Chromebook Shortcuts Posters

This past year I started working with my students to become more comfortable using their chromebooks. So many times I would just let them explore and figure things out on their own, but there are times I would cringe as I watch them try to do something and it take them 10 times longer. Don't get me wrong, I prefer to let them explore things on their own rather than me stand in front of show them step by step how to do something.

I created these posters for my classroom last year and the kids loved them. However, since we are starting off doing virtual learning I still wanted to be able to share them with my students, so I created a one page sign that could be printed out if they have a printer at home, but I will also post it on my resources page of my Google site so they can access it until they have them memorized.

I kept them simple and tried to choose only ones that they would actually use, even though there WAY more shortcuts available.

What shortcuts do you teach your kids??

Click on any of the images above to get your free copy!

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Technology Spotlight: Book Creator

I found out about Book Creator a few years ago and absolutely love it!

www.bookcreator.com

I definitely used it more when I taught all subjects, especially for reading, science, and social studies. However, I am determined to fit it into my math classes this school year.

I put together this presentation for my school on how to get Book Creator set up in the classroom and some basics for creating a book.

In the presentation is also a blog post from Book Creator for 50 ways to use this technology tool in the classroom.

Here are a few ways that I have used it:

• publishing writing pieces (I prefer to give my students an option when publishing, so this was always an option for them)
• creating an alphabet book for the end of year vocabulary review
• students write a short biography or about me book for the beginning of the school year
• used as an option for publishing a science project about ecosystems

One of the cool things about this technology tool is being able to import items into the books. Students can search for a image using google search directly in the tool, embed a google map (great for social studies and science!), insert a file from the computer or google drive, or embed a webpage. 

When I first started using this I was worried I was going to have to take time to teach the students how to use it, but I found that they were easily able to figure out the different tools on their own. (side note - I do teach 5th grade, but I feel like the younger kids could handle it too)

Book Creator has a resources section of their website for teachers. You are able to search resources by grade level or subject. They even have student examples to view.

https://bookcreator.com/resources-for-teachers/

This technology tool is definitely a tool to check out, especially with the possibility of virtual learning this fall!

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5th Grade Math Anchor Charts

I have put together a Google presentation with all of the anchor charts I use in my 5th grade math classroom.

In the classroom I would use these for interactive notebooks, print out on colorful paper and display in the classroom, or use them to make "anchor charts to-go". The great thing about these anchor charts is that they can easily be printed in different sizes. They are formatted to fit 1 on a normal 8.5 by 11 inch paper. However, you can easily change the size by going to File and selecting Print Settings. Where it says 1 slide per page, when you click it gives you a drop down of options. I would choose Handout - 2 or 4 slides per page. If you go any smaller it will be too difficult to read the charts. You can also toggle the size by changing the layout from landscape to portrait.

If you are doing distance learning, you can easily copy and paste a slide from this presentation into another presentation. I am probably going to create interactive notebooks for my students to use digitally (I foresee a future blog post coming), so I plan to copy and paste these anchor charts as we cover the topics.

A side note about anchor charts...

Usually I like to create my anchor charts with my students in the classroom. However, with distance learning this is going to be a bit more challenging. I prefer to explore a topic and allow the students try to figure out how to solve something before just showing them step-by-step how to do it. I would not recommend just showing your students these anchor charts to have them use to solve a problem. In my experience, they need to be explained and taught how to solve a specific problem first and then the anchor chart is used as a reference for future attempts at solving problems.

As mentioned this presentation focuses on 5th grade math standards (maybe if I have time I will try to work on lower grades). I keep my anchor charts basic because as I said I usually like to print them on bright, colorful paper.

The charts included are:

• Multiplication (algorithm, area model, and partial products)
• Division (algorithm, area model, and partial quotients)
• Place Value
• Powers of 10
• Multiplying by Powers of 10
• Dividing by Powers of 10
• Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing Decimals
• Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing Fractions
• Volume (counting cubes and formula)
• Coordinate Grids
• Order of Operations
• Quadrilateral Hierarchy

23 charts total!

