Timeline Tiki-Toki Presidents:

Welcome back!

Our post today is teaching our 5th graders more about Social Studies! We are focusing on the presidents of the United States. Our tool of choice today is the online platform Tiki-Toki. This tool was new for me however I was impressed by its usefulness. This platform allows you to create timelines for whatever subject you need. Like I said, choosing social studies, I created a timeline teaching about the first 15 presidents. It has a brief intro to the presidents on the timeline and if you click on the icons a screen will pop up telling you more. There is even a place to link videos or other materials!




Click here to see my Tiki-Toki

Pros: A benefit to using this website is its adaptability. Timelines can be useful in almost every subject we teach. It also has you create an account so you can save or edit the project you make as well as keep all of them in the same spot! Thumbs up for staying organized!

Cons: I feel as though this is a tool that would better benefit upper grade elementary students. It might be difficult for the younger kids to understand or navigate. It also takes a good chunk of time creating each timeline.

• UEN Content Standard: 5th Grade Social Studies Standard 5 Objective 3
• Identify leaders of social and political movements 
• ISTE Standard: Knowledge Constructor 
• Critically select, evaluate and synthesize digital resources into a collection that reflects learning and builds knowledge.
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard 8
• Use technology resources for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. 

Once upon a time...

Today's post is by far one of my favorites!

The tool I chose for today is called StoryBird and has been one of the most fun and creative learning platforms I have ever used. It is an online work station that allows you to create your own stories by selecting different images and writing your own content. How exciting is that! The story I created will teach my classroom the importance of attitude and self-acceptance!
Click here to read my story book!

Pros: It allows creativity and gives you the opportunity to create a book that specifically covers your needs in the classroom. With this tool possibilities are endless! It is easy to use, all online, and comes with all the images you would need to create your very own children's book.

Cons: It took me quite some time sifting through all the options they have available. There are so many options for art style, and then even more options in each folder. This can make the creation process difficult if you don't know exactly what you are going for.

• UEN Content Standard: 3rd Grade Health Education. Standard 1 objective no. 2
• Determine the benefits of accepting self and others. Determine the benefits of having positive attitudes. 
• ISTE Standard: Global Collaborator 
• Broaden perspective, understand others, work effectively in teams.
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 5 
• Use technology tools for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.

Queridos Amigos!

Hello! ... Or should I say HOLA!
This week we dove into a World Language class learning more about the beautiful Spanish language. This week's tool was the ever so handy Google Slides. Each day a teacher must provide new and stimulating material. However, its nice to mix things up and change your approach. This could be a great option!

Click here to see my Google Slides!

Pros: This platform is one of Google's many wonderful and useful tools. A major plus for this tool is that it is free, easily accesible, and can be stored on your google drive. It can be saved and accessed from any computer with a WiFi connection. Google Slides may become a useful tool in your classroom. 

Cons: It does take quite some time to make. There are templates which help, however, entering in your content, finding videos, and inserting pictures does take some time. Also, if you use this tool too frequently it can become boring in the classroom. Don't fall into a rut! Get creative and inspire your students!

• UEN Content Standard: World Language- Spanish
• Learning Indicator NL.IL.2 I can occasionally understand isolated words that I have memorized, particularly when accompanied by gestures or pictures.

• ISTE Standard: Empowered Learner
• I use technology to set goals, work toward achieving them, and demonstrate my learning.

• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 8
• Use technology resources for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. 

Dear Parents: Newsletter!

Each teacher is different, however, every teacher can agree that learning in the classroom is just as important as learning at home! It can be difficult as a parent to stay caught up with what is happening at school, one way to get around that issue is by sending home a newsletter in your students' backpacks.

Newsletters are a great way for communicating all kinds of information. Whether it be for the parent or the students themselves it's a helpful tool that every teacher should have in their tool belt!

Click here to see my example newsletter! 

Pros: Newsletters are great for many reasons. First off, there are so many programs you can use to create them! Word, and Google Docs are probably two of the more common and easier to use programs. Also, using a template can cut your work time in half. Newsletters are versatile and can be used for many different things and hold a substantial amount of information.

Cons: Printing may be considered a con depending on the amount of copies you desire. Also, it can take some time coming up with ideas and making them all fit onto one sheet of paper.

