Tuesday Tips October 2, 2019

TECH TIP:  Yo Teach! Backchannel Chat

Yo Teach! is a website that allows you to create a backchannel chat room.  This could be a good place for students to post questions or thoughts as part of a formative assessment or as an exit ticket.  You create the room, and through the Admin permissions, you can set a password and monitor content.  Once you've created the room, you can share the link with students or they can search for your room.  

Students can respond through text, an image or by drawing.  The drawing feature could be good for a math class as you could draw in problems or formulas.

BOOK TIP:  The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

 I've mentioned this book before, but the movie version opens this Saturday, so it will be one that students will be talking about.  This is an incredibly popular young adult novel that focuses on Starr Carter, who witnesses the death of her childhood friend at the hands of a police officer.  A powerful book that resonates with today's headlines.

Tuesday Tips September 25, 2018

TECH TIP:  Shared Google Slides to Lead Class Discussions

Kathy Erickson and I worked together last week on creating a system for her students to lead a daily math class discussion opener.  Using a site of potential resources I curated for the class:

 

The students then added their prompt to a shared Google Slides presentation.  This way, you have access to all the prompts and can set up the presentation and be ready to go right as the students walk in.  

BOOK TIP:  Banned Books Week

Each year, the American Library Association celebrates Banned Books Week, with the goal of  bringing "together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular." Here are the the top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2017:

  

Celebrate your freedom to read this week!

Tuesday Tips September 18, 2018

TECH TIP:  New Look for the MMRHS Library Website!

I use Google Sites for the library website.  Google recently phased out the old version of Google Sites.   Thus, the MMRHS Library website has a new look!  It is a work in progress, and I'll be updating all pages.  Check out the Databases page to see all the sources you could use with your classes!

BOOK TIP:  Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Celeste Ng burst onto the writing scene a few years ago with her breakout novel Everything I Never Told You.  This is her follow-up novel, and I liked this one even more.  It is the story of that "perfect" middle American family whose life gets upset when a single mother who doesn't like to follow the rules moves into the neighborhood.  Excellent character development and writing.  

Tuesday Tips September 11, 2018

TECH TIP:  Google Classroom Updates

I've noticed several students using Google Classroom with some of your classes.  Google announced some new improvements to Google Classroom this week, including the new Classwork and Materials sections.  

No longer are all the posts in the Stream section, but there is now a separate Classwork section where you can organize your assignments by topic or unit.  Once you are in the Classwork section, there is now an option to add in Materials.

These Materials no longer have to be associated with an assignment and can be kept in this new section.  I'm happy to help you set-up  Google Classroom or any other questions.

BOOK TIP:  Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Set in Reconstruction America, but with quite a twist.  Following the Battle of Gettysburg, the dead rise as zombies.  Former slaves and Native peoples are being trained to fight the zombies.  A fast-paced alternative history.  

Tuesday Tips September 4, 2018

TECH TIP:  Pear Deck Add-On for Google Slides

Pear Deck is a tool that allows you to share your Google Slides presentation with students.  Once students join your Pear Deck, they can follow along with your slides in real time. 

 With the new Pear Deck Add-On, you can add in formative assessment questions that students answer as you go through your Google Slides presentation.  The questions can be text, multiple choice, or drawings.  Pear Deck also integrates with Google Classroom.   Here is a video to show you more:

BOOK TIP:  My Summer Reads!

I read a ton of great books this summer!  This year, I'll be posting the covers of all my reads throughout the year on my desk.  Come see if you've read any of them!

Tuesday Tips June 12, 2018

TECH TIP:  Organize Your Google Drive

Before you head out for summer, getting your Google Drive organized with all your files ready for next year!  Two quick ways to organize are by using a color coded folder system and by starring important items so you have quick access to them.  Here's how to color code your folders:

Here's how to star folders:

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You may also want to move items that have been shared with you into your Drive so you have access to them.  Here's how to do this:

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BOOK TIP:  An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

Add this one to your summer "to-be-read" list.  A powerful story of a marriage struggling to survive forces beyond their control.  Celestial and Roy have only been married a short time when he is wrongfully accused of a crime and sentenced to 12 years in prison.  Roy's conviction is overturned suddenly and he returns to Atlanta to find that things have changed in many ways, but will their marriage survive?  

Tuesday Tips June 5, 2018

TECH TIP:  Associated Press Explainer Videos

The Associated Press, a global news network whose aim is to provide unbiased news, has a YouTube channel with quick videos that explain various news topics.  These could be great to use in a class when discussing current issues.  Their latest video explains whether President Trump can pardon himself.  

BOOK TIP:  New York Times Book Review Summer Reading Suggestions

As you put together your personal summer to-be-read list, the New York Times Book Review has a list of 73 book suggestions in the following categories:

• Thrillers
• Cooking
• True Crime
• Movies and TV
• Travel
• Romance
• Music
• The Great Outdoors
• Sports