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• Blooket: Youtube Channel: Welcome to the World of Blooket: a new take on trivia and review games! The way it works is that a teacher/host picks a question set and a unique game mode. Then, we generate a code that players can use to join the game on their own devices. After the game starts, players will answer questions to help them win. That’s where the fun starts, because we offer a variety of games to keep students engaged and excited!

• Kahoot: Youtube Channel: Kahoot! is a quiz-based learning platform that is free to use and is not only fun for students but also social, allowing them to interact in the physical world as well as digitally. It works on nearly any device with a browser, making it easy to access even on older computers, tablets, and smartphones.

• Quizalize: Youtube Channel: Quizalize is a classroom quiz-game website similar to Kahoot!, Quizlet, and Quizizz. Create quizzes with multiple- or two-choice question sets or single-word responses presented as word scrambles. Students then access the quiz from the web using a class code and see the full quiz on their screen. Engage your class with fun, standards-tagged quizzes. Get instant data on student mastery. Automatically assign differentiated follow-up activities.

• Quizizz: Youtube Channel: Quizizz is a gamified student engagement platform that offers multiple features to make a classroom fun, interactive and engaging. As a teacher, you can conduct formative assessments, assign homework, and have other interactions with your students (for all grades) in a captivating way.

• Nearpod: Youtube Channel: Nearpod is an interactive classroom tool to engage students by adding interactive activities to your lessons like polls, collaboration boards, and game-based quizzes. Students can interact and submit responses through any mobile device or laptop. Nearpod is accessible to all students and teachers via Classlink's SSO. 

• GooseChase: Youtube Channel: GooseChase is an online platform that helps you run real-world scavenger hunts and is the ultimate tool for student engagement activities. Set down the laptops, it is time to put the ‘active’ back into active learning techniques! Take education beyond the classroom by creating hands-on learning that fits into your timetable.

• Plickers: Youtube Channel: Plickers is a free, accessible and engaging educational tool used by millions of teachers around the world to assess their students and collect instant results in the classroom. The Plickers platform has been designed with accessibility as a top priority, meaning it's perfect for the vast majority of educational settings. Students answer questions by holding up unique cards, so there's no need for student devices or accounts, and sessions can even be taken offline if no internet connection is available. As the teacher, you will have access to a free Plickers account. These are designed for individual use,  which will allow you to create a bespoke online environment that's tailored to your own unique teaching schedule.

• Breakout EDU: Breakout EDU is a puzzle game based in the real world and digitally that's great for team-based learning. Breakout EDU is all about engaging students to learn better through immersion, collaboration, and problem-solving. We have one district account and I am happy to help you facilitate this fun tool with your class! Any subject area or team building. Let's do this! 

• Bingo Baker:  Customizable bingo cards for any topic or subject area. Virtual Bingoe. Free, but requires registration. 

• Flippity:   Flippity is a useful tool for taking Google Sheets (opens in new tab) and turning it into helpful resources, from flash cards to quizzes and more. Flippity works, at its most basic, by using a selection of Google Sheets that allow teachers and students to create activities. Since these templates are ready to use, all one requires is personalization to the task and it's ready to go. Thanks to Google integration, this is a great tool for schools that use G Suite for Education. It's not only easy to use when it comes to creation but also makes for easy sharing thanks to compatibility across many devices.
  
  

• Classroomscreen.com: Classroomscreen is an online tool that allows you to display the instructions for your lesson in a clear and visual way. Choose from over 13 widgets to support your class activities and help students get to work. You can also create polls and randomized groups with this site as well.

• EasyPolls: Create a free account and then create your poll; it’s that easy. Answer choices can be text, images, or even videos.

• Nearpod: Nearpod is an interactive classroom tool to engage students by adding interactive activities to your lessons like polls, collaboration boards, and game-based quizzes. Students can interact and submit responses through any mobile device or laptop.

• Webwhiteboard: WebWhiteboard is a fun, easy-to-use collaborative online whiteboard tool to sketch ideas, brainstorm, and share projects with your team in real-time from anywhere.

• Whiteboard.fi - Whiteboard.fi is an instant formative assessment tool for your classroom, providing you with live feedback and immediate overview over your students. Engage your whole class, include every student and let everybody answer - including the shy students or students who normally wouldn't bother to answer! I've used the free version, and it lacks a ton of features, but still works for a quick bell ringer, or exit ticket. 

• Jamboard:  A digital whiteboard created by Google. Once you try you will be hooked! Create a Jamboard and add up to 20 frames. Students can brainstorm and share ideas with sticky notes, text, images, and more. In addition, jamboards can easily be assigned to students in Google Classroom. Truly one of our favorites! There are many Jamboard fans out there sharing templates for all kinds of Jamboards. Just a Google search away and most people in the Jamboard community are happy to share for FREE!
  
