  This could be a great resource for students in project work.  There are letters from Alexander Hamilton, sheet music from the early 1900's, and pictures of immigrants arriving at Ellis Island.  

Search the collection here:  http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/

Thanks to Joyce Valenza at the blog Never Ending Search for this tip.

BOOK TIP:  Bone Gap by Laura Ruby

The book awards were announced yesterday by the American Library Association.  The Micheal L. Printz award goes to the best young adult book.  Bone Gap by Laura Ruby is this year's winner.  This is a novel of magical realism and mystery.  Roza goes missing, and only Finn witnessed what happened to her.  But he is unsure of what he saw and how to help.  A novel that will keep you guessing and wondering what is real and what is not. 

Tuesday Tips January 5, 2016

TECH TIP:  ClassHook 

ClassHook is a website that allows you to search for video clips. All the clips come from well-know television shows and movies.  Some of the clips are from longer YouTube videos, but the ClassHook link takes you right to the small section you want.  These would be great to use in class as an introduction to "hook" students in (who else has been here long enough to remember the Hook & Hold 'Em PD session? :)  

For example, I was just talking with Anne D'Aniello about her class' visit tomorrow for the students to study revolutions.  I put in a search for "revolution" at ClassHook and it took me to a clip from the movie Animal Farm and Old Major's speech.  This could be good to use with a class or part of a student's presentation on revolution.  

Found this tip at the Free Technology for Teachers blog.  

BOOK TIP:  The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty

Liane Moriarty is one of my favorite current authors.  Full of quirky, flawed characters in unique situations.  But these are characters with heart, and you ultimately want the best for them.  In this novel, Ellen is a hypnotherapist whose new boyfriend has an ex-girlfriend that is stalking him.  Sounds like a set up for a horror story, but this is really a novel about love and all its many forms.