Technology Tidbit Tuesday-Socrative

I have slacked the last couple weeks, actually, not slacked but enjoyed my Summer! I love Summer and I love time to myself, and I love spending time with my little boy and husband. So really, I haven't slacked I just remembered what's important :) Anyway, it's time for a new post. Before school starts I wanted to share a website and App that I started using last year in my classroom called Socrative. There are some really awesome features with this app and website and I don't even know where to begin...
First, it's a site where you can create online quizzes either saved or not. Students will use your room number (you get a "room number" when you create an account) and join your class. They can take assigned tests/quizzes/exit tickets or you can do a group quiz for feedback and have the answers show up on your projector. If you choose the group quiz students won't put their names in so it is anonymous. My students like this type of survey, it was quick, easy and fun. You have the option for multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions. The app is great because you can control the quizzes from your phone if you don't have a smart board or want to be stuck at your computer.
Second, if students take a test that is not anonymous, you can download their scores from the website in excel or a Google document. Easy Peasy grading! You have to put the quiz or test in, as well as the answers but once it is done, it is done for good. There is also an option to share test and quizzes with other teachers so you can look up already created assignments.
Third, another reason I love this site is because it is SUPER SIMPLE. The kids can login in quickly and you can see results in seconds. It's also very engaging for the students.
I have access to many computers in my room, however if you have ipods, ipads, cell phones, downloading an app works just as well too! Quizzes could also be done during your computer lab time if necessary.
Check the site out, it is well worth your time. I am always looking at ways to trim my grading time and this is one way to do it.

Technology Tidbit Tuesday--Prezi

If anything else, Prezi is a wonderful presentation tool. It is fairly simple to figure out and it makes presentations look outstanding! PowerPoint is fun and easy to use, however, there is a different "wow" factor when using Prezi. Here's the link: www.prezi.com  .

I have the free teacher version and give my students the login info, that way they don't create their own account and I can regulate and check up on their work. There are close to 100 templates to choose from and a blank one as well, if you would rather create your own background. Prezi allows the user to choose color, font, where to zoom, and many other design features. You can import a PowerPoint directly to Prezi and it will transform your information into their program, you can link to youtube videos or upload your own, you can add photos, and sound (both music and voice overs). I feel like there are more creative options with Prezi rather than Powerpoint, although PowerPoint has it's place as well, but I will touch on that on another Tuesday.

For projects I have had students use Prezi for research presentations. I have also had them use a Prezi template like a graphic organizer and do compare/contrast of two people/places/things. This website is wonderful when doing group work too. Students like to work together and create their project. Like all lessons, I always need to give a time limit like, "you have 30 minutes today to work on your project," otherwise, some students take 30 minutes to pick out the right template! 

Check out the site, create your account, and let me know what you think :)

Technology Tidbit Tuesday--Class Dojo

I am always thinking of ways to improve classroom management and keep my students engaged. Honestly, I despise the "Pull a Card" system as it is referred to at my school (each student starts on green and if they misbehave they can go to yellow, orange and finally the dreaded red card. When you change a card it is either the teacher doing it on her own or saying to the student "go pull a card."). There are various ways to display pulling cards, there is the hanging chart of colored paper and move the clothespin down as behavior worsens method or keeping all student names on the board under the "good" color and changing the "bad students" to red when they misbehave method. However, I see several problems with this: one being, when we focus on bad behavior, we usually get bad behavior. Second, no one likes being singled out for "being bad" and it just makes the student resent you more as a teacher. Third, it is embarrassing for the student. Last, at the end of the day, most students are on green or yellow, but the same one or two students are consistently on, red each day, obviously the card system isn't working for them. 

I have an alternative method of using classroom management and it involves technology, which always engages students. The site is called, "Class Dojo." Click Here -> Class Dojo <- As a teacher, you create an account and input your students (you may even have separate classes if you teach more than one class each day). Once every student is in the system they will be given an avatar, you are able to change it from the characters they have, but my students like the characters, so I never do. If you have a projector in your classroom you can project your student names and avatars during class. What this program allows you to do is give positive points to students as they exhibit the behavior you want. Class Dojo has options to choose from like, "helping others," "creativity," "on task," and "participation." You can even add your own positive points if you don't like their options. Each time you reward a student, or whole class points, the students points show up next to their name. There is an option to show negative point behavior exhibited by a student publicly, however, I turn the negative option off so if a student does lose a point, the whole class is not aware of it. I only show positive points earned; the behavior I praise and recognize the most will be the behavior I receive!

