Promoting STEM Through Literature

REMC has another great resource that I would like to highlight this week:

Promoting STEM Through Literature

Literature can be a great way to get students excited about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).  Educators can use literature to get students actively involved in the design thinking process. 

Each of the title shared on the website has a book card/lesson plan that includes a maker-STEM connection; pre, during, and post questions; and a design challenge that incorporates materials you could check out from your local REMC library.  You can also check out each of the books from your local REMC library.  

This year there will be 3 new books announced at the MACUL conference in Detroit, in March.  

21Things4Students

Last week I wrote about the REMC Association of Michigan.  As I said in that post, they have a wonderful website full of resources!

One of the resources that I would like to highlight is the 21Things4Students.  This site offers FREE activities to help you integrate technology into the middle school classroom curriculum (grades 5-9).  It will provide you with information on how to build knowledge and learn new tech skills for the 21st century. 21Things4Students will also help you teach kids how to be safe and secure online!

REMC Association of Michigan

REMC, Regional Educational Media Center Association of Michigan.  REMC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1969. Its members are the 28 local Regional Educational Media Centers operated through the Intermediate School District structure.

The REMC Association of Michigan believes it must provide proactive leadership to the Michigan educational community in building a vision that supports quality teaching and learning, the effective use of educational technology and provides equity to Michigan's pre-K-12 students.

This belief has led to a wonderful website full of resources, a variety of professional development opportunities (most of which offer FREE SCECHs) and a great group of REMC and RITS staff willing to help.  

Check out what they have to offer by visiting https://www.remc.org/ today.  

Wintertime Magnetic Poetry with Google Drawings

A couple of weeks ago I went to a great Professional Learning session offered by our local REMC, REMC 16, called Google Ignite.  The session was by Eric Curts, G Suite Certified Trainer and Innovator.

During his session he showed a variety of great ways to use resources created by or sponsored by Google.  We looked at some Google sites as well as the Google Workspace apps.  

Google Drawings is a great Google app that is often under-utilized.  It is great for activities that you would think of as 'one-slide' activities.  Almost everything you can do in Google Slides you can do in Google Drawings, and vice versa.  

One of the fun activities he showed us was Wintertime Magnetic Poetry.  His blog post on the topic contains some great information and even contains a template link that you can copy and use.  

How will you use this activity in your classroom?

Rewordify.com

Have you ever read a text, even reread the text and you still have no idea what you read. Some of our students experience this everyday.

Rewordify.com can help both you and your students!

To use Rewordify simply enter hard sentences into the yellow box, click 'Rewordify text' and you'll instantly see an easier version.  Rewordify even highlights the words it changed and with a simple click, helps you learn the original word. 

Check out Rewordify.com for yourself.  I know you (and your students) will love it!

Postlight Reader

Postlight Reader is a Google Extension that allows you to remove webpage noise and clutter from an article to make it easier for students to read.  

          

Postlight Reader allows you to make minor changes to font style, size and light/dark background options.  

     

Not only is this extension great for students, teachers can also use it for clearing out the clutter on articles that need to be printed or shared with others.  

Keyboard Shortcuts for Chromebooks

Keyboard shortcuts make my life so much easier.  I love them.  

I found a great article that lists some great keyboard shortcuts for Chromebooks. 

Check out KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS FOR KIDS (https://www.coderkids.com/blog/keyboard-shortcuts-for-kids) from CoderKids. 

Card Games in the Classroom

 Last week I talked about using board games in the classroom.  They can be used for recess but are also a great way to practice a variety of skills.

You can also use a deck of playing cards to help students show skills they know and have learned related to IEP goal and objectives or state academic standards. Here are 16 Card Games That Will Turn Your Students Into Math Aces  (https://www.weareteachers.com/math-card-games/) and that you can use to test math skills in your classroom.

You can also check out 18 Fifth Grade Math Games for Teaching Fractions, Decimals, and More  (https://www.weareteachers.com/fifth-grade-math-games/) which can be used for teaching and assessment as well.  

Board Games in the Elementary Classroom

As we approach the heart of the winter here in Michigan, students will be spending more and more recesses inside.  Teachers are always looking for activities to keep kids occupied during these times. 

Have you considered board games?  

Besides being a fun activity for the kids during these unplanned times, board games can be a great way for a student to show skills related to IEP goals or state academic standards.  For these reasons board games are great items for your classroom.  

Here is a list of 21 of the Best Board Games for the Elementary Classroom  (https://www.weareteachers.com/best-board-games-for-elementary/).