• UEN Content Standard: N/A 2nd Grade. I focused on Language Arts (reading/Spelling) but didn't specify a certain content standard due to the purpose of the newsletter.
• ISTE Standard: Creative Communicator
• The ability to communicate with your student (and the student's guardian) will be easy and more frequent with this tool.
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard No. 5
• Use technology tools for communication for audiences inside and outside the classroom.

Help is on the way!

Math can be a subject of frustration for many students, especially as they begin to learn more complex subject matter.

My solution for this problem was to provide the students with an opportunity to seek additional help.
After school math programs are common and can be very beneficial. Once you get it approved, what do you do next? How does word get around? How about we start with some flyers!

Click here to see my flyer!

Pros: Flyers can be a great resource when working in a school setting. From field trips, to book fairs, and anything in between you are able to get your point across in a simple and easy way. Also, if you want to save on paper just send it as a PDF file through email! I like the simplicity of it because it can draw attention yet get its point across with colors, pictures, and very few words. Another benefit is that there are many options for creating flyers such as google doc, word, and many more!

Cons: If emailing isn't an option flyers may take up a lot of paper and ink.

• UEN Content Standard: 5th Grade Math
• Strand Mathematical Practices ***Become mathematically proficient in engaging with mathematical content and concepts
• ISTE Standard: Innovative Designer
• I solve problems by creating new and imaginative solutions using a variety of digital tools.
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 9 ***Determine when technology is useful and select the appropriate tool(s) and technology resources to address a variety of tasks and problems.

Calling All Scientists:

Today you will join me as we step into the world of 4th grade science class!

Learning all about the water around us and the cycle it goes through can be difficult. Not only for students to learn, but for the teachers to plan for! What happens if you want some sort of activity or worksheet that is not available to you? You would be left to make your own! Luckily for us the platform we discuss today will help us with just that. Today's assignment focuses on the google tool called Google Docs.

Click here to see the worksheet!

Pros: This tool is probably my most recommended so far. I love how versatile the program is and it is easy to use. Any teacher for any grade level or any subject could find a use for this resource. For example, you could make worksheets, newsletters, fliers, print out directions for games, visual aids. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination! The program is also free, you just need to sign up for a gmail account and you are good to go! Also, another plus is that you can access it from any computer and save it right onto your account.

Cons: The templates to choose from can be kind of basic and don't always work with what you have in mind. That being said, sometimes you will need to start with a blank page to build up a worksheet/project and it could take some time. Some skills needed would definitely be patience and creativity!

Overall, I can see this tool being useful in many aspects of the classroom. I am glad I have become more familiar with this resource because I am confident it will be well used in my future projects.

• UEN Content Standard: 4th Grade Science 
• Standard 1 Objective 2-b ***Describe the processes of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation as they relate to the water cycle.
• ISTE Standard: Innovative Designer
• I solve problems by creating new and imaginative solutions using a variety of digital tools
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 9 ***Determine when technology is useful and select the appropriate tool(s) and technology resources to address a variety of tasks and problems.

Green Thumb? Answer Garden!

Get up and move! What's your favorite form of exercise?

Today's post will take us to P.E. (Physical Education class) as we discuss the pros and cons of AnswerGarden. This platform allows us to work in a group and collect data at an easier level. My question posed was specifically thought up with a 5th grade physical education class in mind. In a class of different abilities, different levels of athleticism, and different likes or dislikes I found my question "What is your favorite form of exercise?" a simple (yet important) one. 

Check out the results here!

Pros:

My point in using this tool was to analyze as a class the physical activity we do outside of the classroom and identify the health benefits they have for us. Something I found particularly useful with this resource was how easy it was to use. It also has either a 20 character maximum or a 40 character maximum which gives the students a chance to express themselves in a concise manner. AnswerGarden is free as well allowing access from any computer.

Cons:

Although counted as a "pro" I would also count the character max as a "con" in a sense that it can occasionally limit someones ability to say something. So although it may be more convenient for the teacher it might not always bring the in-depth conversations we may want in the class room.

As a whole, this tool was helpful for my specific purpose. By giving me a fast, easy, and concise way to brainstorm I would be able together information about my students' physical activity without embarrassing or pointing out anyone in particular. 

• UEN Content Standard: Physical Education Grade 5
• Strand 3 Standard 5.3.1 ***Analyze physical activity outside physical education class, identifying the fitness benefits.
• ISTE Standard: Global Collaborator
• Broaden perspective, understand others, work effectively in teams.
• Ed Tech Standard: Standard no. 8 ***Use technology resources (e.g., calculators, data collection probes) for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities.