InsertLearning

InsertLearning (https://goo.gl/wpKi1a) is a Google Extension that lets you transform any webpage into an interactive lesson.  You can highlight text, insert post-its, ask questions, insert videos and so much more.  It also integrates with Google Classroom directly from the Toolbar.

This extension was designed by two high school teachers who were looking for a way to let teachers turn the internet into interactive learning experiences for their students.  

Download the Google Extension and go through the Tutorial today!

QR Codes

What is a QR code?  

QR stands for Quick Response.  According to Wikipedia, a QR code is  "a specific matrix bar code (or two-dimensional code), readable by dedicated QR bar code readers and camera phones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be text, URL, or other data."

QR Codes have a large number of educational options available through the platform.  It can be a great way to share information with your student as well as an interactive way for students to complete assignments.  

Below is a link to a YouTube video on how to create Audio QR codes for classroom use.  
Creat Audio QR Codes (http://bit.ly/audioqrcodevideo)

The following link contains some fun math techniques and strategies using QR codes.
Math QR Codes (https://goo.gl/iMny4a)
Check out the sites and explore the use of QR Codes for your classroom use.

Math Is Fun!

Are you looking for some supplemental activities for your schools math program? How about something engaging, with web based activities and printable worksheets?

Check out MathIsFun.com (https://www.mathsisfun.com/).

MathIsFun.com offers interactive lessons that cover skills such as numbers, algebra, geometry, data and measurement. The site contains lessons, puzzles, games and worksheets.

MathIsFun.com would also be a great site to share with your student's family. All of the activities and lessons could be a great way for students to practice over the summer.

Check it out for yourself today.

Finance Activities for the Classroom

Learning money skills can be difficult for some students. I am continually looking for ways to help teachers teach money skills to their students, in meaningful and entertaining ways.

Practical Money Skills (practicalmoneyskills.com) is a website that offers fun interactive activities to help your students learn about money and finance.

               

• Financial Football is an advanced financial trivia game embedded in a Madden-type football game. You can play as a single player or go head-to-head (maybe as review, in 2 teams, as a class). 
• Cash Puzzler is puzzles from US currency; $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 & $100 bills.
• Pete's Pig's Money Counter is a beginner level activity that introduces money skills.  

All of these different activities can be done as a whole group or a single player. They can be used as a lesson, classwork, or review for students. There are so many ways these activities can be used in the classroom. How will you use them with your students?

Free Sound Effects

Are you planning a filming assignment for your students? Are you working in class on a project that could use some sound effects?

BBC has recently released just over 16,000 sound effects for FREE. The Sound Effects are BBC copyright, but they may be used for personal, educational or research purposes, as detailed in the RemArc License.

Check out bbcsfx.acropolis.org.uk for the extensive list of sounds and download a few today.  

TodaysMeet

Last week I shared an article about using social media with parents, written by Clark Rodeffer.  At times this is also appropriate for in the classroom.  At other times we want class discussions and comments less public, but possibly still electronic.  

Have you been looking for a way for students to ask questions or make comments without interrupting the lecture, movie or presentation?  Do your students have access to an electronic device?

TodaysMeet (https://todaysmeet.com/) may be the answer you are looking for.  TodaysMeet is a chat room, a meeting space, a platform for learning.  Each post is limited to 140 characters to help keeps comments and questions concise.  

TodaysMeet is free and does not require a log in.  This is a great way to share information that can be referenced at a later time as well.  

Social Networking for Parent Contact - Guest Writer

If you are considering using social media in your classroom, read through the 2016 article "Social Networking for Parent Contact" by Clark Rodeffer.

Clark does a nice written comparison of Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and provides a few reminders in terms of COPPA and FERPA guidelines.  For a quick overview, there is a nice Feature Comparison chart at the end of the article.