Hour of Code is here: My top 5 web sites/apps for coding!

Hour of Code

December 4-10, 2017

So Hour of Code is around the corner!  
Here my top five apps/programs for Hour of Code!

1. Hour of Code   You have to talk about the big Kahuna.  The one that started it all!  It's easy to set up your class and it gives you a code to log in.   Works seamlessly with Google accounts.  Kids love the games such as Minecraft, Frozen and Star Wars.
2.  Made with Code      This web site was made by Google.  It's focus is getting girls interested in coding but anyone can use it.  The kids love making gifs, emojis and avatars.  
3.  Scratch Scratch is for ages 8-16.  It lets you create games, stories and animations.  Check it out.  There is some really cool stuff.
4. Tynker     Another great web site that lets you create classes and works seamlessly with Google.  Some activities are pet simulator, Googly eyes and Math art.  
5. CodeSpark is one more option out there.  This is for younger kids- aged 5-8.  There are free lessons plans for teachers.  You use it on a tablet.

Have fun coding with the kids.  It's a blast!  
Don't limit yourself and your kids to that week.  
It can be done all year long!!

Visit these great blogs for more ideas!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Counting Collections

Counting Collections

I have been very lucky to have had a lot of professional development in Cognitively Guided Instruction in Mathematics.  CGI math was created by Megan Franke.  She is the Guru from UCLA (my Alma Mater!!).   

This post is about counting collections.  Counting collections are a structured way to give kids an opportunity to count.  They count large items and develop number sense. 

1.  What can you use for counting collections?

•Rocks

•Paper clips

•Pom poms

•Beads

•Money

•Water beads

•Anything small…

•Objects with a given value –each red tile is worth 100, each blue tile is worth 1,000 etc.

•Sets of items

•Pictures of sets of items

2. Where can you get counting collections?

•99 cents store

•Dollar Tree

•Target

•Michaels

•Amazon

•Anywhere

3.  How do you store the counting collections?

•I put mine in quart sized Ziploc baggies and keep them in a basket

•It helps to color code them according to the size of the collection for differentiation

4. Observe, walk around and talk to the kids.  This is the most important part.  The talking is the key!!!  Questions to ask to spur thinking:

•What strategy are you using?

•Is that the most efficient way to count?

•Why did you choose to count that way?

•What will you do when you run out of cups?

•What equations can you use to find out the total?

•Is there another way to count this?

•What would you do differently next time?

5.  Have students record their thinking.  

My kids know I expect:

•Pictorial representations

•Equations

•Written explanations

•At least two ways of counting

If you want more in depth information, 

check out my product in my TPT store.  

I have a few things for 

CGI Math.

An InLinkz Link-up

     

My Tips for DonorsChoose

I have been pretty successful in getting my DonorsChoose grants funded.  DonorsChoose is a great web site where teachers write grants for wanted classroom objects, visitors or trips and kind hearted souls donate to support the project.

Here are my tips for success:

1.  Before you write your grant, look for your states partner funding opportunities (look at the bottom of the page). Look up your state and see if any of the matching opportunities align with your idea.  If you can get a match offer, you're halfway there.  If you get an almost home match, you only need $100 to fund it!!

2.  Keep it small.  Smaller grants have a greater chance of getting funded.

3.  Email your friends and acquaintances.  Everyone can use a tax deduction at the end of the year.  

4.  Use social media.  Put it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, anywhere and everywhere.  You never know who will respond. 

5. If it doesn't get funded, don't fret.  It just wasn't meant to be this time.   You can always put it back up later after you spruce up the language.  Make it even more exciting.

It's a great organization that has helped my classroom a lot!! Good luck!!

An InLinkz Link-up

        

EdTech Tips from LisaTeachR's Classroom: Google Chrome extensions

Google Chrome Extensions

What are Google Chrome extensions?

They are apps that run within Google Chrome.  You get them at the Web Store. You click on the colorful apps waffle on the left hand of your Bookmarks bar. The web store will be on the bottom right.  They will make your life more productive...I promise!

Here's my list:

Google Translate for Google -Do I even need to explain?

Google Tone -This is such a neat tool.  You can broadcast a URL to any website in the area.  No more copying things down incorrectly!

Newsela -Great non fiction articles about current topics.  You can chose the readability level.  Quizzes are available for most.

Storybird -Beautiful art for creating stories. 

Kami -Great for annotating.  Close reading, anyone?

Speak It! -Great for differentiation and kids who need a little help.  It reads the text for them.

Turn Off The Lights -Say you want to watch a video on YouTube but an embarrassing ad comes on.  This app turns everything but the video dark.  Cool, huh?

AdBlock -Removes all those pesky ads from everywhere!  Yay!

Storyboard That -great for storyboarding

We Video -Use this for making and editing videos

Polarr -Photo editing tool!

Honey -This is just for you!  It will search for any online coupon codes and apply them automatically.  It's awesome.  It's saved me a ton of money.

What extensions do you recommend?

        

Technology Tales for Kids

Monday Linky from Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers and Kathryn from Book Date!

Technology Tales for Kids

As the school year begins, it's important to teach kids about Digital Citizenship.  Here are some books that may make that easier...

Technology Tale: A Digital Footprint Story


This is a great way to explain to kids what a digital footprint is.   

Good Night Ipad


Here is a story about the importance of disconnecting!  Patterned after the classic.

Once Upon a Time...Online


Hmmm...a little girl finds a laptop...what could happen?  I love the fairy tale component.


One great resource for additional ideas is Common Sense Media.  Lots of great ideas and videos.  If you want to take it a step further, have your students create their own cautionary tales on Storybird.  Great online program to create stories with beautiful art and it's free!