Google Sites can be used with any grade level or subject area.  It is a flexible and easy to use online website creator.  Sites can be used with your students to share projects, track assignments, share document sources and project planning. The pages can be customized with themes or logos! Make a site banner in powerpoint and then create a jpeg from it to embed into sites.

Because Google Sites is built on a wiki foundation, all versions of edits are saved. This means you can always go back to early versions of the document and compare changes between different versions.  Another great feature is that Page subscribers can be notified when the page is updated.

Go to Google sites. You will need a Google account. You can also access sites from the "More" drop-down along the top. Click Create a New Site. It will take you to a page for naming your site, setting up security, and choosing a theme.

In the Edit mode, you can easily insert video (you tube or google), Google Docs documents, spreadsheets, spreadsheet forms, presentations, Picasa photo slide shows, calendars, or gadgets. You can change the format, insert a table, or chose to have a two-column layout. Links to other sites can be set to open in the current web page or a new page.

Under “Site settings,” you can also “Change appearance” of the site. Add a custom logo, change the theme or the colors and fonts of the site, add background photos. The combinations are as endless as your imagination. Don’t forget to save your changes before returning to the site.

Each time you add a new page, you will have to “Edit sidebar” if you would like it listed. This is found at the bottom of the sidebar or can be done under “Site settings” > “Change appearance.” Under “Navigation” chose “edit.” You will need to add the page to the sidebar. Once there, use the arrows to move the pages around until they are in the order you’d like.

With Google Sites you can create custom web pages. As with many other Google tools, collaborating with others on sites is positive. You decide the level of sharing you would like to permit, and you can limit access to your site to small group or you can make it viewable by the public. To grant permissions for security, go to “Site settings” and chose “Share this site.” Here you can invite collaborators or viewers. Collaborators can edit and add content. Owners have more permissions. If viewing is limited to a select group, make sure you have unchecked the “Advanced permissions” box. Only those you invite by email will have access to the site.

Types of Pages available for your site

• Web page - A basic page that allows you to write content and embed gadgets.  This is your basic blank slate.
• Dashboard - A two column webpage with four placeholder gadgets to make it easy to get started creating an overview of information or embed gadgets.
• File cabinet - A page where you can upload and share files.  You can create folders for different subjects.
• List - This page can be used to create to-do lists or assignment lists.  You can easily add or remove items.
• Announcements - This a perfect tools for adding recent announcements to your page.  While much of your content remains static, this lets place time-stamped information anywhere on your site.

Ideas:

http://sites.google.com/site/vernalpondsproject/

Using sites:

Screencasts for embedding anything in a google site:

Altering a google site

Changing borders

Editing tables

Creating a discussion section

Embed a google calendar in sites