  

• Nearpod: Nearpod is an interactive classroom tool to engage students by adding interactive activities to your lessons like polls, collaboration boards, and game-based quizzes. Students can interact and submit responses through any mobile device or laptop.

• Brainscape: Brainscape is a web and mobile education platform that allows students to study adaptive flashcards. (Free Version Available)

• Canva: Everybody learns differently, and Canva’s free flashcard maker allows you to design flashcards that work for you. Save yourself hours handwriting notes. With Canva’s flashcard maker you can pick the size and shape of your template, pick your theme, resize text, and add images and diagrams with our drag-and-drop editor. Choose from thousands of flexible templates to start your design, or you can start your design from scratch. Make flashcards that stand out!

• Knoword: An excellent, fast-paced vocabulary game. Educators can create their own word packs and track student progress. Free basic accounts allow play of all public word packs, sharing, and exporting, while the moderately priced Pro and Team accounts allow unlimited word pack creation and assignments.

• Storyline Online:  The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Daytime Emmy®-nominated and award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online®, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pine, Kristen Bell, Rita Moreno, Viola Davis, Jaime Camil, Kevin Costner, Lily Tomlin, Sarah Silverman, Betty White, Wanda Sykes and dozens more. Available through AISD's SSO link or you may go to www.storylineonline.net 

• Kids A-Z:  Learning A-Z offers a variety of eLearning resources that students access online. Kids A-Z is a kid-friendly learning portal where students go to access all their eLearning materials in an interactive online environment. In addition, the website also provides an easy-to-navigate hub that teachers use to manage their students, create custom assignments, and track individual and class-wide progress. Use SSO to access in AISD.

• Raz-Kids:  Students can listen to books for modeled fluency, read books for practice, and then record themselves reading so teachers can monitor progress. Every leveled eBook has an accompanying eQuiz to test reading comprehension. Books include Spanish, Song, Nursery Rhymes, Poetry and more. Because all books are available 24/7 via the Web, students can practice reading anytime, anywhere. Use SSO to access in AISD. 

• Renaissance Star 360:  (K-3) Renaissance’s Star 360—consisting of Star Reading, Star Math, and Star Early Literacy—are built on sound psychometric theory and years of careful research and development. Educators and students benefit from a wide range of actionable data that Star 360 delivers in an average of just 20 minutes of testing time. Plus, with the right planning and processes, educators can use Star 360 to gather formative reading and math data in a remote learning environment. Use SSO to access in AISD. 

• Reading Plus:  (3-8) Reading Plus is an adaptive literacy solution that improves fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, stamina, and motivation. Used in more than 7,800 schools, Reading Plus is helping more than one million students become proficient readers. Use SSO to access in AISD. 

• Istation: (PK) Improve comprehension and growth with activities and lessons that provide actionable and insightful data that measures phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, as well as many other skills. Use SSO to access in AISD. 

• Accelerated Reader:  (K-8) Accelerated Reader puts students in the driver's sear. You guide students, while engaging quizzes and activities help hone students’ reading skills with authentic practice—encouraging growth. Use SSO to access in AISD.

• BookNook: (3-8) Students use technology to read and learn together using scaffolded learning supports to empower teachers & support staff with diverse texts, dynamic games, & meaningful discussion with each lesson. Large tutor network expands reach to students. 

• Amplify Reading: (K-3) Powerful reading instruction for every student with personalized learning. Use SSO to access in AISD.

• mCLASS: (K-3) Student data you can trust. Based on over 30 years of research, mCLASS is the gold-standard K–6 assessment and intervention suite for early literacy that helps every child learn to read confidently.  Use SSO to access in AISD. 

• 99Math: (grades 1-8) The easiest most fun way to practice math facts in a classroom! Instantly engaging and perfect for all-class activities. No students' accounts required.

• MobyMax: Moby Math finds and fixes missing math skills that are essential for math comprehension. Students increase an average of 1 grade level with just 20 hours of practice. Moby Math is a comprehensive math curriculum. Use SSO to access in AISD

• IXL Math:  IXL helps students master essential skills at their own pace through fun and interactive questions, built in support, and motivating awards.  Use SSO to access in AISD. 

• Khan Academy: Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. Focus points in math, science, computing, history, art history, economics, and more, including K-12 and test preparation (SAT, Praxis, LSAT) content. 

• IXL Science: (grades 3-5) Moby Math finds and fixes missing math skills that are essential for math comprehension. Students increase an average of 1 grade level with just 20 hours of practice. Moby Math is a comprehensive math curriculum for kindergarten to 8th grade. Use SSO to access in AISD. 

• STEMscopes: Built on the research-based 5E lesson model and aligned to your standards, STEMscopes Science has everything you need to ignite your students’ passion for STEM, no matter what your learning environment looks like. Use SSO to access in AISD. 