Click on any of the images above to get your free copy!

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Printable Number Signs

To go along with the printable alphabet from this morning, I also created printable number signs!

Just like the alphabet, these can be printed on a regular full size of paper, 2 per page, or 4 per page. Directions for printing are located on the second slide.

The clip art on the slides is from the website http://www.publicdomainfiles.com/ is free to use. When you download your copy of the presentation, you can use this website to find different clip art of images if you want to change out one of the slides.

The presentation includes numbers 1 through 20.

Click on any of the image above to get your free copy!

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Personalize Your Own Printable Alphabet

Now that the idea of my daughter beginning kindergarten at home, I have been thinking of ways to make the transition easy for her. Luckily I am a teacher myself, so I have some ideas about what would be posted in a classroom.

Today I am sharing my customizable printable alphabet!  I created this using logos from different brands that my daughter is familiar with. However, by using the website that I link below, you can find 1000s of brands that may be better known to your kids.

To get your copy of the alphabet, click on the image below and then go to File --> Make a copy. Once you have your copy, you can delete the logos you don't want and then download them from the website and upload them into the presentation by going to Insert --> Image --> Upload from Computer.

 

https://worldvectorlogo.com/alphabetical

On slide 2 of the presentation, I explain the different options for printing the alphabet pages if you want them smaller that 1 per page.

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Consonant Digraph and Blends Games

I am continuing to go through my Words Their Way letter name activities and have created a simple game board for the consonant digraphs and blends sorts.

A few notes about this activity... 

• The objective of the game is for students to move along the game board using a die. I have linked an electronic die if they do not have one accessible. 
• Each time they land on a space, they click on it and it will take them to a new slide with an image. They are supposed to determine the word that goes with the image. If the word has the digraph or blend they are looking for then, they get to move ahead one space. If not, then they stay where they are.
• I used the same game board layout for each of the games below. This makes it easier for the kids to learn how to play. 
• The students will need to move their game pieces, which means that they must have editing rights to the document. When you want to share this with a student, you will need to make a copy to share with them. (if using this on a choice board, you can force make a copy by copying and pasting the link, then at the end of the link, delete where it says edit and change it to copy)
• There are directions in the grey areas of the first slide, as well as, helpful hints for the students.
• The idea is that 2 students would be playing this at the same time. This could be done in the classroom or while distance learning. Depending on the age of the student, they could use the same Google presentation so they can see each other's game pieces or separate ones if sharing the presentation would be too challenging.
• There is an answer key on the very last slide if the students are having trouble figuring out the word and if it has the consonant digraph or blend.

Consonant Digraphs (ch, sh, th, wh)

Consonant Blends (st, sp, sk, sm)

Consonant Blends (sc, sn, sw)

Consonant Blends (pl, sl, bl, fl)

Consonant Blends (cr, cl, fr, gl, gr)

Consonant Blends (pr, tr, dr, br)

Click each of the links above take you to the game board.

Want to learn more about Words Their Way? Check out my blog post here.

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Digital Literature Circles

Even though I am not teaching reading this year, I am looking through many of my resources on Google Drive and thinking about how they can be adapted to fit digital learning.

This Google Presentation has two options for you to choose from. You can use the presentation for the entire book club/literature circle book. (I set up 4 meetings for this option) You can also choose to use a different presentation for each time the students meet. I have a notes page in the beginning of the presentation that tells you which slides to delete based on the option you choose that will not mess up the links.

I use 5 roles in my literature circles: Summarizer, Questioner, Illustrator, Connector, and Word Wizard.

There are slides for each role to complete before the day that students will meet. There are also slides included that explain each role in the literature circle and a few resources that may help them complete the slide.

I suggest using Zoom or Google Meet to host the literature circle meetings. One person can share their screen to project the slides that were completed as each student shares in the literature circle.

Click on one of the images above or go to my RELA Resources page to access the presentation.

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Instagram: @mrspotterstyle