Instructional Technology Resource Teachers
The ITRTs are helping to create a winter wonderland of learning!
15 Days of Resources
Explore and integrate some "NEW" technology-based resources into your instruction. Please let your ITRT know if you need assistance.
Gamify your Google Classroom with BookWidgets learning games
With BookWidgets, you can make automatically graded quizzes and interactive exercises. Choose between 40+ interactive exercise templates, and just add your own content. Check it out here.
The elementary 24 Game tournament was held this week on Tuesday evening. Check out the video below of the event. If you would like to see pictures of the event, please email Mike Cargill for a link to a folder with still images from the event.
Just so you know! The Amherst Lancers Tech Club will be streaming this years Amherst Christmas Parade where many of our school division students will be participating. Here is the link to view LIVE or REPLAY.
LIVE Stream of Parade: https://goo.gl/VzvmeD
Baby, it Code Outside!
Coding is nothing more than sequencing a list of events. The events could be directions such as a recipe or they could be events from a book or novel. Check out this cute coding task that sequences the book There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bell by Lucille Colandro. The activity has been posted on the Google+ Community for ACPS Elementary Teachers. Please join if you are not already a member. If you need help, please see your ITRT. If you are not an ACPS Elementary Teacher, email Melanie Lewis for a copy.
Sensory Bin = Instant STEAM Lesson
Ask any preschool or special needs educator and they can tell you about sensory bins. A sensory bin is a simple container filled with some type of filler such as sand, birdseed, rice or water. Although these bins are a staple in a primary classroom, they are also really good in any elementary grade level. I remember when I was a preschool teacher, my classroom was often filled in the early morning with older elementary students and my sensory table was one of their favorite places to explore. Try filling a container such as a large tin foil roasting pan with evergreens, pine cones, and other winter plants. Your room will smell so good! Add rulers and balances. You can set up specific challenges such as find a branch that is 6 inches long. Or find a branch that is two inches longer than another. Can they find a pine cone that is heavier than 5 ounces (Most of our school have balances with weights). Check with your ITRT for STEAM ideas involving sensory bins.
QR Codes and Task Cards
With all the Chromebooks we have in the division, now is the time to try your hand at creating task cards that are self checking with the use of a QR Code. Check out the example on the right and then make an appointment with your ITRT to learn how to make your own.
Amherst County's Instructional Technology Resource Teachers are spending the beginning of the week at VSTE18.
Do you know where to go to find the resources they share? If you are in the secondary schools (middle and high), please email Mike Cargill and he will send you a link to his Google Keep where he plans to organize all the information he gathers. All elementary teachers should make sure they are part of the ACPS Elementary Google+ Community as that is where Gail and Melanie will be posting.
On the left, ACPS' VSTE team. From left to right: M. Cargill, T. Howell, G. Moore, M. Lewis, and D. Norman.
The ITRTs are ready to ring in the upcoming holidays.
ACPS students create Christmas ornaments using 3D pens in STEAM lab.
Teach Kids Art is a website that has a great STEAM idea that would coordinate with any content area. Students create a Haiku Tunnel Book! Directions on the site seem very simple. Students will love this! Check out the image below for examples.
This charming Christmas choice board was created by ITRT, Gail Moore. Click on the image to see the full resource. If you would like to use this resource in your classroom or create your own, please contact your ITRT.
Stay tuned for more resources next week as the ITRTs attend the VSTE conference. We always come back overwhelmed with ideas that we want to share with you! If you are in the secondary schools (middle and high), please email Mike Cargill and he will send you a link to his Google Keep where he plans to organize all the information he gathers. All elementary teachers should make sure they are part of the ACPS Elementary Google+ Community as that is where Gail and Melanie will be posting.