• GeoGuessr - Let's Explore the World!: Geography game which takes you on a journey around the world and challenges your ability to recognize your surroundings.  

• Discovery Education: Provides a wide variety of content, tools, and resources to engage students and track their performance. TEKS aligned, search topics and subjects by grade level including podcasts, virtual field trips, videos, documents, interactives, and more. If you haven't checked it out lately you might not realize all of the changes that they have made to this robust platform. Definitely worth a look! All AISD students and teachers have an account accessible via Classlink SSO. 

• Lizard Point: This website is great for increasing your geography skills. You can take fun, free, and interactive quizzes to help you learn about the world. It’s great for learners of all ages.

• PBS Learning: Offers a vast library of free standards-aligned resources including videos, interactives, lesson plans, and more. Search for resources by grade level, subject area, resource type, and accessibility.  

• GEOshow - Learn Around the World:  Interactive, virtual field trip experiences. Take your class around the world to learn about new cultures, places, and history. Interactive programs are prescheduled by date and time. with live teacher demos. 

• River Runner: The premise of this website is simple: Drop a raindrop anywhere in the contiguous United States and see where it ends up. Once you’ve released your drop, the site automatically creates a map and takes you on a visual journey as it travels. It identifies each river it runs into, as well as how far along that body of water it would travel. There is also a global version of the site available.

• Anchor: (Podcast) Anchor is a free, beginner-friendly platform for podcast creation, containing tools that allow users to record and edit audio, arrange it into podcast episodes, publish podcasts to listening platforms, and monetize content by collecting listener contributions or adding advertisements into episodes.

• BandLab: (for Education): (Podcast / Music Creation) BandLab is a social music platform that enables creators to make music and share the creative process with musicians and fans. BandLab for Education empowers teachers and students with everything they need for collaborative, engaging and meaningful learning in the classroom. No installation needed – our cloud-based platform works seamlessly across Mac, Windows, Linux and Chromebooks. BandLab for Education is built specifically for teacher and student interaction. Unlike our BandLab app where anyone can join, only a teacher can invite a student into their classroom.

• Canva: (Podcasting with a Video Presentation) Use Canva’s video presentation tool to easily organize and record scholars' podcasts. There are two ways you can accomplish this in Canva (1st: Have scholars create a Canva "Educational Video" and record themselves talking inside of the "Uploads" section on the left menu - OR -  2nd: Create a Canva "Talking Presentation" and then use the "Present and Record" feature). 

This TCEA article will teach you how to go from Brainstorming to a Listening Party in just five simple steps.

• • • Step 1: Listening Party 

      • Start by showing scholars examples of educational podcasts (Intro with Instrumental Music, Today's Sponsor, Hook, Topic Explained, Closing Remarks, Outro with Instrumental Music, Credits, etc.).

        • • Example: Brains On! Podcast

    • Step 2: Assign Groups and Have Them Conduct Their Research

      • • • Example: Use this Canva Template to Have Scholars Organize their Research

    • Step 3: Guide Scholars in Podcast Planning

      • • Name Their Podcast & Develop a Script (Showcasing What They've Learned)

          • • Share a Premade Canva Slide Deck (Educational Video or Talking Presentation) with Each Group and Tell Them To Make It Their Own. Include the following slides: 

              • • 1. Introduction (& Hook) 2. Information 3. Commercial/Sponsor (Only if they made one) 4. Closing Remarks/Credits 5. Bibliography

    • Step 4: Use Canva for Podcast Production

      • • Use Canva to record your podcast (Educational Video or Talking Presentation).

          • • Educational Video Instructions - Search "Educational Video" inside of Canva & either choose a template, or pick "Create a Blank Educational Video." Create/Edit your slides. Once finished, click on "Uploads" and then click "Record Yourself" in order to add your audio. You can also use other Podcasting Software (like Vocaroo or BandLab) to record your Podcast and then upload it into Canva. Once you're done adding the audio, click on the triangular play button in the top right corner (next to share) in order to watch and download your final product. 

            • Talking Presentation Instructions - Search "Talking Presentation" inside of Canva & either choose a template, or pick "Create a Blank Talking Presentation." Create/Edit your slides. Once finished, click "Present and Record" in the top right of your presentation. Then click "Go to Recording Studio" and enable/disable the camera, but be sure to keep the microphone enabled. Click "Start Recording" and you're off. Please note that you cannot go back and edit this recording, so if you make a mistake you are forced to start over from the beginning. 

    • Step 5: Have another Listening Party!

      • • Once your scholars finish their podcast, have them share it with you via a Google Classroom link. After you vet them, spend the next class day showcasing all of their hard work. You can either have the class listen to each podcast one at a time, or you could upload the podcasts to a Google Sites page and allow your scholars to pick and choose which podcasts they listen to (independently).
          