There is also a reports section that keeps track of all student behavior, both positive and negative. You can get reports daily, weekly, monthly or whatever you choose. This is great for parent teacher conferences, or to just inform parents on their child's behavior. In fact, you can also create parent accounts within your classes and parents can check up on their individual student! This is new and I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I think the parents and I will really like it. 

I usually set a goal each month, "If you receive 40 positive points this month you will get 15 extra recess minutes, or a free homework pass, or attend a recess treat party," etc. This way I feel like I am forced to continually look for the positive and continue the praise. After the first couple of months I tend to slack on positive reinforcement, but positive reinforcement is what keeps my class on their best behavior. Who doesn't like hearing praise about themselves? ;)

My student's also like seeing who has the most points. 6th graders can be competitive and anything you can make into a game is usually a success. Anyway, check this out, download the APP on your phone and create an account online. It is a great resource tool!

Technology Tidbit Tuesday--Spelling City

It's Tuesday again! Are you tired of grading all those spelling tests? Don't you wish you could assign all your spelling groups the same homework with their own words? Look no further, Spelling City is your answer! The link is http://www.spellingcity.com/ . This is absolutely one of my favorite online tools.
In my 6th grade classroom I use the Words Their Way spelling lists. I usually have 4 different spelling groups. This website (premium membership only) allows me to sort lists into groups and put students into those groups. This way, I can assign the same homework (I can print it from the website or assign it online), same test, or same practice games but students are using the words for their level! Each student as their own login and password so they can study at home as well.
My favorite feature is the test. The students put their headphones on and are read the word and the sentence. The sentence is already in the system, but I can add my own if I choose. Their test is graded immediately, they know the outcome, and then I can manage all test scores with my teacher membership--I grade nothing! I did input all the spelling lists, I just did it once a week last year, but now they are all saved and ready to go for years to come.
There is a free version that you can test run to see if you like the site. The downside is you can't organize your lists or group them, and it does not record their spelling scores. With the free membership you are also limited on games and worksheets for your students.
If you are looking for a time saver, fun website, a study tool students can use at home, or a way top incorporate technology into spelling, go check this out!

PS, did I mention it has a vocabulary portion to the website as well? You can also assign all vocab tests and homework! Bonus!

Technology Tidbit Tuesday--Storybird

Tuesday is the day I share a favorite technology tool for the classroom. Today  I want to share a site called StoryBird. http://storybird.com/
My class absolutely loves this site. If you have never used it before you should go check it out! You can create a free teacher account and then, under your class name, add all your students. With the free account they can make as many projects as they want, comment on classmate's work, you can send out assignments to the students, and you can make it a private and safe environment.
The way the site works it a little backwards to "normal" storytelling. Students start with the artwork, and create a story based on the pictures they see. They may also choose a topic and pictures will come up relating to that topic as well. Not only do they create stories, they can browse and read them as well. There are some great storytellers on that site, and some really insightful authors!
I usually do this as a whole class first to introduce the site. I walk them through the steps of finding art, using a a graphic organizer to come up with an idea, writing a rough draft, and finally publishing their idea with the artwork.
Sometimes I have this as a center, when they really understand the tools on the website. I will give a story starter and have them finish the story, or a topic to start with, otherwise most students sit and stare blankly at the screen or browse through art the entire time. With this site, I usually have to give guidelines like, "one paragraph per page," otherwise they only do one sentence. After everyone has done a story it is always fun to share a few of them.
Another fun activity is to have students write stories with partners. This teaches them cooperative learning skills, and can benefit the lower level learners who might need a little extra help. It is always fun to allow the students to comment on each other's stories, they usually give excellent advice to each other! Just make clear instructions so no one goofs off and writes comments only to be funny.
This is a website my students enjoy all year! A lot of them choose to work on stories when they have free time. Let me know what you think, and post questions if you have any.
~Teresa