• Flip (formally Flipgrid):  (Screen Recording Tool) Flip is a website and app that allows teachers to facilitate video discussions. Students are organized into groups and then given access to discussion topics. The topic space serves as an interactive message board where teachers can pose questions and students can post video responses that appear in a tiled grid display. Guests can also be invited to participate with a link and a password.
  
  

• Screencastify: (Screen Recording Tool) Screencastify lets you record video from your device to playback later and share. You can edit the video to perfect it before you put it to good use (the blur tool is really useful if you need to hide students names). That means being able to give a presentation across multiple websites, with highlights on the screen and your face in the corner via webcam. This is a great tool that students can utilize as well. Get the Chrome Extension by clicking here. Important Note: The district does purchase Screencastify, but the free version allows you to record up to 10 videos (each recording can be up to 30 minutes in length). The files are stored in your Google Drive folder, so just be sure to move your videos from the "Screencastify" folder into a different Google Drive folder in order to not reach your 10 video limit. 

• Vocaroo: (Audio Recording Only)  Vocaroo is a simple audio recording service that can be used by both teachers and students. It allows you to record your voice, play it back to listen, and then provides you with a web link or the code to embed an icon into a webpage or blog.

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• Canva: Free presentation software lets you access to hundreds of beautifully designed layouts to create presentations on any topic. Simply choose the perfect images, fonts and colors to make your presentation relay your message with gusto! Looking for great Back to School resources? Check out Canva's Back to School page where you'll find the Back to School Design Playbook which has a TON of great resources to help get you up and running! #Jenallee also made this great Canva tool to help you easily find the right template in Canva. It includes back to school, classroom, top 10, student templates, and how to teach with Canva. This one is a keeper!! 

• Nearpod:  District paid tool available to educators and scholars. Nearpod is an interactive lesson delivery tool. Select from countless interactive activities and formative assessments. Create your lesson (or borrow from the thousands in the Nearpod Library), share a generated code with your students, and let the fun begin! Accessible through the SSO for AISD. 

• Google Slides: Scholars and educators alike can create professional grade slideshows. With Google Slides, you can build presentations right in your web browser—no special software is required. Slides are easy to share and allow students to collaborate as they are able to edit with others. 

• Nearpod Digital Citizenship Lessons: This platform is AISD's 'go to' for all things digital citizenship. Prepare students with knowledge and skills to use technology effectively, safely, & appropriately. Included in our district Nearpod subscription, resources are available and ready for you to use. Nearpod and Common Sense Media have partnered to bring your scholars lessons on online safety, cyberbullying, digital literacy, media balance, and more. Available in English and Spanish and accessible on the SSO for all students and educators in AISD. Click here in order to view the entire K-12 Scope and Sequence.
  
  

• The Achievery: Created by AT&T in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery, The Achievery helps connect students to a new world of digital learning through stories that spark curiosity and learning content that entertains as well as teaches. The platform features clips from some of the most popular, well-loved movies, TV shows and cartoons from Warner Bros. and Cartoon Network, paired with lessons and learning activities that students can engage with everywhere they are – at home, in the community and in the classroom. Lessons fall under the following categories: ELAR, SEL, Technology & Engineering, Digital Arts, Math, Science, and Digital Literacy. K-12

• Blockly: A series of educational games that teach programming. It is designed for children who have not had prior experience with computer programming. By the end of these games, students will be exposed and prepared enough to use conventional text-based languages. Grades 5-12.

• Code.org:  Dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by young women and students from other underrepresented groups. You don't have to be a software developer to teach computer science. More than one million teachers have brought CS to their students using this intuitive site. K-12

• Nearpod - Coding: Get your students coding in no time with Nearpod!

  • Grades K-2: In this K-2 series, students will learn to create visual web interfaces using HTML, CSS and JavaScript Lessons are are aligned to core competencies delineated by ISTE and were developed using the 5E model.

  • Grades 3-8: In this 3-8 series, students will learn to code in a real programming language, with no previous experience needed. Each lesson introduces important concepts in computer science combined with increasingly harder challenges using CodeMonkey. 

  • Grades 9-12: In this 9-12 series, students will explore foundational concepts in computer science through a literacy lens. Lessons are structured using the gradual release model, and teachers should rest assured that no technical expertise is required to teach these lessons. 

  • Scratch: Scratch is a programming language and an online community where children can program and share interactive media such as stories, games, and animation with people from all over the world. As children create with Scratch, they learn to think creatively, work collaboratively, and reason systematically. Scratch is designed especially for young people ages 8 to 16, but people of all ages create and share with Scratch. Younger children may want to try ScratchJr, a simplified version of Scratch designed for ages 5 to 7.